Moffat Beach

An assessment of population growth drivers in Moffat Beach reveals an overall ranking slightly below national averages considering recent, and medium term trends

As of May 2026, the estimated population of the suburb of Moffat Beach is around 2,933, reflecting a 9.0% increase from the 2021 Census figure of 2,691 people. This growth was inferred from AreaSearch's estimation of the resident population at 2,923 following examination of the latest ERP data release by the ABS in June 2025 and an additional 55 validated new addresses since the Census date. The resulting population density is 2,125 persons per square kilometer, exceeding the average seen across national locations assessed by AreaSearch. Moffat Beach's growth rate of 9.0% since the Census positions it close to the Rest of Qld's growth rate of 9.2%. Overseas migration was the primary driver of population gains in recent periods. For projections, AreaSearch adopts ABS/Geoscience Australia projections released in 2024 with a base year of 2022 for each SA2 area.

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 used, applying proportional growth weightings from ABS Greater Capital Region projections released in 2023 based on 2022 data. By 2041, the suburb is expected to increase by around 200 persons, reflecting a total increase of approximately 6.5% over the 16-year period.

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

AreaSearch analysis of ABS building approval numbers shows Moffat Beach recorded around 26 residential properties granted approval per year. Over the past 5 financial years, from FY-21 to FY-25, approximately 133 homes were approved, with an additional 17 approved so far in FY-26. On average, each dwelling constructed over these years accommodates about 1.1 new residents.

This suggests a balanced supply and demand dynamic, maintaining stable market conditions. The average construction value of new properties is $940,000, indicating a focus on the premium segment with upmarket dwellings. In FY-26, $4.2 million in commercial development approvals were recorded, reflecting limited commercial development activity compared to residential.

Compared to the Rest of Qld, Moffat Beach has roughly two-thirds the rate of new dwelling approvals per person. Nationally, it ranks among the 82nd percentile of areas assessed for new dwelling approvals. The current new development composition is 83.0% detached dwellings and 17.0% townhouses or apartments, preserving Moffat Beach's suburban identity with a concentration of family homes. As of now, there are approximately 129 people per dwelling approval in the area. Future projections estimate an addition of 190 residents by 2041 based on AreaSearch's latest quarterly estimate. Given current development patterns, new housing supply is expected to meet demand, presenting good conditions for buyers and potentially facilitating further population growth beyond current projections.

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

Twelve infrastructure projects have been identified by AreaSearch as potentially impacting the area's performance. Notable among these are Moffat Beach Seawall Reconstruction Project, Caloundra Transport Hub, Caloundra Centre Activation Project, and Caloundra Centre Activation Project - Community and Creative Hub. The following list details those considered most relevant.

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Despite maintaining a low unemployment rate of 3.8%, Moffat Beach has experienced recent job losses, resulting in a below average employment performance ranking when compared nationally

Moffat Beach had an unemployment rate of 3.8% as of December 2025, according to AreaSearch's aggregation of statistical area data. This was 0.2% lower than Regional Qld's rate of 4.0%. Workforce participation in Moffat Beach was similar to Regional Qld's at 64.5%.

A moderate 20.1% of residents worked from home, based on Census responses. Employment was concentrated in health care & social assistance, construction, and education & training sectors. Health care & social assistance had particularly notable concentration with employment levels at 1.2 times the regional average. Agriculture, forestry & fishing had limited presence with 0.8% employment compared to 4.5% regionally.

Over the 12 months to December 2025, labour force levels decreased by 1.4%, combined with a decrease in employment of 1.4%, keeping unemployment relatively stable at 3.8%. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May-25 projected national employment growth of 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Moffat Beach's employment mix suggested local employment should increase by 7.1% over five years and 14.5% over ten years, based on simple weighting extrapolation for illustrative purposes only.

The area's income profile falls below national averages based on AreaSearch analysis

The suburb of Moffat Beach had a median taxpayer income of $51,605 and an average income of $65,886 in the financial year 2023. These figures are slightly lower than those for Regional Qld, which were $53,146 (median) and $66,593 (average). By March 2026, estimated incomes would be approximately $57,467 (median) and $73,371 (average), based on an 11.36% increase since financial year 2023. Census data shows that household, family, and personal incomes in Moffat Beach rank modestly, between the 44th and 45th percentiles. The largest income bracket comprises 27.7% of residents earning $1,500 to $2,999 weekly (812 residents), which is consistent with broader trends across the broader area showing 31.7% in the same category. Housing affordability pressures are severe, with only 83.4% of income remaining after housing costs, ranking at the 43rd percentile. The suburb's SEIFA income ranking places it in the 6th decile.

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

Moffat Beach's dwelling structure, as per the latest Census, consisted of 75.9% houses and 24.2% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings). This compared to Regional Qld's 76.4% houses and 23.6% other dwellings. Home ownership in Moffat Beach stood at 39.3%, with mortgaged dwellings at 29.2% and rented ones at 31.4%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $2,167, higher than Regional Qld's average of $1,863. Median weekly rent in Moffat Beach was $400, compared to Regional Qld's $345 and the national figure of $375. Nationally, Moffat Beach's mortgage repayments were significantly higher than the Australian average.

Moffat Beach features high concentrations of group households, with a lower-than-average median household size

Family households account for 71.5% of all households, including 26.0% couples with children, 35.2% couples without children, and 9.9% single parent families. Non-family households constitute the remaining 28.5%, with lone person households at 23.8% and group households making up 4.4% of the total. The median household size is 2.4 people, which is smaller than the Regional Queensland average of 2.5.

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

Educational attainment in Moffat Beach is notably high, with 32.4% of residents aged 15 and above holding university qualifications, compared to 20.6% in the rest of Queensland and 23.6% in the SA3 area. Bachelor degrees are the most common at 22.9%, followed by postgraduate qualifications at 6.2% and graduate diplomas at 3.3%. Vocational credentials are also prevalent, with 36.0% of residents holding such qualifications, including advanced diplomas at 12.5% and certificates at 23.5%. Educational participation is high in the area, with 26.9% of residents currently enrolled in formal education.

This includes 8.7% in primary education, 8.7% in secondary education, and 4.7% pursuing tertiary education.

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

Moffat Beach has 12 active public transport stops, all of which are bus stops. These stops are served by four different routes that together facilitate 765 weekly passenger trips. The area's transport accessibility is rated as excellent, with residents on average located 179 meters from the nearest stop. Most residents commute outward due to its primarily residential nature. Cars remain the dominant mode of transport at 90%, with an average vehicle ownership of 1.4 per dwelling. According to the 2021 Census, 20.1% of residents work from home, which may be influenced by COVID-19 conditions.

The service frequency averages 109 trips per day across all routes, equating to approximately 63 weekly trips per stop.

The level of general health in Moffat Beach is notably higher than the national average with both young and old age cohorts seeing low prevalence of common health conditions

Moffat Beach demonstrates above-average health outcomes based on AreaSearch's assessment of mortality rates and chronic condition prevalence.

Both young and old age cohorts show low prevalence of common health conditions. The rate of private health cover is approximately 53% of the total population, which is around 1,563 people, leading that of the average SA2 area. The most common medical conditions in the area are arthritis and mental health issues, affecting 10.2 and 8.4% of residents respectively. Approximately 65.7% of residents declare themselves completely clear of medical ailments, compared to 67.6% across Regional Qld. Health outcomes among the working-age population are broadly typical. The area has 22.3% of residents aged 65 and over, which totals 654 people, higher than the 20.4% in Regional Qld. Health outcomes among seniors are above average, with national rankings broadly in line with the general population.

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

Moffat Beach's cultural diversity was found to be below average, with 86.7% of its population being citizens and 80.7% born in Australia. The majority, 95.2%, spoke English only at home. Christianity was the predominant religion, making up 49.1% of Moffat Beach's population.

Judaism, however, was overrepresented, comprising 0.1% compared to Regional Qld's 0.1%. In terms of ancestry, the top three groups were English (33.2%), Australian (25.3%), and Irish (10.4%). Notably, Scottish (9.9%) and German (5.6%) groups were overrepresented compared to regional averages of 7.8% and 4.7%, respectively. Dutch representation was also higher at 1.7% versus Regional Qld's 1.1%.

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

Moffat Beach's median age is 46 years, which is higher than Regional Queensland's median age of 41 and the national average of 38 years. Compared to Regional Queensland, Moffat Beach has a higher proportion of residents aged 55-64 (16.8%) but fewer residents aged 5-14 (10.2%). This concentration of 55-64 year-olds is significantly higher than the national average of 11.2%. Between the 2021 Census and now, the proportion of residents aged 25-34 has increased from 9.1% to 10.8%, while the proportion of those aged 15-24 has risen from 11.0% to 12.6%. Conversely, the proportion of residents aged 45-54 has decreased from 14.7% to 12.8%. By 2041, Moffat Beach's age composition is expected to change significantly. The number of residents aged 75-84 is projected to grow by 39%, reaching 314 from 225. This demographic shift will be led by the aging of its current population, with residents aged 65 and older representing 55% of anticipated growth. Conversely, both the 55-64 and 5-14 age groups are expected to decrease in number.