Coolangatta (Qld)

Coolangatta 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 of May 2026, the estimated population of the suburb of Coolangatta (Qld) is around 7,434, reflecting a 14.5% increase since the 2021 Census which reported a population of 6,491 people. This increase is inferred from AreaSearch's estimation of the resident population at 7,208 based on the latest ERP data release by the ABS in June 2025 and an additional 677 validated new addresses since the Census date. The population density ratio of 3,912 persons per square kilometer places Coolangatta in the top 10% of national locations assessed by AreaSearch. This level of population growth exceeds the Rest of Qld's 9.2% and the national average, marking Coolangatta as a growth leader in the region. Overseas migration contributed approximately 69.0% 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 released in 2023 based on 2021 data are adopted. Considering projected demographic shifts, a significant population increase is forecast for the suburb of Coolangatta (Qld), with an expected increase of 2,347 persons to 2041, reflecting a total increase of 28.5% over the 16 years.

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

Coolangatta recorded approximately 194 residential properties granted approval each year, with an estimated 972 homes approved between financial years FY-21 and FY-25. In the current financial year FY-26177 properties have been approved so far. On average, over the past five financial years, 0.7 new residents arrived per new home built.

This indicates that new construction is matching or outpacing demand, providing more options for buyers and potentially enabling population growth beyond current expectations. The average value of new homes being constructed is $1,524,000, suggesting a focus on the premium segment with upmarket properties. In FY-26, there have been $6.5 million in commercial approvals, reflecting the area's residential character. Compared to the rest of Queensland, Coolangatta records 200.0% more development activity per person, indicating significantly higher developer interest and greater choice for buyers. However, development activity has moderated in recent periods. New development consists predominantly of attached dwellings (97.0%), with standalone homes making up only 3.0%.

This skew towards compact living offers affordable entry pathways, attracting downsizers, investors, and first-time purchasers. With around 86 people per dwelling approval, Coolangatta exhibits characteristics of a growth area. According to the latest AreaSearch quarterly estimate, the area is expected to grow by 2,121 residents through to 2041. Given current construction levels, housing supply should adequately meet demand, creating favourable conditions for buyers while potentially enabling population growth that exceeds current forecasts.

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

AreaSearch has identified 29 projects that could impact the area's performance. Key projects include Kirra Point Holiday Apartments, Coolangatta Beachside Resort, Coolangatta Creek Boardwalk Extension, and the Coolangatta and Kirra Business Centre Place Making Master Plan. 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.

Employment performance in Coolangatta exceeds national averages across key labour market indicators

Coolangatta has an educated workforce with prominent representation in essential services sectors. The unemployment rate was 3.2% as of the past year, with estimated employment growth at 3.3%. By December 2025, 3901 residents were employed, and the unemployment rate stood at 0.8% below Regional Qld's rate of 4.0%.

Workforce participation was 61.2%, compared to Regional Qld's 64.5%. According to Census responses, 16.9% of residents worked from home. Employment is concentrated in health care & social assistance, accommodation & food, and construction, with notable concentration in accommodation & food at 1.5 times the regional average. Agriculture, forestry & fishing has limited presence at 0.8%, compared to Regional Qld's 4.5%.

Many residents commute elsewhere for work based on Census data. In the 12-month period ending June-25, employment increased by 3.3% while labour force grew by 2.6%, leading to a 0.7 percentage point decrease in unemployment rate. This contrasts with Regional Qld where employment rose by 0.7%, labour force grew by 1.0%, and unemployment rose by 0.3 percentage points. National employment forecasts from Jobs and Skills Australia, issued May-25, project national employment growth of 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Coolangatta's employment mix suggests local employment should increase by 6.9% over five years and 14.1% over ten years.

Income figures position the area below 75% of locations analysed nationally by AreaSearch

AreaSearch released postcode level ATO data for financial year 2023. Coolangatta's median income among taxpayers was $46,449 with an average of $67,326. These figures align with national averages and compare to Regional Qld's median of $53,146 and average of $66,593. Based on Wage Price Index growth since financial year 2023, current estimates for Coolangatta are approximately $51,726 (median) and $74,974 (average) as of March 2026. According to Census 2021 income data, personal income ranks at the 46th percentile ($785 weekly), while household income sits at the 22nd percentile. The largest income segment comprises 28.9% earning $1,500 - 2,999 weekly (2,148 residents). Housing affordability pressures are severe with only 80.9% of income remaining, ranking at the 19th percentile. The area's SEIFA income ranking places it in the 5th decile.

Coolangatta features a more urban dwelling mix with significant apartment living, with above-average rates of outright home ownership

In Coolangatta, as per the latest Census data, 13.1% of dwellings were houses while 86.9% comprised semi-detached homes, apartments, and other types. This contrasts with Regional Queensland's figures of 76.4% houses and 23.6% other dwellings. Home ownership in Coolangatta stood at 37.7%, with mortgaged properties at 19.9% and rented ones at 42.4%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $1,805, higher than Regional Queensland's average of $1,655. Median weekly rent in Coolangatta was $405, compared to Regional Queensland's $345. Nationally, Coolangatta's mortgage repayments were lower than the Australian average of $1,863, while rents exceeded the national figure of $375.

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

Family households account for 54.7 percent of all households, including 12.1 percent that are couples with children, 34.0 percent that are couples without children, and 7.7 percent that are single parent families. Non-family households constitute the remaining 45.3 percent, with lone person households making up 37.6 percent and group households comprising 7.6 percent of the total. The median household size is 1.9 people, which is smaller than the Regional Queensland average of 2.5.

Coolangatta performs slightly above the national average for education, showing competitive qualification levels and steady academic outcomes

The area's educational profile is notable regionally with university qualification rates at 28.7%, surpassing both the Rest of Qld average (20.6%) and the SA4 region average (25.4%). Bachelor degrees are most common at 21.0%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (5.3%) and graduate diplomas (2.4%). Vocational credentials are held by 36.9% of residents aged 15+, including advanced diplomas (12.3%) and certificates (24.6%).

A significant 23.0% of the population is actively engaged in formal education, with 7.4% in tertiary, 4.7% in primary, and 3.8% pursuing secondary education.

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

Coolangatta has 25 active public transport stops serving a mix of bus routes. These stops are covered by 11 different routes, offering a total of 1,379 weekly passenger trips. Transport accessibility is rated good, with residents located an average of 264 meters from the nearest stop. Most residents commute outward due to the area's residential nature. Cars remain the primary mode of transport at 82%, followed by walking at 8% and cycling at 4%. Vehicle ownership averages 1.0 per dwelling, lower than the regional average.

According to the 2021 Census, 16.9% of residents work from home, which may be influenced by COVID-19 conditions. The service frequency across all routes is 197 trips per day on average, equating to approximately 55 weekly trips per individual stop.

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

Coolangatta shows superior health outcomes according to AreaSearch's evaluation of mortality rates and chronic condition prevalence.

Both younger and older age groups exhibit low incidence of common health issues. Private health cover is more prevalent here at approximately 54% compared to the average SA2 area (~4,005 people). The most frequent medical conditions are arthritis (9.5%) and mental health issues (8.4%). Around 66.0% of residents report no medical ailments, slightly lower than Regional Qld's 67.6%. Health outcomes among working-age individuals are typical. The area has a higher proportion of seniors aged 65 and over at 24.5% (1,821 people) compared to Regional Qld's 20.4%. Senior health outcomes are above average, aligning with national rankings for the general population.

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

Coolangatta's cultural diversity aligns with the broader region, with 82.5% being citizens, 77.4% born in Australia, and 90.7% speaking English only at home. Christianity is the predominant religion, comprising 49.5%. Judaism, however, is slightly overrepresented at 0.2%, compared to Regional Qld's 0.1%.

The top three ancestry groups are English (31.7%), Australian (23.8%), and Irish (10.6%). Spanish (0.9% vs regional 0.3%) and French (0.9% vs regional 0.5%) are notably overrepresented, while Scottish show a significant divergence at 9.2% compared to the region's 7.8%.

Coolangatta ranks among the oldest 10% of areas nationwide

Coolangatta's median age in 2021 was 48, higher than Regional Qld's figure of 41 and significantly above the national norm of 38. The 25-34 age group made up 21.1%, compared to Regional Qld, while the 5-14 cohort comprised 4.9%. This 25-34 concentration was well above the national figure of 14.6%. Between the 2016 and 2021 Census data, Coolangatta's median age fell from 50 to 48 years. Notably, the 25 to 34 age group grew from 17.1% to 21.1%, while the 35 to 44 cohort increased from 10.8% to 14.0%. Conversely, the 55 to 64 cohort declined from 16.0% to 13.8%, and the 65 to 74 group dropped from 16.1% to 14.1%. By 2041, Coolangatta's age composition is expected to shift notably. The 25 to 34 age cohort is projected to grow steadily, increasing by 591 people (38%) from 1,568 to 2,160. Meanwhile, the 15 to 24 cohort grows by a modest 9% (54 people).