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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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Doonan has an estimated 3,895 residents, up from 3,727 at the 2021 Census — a change of 168 people, or 4.5%. Growth has averaged 0.8% a year over five years. That puts 121 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
Based on analysis of ABS population updates for the broader area, and new addresses validated by AreaSearch since the Census the suburb of Doonan population is estimated at around 3,895 as of May 2026. This reflects an increase of 168 people (4.5%) since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 3,727 people. The change is inferred from the resident population of 3,880, estimated by AreaSearch following examination of the latest ERP data release by the ABS (June 2025) and an additional 10 validated new addresses since the Census date.
This level of population equates to a density ratio of 121 persons per square kilometer, providing significant space per person and potential room for further development. Population growth for the area was primarily driven by interstate migration that contributed approximately 72.0% of overall population gains during recent periods, although all drivers including overseas migration and natural growth were positive factors. AreaSearch is adopting ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area, as released in 2024 with 2022 as the base year. For any SA2 areas not covered by this data, and for years post-2032, Queensland State Government's SA2 area projections, released in 2023 and based on 2021 data, are adopted. It should be noted that these state projections do not provide age category splits; hence where utilised, AreaSearch is applying proportional growth weightings in line with the ABS Greater Capital Region projections (released in 2023, based on 2022 data) for each age cohort. Looking at population projections moving forward, a population increase just below the median of Australia's non-metropolitan areas is expected, with the suburb of Doonan expected to increase by 356 persons to 2041 based on aggregated SA2-level projections, reflecting with an increase of 8.8% in total over the 16 years.
Frequently Asked Questions - Population
36 new dwellings have been approved in Doonan over the past five years, an average of 7 a year. That is 1.9 approvals per 1,000 residents. Approvals are currently running at an annualised 8, 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
Analysis by AreaSearch of ABS building permit figures distributed from regional metrics indicates that Doonan has recorded an annual average of about 7 residential approvals. A total of 36 dwellings received approval over the preceding 5 financial periods (from FY-21 to FY-25), with 8 approvals logged so far in FY-26. Given that an average of 4.1 residents relocated to the district for every finished home over those 5 financial years (between FY-21 and FY-25), construction volume is falling short of demand. This gap typically heightens purchasing rivalry and pushes prices upward, with newly constructed residences averaging $859,000 in value, showing that building firms are focusing on upscale residential products.
Doonan exhibits low levels of building activity when contrasted with the Rest of Qld, trailing the regional per capita benchmark by 59.0%. This limited volume of new builds commonly shores up valuations and demand for existing houses. Construction rates are also lower than the national standard, indicating a mature market state and potential regulatory or geographic constraints. Furthermore, recent completions have consisted entirely of standalone houses, maintaining the low-density footprint of the locality while appealing to buyers seeking extra space. The metric of 456 residents for every single residential approval highlights a very quiet construction setting. Projections indicate that Doonan will add 341 new citizens by 2041, looking at the most recent quarterly projections from AreaSearch. The pace of construction is reasonably aligned with this anticipated expansion, though prospective buyers may experience heightened competition as the local community grows.
Frequently Asked Questions - Development
Development applications around Doonan
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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 2 current infrastructure and development projects inside Doonan, worth an estimated $31 million. A further 67 sit in the immediately surrounding suburbs, taking the tracked pipeline within reach of the area to $4.99 billion. 13 are already under construction and 22 are due for completion within three years. The pipeline spans residential development, transport & logistics and environmental & disaster management. 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
Changes to local infrastructure, major projects, and town planning policies are significant drivers of regional performance. A total of 7 projects have been identified by AreaSearch as likely to affect the local area. Key initiatives include The Doonan, Eumundi-Noosa Road Safety Improvements, Noosa Biosphere Trails Upgrade Program, and the Noosa Health Precinct, with details provided on the most relevant schemes.
Professional plan users can use the search below to filter and access additional projects.
INFRASTRUCTURE SEARCH
Denotes AI-based impression for illustrative purposes only, not to be taken as definitive under any circumstances. Please follow links and conduct other investigations from the project's source for actual imagery. Developers and project owners wishing us to use original imagery please Contact Us and we will do so.
Frequently Asked Questions - Infrastructure
The Doonan
A garden-themed hospitality venue renovated from an existing structure, located on 2 hectares in the Noosa hinterland. It offers a paddock-to-plate experience with indoor and outdoor dining, bars, beer gardens, a pizzeria, ice creamery, cellar door, multiple function spaces, and a large outdoor kids playground. It draws inspiration from a plant nursery with extensive designer landscaping and olive trees. It focuses on using fresh, local produce.
Eumundi-Noosa Road Safety Improvements
A $25 million project to deliver safety improvements for all road users, including wide centre line treatment, pavement widening, shoulder sealing, roadside hazard removal, signage, and line marking updates.
Jura Noosa Townhomes and Residences
Jura Noosa is a boutique residential development in Noosaville comprising 14 townhomes and 24 apartments across two and three bedroom layouts, arranged around a central resort-style garden pool with tropical landscaping. Construction commenced in February 2025 following a sod-turning event and is well underway, with completion targeted for mid 2026. The project is developed by Capital Prudential, designed by Blackwood Architecture, and built by QLD Built, with sales and marketing led by Milestone Property Group.
Noosa Health Precinct
The Noosa Health Precinct is a purpose-built 3,837sqm specialist medical hub. It features the region's first dedicated comprehensive cancer centre, Cancer Care Noosa, which provides radiation oncology, medical oncology, haematology, and clinical trials. The precinct also includes a specialist medical centre with imaging services, a breast clinic, and an oncology pharmacy. A new multidisciplinary day hospital operated by Cura Day Hospitals Group is scheduled to open within the precinct by mid-2026, adding three state-of-the-art operating theatres.
Malolo Noosa (89-93 Eumundi Noosa Road)
Boutique infill redevelopment delivering 22 dwellings (18 townhouses and 4 apartments) across low-rise buildings with parking and landscaping. Marketed as Malolo Noosa, the project was developed by Davrus with architecture by Blackwood Architecture and built by Vantage Building Group.
Sidoni Street Mixed-Use Development
Mixed-use development featuring 14 small dwelling units, five ground-floor units with associated offices, and a food and drink outlet. Built on 2002sqm site with dual street frontage (Sidoni Street and Blakesley Street). Designed by Tim Ditchfield and Associates, approved via delegated authority by Noosa Council.
Tewantin Bypass - Beckmans Road Planning
Planning is underway for the long-term staged Tewantin Bypass along the Beckmans Road corridor. Stage 1, the Cooroy-Noosa Road and Beckmans Road roundabout, was completed in December 2022. The current $8.5 million planning program is developing the business case and future upgrade options to improve safety, capacity, travel time and traffic flow between Cooroy-Noosa Road and Eumundi-Noosa Road.
Noosa Civic Medihub
Purpose-built medical hub within the Noosa Business Centre. Now operational with tenants including Icon Cancer Centre, Sunshine Coast Radiology, Noosa Civic Family Practice and allied health, delivering advanced oncology and diagnostic services locally.
1,914 residents of Doonan are employed, from a labour force of 1,968. Unemployment sits at 2.7%, with participation at 60.8%. Weighted for its industry mix, the area's sectors are forecast to grow about 6.6% nationally over five years. That reflects industry composition only and makes no allowance for local population growth. The working-day population is estimated at 3,085, about 79% 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
Doonan features a highly qualified labor force, particularly in the building sector, with a jobless rate of only 2.7% based on AreaSearch compilation of regional metrics. As of March 2026, there are 1,914 residents in employment. This unemployment rate is 1.2% lower than the 3.9% recorded across Regional Qld, while the participation rate is slightly soft at 60.8% compared to the regional benchmark of 64.3%. Census logs show that a substantial 25.7% of local workers operated from home, though the influence of pandemic restrictions should be taken into account. The primary employment sectors for local citizens are construction, healthcare & social assistance, and retail trade.
The locality shows a distinct concentration in building services, with employment shares in this sector reaching 1.5 times the regional norm. Conversely, agricultural, forestry & fishing enterprises play a minor role, employing just 1.5% of the workforce compared to 4.5% across the broader region. This mostly residential enclave appears to provide few local employment opportunities, as shown by comparing the count of Census workers against total residents. AreaSearch analysis of SALM and ABS statistics for the broader district reveals that the labor force shrank by 3.5% over the 12-month period, while overall employment dropped by 4.0%, leading to a 0.4 percentage point increase in the jobless rate. This dynamic diverged from Regional Qld, which saw a 0.1% rise in employment, a 0.3% expansion of the labor force, and a 0.1 percentage point tick up in unemployment. Forecasts from Jobs and Skills Australia published in May-25 offer additional perspective on potential future employment requirements in Doonan. These five and ten-year projections have been applied to the local workforce makeup to project potential patterns. While national job numbers are expected to grow by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, the rates of change differ by industry. Projecting these industry trends onto the current employment structure of Doonan suggests local job counts could rise by 6.6% over five years and 13.4% over ten years.
Frequently Asked Questions - Employment
Median household income in Doonan is $2,096 a week (about $109,000 a year), with median personal income at $796 a week. ATO records put median taxable income at $51,793 a year against an average of $70,416. 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
Tax data compiled by AreaSearch for the 2023 financial year indicates that Doonan has a median taxpayer income of $51,793 alongside an average of $70,416. This exceeds the national standard, while Regional Qld shows a median of $53,146 and an average of $66,593. Accounting for a Wage Price Index rise of 11.36% since the 2023 financial year, current values are estimated at approximately $57,677 for the median and $78,415 for the average as of March 2026. The 2021 Census shows local household incomes placing in the 72nd percentile ($2,096 weekly), with individual earnings at the 48th percentile.
Approximately 35.2% of the population (1,371 people) are situated in the $1,500 - 2,999 weekly bracket, similar to the broader region's 31.7% share. High affluence is evident, with 30.8% of households earning more than $3,000 weekly, which helps sustain premium retail and commercial services. After paying for housing, households retain 86.8% of their earnings, indicating strong disposable income, and the SEIFA index ranks the area in the 7th decile.
Frequently Asked Questions - Income
Doonan had 1,245 occupied dwellings at the 2021 Census, 97% detached houses and 1% apartments. 46% are owned with a mortgage, 10% rented and 44% owned outright. At that Census the median rent was $470 a week and the median mortgage repayment $2,167 a month. Rent absorbs 22.4% of household income here and mortgage repayments 23.9%. Dwelling stock, tenure and housing costs are 2021 Census measures — the only source that counts dwellings at this boundary size.
Detail
Residential profiles in Doonan from the most recent Census show that standalone houses represent 97.4% of properties, while alternative structures like semi-detached homes, apartments, or other dwellings make up the remaining 2.6%. This contrasts with Regional Qld, where standalone homes represent 76.4% and alternative structures account for 23.6%. Home ownership rates in Doonan reached 43.9%, which is higher than the regional average, with the remaining properties being purchased under a mortgage (46.1%) or rented (9.9%). The median monthly home loan payment was $2,167, well above the Regional Qld median of $1,655.
The median weekly rental cost was $470, compared to $345 across Regional Qld. Nationally, Doonan's mortgage payments are higher than the Australian average of $1,863, and weekly rents are also above the national level of $375.
Frequently Asked Questions - Housing
Doonan counted 1,245 households at the 2021 Census, averaging 2.9 people each. 41% are couples with children, more than in 80% of areas nationally, against 36% couples without children. 12% 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
Families represent the vast majority of households at 85.4%, which is split into couples with children at 40.6%, couples without children at 36.2%, and single-parent households at 7.5%. The remaining 14.6% of households are non-family arrangements, with single-person households making up 11.7% and group homes accounting for 3.0%. The median household size of 2.9 individuals is larger than the Regional Qld average of 2.5.
Frequently Asked Questions - Households
28.6% of adults in Doonan hold a university qualification, including 19.8% with a bachelor degree and 5.8% with postgraduate qualifications, higher than 80% of areas nationally. A further 26.0% hold a vocational qualification. 1 school serves the area, with 316 enrolment places and an average ICSEA of 1,087 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
The educational makeup of the area is distinct in the region, with university graduation rates at 28.6% of residents aged 15 and over, exceeding both the Rest of Qld average of 20.6% and the SA3 average of 23.0%. Bachelor degrees are the most common higher qualification at 19.8%, followed by postgraduate degrees at 5.8% and graduate diplomas at 3.0%. Vocational qualifications are also common, with 38.8% of the population aged 15 and over holding trade credentials, consisting of advanced diplomas at 12.8% and certificates at 26.0%. Enrollment rates in education are high, with 27.3% of local residents actively undertaking formal study.
This student cohort includes 10.4% in high school, 9.8% in primary school, and 2.6% enrolled in university or tertiary programs.
Frequently Asked Questions - Education
Schools Detail
Getting around Doonan means driving: households keep an average of 2.2 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
72.7% of residents in Doonan report no long-term health condition, a healthier profile than 88% of areas nationally. 4.6% need daily assistance with core activities, and 55.1% hold private health cover. The standardised death rate runs at 3.8 per 1,000 residents. Health conditions, assistance needs and insurance are 2021 Census measures; the death rate comes from current ABS releases.
Detail
Health metrics show positive outcomes across Doonan, based on AreaSearch assessment of mortality rates and chronic illnesses, which reveals low rates of common health issues across all demographics. Private health insurance coverage is high, with approximately 55% of the population (~2,146 people) holding policies, compared to 52.5% across Regional Qld. Arthritis and asthma are the most common medical conditions, affecting 7.4% and 6.6% of residents, respectively. A total of 72.7% of the population reported no chronic health issues, compared to 67.6% across Regional Qld. Residents aged under 65 show positive health indicators.
The area has 21.8% of its population aged 65 and over (849 people), which is higher than the Regional Qld share of 20.4%. Health outcomes for these older residents are positive, with national comparisons aligning with the broader population trends.
Frequently Asked Questions - Health
26.8% of Doonan residents were born overseas and 5.1% speak a language other than English at home. The largest reported ancestries are English (34.6%) and Australian (22.2%). Ancestry, language and country of birth are counted only by the Census, so these are 2021 figures.
Detail
Doonan has a similar level of cultural diversity to the broader region, with 73.2% of residents born in Australia, 88.5% holding citizenship, and 94.9% speaking only English at home. Christianity is the main religion, followed by 41.7% of the local population. The most distinct religious variance is in Judaism, which is practiced by 0.1% of residents, compared to a 0.1% share across Regional Qld. Regarding parent birthplaces, the three most common ancestries in Doonan are English at 34.6% (higher than the regional average of 29.6%), Australian at 22.2%, and Irish at 9.7%.
Some minor ancestries show distinct rates compared to the region, with French ancestry represented at 1.2% in Doonan (compared to 0.5% regionally), Scottish ancestry at 9.6% (compared to 7.8%), and Dutch ancestry at 1.9% (compared to 1.1%).
Frequently Asked Questions - Diversity
The median resident of Doonan is 46, older than 82% of areas nationally. 18.0% 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 median age in Doonan is 46 years, which is older than the Regional Qld median of 41 years and the national average of 38 years. Compared to Regional Qld, Doonan has a larger share of residents aged 45 - 54 (16.3%) but a smaller share of people aged 25 - 34 (6.3%). Since the 2021 Census, the 75 to 84 cohort has increased from 5.3% to 7.2% of the population, and the 15 to 24 group rose from 10.2% to 11.7%. Conversely, the 5 to 14 cohort declined from 14.4% to 13.1%, and the 45 to 54 bracket fell from 17.6% to 16.3%.
By 2041, Doonan is expected to experience changes in its age profile, led by a 12% growth (79 people) in the 45 to 54 group, taking it from 634 to 714, while the 15 to 24 cohort is projected to decrease by 34 people.
Frequently Asked Questions - Age
Data & MethodBoundaries, Sources & Method for Doonan
9 of 14 data sections on this page were updated within the last 12 months — the newest current to Aug 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) | May 2026 3 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 May 2026, with the 2021 Census supplying the small-area baseline. | ||
| Age profile | ABS, Geoscience Australia, State governments Annual | May 2026 3 months ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Age cohorts are re-based to the latest ABS population estimates and state projections, current to May 2026. Each cohort is held as a Census baseline and a current estimate. | ||
| Development & approvals | ABS, GNAF Monthly (ABS approvals) | Jun 2026 2 months ago headline measures · May 2026 baseline |
| Property sales & rents | Valuer General, Rental Board, ABS Weekly sales, quarterly rents | Aug 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 Aug 2026. | ||
| Infrastructure projects | Infrastructure Australia, State agencies, Local governments Daily | Oct 2025 10 months ago all 2 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 Oct 2025. | ||
| Employment | ABS, DEWR, JSA Quarterly (ABS SALM) | Mar 2026 5 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) | Jul 2026 last month headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Transport | ABS, State Transport Departments Each timetable release | Jul 2026 last month headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Services & amenities | Provider directories, ACECQA Continuous | Jul 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 — 10 validated new addresses here. The headline figure is therefore a current estimate for May 2026, not a 2021 count (3,727 at the 2021 Census → 3,895 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 May 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 (SAL30866). QuickStats reports 2021 only — the figures on this page are more current wherever the ledger shows a later date.