Margate (Qld)

Margate has seen population growth performance typically on par with national averages when looking at short and medium term trends

Based on ABS population updates and AreaSearch validations, the population of the suburb of Margate (Qld) is estimated at around 7,756 as of May 2026. This reflects an increase of 181 people since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 7,575. The change was inferred from AreaSearch's estimate of the resident population at 7,647 in June 2025, following examination of ABS ERP data release and validation of two new addresses since the Census date. This results in a density ratio of 2,949 persons per square kilometer, placing Margate in the upper quartile relative to national locations assessed by AreaSearch. Overseas migration contributed approximately 66.0% of overall population gains during recent periods.

AreaSearch uses 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 from 2023 are adopted, using proportional growth weightings aligned with ABS Greater Capital Region projections released in 2023. Future population dynamics forecast a significant increase for Margate, with an expected rise of 1,875 persons to 2041, reflecting a total increase of 22.8% over the 16 years.

Residential development activity is slightly higher than average within Margate when compared nationally

Based on AreaSearch analysis of ABS building approval numbers, allocated from statistical area data, Margate has experienced around 39 dwellings receiving development approval each year. An estimated 197 homes were approved over the past five financial years, between FY-21 and FY-25, with a further 28 approved so far in FY-26. The average number of new residents arriving per new home over these five years was approximately 0.6.

This indicates that new construction is matching or outpacing demand, offering buyers more options and enabling population growth that could exceed current expectations. The average expected construction cost value for new properties during this period was $465,000, indicating developers are targeting the premium market segment with higher-end properties. In FY-26, there have been $2.6 million in commercial approvals, suggesting limited focus on commercial development. Comparatively, Margate shows approximately 62% of the construction activity per person when measured against Greater Brisbane. It places among the 87th percentile of areas assessed nationally, though building activity has accelerated in recent years.

New development consists of 21.0% standalone homes and 79.0% attached dwellings, reflecting a focus on higher-density living which creates more affordable entry points for downsizers, investors, and first-home buyers. This represents a considerable change from the current housing mix, which is currently 72.0% houses, likely due to reduced availability of development sites addressing shifting lifestyle demands and affordability requirements. Margate shows characteristics of a low density area, with around 96 people per dwelling approval. Future projections show Margate adding approximately 1,766 residents by 2041, based on the latest AreaSearch quarterly estimate. At current development rates, housing supply may struggle to match population growth, potentially heightening buyer competition and supporting price increases.

Margate 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 18 projects that may affect the region. Notable initiatives include Redcliffe Peninsula Foreshore Masterplan, Bramble Bay Foreshore Restoration Project, Redcliffe Peninsula Cycleway Network, and Tydal Woody Point (Tydal Sands & Tydal Oceana). 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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Employment performance in Margate has been below expectations when compared to most other areas nationally

Margate has a skilled workforce with essential services sectors well-represented. Its unemployment rate was 5.0% in the past year, with an estimated employment growth of 2.0%. As of December 2025, 3,555 residents were employed, while the unemployment rate was 0.9% higher than Greater Brisbane's 4.1%.

Workforce participation was lower at 57.5%, compared to Greater Brisbane's 69.6%. According to Census responses, 15.6% of residents worked from home. Key industries include health care & social assistance, construction, and education & training. Construction is particularly specialized with an employment share 1.4 times the regional level.

Conversely, professional & technical services employed only 5.8% of local workers, below Greater Brisbane's 8.9%. Limited local employment opportunities are indicated by the working population vs resident population count. Over the year to December 2025, employment increased by 2.0%, while labour force rose by 2.4%, leading to a 0.4 percentage point rise in unemployment. In comparison, Greater Brisbane recorded higher employment and labour force growth, with a decrease in unemployment. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May-25 project a 6.6% increase over five years and 13.7% over ten years nationally. Applying these projections to Margate's employment mix suggests local employment should grow by 6.7% over five years and 14.0% over ten years, though this is a simple extrapolation for illustrative purposes only.

Income figures position the area below 75% of locations analysed nationally by AreaSearch

AreaSearch's latest postcode level ATO data for financial year 2023 shows that Margate's median income is $50,575 and average income is $61,326. Nationally, the median income is higher at $64,891 while the average is $82,852. In Greater Brisbane, median income is $58,236 and average is $72,799. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 11.36% since financial year 2023, estimated incomes for Margate as of March 2026 would be approximately $56,320 (median) and $68,293 (average). Census 2021 income data indicates that Margate's household, family, and personal incomes all fall between the 15th and 25th percentiles nationally. Income distribution shows that 25.9% of residents earn between $1,500 - 2,999 (2,008 people). In the surrounding region, this income bracket represents 33.3%. Housing affordability pressures are severe in Margate, with only 79.5% of income remaining after housing costs, ranking at the 12th percentile nationally.

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

Margate's dwelling structures, as per the latest Census, consisted of 71.8% houses and 28.2% other dwellings such as semi-detached homes, apartments, and 'other' dwellings. This compares to Brisbane metro's 73.5% houses and 26.5% other dwellings. Home ownership in Margate stood at 28.4%, with mortgaged properties at 29.6% and rented dwellings at 42.0%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $1,733, lower than Brisbane metro's average of $1,863. Median weekly rent in Margate was recorded at $320, compared to Brisbane metro's $380. Nationally, Margate's median monthly mortgage repayments were below the Australian average of $1,863, and rents were substantially lower than the national figure of $375.

Margate features high concentrations of lone person households, with a lower-than-average median household size

Family households constitute 60.2 percent of all households, including 20.7 percent couples with children, 23.8 percent couples without children, and 14.6 percent single parent families. Non-family households account for the remaining 39.8 percent, with lone person households at 36.2 percent and group households comprising 3.5 percent of the total. The median household size is 2.2 people, which is smaller than the Greater Brisbane average of 2.6.

Margate shows below-average educational performance compared to national benchmarks, though pockets of achievement exist

The area's university qualification rate is 19.6%, significantly lower than Greater Brisbane's average of 30.5%. Bachelor degrees are the most common at 13.2%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (3.8%) and graduate diplomas (2.6%). Vocational credentials are prevalent, with 42.0% of residents aged 15+ holding them, including advanced diplomas (12.6%) and certificates (29.4%). Educational participation is high, with 25.9% of residents currently enrolled in formal education.

This includes 8.9% in primary education, 7.5% in secondary education, and 4.0% pursuing tertiary education.

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

Margate has 26 active public transport stops, all bus services. Four routes operate collectively providing 639 weekly passenger trips. Transport accessibility is excellent with residents typically located 178 meters from the nearest stop. Most residents commute outward using cars at 86%, while 6% use trains. Vehicle ownership averages 1.1 per dwelling, below the regional average. In 2021 Census data, 15.6% of residents worked from home, potentially due to COVID-19 conditions.

Service frequency averaged 91 trips daily across all routes, equating to approximately 24 weekly trips per stop.

Health performance in Margate is well below average with prevalence of common health conditions notable across both younger and older age cohorts

Margate faces significant health challenges according to AreaSearch's assessment, conducted in March-April 2021. Mortality rates and chronic condition prevalence were found to be substantial across both younger and older age cohorts.

Private health cover was relatively low at approximately 52% of the total population (around 3,994 people), compared to 55.8% across Greater Brisbane. The most common medical conditions were mental health issues and arthritis, affecting 10.7 and 10.6% of residents respectively, while 59.8% reported no medical ailments, compared to 69.2% in Greater Brisbane. Working-age population health challenges are notable due to elevated chronic condition rates. The area has a higher proportion of seniors, with 25.0% aged 65 and over (1,939 people), compared to 15.1% in Greater Brisbane. Health outcomes among seniors present some challenges, broadly inline with national rankings for the general population.

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

Margate's cultural diversity was found to be below average. Its population comprised 86.1% citizens, with 77.1% born in Australia and 93.5% speaking English only at home. Christianity was the predominant religion, accounting for 48.8% of Margate's population.

While Judaism made up just 0.1%, this figure is similar to Greater Brisbane's 0.1%. The top three ancestry groups were English (31.1%), Australian (24.4%), and Irish (9.6%). Notably, New Zealanders were overrepresented at 1.2% compared to the regional average of 1.0%, as were Maori at 1.2% versus 1.1%, and Welsh at 0.7% against a regional figure of 0.5%.

Margate hosts an older demographic, ranking in the top quartile nationwide

The median age in Margate is 46 years, which is significantly higher than Greater Brisbane's average of 36 years and Australia's national average of 38 years. Compared to Greater Brisbane, Margate has a higher proportion of residents aged 65-74 (13.1%) but fewer residents aged 25-34 (9.0%). According to the 2021 Census, the population aged 75 to 84 grew from 6.6% to 9.0%, while the 45 to 54 age group declined from 15.1% to 13.7%. By 2041, demographic projections indicate significant shifts in Margate's age structure. The 75 to 84 age group is expected to grow by 69%, reaching 1,183 people from 698. Notably, the combined age groups of 65 and above will account for 65% of total population growth, reflecting Margate's aging demographic profile. In contrast, both the 35 to 44 and 0 to 4 age groups are projected to decrease in number.