Surfers Paradise - South

Surfers Paradise - South lies within the top quartile of areas nationally for population growth performance according to AreaSearch analysis of recent, and medium to long-term trends

Surfers Paradise - South's population was approximately 16,995 as of November 2025. This figure represents an increase of 2,785 people since the 2021 Census, which recorded a population of 14,210. The growth is inferred from the estimated resident population of 16,873 in June 2024 and an additional 430 validated new addresses since the Census date. This results in a population density ratio of 5,088 persons per square kilometer, placing Surfers Paradise - South among the top 10% of national locations assessed by AreaSearch. The area's growth rate of 19.6% since the 2021 census exceeded both the non-metro average (8.8%) and the national average. Overseas migration contributed approximately 81.9% of overall population gains during recent periods, with all drivers including interstate migration and natural growth being positive factors.

AreaSearch adopts ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area released in 2024 using a base year of 2022. For areas not covered by this data and years post-2032, Queensland State Government's SA2 area projections released in 2023 based on 2021 data are used. However, these state projections do not provide age category splits, so AreaSearch applies proportional growth weightings from the ABS Greater Capital Region projections released in 2023 using a base year of 2022 for each age cohort. Based on projected demographic shifts and exceptional growth, Surfers Paradise - South is expected to grow by 8,856 persons to reach approximately 25,851 by the year 2041. This reflects an overall increase of 51.4% in total population over the 17-year period, as indicated by the latest annual ERP population numbers.

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

Surfers Paradise - South averaged approximately 130 new dwelling approvals per year over the past five financial years, totalling 651 homes. As of FY26, 64 approvals have been recorded. On average, 4.5 new residents were associated with each home built between FY21 and FY25, indicating demand significantly outpaces supply. The average value of new homes being constructed is around $689,000, suggesting developers target the premium market segment.

This financial year has seen $2.0 million in commercial approvals, reflecting minimal commercial development activity compared to the rest of Queensland. Surfers Paradise - South has 57.0% less development activity per person than the regional average. The new supply supports stronger demand and values for established dwellings. Building activity comprises 11.0% detached houses and 89.0% attached dwellings, attracting downsizers, investors, and first-time purchasers due to affordable entry pathways. With approximately 424 people per dwelling approval, Surfers Paradise - South exhibits a developed market.

By 2041, the area is projected to grow by 8,734 residents. At current development rates, housing supply may struggle to keep pace with population growth, potentially intensifying buyer competition and supporting price increases.

Surfers Paradise - South has very high levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the top 10% nationally

Changes to local infrastructure significantly impact an area's performance. AreaSearch identified 33 projects likely affecting the region. Notable initiatives are South Beach, Surfers Paradise, COAST, 26 Vista, and Arc Residences Northcliffe. The following details projects expected to have the most relevance.

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

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AreaSearch assessment positions Surfers Paradise - South ahead of most Australian regions for employment performance

Surfers Paradise - South has an educated workforce with prominent tourism and hospitality sectors. Its unemployment rate was 3.1% in the past year, with estimated employment growth of 2.8%.

As of September 2025, 10,234 residents are employed, while the unemployment rate is 1.0% lower than Rest of Qld's rate of 4.1%. Workforce participation is 56.5%, compared to Rest of Qld's 59.1%. Employment is concentrated in accommodation & food (2.3 times regional level), health care & social assistance, and retail trade. Agriculture, forestry & fishing employs only 0.3% of local workers, below Rest of Qld's 4.5%.

The area offers limited local employment opportunities. During the year to September 2025, employment levels increased by 2.8%, keeping unemployment stable at 1.7%. In contrast, Rest of Qld saw employment rise by 1.7% and unemployment increase by 0.3 percentage points. State-level data to 25-Nov shows QLD employment contracted by 0.01%, with an unemployment rate of 4.2%. National employment forecasts suggest a 6.6% growth over five years and 13.7% over ten years, but local projections may vary due to differing industry-specific growth rates.

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

The Surfers Paradise - South SA2 had a median income of $45,108 and an average income of $74,666 among taxpayers in the financial year 2022, according to ATO data aggregated by AreaSearch. This is higher than the Rest of Qld's median income of $50,780 and average income of $64,844 during the same period. By September 2025, estimates suggest the median income would have risen to approximately $51,419 and the average income to $85,112, based on a Wage Price Index growth of 13.99% since financial year 2022. The personal income rank was at the 44th percentile ($777 weekly) and household income at the 24th percentile in 2021 Census figures. Income analysis showed that the largest segment comprised 29.6% earning $1,500 - 2,999 weekly (5,030 residents). This is consistent with broader trends across the metropolitan region showing 31.7% in the same category. Housing affordability pressures were severe, with only 79.0% of income remaining, ranking at the 19th percentile. The area's SEIFA income ranking placed it in the 5th decile.

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

In Surfers Paradise - South, as per the latest Census, 12.4% of dwellings were houses while 87.6% were other types such as semi-detached homes and apartments, compared to Non-Metro Qld's 25.1% houses and 74.9% other dwellings. Home ownership in Surfers Paradise - South stood at 26.9%, with mortgaged properties at 20.0% and rented ones at 53.1%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $1,600, below Non-Metro Qld's average of $1,950. Median weekly rent in the area was $400, compared to Non-Metro Qld's $437. Nationally, Surfers Paradise - South's median monthly mortgage repayment is lower at $1,600 than Australia's average of $1,863, while median weekly rent exceeds the national figure of $375 by $25.

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

Family households constitute 50.4% of all households, including 12.5% couples with children, 29.4% couples without children, and 7.1% single parent families. Non-family households account for the remaining 49.6%, with lone person households at 39.0% and group households comprising 10.5%. The median household size is 2.0 people, smaller than the Rest of Qld average of 2.1.

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

Educational attainment in Surfers Paradise - South is notably high, with 33.1% of residents aged 15 years and over holding university qualifications. This exceeds the broader benchmarks of 20.6% for Rest of Qld and 25.4% for the SA4 region. The area's educational advantage is reflected in its strong showing for knowledge-based opportunities. Bachelor degrees are most prevalent at 23.5%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (6.9%) and graduate diplomas (2.7%).

Vocational credentials are also prominent, with 37.2% of residents aged 15 years and over holding such qualifications, including advanced diplomas (15.0%) and certificates (22.2%). Educational participation is notably high, with 33.9% of residents currently enrolled in formal education. This includes 8.0% in tertiary education, 5.5% in primary education, and 4.7% pursuing secondary education.

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

Public transport analysis shows 32 active transport stops operating within Surfers Paradise - South. These include a mix of train, light rail, and bus services. They are serviced by 12 individual routes, collectively providing 2,195 weekly passenger trips.

Transport accessibility is rated excellent, with residents typically located 199 meters from the nearest transport stop. Service frequency averages 313 trips per day across all routes, equating to approximately 68 weekly trips per individual stop.

Surfers Paradise - South's residents are extremely healthy with both young and old age cohorts seeing low prevalence of common health conditions

Analysis of health metrics shows strong performance throughout Surfers Paradise - South.

Both young and old age cohorts saw low prevalence of common health conditions. The rate of private health cover was found to be very high at approximately 56% of the total population (~9,602 people). The most common medical conditions in the area were arthritis and mental health issues, impacting 7.2 and 7.1% of residents respectively. Seventy-three point six percent declared themselves completely clear of medical ailments compared to 72.6% across Rest of Qld. Eighteen point nine percent of residents are aged 65 and over (3,217 people), which is lower than the 21.8% in Rest of Qld. Health outcomes among seniors performed even better than the general population in health metrics.

Surfers Paradise - South 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-South has a significant cultural diversity, with 29.6% of its residents speaking a language other than English at home and 45.3% born overseas. Christianity is the predominant religion in Surfers Paradise-South, comprising 46.3% of the population. Notably, Judaism is slightly overrepresented compared to the rest of Queensland, with 0.7% of the population identifying as Jewish.

In terms of ancestry, the top three groups are English (24.9%), Australian (17.1%), and Other (16.0%). There are also notable differences in the representation of certain ethnic groups: Spanish is overrepresented at 1.8%, French at 1.0%, and Russian at 0.6%.

Surfers Paradise - South's population aligns closely with national norms in age terms

The median age in Surfers Paradise - South was 38 years as of the 2021 Census, slightly below Rest of Qld's average of 41 but in line with Australia's median age of 38 years. The 25-34 age group constituted 26.3% of the population in Surfers Paradise - South, compared to Rest of Qld's figure, while the 5-14 cohort made up 4.5%. This concentration of the 25-34 age group was notably higher than the national average of 14.5%. Prior to the 2021 Census, the median age in Surfers Paradise - South had been 39 years. Between the censuses of 2016 and 2021, the area's population became younger, with the median age dropping by 1.4 years. The percentage of the population aged 25 to 34 increased from 22.5% to 26.3%, while those aged 15 to 24 rose from 11.3% to 12.6%. Conversely, the proportion of those aged 45 to 54 decreased from 12.1% to 10.1%, and the share of those aged 65 to 74 fell from 11.9% to 10.6%. By 2041, Surfers Paradise - South is projected to experience significant shifts in its age composition. The 25-34 age cohort is expected to grow markedly, with an increase of 2,865 people (64%), from 4,467 to 7,333.