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This analysis uses ABS Statistical Areas Level 2 (SA2) boundaries, which can materially differ from Suburbs and Localities (SAL) even when sharing similar names.
SA2 boundaries are defined by the Australian Bureau of Statistics and are designed to represent communities for statistical reporting (e.g., census and ERP).
Suburbs and Localities (SAL) represent commonly-used suburb/locality names (postal-style areas) and may use different geographic boundaries. For comprehensive analysis, consider reviewing both boundary types if available.
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ABS ERP | -- people | --
2021 Census | -- people
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Southport - South has an estimated 20,491 residents, up from 18,893 at the 2021 Census — a change of 1,598 people, or 8.5%. Growth has averaged 1.2% a year over five years. 644 new addresses have been validated here since Census night. Overseas migration accounts for 100.0% of that increase. That puts 3,081 residents on each square kilometre. Population is estimated from ABS Estimated Resident Population releases and GNAF address data, re-based from the 2021 Census and updated annually.
Detail
According to research conducted by AreaSearch, the resident count in Southport - South stands at approximately 20,491 as of Aug 2026. This marks an expansion of 1,598 people (8.5%) compared to the 2021 Census tally of 18,893 people. Such growth has been calculated utilizing an estimated resident population figure of 20,247 provided by the ABS as of June 2025 alongside 644 validated new addresses recorded following the Census date. Consequently, the local density reaches 3,081 persons per square kilometer, positioning the locality in the top quartile of areas nationwide evaluated by AreaSearch.
Furthermore, the 8.5% post-2021 census surge outpaced the wider SA3 area (7.6%), establishing the locality as a regional leader in expansion. Recent population increases were almost entirely underpinned by overseas migration as the primary catalyst. ABS and Geoscience Australia SA2 population modeling released in 2024 (anchored to 2022) forms the baseline for AreaSearch projections. Where local coverage is absent or extends beyond post-2032, Queensland State Government SA2 forecasts from 2023 based on 2021 data are utilized instead. Because these state figures omit age breakdowns, proportional weightings from the ABS Greater Capital Region 2023 release (2022 base) are applied across cohorts. Driven by anticipated demographic patterns, Southport - South is set for top-quartile regional expansion nationally, with numbers modeled to rise by 5,645 persons to 2041 under latest annual ERP metrics, delivering an overall growth rate of 26.4% across the 16 years.
Frequently Asked Questions - Population
1,187 new dwellings have been approved in Southport - South over the past five years, an average of 237 a year. That places the area in the 85th percentile for residential development activity nationally, about 12 approvals per 1,000 residents a year. Of the 237 dwellings approved in the latest reporting year, 8% were detached houses and the rest townhouses or apartments. Figures come from ABS building approvals aggregated to this SA2 boundary and are updated monthly as the ABS releases them.
Detail
Over the past 5 financial years, residential approvals across Southport - South have run at an annual average of 237, delivering 1,187 homes in aggregate. Across this span (spanning FY-22 and FY-26), an average of 1 people arrived annually per new home constructed, meaning residential delivery is matching or outpacing demand to offer buyers greater variety while facilitating potential growth above baseline projections. Quality remains a central focus, evidenced by an average dwelling construction value of $687,000, exceeding broader regional figures. Furthermore, commercial building approvals reached $54.7 million during this financial year, reflecting solid momentum in local commercial development.
Per capita building activity in Southport - South exceeds the Rest of Qld by 102.0%, presenting substantial choice for prospective purchasers. This rate tracks well above national averages, highlighting heightened developer appetite. Medium and high-density formats dominate current construction at 92.0%, with standalone homes accounting for just 8.0%. This pivot toward higher-density living provides accessible price points for first-time buyers, downsizers, and investors alike. It also marks a structural transition away from the current stock of 35.0% houses, pointing to constrained land supply alongside evolving lifestyle preferences for varied housing types. Registering roughly 78 people per dwelling approval, the locality displays typical growth-market dynamics. Demographic projections indicate that Southport - South will add 5,401 residents through to 2041 relative to the latest AreaSearch quarterly estimate. With current building volumes comfortably accommodating this influx, buyer conditions remain favorable and could facilitate expansion beyond established population projections.
Frequently Asked Questions - Development
Development applications around Southport - South
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| Lodged | Address | Description | Type | Distance | Status |
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SOURCE: Planning portals and council registers, compiled by AreaSearch. Distance & bearing measured from the suburb midpoint.
AreaSearch tracks 13 current infrastructure and development projects inside Southport - South, worth an estimated $990 million. A further 138 sit in the immediately surrounding suburbs, taking the tracked pipeline within reach of the area to $48.9 billion. 61 are already under construction and 83 are due for completion within three years. The pipeline spans residential development, communities and communities, precincts & urban renewal. Records are compiled from Infrastructure Australia, state agencies, council planning portals and public announcements, reviewed and updated daily, then ranked by proximity, construction stage, completion horizon and project scale.
Detail
Local infrastructure investment, planning frameworks, and major development undertakings play a major role in shaping regional trajectories. AreaSearch has pinpointed 32 key projects with anticipated local influence, notably Paradiso Place, Monarch Place - Imperial Square Stage 2, Griffith University Village Student Accommodation Tower, and Quest Southport, which feature prominently in the relevant pipeline summary below.
Professional plan users can use the search below to filter and access additional projects.
INFRASTRUCTURE SEARCH
Denotes AI-based impression for illustrative purposes only, not to be taken as definitive under any circumstances. Please follow links and conduct other investigations from the project's source for actual imagery. Developers and project owners wishing us to use original imagery please Contact Us and we will do so.
Frequently Asked Questions - Infrastructure
Quest Southport
A $50 million, 10-storey serviced apartment hotel project by Quest Apartment Hotels featuring 90 modern units, a state-of-the-art gym, and a rooftop pool. The project is being delivered by ADCO Constructions and Westpoint Constructions, serving as a key part of Ascott Limited's expansion strategy on the Gold Coast. Completion is slated for mid-2026.
Southport - Nerang Street Revitalisation
A City of Gold Coast Council placemaking and streetscape upgrade project for Nerang Street, the main street of the Southport CBD. The project aims to revitalise the historic commercial strip through improved pedestrian amenity, public realm enhancements, street furniture, lighting, and landscaping to create a more activated and liveable city centre.
Monarch Place - Imperial Square Stage 2
Monarch Place is the $450 million second stage of the landmark $3.8 billion Imperial Square masterplan in Southport. The development features a 30-level tower comprising 237 luxury apartments, including high-end penthouses and sky homes. The project integrates diverse uses with a dedicated medical level featuring 23 suites, 63 hotel rooms on Level 5, and a ground-floor retail precinct with 12 shops. A standout feature is the 4,000sqm Level 6 amenity deck which includes a 600sqm lagoon-style pool, residents' bar, ballroom, cinema, and a golf simulator.Residents also gain access to the exclusive Monarch Club lifestyle assets, including a luxury cruiser and a fleet of electric vehicles.
Griffith University Village Student Accommodation Tower
Campus Living Villages is delivering a new multi-storey purpose-built student accommodation tower at Griffith University Village on the Gold Coast campus. The project adds about 459 to 460 beds in studio, two-bedroom and accessible units, with new indoor and outdoor communal amenities including an expanded village green, resort-style swimming pool, gym, laundry, study and collaboration spaces. Construction commenced in August 2024 and completion is expected later in 2026.
21 Minnie Street Affordable Housing
A medium-rise residential development featuring 30 social and affordable housing units designed for vulnerable and low-to-moderate income residents. The project consists of one and two-bedroom apartments across seven levels, incorporating subtropical, climate-responsive design elements. Key features include communal terraces on level one and the rooftop to foster community connection within the Southport CBD catchment.
Eden Garden Residences
Eden Garden Residences is a boutique residential-only development featuring 54 spacious two- and three-bedroom apartments across eight levels in Southport. Designed by BDA Architecture, the project includes a communal rooftop terrace with teppanyaki kitchen, 270-degree views of the Gold Coast coastline and city skyline, a gymnasium, and private balconies. The building design features modern, softly curved balconies and vertical blade walls with a material palette of light textured face brick and rendered concrete.
20 Queen Street Southport Apartments
20-storey mixed-use tower development in Southport CBD featuring 180 apartments with ground floor retail space. MRCB development includes communal spaces, parking facilities, and modern residential accommodation targeting the growing residential demand in the Gold Coast's central business district. Previously known as the Sundale Motel site redevelopment.
Brighton on the Park Southport
Brighton on the Park is a luxury boutique residential development featuring 12 expansive half-floor apartments. The project offers home-sized three-bedroom residences ranging from 247 to 300 square meters, designed to overlook James Overell Park. Residents have access to premium amenities including a rooftop pool with day beds, a fully equipped gym, and multiple lounge areas with panoramic views of the Nerang River and Gold Coast skyline.
10,882 residents of Southport - South are employed, from a labour force of 11,418. Unemployment sits at 4.7%, with participation at 63.7%. Weighted for its industry mix, the area's sectors are forecast to grow about 6.8% nationally over five years. That reflects industry composition only and makes no allowance for local population growth. The working-day population is estimated at 18,287, about 89% of the resident population, so more people leave the area for work than travel in. Unemployment and labour force come from ABS Small Area Labour Markets, updated quarterly; the industry and occupation profile is from the 2021 Census.
Detail
The local workforce in Southport - South is characterized by high educational attainment and substantial representation across tourism and hospitality fields, accompanied by an unemployment rate of 4.7% and annual employment growth of 3.6%. As of March 2026, employed residents total 10,882, while the local jobless rate sits 0.8% above the Regional Qld figure of 3.9%, and participation aligns closely with the Regional Qld benchmark of 64.2%. Census figures indicated that 13.1% of workers worked from home, though period Covid-19 lockdown measures must be factored into this rate. Employment among residents is primarily concentrated within accommodation & food, health care & social assistance, and retail trade.
Accommodation & food demonstrates exceptional prominence locally, employing workers at 1.6 times the regional average. Conversely, agriculture, forestry & fishing accounts for only 0.4% of the workforce, well below the 4.5% seen across Regional Qld. Comparing Census resident workers against local employment counts indicates that this largely residential community provides limited local job opportunities. AreaSearch examination of ABS and SALM metrics reveals that across the 12 months to March 2026, local employment expanded by 3.6% alongside a 3.2% increase in the labor force, reducing the unemployment rate by 0.3 percentage points. Over the same timeframe, Regional Qld saw employment rise 0.1% and the labor force grow 0.3%, with its jobless rate climbing 0.1 percentage points. Additional perspective on future labor requirements comes from Jobs and Skills Australia forecasts from Mar-26 across five and ten-year horizons. Nationally, job opportunities are modeled to grow by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, with performance varying by sector. Weighting these projections against the Southport - South industry breakdown indicates local jobs could grow by 6.8% over five years and 14.0% over ten years (note that this represents a simple weighting calculation without localized population adjustments).
Frequently Asked Questions - Employment
Median household income in Southport - South is $1,362 a week (about $71,000 a year), with median personal income at $680 a week. ATO records put median taxable income at $47,075 a year against an average of $57,964. Household income is from the 2021 Census; taxable income is from ATO Taxation Statistics for the latest financial year available, indexed forward using the ABS Wage Price Index.
Detail
ATO figures compiled by AreaSearch for financial year 2023 place taxpayer earnings in the Southport - South SA2 below Australian benchmarks. The median income among local taxpayers was $47,075 while the average reached $57,964, sitting below Regional Qld metrics of $53,146 and $66,593 respectively. Accounting for an 11.36% increase in the Wage Price Index since financial year 2023, updated estimates reach roughly $52,423 for median earnings and $64,549 on average as of March 2026. In the 2021 Census, local household, family, and individual incomes all ranked between the 24th and 25th percentiles nationwide.
The $1,500 - 2,999 weekly earnings bracket accounts for 29.6% of residents (6,065 individuals), aligning with the wider metropolitan rate of 31.7%. Housing costs exert substantial pressure, leaving 77.1% of income uncommitted (17th percentile nationally), with the community sitting in the 5th decile on the SEIFA income index.
Frequently Asked Questions - Income
Southport - South had 7,629 occupied dwellings at the 2021 Census, 35% detached houses and 38% apartments. 24% are owned with a mortgage, 49% rented and 26% owned outright. At that Census the median rent was $435 a week and the median mortgage repayment $1,733 a month. Rent absorbs 31.9% of household income here and mortgage repayments 29.4%. Dwelling stock, tenure and housing costs are 2021 Census measures — the only source that counts dwellings at this boundary size.
Detail
At the latest Census, housing stock across Southport - South was divided between 34.7% standalone houses and 65.4% other dwellings (apartments, semi-detached residences, and other dwelling forms), contrasting with Regional Qld where 76.4% were houses and 23.6% other dwellings. Outright home ownership trailed the Regional Qld level at 26.4%, with remaining properties occupied under a mortgage (24.2%) or rented (49.4%). Median monthly mortgage repayments stood at $1,733, exceeding the Regional Qld benchmark of $1,655, while weekly median rents reached $435 compared to $345 regionally. Compared nationally, local mortgage repayments fall below the Australian level of $1,863, whereas local rent costs substantially outstrip the national median of $375.
Frequently Asked Questions - Housing
Southport - South counted 7,629 households at the 2021 Census, an estimated 8,274 today, averaging 2.2 people each. 19% are couples with children, fewer than in 90% of areas nationally, against 26% couples without children. 32% of households are people living alone, and families average 1.3 children. Household and family composition is measured only by the Census, so these are 2021 figures.
Detail
Families constitute 58.9% of all local households, divided between couples without children (26.0%), couples with children (18.5%), and single parent families (12.9%). Non-family living arrangements account for the remaining 41.1%, consisting of single-person households at 31.6% and group households at 9.5%. Average household size stands at 2.2 people, tracking below the Regional Qld benchmark of 2.5.
Frequently Asked Questions - Households
31.2% of adults in Southport - South hold a university qualification, including 21.2% with a bachelor degree and 7.6% with postgraduate qualifications. A further 21.1% hold a vocational qualification. 2 schools serve the area, with 2,618 enrolment places and an average ICSEA of 1,042 against a national benchmark of 1,000. Qualifications come from the 2021 Census; school enrolments, ICSEA and results come from ACARA's current release.
Detail
Southport - South demonstrates elevated levels of educational attainment relative to wider benchmarks, with 31.2% of residents aged 15+ holding higher education degrees, outpacing the 20.6% recorded in Rest of Qld and 25.4% in the SA4 region. This profile positions the local workforce well for knowledge-intensive sectors. Bachelor degrees represent the largest category at 21.2%, accompanied by postgraduate qualifications at 7.6% and graduate diplomas at 2.4%. Vocational qualifications are also widespread, with 34.0% of residents aged 15+ possessing technical credentials across certificates (21.1%) and advanced diplomas (12.9%). Participation in study is substantial across the community, with 32.0% of local residents actively enrolled in formal study.
This comprises 8.7% studying at the tertiary level, 8.3% attending secondary education, and 6.7% enrolled in primary education.
Frequently Asked Questions - Education
Schools Detail
Getting around Southport - South means driving: households keep an average of 1.0 vehicles, and no scheduled public transport appears in the current timetable feeds. Service data is built from operators' published GTFS timetables; vehicle ownership is from the 2021 Census.
Frequently Asked Questions - Transport
Transport Stops Detail
69.5% of residents in Southport - South report no long-term health condition. 7.1% need daily assistance with core activities, and 48.2% hold private health cover. The standardised death rate runs at 5.9 per 1,000 residents. Health conditions, assistance needs and insurance are 2021 Census measures; the death rate comes from current ABS releases.
Detail
According to AreaSearch evaluations of mortality statistics and chronic condition rates, Southport - South records below-average overall health metrics, with common conditions present among both older and younger age brackets. Private health insurance participation is notably constrained, covering approximately 48% of residents (~9,876 people), in contrast to 52.5% across Regional Qld and an Australian average of 55.7%. Arthritis and mental health conditions represent the leading reported ailments, recorded among 8.0% and 8.4% of residents respectively, while 69.5% reported no chronic medical conditions compared with 67.6% across Regional Qld. Health indicators for residents under 65 track above average levels.
Residents aged 65 and over comprise 19.4% of the population (3,979 people), with senior health metrics facing some hurdles and tracking in line with national benchmarks.
Frequently Asked Questions - Health
39.5% of Southport - South residents were born overseas and 25.1% speak a language other than English at home, more culturally diverse than 77% of areas nationally. The largest reported ancestries are English (26.3%) and Australian (19.3%). Ancestry, language and country of birth are counted only by the Census, so these are 2021 figures.
Detail
Southport - South exhibits marked cultural diversity, with 39.5% of residents born abroad and 25.1% speaking a non-English language at home. Christianity is the primary religion, representing 46.0% of the community. Judaism exhibits the most pronounced relative representation, accounting for 0.3% of the local population versus 0.1% across Regional Qld. Regarding parental country of birth, the three most common ancestries are English at 26.3%, Australian at 19.3% (below the regional level of 26.5%), and Other at 12.2% (well above the regional rate of 6.9%). Specific community concentrations are also evident, with Korean background making up 1.9% locally versus 0.2% regionally, Maori at 1.2% versus 0.8%, and Russian at 0.6% versus 0.2%.
Frequently Asked Questions - Diversity
The median resident of Southport - South is 38. That is 1 year younger than at the 2021 Census. 34.8% of residents are aged 15 to 34. Age cohorts are not raw Census counts: the Census split is re-based to the latest ABS population estimates and state projections.
Detail
The demographic profile of Southport - South leans toward younger, pre-family cohorts. August 2026 estimates indicate that 32.9% of the population are young to middle aged adults (25 - 44), compared to 25.5% across Regional Qld, while children and young adults (0 - 24) comprise 26.2% against a regional benchmark of 29.6%. The median age is estimated at 38, decreasing from 39 at the 2021 Census and remaining 3 years below the Regional Qld Census median of 41. Since the Census, the 25 - 44 cohort grew from 28.8% to 32.9% of residents, and this group is projected to capture most incoming expansion by 2041, adding 2,676 residents (40%) to reach a total of 9,422.
Frequently Asked Questions - Age
Data & MethodBoundaries, Sources & Method for Southport - South
9 of 14 data sections on this page were updated within the last 12 months — the newest current to Sep 2026.
Everything is aggregated to the SA2 boundary shown above, on a 2021 Census baseline. Only 3 sections — housing, households and cultural diversity — still wait on the 2026 Census.
The ledger — source, cycle and currency by section
| Section | Source & update cycle | Currency |
|---|---|---|
| Updated within the last 12 months 9 sections | ||
| Population | ABS, GNAF, Geoscience Australia Annual (ABS ERP) | Aug 2026 last month headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Re-based to the ABS Estimated Resident Population (June 2025 release) and updated with new dwellings from GNAF address data. Current to Aug 2026, with the 2021 Census supplying the small-area baseline. | ||
| Age profile | ABS, Geoscience Australia, State governments Annual | Aug 2026 last month headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Age cohorts are re-based to the latest ABS population estimates and state projections, current to Aug 2026. Each cohort is held as a Census baseline and a current estimate. | ||
| Development & approvals | ABS, GNAF Monthly (ABS approvals) | Aug 2026 last month headline measures · Jul 2026 baseline |
| Property sales & rents | Valuer General, Rental Board, ABS Weekly sales, quarterly rents | Sep 2026 this month all 21 measures |
| Sales from the state Valuer General register, refreshed weekly, and rents from quarterly rental bond lodgements. Both are read live each time this page loads, current to Sep 2026. | ||
| Infrastructure projects | Infrastructure Australia, State agencies, Local governments Daily | Apr 2026 5 months ago all 13 projects tracked here |
| Project pipeline maintained continuously from Infrastructure Australia, state agencies, local government and public announcements. Records are added and revised daily; this area was last updated Apr 2026. | ||
| Employment | ABS, DEWR, JSA Quarterly (ABS SALM) | Mar 2026 6 months ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Unemployment and labour force from ABS Small Area Labour Markets, current to Mar 2026. The growth outlook applies Department of Employment (now Jobs and Skills Australia) forecasts for all 19 industry divisions to the local industry mix, so it measures sector composition rather than local expansion and makes no allowance for population growth. Job demand comes from the same agency via its Internet Vacancy Index; industry and occupation structure from the 2021 Census. | ||
| Education | ABS, ACARA Annual (ACARA) | Aug 2026 last month headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Transport | ABS, State Transport Departments Each timetable release | Jul 2026 2 months ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Services & amenities | Provider directories, ACECQA Continuous | Jul 2026 2 months ago all 14 measures |
| Annual and financial-year sources 2 sections | ||
| Income | ABS, ATO Annual (ATO) | FY 2023 3 years ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| ATO taxable income statistics for FY 2023, indexed forward using the Wage Price Index. Census household income provides the distribution detail. | ||
| Health | ABS, ATO Annual | 2024 2 years ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Census-measured — next update: 2026 Census 3 sections No more current small-area source exists for these, so they are labelled as Census-measured rather than implied to be current. | ||
| Housing | ABS 5-yearly (Census) | 2021 Census next update 2026 all 30 measures |
| Households | ABS 5-yearly (Census) | 2021 Census next update 2026 all 18 measures |
| Cultural diversity | ABS, Geoscience Australia 5-yearly (Census) | 2021 Census next update 2026 all 44 measures |
"Currency" is the most recent release feeding that section. Where the Census supplies the structural baseline underneath a current headline figure, the row says so.
How the numbers are built
Population
The Census provides the small-area baseline, aggregated from mesh blocks to this boundary. It is then re-based to the ABS Estimated Resident Population (June 2025 release), and new dwellings built since Census night are counted from address data — 644 validated new addresses here. The headline figure is therefore a current estimate for Aug 2026, not a 2021 count (18,893 at the 2021 Census → 20,491 now). Annual growth rates are compound (CAGR), not simple averages.
Age profile
Cohort shares are not raw Census counts. Every cohort is held as a pair — the Census baseline and a current estimate — and the split is re-based using ERP and state population projections, current to Aug 2026. Median age is the Census median plus modelled change since. Charts that show both are labelled "2021 Census vs Current Estimate".
Property sales
Sourced from the state valuation authority's sales register — current, not Census, and refreshed weekly. Medians are calculated from settled transactions in the period shown; periods with very low transaction counts are flagged or suppressed, because a handful of sales can move a median substantially.
Rents
Derived from state rental bond lodgement data, by dwelling type and bedroom count. Bonds are lodged at the start of a new tenancy, so this reflects new lettings, not the whole rented stock.
Development & infrastructure
Building approvals come from current ABS releases; development applications are collected from council and state planning portals; the infrastructure pipeline is compiled from Infrastructure Australia and local government sources. Applications are matched to this boundary by address or coordinates, so very recent lodgements may not yet appear.
Employment & income
Industry and occupation structure comes from the Census, but the headline labour-market indicators do not. Unemployment and labour force are derived from ABS Small Area Labour Markets (quarterly). The employment outlook applies Department of Employment forecasts for all 19 industry divisions to this area's own industry mix (the agency is now Jobs and Skills Australia), as does the Internet Vacancy Index used for job demand. Because it is weighted on industry composition alone, that outlook carries no allowance for local population growth — in fast-growing areas the real rise in local jobs will typically be higher. Income combines Census household income with ATO taxable-income statistics for FY 2023, indexed forward using the Wage Price Index.
Education, transport & amenities
School enrolments, ICSEA and performance come from ACARA's current release, not the Census. Public transport stops and service frequency are derived from GTFS timetable feeds published by state transport departments. Services and amenities are proximity and count scores built from provider directories, refreshed on their own cycle. The Census contributes only the travel-to-work and qualification measures.
Rankings and benchmarks. Where we rank this area, the comparison set is every area of the same boundary type — suburbs against suburbs, SA2s against SA2s. Benchmarks compare this area against its greater capital city region and the national figure for the same measure and period.
Limits worth knowing. Small areas carry larger error margins, and the ABS introduces small random adjustments to Census counts to protect confidentiality — so totals may not sum exactly. Estimates re-based from regional data describe the area's expected trajectory, not a direct count of it. Figures are indicative for research and are not financial, planning or valuation advice.
Cross-check us. The Census baseline for this boundary is at ABS 2021 Census QuickStats (309091541). QuickStats reports 2021 only — the figures on this page are more current wherever the ledger shows a later date.