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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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Gaven has an estimated 1,701 residents, up from 1,638 at the 2021 Census — a change of 63 people, or 3.8%. That puts 238 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 suburb of Gaven has an estimated population of around 1,701, established by AreaSearch through post-Census address validation and wider ABS demographic updates. Compared to the 1,638 residents recorded at the 2021 Census, this indicates an expansion of 63 people (3.8%). AreaSearch determined this resident figure of 1,701 by evaluating the latest ABS ERP release from June 2025 alongside address validations since the Census date. With a density of 237 persons per square kilometer, the locality provides generous space per person and room for future growth.
The 3.8% gain recorded since the census places the suburb of Gaven within 2.9 percentage points of the broader SA3 area (6.7%), demonstrating sound expansion fundamentals. Demographic growth was predominantly driven by overseas migration, which contributed approximately 52.0% of recent population additions. AreaSearch integrates ABS/Geoscience Australia SA2 projections published in 2024 with a 2022 baseline. For periods post-2032 and any SA2 areas omitted from this release, Queensland State Government projections issued in 2023 based on 2021 data are utilized. Because state releases do not separate age cohorts, AreaSearch applies proportional growth weightings sourced from the ABS Greater Capital Region projections (released in 2023, based on 2022 data) across each age group. Projected trends place the suburb of Gaven within the lower quartile of growth for Australian non-metropolitan regions, with aggregated SA2 figures projecting an increase of 46 persons to 2041, representing a total gain of 2.7% over the 16 years.
Frequently Asked Questions - Population
Detail
Residential development in Gaven remains minimal, averaging less than 1 approvals per year and recording minimal volume across the past five years. This restrained level of construction corresponds with the rural environment of the locality, where building activity is driven by specific local housing requirements rather than broader market demand. Due to such low annual approval counts, percentage changes and comparative trends can fluctuate significantly based on individual projects. Building activity across Gaven is substantially lower than in Rest of Qld. Similarly, construction and development levels sit below national averages.
Frequently Asked Questions - Development
Development applications around Gaven
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| Lodged | Address | Description | Type | Distance | Status |
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SOURCE: Planning portals and council registers, compiled by AreaSearch. Distance & bearing measured from the suburb midpoint.
AreaSearch tracks 90 current infrastructure and development projects close to Gaven, worth an estimated $33.9 billion. 27 are already under construction and 34 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 social outcomes are significantly influenced by major projects, planning programs, and infrastructure investment. AreaSearch has identified 27 infrastructure projects likely to affect the area, highlighted by Gold Coast Rail Stations (Pimpama, Hope Island, Merrimac), Arundel Hills Country Club Redevelopment, 2 Uplands Drive Aged Care Facility, and Coomera Connector Stage 1 - Central Section.
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
Coomera Medical Hub
Planned multi-disciplinary medical facility designed to serve the expanding northern Gold Coast population. The proposed hub encompasses specialist medical consulting suites, diagnostic imaging, pathology, and integrated allied health services.
2 Uplands Drive Aged Care Facility
This 8,906 sqm development site holds approval for a 130-bed, three-storey residential aged care facility. Following a receivers' sale by Cor Cordis, the property was purchased in May 2025 for $3.63 million by a private investor. The project is strategically positioned at the corner of Napper Road and Uplands Drive, near the Gold Coast University Hospital medical precinct. The development approval remains current through April 2026, though construction has not yet commenced as of early 2026.
Coomera Connector Stage 1 - Central Section
Construction of an 8km, six-lane section of the Coomera Connector (Second M1) between Helensvale Road and Smith Street Motorway. The project features three grade-separated interchanges at Helensvale Road, Gold Coast Highway, and Smith Street Motorway, along with 8km of shared active transport paths connecting to Helensvale and Parkwood light rail stations and dedicated wildlife corridors.
Parkwood Investigation Area Study
Long-term strategic planning for the Parkwood area along Napper Road to transition rural residential land into urban use. Following Council endorsement of the Preferred Concept Plan in December 2024, the project is in the Statutory Phase as of early 2026. Proposed changes include zoning for buildings up to 10 storeys along Napper Road to support housing diversity near the Gold Coast University Hospital and light rail corridor.
Molendinar Creek Flood Mitigation
City of Gold Coast flood mitigation program investigating and delivering staged drainage, channel, creek and stormwater upgrades within the Molendinar Creek catchment to reduce flood risk for Parkwood, Molendinar and surrounding communities. Planning, flood modelling and prioritisation of mitigation works continue as part of the city's long term flood resilience program.
Helensvale Business Park
Helensvale Business Park is a 47,450 sqm industrial park by Sandhurst Retail & Logistics at 2 Millaroo Drive, opposite Westfield Helensvale. The estate is designed for strata warehouse and office users with high-clearance warehouse space, mezzanine offices, car parking, container set-down access and strong links to the M1 Pacific Motorway, Smith Street Motorway, Brisbane Road and Helensvale rail and light rail stations. Stage 1 comprises 21 warehouse/office units and Stage 2 is being marketed by Colliers and Tidal Property, with construction progressing and remaining units offered for sale or lease.
Hinterland Gateway Community Hub
The City of Gold Coast is planning the Hinterland Gateway Community Hub to replace the Nerang Administration Precinct. Council has endorsed a recommendation to sell the precinct and partner with the private sector to deliver a modern, multi-purpose facility. Proposed features include a multi-purpose hall, meeting rooms, a new library, cafe, city customer service centre, and an evacuation centre.
Urbana Stage 3
Urbana Stage 3 is a four-tower mixed-use precinct in Coomera by Cadmium. The approved scheme includes 720 apartments above a connected podium with retail, dining, commercial tenancies, resident amenity, a gym and medical centre. Council approval followed amendments that reduced the planned tower heights, with the approved towers reported at 15, 21, 22 and 26 levels.
1,030 residents of Gaven are employed, from a labour force of 1,060. Unemployment sits at 2.8%, with participation at 70.1%. Weighted for its industry mix, the area's sectors are forecast to grow about 6.4% nationally over five years. That reflects industry composition only and makes no allowance for local population growth. Unemployment and labour force come from ABS Small Area Labour Markets, updated quarterly; the industry and occupation profile is from the 2021 Census.
Detail
Gaven features a well-rounded labor pool that includes both white and blue collar jobs, with construction standing out as a major employer and showing an unemployment rate of 2.8% alongside an estimated employment growth of 3.1% over the previous year according to AreaSearch data. By March 2026, the area had 1,030 residents employed, with an unemployment rate that sat 1.1% lower than the Regional Qld average of 3.9%, and workforce participation reached 70.1% which exceeded the regional figure of 64.2%. Survey results indicated that 16.6% of residents worked from home, a figure that should be viewed in the context of pandemic-related restrictions.
The primary employment sectors for local residents include construction, health care & social assistance, and professional & technical. The workforce shows a heavy concentration in construction, where local representation is 1.8 times the regional benchmark. Conversely, education & training employs 5.3% of workers, trailing the 9.1% share recorded across Regional Qld. While employment exists within the community, Census worker-to-resident ratios suggest a substantial portion of the workforce commutes outside the area for employment. Based on AreaSearch aggregation of SALM and ABS data, the 12-month period recorded employment rising by 3.1% alongside a 3.1% increase in the labour force, resulting in flat unemployment. By comparison, Regional Qld saw employment rise by 0.1%, the workforce expand by 0.3%, and unemployment increase by 0.1 percentage points. National forecasts from Jobs and Skills Australia as of Mar-26 outline broader five and ten-year demand expectations. While national employment is projected to grow by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, trajectories vary across sectors. Applying these industry projections to the local workforce composition indicates prospective employment growth in Gaven of 6.4% over five years and 13.2% over ten years (representing an illustrative weighting calculation without localized population adjustments).
Frequently Asked Questions - Employment
Median household income in Gaven is $2,015 a week (about $105,000 a year), with median personal income at $715 a week. ATO records put median taxable income at $43,540 a year against an average of $52,946. 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
ATO postcode data compiled by AreaSearch for financial year 2023 indicates that personal earnings in the suburb of Gaven track below national levels, with a median income of $43,540 and an average income of $52,946. These compare to Regional Qld benchmarks of $53,146 (median) and $66,593 (average). Applying Wage Price Index growth of 11.36% since financial year 2023 generates updated March 2026 estimates of $48,486 for median income and $58,961 for average income. In the 2021 Census, household earnings ranked at the 66th percentile ($2,015 weekly), while individual income stood at the 31st percentile.
The largest earnings segment covers 547 residents (32.2%) earning $1,500 - 2,999 per week, mirroring the 31.7% regional proportion. Affluence is demonstrated by 30.4% of residents earning over $3,000 per week, fostering high-end commercial demand. While housing costs absorb 16.0% of earnings, disposable income ranks at the 66th percentile and the area places in the 5th decile of the SEIFA income index.
Frequently Asked Questions - Income
Gaven had 501 occupied dwellings at the 2021 Census, 99% detached houses and 1% apartments. 53% are owned with a mortgage, 13% rented and 34% owned outright. At that Census the median rent was $455 a week and the median mortgage repayment $2,167 a month. Rent absorbs 22.6% of household income here and mortgage repayments 24.8%. Dwelling stock, tenure and housing costs are 2021 Census measures — the only source that counts dwellings at this boundary size.
Detail
At the latest Census, housing stock in Gaven was composed of 99.2% separate houses and 0.8% other dwellings (comprising semi-detached residences, apartments, and 'other' dwellings), contrasted with 76.4% houses and 23.6% other dwellings in Regional Qld. Outright home ownership stood at 34.4%, matching Regional Qld, while 52.7% of properties were mortgaged and 12.8% were rented. The median monthly mortgage payment in the area was $2,167, well above the Regional Qld figure of $1,655 and the national baseline of $1,863. Median weekly rent reached $455, exceeding the $345 benchmark in Regional Qld and the Australian median of $375.
Frequently Asked Questions - Housing
Gaven counted 501 households at the 2021 Census, averaging 3.1 people each. 40% are couples with children, more than in 79% of areas nationally, against 31% 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 make up 84.8% of all local households, divided into couples with children (39.7%), couples without children (30.5%), and single parent families (12.4%). Non-family living arrangements account for the remaining 15.2%, comprising lone person households (11.8%) and group households (4.0%). The median household size is 3.1 people, exceeding the Regional Qld average of 2.5.
Frequently Asked Questions - Households
15.8% of adults in Gaven hold a university qualification, including 11.0% with a bachelor degree and 2.9% with postgraduate qualifications. A further 33.1% hold a vocational qualification. Qualifications come from the 2021 Census.
Detail
Educational attainment presents specific development areas, with 15.8% of residents holding university qualifications compared to the national rate of 30.4%. Bachelor degrees are held by 11.0% of the population, followed by postgraduate qualifications at 2.9% and graduate diplomas at 1.9%. Vocational and technical qualifications are prevalent, with 43.1% of residents aged 15+ holding trade credentials, consisting of certificates (33.1%) and advanced diplomas (10.0%). Formal learning engagement is substantial, with 25.6% of residents currently undertaking formal education. This includes 8.5% attending secondary schools, 8.2% in primary education, and 4.3% enrolled in tertiary courses.
Frequently Asked Questions - Education
Schools Detail
Getting around Gaven means driving: households keep an average of 2.5 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
68.3% of residents in Gaven report no long-term health condition. 4.8% need daily assistance with core activities, and 48.2% hold private health cover. The standardised death rate runs at 4.3 per 1,000 residents. Health conditions, assistance needs and insurance are 2021 Census measures; the death rate comes from current ABS releases.
Detail
Health outcomes in Gaven are generally above average based on AreaSearch metrics for chronic illness and mortality, with low condition prevalence in the broader community but higher rates among older cohorts. Private health insurance coverage is low at approximately 48% of the population (~819 people), compared to 52.5% in Regional Qld and 55.7% across Australia. The primary medical conditions recorded among residents are arthritis (9.6%) and asthma (7.2%), while 68.3% of the community reported no chronic health issues compared to 67.6% across Regional Qld. Favorable health outcomes are evident across the under-65 population.
Residents aged 65 and over make up 20.3% of the populace (345 people), showing health metrics that rank lower nationally than the general population.
Frequently Asked Questions - Health
Gaven is largely Australian-born, at 75.7% of residents, with 6.6% speaking a language other than English at home. The largest reported ancestries are English (31.9%) and Australian (26.2%). Ancestry, language and country of birth are counted only by the Census, so these are 2021 figures.
Detail
Cultural diversity in Gaven aligns closely with regional norms, with 75.7% of residents born in Australia, 86.3% holding citizenship, and 93.4% speaking only English at home. Christianity is the dominant religion, followed by 48.9% of residents in Gaven, compared to 52.2% across Regional Qld. The leading reported ancestral backgrounds in Gaven are English (31.9%), Australian (26.2%), and Irish (8.5%). Specific cultural representations deviate from regional figures, including New Zealand heritage at 3.3% in Gaven (vs 0.9% regionally), Maori ancestry at 2.2% (vs 0.8%), and Dutch lineage at 1.8% (vs 1.1%).
Frequently Asked Questions - Diversity
The median resident of Gaven is 45, older than 80% of areas nationally. 25.0% 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 age profile in the suburb of Gaven reflects Regional Qld distributions, with the greatest variation standing at 8.9 percentage points. The median age is an estimated 45 as at August 2026, identical to the 2021 Census figure and 4 years above the Regional Qld Census median of 41. The national Census median was 38. Since the Census, the proportion of residents in senior and retiree brackets (65+) increased from 18.4% to an estimated 20.3%. Projections to 2041 indicate that senior cohorts will drive most population growth, adding 70 residents (20%) to reach 415, while middle aged, young retiree, child, and young adult demographics are expected to decrease.
Frequently Asked Questions - Age
Data & MethodBoundaries, Sources & Method for Gaven
9 of 14 data sections on this page were updated within the last 12 months — the newest current to Oct 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 2 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 Aug 2026, with the 2021 Census supplying the small-area baseline. | ||
| Age profile | ABS, Geoscience Australia, State governments Annual | Aug 2026 2 months ago 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 2 months ago headline measures · Jul 2026 baseline |
| Property sales & rents | Valuer General, Rental Board, ABS Weekly sales, quarterly rents | Oct 2026 this month headline measures · Sep 2026 baseline |
| 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 Oct 2026. | ||
| Infrastructure projects | Infrastructure Australia, Local governments Daily | May 2026 5 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 May 2026. | ||
| Employment | ABS, DEWR, JSA Quarterly (ABS SALM) | Mar 2026 7 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) | Sep 2026 last month headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Transport | ABS, State Transport Departments Each timetable release | Jul 2026 3 months ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Services & amenities | Provider directories, ACECQA Continuous | Sep 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. The headline figure is therefore a current estimate for Aug 2026, not a 2021 count (1,638 at the 2021 Census → 1,701 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 (SAL31105). QuickStats reports 2021 only — the figures on this page are more current wherever the ledger shows a later date.