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 November 2025, the estimated population of the Coolangatta (Qld) statistical area (Lv2) is around 7,564, reflecting a 16.5% increase since the 2021 Census. The 2021 Census reported a population of 6,491 in the area. This growth is inferred from an estimated resident population of 7,074 by AreaSearch following examination of the latest ERP data release by the ABS (June 2024), along with an additional 638 validated new addresses since the Census date. The population density ratio is 3,981 persons per square kilometer, placing it in the top 10% of national locations assessed by AreaSearch. This high density makes land in the area a highly-sought resource. The Coolangatta (Qld) (SA2)'s growth rate exceeded that of the non-metro area (8.8%) and the SA3 area, marking it 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 2022 as the base year. For areas not covered by this data and years post-2032, Queensland State Government's SA2 area projections are used, released in 2023 based on 2021 data. However, these state projections do not provide age category splits, so AreaSearch applies proportional growth weightings in line with the ABS Greater Capital Region projections for each age cohort. Considering projected demographic shifts, a significant population increase is forecast for the Coolangatta (Qld) statistical area (Lv2), with an expected increase of 2,493 persons to 2041 based on aggregated SA2-level projections. This reflects an overall increase of 26.5% in total over the 17 years from 2024 to 2041.

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

Coolangatta recorded approximately 194 residential properties granted approval annually. Between FY-21 and FY-25, around 972 homes were approved, with an additional 107 approved in FY-26. On average, 0.7 new residents arrived per new home over the past five financial years.

New construction is meeting or exceeding demand, offering buyers more options and enabling population growth that may surpass current expectations. The average value of new homes being built is $1,524,000, indicating a focus on premium properties. This financial year, there have been $6.5 million in commercial approvals, reflecting the area's residential character. Compared to the Rest of Qld, Coolangatta has 201.0% more development activity per person, significantly above the national average, suggesting robust developer interest. New development consists predominantly of attached dwellings (97.0%), offering affordable entry pathways and attracting downsizers, investors, and first-time purchasers. With around 86 people per dwelling approval, Coolangatta exhibits characteristics of a growth area.

According to AreaSearch's latest quarterly estimate, the area is expected to grow by 2,003 residents through to 2041. With current construction levels, housing supply should adequately meet demand, creating favourable conditions for buyers while potentially enabling growth that exceeds current forecasts.

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

AreaSearch has identified 31 infrastructure projects that could impact the area. Notable ones include Kirra Point Holiday Apartments, Coolangatta Beachfront Redevelopment (scheduled for completion in late 2025), Coolangatta Beachside Resort (commenced in March 2023), and Greenmount Beach Surf Life Saving Club Redevelopment (expected to start in Q4 2024). The following list details those likely to have the most relevance.

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 has been broadly consistent with national averages

Coolangatta has a well-educated workforce with essential services sectors well represented. The unemployment rate was 3.5% in the past year, with an estimated employment growth of 2.6%.

As of September 2025, 3852 residents were employed, with an unemployment rate of 0.5% below Rest of Qld's rate of 4.1%. Workforce participation was at 55.1%, compared to Rest of Qld's 59.1%. 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% employment compared to 4.5% regionally.

Many residents commute elsewhere for work based on Census working population to local population count. In the past year, employment increased by 2.6%, labour force by 2.4%, reducing unemployment by 0.2 percentage points. This contrasts with Rest of Qld where employment rose by 1.7%, labour force grew by 2.1%, and unemployment rose by 0.3 percentage points. State-level data to 25-Nov shows QLD employment contracted by 0.01% (losing 1,210 jobs), with the state unemployment rate at 4.2%. National employment forecasts from 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, though this is a simple weighting extrapolation for illustrative purposes and does not take into account localised population projections.

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

The latest postcode level ATO data from AreaSearch for financial year 2023 indicates that Coolangatta's median income among taxpayers is $46,449. The average income in the suburb is $67,326. These figures are comparable to national averages. In contrast, the Rest of Qld has a median income of $53,146 and an average of $66,593. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 9.91% since financial year 2023, estimated incomes for September 2025 would be approximately $51,052 (median) and $73,998 (average). 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% of residents earning between $1,500 and $2,999 weekly (2,185 residents). Housing affordability pressures are severe, with only 80.9% of income remaining after housing costs, 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 evaluation, 13.1% of dwellings were houses while 86.9% were other types such as semi-detached homes and apartments. This is in contrast to Non-Metro Qld's dwelling structure which was 49.8% houses and 50.2% 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 in the area was $1,805, lower than Non-Metro Qld's average of $2,000. The median weekly rent figure for Coolangatta was recorded at $405, compared to Non-Metro Qld's $450. 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 constitute 54.7% of all households, including 12.1% couples with children, 34.0% couples without children, and 7.7% single parent families. Non-family households account for the remaining 45.3%, with lone person households at 37.6% and group households comprising 7.6%. The median household size is 1.9 people, which is smaller than the Rest of Qld average of 2.4.

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

The area's university qualification rate of 28.7%, as of the latest data, exceeds both the Rest of Qld average of 20.6% and the SA4 region average of 25.4%. Bachelor degrees are most prevalent 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+, with advanced diplomas at 12.3% and certificates at 24.6%.

Currently, 23.0% of the population is engaged in formal education, including 7.4% in tertiary, 4.7% in primary, and 3.8% in 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, all of which are bus stops. These stops are served by 11 different routes that together facilitate 1,379 weekly passenger trips. The transport accessibility is rated good, with residents on average being located 264 meters from the nearest stop.

On average, there are 197 trips per day across all routes, which equates to approximately 55 weekly trips per individual stop.

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

Coolangatta faces significant health challenges with common health conditions prevalent across both younger and older age cohorts.

The rate of private health cover is approximately 54% of the total population (~4,075 people), leading that of the average SA2 area. The most common medical conditions are arthritis and mental health issues, impacting 9.5% and 8.4% of residents respectively. A total of 66.0% declared themselves completely clear of medical ailments compared to 70.3% across Rest of Qld. As of 2016, 24.8% of residents are aged 65 and over (1,875 people), which is higher than the 19.2% in Rest of Qld. Health outcomes among seniors are above average, performing better than the general population in health metrics.

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 its 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 shows slight overrepresentation, at 0.2% compared to 0.1% regionally.

In ancestry, the top groups are English (31.7%), Australian (23.8%), and Irish (10.6%). Notably, Spanish (0.9%) and French (0.9%) are overrepresented, as is Scottish (9.2%).

Coolangatta ranks among the oldest 10% of areas nationwide

Coolangatta has a median age of 48, which is higher than the Rest of Qld figure of 41 and significantly higher than the national norm of 38. The 25-34 age group makes up 20.6% of Coolangatta's population, compared to Rest of Qld, while the 5-14 cohort is less prevalent at 4.6%. This concentration of people aged 25-34 is well above the national figure of 14.5%. Post-2021 Census data shows a rejuvenation in Coolangatta's population, with the median age falling from 50 to 48 years between censuses. During this period, the 25-34 age group grew from 17.1% to 20.6%, and the 35-44 cohort increased from 10.8% to 13.3%. Conversely, the 55-64 cohort declined from 16.0% to 14.0%, and the 45-54 group dropped from 11.3% to 9.5%. By 2041, Coolangatta's age composition is expected to shift notably. The 25-34 age cohort is projected to grow steadily, expanding by 603 people (39%) from 1,558 to 2,162.