Golden Beach (Qld)

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

Golden Beach's population was 5,646 as of Aug 2021. By Nov 2025, it is estimated at around 6,098, an increase of 452 people (8.0%). This change is inferred from AreaSearch's estimate of 5,882 residents following examination of the latest ERP data release by the ABS (June 2024), and an additional 53 validated new addresses since the Census date. This results in a population density ratio of 2,170 persons per square kilometer, above the average seen across national locations assessed by AreaSearch. Over the past decade, Golden Beach has demonstrated resilient growth patterns with a compound annual growth rate of 2.0%, outpacing the non-metro area. Population growth for the suburb was primarily driven by interstate migration contributing approximately 59.0% of overall population gains during recent periods.

AreaSearch is adopting ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area, released in 2024 with a base year of 2022. For areas not covered and years post-2032, Queensland State Government's SA2 area projections are adopted, based on 2021 data and released in 2023. These state projections do not provide age category splits; hence proportional growth weightings aligned with the ABS Greater Capital Region projections (released in 2023, based on 2022 data) are applied for each age cohort where utilised. Future population trends project an above median growth of Australian non-metropolitan areas, with the suburb expected to expand by 1,354 persons to 2041, reflecting a gain of 22.0% in total over the 17 years.

AreaSearch assessment of residential development activity positions Golden Beach among the top 25% of areas assessed nationwide

Golden Beach has seen approximately 26 residential properties approved each year over the past five financial years, totalling around 133 homes. In FY-26 so far, 12 approvals have been recorded. This averages out to about 3.8 new residents per home built annually between FY-21 and FY-25. The average construction cost value for these properties is $835,000, indicating a focus on the premium market segment.

In this financial year, commercial approvals have reached $608,000, reflecting the area's residential nature. Compared to the rest of Queensland, Golden Beach has significantly less development activity, at 69.0% below the regional average per person. This limited new supply generally supports stronger demand and values for established dwellings. However, there has been an increase in development activity recently.

The majority of new building activity consists of standalone homes (78.0%), with medium and high-density housing making up the remainder (22.0%). This sustains the area's suburban identity, with a concentration of family homes suited to buyers seeking space. The location currently has approximately 164 people per dwelling approval, indicating an expanding market. According to the latest AreaSearch quarterly estimate, Golden Beach is expected to grow by 1,342 residents through to 2041. At current development rates, housing supply may struggle to match population growth, potentially heightening buyer competition and supporting price increases.

Golden Beach has strong levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the top 30% nationally

Changes in local infrastructure significantly impact an area's performance. AreaSearch has identified 27 projects that could affect the region. Notable ones include Palm Lake Resort Pelican Waters, Aura Brook Parklands Development, Pelican Waters Infrastructure Upgrade B, and Caloundra South Industrial Precinct. The following list details those most likely to be relevant.

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

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.

Employment conditions in Golden Beach demonstrate strong performance, ranking among the top 35% of areas assessed nationally

Golden Beach has an unemployment rate of 1.8%, as per AreaSearch aggregation of statistical area data. As of June 2025, 2,692 residents are employed while the unemployment rate is 2.1% lower than Rest of Qld's rate of 3.9%.

Workforce participation in Golden Beach stands at 45.7%, compared to Rest of Qld's 59.1%. The dominant employment sectors among residents include health care & social assistance, construction, and accommodation & food. Construction is particularly prominent, with an employment share 1.4 times the regional level. Agriculture, forestry & fishing has limited presence, at 1.1% compared to the region's 4.5%.

The area appears to offer limited local employment opportunities, as indicated by Census data comparing working population and resident population. Between June 2024 and June 2025, the labour force decreased by 1.8%, with employment decreasing by 1.1%, leading to a fall in unemployment rate of 0.7 percentage points. In contrast, Rest of Qld saw employment growth of 1.8% and labour force expansion of 2.0%, with unemployment rising by 0.2 percentage points. 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 Golden Beach's employment mix suggests local employment should increase by 6.9% over five years and 14.1% over ten years, though this is a simple weighting extrapolation for illustrative purposes only.

The area's income levels rank in the lower 15% nationally based on AreaSearch comparative data

AreaSearch's latest postcode level ATO data for financial year 2022 shows Golden Beach's median income among taxpayers is $43,422. The average income is $55,439. This is lower than the national average. Rest of Qld has a median income of $50,780 and an average of $64,844. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 13.99% since financial year 2022, current estimates for Golden Beach are approximately $49,497 (median) and $63,195 (average) as of September 2025. Census data indicates household, family and personal incomes in Golden Beach fall between the 10th and 20th percentiles nationally. Income analysis reveals 27.5% of the population falls within the $800 - 1,499 income range, differing from the surrounding region where the $1,500 - 2,999 category is predominant at 31.7%. Housing affordability pressures are severe in Golden Beach, with only 81.4% of income remaining, ranking at the 10th percentile nationally.

Golden Beach displays a diverse mix of dwelling types, with above-average rates of outright home ownership

Golden Beach's dwellings, as per the latest Census, consisted of 56.6% houses and 43.4% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings). In comparison, Non-Metro Qld had 70.4% houses and 29.6% other dwellings. Home ownership in Golden Beach stood at 48.3%, with mortgaged dwellings at 19.4% and rented ones at 32.3%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $1,907, lower than Non-Metro Qld's average of $1,950. Median weekly rent in Golden Beach was $400, compared to Non-Metro Qld's $450. Nationally, Golden Beach's mortgage repayments were higher at $1,907 versus the Australian average of $1,863, while rents were also higher at $400 compared to the national figure of $375.

Golden Beach features high concentrations of lone person households and group households, with a lower-than-average median household size

Family households account for 61.2% of all households, including 15.6% couples with children, 34.4% couples without children, and 10.4% single parent families. Non-family households make up the remaining 38.8%, with lone person households at 34.7% and group households comprising 4.1%. The median household size is 2.1 people, smaller than the Rest of Qld average of 2.5.

Educational attainment in Golden Beach aligns closely with national averages, showing typical qualification patterns and performance metrics

The area's university qualification rate is 19.8%, significantly lower than the Australian average of 30.4%. This presents both a challenge and an opportunity for targeted educational initiatives. Bachelor degrees are the most common, at 13.6%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (3.8%) and graduate diplomas (2.4%). Vocational credentials are prevalent, with 39.1% of residents aged 15+ holding them, including advanced diplomas (11.5%) and certificates (27.6%).

A substantial 21.2% of the population is actively pursuing formal education, comprising 7.4% in primary, 6.6% in secondary, and 3.4% in tertiary education. Golden Beach State School serves the local area with an enrollment of 579 students, operating under typical Australian school conditions (ICSEA: 1029) with balanced educational opportunities. The single school focuses exclusively on primary education, with secondary options available nearby. There are fewer school places per 100 residents (9.5) compared to the regional average (13.2), indicating some students may attend schools in adjacent areas.

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

Golden Beach has 26 operational public transport stops, serving a variety of bus routes. These stops are collectively responsible for facilitating 98 weekly passenger trips. The accessibility of transport in Golden Beach is rated as good, with residents typically residing 205 meters away from the nearest transport stop.

On average, there are 14 trips per day across all routes, translating to approximately 3 weekly trips per individual stop.

Health performance in Golden Beach is a key challenge with a range of health conditions having marked impacts on both younger and older age cohorts

Golden Beach faces significant health challenges, with various conditions affecting both younger and older age groups. As of approximately 2021, around 49% of Golden Beach's total population had private health cover (~2,998 people), compared to 52.7% in the rest of Queensland and a national average of 55.3%. The most prevalent medical conditions were arthritis (12.5%) and mental health issues (8.6%).

Conversely, 57.3% of residents reported having no medical ailments, lower than the 66.2% figure for the rest of Queensland. Golden Beach has a higher proportion of residents aged 65 and over, with 36.6% (2,231 people), compared to 22.3% in the rest of Queensland.

Golden Beach is considerably less culturally diverse than average when assessed alongside AreaSearch's national rankings for language and cultural background related metrics

Golden Beach had a cultural diversity index below the average, with 82.6% of its population born in Australia, 89.1% being citizens, and 96.5% speaking English only at home. Christianity was the predominant religion, making up 56.7% of Golden Beach's population compared to 50.0% across the rest of Queensland. The top three ancestry groups were English (34.0%), Australian (25.9%), and Irish (10.2%).

Notably, Scottish ancestry was overrepresented at 9.6% in Golden Beach compared to 8.8% regionally, while New Zealand and German ancestries remained similar at 1.1% and 5.3%, respectively.

Golden Beach ranks among the oldest 10% of areas nationwide

Golden Beach's median age is 55, which is considerably higher than Rest of Qld's figure of 41 and substantially exceeds the national norm of 38. Compared to Rest of Qld, Golden Beach has a higher concentration of 75-84 residents at 14.2%, but fewer 25-34 year-olds at 6.8%. This concentration of 75-84 residents is well above the national figure of 6.0%. From the 2021 Census to present, the 75 to 84 age group has grown from 12.5% to 14.2% of the population. Conversely, the 45 to 54 cohort has declined from 13.0% to 11.4%, and the 65 to 74 group has dropped from 18.2% to 16.7%. Looking ahead to 2041, demographic projections reveal significant shifts in Golden Beach's age structure. The 85+ group is projected to grow by 135%, reaching 818 people from 347. Those aged 65 and above will comprise 69% of this growth. Conversely, the 15 to 24 group is projected to contract by 31 residents.