Coolum Beach

Population growth drivers in Coolum Beach are above average based on AreaSearch's ranking of recent, and medium to long-term trends

As of May 2026, the estimated population of the suburb of Coolum Beach is around 10,348. This figure reflects an increase of 1,196 people since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 9,152. The latest estimate is based on AreaSearch's validation of new addresses and examination of the ABS's ERP data release from June 2025. This results in a resident population of 10,272, with an additional 496 validated new addresses since the Census date. The population density is approximately 378 persons per square kilometer. Coolum Beach's growth rate of 13.1% since the 2021 Census exceeds the Rest of Qld (9.2%) and the national average, indicating significant growth in the region.

Overseas migration contributed around 62.0% to overall population gains during recent periods, with all drivers including interstate migration and natural growth being positive factors. AreaSearch's projections for Coolum Beach are based on ABS/Geoscience Australia data released in 2024 using 2022 as the base year. For areas not covered by this data and years post-2032, Queensland State Government's SA2 area projections from 2023 based on 2021 data are adopted. However, these state projections do not provide age category splits, so AreaSearch applies proportional growth weightings in line with ABS Greater Capital Region projections released in 2023 using 2022 data for each age cohort. Looking ahead, an above median population growth is projected nationally for regional areas like Coolum Beach. By 2041, the suburb's population is expected to expand by 1,371 persons, reflecting a total increase of 12.5% over the 16-year period.

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

Coolum Beach has averaged approximately 83 new dwelling approvals annually, with around 419 homes approved between FY21 and FY25. As of FY26, there have been 59 approvals so far. Each year, about 2.5 new residents are gained per dwelling built over the past five financial years.

The average construction cost for new dwellings is approximately $636,000, indicating a focus on premium segment properties. This year, $60.3 million in commercial approvals have been registered, suggesting strong local business investment.

Recent construction comprises 82% detached dwellings and 18% attached dwellings, maintaining the area's low density character with a focus on family homes. With around 149 people per approval, Coolum Beach reflects an area experiencing development. Population forecasts indicate that Coolum Beach will gain approximately 1,295 residents by 2041. Given current development patterns, new housing supply should meet demand, offering favorable conditions for buyers and potentially facilitating population growth beyond projections.

Coolum Beach 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 23 projects potentially influencing the region. Notable initiatives include Beachside Yaroomba (Residential Community), Enclave Coolum Beach, Quanda Business Park Industrial Development, and 115-119 Quanda Road Industrial Sheds. Relevant projects are detailed below.

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

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AreaSearch assessment positions Coolum Beach ahead of most Australian regions for employment performance

Coolum Beach has a skilled workforce with essential services sectors well represented. The unemployment rate is 2.8%, as per AreaSearch's aggregation of statistical area data (December 2025). There are 5,374 residents in work, with an unemployment rate 1.2% lower than Regional Qld's 4.0%.

Workforce participation is similar to Regional Qld's 64.5%. According to Census responses, 19.9% of residents work from home, considering Covid-19 lockdown impacts. Employment is concentrated in health care & social assistance, construction, and education & training. Construction has a strong presence with an employment share 1.5 times the regional level.

Agriculture, forestry & fishing has limited presence at 0.8%, compared to Regional Qld's 4.5%. Local employment opportunities appear limited based on Census working population vs resident population comparison. Over a 12-month period (AreaSearch analysis of SALM and ABS data), labour force decreased by 2.5% and employment by 2.2%, leading to a 0.4 percentage point unemployment rate fall. Regional Qld saw employment growth of 0.7% and labour force growth of 1.0%, with unemployment rising 0.3 percentage points. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts (May-25) project national employment expansion by 6.6% over five years and 13.9% over ten years. Applying these projections to Coolum Beach's employment mix suggests local employment should increase by 6.8% over five years and 14.0% over ten years, assuming constant population growth for illustrative purposes.

Income levels sit below national averages according to AreaSearch assessment

The suburb of Coolum Beach had a median income among taxpayers of $46,909 and an average income of $68,183 in the financial year 2023, according to ATO data aggregated by AreaSearch. This compares with figures for Regional Qld's median income of $53,146 and average income of $66,593 respectively. By March 2026, current estimates based on Wage Price Index growth of 11.36% would be approximately $52,238 (median) and $75,929 (average). The 2021 Census ranked household, family and personal incomes in Coolum Beach modestly, between the 41st and 42nd percentiles. Income brackets showed that 31.9% of residents (3,301 people) fell within the $1,500 - 2,999 bracket, mirroring regional levels where 31.7% occupied this bracket. Housing affordability pressures were severe in Coolum Beach, with only 81.6% of income remaining, ranking at the 39th percentile. The area's SEIFA income ranking placed it in the 6th decile.

Coolum Beach displays a diverse mix of dwelling types, with above-average rates of outright home ownership

In Coolum Beach, as per the latest Census, 69.7% of dwellings were houses, with the remaining 30.3% comprising semi-detached homes, apartments, and other types of dwellings. This contrasts with Regional Queensland's figures of 76.4% houses and 23.6% other dwellings. Home ownership in Coolum Beach stood at 35.3%, higher than Regional Queensland's figure. The majority of dwellings not owned outright were either mortgaged (34.9%) or rented (29.7%). The median monthly mortgage repayment in the area was $2,000, exceeding the Regional Queensland average of $1,655. Meanwhile, the median weekly rent in Coolum Beach was recorded at $450, compared to Regional Queensland's average of $375. Nationally, Coolum Beach's monthly mortgage repayments were higher than the Australian average of $1,863, while rents were substantially above the national figure of $375.

Coolum Beach features high concentrations of group households, with a lower-than-average median household size

Family households constitute 70.2% of all households, consisting of 26.8% couples with children, 31.3% couples without children, and 11.4% single parent families. Non-family households account for the remaining 29.8%, with lone person households making up 25.5% and group households comprising 4.3%. The median household size is 2.4 people, which is smaller than the Regional Queensland average of 2.5.

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

The area's educational profile is notable regionally with university qualification rates at 26.7%, surpassing the Rest of Qld average of 20.6%. Bachelor degrees are most prevalent at 18.4%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (4.8%) and graduate diplomas (3.5%). Vocational credentials are prominent, with 40.2% of residents aged 15+ holding such qualifications – advanced diplomas at 12.8% and certificates at 27.4%.

Educational participation is high, with 25.9% currently enrolled in formal education. This includes 9.0% in primary, 7.5% in secondary, and 3.9% in tertiary education.

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

The analysis of public transport in Coolum Beach indicates there are 27 active transport stops currently operating. These stops serve a mix of bus routes, with a total of 332 weekly passenger trips provided by three individual routes. The accessibility of transport is rated as good, with residents typically located approximately 352 meters from the nearest transport stop. As a predominantly residential area, most residents commute outward. The car remains the primary mode of transportation for residents, with a dominance of 91%. On average, there are 1.4 vehicles per dwelling in the area.

According to the 2021 Census, some 19.9% of residents work from home, which may be influenced by COVID-19 conditions. The service frequency averages 47 trips per day across all routes, equating to approximately 12 weekly trips per individual stop.

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

Coolum Beach exhibits superior health outcomes as assessed by AreaSearch's evaluation of mortality rates and chronic condition prevalence.

Both younger and older age groups exhibit low incidence of common health conditions. Approximately 54% (~5,610 people) of the total population has private health cover, which is relatively high. The most prevalent medical conditions in the area are arthritis and mental health issues, affecting 9.1 and 7.5% of residents respectively. A substantial majority, 69.2%, report being free from medical ailments, compared to 67.6% across Regional Qld. Health outcomes for those under 65 are better than average. The area has a higher proportion of seniors aged 65 and over at 22.7% (2,348 people), compared to the regional average of 20.4%. Health outcomes among seniors in Coolum Beach are above average and generally align with national rankings.

Coolum Beach ranks below the Australian average when compared to other local markets across a number of language and cultural background related metrics

Coolum Beach, as per the census conducted on 27 June 2016, showed a low level of cultural diversity with 81.0% of its residents born in Australia, 88.4% being Australian citizens, and 94.7% speaking English at home exclusively. Christianity was found to be the dominant religion in Coolum Beach, with 43.7% of the population identifying as Christian. Notably, Judaism, which constitutes only 0.1% of the regional Queensland population, was also 0.1% in Coolum Beach, indicating no overrepresentation.

In terms of ancestry, the top three groups were English at 32.8%, Australian at 25.1%, and Irish at 10.6%. Some ethnic groups showed notable differences in representation compared to regional Queensland: Scottish was higher at 9.7% (vs 7.8%), French at 0.7% (vs 0.5%), and Welsh also at 0.7% (vs 0.5%).

Coolum Beach hosts a notably older demographic compared to the national average

Coolum Beach has a median age of 45, which is older than Regional Qld's figure of 41 and above the national average of 38. The age profile shows that those aged 65-74 make up 13.2%, while those aged 25-34 comprise only 10.4%. According to the 2021 Census, the 15 to 24 age group has increased from 9.4% to 10.8%. Conversely, the 45 to 54 cohort has decreased from 14.8% to 13.4%. By 2041, demographic projections indicate significant shifts in Coolum Beach's age structure. Notably, the 25 to 34 group is expected to grow by 24%, reaching 1,335 people from the current 1,076. Meanwhile, numbers in the 15 to 24 age range are projected to fall by 70%.