Caloundra West

Caloundra West lies within the top 10% of areas nationally in terms of population growth performance according to AreaSearch analysis of short and medium-term trends

The population of Caloundra West is estimated at around 9,607 as of February 2026. This reflects an increase of 2,337 people since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 7,270 people. The change was inferred from the resident population of 8,468 estimated by AreaSearch following examination of the latest ERP data release by the ABS in June 2024 and an additional 105 validated new addresses since the Census date. This level of population equates to a density ratio of 1,194 persons per square kilometer, which is relatively in line with averages seen across locations assessed by AreaSearch. Caloundra West's growth of 32.1% since the 2021 census exceeded the Rest of Qld (9.1%) and the national average, marking it as a growth leader in the region. Population growth was primarily driven by interstate migration that contributed approximately 82.0% of overall population gains during recent periods.

AreaSearch is adopting ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area released in 2024 with 2022 as the base year, and Queensland State Government's SA2 area projections released in 2023 based on 2021 data for years post-2032. Exceptional growth is predicted over the period with the suburb expected to grow by 6,323 persons to 2041 based on aggregated SA2-level projections, reflecting an increase of 54.0% in total over the 17 years.

The level of residential development activity in Caloundra West was found to be higher than 90% of real estate markets across the country

Caloundra West averaged approximately 77 new dwelling approvals annually based on AreaSearch analysis. Between FY-21 and FY-25, around 386 homes were approved, with an additional 67 approved in FY-26. On average, each dwelling constructed resulted in about 10.4 new residents over the past five financial years.

This high demand coupled with limited supply typically leads to price growth and increased competition among buyers. The average construction value of new dwellings was around $396,000. In FY-26, there were $197,000 in commercial approvals registered, indicating the area's residential nature. Comparatively, Caloundra West shows approximately 68% of the construction activity per person when measured against the Rest of Qld, and it ranks among the 82nd percentile nationally.

The new development mix consists of 52.0% standalone homes and 48.0% attached dwellings, with an increasing proportion of townhouses and apartments to cater to various price points and lifestyle demands. This shift is notable compared to the current housing mix, which is predominantly houses (83.0%). The area has approximately 120 people per dwelling approval, suggesting a growing market. According to AreaSearch's latest quarterly estimate, Caloundra West is projected to gain around 5,184 residents by 2041. If current development rates continue, housing supply may not keep pace with population growth, potentially intensifying buyer competition and supporting stronger price growth.

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

Infrastructure changes significantly influence an area's performance. AreaSearch identified 52 projects likely impacting the area. Key projects include Aura Business Park, Aura District Sports Parks, Aura Hotel, and Aura (Caloundra South) Infrastructure. The following details projects most relevant.

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

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Employment performance in Caloundra West has been broadly consistent with national averages

Caloundra West has a skilled workforce with an unemployment rate of 3.3% as per AreaSearch's aggregation of statistical area data. As of December 2025, 4979 residents are employed while the unemployment rate is 0.7% lower than Regional Qld's rate of 4%. Workforce participation stands at 78%, exceeding Regional Qld's 65.4%.

According to Census responses, only 12.4% of residents work from home. Dominant employment sectors include health care & social assistance, construction, and retail trade. The area specializes in health care & social assistance with an employment share 1.3 times the regional level. Conversely, agriculture, forestry & fishing is under-represented at 0.5% compared to Regional Qld's 4.5%.

Local employment opportunities appear limited as Census working population vs resident population indicates. Over the year to December 2025, labour force levels decreased by 2.8%, alongside a 2.9% employment decline, causing unemployment to rise by 0.1 percentage points. Regional Qld, however, experienced employment growth of 0.7%. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May-25 estimate future demand within Caloundra West. National employment is projected to expand by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Caloundra West's employment mix suggests local employment should increase by 6.7% over five years and 14.0% over ten years, though this is a simple weighting extrapolation for illustrative purposes only.

Income levels sit below national averages according to AreaSearch assessment

AreaSearch's aggregation of the latest postcode level ATO data released for financial year 2023 shows that Caloundra West had a median income among taxpayers of $49,559 and an average level of $63,274. This is lower than national averages, which are $53,146 (median) and $66,593 (average) for Regional Qld respectively. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 9.91% since financial year 2023, current estimates would be approximately $54,470 (median) and $69,544 (average) as of September 2025. Census 2021 income data indicates that household, family and personal incomes in Caloundra West rank modestly, between the 38th and 39th percentiles. Income brackets show that the largest segment comprises 36.9% earning $1,500 - $2,999 weekly (3,544 residents), which is consistent with broader trends across the broader area showing 31.7% in the same category. Housing affordability pressures are severe, with only 80.1% of income remaining, ranking at the 36th percentile. The area's SEIFA income ranking places it in the 4th decile.

Caloundra West is characterized by a predominantly suburban housing profile, with a higher proportion of rental properties than the broader region

Caloundra West's dwellings, as recorded in the latest Census, consisted of 83.3% houses and 16.7% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings). This compares to Regional Qld's figures of 76.4% houses and 23.6% other dwellings. Home ownership in Caloundra West stood at 29.5%, with mortgaged dwellings at 37.8% and rented ones at 32.7%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $1,842, higher than Regional Qld's average of $1,655. Median weekly rent in Caloundra West was $465, compared to Regional Qld's $345. Nationally, Caloundra West's mortgage repayments were lower than the Australian average of $1,863, while rents were higher at $465 compared to the national figure of $375.

Caloundra West has a typical household mix, with a higher-than-average median household size

Family households constitute 74.2% of all households, including 33.1% couples with children, 26.3% couples without children, and 14.0% single parent families. Non-family households comprise the remaining 25.8%, with lone person households at 22.6% and group households making up 3.1%. The median household size is 2.6 people, larger than the Regional Queensland average of 2.5.

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

The area's university qualification rate is 18.0%, significantly lower than the Australian average of 30.4%. This disparity presents both a challenge and an opportunity for targeted educational initiatives. Bachelor degrees are most prevalent at 13.1%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (2.7%) and graduate diplomas (2.2%). Trade and technical skills are prominent, with 43.2% of residents aged 15+ holding vocational credentials - advanced diplomas (12.2%) and certificates (31.0%).

Educational participation is high, with 30.4% of residents currently enrolled in formal education. This includes 11.7% in primary education, 8.6% in secondary education, and 4.1% pursuing tertiary education.

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

Caloundra West has 19 active public transport stops, all of which are bus stops. These stops are served by four different routes that together facilitate 370 weekly passenger trips. The area's transport accessibility is considered good, with residents living an average of 309 meters from the nearest stop. Most residents commute outside Caloundra West, primarily using cars (96%). On average, there are 1.4 vehicles per dwelling. According to the 2021 Census, only 12.4% of residents work from home, which may be influenced by COVID-19 conditions.

All routes combined offer an average of 52 trips per day, resulting in approximately 19 weekly trips per stop.

Health performance in Caloundra West is lower than average with common health conditions somewhat prevalent across both younger and older age cohorts

Caloundra West faces significant health challenges based on AreaSearch's assessment.

Mortality rates and chronic condition prevalence are high among both younger and older age cohorts, with common health conditions somewhat prevalent. Approximately 52% (~5022 people) of residents have private health cover, slightly higher than the average SA2 area. The most common medical conditions are mental health issues affecting 9.7% of residents and arthritis impacting 9.3%. However, 66.8% of residents declare themselves completely clear of medical ailments, compared to 67.6% across Regional Qld. Working-age residents have an above-average prevalence of chronic health conditions. The area has a higher proportion of residents aged 65 and over at 21.6% (2075 people), compared to 20.4% in Regional Qld. National rankings for this age group are even higher than the general population.

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

Caloundra West's cultural diversity aligns with its wider region, with 77.3% of residents born in Australia, 86.9% being citizens, and 92.3% speaking English only at home. Christianity is the predominant religion, accounting for 48.0% of Caloundra West's population. Notably, Judaism is slightly overrepresented, comprising 0.1% of the population compared to Regional Qld's 0.1%.

The top three ancestral groups are English (33.0%), Australian (26.8%), and Scottish (8.2%). Some ethnic groups show notable differences: New Zealanders at 1.2% (vs regional 0.9%), Maori at 1.2% (vs 0.8%), and Germans at 4.3% (vs 4.7%) are relatively more represented in Caloundra West.

Caloundra West's population is slightly younger than the national pattern

Caloundra West has a median age of 37 years, which is lower than the Regional Queensland average of 41 and nearly aligns with Australia's median age of 38. Comparing Caloundra West's demographics to those of Regional Queensland, it's notable that the 35-44 age group comprises 16.4% of its population, a significant over-representation compared to the regional average. Conversely, the 55-64 age group makes up only 6.2%, indicating an under-representation in Caloundra West. Following the Census conducted in 2021, several age groups have seen shifts in their proportion of Caloundra West's population. The 75 to 84 age group has increased from 6.5% to 9.3%. The 35 to 44 cohort has risen from 15.0% to 16.4%, while the 55 to 64 group has decreased from 9.4% to 6.2%. Additionally, the proportion of 25 to 34-year-olds has dropped from 12.4% to 11.1%. By the year 2041, demographic modeling projects significant changes in Caloundra West's age profile. The 35 to 44 age group is expected to grow by 64%, adding 1,015 residents and reaching a total of 2,591 individuals within this cohort.