Holloways Beach

Holloways Beach is positioned among the lower quartile of areas assessed nationally for population growth based on AreaSearch's assessment of recent, and medium term trends

As of November 2025, the population of the Holloways Beach statistical area (Lv2) is estimated at around 2,403 people. This reflects an increase of 5 people since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 2,398 people. The current resident population estimate of 2,401 by AreaSearch is based on examination of the latest ERP data release by the ABS in June 2024 and address validation since the Census date. This results in a density ratio of 429 persons per square kilometer. Population growth was primarily driven by overseas migration contributing approximately 75.0% during recent periods, although all drivers including interstate migration and natural growth were positive factors.

AreaSearch adopts ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area released in 2024 with 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 based on 2021 data are adopted. However, these state projections do not provide age category splits, so AreaSearch applies proportional growth weightings in line with the ABS Greater Capital Region projections released in 2023 based on 2022 data for each age cohort. Considering projected demographic shifts, a population increase just below the median of Australia's regional areas is expected by 2041. The Holloways Beach (SA2) is projected to increase by 184 persons, reflecting a gain of 9.4% in total over the 17 years.

AreaSearch assessment of residential development drivers sees a low level of activity in Holloways Beach, placing the area among the bottom 25% of areas assessed nationally

Holloways Beach has had minimal development activity over the past five years, with an average of less than one approval per year, totalling four in total. This low level of development is typical of rural areas where housing needs are relatively modest and construction activity is limited by local demand and infrastructure capacity. It should be noted that with such low approval numbers, yearly growth figures and relativities can vary significantly based on individual projects.

Compared to the rest of Queensland and national patterns, Holloways Beach has substantially lower development levels.

Holloways Beach has strong levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the top 40% nationally

No changes can significantly affect a region's performance like alterations to local infrastructure, major projects, and planning initiatives. AreaSearch has identified zero projects that are predicted to impact the area. Notable projects include Navigation Drive Road Link, Cairns Airport International Terminal Upgrade, Bluewater Living, and Cairns Ring Road, with the following list providing details on 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.

Holloways Beach shows employment indicators that trail behind approximately 70% of regions assessed across Australia

Holloways Beach has a skilled workforce with well-represented essential services sectors. Its unemployment rate is 4.8%, as per AreaSearch's aggregation of statistical area data.

As of September 2025, there are 1,395 residents employed, with an unemployment rate of 4.8% compared to Rest of Qld's 4.1%. Workforce participation is at 61.6%, slightly higher than the regional average of 59.1%. The dominant employment sectors include health care & social assistance, construction, and education & training. Health care & social assistance shows strong specialization with an employment share of 1.3 times the regional level, while agriculture, forestry & fishing has limited presence at 0.7% compared to the regional average of 4.5%.

The area offers limited local employment opportunities, as indicated by the difference between Census working population and resident population. Between September 2024 and September 2025, the labour force decreased by 2.3%, with employment decreasing by 4.0%, causing the unemployment rate to rise by 1.7 percentage points. In contrast, Rest of Qld saw employment growth of 1.7% and a labour force expansion of 2.1%, with an unemployment rate increase of 0.3 percentage points. State-level data from November 25 shows Queensland's employment contracted by 0.01% (losing 1,210 jobs), with the state unemployment rate at 4.2%, closely aligned with the national rate of 4.3%. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May-25 suggest that national employment will expand by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, although growth rates vary significantly between industry sectors. Applying these projections to Holloways Beach's employment mix indicates potential local employment increases of 6.9% over five years and 14.2% over ten years.

Income levels sit below national averages according to AreaSearch assessment

According to AreaSearch's aggregation of the latest postcode level ATO data released on June 30th, 2023, Holloways Beach had a median income among taxpayers of $51,703 with an average level of $62,297. This is lower than national averages of $53,146 and $66,593 in Rest of Qld respectively. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 9.91% from July 2023 to September 2025, estimated incomes would be approximately $56,827 (median) and $68,471 (average). According to the 2021 Census figures, personal income ranks at the 47th percentile ($788 weekly), while household income sits at the 23rd percentile. Income brackets indicate that 30.2% of locals (725 people) predominantly earn between $1,500 and $2,999, mirroring regional trends where 31.7% fall within this bracket. Housing affordability pressures are severe in Holloways Beach, with only 83.3% of income remaining after housing costs, ranking at the 23rd percentile.

Holloways Beach displays a diverse mix of dwelling types, with a higher proportion of rental properties than the broader region

Holloways Beach's dwelling structures, as per the latest Census, consisted of 63.0% houses and 37.1% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings). In comparison, Non-Metro Qld had 80.8% houses and 19.2% other dwellings. Home ownership in Holloways Beach was 28.6%, with mortgaged dwellings at 34.4% and rented ones at 36.9%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $1,400, lower than Non-Metro Qld's average of $1,733. Weekly rent in Holloways Beach was $305, compared to Non-Metro Qld's $390. Nationally, Holloways Beach's mortgage repayments were significantly lower at $1,400 versus Australia's average of $1,863, and rents were substantially below the national figure of $375.

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

Family households account for 56.9% of all households, including 17.6% couples with children, 23.9% couples without children, and 14.4% single parent families. Non-family households constitute the remaining 43.1%, with lone person households at 36.8% and group households comprising 6.2%. The median household size is 2.1 people, which is smaller than the Rest of Qld average of 2.5.

Holloways Beach demonstrates exceptional educational outcomes, ranking among the top 5% of areas nationally based on AreaSearch's comprehensive analysis of qualification and performance metrics

In Holloways Beach, 24.0% of residents aged 15 and above hold university degrees, compared to the Australian average of 30.4%. Bachelor degrees are most common at 16.4%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (4.8%) and graduate diplomas (2.8%). Vocational credentials are also prevalent, with 42.5% of residents holding such qualifications, including advanced diplomas (12.5%) and certificates (30.0%). Educational participation is high, with 29.0% of residents currently enrolled in formal education.

This includes 8.9% in primary education, 8.6% in secondary education, and 4.1% pursuing tertiary education.

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

The analysis of public transport in Holloways Beach indicates seven active transport stops currently operating. These stops facilitate a mix of bus services, with two individual routes providing a total of 226 weekly passenger trips. The transport accessibility is rated as good, with residents typically located 255 meters from the nearest transport stop.

Service frequency averages 32 trips per day across all routes, resulting in approximately 32 weekly trips per individual stop.

Health outcomes in Holloways Beach are marginally below the national average with common health conditions slightly more prevalent than average across both younger and older age cohorts

Holloways Beach shows below-average health indicators with common conditions slightly more prevalent across all age groups compared to average.

Private health cover is relatively low at approximately 52%, covering about 1,246 people. Mental health issues and arthritis are the most common conditions, affecting 9.6% and 8.6% of residents respectively. Around 67% of residents report no medical ailments, compared to 73.1% in the rest of Queensland. The area has a higher proportion of seniors aged 65 and over at 20%, or 480 people, compared to 16.7% in the rest of Queensland. Despite this, health outcomes among seniors are strong and perform better than the general population in health metrics.

In terms of cultural diversity, Holloways Beach records figures broadly comparable to the national average, as found in AreaSearch's assessment of a number of language and cultural background related metrics

Holloways Beach has a higher than average cultural diversity, with 9.6% of its population speaking a language other than English at home and 26.1% born overseas. Christianity is the predominant religion in Holloways Beach, making up 40.0% of the population. Judaism is overrepresented compared to the Rest of Qld, comprising 0.1% versus 0.2%.

The top three ancestry groups are English (28.2%), Australian (21.6%), and Irish (10.5%). Dutch (2.2%) and Scottish (9.4%) are notably overrepresented compared to regional averages of 1.5% and 8.0%, respectively, while French remains at the same level as the region (0.7%).

Holloways Beach hosts an older demographic, ranking in the top quartile nationwide

Holloways Beach's median age is 46 years, which is significantly higher than Rest of Qld's 41 and above the national average of 38 years. Compared to Rest of Qld, Holloways Beach has a higher proportion of residents aged 55-64 (17.1%) but fewer residents aged 5-14 (8.7%). This concentration of 55-64 year-olds is well above the national average of 11.2%. Between the 2021 Census and now, the proportion of residents aged 75 to 84 has grown from 4.1% to 5.6%, while the 45 to 54 age group has declined from 17.2% to 15.5%, and the 5 to 14 age group has dropped from 10.2% to 8.7%. By 2041, Holloways Beach's age composition is expected to change notably. The 25 to 34 age group is projected to grow by 28%, reaching 357 people from the current 278. Meanwhile, the 55 to 64 and 5 to 14 age groups are expected to experience population declines.