Buddina

Population growth drivers in Buddina are strong compared to national averages based on AreaSearch's ranking of recent, and medium to long-term trends

Based on analysis of ABS population updates for the broader area, the Buddina statistical area's population is estimated at around 4,457 as of Nov 2025. This reflects an increase of 221 people since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 4,236 people. The change is inferred from the resident population of 4,233 estimated by AreaSearch following examination of the latest ERP data release by the ABS (June 2024) and an additional 270 validated new addresses since the Census date. This level of population equates to a density ratio of 2,285 persons per square kilometer, which is above average for national locations assessed by AreaSearch. Population growth was primarily driven by overseas migration contributing approximately 82.0% of overall population gains during recent periods.

AreaSearch adopts ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area released in 2024 with a base year of 2022. 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 lack age category splits; hence proportional growth weightings aligned with ABS Greater Capital Region projections (released in 2023, based on 2022 data) are applied for each age cohort. Future population trends project an above median growth of national non-metropolitan areas, with the Buddina expected to expand by 863 persons to 2041, reflecting a 15.7% increase over the 17-year period.

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

AreaSearch analysis of ABS building approval numbers allocated from statistical area data shows Buddina experienced around 48 dwelling approvals annually over the past five financial years, totalling an estimated 244 homes. As of FY-26, 8 approvals have been recorded. On average, 0.8 people moved to the area per dwelling built between FY-21 and FY-25, indicating new supply is keeping pace with or exceeding demand. The average expected construction cost value of new dwellings was $1,097,000, suggesting a focus on the premium segment.

This financial year, $4.0 million in commercial development approvals have been recorded, reflecting the area's primarily residential nature. Compared to Rest of Qld, Buddina records about three-quarters the building activity per person and places among the 79th percentile nationally, indicating strong developer confidence. New building activity shows 27.0% detached dwellings and 73.0% townhouses or apartments, creating more affordable entry points for downsizers, investors, and first-home buyers. This represents a shift from the area's existing housing composition of 69.0% houses. Buddina has around 143 people per dwelling approval, characteristic of a low density area. Future projections estimate Buddina adding 701 residents by 2041, with current development patterns suggesting new housing supply should readily meet demand and potentially facilitate population growth beyond current projections.

Future projections show Buddina adding 701 residents by 2041 (from the latest AreaSearch quarterly estimate). Based on current development patterns, new housing supply should readily meet demand, offering good conditions for buyers and potentially facilitating population growth beyond current projections.

Buddina has very high levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the top 10% nationally

Area infrastructure significantly impacts performance. AreaSearch identified eight relevant projects. Notable ones are Mooloolaba Foreshore Revitalisation Project - Stage 2, The Point Buddina, Lowanna Beach Resort, and The Beachfront Buddina.

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

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Employment conditions in Buddina demonstrate exceptional strength compared to most Australian markets

Buddina has an educated workforce with significant representation in essential services sectors. Its unemployment rate is 2.1%, according to AreaSearch's aggregation of statistical area data.

As of September 2025, Buddina had 2,367 residents employed, with an unemployment rate of 2.0% below Rest of Qld's rate of 4.1%. Workforce participation was broadly similar to Rest of Qld's 59.1%. Leading employment industries were health care & social assistance, construction, and accommodation & food. Buddina showed strong specialization in construction, with an employment share 1.6 times the regional level.

Agriculture, forestry & fishing was under-represented, with only 0.7% of Buddina's workforce compared to 4.5% in Rest of Qld. The worker-to-resident ratio was 0.6, indicating above-normal local employment opportunities. In the year ending September 2025, Buddina's labour force decreased by 2.9%, with employment decreasing by 2.8%. Unemployment remained essentially unchanged. Meanwhile, Rest of Qld experienced employment growth of 1.7% and labour force growth of 2.1%, with a 0.3 percentage point rise in unemployment. State-level data to 25-Nov-25 showed QLD employment contracted by 0.01% (losing 1,210 jobs), with the state unemployment rate at 4.2%, closely aligning with the national rate of 4.3%. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May-25 projected national employment growth of 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Buddina's employment mix suggested local employment should increase by 6.9% over five years and 14.1% over ten years, assuming constant population projections.

Income levels align closely with national averages, indicating typical economic conditions for Australian communities according to AreaSearch analysis

AreaSearch released postcode level ATO data for financial year 2023. Buddina's median income among taxpayers was $55,037 with an average of $79,166. Nationally, the median was $48,357 and the average was $67,345. In Rest of Qld, median was $53,146 and average was $66,593. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 9.91%, estimated incomes for September 2025 would be approximately $60,491 (median) and $87,011 (average). Census data shows household, family and personal incomes in Buddina at the 54th percentile nationally. Income distribution indicates 29.8% of individuals earn between $1,500 - 2,999 annually. Housing affordability pressures are severe with only 83.3% of income remaining, ranking at the 48th percentile. Buddina's SEIFA income ranking places it in the 6th decile.

Buddina displays a diverse mix of dwelling types, with above-average rates of outright home ownership

Buddina's dwelling structure at its latest Census comprised 68.7% houses and 31.3% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings), compared to Non-Metro Qld's 70.4% houses and 29.6% other dwellings. Home ownership in Buddina was at 38.6%, with mortgaged dwellings at 28.6% and rented dwellings at 32.8%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $2,167, higher than Non-Metro Qld's average of $1,950. The median weekly rent in Buddina was $440, compared to Non-Metro Qld's $450. Nationally, Buddina's mortgage repayments were significantly higher at $2,167 versus the Australian average of $1,863, and rents were substantially above the national figure of $375.

Buddina features high concentrations of group households, with a fairly typical median household size

Family households constitute 68.3% of all households, including 28.2% couples with children, 28.5% couples without children, and 10.4% single parent families. Non-family households account for the remaining 31.7%, with lone person households at 25.6% and group households comprising 6.3%. The median household size is 2.5 people, which aligns with the average in the Rest of Qld.

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

The area's university qualification rate is 29.6%, higher than the Rest of Qld average of 20.6% and the SA3 area average of 23.6%. Bachelor degrees are most common at 21.6%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (5.7%) and graduate diplomas (2.3%). Vocational credentials are held by 38.9% of residents aged 15+, with advanced diplomas at 12.5% and certificates at 26.4%.

Educational participation is high, with 29.0% currently enrolled in formal education: 10.8% in primary, 8.3% in secondary, and 5.1% in tertiary education.

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

Buddina has two active public transport stops operating, serving a mix of bus routes. These stops are served by seven different routes in total, facilitating 1,376 weekly passenger trips. Transport accessibility is limited, with residents generally located 763 meters away from the nearest stop.

On average, there are 196 trips daily across all routes, equating to around 688 weekly trips per individual stop.

Buddina'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 positive outcomes for Buddina residents with low prevalence of common health conditions across younger and older age cohorts. Private health cover rate is high at approximately 59% (2,610 people), compared to 53.9% across Rest of Qld.

The most common medical conditions are arthritis (8.6%) and mental health issues (7.0%). A total of 71.3% declared themselves completely clear of medical ailments, compared to 66.2% in Rest of Qld. Buddina has 20.9% residents aged 65 and over (931 people), lower than the 22.3% in Rest of Qld. Health outcomes among seniors are above average, better than the general population's health metrics.

Buddina ranks below the Australian average when compared to other local markets across a number of language and cultural background related metrics

Buddina's cultural diversity was found to be below average, with 86.0% of its population being citizens and 80.9% born in Australia. English is spoken exclusively at home by 94.2% of Buddina residents. Christianity is the predominant religion, making up 45.9% of people in Buddina.

Judaism, however, is overrepresented compared to regional averages, comprising 0.1% of Buddina's population versus 0.1% across Rest of Qld. The top three ancestry groups are English at 32.7%, Australian at 25.8%, and Scottish at 9.8%. Notably, New Zealanders are overrepresented at 1.1% compared to regional averages, as are South Africans at 0.7% versus 0.6%, and Welsh individuals at 0.6% versus 0.6%.

Buddina hosts a notably older demographic compared to the national average

The median age in Buddina as of 2021 is 42 years, close to Rest of Qld's average of 41 years but higher than Australia's median of 38 years. In Buddina, the 25-34 cohort makes up 13.5% of the population, notably over-represented compared to Rest of Qld's average, while the 5-14 year-olds comprise 10.2%, under-represented relative to the regional average. Between the 2016 and 2021 censuses, Buddina saw an increase in its 15 to 24 age group from 10.5% to 11.8%. Conversely, the 5-14 cohort decreased from 11.8% to 10.2%, and the 55-64 group dropped from 13.5% to 11.9%. By 2041, population forecasts indicate significant demographic shifts in Buddina. The 25-34 age cohort is projected to grow by 245 people (41%) from 601 to 847, while the 5-14 and 15-24 cohorts are expected to decrease in population.