Little Mountain

Little Mountain lies within the top quartile of areas nationally for population growth performance according to AreaSearch analysis of recent, and medium to long-term trends

Based on analysis of ABS population updates for the broader area, as of November 2025, Little Mountain's population is estimated at around 11,775. This reflects an increase of 707 people since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 11,068. The change is inferred from AreaSearch's estimation of the resident population at 11,329 following examination of the latest ERP data release by the ABS in June 2024, and an additional 234 validated new addresses since the Census date. This level of population equates to a density ratio of 1,555 persons per square kilometer, above the average seen across national locations assessed by AreaSearch. Over the past decade, Little Mountain has demonstrated resilient growth patterns with a compound annual growth rate of 4.0%, outpacing the SA3 area. Population growth was primarily driven by interstate migration contributing approximately 76.0% of overall population gains during recent periods, although all drivers including overseas migration and natural growth were positive factors.

AreaSearch is adopting ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area as 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. It should be noted that these state projections do not provide age category splits; hence where utilised, AreaSearch is applying proportional growth weightings in line with the ABS Greater Capital Region projections released in 2023 based on 2022 data for each age cohort. Moving forward with demographic trends, a significant population increase in the top quartile of regional areas across the nation is forecast. The area is expected to grow by 5,024 persons to 2041 based on aggregated SA2-level projections, reflecting an increase of 47.1% in total over the 17 years.

AreaSearch assessment of residential development activity positions Little Mountain among the top 25% of areas assessed nationwide

Based on AreaSearch analysis of ABS building approval numbers derived from statistical area data, Little Mountain has recorded approximately 65 residential properties granted approval annually. Over the past five financial years, between FY-21 and FY-25, around 325 homes were approved, with an additional 16 approved so far in FY-26. On average, 6.2 people have moved to the area each year for each dwelling built over these five years.

This significant demand exceeds new supply, typically leading to price growth and increased buyer competition. New homes are being constructed at an average expected cost of $420,000. In FY-26, $35,000 in commercial approvals have been registered, indicating a predominantly residential focus. Compared to the Rest of Qld, Little Mountain shows substantially reduced construction activity, with 60.0% below the regional average per person. This scarcity of new homes usually strengthens demand and prices for existing properties.

New development consists of 52.0% detached dwellings and 48.0% townhouses or apartments, offering an expanding range of medium-density options to cater to varying price brackets. This represents a considerable shift from the current housing mix, which is currently 85.0% houses, reflecting reduced availability of development sites and addressing shifting lifestyle demands and affordability requirements. With around 323 people per dwelling approval, Little Mountain exhibits characteristics of a low-density area. Future projections based on the latest AreaSearch quarterly estimate suggest that Little Mountain will add approximately 5,549 residents by 2041. At current development rates, housing supply may struggle to match population growth, potentially heightening buyer competition and supporting price increases.

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

Changes to local infrastructure significantly impact an area's performance. AreaSearch has identified 19 projects likely to affect the region. Notable ones include Aura District Sports Parks, Aura (Caloundra South) Infrastructure, Honey Farm Sport and Recreation Precinct, and Heritage Lane Estate Little Mountain. The following list details those most relevant.

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

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AreaSearch assessment positions Little Mountain ahead of most Australian regions for employment performance

Little Mountain has a skilled workforce with essential services sectors well represented. Its unemployment rate is 2.9%, as per AreaSearch's aggregation of statistical area data.

As of September 2025, 6,095 residents are employed, and the unemployment rate is 1.2% below Rest of Qld's rate of 4.1%. Workforce participation stands at 56.9%, compared to Rest of Qld's 59.1%. Leading employment industries include health care & social assistance, construction, and retail trade. Construction is particularly strong, with an employment share 1.4 times the regional level.

Conversely, agriculture, forestry & fishing employs just 0.6% of local workers, below Rest of Qld's 4.5%. The area offers limited local employment opportunities, indicated by the Census working population vs resident population count. Between September 2024 and September 2025, the labour force decreased by 2.6%, alongside a 2.2% employment decline, causing unemployment to fall by 0.4 percentage points. In comparison, Rest of Qld saw employment growth of 1.7% and labour force growth of 2.1%, with unemployment rising 0.3 percentage points. State-level data as of 25-Nov-25 shows Queensland employment contracted by 0.01%, losing 1,210 jobs, with the state unemployment rate at 4.2%. National employment forecasts from Jobs and Skills Australia project national employment growth of 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Little Mountain's employment mix suggests local employment should increase by 6.6% over five years and 13.8% over ten years, though this is a simple weighting extrapolation for illustrative purposes and does not account for localised population projections.

Income levels sit below national averages according to AreaSearch assessment

In AreaSearch's latest postcode level ATO data for financial year 2023, Little Mountain's median income among taxpayers is $46,524. The average income in the suburb is $59,399. Nationally, this is lower than average. In Rest of Qld, the median income is $53,146 and the average is $66,593. Based on Wage Price Index growth since financial year 2023, current estimates for Little Mountain's median income are approximately $51,135 as of September 2025, with an average of around $65,285. Census data shows household, family and personal incomes in Little Mountain rank modestly, between the 29th and 43rd percentiles. In terms of income distribution, 32.7% of the population (3,850 individuals) fall within the $1,500 - $2,999 income range, similar to the broader area where 31.7% occupy this range. Housing affordability pressures are severe in Little Mountain, with only 83.0% of income remaining after housing costs, ranking at the 43rd percentile. The suburb's SEIFA income ranking places it in the 5th decile.

Little Mountain is characterized by a predominantly suburban housing profile, with above-average rates of outright home ownership

Little Mountain's dwellings, as per the latest Census, were 85.0% houses and 15.0% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings), compared to Non-Metro Qld's 70.4% houses and 29.6% other dwellings. Home ownership in Little Mountain was 39.8%, with mortgaged dwellings at 41.3% and rented ones at 18.9%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $2,000, higher than Non-Metro Qld's average of $1,950. The median weekly rent figure in Little Mountain was $461, compared to Non-Metro Qld's $450. Nationally, Little Mountain's mortgage repayments were higher at $2,000 versus the Australian average of $1,863, and rents were substantially above the national figure of $375.

Little Mountain features high concentrations of family households, with a higher-than-average median household size

Family households account for 77.3% of all households, including 35.5% couples with children, 30.9% couples without children, and 10.2% single parent families. Non-family households make up the remaining 22.7%, with lone person households at 21.0% and group households comprising 1.7%. The median household size is 2.7 people, which is larger than the Rest of Qld average of 2.5.

Educational achievement in Little Mountain places it within the top 10% nationally, reflecting strong academic performance and high qualification levels across the community

The area's university qualification rate is 18.5%, significantly lower than Australia's average of 30.4%. Bachelor degrees are the most common at 13.5%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (2.7%) and graduate diplomas (2.3%). Vocational credentials are prevalent, with 43.6% of residents aged 15+ holding such qualifications - advanced diplomas at 12.5% and certificates at 31.1%. Educational participation is high, with 30.5% of residents currently enrolled in formal education.

This includes secondary education (10.9%), primary education (10.7%), and tertiary education (3.9%).

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 Little Mountain indicates that there are currently 22 active transport stops operating within the area. These stops serve a mix of bus routes, with a total of 5 individual routes providing service to the community. The combined weekly passenger trips across all routes amount to 419.

The average distance residents live from the nearest transport stop is 387 meters, indicating good accessibility to public transport. On average, there are 59 trips per day across all routes, which equates to approximately 19 weekly trips per individual stop.

Health performance in Little Mountain is lower than average with common health conditions somewhat prevalent across both younger and older age cohorts

Little Mountain faces significant health challenges, with common health conditions prevalent across both younger and older age cohorts. Approximately 51% of the total population (~5974 people) has private health cover, compared to 53.9% across the rest of Queensland.

The most common medical conditions in the area are arthritis and mental health issues, impacting 10.2% and 8.0% of residents respectively. 65.8% of residents declare themselves completely clear of medical ailments, compared to 66.2% across the rest of Queensland. The area has 24.4% of residents aged 65 and over (2873 people), which is higher than the 22.3% in the rest of Queensland. Health outcomes among seniors present some challenges, broadly in line with the general population's health profile.

Little Mountain ranks below the Australian average when compared to other local markets across a number of language and cultural background related metrics

Little Mountain's population showed lower cultural diversity, with 78.1% born in Australia, 88.1% being citizens, and 95.2% speaking English only at home. Christianity was the predominant religion, accounting for 53.2%, compared to 50.0% in the rest of Queensland. The top three ancestry groups were English (35.1%), Australian (26.3%), and Scottish (8.9%).

Notable differences existed in New Zealand representation at 1.0% (vs regional 1.1%), South African at 0.7% (vs 0.6%), and Maori at 0.7% (vs 0.7%).

Little Mountain hosts a notably older demographic compared to the national average

Little Mountain has a median age of 44 years, which is slightly higher than Queensland's average of 41 and notably older than Australia's median age of 38. The age profile indicates that the 75-84 age group is particularly prominent, comprising 9.4% of the population, while the 25-34 age group makes up a smaller proportion at 8.9%. Between 2021 and present, the percentage of the population aged 15 to 24 has increased from 12.2% to 13.1%, whereas the 5 to 14 age group has decreased from 13.9% to 12.1%. By 2041, significant demographic changes are projected for Little Mountain, with the 45-54 age cohort experiencing the strongest growth of 62%, adding 992 residents to reach a total of 2,594 in this age group.