Doonan

Population growth drivers in Doonan are strong compared to national averages based on AreaSearch's ranking of recent, and medium to long-term trends

As of Nov 2025, the estimated population of the suburb of Doonan is around 3,962, reflecting an increase of 235 people since the 2021 Census which reported a population of 3,727. This growth represents a 6.3% increase and is inferred from AreaSearch's estimate of 3,948 residents based on the latest ERP data release by the ABS (June 2024) combined with an additional 10 validated new addresses since the Census date. The population density ratio is approximately 123 persons per square kilometer. Doonan's growth rate of 6.3% since the census is within 1.4 percentage points of the SA3 area's growth rate of 7.7%. Interstate migration contributed approximately 72.0% of overall population gains, with other drivers such as overseas migration and natural growth also being positive factors. AreaSearch adopts ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area, released in 2024 with a base year of 2022.

For areas not covered by this data and years post-2032, Queensland State Government's SA2 area projections released in 2023 based on 2021 data are used, applying proportional growth weightings from ABS Greater Capital Region projections for each age cohort where necessary. Demographic trends indicate a population increase just below the median of Australian non-metropolitan areas by 2041, with an expected increase of 397 persons reflecting a total increase of 10.3% over the 17 years.

Residential development activity is slightly higher than average within Doonan when compared nationally

AreaSearch analysis of ABS building approval numbers in Doonan shows around 8 new homes approved annually. Between FY-21 and FY-25, approximately 43 homes were approved, with 1 more in FY-26. This results in an average of 7.1 new residents per year for every home built over the past five financial years.

Supply is lagging demand, leading to heightened buyer competition and pricing pressures. Developers target the premium market segment with higher-end properties, as evidenced by an average dwelling value of $859,000. Commercial approvals this financial year totaled $1.5 million, indicating minimal commercial development activity. Compared to the Rest of Qld, Doonan has significantly less development activity, being 52.0% below the regional average per person. This limited new supply generally supports stronger demand and values for established properties.

However, development activity has picked up in recent periods. Nationally, Doonan's development activity is also under the average, suggesting the area's established nature and potential planning limitations. New development consists of 89.0% standalone homes and 11.0% townhouses or apartments, preserving Doonan's low density nature with an emphasis on detached housing attracting space-seeking buyers. The location has approximately 329 people per dwelling approval, indicating room for growth. Population forecasts indicate Doonan will gain 409 residents through to 2041 (from the latest AreaSearch quarterly estimate). Construction is maintaining a reasonable pace with projected growth, although buyers could encounter growing competition as population increases.

Doonan has moderate levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the top 50% nationally

Changes to local infrastructure significantly affect an area's performance. AreaSearch has identified seven projects likely impacting the region. Notable ones are The Doonan, Eumundi-Noosa Road Safety Improvements, Noosa Biosphere Trails Upgrade Program, and Noosa Health Precinct. Details on those most relevant follow.

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

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AreaSearch analysis reveals Doonan significantly outperforming the majority of regions assessed nationwide

Doonan has an educated workforce with the construction sector prominently represented. Its unemployment rate was 2.1% in AreaSearch's aggregated statistical area data.

As of June 2025, Doonan had 2,077 residents employed and an unemployment rate of 1.8%, lower than Rest of Qld's 3.9%. Workforce participation was similar to Rest of Qld's 59.1%. Leading employment industries were construction, health care & social assistance, and retail trade. Construction had a significant share of employment at 1.5 times the regional level.

Conversely, agriculture, forestry & fishing was under-represented with only 1.5% of Doonan's workforce compared to Rest of Qld's 4.5%. Limited local employment opportunities were indicated by the Census working population count versus resident population. Between June 2024 and June 2025, Doonan's labour force decreased by 2.3%, with a 1.4% decline in employment leading to a fall of 0.8 percentage points in unemployment. Rest of Qld experienced employment growth of 1.8% and labour force growth of 2.0%, with an increase of 0.2 percentage points in unemployment. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from Sep-22 project overall employment growth of 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Doonan's employment mix suggests local employment should grow by 6.6% over five years and 13.4% over ten years, though this is a simplified extrapolation for illustrative purposes only.

Income analysis reveals strong economic positioning, with the area outperforming 60% of locations assessed nationally by AreaSearch

Doonan had a median taxpayer income of $51,793 and an average of $70,416 according to the latest postcode level ATO data aggregated by AreaSearch for financial year 2022. This was higher than the national average, contrasting with Rest of Qld's median income of $50,780 and average income of $64,844. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 13.99% since financial year 2022, current estimates would be approximately $59,039 (median) and $80,267 (average) as of September 2025. Census data reveals household income ranks at the 72nd percentile ($2,096 weekly), while personal income sits at the 48th percentile. The data shows 35.2% of the population (1,394 individuals) fall within the $1,500 - 2,999 income range, consistent with broader trends across regional levels showing 31.7% in the same category. A significant 30.8% earn above $3,000 weekly. After housing costs, residents retain 86.8% of income. The area's SEIFA income ranking places it in the 7th decile.

Doonan is characterized by a predominantly suburban housing profile, with ownership patterns similar to the broader region

Doonan's dwelling structures, as per the latest Census, were 97.4% houses and 2.6% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings), compared to Non-Metro Qld's 96.1% houses and 4.0% other dwellings. Home ownership in Doonan was 43.9%, with mortgaged dwellings at 46.1% and rented ones at 9.9%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $2,167, higher than Non-Metro Qld's average of $1,800. Weekly rent was $470, compared to Non-Metro Qld's $415. Nationally, Doonan's mortgage repayments were significantly higher at $2,167 versus the Australian average of $1,863, and rents were substantially above the national figure of $375.

Doonan features high concentrations of family households, with a higher-than-average median household size

Family households account for 85.4% of all households, including 40.6% couples with children, 36.2% couples without children, and 7.5% single parent families. Non-family households constitute the remaining 14.6%, with lone person households at 11.7% and group households making up 3.0%. The median household size is 2.9 people, which is larger than the Rest of Qld average of 2.6.

Doonan shows strong educational performance, ranking in the upper quartile nationally when assessed across multiple qualification and achievement indicators

The area's university qualification rate of 28.6% exceeds both the Rest of Qld average (20.6%) and the SA3 area average (23.0%). Bachelor degrees are most prevalent at 19.8%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (5.8%) and graduate diplomas (3.0%). Vocational credentials are held by 38.8% of residents aged 15+, with advanced diplomas at 12.8% and certificates at 26.0%.

Educational participation is high, with 27.3% currently enrolled in formal education: 10.4% in secondary, 9.8% in primary, and 2.6% in tertiary education. Noosa Pengari Steiner School serves Doonan, enrolling 316 students. The area has above-average socio-educational conditions (ICSEA: 1087). All schools offer integrated K-12 education for academic continuity. School places per 100 residents are lower than the regional average at 8.0 compared to 11.4, indicating some students may attend schools in adjacent areas.

No public transport data available for this catchment area.

Doonan's residents are extremely healthy with very low prevalence of common health conditions across all age groups

Analysis of health metrics shows strong performance throughout Doonan with very low prevalence of common health conditions across all age groups. The rate of private health cover is very high at approximately 55% of the total population (~2183 people), compared to 49.5% across Rest of Qld.

The most common medical conditions in the area are arthritis and asthma, impacting 7.4 and 6.6% of residents respectively, while 72.7% declared themselves completely clear of medical ailments compared to 68.1% across Rest of Qld. As of 2021, 20.7% of residents are aged 65 and over (820 people), which is lower than the 24.5% in Rest of Qld. Health outcomes among seniors are particularly strong, performing even better than the general population in health metrics.

In terms of cultural diversity, Doonan records figures broadly comparable to the national average, as found in AreaSearch's assessment of a number of language and cultural background related metrics

Doonan's population, born in Australia, stood at 73.2%, with 88.5% being citizens and 94.9% speaking English only at home. Christianity was the predominant religion, comprising 41.7%. Judaism, however, showed slight overrepresentation at 0.1%.

Top ancestry groups were English (34.6%), Australian (22.2%), and Irish (9.7%). Notably, French (1.2%) Scottish (9.6%) and Dutch (1.9%) were also overrepresented compared to regional averages of 0.7%, 9.4% and 1.6% respectively.

Doonan hosts an older demographic, ranking in the top quartile nationwide

Doonan's median age in 2021 was 46 years, significantly higher than Rest of Qld's 41 and the national average of 38 years. Compared to Rest of Qld, Doonan had a higher proportion of residents aged 45-54 (17.0%) but fewer residents aged 25-34 (6.6%). Between the 2021 Census and the previous census, the proportion of residents aged 15-24 increased from 10.2% to 11.5%, while those aged 75-84 rose from 5.3% to 6.5%. Conversely, the proportion of residents aged 5-14 decreased from 14.4% to 13.4%. By 2041, Doonan's age composition is expected to change notably. The 45-54 age group is projected to grow by 12%, reaching 77 people from 673, while the 15-24 cohort is expected to decline by 22 people.