Currumbin Waters

Currumbin Waters has seen population growth performance typically on par with national averages when looking at short and medium term trends

Based on AreaSearch's evaluation of ABS population updates for the wider region and newly validated locations since the Census, Currumbin Waters is calculated to have approximately 10,220 residents as of May 2026. This represents a growth of 423 residents (4.3%) relative to the 2021 Census, which documented a population of 9,797 people. This shift is derived from the resident population figure of 10,220, calculated by AreaSearch using the June 2025 ERP data release from the ABS alongside 28 new addresses confirmed since the Census. This population level yields a density of 1,028 individuals per square kilometer, matching typical averages across locations monitored by AreaSearch. Overseas migration was the primary driver of growth locally, accounting for approximately 78.0% of the overall population gains in recent times.

Projections for each SA2 area released in 2024 with a 2022 baseline by the ABS and Geoscience Australia are utilized by AreaSearch. For SA2 regions lacking this coverage and for any periods after 2032, Queensland State Government projections released in 2023 utilizing 2021 data are substituted. Because these state-level figures do not break down age cohorts, AreaSearch applies growth weighting proportions matching the 2023 ABS Greater Capital Region projections, which use 2022 baseline data, to each age group. Looking at future demographic trends, population growth is anticipated to sit slightly under the median for non-metropolitan areas nationally, with projections pointing to an increase of 581 individuals by 2041 across the aggregated SA2 levels, representing a total expansion of 5.7% over the 16 years.

Residential development activity is lower than average in Currumbin Waters according to AreaSearch's national comparison of local real estate markets

Analysis of ABS building approvals allocated from regional data shows that the suburb of Currumbin Waters has averaged approximately 11 new residential approvals annually, amounting to an estimated 56 homes over the last 5 financial years. In the current FY-26 period, 42 approvals have been logged. With an average of 6.2 new residents added for each completed home between FY-21 and FY-25, demand continues to outstrip supply, driving up local prices and intensifying buyer competition, while newly approved homes average a construction value of $1,036,000, showing that developers are focusing on the higher-end premium market. Furthermore, commercial approvals totaling $7.8 million have been registered in this financial year, showing a quiet commercial development pipeline.

Currumbin Waters experience far less development activity compared to the Rest of Qld, sitting 88.0% below the regional average per person. This restricted supply generally helps bolster demand and values for existing homes. This pace is also slower than the national rate, highlighting a mature market with potential geographic constraints on new builds. Recent residential additions consist of 91.0% detached houses and 9.0% townhouses or apartments, which preserves the traditional family-friendly suburban landscape. New approvals lean even more heavily toward detached structures than the existing breakdown at the Census (71.0%), highlighting persistent demand for single-family residences despite densification pressures. With approximately 1074 people for every approval, the suburb of Currumbin Waters demonstrates the characteristics of a mature, settled community.

Moving forward, the suburb of Currumbin Waters is projected to add 581 residents by 2041 according to the latest quarterly estimates from AreaSearch. If building activity remains at its current levels, residential supply may not keep pace with population growth, which could increase competition among buyers and support higher home values.

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

Local infrastructure projects, major planning decisions, and development initiatives are key drivers of regional growth. AreaSearch has identified 25 projects poised to influence this locality. Prominent projects include the Currumbin Eco-Parkland, Central Park Residences, GemLife Currumbin Waters, and the intersection upgrade at Currumbin Creek Road and Bienvenue Drive, with details of the most significant projects listed below.

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

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Currumbin Waters ranks among the top 25% of areas assessed nationally for overall employment performance

Currumbin Waters possesses a qualified labor force with strong representation in essential service industries, an unemployment rate of only 2.7%, and an estimated annual job growth of 3.5% based on statistical area aggregations by AreaSearch. As of March 2026, there are 5,407 working residents, with unemployment sitting 1.3% below the Regional Qld average of 3.9%, and participation levels remaining relatively standard at 67.3% compared to 64.3% in Regional Qld. Census data indicates a moderate 14.9% of the workforce worked from home, though this figure may reflect the influence of pandemic restrictions.

Local employment is largely concentrated in retail trade, construction, and health care & social assistance. The construction sector shows a particularly high concentration, employing workers at a rate 1.5 times the regional average. Conversely, the agriculture, forestry & fishing sector employs only 0.2% of the local workforce, which is below the 4.5% seen across Regional Qld. The mismatch between the census working population and resident numbers suggests this largely residential suburb has limited local employment options.

Analysis from AreaSearch that combines SALM and ABS data collected from wider statistical areas indicates that during the past twelve months, employment grew by 3.5% while the labour force expanded by 3.3%, resulting in a 0.3 percentage point decline in the unemployment rate. This trend differs from the experience in Regional Qld, where employment climbed by 0.1%, the labour force grew by 0.3%, and the unemployment rate increased by 0.1 percentage points. For a deeper look at anticipated job demand in Currumbin Waters, one can refer to Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts dated May-25. These forecasts span five and ten year horizons and have been overlaid with the local employment composition to project future growth trajectories. Nationally, employment is projected to grow by 6.6% over five years and by 13.7% over ten years, yet sectoral growth varies considerably. When these sector-level expectations are applied to the employment mix in Currumbin Waters, the area is expected to see a 6.7% rise in employment over five years and a 13.7% increase over ten years. It should be noted that this estimate relies on a straightforward weighting method for demonstration and does not incorporate localized population forecasts.

Income levels sit below national averages according to AreaSearch assessment

According to the latest financial year 2023 ATO statistics aggregated by AreaSearch, tax-paying residents in the suburb of Currumbin Waters earn incomes above the national average. The median taxpayer income is $50,117 and the average income is $71,710, compared to regional averages of $53,146 and $66,593. Adjusting for a Wage Price Index growth of 11.36% since financial year 2023, current estimates for March 2026 are approximately $55,810 for the median and $79,856 for the average. In the 2021 Census, household, family, and personal incomes all placed moderately, falling between the 37th and 43rd percentiles. The largest income bracket contains 31.5% of taxpayers earning $1,500 - 2,999 weekly (3,219 residents), which is in line with the metropolitan average of 31.7%. Affordability pressures are high, with residents retaining only 81.1% of their income, placing the suburb in the 40th percentile, while the SEIFA index ranks the area in the 5th decile.

Currumbin Waters is characterized by a predominantly suburban housing profile, with above-average rates of outright home ownership

According to the last Census, residential dwellings in Currumbin Waters consisted of 71.4% standalone houses and 28.6% other property formats like townhouses and apartments, compared to Regional Qld's split of 76.4% and 23.6%. Home ownership rates in the suburb of Currumbin Waters stood higher than the regional average at 35.3%, with the remaining properties being mortgaged (42.4%) or occupied by renters (22.3%). The median mortgage repayment of $2,100 per month was notably higher than the Regional Qld average of $1,655, and the median weekly rent was $468 compared to $345 regionally. Compared nationally, mortgage payments in Currumbin Waters are much higher than the Australian median of $1,863, and weekly rents are also well above the national median of $375.

Currumbin Waters has a typical household mix, with a higher-than-average median household size

Families make up the majority of households at 74.5%, consisting of couples with children at 34.0%, couples without children at 26.0%, and single parents at 13.0%. Non-family households account for the remaining 25.5%, which includes single-person households at 22.6% and group living situations at 3.2%. The median household occupancy of 2.6 residents exceeds the Regional Qld average of 2.5.

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

Formal qualifications in the suburb of Currumbin Waters lag behind broader regional averages, with 20.9% of residents aged 15+ holding a tertiary degree compared to 30.4% across Australia, pointing to opportunities for further academic and professional training. Bachelor degrees make up the largest share at 14.7%, followed by postgraduate qualifications at 3.8% and graduate diplomas at 2.4%. Vocational education is highly prevalent, with 42.9% of residents aged 15+ holding trade credentials, consisting of advanced diplomas (13.0%) and certificates (29.9%).

There is a high level of educational enrollment in the suburb of Currumbin Waters, with 29.2% of the population currently studying. Of those enrolled, 10.2% attend primary school, 8.9% are in secondary school, and 3.9% are pursuing tertiary programs.

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

Public transport services in Currumbin Waters consist of 34 active bus stops. These stops are connected by 3 routes, which support a total of 496 weekly passenger trips. Transport accessibility is high, with residents living an average of 276 meters from the nearest stop. The suburb is primarily residential, and the vast majority of working residents travel outside the area, with 94% using a car as their primary mode of travel. Households average 1.6 vehicles. Approximately 14.9% of residents worked from home during the 2021 Census, which may reflect the influence of pandemic conditions.

Bus services average 70 daily trips across all routes, which translates to approximately 14 weekly passenger services per stop.

Currumbin Waters's residents are relatively healthy in comparison to broader Australia with common health conditions somewhat prevalent across both younger and older age cohorts

Health outcomes in Currumbin Waters align closely with national averages based on AreaSearch's evaluation of mortality data and the prevalence of long-term health issues, with common ailments distributed across both younger and older demographics. Private health insurance coverage is exceptionally high, with approximately 56% of the population (~5,684 people) holding coverage, compared to 52.5% in Regional Qld.

The most prevalent chronic conditions recorded in the suburb of Currumbin Waters are arthritis and mental health challenges, affecting 8.7% and 8.1% of residents respectively. Conversely, 68.6% of the population reported no chronic conditions, compared to 67.6% across Regional Qld. Health outcomes for residents under the age of 65 are better than average. Residents aged 65 and over constitute 19.9% of the population (2,033 people), and health metrics for this older cohort show some challenges, with rankings generally matching the national average.

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

Currumbin Waters displays a lower level of cultural diversity compared to broader benchmarks, with 81.7% of residents born in Australia, 89.8% holding citizenship, and 94.8% speaking only English at home. Christianity is the dominant religion, practiced by 49.0% of the community. However, the most distinct variation is in Judaism, which accounts for 0.1% of the population, matching the 0.1% average seen throughout Regional Qld.

English ancestry represents the largest group in the suburb of Currumbin Waters at 32.8%, followed by Australian at 27.1%, and Irish at 9.7%. There are also small variations in representation for other groups, with New Zealand ancestry accounting for 0.9% (matching the 0.9% regional figure), French at 0.6% (compared to 0.5% regionally), and Maori at 0.7% (compared to 0.8% regionally).

Currumbin Waters's median age exceeds the national pattern

The median age in the suburb of Currumbin Waters is 41, matching the Regional Qld average of 41 and sitting older than the national median of 38. The suburb has a higher proportion of residents in the 35 - 44 age bracket (14.6%) compared to Regional Qld, but fewer residents aged 65 - 74 (9.5%). Since the 2021 Census, the median age has dropped by 1.0 years from 42 to 41, showing a transition toward a younger demographic. Notable changes include the 35 to 44 age group growing from 12.6% to 14.6%, and the 25 to 34 group rising from 9.5% to 11.1%. In contrast, the 55 to 64 bracket fell from 13.0% to 11.0%, and the 45 to 54 group decreased from 14.1% to 12.5%. Demographic models indicate the age distribution will shift by 2041, with the 25 to 34 cohort projected to grow by 227 people (20%) from 1,134 to 1,362, while the 65 to 74 and 55 to 64 cohorts are expected to decrease.