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This analysis uses Suburbs and Localities (SAL) boundaries, which can materially differ from Statistical Areas (SA2) even when sharing the same name.
SAL boundaries are defined by Australia Post and the Australian Bureau of Statistics to represent commonly-known suburb names used in postal addresses.
Statistical Areas (SA2) are designed for census data collection and may combine multiple suburbs or use different geographic boundaries. For comprehensive analysis, consider reviewing both boundary types if available.
est. as @ -- *
2021 Census | -- people
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Cooloola Cove has an estimated 2,992 residents, up from 2,921 at the 2021 Census — a change of 71 people, or 2.4%. Growth has averaged 0.9% a year over five years, slower than 77% of areas nationally. That puts 221 residents on each square kilometre. Population is estimated from ABS Estimated Resident Population releases and GNAF address data, re-based from the 2021 Census and updated annually.
Detail
As of Aug 2026, the suburb of Cooloola Cove has an estimated population of around 2,992, based on AreaSearch's evaluation of broader ABS population releases alongside validated new addresses since the Census. In comparison to the 2,921 people recorded in the 2021 Census, this indicates an expansion of 71 people (2.4%). This shift is deduced from the 2,992 resident population figure calculated by AreaSearch using the June 2025 ABS ERP data release together with 1 validated new addresses registered following the Census. The suburb of Cooloola Cove registers a population density of 221 persons per square kilometer, offering generous personal space and scope for future expansion.
Net interstate migration served as the core engine of population change, generating roughly 92.0% of all recent population additions. Projections published in 2024 by ABS/Geoscience Australia using 2022 as a baseline are applied by AreaSearch across individual SA2 locations. For unmapped SA2 regions or periods beyond 2032, Queensland State Government 2023 SA2 projections based on 2021 numbers are used instead. Because age-bracket distributions are omitted from these state figures, AreaSearch incorporates age-cohort growth weightings aligned with the 2023 ABS Greater Capital Region projections that utilize 2022 benchmarks. Future outlooks indicate growth consistent with the bottom quartile of regional Australia, with aggregated SA2 modeling pointing to an increase of 94 persons in the suburb of Cooloola Cove through to 2041, representing an overall rise of 3.1% over the 16 years.
Frequently Asked Questions - Population
47 new dwellings have been approved in Cooloola Cove over the past five years, an average of 9 a year. That is 3.4 approvals per 1,000 residents. Approvals are currently running at an annualised 3, well below that longer-run average. Figures come from ABS building approvals aggregated to this Suburb (SAL) boundary and are updated monthly as the ABS releases them.
Detail
Analysis of ABS building approvals by AreaSearch across statistical boundaries reveals that Cooloola Cove averages approximately 9 approved residential dwellings annually. Over the past 5 financial years (between FY-21 and FY-25), 47 homes were approved, with 3 recorded to date in FY-25. Solid underlying demand underpinning local real estate values is demonstrated by an average intake of 2.7 new residents each year for every dwelling constructed over the past 5 financial years (between FY-21 and FY-25). New residential builds carry an average construction value of $467,000, aligning with broader regional patterns.
Meanwhile, commercial construction activity remains subdued, with $5.0 million in commercial approvals registered during the current financial year. Per capita residential development in Cooloola Cove trails the Rest of Qld benchmark substantially, running 61.0% below regional average per person. This limited delivery of new housing stock generally underpins pricing and demand for established dwellings. Activity is similarly subdued relative to national figures, pointing to a mature market alongside potential building constraints. Low-density living is sustained by recent construction comprising exclusively single-family detached homes, which continues to draw buyers seeking spacious environments. A calm, low-scale building setting is highlighted by a ratio of roughly 1000 people per approved dwelling across the locality. According to the latest quarterly figures from AreaSearch, Cooloola Cove is projected to add 94 residents through to 2041. Present construction trends indicate that residential supply will comfortably accommodate this growth, creating favourable buying conditions and potentially enabling population gains to outpace current projections.
Frequently Asked Questions - Development
Development applications around Cooloola Cove
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| Lodged | Address | Description | Type | Distance | Status |
|---|
SOURCE: Planning portals and council registers, compiled by AreaSearch. Distance & bearing measured from the suburb midpoint.
AreaSearch tracks one current infrastructure or development project inside Cooloola Cove, worth an estimated $9 billion. A further 46 sit in the immediately surrounding suburbs, taking the tracked pipeline within reach of the area to $11.3 billion. 14 are already under construction and 13 are due for completion within three years. The pipeline spans residential development, transport & logistics and communities, precincts & urban renewal. Records are compiled from Infrastructure Australia, state agencies, council planning portals and public announcements, reviewed and updated daily, then ranked by proximity, construction stage, completion horizon and project scale.
Detail
Infrastructure investments, major works, and strategic planning exert a profound influence on an area's trajectory. AreaSearch has identified no major projects likely to affect the local area. Key regional initiatives include the Forest Wind Farm, Borumba Pumped Hydro Transmission Connections, Queensland Train Manufacturing Program, and Queensland Supergrid South, with the most relevant developments detailed below.
Professional plan users can use the search below to filter and access additional projects.
INFRASTRUCTURE SEARCH
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Frequently Asked Questions - Infrastructure
Bruce Highway (Cooroy to Curra) Section D - Northern Contract
The northern contract of Section D delivered part of the 26 km four-lane Gympie Bypass from north of Sandy Creek Road to Curra, including major structures and realignments. Section D opened to traffic on 16 Oct 2024 and completes the Cooroy to Curra upgrade with 42 bridges at 23 locations and three new interchanges (Flood Road, Gympie Connection Road, Curra).
Gympie Regional Council Bridge Replacement Project
Replacement of four bridges across the region with a total investment of $7.3 million. Includes construction of new concrete structures to improve safety, load capacity, and flood resilience for local communities.
Gympie Regional Housing Action Plan Implementation
Implementation of the Gympie Region Local Housing Action Plan to improve availability, diversity and affordability of housing. Includes support for social housing, affordable housing initiatives, and addressing housing supply challenges.
Gympie Region Planning Scheme Review
Council is preparing a new planning scheme to plan for growing needs over the next 20-25 years. The review will address residential growth, industrial development, environmental protection, and infrastructure planning across the region.
Gympie Civic Centre Revitalisation
Council-led revitalisation of Gympie's primary performing arts venue, closed since 2022 following flood damage and severe mould contamination. The $18.5 million project, awarded to Hutchinson Builders in December 2025, covers full mould remediation, structural restoration, electrical and disability compliance upgrades, modernised AV and theatrical systems, improved acoustics, seating and amenities. Construction commenced early 2026. A Precinct Reference Group has been established to guide community input throughout construction and future operations.
Cooroy To Curra - Section D - Southern Contract
Section D involves building a 26-km four-lane bypass around Gympie, finishing the Bruce Highway's 62-km upgrade from Cooroy to Curra. It's split into two, with the Southern Contract covering Woondum to north of Sandy Creek Road.
7-Eleven Southside Gympie
Completed retail-led service station featuring a 218sqm 7-Eleven convenience store, 3 fuel pumps with Mobil fuels, and intersection upgrades on Exhibition Road. Built on a brownfield redevelopment site, the project included signalization of the Exhibition Road intersection providing direct access from the development to the state-controlled road. Opened June 8, 2023.
10 Copp Road Residential Care Facility
Approved development for a 100-bed residential care facility (nursing home) on 1.21 hectares of elevated, flood-free land in Southside, Queensland. The site was sold in April 2025 with Development Approval (MCU) in place.
767 residents of Cooloola Cove are employed, from a labour force of 837. Unemployment sits at 8.4%, with participation at 31.0%. Weighted for its industry mix, the area's sectors are forecast to grow about 5.6% nationally over five years. That reflects industry composition only and makes no allowance for local population growth. The working-day population is estimated at 2,648, about 88% of the resident population, so more people leave the area for work than travel in. Unemployment and labour force come from ABS Small Area Labour Markets, updated quarterly; the industry and occupation profile is from the 2021 Census.
Detail
Cooloola Cove has a balanced workforce spanning white and blue collar employment, with tourism and hospitality sectors prominently featured, an unemployment rate of 8.4%, and 7.3% in estimated employment growth over the past year, based on AreaSearch aggregation of statistical area data. As of March 2026, 767 residents are in work while the unemployment rate is 4.4% above Regional Qld's rate of 3.9%, showing room for improvement, and workforce participation lags significantly (31.0% compared to Regional Qld's 64.2%). Based on Census responses, a low 11.8% of residents were found to work from home, though Covid-19 lockdown impacts should be considered.
The primary sectors employing local residents are retail trade, accommodation & food, and health care & social assistance. Retail trade displays a particularly heavy presence, with local employment concentrations reaching 1.7 times the regional average. Conversely, health care & social assistance accounts for only 11.7% of the workforce, trailing the Regional Qld figure of 16.1%. A comparison between Census working numbers and the resident population highlights a constrained supply of jobs within the immediate area. According to AreaSearch analysis of combined ABS and SALM figures from surrounding statistical areas, the past 12 months delivered a 7.3% rise in employment and a 1.7% increase in the labour force, driving a 4.8 percentage points drop in the unemployment rate. By comparison, Regional Qld recorded a 0.1% increase in employment, a 0.3% rise in the labour force, and a 0.1 percentage point increase in unemployment. National outlooks from Jobs and Skills Australia as of Mar-26 provide additional context on future labour demand for Cooloola Cove across five- and ten-year intervals. Nationally, total employment is projected to expand by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, though trajectories vary by industry. Aligning these sector projections with the local job profile suggests Cooloola Cove could see employment growth of 5.6% over five years and 12.0% over ten years (representing a baseline weighting calculation for illustrative purposes that excludes local population adjustments).
Frequently Asked Questions - Employment
Median household income in Cooloola Cove is $808 a week (about $42,000 a year), with median personal income at $433 a week. ATO records put median taxable income at $32,697 a year against an average of $44,091. Household income is from the 2021 Census; taxable income is from ATO Taxation Statistics for the latest financial year available, indexed forward using the ABS Wage Price Index.
Detail
ATO figures aggregated by AreaSearch for financial year 2023 show that income levels across the suburb of Cooloola Cove sit below national averages. Taxpayer median income in the suburb of Cooloola Cove is $32,697 while the average is $44,091, compared to Regional Qld benchmarks of $53,146 and $66,593. Factoring in Wage Price Index growth of 11.36% since financial year 2023 brings estimated figures to approximately $36,411 (median) and $49,100 (average) as of March 2026. The 2021 Census placed personal, family, and household earnings in Cooloola Cove between the 0th and 1st percentiles across the country.
The dominant weekly earnings bracket is $400 - 799, capturing 41.6% of residents (1,244 individuals), whereas the wider region is led by the $1,500 - 2,999 bracket at 31.7%. Household finances remain tight, with 50.3% of individuals earning under $800/week. Residual income after housing expenses stands at 86.1%, placing the locality in the 3rd percentile nationwide.
Frequently Asked Questions - Income
Cooloola Cove had 1,252 occupied dwellings at the 2021 Census, 97% detached houses and 0% apartments. 26% are owned with a mortgage, 14% rented and 60% owned outright. At that Census the median rent was $300 a week and the median mortgage repayment $1,172 a month. Rent absorbs 37.1% of household income here and mortgage repayments 33.5%. Dwelling stock, tenure and housing costs are 2021 Census measures — the only source that counts dwellings at this boundary size.
Detail
According to the most recent Census, the housing landscape in Cooloola Cove consists of 96.5% separate houses and 3.4% other dwellings (including semi-detached properties, apartments, and alternative structures), compared to 76.4% separate houses and 23.6% other dwellings across Regional Qld. Outright home ownership is particularly high at 60.0%, substantially exceeding the Regional Qld benchmark, with remaining properties held under a mortgage (25.6%) or rented (14.4%). Housing costs are comparatively low: median monthly mortgage repayments sit at $1,172 and median weekly rents at $300, well below Regional Qld figures of $1,655 and $345.
On a nationwide scale, local mortgage commitments are markedly lower than the Australian average of $1,863, with rents also sitting well below the national level of $375.
Frequently Asked Questions - Housing
Cooloola Cove counted 1,252 households at the 2021 Census, averaging 2.1 people each. 13% are couples with children, fewer than in 95% of areas nationally, against 47% couples without children. 26% of households are people living alone, and families average 2.1 children. Household and family composition is measured only by the Census, so these are 2021 figures.
Detail
Family units constitute the majority of living arrangements at 70.0%, comprising couples without children (47.3%), couples with children (13.2%), and single parent families (9.1%). Non-family setups make up the remaining 30.0%, consisting of single-person households at 26.4% and group dwellings at 3.8%. The typical household size is 2.1 people, tracking below the Regional Qld average of 2.5.
Frequently Asked Questions - Households
7.1% of adults in Cooloola Cove hold a university qualification, including 5.5% with a bachelor degree and 0.7% with postgraduate qualifications. A further 34.6% hold a vocational qualification. Qualifications come from the 2021 Census.
Detail
Educational profiles indicate room for improvement, as university qualification attainment (7.1%) tracks well behind the nationwide benchmark of 30.4%, creating a strong case for targeted education programs. Bachelor degrees form the largest tertiary category at 5.5%, followed by graduate diplomas (0.9%) and postgraduate qualifications (0.7%). In contrast, vocational and technical pathways are well represented, with 42.9% of residents aged 15+ possessing vocational qualifications, comprising certificates (34.6%) and advanced diplomas (8.3%). Overall, 18.2% of the local population is engaged in formal education. Primary school students represent 6.8% of residents, secondary schooling accounts for 6.7%, and 0.9% are enrolled in tertiary studies.
Frequently Asked Questions - Education
Schools Detail
Getting around Cooloola Cove means driving: households keep an average of 1.4 vehicles, and scheduled services reach only a handful of stops. Service data is built from operators' published GTFS timetables; vehicle ownership is from the 2021 Census.
Detail
Public transit in Cooloola Cove includes 10 operating passenger stops served by bus connections. These locations are connected by 1 distinct routes that deliver 10 passenger trips each week. Transit access is moderate, with residents living an average of 460 meters from their closest boarding point. Commuters predominantly travel outside the area for work, with private motor vehicles serving as the primary transport mode at 94%. Households own an average of 1.4 vehicles. Working from home was recorded by 11.8% of residents at the 2021 Census, reflecting potential pandemic conditions.
Transit services average 1 trips each day across the complete route network, translating to approximately 1 weekly trips at each individual stop.
Frequently Asked Questions - Transport
Transport Stops Detail
48.4% of residents in Cooloola Cove report no long-term health condition, a less healthy profile than 79% of areas nationally. 13.4% need daily assistance with core activities, and 44.7% hold private health cover. The standardised death rate runs at 5.1 per 1,000 residents. Health conditions, assistance needs and insurance are 2021 Census measures; the death rate comes from current ABS releases.
Detail
Health assessments by AreaSearch based on chronic illness and mortality indicators show meaningful health challenges in Cooloola Cove, with chronic conditions prevalent among both younger and older residents. Private health insurance coverage is notably restricted, covering roughly 45% of the community (~1,336 people), compared to 52.5% across Regional Qld and a nationwide benchmark of 55.7%. Arthritis and mental health conditions are the most prevalent ailments locally, reported by 16.1 and 10.5% of the population, while 48.4% of residents reported having no medical conditions, compared to 67.6% across Regional Qld. Chronic health issues are also apparent within the working-age cohort.
Residents aged 65 and over make up 47.2% of the population (1,412 people), substantially higher than the 20.3% recorded in Regional Qld. Senior health patterns present distinct challenges, with overall national rankings tracking closely with the broader community.
Frequently Asked Questions - Health
Cooloola Cove is largely Australian-born, at 82.7% of residents, with 2.2% speaking a language other than English at home. The largest reported ancestries are English (33.8%) and Australian (28.2%). 3.4% of residents identify as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander. Ancestry, language and country of birth are counted only by the Census, so these are 2021 figures.
Detail
Cultural diversity in Cooloola Cove is relatively low, with 82.7% of the population born in Australia, 89.4% holding Australian citizenship, and 97.8% speaking only English at home. Christianity is the predominant faith, representing 54.3% of the community compared to 52.2% across Regional Qld. Looking at parental ancestry, the leading backgrounds in Cooloola Cove are English (33.8%), Australian (28.2%), and Irish (9.1%). Variations also emerge across other heritage groups: German ancestry represents 6.0% locally (compared to 4.7% regionally), Maori accounts for 0.7% (against 0.8%), and Welsh comprises 0.6% (compared to 0.5%).
Frequently Asked Questions - Diversity
The median resident of Cooloola Cove is 62, older than 99% of areas nationally. 10.6% of residents are aged 15 to 34. Age cohorts are not raw Census counts: the Census split is re-based to the latest ABS population estimates and state projections.
Detail
Demographics in the suburb of Cooloola Cove lean heavily toward older residents. Based on August 2026 updates, retirees and seniors (65+) represent 47.2% of the community compared to 20.4% in Regional Qld, whereas young to middle-aged adults (25 - 44) account for 11.1% versus 25.5% regionally. The estimated median age is 62, matching the 2021 Census figure and sitting 21 years higher than the Regional Qld median of 41 recorded at that time, while Australia's Census median stood at 38. The share of retiree and senior residents has risen from 43.5% at the Census to an estimated 47.2%.
Seniors and retirees are forecast to drive future population increases, expanding by 123 (9%) to 1,535 by 2041, whereas child, young adult, middle-aged, and younger retiree segments are expected to shrink.
Frequently Asked Questions - Age
Data & MethodBoundaries, Sources & Method for Cooloola Cove
9 of 14 data sections on this page were updated within the last 12 months — the newest current to Oct 2026.
Everything is aggregated to the Suburb (SAL) boundary shown above, on a 2021 Census baseline. Only 3 sections — housing, households and cultural diversity — still wait on the 2026 Census.
The ledger — source, cycle and currency by section
| Section | Source & update cycle | Currency |
|---|---|---|
| Updated within the last 12 months 9 sections | ||
| Population | ABS, GNAF, Geoscience Australia Annual (ABS ERP) | Aug 2026 2 months ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Re-based to the ABS Estimated Resident Population (June 2025 release) and updated with new dwellings from GNAF address data. Current to Aug 2026, with the 2021 Census supplying the small-area baseline. | ||
| Age profile | ABS, Geoscience Australia, State governments Annual | Aug 2026 2 months ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Age cohorts are re-based to the latest ABS population estimates and state projections, current to Aug 2026. Each cohort is held as a Census baseline and a current estimate. | ||
| Development & approvals | ABS, GNAF Monthly (ABS approvals) | Aug 2026 2 months ago headline measures · Jul 2026 baseline |
| Property sales & rents | Valuer General, Rental Board, ABS Weekly sales, quarterly rents | Oct 2026 this month headline measures · Sep 2026 baseline |
| Sales from the state Valuer General register, refreshed weekly, and rents from quarterly rental bond lodgements. Both are read live each time this page loads, current to Oct 2026. | ||
| Infrastructure projects | Infrastructure Australia, State agencies, Local governments Daily | May 2026 5 months ago all 1 projects tracked here |
| Project pipeline maintained continuously from Infrastructure Australia, state agencies, local government and public announcements. Records are added and revised daily; this area was last updated May 2026. | ||
| Employment | ABS, DEWR, JSA Quarterly (ABS SALM) | Mar 2026 7 months ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Unemployment and labour force from ABS Small Area Labour Markets, current to Mar 2026. The growth outlook applies Department of Employment (now Jobs and Skills Australia) forecasts for all 19 industry divisions to the local industry mix, so it measures sector composition rather than local expansion and makes no allowance for population growth. Job demand comes from the same agency via its Internet Vacancy Index; industry and occupation structure from the 2021 Census. | ||
| Education | ABS, ACARA Annual (ACARA) | Sep 2026 last month headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Transport | ABS, State Transport Departments Each timetable release | Jul 2026 3 months ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Services & amenities | Provider directories, ACECQA Continuous | Sep 2026 last month all 14 measures |
| Annual and financial-year sources 2 sections | ||
| Income | ABS, ATO Annual (ATO) | FY 2023 3 years ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| ATO taxable income statistics for FY 2023, indexed forward using the Wage Price Index. Census household income provides the distribution detail. | ||
| Health | ABS, ATO Annual | 2024 2 years ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Census-measured — next update: 2026 Census 3 sections No more current small-area source exists for these, so they are labelled as Census-measured rather than implied to be current. | ||
| Housing | ABS 5-yearly (Census) | 2021 Census next update 2026 all 30 measures |
| Households | ABS 5-yearly (Census) | 2021 Census next update 2026 all 18 measures |
| Cultural diversity | ABS, Geoscience Australia 5-yearly (Census) | 2021 Census next update 2026 all 44 measures |
"Currency" is the most recent release feeding that section. Where the Census supplies the structural baseline underneath a current headline figure, the row says so.
How the numbers are built
Population
The Census provides the small-area baseline, aggregated from mesh blocks to this boundary. It is then re-based to the ABS Estimated Resident Population (June 2025 release), and new dwellings built since Census night are counted from address data — 1 validated new addresses here. The headline figure is therefore a current estimate for Aug 2026, not a 2021 count (2,921 at the 2021 Census → 2,992 now). Annual growth rates are compound (CAGR), not simple averages.
Age profile
Cohort shares are not raw Census counts. Every cohort is held as a pair — the Census baseline and a current estimate — and the split is re-based using ERP and state population projections, current to Aug 2026. Median age is the Census median plus modelled change since. Charts that show both are labelled "2021 Census vs Current Estimate".
Property sales
Sourced from the state valuation authority's sales register — current, not Census, and refreshed weekly. Medians are calculated from settled transactions in the period shown; periods with very low transaction counts are flagged or suppressed, because a handful of sales can move a median substantially.
Rents
Derived from state rental bond lodgement data, by dwelling type and bedroom count. Bonds are lodged at the start of a new tenancy, so this reflects new lettings, not the whole rented stock.
Development & infrastructure
Building approvals come from current ABS releases; development applications are collected from council and state planning portals; the infrastructure pipeline is compiled from Infrastructure Australia and local government sources. Applications are matched to this boundary by address or coordinates, so very recent lodgements may not yet appear.
Employment & income
Industry and occupation structure comes from the Census, but the headline labour-market indicators do not. Unemployment and labour force are derived from ABS Small Area Labour Markets (quarterly). The employment outlook applies Department of Employment forecasts for all 19 industry divisions to this area's own industry mix (the agency is now Jobs and Skills Australia), as does the Internet Vacancy Index used for job demand. Because it is weighted on industry composition alone, that outlook carries no allowance for local population growth — in fast-growing areas the real rise in local jobs will typically be higher. Income combines Census household income with ATO taxable-income statistics for FY 2023, indexed forward using the Wage Price Index.
Education, transport & amenities
School enrolments, ICSEA and performance come from ACARA's current release, not the Census. Public transport stops and service frequency are derived from GTFS timetable feeds published by state transport departments. Services and amenities are proximity and count scores built from provider directories, refreshed on their own cycle. The Census contributes only the travel-to-work and qualification measures.
Rankings and benchmarks. Where we rank this area, the comparison set is every area of the same boundary type — suburbs against suburbs, SA2s against SA2s. Benchmarks compare this area against its greater capital city region and the national figure for the same measure and period.
Limits worth knowing. Small areas carry larger error margins, and the ABS introduces small random adjustments to Census counts to protect confidentiality — so totals may not sum exactly. Estimates re-based from regional data describe the area's expected trajectory, not a direct count of it. Figures are indicative for research and are not financial, planning or valuation advice.
Cross-check us. The Census baseline for this boundary is at ABS 2021 Census QuickStats (SAL30684). QuickStats reports 2021 only — the figures on this page are more current wherever the ledger shows a later date.