Burleigh Heads

Population growth drivers in Burleigh Heads are slightly above average based on AreaSearch's ranking of recent, and medium term trends

Based on AreaSearch analysis of ABS population updates, as of Nov 2025, the Burleigh Heads statistical area (Lv2) has an estimated population of around 11,723. This reflects a growth of 1,151 people since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 10,572. The increase is inferred from AreaSearch's resident population estimate of 11,423 in Jun 2024, following examination of ABS ERP data release, and an additional 747 validated new addresses since the Census date. This results in a population density ratio of 1,145 persons per square kilometer, comparable to averages seen across locations assessed by AreaSearch. The Burleigh Heads (SA2) growth rate of 10.9% since the 2021 census exceeds both the non-metro area's 8.8% and national average growth. Overseas migration contributed approximately 85.0% 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 by this data and years post-2032, Queensland State Government's SA2 area projections are adopted, released in 2023 based on 2021 data. However, these state projections do not provide age category splits, so AreaSearch applies proportional growth weightings from ABS Greater Capital Region projections released in 2023, based on 2022 data. Considering projected demographic shifts, an above median population growth is projected nationally for regional areas like Burleigh Heads (SA2), expected to grow by 1,407 persons to 2041 based on aggregated SA2-level projections, reflecting a gain of 8.8% over the 17 years.

AreaSearch assessment of residential development activity positions Burleigh Heads among the top 25% of areas assessed nationwide

Burleigh Heads has seen approximately 143 dwelling approvals annually based on AreaSearch's analysis of ABS building approval data. Between FY21 and FY25, around 717 homes were approved, with an additional 51 approved in FY26 so far. On average, each new home attracts one new resident per year over the past five financial years.

This indicates that new construction is keeping pace with or exceeding demand, providing more options for buyers and potentially driving population growth beyond current projections. The average development value of new dwellings is $1,521,000, suggesting developers target the premium market segment. In FY26, commercial development approvals totalled $32.3 million, indicating strong local business investment.

New developments consist of 25% detached houses and 75% townhouses or apartments, promoting higher-density living that caters to affordability, downsizers, investors, and first-home buyers. With around 98 people per dwelling approval, Burleigh Heads exhibits growth area characteristics. By 2041, AreaSearch's latest quarterly estimate projects an increase of 1,031 residents in the area. Current construction levels should meet demand adequately, creating favourable buying conditions while potentially driving population growth beyond current forecasts.

Burleigh Heads 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 49 projects likely affecting the region. Notable initiatives include Isabel by Mosaic, Morris Property Group's Burleigh Development, Flourish on Sixth Palm Beach, and Bondi Burleigh - Morris Property Group. The following list 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 Burleigh Heads exceeds national averages across key labour market indicators

Burleigh Heads has a well-educated workforce with prominent representation in essential services sectors. Its unemployment rate was 3.5% as of the past year, with an estimated employment growth of 2.3%.

As of September 2025, there are 6,642 residents employed, with an unemployment rate of 0.5% lower than Rest of Qld's rate of 4.1%, and workforce participation similar to Rest of Qld's 59.1%. The dominant employment sectors include health care & social assistance, construction, and education & training. Professional & technical services have a particularly high share at 1.7 times the regional level, while agriculture, forestry & fishing employs just 0.3% of local workers, lower than Rest of Qld's 4.5%. The area hosts more jobs than residents, with 1.4 workers per resident as of the Census.

Over the 12 months to September 2025, employment increased by 2.3%, labour force by 2.5%, and unemployment rose by 0.2 percentage points. In comparison, Rest of Qld recorded employment growth of 1.7%, labour force growth of 2.1%, with unemployment rising 0.3 percentage points. State-level data to 25-Nov shows Queensland's employment contracted by 0.01% (losing 1,210 jobs), with the state unemployment rate at 4.2%. National employment forecasts from May-25 suggest national employment will expand by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Burleigh Heads's employment mix suggests local employment should increase by 6.9% over five years and 14.0% 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

The suburb of Burleigh Heads has a median taxpayer income of $54,991 and an average income of $74,222 according to the latest postcode level ATO data aggregated by AreaSearch for the financial year 2023. This is higher than the national average, compared to Rest of Qld's median income of $53,146 and average income of $66,593. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 9.91% since financial year 2023, estimated incomes as of September 2025 would be approximately $60,441 (median) and $81,577 (average). Census data indicates personal income ranks at the 65th percentile ($889 weekly), while household income is at the 47th percentile. In Burleigh Heads, 31.4% of residents (3,681 people) fall into the $1,500 - 2,999 income bracket, similar to the metropolitan region's 31.7%. Housing affordability pressures are severe, with only 81.8% of income remaining, ranking at the 46th percentile. The area's SEIFA income ranking places it in the 7th decile.

Burleigh Heads features a more urban dwelling mix with significant apartment living, with strong rates of outright home ownership

Burleigh Heads' dwelling structure, as per the latest Census, consisted of 39.1% houses and 60.9% other dwellings including semi-detached homes, apartments, and 'other' dwellings. Home ownership in Burleigh Heads stood at 35.1%, with mortgaged dwellings accounting for 30.3% and rented ones at 34.6%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $2,058, while the median weekly rent was $480. Compared nationally, Burleigh Heads' mortgage repayments were significantly higher than Australia's average of $1,863, and rents were substantially above the national figure of $375.

Burleigh Heads features high concentrations of group households and lone person households, with a median household size of 2.2 people

Family households constitute 60.8% of all households, including 20.7% couples with children, 30.1% couples without children, and 9.2% single parent families. Non-family households account for the remaining 39.2%, with lone person households at 30.8% and group households comprising 8.4%. The median household size is 2.2 people.

Burleigh Heads shows strong educational performance, ranking in the upper quartile nationally when assessed across multiple qualification and achievement indicators

Burleigh Heads has a higher educational attainment than broader benchmarks. Among residents aged 15+, 32.0% have university qualifications compared to 20.6% in the rest of Queensland and 25.4% in the SA4 region. Bachelor degrees are the most common, at 22.3%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (6.6%) and graduate diplomas (3.1%). Vocational credentials are also prominent, with 38.0% of residents aged 15+ holding them, including advanced diplomas (13.9%) and certificates (24.1%).

Educational participation is high, with 28.6% of residents currently enrolled in formal education, including primary (8.0%), tertiary (7.2%), and secondary (6.7%) levels.

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

Burleigh Heads has 22 active public transport stops offering a mix of train and bus services. These are served by 12 different routes, facilitating 2,240 weekly passenger trips in total. The area's transport accessibility is rated as good, with residents on average being located 348 meters from the nearest stop.

Service frequency averages 320 trips per day across all routes, equating to approximately 101 weekly trips per individual stop.

The level of general health in Burleigh Heads is notably higher than the national average with both young and old age cohorts seeing low prevalence of common health conditions

Burleigh Heads shows superior health outcomes for both young and elderly populations.

Common health conditions have low prevalence rates here. Approximately 57% (~6,636 individuals) of the total population has private health insurance. The most prevalent medical issues are arthritis (7.9%) and mental health concerns (7.5%), while 70.7% report being free from any medical ailments, compared to 0% in the rest of Queensland. There are 19.8% (2,321 individuals) of residents aged 65 or above. Health outcomes among seniors in Burleigh Heads exceed those of the general population.

In terms of cultural diversity, Burleigh Heads records figures broadly comparable to the national average, as found in AreaSearch's assessment of a number of language and cultural background related metrics

Burleigh Heads' cultural diversity aligns with its wider area, with 82.3% citizens, 76.8% born in Australia, and 92.0% speaking English only at home. Christianity dominates Burleigh Heads at 48.1%. Judaism is overrepresented at 0.3%, compared to None% regionally.

Top ancestry groups are English (30.9%), Australian (24.3%), and Irish (10.6%). Notably, New Zealanders comprise 1.3%, French 0.8%, and Spanish 0.6%, each overrepresented relative to regional averages.

Burleigh Heads's median age exceeds the national pattern

The median age in Burleigh Heads is 41 years, matching Rest of Qld's average and being somewhat older than Australia's average of 38 years. Compared to Rest of Qld, Burleigh Heads has a higher percentage of residents aged 25-34 (20.3%) but fewer residents aged 5-14 (7.3%). This concentration of 25-34 year-olds is well above the national average of 14.5%. According to the 2021 Census, Burleigh Heads' median age decreased by 1.3 years from 42 to 41, indicating a shift towards a younger demographic. Key changes show the 25-34 age group grew from 17.0% to 20.3%, while the 15-24 cohort increased from 9.8% to 11.4%. Conversely, the 65-74 cohort declined from 12.6% to 10.2% and the 45-54 group dropped from 12.5% to 11.0%. Demographic modeling suggests Burleigh Heads' age profile will evolve significantly by 2041, with the 25-34 age cohort projected to grow by 654 people (27%), from 2,379 to 3,034. Meanwhile, population declines are projected for the 45-54 and 55-64 cohorts.