Hope Island

Hope Island lies within the top 10% of areas nationally in terms of population growth performance according to AreaSearch analysis of short and medium-term trends

Based on ABS population updates and AreaSearch validation, the estimated population of Hope Island as of Feb 2026 is around 18,443. This reflects an increase from the 2021 Census figure of 14,522 people, a growth of 3,921 individuals (27.0%). The latest resident population estimate by AreaSearch in Jun 2024 was 17,462, with additional validated new addresses contributing to the increase since the Census date. This results in a population density ratio of 1,294 persons per square kilometer, higher than average national locations assessed by AreaSearch. Hope Island's growth rate exceeded that of Rest of Qld (9.1%) and the national average between 2021 and Feb 2026. Interstate migration drove approximately 69.0% of overall population gains during recent periods.

AreaSearch adopts ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area, released in Jun 2024 with 2022 as the base year. For areas not covered by this data and years post-2032, Queensland State Government's SA2 area projections are used, released in 2023 based on 2021 data. However, these state projections lack age category splits; thus, AreaSearch applies proportional growth weightings from ABS Greater Capital Region projections (released in 2023, based on 2022 data) for each age cohort. By 2041, the suburb of Hope Island is projected to increase by 7,561 persons, reflecting a total increase of 35.5% over the 17-year period from Feb 2026. This significant population growth is forecasted based on aggregated SA2-level projections considering demographic shifts.

The level of residential development activity in Hope Island was found to be higher than 90% of real estate markets across the country

Hope Island has seen approximately 417 new homes approved annually over the past five financial years, totalling an estimated 2,087 homes. As of FY-26246 approvals have been recorded. On average, 1.9 people move to the area per dwelling built each year between FY-21 and FY-25, indicating a balanced supply and demand scenario with stable market conditions. The average expected construction cost value for new homes is $728,000, reflecting a focus on premium properties.

In FY-26, Hope Island has seen $15.0 million in commercial development approvals, demonstrating moderate levels of commercial activity compared to the rest of Queensland, where there is 192.0% more development activity per person. Recent construction comprises 14.0% standalone homes and 86.0% medium to high-density housing, marking a significant shift from the current housing mix of 60.0% houses. There are approximately 53 people per dwelling approval in Hope Island, indicating an expanding market. Future projections estimate that Hope Island will add 6,548 residents by 2041. Based on current development patterns, new housing supply should meet demand, offering favourable conditions for buyers and potentially facilitating population growth beyond current projections.

Future projections show Hope Island adding 6,548 residents by 2041 (from the latest AreaSearch quarterly estimate). Based on current development patterns, new housing supply should readily meet demand, offering good conditions for buyers and potentially facilitating population growth beyond current projections.

Hope Island has very high levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the top 10% nationally

Changes in local infrastructure significantly impact an area's performance. AreaSearch has identified 47 projects that may affect this area. Notable ones include Hope Island Railway Station (Cross River Rail), Marina Point Apartments, Esperance Hope Island, and Coomera Urban Village Stage 3. The following details those most likely to be relevant.

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

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AreaSearch analysis places Hope Island well above average for employment performance across multiple indicators

Hope Island has a skilled workforce with diverse sector representation. As of September 2025, the unemployment rate is 2.3%. This is an increase from the previous year's estimated employment growth of 2.7%.

The area has 9,077 residents in work, which is 1.8% below Rest of Qld's unemployment rate of 4.1%. Workforce participation lags at 60.4%, compared to Rest of Qld's 65.7%. A high 25.9% of residents work from home, potentially due to Covid-19 lockdown impacts. Leading employment industries include construction, health care & social assistance, and retail trade.

Notably, professional & technical services have employment levels at 1.8 times the regional average. However, health care & social assistance is under-represented with only 12.0% of Hope Island's workforce compared to Rest of Qld's 16.1%. The area appears to offer limited local employment opportunities. Between September 2024 and September 2025, employment levels increased by 2.7%, labour force by 3.1%, resulting in an unemployment rise of 0.3 percentage points. This compares to Rest of Qld where employment grew by 1.7%, labour force expanded by 2.1%, and unemployment rose by 0.3 percentage points. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May-25 project national employment growth at 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Hope Island's employment mix suggests local employment should increase by 6.6% over five years and 13.4% over ten years, though this is a simple weighting extrapolation for illustrative purposes only.

Income levels align closely with national averages, indicating typical economic conditions for Australian communities according to AreaSearch analysis

The suburb of Hope Island has a median taxpayer income of $52,754 and an average income of $76,321 according to postcode level ATO data aggregated by AreaSearch for the financial year 2023. Nationally, this is high compared to Rest of Qld's median income of $53,146 and average income of $66,593. Based on Wage Price Index growth since then, estimated incomes as of September 2025 would be approximately $57,982 (median) and $83,884 (average). Census data shows household, family and personal incomes in Hope Island are at the 61st percentile nationally. The predominant income cohort spans 31.0% of locals, with 5,717 people earning between $1,500 - 2,999. This is similar to surrounding regions where 31.7% fall into this range. High housing costs consume 16.0% of income, but strong earnings place disposable income at the 61st percentile nationally. The area's SEIFA income ranking places it in the 7th decile.

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

In Hope Island, as per the latest Census evaluation, 60.2% of dwellings were houses with the remaining 39.8% being semi-detached homes, apartments, and other types of dwellings. This contrasts with Non-Metro Qld's dwelling structure which was 76.4% houses and 23.6% other dwellings. The home ownership rate in Hope Island stood at 41.4%, with mortgaged dwellings accounting for 30.7% and rented dwellings making up 27.9%. The median monthly mortgage repayment in the area was $2,200, higher than Non-Metro Qld's average of $1,655. The median weekly rent figure in Hope Island was recorded at $550, compared to Non-Metro Qld's $345. Nationally, Hope Island's mortgage repayments were significantly higher than the Australian average of $1,863, while rents were substantially above the national figure of $375.

Hope Island features high concentrations of family households, with a lower-than-average median household size

Family households constitute 77.8% of all households, including 26.1% couples with children, 42.5% couples without children, and 8.5% single parent families. Non-family households account for the remaining 22.2%, with lone person households at 19.0% and group households comprising 3.2%. The median household size is 2.4 people, which is smaller than the Rest of Qld average of 2.5.

Hope Island shows strong educational performance, ranking in the upper quartile nationally when assessed across multiple qualification and achievement indicators

The area's educational profile is notable regionally with university qualification rates at 26.8% for residents aged 15+, surpassing the Rest of Qld average of 20.6%. This rate also exceeds that of the SA3 area at 20.7%, indicating a community emphasis on higher education. Bachelor degrees are most prevalent at 18.3%, followed by postgraduate qualifications at 6.3% and graduate diplomas at 2.2%.

Trade and technical skills are prominent, with 37.3% of residents aged 15+ holding vocational credentials - advanced diplomas at 14.4% and certificates at 22.9%. Educational participation is high, with 25.2% of residents currently enrolled in formal education, including 7.9% in primary education, 7.2% in secondary education, and 5.2% pursuing tertiary education.

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

Public transport analysis shows 14 active stops operating within Hope Island. These stops serve a mix of bus routes, with two individual routes providing a total of 250 weekly passenger trips. Transport accessibility is rated as limited, with residents typically located 695 meters from the nearest stop. As a primarily residential area, most residents commute outward. Car remains the dominant mode of transport at 94%. Vehicle ownership averages 1.6 per dwelling.

According to the 2021 Census, 25.9% of residents work from home, which may reflect COVID-19 conditions. Service frequency averages 35 trips per day across all routes, equating to approximately 17 weekly trips per individual stop.

Hope Island's residents boast exceedingly positive health performance metrics with very low prevalence of common health conditions across all age groups

Health outcomes data shows exceptional results across Hope Island. AreaSearch's assessment reveals very low prevalence of common health conditions across all age groups and a high rate of private health cover at approximately 57% of the total population (~10,593 people), compared to 52.5% across the Rest of Qld.

The most prevalent medical conditions are arthritis (9.2%) and asthma (6.1%). Notably, 68.4% of residents declare themselves completely clear of medical ailments, compared to 67.6% across the Rest of Qld. Working-age residents exhibit low chronic condition prevalence. The area has a higher proportion of seniors aged 65 and over at 27.1% (4,998 people), compared to 20.4% in the Rest of Qld. Health outcomes among seniors are particularly strong, aligning with national rankings for the general population.

The level of cultural diversity witnessed in Hope Island was found to be above average when compared nationally for a number of language and cultural background related metrics

Hope Island's population was found to be more culturally diverse than most local markets, with 12.6% speaking a language other than English at home and 37.7% born overseas. Christianity was the predominant religion, comprising 56.7% of Hope Island's population. Notably, Judaism had an overrepresentation of 0.4%, compared to 0.1% in the rest of Queensland.

In terms of ancestry, the top three groups were English (33.4%), Australian (20.0%), and Scottish (8.4%). There were also notable divergences in certain ethnic groups: South African at 1.4% (vs regional 0.5%), New Zealand at 1.3% (vs 0.9%), and Russian at 0.6% (vs 0.2%).

Hope Island ranks among the oldest 10% of areas nationwide

Hope Island's median age is 49 years, significantly above the Rest of Qld average of 41 and exceeding the national average of 38 years. The age profile shows that individuals aged 65-74 are particularly prominent at 14.4%, while those aged 5-14 are relatively smaller at 8.5% compared to the Rest of Qld. Between 2021 and present, the population aged 25-34 has grown from 8.5% to 10.5%, and the 15-24 cohort has increased from 9.7% to 11.4%. Conversely, the 45-54 group has declined from 14.5% to 12.7%, and the 65-74 group has decreased from 16.1% to 14.4%. By 2041, Hope Island's age composition is expected to change significantly. Notably, the 65-74 group is projected to grow by 39%, adding 1,024 people and reaching a total of 3,680 from the current 2,655.