Margate (Qld)

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

As of Feb 2026, Margate's population is estimated at around 7,873, reflecting an increase of 298 people since the 2021 Census which reported a population of 7,575. This change is inferred from AreaSearch's estimation of the resident population at 7,705 following examination of ABS data up to June 2024, along with validation of 8 new addresses since the Census date. The suburb's population density stands at 2,993 persons per square kilometer, placing it 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 adopts ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area as 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 based on 2021 data are used, applying proportional growth weightings for age cohorts in line with ABS Greater Capital Region projections released in 2023 based on 2022 data. By 2041, Margate is forecast to increase by 1,987 persons, reflecting a total increase of 25.4% over the 17 years.

Recent residential development output has been above average within Margate when compared nationally

AreaSearch analysis of ABS building approval numbers indicates Margate has received approximately 38 dwelling approvals per year on average over the past five financial years, totalling an estimated 192 homes. As of FY-26, 22 approvals have been recorded. This results in around 101 people moving to the area for each dwelling built annually between FY-21 and FY-25, suggesting a balanced supply and demand market with stable conditions. The average construction cost value of new homes is $465,000, indicating a focus on premium properties.

In FY-26, Margate has recorded $2.6 million in commercial development approvals, reflecting its primarily residential nature. Compared to Greater Brisbane, Margate accounts for approximately 59% of building activity per person and ranks among the 87th percentile nationally. However, recent construction activity has intensified. The current new building activity comprises 22.0% standalone homes and 78.0% medium to high-density housing, marking a shift from the area's existing housing composition, which is currently 72.0% houses. AreaSearch projects Margate will add around 1,998 residents by 2041.

If current construction levels persist, housing supply may lag population growth, potentially intensifying buyer competition and supporting price growth.

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 identified 18 projects likely affecting the region. Notable initiatives include Redcliffe Peninsula Foreshore Masterplan, Peninsula Private Hospital Redevelopment, 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.

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.

The employment landscape in Margate shows performance that lags behind national averages across key labour market indicators

Margate has a skilled workforce with significant representation in essential services sectors. Its unemployment rate was 4.2% as of September 2025. Over the past year, employment growth was estimated at 8.0%.

Compared to Greater Brisbane's rate of 4.0%, Margate's unemployment rate is 0.2% higher. Workforce participation in Margate lags behind Greater Brisbane, at 60.4% versus 70.7%. According to Census responses, 15.6% of residents work from home. The key industries of employment are health care & social assistance, construction, and education & training.

Construction shows strong specialization with an employment share 1.4 times the regional level. Conversely, professional & technical services have lower representation at 5.8%, compared to the regional average of 8.9%. Employment opportunities locally appear limited, as indicated by the Census working population versus resident population count. Between September 2024 and September 2025, employment levels increased by 8.0% and labour force grew by 5.7%, reducing the unemployment rate by 2.0 percentage points. In contrast, Greater Brisbane saw employment rise by 3.8%, labour force grow by 3.3%, and unemployment fall by 0.5 percentage points. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May-25 project a 6.6% expansion over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Margate's employment mix suggests local employment should increase by 6.7% over five years and 14.0% over ten years, based on simple weighting extrapolation for illustrative purposes.

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

According to AreaSearch's aggregation of the latest postcode level ATO data released for financial year 2023, Margate had a median income among taxpayers of $50,575. The average income stood at $61,326. This is below the national average and compares to levels of $58,236 and $72,799 across Greater Brisbane respectively. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 9.91% since financial year 2023, current estimates would be approximately $55,587 (median) and $67,403 (average) as of September 2025. Census 2021 income data shows household, family and personal incomes in Margate all fall between the 15th and 25th percentiles nationally. The largest segment comprises 25.9% earning $1,500 - 2,999 weekly (2,039 residents). Housing affordability pressures are severe, 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 structure, as per the latest Census, comprised 71.8% houses and 28.2% other dwellings. In Brisbane metro, this was 73.5% houses and 26.5% other dwellings. Home ownership in Margate stood at 28.4%, with mortgaged dwellings at 29.6% and rented ones at 42.0%. The median monthly mortgage repayment in Margate was $1,733, lower than Brisbane's $1,863. Median weekly rent in Margate was $320, compared to Brisbane's $380. Nationally, Margate's 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 account for 60.2% of all households, including 20.7% couples with children, 23.8% couples without children, and 14.6% single parent families. Non-family households constitute the remaining 39.8%, with lone person households at 36.2% and group households comprising 3.5%. The median household size is 2.2 people, 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 prevalent at 13.2%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (3.8%) and graduate diplomas (2.6%). Vocational credentials are common, 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, comprising 8.9% in primary, 7.5% in secondary, and 4.0% in tertiary education.

Educational participation is notably 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 of which are bus stops. These stops are served by four different routes that together facilitate 639 weekly passenger trips. Transport accessibility is rated as excellent, with residents living an average of 178 meters from the nearest stop. Most residents commute outside Margate, primarily by car (86%), while 6% use the train. The average vehicle ownership per dwelling is 1.1, below the regional average. According to the 2021 Census, 15.6% of residents work from home, which may be influenced by COVID-19 conditions.

On average, there are 91 trips per day 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 substantial health challenges as per AreaSearch's assessment. Mortality rates and chronic condition prevalence are notable across both younger and older age cohorts.

Approximately 52% of Margate's total population (~4,054 people) has private health cover, compared to 55.8% in Greater Brisbane. Mental health issues impact 10.7% of residents, while arthritis affects 10.6%. About 59.8% of residents declare themselves completely clear of medical ailments, compared to 69.2% in Greater Brisbane. The working-age population faces notable health challenges due to elevated chronic condition rates. Margate has 25.7% of residents aged 65 and over (2,023 people), higher than Greater Brisbane's 15.2%. Health outcomes among seniors present some challenges, with national rankings broadly in line with 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, with 86.1% of its population being citizens, 77.1% born in Australia, and 93.5% speaking English only at home. Christianity is the predominant religion in Margate, comprising 48.8% of the population. However, Judaism is overrepresented, making up 0.1% compared to the regional average of 0.1%.

The top three ancestry groups are English (31.1%), Australian (24.4%), and Irish (9.6%). Notably, New Zealanders are overrepresented at 1.2%, Maori at 1.2%, and Welsh at 0.7% compared to regional averages of 1.0%, 1.1%, and 0.5% respectively.

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

The median age in Margate is 47 years, which is notably higher than Greater Brisbane's average of 36 years and also exceeds the Australian median of 38 years. Compared to Greater Brisbane's average, Margate has a notably over-represented cohort of individuals aged 65-74 (13.8% locally), while those aged 25-34 are under-represented (8.3%). Between the 2021 Census and present day, the population aged 75 to 84 has grown from 6.6% to 9.3%, while the 25 to 34 age group has declined from 9.6% to 8.3% and the 35 to 44 age group has dropped from 13.3% to 12.2%. Population forecasts for Margate in 2041 indicate significant demographic changes, with the 75 to 84 age cohort projected to grow by 566 people (77%) from 732 to 1,299. The aging population trend is evident, with those aged 65 and above comprising 63% of projected growth. Conversely, the 0 to 4 and 25 to 34 age cohorts are expected to experience population declines.