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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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Highland Park has an estimated 6,858 residents, up from 6,576 at the 2021 Census — a change of 282 people, or 4.3%. Growth has averaged 0.7% a year over five years. That puts 1,728 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
Analysis of ABS demographic updates alongside address tracking from AreaSearch indicates the suburb of Highland Park has an estimated population of 6,858 as of May 2026. This representing a growth of 282 residents (4.3%) since the 2021 Census, when the count stood at 6,576. This figure is derived from an ERP baseline of 6,854 reported by the ABS in June 2025, combined with 5 validated new addresses registered subsequently. The area has a density of 1,727 persons per square kilometer, which exceeds typical national averages. The suburb's 4.3% growth rate is within 2.3 percentage points of the wider SA3 region (6.6%), indicating solid local demand.
Natural increase was the primary contributor to these gains, accounting for roughly 56.00000000000001% of the total population rise. Projections utilized here originate from ABS and Geoscience Australia data published in 2024 using 2022 as the base year, supplemented by 2023 Queensland Government projections based on 2021 numbers where necessary or for periods beyond 2032. Because state projections lack age-specific breakdowns, AreaSearch applies age cohort distribution ratios from the 2023 ABS Greater Capital Region projections (using 2022 baseline data). Based on these collective SA2 forecasts, the suburb of Highland Park is expected to experience population expansion slightly below the national regional median, with a projected gain of 468 residents by 2041, representing a total increase of 6.8% over the 16 years.
Frequently Asked Questions - Population
31 new dwellings have been approved in Highland Park over the past five years, an average of 6 a year. That is 0.9 approvals per 1,000 residents. Approvals are currently running at an annualised 3, well below 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
Building approvals data from the ABS indicates that Highland Park averages approximately 6 residential approvals per year, summing to 31 new homes over the last 5 financial years. In the current FY-26 period, 3 approvals have been logged. With an average influx of 7.3 new residents per finished home between FY-21 and FY-25, demand continues to outstrip supply, driving up buyer competition and pricing. Newly approved residential builds carry an average value of $456,000, which sits moderately higher than regional averages, showing a focus on higher-quality development. Furthermore, commercial approvals have reached $2.0 million this financial year, reinforcing the residential nature of the suburb.
Compared to the Rest of Qld, development intensity in Highland Park is low, sitting at 64.0% below the regional per capita benchmark. This constrained supply helps maintain values and demand for existing houses, despite a recent uptick in building tasks. Local building activity remains below national levels, pointing to the mature state of the local market and potential zoning constraints. All recent approvals have been for detached houses, which preserves the traditional family-friendly, low-density feel of the suburb. The ratio of residents to annual home approvals stands at roughly 806 people per dwelling approval, typical of an established suburb. Long-term estimates suggest the local population will grow by 464 residents by 2041. If construction volumes do not rise above current trends, the supply of housing will likely fall short of demographic growth, which will intensify competition and support upward price movement.
Frequently Asked Questions - Development
Development applications around Highland Park
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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 4 current infrastructure and development projects inside Highland Park, worth an estimated $45 million. A further 64 sit in the immediately surrounding suburbs, taking the tracked pipeline within reach of the area to $33.6 billion. 22 are already under construction and 26 are due for completion within three years. The pipeline spans residential development, transport & logistics and communities, precincts & urban renewal. 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 infrastructure projects and planning changes represent key drivers of area performance. There are 4 major projects identified by AreaSearch that are expected to impact the local market. The most notable developments include the Hinkler Drive Retail Showroom Complex, the Mooyumbin Creek Riparian Restoration, the Highland Park Investigation Area, and The Summit Highland Park.
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INFRASTRUCTURE SEARCH
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Frequently Asked Questions - Infrastructure
Hinkler Drive Retail Showroom Complex
Planned large-format retail and showroom complex on a prominent Hinkler Drive site beside the Pacific Motorway at Highland Park. Plans reported as lodged with Gold Coast City Council propose five buildings: three single-storey showroom or retail buildings with flexible tenancies, plus two two-level buildings for retail, office and cafe uses. The project is intended to expand the local commercial and bulky-goods retail offer near the SkyRidge growth area and generate local employment.
Mooyumbin Creek Riparian Restoration
Restoration of up to 2.5 hectares of riparian zones along Mooyumbin Creek within the lower Nerang River catchment. The project aims to improve water quality, stabilize banks, control environmental weeds such as Cats Claw Creeper, and enhance biodiversity. Initial works commenced in late 2021 with ongoing maintenance scheduled until 2027.
Serenity Estate - Gilston
Serenity Estate - Gilston is a 31 lot residential subdivision in the family friendly suburb of Gilston on the western Gold Coast. The project delivers flat, usable lots ranging from about 426 m2 to 1,282 m2, with civil works and roads completed and land now being sold for detached homes close to schools, shops and parks.
New Street Social Housing Development
A 5-storey mid-rise development providing 60 apartments, comprising 53 social homes and 7 affordable homes. Designed by Plus Architecture, the project features multi-level breezeways, subtropical landscaping, and a durable material palette of precast concrete with navy blue screening. It is the flagship project of Vinnies Queensland's 500 Homes initiative, providing secure housing for vulnerable residents including those impacted by domestic violence or disability.
Highland Park Investigation Area
City of Gold Coast investigation area assessing suitability for future housing and employment around Central Winderadeen Drive. Stage 2 technical investigations including ecological, bushfire, and infrastructure assessments are complete. As of December 2024, the project is on hold pending the outcomes of the Local Growth Management Strategy.
The Summit Highland Park
A prestigious gated community of 24 luxury homes with sweeping views from the Pacific Ocean to the hinterland, positioned on one of the Gold Coast's highest natural elevations.
Kokomo Gold Coast
Luxury riverfront residential development comprising 66 apartments across two six-level buildings with 75 metres of Nerang River frontage. Features include an infinity pool, resident jetty, landscaped recreation areas and premium finishes. Construction is in its final stages with apartments now being marketed as ready for occupation during 2026.
Serenity Estate
A brand-new subdivision nestled in one of the Gold Coast's most family-friendly suburbs, Gilston, offering 31 blocks of land with a variety of sizes for building spacious family homes or securing investments.
3,650 residents of Highland Park are employed, from a labour force of 3,782. Unemployment sits at 3.5%, with participation at 67.1%. Weighted for its industry mix, the area's sectors are forecast to grow about 6.5% nationally over five years. That reflects industry composition only and makes no allowance for local population growth. The working-day population is estimated at 5,523, about 81% 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
The local workforce is characterized by a strong presence of essential services workers, a low unemployment rate of 3.5%, and annual job growth of 3.8% based on localized data. As of March 2026, there are 3,650 employed residents. The unemployment rate is 0.4% lower than the Regional Qld average of 3.9%, and the participation rate is standard at 67.1% compared to 64.3% across Regional Qld. Census records indicate that 12.4% of the working population worked from home, though this figure reflects pandemic-related restrictions. The largest sectors for local employment are health care & social assistance, construction, and retail trade.
The suburb shows a notable concentration in the construction sector, where the employment proportion is 1.3 times the regional average. Conversely, agriculture, forestry & fishing accounts for only 0.3% of local workers compared to 4.5% across the region. Given the difference between the local working population and resident counts, the suburb is primarily residential and offers limited local commercial employment. Based on local aggregations of SALM and ABS statistics, employment rose by 3.8% and the labor force expanded by 3.1% during the 12 months ending March 2026, leading to a 0.7 percentage point drop in unemployment. During the same timeframe, Regional Qld saw employment rise by 0.1%, labor force increase by 0.3%, and unemployment edge up by 0.1 percentage points. National employment forecasts from May-25 compiled by Jobs and Skills Australia point to future demand trends. Extrapolating these national benchmarks against the local industry mix suggests local employment could grow by 6.5% over five years and 13.5% over ten years, compared to wider national projections of 6.6% and 13.7% respectively, assuming local industry composition remains constant.
Frequently Asked Questions - Employment
Median household income in Highland Park is $1,609 a week (about $84,000 a year), with median personal income at $722 a week. ATO records put median taxable income at $49,781 a year against an average of $62,246. 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
Taxpayer statistics for the financial year 2023 show a median income of $49,781 and an average income of $62,246 in Highland Park. These levels are below national averages and also trail the Regional Qld median of $53,146 and average of $66,593. Factoring in Wage Price Index growth of 11.36% since the financial year 2023, local incomes are estimated at approximately $55,436 (median) and $69,317 (average) as of March 2026. At the 2021 Census, local household, family, and individual incomes fell between the 32nd and 42nd percentiles. The largest income bracket is the $1,500 - 2,999 range, comprising 33.1% of households (2,269 people), which is comparable to the regional rate of 31.7%.
Housing costs consume a significant portion of earnings, leaving only 82.9% of disposable income, placing the area in the 41st percentile for affordability and the 5th decile of the SEIFA index.
Frequently Asked Questions - Income
Highland Park had 2,373 occupied dwellings at the 2021 Census, 85% detached houses and 10% apartments. 48% are owned with a mortgage, 18% rented and 35% owned outright. At that Census the median rent was $430 a week and the median mortgage repayment $1,800 a month. Rent absorbs 26.7% of household income here and mortgage repayments 25.8%. Dwelling stock, tenure and housing costs are 2021 Census measures — the only source that counts dwellings at this boundary size.
Detail
The housing stock in Highland Park at the time of the latest Census consisted of 85.1% standalone houses and 14.9% other dwellings, such as townhouses and apartments, compared to 76.4% and 23.6% in Regional Qld. Home ownership rates match the regional benchmark at 34.6%, with the remaining properties occupied by mortgage holders (47.7%) or tenants (17.8%). The median monthly mortgage payment of $1,800 is higher than the Regional Qld average of $1,655, while the median weekly rent of $430 also exceeds the regional figure of $345. Locally, mortgage costs are lower than the Australian average of $1,863, but rents are higher than the national median of $375.
Frequently Asked Questions - Housing
Highland Park counted 2,373 households at the 2021 Census, averaging 2.7 people each. 34% are couples with children, against 30% couples without children. 19% 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 77.5% of local households, consisting of couples with children (34.0%), couples without children (30.1%), and single parents (12.5%). Single-person households comprise 19.0% of the area and group households make up 3.1%, bringing total non-family households to 22.5%. The average household size of 2.7 people is slightly larger than the Regional Qld average of 2.5.
Frequently Asked Questions - Households
19.0% of adults in Highland Park hold a university qualification, including 13.6% with a bachelor degree and 3.4% with postgraduate qualifications. A further 28.6% hold a vocational qualification. 1 school serves the area, with 578 enrolment places and an average ICSEA of 974 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
Tertiary attainment in the area is lower than average, with 19.0% of residents holding a university qualification compared to the national rate of 30.4%. Bachelor degrees are held by 13.6% of residents, postgraduate qualifications by 3.4%, and graduate diplomas by 2.0%. Vocational training is common, with 42.1% of the population aged 15+ holding technical credentials, consisting of advanced diplomas (13.5%) and certificates (28.6%). Student representation is strong, with 26.9% of the population actively enrolled in education. This cohort comprises 9.5% in primary schools, 7.9% in secondary schools, and 3.9% in higher education programs.
Frequently Asked Questions - Education
Schools Detail
Public transport in Highland Park reaches 12 stops on 4 routes, timetabled for about 360 services a week. The typical home sits about 410 m from its nearest stop. Households keep an average of 1.7 vehicles. Stop and service counts are built from operators' published GTFS timetables and refresh with each timetable release; vehicle ownership is from the 2021 Census.
Detail
The suburb has 12 active public transport stops, served by bus routes. These stops accommodate 4 different routes, supporting 355 weekly passenger trips. Public transport accessibility is moderate, with residents living an average of 414 meters from their nearest stop. Car travel remains the primary commute option, utilized by 94% of residents. Vehicle ownership stands at 1.7 cars per household, which is above the regional average. A total of 12.4% of residents worked from home during the 2021 Census, which was likely influenced by temporary pandemic conditions. Buses run at an average frequency of 50 trips per day across all routes, which translates to roughly 29 weekly trips per stop.
Frequently Asked Questions - Transport
Transport Stops Detail
67.2% of residents in Highland Park report no long-term health condition. 6.0% need daily assistance with core activities, and 51.9% hold private health cover. The standardised death rate runs at 5.3 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 the area are positive overall, with local rates of illness and mortality aligning closely with national averages across different age demographics. The proportion of residents with private health insurance is relatively low, standing at approximately 52% of the population, which equates to ~3,557 people. Arthritis and asthma are the most prevalent chronic conditions, affecting 9.4 and 7.9% of residents. A total of 67.2% of residents reported having no chronic health issues, compared to 67.6% across Regional Qld. Health indicators for working-age residents are typical. Residents aged 65 and over represent 20.9% of the population (1,433 people), and health outcomes for this senior cohort rank above national averages.
Frequently Asked Questions - Health
27.8% of Highland Park residents were born overseas and 10.3% speak a language other than English at home. The largest reported ancestries are English (31.5%) and Australian (24.1%). Ancestry, language and country of birth are counted only by the Census, so these are 2021 figures.
Detail
The area has moderate cultural diversity, with 10.3% of residents speaking a non-English language at home and 27.8% born outside Australia. Christianity is the primary religion, representing 50.6% of the population. The most distinct religious overrepresentation relative to the region is Judaism, which accounts for 0.2% of the community compared to 0.1% across Regional Qld. The most common ancestries reported are English at 31.5%, Australian at 24.1%, and Other at 8.1%. Several demographic anomalies exist, with New Zealand ancestry representing 1.7% of residents (compared to 0.9% regionally), Maori ancestry at 1.9% (compared to 0.8% regionally), and French ancestry at 0.7% (compared to 0.5% regionally).
Frequently Asked Questions - Diversity
The median resident of Highland Park is 41. That is 1 year younger than at the 2021 Census. 23.4% 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 of 41 years matches the regional average, but is older than the national median of 38 years. Highland Park has a higher share of residents aged 35 - 44 (14.5%) and a smaller share aged 55 - 64 (11.4%) relative to Regional Qld. Since the 2021 Census, the 35 to 44 cohort has expanded from 13.0% to 14.5%, while the 55 to 64 group contracted from 13.1% to 11.4% and the 45 to 54 group fell from 13.2% to 12.1%. By 2041, demographic projections suggest the 25 to 34 age bracket will grow by 23% (188 people), rising from 829 to 1,018, while the 55 to 64 and 15 to 24 groups are expected to contract.
Frequently Asked Questions - Age
Data & MethodBoundaries, Sources & Method for Highland Park
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 | Jun 2026 2 months ago all 4 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 Jun 2026. | ||
| 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) | Aug 2026 this 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 — 5 validated new addresses here. The headline figure is therefore a current estimate for May 2026, not a 2021 count (6,576 at the 2021 Census → 6,858 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 (SAL31333). QuickStats reports 2021 only — the figures on this page are more current wherever the ledger shows a later date.