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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
Sales Activity
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Population
Population growth drivers in Glass House Mountains are above average based on AreaSearch's ranking of recent, and medium to long-term trends
As per ABS population updates for the broader area and new addresses validated by AreaSearch, the suburb of Glass House Mountains had an estimated population of around 6,181 as of May 2026. This figure represents a growth of 580 people (10.4%) since the 2021 Census, which recorded a population of 5,601. The increase is inferred from AreaSearch's estimated resident population of 6,163 in June 2025, based on the latest ERP data release by the ABS, and an additional 171 validated new addresses since the Census date. This results in a population density ratio of 85 persons per square kilometer. The suburb's growth rate of 10.4% since the 2021 census exceeded both the Rest of Qld (9.2%) and the national average, positioning it as a growth leader in the region. Interstate migration contributed approximately 52.0% of overall population gains during recent periods, with other factors such as natural growth and overseas migration also being positive contributors.
AreaSearch's projections for Glass House Mountains are based on ABS/Geoscience Australia projections released in 2024 using 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 and based on 2021 data are adopted, with proportional growth weightings applied for age cohorts. Projected demographic shifts indicate an above median population growth for Australia's regional areas, with the suburb expected to grow by 828 persons to 2041, reflecting a total increase of 13.1% over the 16-year period.
Frequently Asked Questions - Population
Development
Recent residential development output has been above average within Glass House Mountains when compared nationally
Glass House Mountains recorded around 43 residential properties granted approval per year over the past five financial years from FY21 to FY25. This totals an estimated 218 homes. As of FY26, 7 approvals have been recorded so far. On average, each dwelling has accommodated approximately 2.9 new residents annually during this period.
New homes are being built at an average cost of $350,000, aligning with regional patterns. In the current financial year, Glass House Mountains has registered around $1.9 million in commercial approvals, indicating a predominantly residential focus. Compared to the Rest of Qld, Glass House Mountains exhibits approximately half the construction activity per person, while it ranks among the 56th percentile nationally.
Recent construction comprises 90% standalone homes and 10% townhouses or apartments, maintaining the area's traditional low-density character. With around 275 people per dwelling approval, Glass House Mountains suggests a developing market. According to AreaSearch's latest quarterly estimate, the area is projected to add 810 residents by 2041. Given current development rates, new housing supply should comfortably meet demand, providing favourable conditions for buyers and potentially supporting growth beyond current population projections.
Frequently Asked Questions - Development
Development applications around Glass House Mountains
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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.
Infrastructure
Glass House Mountains has very high levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the top 10% nationally
Changes to local infrastructure significantly influence an area's performance. AreaSearch has identified five projects likely impacting the area. Notable ones are Glass House Mountains Surf Park, Beerwah Station Upgrade, Australia Zoo, and Beerwah Marketplace Shopping Centre. The following details those most relevant:.
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Frequently Asked Questions - Infrastructure
Unitywater Infrastructure Program 2023-2027
A comprehensive $1.8 billion infrastructure program delivering critical water and wastewater services across the Sunshine Coast and Moreton Bay regions. Key components include: the Aura and Harmony Trunk Infrastructure Program (27.6km of pipeline, near completion 2026); the Aura Water Project (new 15ML reservoir and 12km pipeline from Ewen Maddock Water Treatment Plant to Caloundra South, completion late 2026); the Pine Valley Water Supply Project (new 15ML reservoir and 8km pipeline at Morayfield, construction underway since early 2025, completion mid-2027); and the Morayfield Wastewater Network Capacity Upgrade Stage 1 (3km pipeline and pump station upgrades, construction commenced January 2026, completion mid-2027). Collectively the program supports more than 226,000 future residents across growth areas including Aura, Harmony, Caboolture West (Waraba), Morayfield, and Narangba.
The Wave - Sunshine Coast Rail and Public Transport Project
The Wave is an integrated transport initiative for the Sunshine Coast. Stage 1 involves a 19km dual-track heavy rail line from Beerwah to Caloundra. Stage 2 extends this rail 7km to Birtinya, including a 1km tunnel. Stage 3 (Metro) delivers a 12km Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) network connecting Birtinya to the Sunshine Coast Airport via Maroochydore CBD. The project aims to reduce travel times to Brisbane by 45 minutes and support the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
Beerwah East SEQ Development Area
Beerwah East is a 5,200-hectare SEQ Development Area (Category 2) under ShapingSEQ 2023 and the long-term preferred growth front for the Sunshine Coast. Subject to detailed planning, the area has the potential to accommodate up to around 35,000 dwellings and approximately 95,000 residents over the long term, with earlier estimates of 20,000 homes by 2041. The site sits between the Bruce Highway, Steve Irwin Way and Roys Road, with the planned Direct Sunshine Coast Rail Line (The Wave) running through it from Beerwah toward Caloundra and Birtinya. Most of the land is owned by the State and held under a 99-year HQPlantations forestry lease, with parts also subject to native title held by the Kabi Kabi First Nation. In March 2025 the Department of State Development, Infrastructure and Planning conditionally endorsed the proposed Sunshine Coast Planning Scheme but directed Council to revert most of Beerwah East from Emerging Community zoning back to Rural, allowing only land not subject to native title to be zoned Emerging Community. Sunshine Coast Council subsequently identified two early-release parcels totalling about 45 hectares near the Beerwah Golf Course off Roys Road, bordered by Foley Road, as the first land to potentially come forward for residential development. The proposed planning scheme remains in the review process and is expected to progress through 2026, while the Queensland Government continues investigations alongside Council, HQPlantations and the Kabi Kabi First Nation to unlock the broader area.
The Wave - Stages 1 and 2 (Rail)
The Wave Stages 1 and 2 is a Queensland Government heavy passenger rail project that will directly connect Beerwah to Birtinya, with an upgraded Beerwah station and new stations at Bells Creek (Aura), Caloundra, Aroona and Birtinya. Stage 1 from Beerwah to Caloundra is jointly funded by the Queensland and Australian governments for $5.5 billion, with procurement underway and major construction expected to start in early 2027 subject to environmental approvals. Stage 2 from Caloundra to Birtinya is progressing through procurement and includes about 7 km of dual-track rail, two new stations and an approximately 1 km tunnel, subject to approvals and funding.
Australia Zoo
700-acre zoo and major tourist attraction established by Steve Irwin family. Features Crocoseum stadium, wildlife hospital, and conservation programs. Includes ongoing expansions and improvements to facilities and animal habitats. Major economic driver for Beerwah region.
Bruce Highway Upgrade - Caboolture-Bribie Island Road to Steve Irwin Way (Exit 163)
A major $662.5 million upgrade of an 11km section of the Bruce Highway from Caboolture-Bribie Island Road to Steve Irwin Way (Exit 163). The project widened the highway from four to six lanes and delivered 10 new, higher bridges to significantly improve flood immunity, including at King Johns and Lagoon Creeks. It also included upgrading interchanges, installing smart motorways technology, and supported 664 direct jobs during construction. Major construction was completed in April 2024.
Beerburrum to Nambour Rail Upgrade Stage 1
Stage 1 of the Beerburrum to Nambour (B2N) Rail Upgrade is a $1.004 billion project duplicating the North Coast Line track between Beerburrum and Beerwah (with an improved alignment between Beerburrum and Glass House Mountains, and following the existing alignment between Glass House Mountains and Beerwah). Scope includes 3 new bridges, addressing 3 level crossings (including new road overpasses at Beerburrum Road, Barrs Road to Moffatt Road, and Burgess Street; closure of 2 private level crossings with alternative access), expanding park 'n' ride facilities at Beerburrum, Landsborough, and Nambour stations, a new bus interchange at Landsborough Station, and upgrading the Beerburrum Road and Steve Irwin Way intersection. The project increases capacity, reliability, and safety for passenger and freight services on the Sunshine Coast to Brisbane corridor. Major construction commenced in 2025, with completion expected in 2027.
North Brisbane Bruce Highway Western Alternative (Moreton Motorway)
Queensland Department of Transport and Main Roads (TMR) is progressing planning and corridor protection for the ~50-60 km future Moreton Motorway, a new transport corridor west of the Bruce Highway between Beerburrum and Bald Hills. The project will relieve congestion and support growth in Moreton Bay and north Brisbane. It is being planned in four stages: Stages 1 (Moodlu to Moorina) and 2 (Moorina to Narangba) are protected as future state-controlled road; Stage 3 (Narangba to Bald Hills) is in early planning; and Stage 4 is a 12.6-kilometre section connecting the D'Aguilar Highway at Moodlu to Steve Irwin Way at Beerburrum. Consultation for Stage 4 closed in June 2025 ahead of corridor protection. Construction of the overall motorway is more than a decade away and subject to future funding.
Employment
The employment landscape in Glass House Mountains presents a mixed picture: unemployment remains low at 3.4%, yet recent job losses have affected its comparative national standing
Glass House Mountains had a balanced workforce in December 2025, with an unemployment rate of 3.4%. It had 3,035 residents employed, which was 0.6% below Regional Qld's rate of 4.0%. Workforce participation was similar to Regional Qld's 64.5%.
A moderate 15.1% of residents worked from home. Employment was concentrated in construction, health care & social assistance, and education & training. Construction employed 1.5 times the regional level while retail trade employed 8.0%, below Regional Qld's 10.0%. The area offered limited local employment opportunities.
In the 12 months prior, labour force decreased by 3.4% alongside a 3.2% employment decline, reducing unemployment by 0.2 percentage points. This contrasted with Regional Qld where employment rose by 0.7%, labour force grew by 1.0%, and unemployment rose 0.3 percentage points. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May-25 projected national employment growth of 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Glass House Mountains' employment mix suggested local employment should increase by 6.3% over five years and 13.0% over ten years.
Frequently Asked Questions - Employment
Income
Income levels sit below national averages according to AreaSearch assessment
AreaSearch's aggregation of ATO data released for financial year 2023 shows Glass House Mountains had a median taxpayer income of $49,936 and an average income of $60,610. Nationally, the median was $53,146 and the average was $66,593. By March 2026, estimated incomes would be approximately $55,609 (median) and $67,495 (average), based on an 11.36% Wage Price Index growth since financial year 2023. The 2021 Census ranks Glass House Mountains' household, family, and personal incomes between the 36th and 49th percentiles. Income data shows 35.7% of residents (2,206 individuals) fall within the $1,500 - $2,999 range. After housing costs, 85.1% of income remains for other expenses. Glass House Mountains' SEIFA income ranking is in the 5th decile.
Frequently Asked Questions - Income
Housing
Glass House Mountains is characterized by a predominantly suburban housing profile, with above-average rates of outright home ownership
The dwelling structure in Glass House Mountains, as per the latest Census, consisted of 98.3% houses and 1.7% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings). This compared to Regional Qld's 76.4% houses and 23.6% other dwellings. Home ownership in Glass House Mountains was at 37.4%, with mortgaged dwellings at 46.1% and rented ones at 16.5%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $1,820, higher than Regional Qld's average of $1,655. The median weekly rent figure was recorded at $400, compared to Regional Qld's $375. Nationally, Glass House Mountains' mortgage repayments were lower than the Australian average of $1,863, while rents exceeded the national figure of $375.
Frequently Asked Questions - Housing
Household Composition
Glass House Mountains features high concentrations of family households, with a higher-than-average median household size
Family households constitute 81.3% of all households, including 33.9% couples with children, 35.4% couples without children, and 11.1% single parent families. Non-family households comprise the remaining 18.7%, with lone person households at 15.8% and group households making up 3.3%. The median household size is 2.8 people, larger than the Regional Qld average of 2.5.
Frequently Asked Questions - Households
Local Schools & Education
Glass House Mountains shows below-average educational performance compared to national benchmarks, though pockets of achievement exist
The area's university qualification rate is 16.3%, significantly lower than Australia's average of 30.4%. This disparity presents both a challenge and an opportunity for targeted educational initiatives. Bachelor degrees are the most prevalent (12.1%), followed by postgraduate qualifications (2.1%) and graduate diplomas (2.1%). Vocational credentials are prominent, with 45.8% of residents aged 15+ holding them, including advanced diplomas (11.9%) and certificates (33.9%).
Educational participation is high, with 28.0% of residents currently enrolled in formal education. This includes primary education (10.6%), secondary education (8.6%), and tertiary education (3.4%).
Frequently Asked Questions - Education
Schools Detail
Nearby Services & Amenities
Transport
Transport servicing is low compared to other areas nationally based on assessment of service frequency, route connectivity and accessibility
Public transport analysis shows three active transport stops operating within the Glass House Mountains area. These stops offer a mix of train and bus services. They are served by 41 individual routes, collectively providing 470 weekly passenger trips. Transport accessibility is rated as limited, with residents typically located 1394 meters from the nearest transport stop. As a predominantly residential area, most residents commute outward. Car remains the dominant mode of transportation at 92%.
Vehicle ownership averages 1.9 per dwelling, which is above the regional average. According to the 2021 Census, some 15.1% of residents work from home, which may reflect COVID-19 conditions. Service frequency averages 67 trips per day across all routes, equating to approximately 156 weekly trips per individual stop.
Frequently Asked Questions - Transport
Transport Stops Detail
Health
Health performance in Glass House Mountains is lower than average with common health conditions somewhat prevalent across both younger and older age cohorts
Glass House Mountains faces significant health challenges according to AreaSearch's assessment.
Mortality rates and chronic condition prevalence are high among both younger and older age groups. Private health cover is relatively low at approximately 51% of the total population (~3,165 people). The most common medical conditions in the area are arthritis and mental health issues, affecting 9.5% and 8.9% of residents respectively. However, 64.9% of residents declare themselves completely clear of medical ailments compared to 67.6% across Regional Qld. Working-age residents show above average prevalence of chronic health conditions. The area has 19.2% of residents aged 65 and over (1,186 people), which is lower than the 20.4% in Regional Qld. Health outcomes among seniors present some challenges, with national rankings broadly in line with the general population.
Frequently Asked Questions - Health
Cultural Diversity
Glass House Mountains is considerably less culturally diverse than average when assessed alongside AreaSearch's national rankings for language and cultural background related metrics
Glass House Mountains had a population with 83.2% born in Australia, 89.3% being citizens, and 95.7% speaking English only at home. Christianity was the predominant religion, comprising 46.7% of the population, compared to 52.2% across Regional Qld. The top three ancestry groups were English (33.2%), Australian (27.3%), and Scottish (8.8%).
Notably, Dutch (1.9%) was overrepresented in Glass House Mountains compared to the regional average (1.1%), as were New Zealanders (1.1% vs 0.9%) and Germans (5.3% vs 4.7%).
Frequently Asked Questions - Diversity
Age
Glass House Mountains's median age exceeds the national pattern
The median age in Glass House Mountains is 41 years, matching Regional Queensland's average of 41 years but somewhat older than Australia's average of 38 years. Compared to Regional Queensland, Glass House Mountains has a higher percentage of residents aged 35-44 (14.4%) but fewer residents aged 25-34 (10.8%). According to the 2021 Census, the proportion of residents aged 35-44 has increased from 12.8% to 14.4%. Conversely, the proportion of residents aged 65-74 has decreased from 12.0% to 10.6%, and the proportion of residents aged 55-64 has dropped from 13.5% to 12.3%. Looking ahead to 2041, demographic projections indicate significant shifts in Glass House Mountains' age structure. The 35-44 age group is expected to grow by 23%, reaching 1,098 people from the current 890. Conversely, the 55-64 and 15-24 age groups are projected to experience population declines.