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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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Coombabah has an estimated 10,815 residents, up from 10,298 at the 2021 Census — a change of 517 people, or 5.0%. Growth has averaged 0.7% a year over five years. Overseas migration accounts for 70.0% of that increase. That puts 932 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 population of the suburb of Coombabah is estimated at roughly 10,815, drawing from AreaSearch analysis of ABS updates for the surrounding region alongside 3 validated new addresses confirmed since the Census. When compared to the 2021 Census tally of 10,298 people, this represents an addition of 517 people, or a 5.0% expansion. This updated figure builds on the ABS ERP release from June 2025 together with post-census address additions, yielding a population density of 931 persons per square kilometer, which aligns closely with typical benchmarks recorded across AreaSearch locations.
While the SA3 area expanded by 7.0%, the suburb of Coombabah trailed by only 2.0 percentage points with its 5.0% increase, showing solid growth foundations. Inbound overseas migration served as the principal driver of this expansion, accounting for roughly 70.0% of recent population additions. Projections for the suburb of Coombabah utilize ABS/Geoscience Australia SA2 modeling published in 2024 with a 2022 baseline, supplemented after 2032 and across any unmapped SA2 sectors by Queensland State Government projections released in 2023 utilizing 2021 data. Because the state figures do not provide age-specific breakdowns, AreaSearch applies cohort weightings aligned with the ABS Greater Capital Region 2023 release based on 2022 data. Demographic trajectories suggest local growth will sit slightly below the national regional median, with aggregated SA2 figures projecting the suburb of Coombabah will add 696 persons by 2041, representing an overall increase of 6.4% across the 16 years.
Frequently Asked Questions - Population
21 new dwellings have been approved in Coombabah over the past five years, an average of 4 a year. That is 0.5 approvals per 1,000 residents. Approvals are currently running at an annualised 5, broadly in line with 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
An evaluation of ABS building approval records by AreaSearch shows that approximately 4 new homes have been authorized annually in Coombabah, accumulating to an estimated 21 homes over the previous 5 financial years. In FY-25 to date, 5 approvals have been documented. Over the 5 financial years from FY-21 to FY-25, an average of 16 new residents arrived for every residential dwelling constructed, signaling that local demand heavily outpaces newly built stock, a dynamic that generally elevates buyer competition and exerts upward pressure on prices. Newly approved residential dwellings have an average construction cost of $368,000, which sits below regional benchmarks and provides more affordable building alternatives.
In addition, commercial development has been subdued, with $120,000 in commercial approvals registered during the current financial year. Residential building volumes in Coombabah are exceptionally quiet compared to Rest of Qld, trailing the regional per-capita rate by 89.0%. This subdued supply creation typically reinforces pricing resilience and demand across established housing. Construction levels also track below national averages, underlining the mature state of the suburb and pointing to potential planning constraints. Approvals comprise 80.0% detached houses and 20.0% attached dwellings, reinforcing the low-density profile favored by buyers seeking space. Detached building activity exceeds the 49.0% detached share recorded at Census, highlighting ongoing appetite for standalone residences even amid broader densification patterns. An estimated ratio of 2158 people per residential dwelling approval further illustrates the restrained pace of local development. Forecasts indicate that Coombabah will expand by 696 residents by 2041, based on the most recent AreaSearch quarterly estimate. Should the prevailing pace of residential approvals persist, housing creation could fail to match population expansion, intensifying competition across the market and fostering higher price growth.
Frequently Asked Questions - Development
Development applications around Coombabah
Loading development applications…
| Lodged | Address | Description | Type | Distance | Status |
|---|
SOURCE: Planning portals and council registers, compiled by AreaSearch. Distance & bearing measured from the suburb midpoint.
AreaSearch tracks 5 current infrastructure and development projects inside Coombabah, worth an estimated $853 million. A further 120 sit in the immediately surrounding suburbs, taking the tracked pipeline within reach of the area to $42.7 billion. 40 are already under construction and 50 are due for completion within three years. The pipeline spans residential development, communities, precincts & urban renewal and transport & logistics. 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
Local economic and property performance is heavily shaped by planning frameworks and capital works. AreaSearch has identified 11 significant infrastructure projects positioned to impact the community, highlighted by the Coombabah Lakelands Conservation Area park upgrades, Harbour Cove Mixed-Use Development, Serenity 4212, and the Coombabah Sewage Treatment Plant Stage 6 Upgrade.
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Frequently Asked Questions - Infrastructure
Coombabah Lakelands Conservation Area park upgrades
A major upgrade of the 1200-hectare Coombabah Lakelands Conservation Area to enhance visitor experience while protecting its internationally significant Ramsar wetland status. Key features include new boardwalks, a lake observation tower, a dedicated kangaroo viewing platform, an environmental educational shelter, and upgraded trail networks for inclusive access. The project also incorporates a new toilet block, increased car parking with bus access, and nature play areas. Current schedule includes detailed design throughout 2025-26 with construction anticipated to commence from 2026-27.
Serenity 4212
65-hectare master-planned waterfront residential community featuring multiple precincts including Serenity Waters, Serenity Green, Serenity Reserve, and the final Lakeside stage with 85 apartments and 16 absolute waterfront villas. Located adjacent to Coombabah Lakelands Conservation Area with direct access to Gold Coast Broadwater via Lake Serenity lock system. Project includes over 500 dwellings across townhomes, apartments and premium villas with resort-style amenities.
Coombabah Lakelands Climate Coastal Adaptation Plan
A comprehensive climate and coastal adaptation plan for the Coombabah Lakelands wetland system (Ramsar-listed site). The plan addresses sea-level rise, tidal changes, sediment management and ecosystem resilience through nature-based solutions and long-term monitoring. Final plan adopted in 2023.
Coombabah Sewage Treatment Plant Stage 6 Upgrade
Major upgrade and expansion of the Coombabah Sewage Treatment Plant, the largest facility on the Gold Coast processing 50% of the city's sewage. The upgrade increased capacity by 30% to service over 480,000 people, including new preliminary treatment facilities, odour control systems, bioreactors, clarifiers, disinfection systems, waste sludge thickening and dewatering facilities, plus a 300kW cogeneration facility using methane gas.
Odyssey Hope Island
Odyssey Hope Island is a vertical retirement and aged care community featuring two 13-storey towers. The development includes 198 luxury one, two, and three-bedroom apartments and penthouses, alongside 23 dedicated residential aged care suites. Residents have access to five-star amenities including a sky garden, bar, cafe, and 24/7 onsite nursing care.
Serenity 4212
A 65-hectare masterplanned waterfront community featuring the final stages: Serenity Lakeside Apartments and Serenity Lakeside Villas. The precinct includes 85 luxury residences and 16 absolute waterfront villas. Over a third of the site is dedicated to a nature reserve gifted to the Gold Coast City Council. The project features wellness spaces, social areas, and is UDIA EnviroDevelopment certified.
Runaway Bay - Lae Drive & Bayview Street Road Works
Works are underway to upgrade the road and footpaths from the roundabout at Lae Drive and Bayview Street to the south end of Bayview Street Bridge, including upgrading the road surface, watermain replacement, stormwater pipes, kerbs, channels, driveways, footpath, and pedestrian/cycle ramp to improve infrastructure and safety.
Harbour Cove Mixed-Use Development
An innovative mixed-use waterfront precinct in Biggera Waters, currently progressing as a key component of the $1.5 billion Harbour Shores masterplan. The project features 511 apartments across six medium-rise towers with resort-style amenities, including rooftop pools and sky gardens. The precinct is designed to include a boutique harbour-side retail and restaurant area, a 1.2km waterfront boardwalk, and direct Broadwater access via a planned marina.
4,861 residents of Coombabah are employed, from a labour force of 5,069. Unemployment sits at 4.1%, with participation at 53.4%. Weighted for its industry mix, the area's sectors are forecast to grow about 6.5% nationally over five years. That reflects industry composition only and makes no allowance for local population growth. The working-day population is estimated at 9,131, about 84% 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
Coombabah sustains a diverse workforce distributed across blue-collar and white-collar occupations, registering an unemployment rate of 4.1% and a 3.8% increase in estimated employment over the preceding year according to AreaSearch statistical area datasets. As of March 2026, employed residents total 4,861, with unemployment tracking 0.2% above the Regional Qld benchmark of 3.9%. Labor force participation stands at 53.4%, trailing the 64.2% figure for Regional Qld. Furthermore, Census returns recorded that 11.7% of local workers worked from home, a proportion that should be considered in light of Covid-19 restrictions. The leading employment industries for local residents are health care & social assistance, construction, and retail trade.
Administrative & support represents a notable local specialization, capturing a workforce share 1.5 times the regional average. Conversely, agriculture, forestry & fishing accounts for only 0.4% of local employment, compared to 4.5% across the wider region. Census figures comparing resident workers against local job positions suggest limited employment opportunities within the immediate locality. According to AreaSearch analysis of ABS and SALM figures aggregated across broader statistical geographies, the area achieved 3.8% employment growth against a 3.3% rise in the labour force over the 12-month period, reducing the local unemployment rate by 0.5 percentage points. By comparison, Regional Qld saw employment rise by 0.1% and the labour force grow by 0.3%, accompanying a 0.1 percentage point increase in unemployment. National outlooks from Jobs and Skills Australia as of Mar-26 provide additional context regarding future workforce requirements. While national projections anticipate employment expanding by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, industry growth rates vary widely. Mapping these sectoral projections against Coombabah's workforce profile points to potential local employment expansion of 6.5% over five years and 13.5% over ten years, based on illustrative weighting that does not incorporate local population projections.
Frequently Asked Questions - Employment
Median household income in Coombabah is $1,092 a week (about $57,000 a year), with median personal income at $605 a week. ATO records put median taxable income at $41,455 a year against an average of $63,333. The average runs 53% above the median, a wider spread than most areas and a sign of a concentrated group of high earners. 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
Income benchmarks in the suburb of Coombabah sit below national averages based on financial year 2023 ATO statistics compiled by AreaSearch. For taxpayers in the suburb of Coombabah, the median income is $41,455 and the average income is $63,333, compared to Regional Qld benchmarks of $53,146 and $66,593. Accounting for an 11.36% increase in the Wage Price Index since financial year 2023, updated estimates as of March 2026 reach approximately $46,164 for median income and $70,528 for average income. Census figures place personal, family, and household earnings between the 7th and 12th percentiles nationwide.
The largest income cohort is the $400 - 799 bracket, encompassing 31.3% of residents (3,385 people), whereas the regional profile is led by the $1,500 - 2,999 band at 31.7%. Household budgets face considerable strain, with only 79.2% of income remaining after housing costs, placing the area at the 6th percentile.
Frequently Asked Questions - Income
Coombabah had 4,590 occupied dwellings at the 2021 Census, 49% detached houses and 5% apartments. 28% are owned with a mortgage, 29% rented and 43% owned outright. At that Census the median rent was $415 a week and the median mortgage repayment $1,647 a month. Rent absorbs 38.0% of household income here and mortgage repayments 34.8%. Dwelling stock, tenure and housing costs are 2021 Census measures — the only source that counts dwellings at this boundary size.
Detail
According to the latest Census, the housing stock in Coombabah is divided between 49.3% standalone houses and 50.7% other dwellings, including apartments and semi-detached properties, contrasting with Regional Qld where houses account for 76.4% and other dwellings comprise 23.6%. Outright home ownership is notably elevated at 43.0%, well above the regional norm, while 28.1% of dwellings carry a mortgage and 28.9% are rented. The median monthly mortgage payment of $1,647 is lower than the Regional Qld figure of $1,655 and the national level of $1,863. Conversely, the local median weekly rent of $415 is higher than both the Regional Qld figure of $345 and the Australian benchmark of $375.
Frequently Asked Questions - Housing
Coombabah counted 4,590 households at the 2021 Census, an estimated 4,820 today, averaging 2.1 people each. 18% are couples with children, fewer than in 91% of areas nationally, against 30% couples without children. 35% of households are people living alone, and families average 1.7 children. Household and family composition is measured only by the Census, so these are 2021 figures.
Detail
Family units constitute 61.6% of all households in the area, made up of couples without children at 30.2%, couples with children at 18.2%, and single parent families at 12.3%. Non-family households represent 38.4% of the community, comprising 34.6% lone person households and 3.8% group living arrangements. The typical household size is 2.1 people, which is smaller than the Regional Qld average of 2.5.
Frequently Asked Questions - Households
16.1% of adults in Coombabah hold a university qualification, including 10.9% with a bachelor degree and 3.2% with postgraduate qualifications. A further 28.1% hold a vocational qualification. 2 schools serve the area, with 1,798 enrolment places and an average ICSEA of 993 against a national benchmark of 1,000. Qualifications come from the 2021 Census; school enrolments, ICSEA and results come from ACARA's current release.
Detail
Educational attainment across the locality reveals that 16.1% of residents hold university qualifications, trailing the Australian benchmark of 30.4%. Bachelor degrees are held by 10.9% of the population, followed by postgraduate qualifications at 3.2% and graduate diplomas at 2.0%. Vocational training represents a major strength, with 40.7% of individuals aged 15+ possessing technical credentials, including certificates held by 28.1% and advanced diplomas held by 12.6%. Enrolment in structured educational programs engages 23.5% of the local population. This educational participation comprises 8.2% in primary schooling, 6.4% in secondary education, and 3.6% enrolled in tertiary studies.
Frequently Asked Questions - Education
Schools Detail
Getting around Coombabah means driving: households keep an average of 1.0 vehicles, and no scheduled public transport appears in the current timetable feeds. Service data is built from operators' published GTFS timetables; vehicle ownership is from the 2021 Census.
Frequently Asked Questions - Transport
Transport Stops Detail
58.8% of residents in Coombabah report no long-term health condition. 9.1% need daily assistance with core activities, and 52.3% hold private health cover. The standardised death rate runs at 5.4 per 1,000 residents. Health conditions, assistance needs and insurance are 2021 Census measures; the death rate comes from current ABS releases.
Detail
An evaluation by AreaSearch of mortality rates and chronic health conditions highlights notable health challenges in Coombabah across both younger and older cohorts. Meanwhile, private health insurance coverage sits slightly above the SA2 average, with approximately 52% of the population (~5,656 people) maintaining private cover. Arthritis and mental health conditions are the most prevalent ailments locally, affecting 13.1% and 8.1% of residents respectively, while 58.8% report no chronic conditions compared to 67.6% across Regional Qld. Chronic conditions are elevated among working-age residents. Furthermore, seniors aged 65 and over make up 33.4% of the population (3,612 people), surpassing the 20.3% share in Regional Qld, with health measures for older residents generally aligning with national averages.
Frequently Asked Questions - Health
34.2% of Coombabah residents were born overseas and 11.7% speak a language other than English at home. The largest reported ancestries are English (33.1%) and Australian (22.2%). Ancestry, language and country of birth are counted only by the Census, so these are 2021 figures.
Detail
Coombabah demonstrates substantial cultural diversity relative to surrounding areas, with 34.2% of residents born abroad and 11.7% utilizing a non-English language at home. Christianity is the primary religion, observed by 53.3% of the community. In addition, Judaism exhibits notable overrepresentation, accounting for 0.2% of residents compared to 0.1% throughout Regional Qld. The primary reported ancestries based on parental birthplace are English at 33.1%, Australian at 22.2%, and Irish at 8.4%. Several other backgrounds show notable representation compared to regional benchmarks, including New Zealand heritage at 1.7% versus 0.9% regionally, Maori at 1.6% versus 0.8%, and Hungarian at 0.4% versus 0.2%.
Frequently Asked Questions - Diversity
The median resident of Coombabah is 51, older than 93% of areas nationally. 20.1% 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
The age demographic of the suburb of Coombabah is distinctly mature, with seniors aged 65+ accounting for 33.4% of the population as at August 2026, compared to 20.4% in Regional Qld. Residents aged 0 - 24 represent 21.9%, below the regional figure of 29.6%. The median age is estimated at 51, matching the 2021 Census figure and sitting above both the Regional Qld median of 41 and the national median of 38 recorded at that Census. Between 2021 and 2026, the 25 - 44 cohort grew from 20.6% to an estimated 22.1%.
Looking ahead to 2041, the 65+ age bracket is projected to see the largest increase, adding 645 residents (18%) to reach 4,257, while the 0 - 24 group, middle-aged cohorts, and younger retirees are forecast to decline.
Frequently Asked Questions - Age
Data & MethodBoundaries, Sources & Method for Coombabah
9 of 14 data sections on this page were updated within the last 12 months — the newest current to Sep 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 last month 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 last month 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 last month headline measures · Jul 2026 baseline |
| Property sales & rents | Valuer General, Rental Board, ABS Weekly sales, quarterly rents | Sep 2026 this month all 21 measures |
| 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 Sep 2026. | ||
| Infrastructure projects | Infrastructure Australia, State agencies, Local governments Daily | Jun 2026 3 months ago all 5 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 Jun 2026. | ||
| Employment | ABS, DEWR, JSA Quarterly (ABS SALM) | Mar 2026 6 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) | Aug 2026 last month headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Transport | ABS, State Transport Departments Each timetable release | Jul 2026 2 months ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Services & amenities | Provider directories, ACECQA Continuous | Jul 2026 2 months ago 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 — 3 validated new addresses here. The headline figure is therefore a current estimate for Aug 2026, not a 2021 count (10,298 at the 2021 Census → 10,815 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 (SAL30687). QuickStats reports 2021 only — the figures on this page are more current wherever the ledger shows a later date.