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, and new addresses validated by AreaSearch, the suburb of Buddina's population is estimated at around 4,458 as of Feb 2026. This reflects an increase of 222 people (5.2%) 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 in June 2024 and an additional 272 validated new addresses since the Census date. This level of population equates to a density ratio of 2,286 persons per square kilometer, which is above the average seen across national locations assessed by AreaSearch. Population growth for the suburb was primarily driven by overseas migration that contributed approximately 82.0% of overall population gains during recent periods.

AreaSearch is adopting ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area, as released in 2024 with a base year of 2022. For any SA2 areas not covered by this data, and for years post-2032, Queensland State Government's SA2 area projections, released in 2023 and based on 2021 data, are adopted. It should be noted that these state projections do not provide age category splits; hence where utilised, AreaSearch is applying proportional growth weightings in line with the ABS Greater Capital Region projections (released in 2023, based on 2022 data) for each age cohort. As we examine future population trends, an above median population growth of national non-metropolitan areas is projected, with the suburb expected to expand by 818 persons to 2041 based on aggregated SA2-level projections, reflecting an increase of 13.3% in total over the 17 years.

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

Based on AreaSearch analysis of ABS building approval numbers allocated from statistical area data, Buddina has experienced around 48 dwellings receiving development approval annually over the past 5 financial years ending FY-25. This totals an estimated 243 homes. So far in FY-26, recorded approvals amount to 12. With an average of only 0.8 people moving to the area per dwelling built between FY-21 and FY-25, new supply has kept pace with or exceeded demand, offering ample buyer choice and creating capacity for population growth beyond current forecasts.

New dwellings are developed at an average value of $1,097,000, indicating a focus on the premium segment with upmarket properties. Additionally, $4.0 million in commercial development approvals have been recorded this financial year, demonstrating Buddina's primarily residential nature. Compared to Rest of Qld, Buddina records about three-quarters the building activity per person while it places among the 79th percentile of areas assessed nationally, suggesting strong developer confidence in the location. New building activity shows 27.0% detached dwellings and 73.0% townhouses or apartments, creating more affordable entry points and suiting downsizers, investors, and first-home buyers. This represents a notable shift from Buddina's existing housing composition of 69.0% houses. With around 143 people per dwelling approval, Buddina shows characteristics of a low density area.

Future projections show Buddina adding 593 residents by 2041 based on 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

Changes to local infrastructure significantly impact an area's performance. AreaSearch has identified eight projects that could affect the region. Notable initiatives include Mooloolaba Foreshore Revitalisation Project - Stage 2, The Point Buddina, Lowanna Beach Resort, and The Beachfront Buddina. The following list details those most likely to be 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.

The labour market in Buddina shows considerable strength compared to most other Australian regions

Buddina has an educated workforce with prominent representation in essential services sectors. The unemployment rate is 2.3%, according to AreaSearch's statistical area data aggregation as of December 2025. There are 2,331 residents employed, with an unemployment rate 1.7% lower than Regional Qld's 4.0%.

Workforce participation matches Regional Qld's 65.4%. A moderate 17.2% of residents work from home, considering Covid-19 lockdown impacts. Leading employment industries are health care & social assistance, construction, and accommodation & food. Buddina specializes in construction with an employment share 1.6 times the regional level, but agriculture, forestry & fishing is under-represented at 0.7% compared to Regional Qld's 4.5%.

The worker-to-resident ratio of 0.6 indicates above-norm local employment opportunities. From May-25 to June-26, Buddina's labour force decreased by 3.3%, and employment by 3.5%, raising the unemployment rate by 0.2 percentage points. Conversely, Regional Qld saw employment growth of 0.7% and labour force growth of 1.0%, with a 0.3 percentage point rise in unemployment. National employment forecasts from Jobs and Skills Australia project national growth of 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, differing significantly between sectors. Applying these projections to Buddina's employment mix suggests local employment should increase by 6.9% over five years and 14.1% over ten years, though this is a simple weighting extrapolation for illustrative purposes and does not account for localised population projections.

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

In AreaSearch's latest postcode level ATO data released for financial year 2023, Buddina's median income among taxpayers is $55,037. The average income in the suburb is $79,166. Nationally, the median income is lower at $48,358 with an average of $71,179. In Regional Queensland, the median income is $53,146 and the average is $66,593. Based on Wage Price Index growth since financial year 2023, current estimates for Buddina would be approximately $60,491 (median) and $87,011 (average) as of September 2025. According to census data, incomes in Buddina cluster around the 54th percentile nationally. Income distribution shows that 29.8% of individuals earn between $1,500 and $2,999 annually, which is similar to the broader area where this cohort represents 31.7%. Housing affordability pressures are severe in Buddina, with only 83.3% of income remaining after housing costs, ranking at the 48th percentile nationally. The suburb'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

Dwelling structure in Buddina, as evaluated at the 2016 Census, comprised 68.7% houses and 31.3% other dwellings. In Regional Qld, this was 76.4% houses and 23.6% other dwellings. Home ownership in Buddina was 38.6%, with mortgaged dwellings at 28.6% and rented at 32.8%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $2,167, compared to Regional Qld's average of $1,655. Median weekly rent in Buddina was $440, while Regional Qld's was $345. Nationally, Buddina's mortgage repayments were 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 percent of all households, including 28.2 percent couples with children, 28.5 percent couples without children, and 10.4 percent single parent families. Non-family households account for the remaining 31.7 percent, with lone person households at 25.6 percent and group households comprising 6.3 percent of the total. The median household size is 2.5 people, which aligns with the Regional Queensland average.

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%. This rate exceeds that of the SA3 area at 23.6%. Bachelor degrees are most prevalent 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. This includes 10.8% in primary education, 8.3% in secondary education, and 5.1% pursuing tertiary education.

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

Buddina has two operational public transport stops, served by seven different bus routes. These routes facilitate a total of 1,376 weekly passenger trips. Residents' access to transportation is limited, with an average distance of 763 meters to the nearest stop. Buddina is predominantly residential, with outward commuting being common. Cars are the primary mode of transport for residents, used by 91%, while cycling accounts for 2%. On average, there are 1.5 vehicles per dwelling.

According to the 2021 Census, 17.2% of residents work from home, which may be influenced by COVID-19 conditions. The service frequency across all routes is 196 trips per day, equating to approximately 688 weekly trips per individual stop.

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

Analysis of health metrics indicates strong performance throughout Buddina. AreaSearch's assessment shows low prevalence of common health conditions among both young and old age cohorts.

The rate of private health cover is exceptionally high at approximately 59% of the total population (2,611 people), compared to 52.5% across Regional Qld. The most common medical conditions in the area are arthritis and mental health issues, impacting 8.6 and 7.0% of residents respectively. Seventy-one point three percent of residents declare themselves completely clear of medical ailments, compared to 67.6% across Regional Qld. Working-age residents show notably healthy outcomes with low chronic condition prevalence. The area has 21.1% of residents aged 65 and over (940 people). Health outcomes among seniors are above average, with national rankings broadly in line with the general population.

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

Buddina's population was found to be less diverse culturally, with 86.0% being citizens, 80.9% born in Australia, and 94.2% speaking English only at home. Christianity was the predominant religion, comprising 45.9%. Judaism, however, was overrepresented at 0.1%, compared to Regional Qld's 0.1%.

The top three ancestry groups were English (32.7%), Australian (25.8%), and Scottish (9.8%). Notably, New Zealanders were overrepresented at 1.1% versus regional 0.9%, South Australians at 0.7% versus 0.5%, and Welsh at 0.6% versus 0.5%.

Buddina hosts a notably older demographic compared to the national average

The median age in Buddina is 42 years, close to Regional Queensland's average of 41 and well above Australia's median of 38. In comparison to Regional Queensland's average, the 25-34 age group is notably over-represented at 14.1% locally, while the 5-14 year-olds are under-represented at 9.9%. Between the 2021 Census and now, the 15 to 24 age group has grown from 10.5% to 12.2%, and the 25 to 34 cohort has increased from 12.7% to 14.1%. Conversely, the 5 to 14 age group has declined from 11.8% to 9.9%, and the 55 to 64 age group has dropped from 13.5% to 12.0%. Population forecasts for Buddina indicate substantial demographic changes by 2041. The 25-34 age cohort is projected to expand by 201 people (32%), growing from 628 to 830. Meanwhile, the 15 to 24 age group is projected to decline by 50 people.