Surfers Paradise - North
Statistical Area - sa2

Surfers Paradise - North lies within the top 10% of areas nationally in terms of population growth performance according to AreaSearch analysis of short and medium-term trends

Based on AreaSearch's analysis, Surfers Paradise - North's population is around 14,436 as of Nov 2025. This reflects an increase of 2,232 people (18.3%) since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 12,204 people. The change is inferred from the estimated resident population of 14,341 from the ABS as of June 2024 and an additional 973 validated new addresses since the Census date. This level of population equates to a density ratio of 5,868 persons per square kilometer, which lies in the top 10% of national locations assessed by AreaSearch. Surfers Paradise - North's 18.3% growth since the 2021 census exceeded the non-metro area (8.8%) and the national average, marking it as a growth leader in the region. Population growth for the area was primarily driven by overseas migration that contributed approximately 85.0% of overall population gains during recent periods.

AreaSearch is adopting ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area, released in 2024 with 2022 as the base year. For areas not covered and years post-2032, Queensland State Government's SA2 area projections, released in 2023 based on 2021 data, are adopted. These state projections do not provide age category splits; hence proportional growth weightings from ABS Greater Capital Region projections (released in 2023, based on 2022 data) for each age cohort are applied where utilized. Population projections predict exceptional growth over the period with an expected expansion of 9,121 persons to 2041 based on the latest population numbers, indicating a total increase of 62.5% over the 17 years.

AreaSearch assessment of residential development activity positions Surfers Paradise - North among the top 25% of areas assessed nationwide

Surfers Paradise - North has seen approximately 609 new homes approved annually. Over the past five financial years, from FY21 to FY25, around 3,047 homes were approved, with an additional three approved so far in FY26. On average, about 0.8 people have moved to the area per dwelling built over these five years.

This indicates that new construction is keeping pace with or exceeding demand, providing more options for buyers and facilitating population growth beyond current expectations. The average expected construction cost of new homes is around $816,000, suggesting developers are targeting the premium market segment. In FY26, approximately $23.1 million in commercial approvals have been registered, indicating balanced commercial development activity in the area. Compared to the rest of Queensland, Surfers Paradise - North has 129.0% more building activity per person, significantly higher than the national average, demonstrating robust developer interest. New developments primarily consist of townhouses or apartments (99.0%), with only a small percentage (1.0%) being detached dwellings. This focus on compact living offers affordable entry pathways and attracts downsizers, investors, and first-time purchasers.

With around 30 people moving to the area per dwelling approval, Surfers Paradise - North exhibits characteristics of a growth area. By 2041, it is projected that Surfers Paradise - North will grow by approximately 9,026 residents. At current development rates, new housing supply should comfortably meet demand, creating favorable conditions for buyers and potentially supporting population growth beyond current projections.

Surfers Paradise - North has moderate levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the top 50% nationally

Changes to local infrastructure significantly influence an area's performance. AreaSearch has identified 31 projects likely to impact the area. Notable projects include River Terrace, Surfers Paradise Revitalisation, Orama, and Cypress Palms. The following details those most relevant.

Professional plan users can use the search below to filter and access additional projects.

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.

Employment performance in Surfers Paradise - North has been broadly consistent with national averages

Surfers Paradise - North has a highly educated workforce with tourism and hospitality being prominent sectors. Its unemployment rate was 3.6% in the past year, with an estimated employment growth of 2.0%.

As of June 2025, there are 8,138 residents employed, with an unemployment rate of 0.3% lower than Rest of Qld's rate of 3.9%. Workforce participation is somewhat lower at 54.8%, compared to Rest of Qld's 59.1%. Key industries include accommodation & food (2.0 times the regional level), health care & social assistance (11.7%), and retail trade. The worker-to-resident ratio is 0.6, indicating ample local employment opportunities.

Between June 2024 and June 2025, employment increased by 2.0%, while labour force grew by 2.1%, causing unemployment to rise by 0.1 percentage points. In comparison, Rest of Qld had employment growth of 1.8% and an unemployment rate increase of 0.2 percentage points. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May 2025 project a 6.6% increase over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Surfers Paradise - North's employment mix suggests local growth of approximately 6.5% over five years and 13.3% over ten years, though this is an illustrative extrapolation and does not account for localized population projections.

Income figures position the area below 75% of locations analysed nationally by AreaSearch

Surfers Paradise - North has an income level well above the national average, according to AreaSearch data aggregated from the latest ATO figures for financial year 2022. The median income among taxpayers in Surfers Paradise - North is $44,817, with an average income of $74,186. This compares to the Rest of Qld's median and average incomes of $50,780 and $64,844 respectively. Based on a 13.99% growth in wages since financial year 2022, current estimates suggest the median income is approximately $51,087 and the average income is around $84,565 as of September 2025. Census data from 2021 shows household incomes are at the 18th percentile, while personal incomes perform better at the 43rd percentile. Income distribution indicates that 28.0% of residents (4,042 people) fall into the $800 - $1,499 bracket, contrasting with the surrounding region where the $1,500 - $2,999 bracket is dominant at 31.7%. Housing affordability pressures are severe, with only 77.5% of income remaining, ranking at the 13th percentile. The area's SEIFA income ranking places it in the 5th decile.

Surfers Paradise - North features a more urban dwelling mix with significant apartment living, with a higher proportion of rental properties than the broader region

Dwelling structure in Surfers Paradise - North, as per the latest Census, consisted of 7.7% houses and 92.4% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings). This compares to Non-Metro Qld's 25.1% houses and 74.9% other dwellings. Home ownership in Surfers Paradise - North stood at 29.2%, with mortgaged dwellings at 18.0% and rented ones at 52.8%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $1,625, below Non-Metro Qld's average of $1,950. Median weekly rent in the area was $415, compared to Non-Metro Qld's $437. Nationally, Surfers Paradise - North's median monthly mortgage repayment was significantly lower than Australia's average of $1,863, while median weekly rent was substantially higher than the national figure of $375.

Surfers Paradise - North features high concentrations of lone person households and group households, with a lower-than-average median household size

Family households constitute 51.3% of all households, including 9.3% couples with children, 33.9% couples without children, and 6.9% single parent families. Non-family households comprise the remaining 48.7%, with lone person households at 40.9% and group households making up 7.8%. The median household size is 1.9 people, smaller than the Rest of Qld average of 2.1.

The educational profile of Surfers Paradise - North exceeds national averages, with above-average qualification levels and academic performance metrics

Educational attainment in Surfers Paradise - North is notably high. As of 2016 data, 31.4% of residents aged 15+ held university qualifications, surpassing the broader benchmarks of 20.6% in Rest of Qld and 25.4% in the SA4 region. Bachelor degrees were most prevalent at 21.4%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (7.6%) and graduate diplomas (2.4%). Vocational credentials were also prominent, with 37.0% of residents aged 15+ holding such qualifications - advanced diplomas at 15.1% and certificates at 21.9%.

Educational participation was high, with 28.7% of residents currently enrolled in formal education as of the same year. This included 7.2% in tertiary education, 4.1% in primary education, and 3.8% pursuing secondary education. However, educational facilities appear to be located outside the immediate catchment boundaries, requiring families to access schools in neighboring areas.

Transport servicing is moderate compared to other areas nationally based on assessment of service frequency, route connectivity and accessibility

Transport analysis indicates 23 active stops operating within Surfers Paradise - North. These include lightrail and bus services. Five routes serve these stops, collectively providing 2,427 weekly passenger trips.

Transport accessibility is rated good, with residents typically located 207 meters from the nearest stop. Service frequency averages 346 trips per day across all routes, equating to approximately 105 weekly trips per individual stop.

Surfers Paradise - North's residents are healthier than average in comparison to broader Australia with prevalence of common health conditions quite low across both younger and older age cohorts

Health data shows Surfers Paradise - North residents have a relatively low prevalence of common health conditions across both younger and older age groups.

Approximately 56% (~8,156 people) of the total population has private health cover, which is high compared to other areas. The most prevalent medical conditions are arthritis (8.3%) and mental health issues (7.1%), while 70.7% of residents report having no medical ailments, compared to 72.6% in the rest of Queensland. As of 2021, 23.1% (3,333 people) of residents are aged 65 and over, which is higher than the 21.8% in the rest of Queensland. Health outcomes among seniors in Surfers Paradise - North are particularly strong, performing better than the general population in health metrics.

Surfers Paradise - North is among the most culturally diverse areas in the country based on AreaSearch assessment of a range of language and cultural background related metrics

Surfers Paradise-North has a high level of cultural diversity, with 26.9% of its population speaking a language other than English at home and 46.0% born overseas. Christianity is the predominant religion in Surfers Paradise-North, comprising 48.7% of its population. Notably, Judaism is overrepresented compared to the rest of Queensland, making up 0.6% of Surfers Paradise-North's population.

In terms of ancestry, the top three represented groups are English (26.9%), Australian (16.6%), and Other (14.9%). Some ethnic groups have notable divergences in representation: Spanish is overrepresented at 1.1%, Russian at 0.7%, and French at 0.9%.

Surfers Paradise - North hosts an older demographic, ranking in the top quartile nationwide

At 43 years, Surfers Paradise-North's median age is higher than the Rest of Qld average of 41 and exceeds the national average of 38. The 25-34 age group comprises 24.5% compared to Rest of Qld, while the 5-14 cohort makes up 3.3%. This concentration in the 25-34 age group is higher than the national figure of 14.5%. According to post-2021 Census data, younger residents have lowered the median age by 1.7 years to 43. The 25-34 age group has grown from 20.1% to 24.5%, and the 15-24 cohort increased from 10.3% to 11.5%. Conversely, the 55-64 cohort declined from 14.2% to 12.2%, and the 45-54 group dropped from 12.5% to 10.7%. Population forecasts for 2041 indicate significant demographic changes in Surfers Paradise-North, with the strongest projected growth in the 25-34 cohort at 72%, adding 2,543 residents to reach 6,079.