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 Feb 2026, Moffat Beach's population is estimated at around 2,873, reflecting an increase of 182 people since the 2021 Census. The ABS reported a population of 2,691 in 2021. This growth was inferred from AreaSearch's estimation of the resident population at 2,861 following examination of the latest ERP data release by the ABS (June 2024) and an additional 55 validated new addresses since the Census date. The population density is 2,081 persons per square kilometer, above the national average assessed by AreaSearch. Moffat Beach's growth rate of 6.8% since census positions it within 2.3 percentage points of Rest of Qld (9.1%). Overseas migration was the primary driver of population gains in recent periods.

AreaSearch adopts ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area, 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 are adopted, released in 2023 based on 2021 data. These state projections do not provide age category splits; hence proportional growth weightings from ABS Greater Capital Region projections (released in 2023, based on 2022 data) are applied where utilised. Looking ahead, population projections expect the suburb to increase by 242 persons to 2041, reflecting a total increase of 4.5% over the 17 years.

AreaSearch analysis of residential development drivers sees Moffat Beach recording a relatively average level of approval activity when compared to local markets analysed countrywide

AreaSearch analysis of ABS building approval numbers, allocated from statistical area data, shows Moffat Beach recorded around 26 residential properties granted approval per year. Over the past 5 financial years, between FY-21 and FY-25, approximately 133 homes were approved, with a further 9 approved so far in FY-26. On average, over these years, only 0.2 new residents per year per dwelling constructed were recorded.

This indicates that new supply is keeping pace with or exceeding demand, offering ample buyer choice and creating capacity for population growth beyond current forecasts. The average construction value of new properties is $940,000, demonstrating a developer focus on the premium segment with upmarket properties. In FY-26, $4.2 million in commercial development approvals have been recorded, indicating limited commercial development focus compared to residential.

Compared to Rest of Qld, Moffat Beach has around two-thirds the rate of new dwelling approvals per person while it places among the 82nd percentile of areas assessed nationally. New development consists of 83.0% detached dwellings and 17.0% townhouses or apartments, sustaining the area's suburban identity with a concentration of family homes suited to buyers seeking space. The location has approximately 125 people per dwelling approval, indicating an expanding market. Future projections, based on AreaSearch's latest quarterly estimate, show Moffat Beach adding 129 residents by 2041. 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.

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

AreaSearch has identified 12 projects that could impact the area, with key ones being Moffat Beach Seawall Reconstruction Project, Caloundra Transport Hub, Caloundra Centre Activation Project, and Caloundra Transport Corridor Upgrade (CTCU). The following list details those expected to be most relevant.

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

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Despite maintaining a low unemployment rate of 3.6%, Moffat Beach has experienced recent job losses, resulting in a below average employment performance ranking when compared nationally

Moffat Beach has a well-educated workforce with significant representation in essential services sectors. Its unemployment rate is 3.6%, as per AreaSearch's aggregation of statistical area data. As of September 2025, 1,436 residents are employed while the unemployment rate is 0.5% lower than Rest of Qld's rate of 4.1%.

Workforce participation stands at 60.2%, compared to Rest of Qld's 65.7%. According to Census responses, 20.1% of residents work from home. Employment is concentrated in health care & social assistance, construction, and education & training, with healthcare notably higher than the regional average (1.2 times). Agriculture, forestry & fishing has limited presence at 0.8%, compared to 4.5% regionally.

Over the year to September 2025, labour force levels decreased by 2.6%, employment fell by 2.0%, and unemployment dropped by 0.6 percentage points. In contrast, Rest of Qld saw employment rise by 1.7%. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May-25 project overall growth of 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Moffat Beach's employment mix suggests local employment should increase by 7.1% over five years and 14.5% over ten years, though this is a simple extrapolation for illustrative purposes.

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

The suburb of Moffat Beach had a median income among taxpayers of $51,605 and an average income of $65,886 in the financial year 2023, according to ATO data aggregated by AreaSearch. These figures are slightly below those for Rest of Qld, which were $53,146 and $66,593 respectively. By September 2025, based on a Wage Price Index growth of 9.91%, the estimated median income would be approximately $56,719 and the average income would be around $72,415. Census data shows that household, family, and personal incomes in Moffat Beach are modest, ranking between the 44th and 45th percentiles. The largest income bracket comprises 27.7% of residents earning between $1,500 and $2,999 weekly (795 residents), which is consistent with broader trends across the broader area showing 31.7% in the same category. Housing affordability pressures are severe in Moffat Beach, 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

In Moffat Beach, as per the latest Census evaluation, 75.9% of dwellings were houses, with the remaining 24.2% being semi-detached homes, apartments, or other types of dwellings. This is similar to Non-Metro Qld's distribution of 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 Non-Metro Qld's average of $1,863. The median weekly rent in Moffat Beach was $400, compared to Non-Metro Qld's $345 and the national average of $375.

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 comprising 4.4%. The median household size is 2.4 people, smaller than the Rest of Qld 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

Moffat Beach's educational attainment is notably higher than broader averages. Among residents aged 15 and above, 32.4% have university qualifications, compared to 20.6% in the rest of Queensland and 23.6% in the SA3 area. Bachelor degrees are most common at 22.9%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (6.2%) and graduate diplomas (3.3%). Vocational credentials are also prevalent, with 36.0% of residents holding such qualifications - advanced diplomas account for 12.5% and certificates for 23.5%.

Educational participation is high, 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 serving buses. These stops are covered by four routes, offering a total of 765 weekly passenger trips. Transport accessibility is rated excellent, with residents typically living 179 meters from the nearest stop. Most residents commute outward daily, primarily using cars (90%). On average, there are 1.4 vehicles per dwelling. According to the 2021 Census, 20.1% of residents work from home, which may be due to COVID-19 conditions.

Service frequency averages 109 trips per day across all routes, equating to about 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.

Mortality rates and chronic condition prevalence were low for both young and old age cohorts. Private health cover was high at approximately 53% of the total population, around 1,531 people. The most common medical conditions were arthritis (impacting 10.2% of residents) and mental health issues (8.4%). Sixty-five point seven percent declared themselves completely clear of medical ailments compared to 67.6% across Rest of Qld. Health outcomes among the working-age population were broadly typical. The area had 23.2% of residents aged 65 and over, totaling 666 people, higher than the 20.4% in Rest of Qld. Health outcomes among seniors were above average, with national rankings generally 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 Australian citizens, 80.7% born in Australia, and 95.2% speaking English only at home. Christianity was the predominant religion, comprising 49.1% of Moffat Beach's population. Notably, Judaism, which makes up 0.1% of the population, is proportionally similar to the rest of Queensland (0.1%).

The top three ancestry groups in Moffat Beach were English at 33.2%, Australian at 25.3%, and Irish at 10.4%. Some ethnic groups showed notable differences: Scottish was overrepresented at 9.9% compared to 7.8% regionally, German at 5.6% compared to 4.7%, and Dutch at 1.7% compared to 1.1%.

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

Moffat Beach has a median age of 47 years, which is notably higher than Rest of Qld's 41 years and older than the national norm of 38 years. The 55-64 cohort is over-represented in Moffat Beach at 17.0%, compared to the Rest of Qld average, while the 5-14 year-olds are under-represented at 9.0%. This concentration of the 55-64 age group is well above the national average of 11.2%. Between 2021 and the present, the 25 to 34 age group has grown from 9.1% to 11.0% of the population. Conversely, the 45 to 54 cohort has declined from 14.7% to 12.5%, and the 5 to 14 year-olds have dropped from 10.5% to 9.0%. Demographic modeling suggests that Moffat Beach's age profile will change significantly by 2041. The 65 to 74 age cohort is projected to increase by 55 people (14%), from 390 to 446. Notably, the combined 65+ age groups are expected to account for 56% of total population growth, reflecting the area's aging demographic profile. In contrast, population declines are projected for the 5 to 14 and 55 to 64 cohorts.