Airlie Beach

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

As per ABS population updates for the broader area and new addresses validated by AreaSearch, the estimated population of Airlie Beach as of Feb 2026 is around 1,564. This reflects a growth of 252 people (19.2%) since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 1,312. The change was inferred from a resident population estimate of 1,500 by AreaSearch following examination of the latest ERP data release by the ABS in June 2024 and an additional 36 validated new addresses since the Census date. This population level equates to a density ratio of 512 persons per square kilometer. Airlie Beach's growth of 19.2% since the 2021 census exceeded the SA4 region (7.9%) and the Rest of Qld, indicating it as a growth leader in the region. Overseas migration contributed approximately 57.99999999999999% of overall population gains during recent periods, with all drivers including natural growth and interstate migration being positive factors.

AreaSearch is adopting ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area, released in 2024 with 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 adopted. These state projections do not provide age category splits, so AreaSearch applies proportional growth weightings in line with the ABS Greater Capital Region projections released in 2023 and based on 2022 data for each age cohort. Considering projected demographic shifts, a significant population increase in the top quartile of Australian non-metropolitan areas is forecast for Airlie Beach. The area is expected to grow by 617 persons to 2041 based on aggregated SA2-level projections, reflecting an overall increase of 35.4% over the 17 years.

Recent residential development output has been above average within Airlie Beach when compared nationally

Airlie Beach has seen approximately 12 new homes approved each year based on AreaSearch analysis of ABS building approval numbers. Over the past five financial years, from FY-21 to FY-25, around 64 homes were approved, with another 7 approved so far in FY-26. On average, this translates to approximately 3.3 new residents per year for every home built during these years.

This supply lagging demand suggests heightened buyer competition and pricing pressures. The average construction cost value of new homes is around $1,982,000, indicating a focus on the premium market segment with higher-end properties. In terms of commercial development activity, $15.4 million in approvals have been registered this financial year, suggesting balanced activity relative to the rest of Queensland.

Airlie Beach has seen slightly more development than the regional average per person over the past five years, maintaining good buyer choice while supporting existing property values. However, development activity has moderated in recent periods. New building activity shows that 64.0% are standalone homes and 36.0% are medium and high-density housing. This expanding range of medium-density options creates a mix of opportunities across price brackets, from traditional family housing to more affordable compact alternatives. Interestingly, developers are building more traditional houses than the current mix suggests (31.0% at Census), indicating continued strong demand for family homes despite density pressures. The location has approximately 169 people per dwelling approval, indicating an expanding market. Population forecasts indicate Airlie Beach will gain 553 residents through to 2041 based on the latest AreaSearch quarterly estimate. Current development appears well-matched to future needs, supporting steady market conditions without extreme price pressure.

Airlie Beach has strong levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the top 30% nationally

The performance of a region is significantly influenced by changes in local infrastructure. AreaSearch has identified nine projects that could impact this area. Notable projects include the Shute Harbour Road Upgrade, Whitsunday Cultural Arts Centre, Whitsunday Regional Sports Precinct (Cannonvale), and Whitsunday Technology Innovation Hub. The following list details those expected to have the most relevance.

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

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The employment landscape in Airlie Beach shows performance that lags behind national averages across key labour market indicators

Airlie Beach has a well-educated workforce with tourism and hospitality sectors prominently featured. The unemployment rate was 5.0% in the past year, with an estimated employment growth of 3.4%. As of December 2025961 residents were employed while the unemployment rate was 1.0% higher than Regional Queensland's rate of 4.0%.

Workforce participation was at 69.9%, slightly above Regional Queensland's 65.4%. According to Census responses, only 13.1% of residents worked from home, potentially impacted by Covid-19 lockdowns. Dominant employment sectors include accommodation & food, transport, postal & warehousing, and health care & social assistance. Airlie Beach has a notable concentration in accommodation & food with employment levels at 3.9 times the regional average, while health care & social assistance had limited presence at 7.0% compared to Regional Queensland's 16.1%.

The area appears to offer limited local employment opportunities based on Census working population vs resident population data. In a 12-month period ending in May-25, employment increased by 3.4% alongside labour force growth of 4.2%, leading to an unemployment rise of 0.7 percentage points. This contrasts with Regional Queensland where employment rose by 0.7%, the labour force grew by 1.0%, and unemployment rose by 0.3 percentage points. National employment forecasts from Jobs and Skills Australia project a 6.6% expansion over five years and 13.7% over ten years, but growth rates vary significantly between industry sectors. Applying these projections to Airlie Beach's employment mix suggests local employment should increase by 5.9% over five years and 12.2% over ten years, though this is a simple weighting extrapolation for illustrative purposes and does not account for localised population projections.

Income levels sit below national averages according to AreaSearch assessment

The suburb of Airlie Beach had a median taxpayer income of $52,497 and an average income of $67,309 in the latest postcode level ATO data aggregated by AreaSearch for financial year 2023. This is roughly national average, differing from Regional Qld's median income of $53,146 and average income of $66,593. By September 2025, estimated incomes would be approximately $57,699 (median) and $73,979 (average), based on a 9.91% Wage Price Index growth since financial year 2023. In the 2021 Census, personal income ranked at the 71st percentile ($932 weekly), while household income was at the 39th percentile. Predominant income cohort spans 33.0% of locals (516 people) in the $1,500 - 2,999 category, similar to surrounding region's 31.7%. Housing affordability pressures are severe, with only 82.9% of income remaining, ranking at the 39th percentile. The area's SEIFA income ranking places it in the 5th decile.

Airlie Beach features a more urban dwelling mix with significant apartment living, with a higher proportion of rental properties than the broader region

The dwelling structure in Airlie Beach, as per the latest Census, consisted of 31.2% houses and 68.8% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings). This compares to Regional Qld's 76.4% houses and 23.6% other dwellings. The home ownership level in Airlie Beach was 32.8%, with the rest being mortgaged (17.1%) or rented (50.1%). The median monthly mortgage repayment in Airlie Beach was $1,925, higher than Regional Qld's average of $1,655. The median weekly rent figure in Airlie Beach was $380, compared to Regional Qld's $345. Nationally, Airlie Beach's mortgage repayments were higher at $1,925 versus the Australian average of $1,863, and rents were also higher at $380 compared to the national figure of $375.

Airlie Beach features high concentrations of group households and lone person households, with a lower-than-average median household size

Family households make up 49.9% of all households, including 10.3% couples with children, 34.6% couples without children, and 4.7% single parent families. Non-family households account for the remaining 50.1%, with lone person households at 39.6% and group households comprising 10.1%. The median household size is 1.8 people, which is smaller than the Regional Qld average of 2.5.

Airlie Beach demonstrates exceptional educational outcomes, ranking among the top 5% of areas nationally based on AreaSearch's comprehensive analysis of qualification and performance metrics

Educational attainment in Airlie Beach is notably higher than broader regional benchmarks. Among residents aged 15 years and over, 29.7% have university qualifications, compared to 15.6% in the SA4 region and 17.7% in the SA3 area. Bachelor degrees are the most common at 22.7%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (5.2%) and graduate diplomas (1.8%). Vocational credentials are also prominent, with 44.0% of residents holding such qualifications – advanced diplomas account for 15.7% while certificates make up 28.3%.

A significant portion of the population is actively pursuing education, with 23.8% engaged in formal learning. This includes 5.5% in tertiary education, 5.3% in secondary education, and 4.7% pursuing primary education.

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

Airlie Beach has twelve operational public transport stops, all of which are bus stops. These stops are served by two distinct routes, offering a total of 343 weekly passenger trips. The accessibility of these transport services is deemed good, with residents on average being located 378 meters from the nearest stop. In this predominantly residential area, outward commuting is prevalent, with cars being the primary mode of transportation for 63% of residents, while 26% walk. On average, there are 0.8 vehicles per dwelling, which is below the regional norm. According to the 2021 Census, only 13.1% of residents work from home, a figure that might be influenced by COVID-19 conditions.

The service frequency across all routes averages 49 trips per day, equating to roughly 28 weekly trips per individual stop.

Airlie Beach'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 Airlie Beach, based on AreaSearch's assessment of mortality rates and chronic condition prevalence.

Both young and old age cohorts saw low prevalence of common health conditions. The rate of private health cover was approximately 54% of the total population (~842 people), leading that of the average SA2 area. The most common medical conditions were mental health issues and asthma, impacting 6.8 and 6.1% of residents respectively. 76.8% of residents declared themselves completely clear of medical ailments, compared to 67.6% across Regional Qld. The under-65 population demonstrated better than average health outcomes. As of 2021, the area has 14.0% of residents aged 65 and over (218 people), which is lower than the 20.4% in Regional Qld. Health outcomes among seniors were particularly strong, with national rankings even higher than the general population.

The level of cultural diversity witnessed in Airlie Beach was found to be above average when compared nationally for a number of language and cultural background related metrics

Airlie Beach had a higher level of cultural diversity than most local markets, with 13.6% of its residents speaking a language other than English at home and 36.8% born overseas. Christianity was the predominant religion in Airlie Beach, making up 36.7% of its population. However, Judaism was significantly overrepresented, comprising 0.5% compared to the regional average of 0.1%.

In terms of ancestry, the top three groups were English (33.1%), Australian (20.2%), and Irish (10.1%). Notably, Spanish (1.3%) and New Zealand (1.2%) ethnicities were overrepresented in Airlie Beach compared to regional averages of 0.3% and 0.9%, respectively. French ethnicity was also slightly higher at 0.8%.

Airlie Beach's median age exceeds the national pattern

Airlie Beach has a median age of 40, close to Regional Queensland's figure of 41 and exceeding the national norm of 38. The 25-34 age group is strongly represented at 29.7%, compared to Regional Queensland, while the 5-14 cohort is less prevalent at 2.0%. This concentration of residents aged 25-34 is well above the national figure of 14.4%. According to the 2021 Census, younger residents have shifted Airlie Beach's median age down by 1.3 years to 40. Specifically, the 25-34 age group has grown from 26.5% to 29.7%, while the 5-14 cohort has declined from 4.0% to 2.0%. The 45-54 group has also dropped from 14.0% to 12.3%. By 2041, Airlie Beach is expected to see notable shifts in its age composition, with the 25-34 cohort projected to grow by 50%, adding 232 residents to reach 697. The 85+ group shows no growth, with 0 additional residents projected.