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This analysis uses Suburbs and Localities (SAL) boundaries, which can materially differ from Statistical Areas (SA2) even when sharing the same name.
SAL boundaries are defined by Australia Post and the Australian Bureau of Statistics to represent commonly-known suburb names used in postal addresses.
Statistical Areas (SA2) are designed for census data collection and may combine multiple suburbs or use different geographic boundaries. For comprehensive analysis, consider reviewing both boundary types if available.
est. as @ -- *
2021 Census | -- people
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Molendinar has an estimated 6,707 residents, up from 6,450 at the 2021 Census — a change of 257 people, or 4.0%. That puts 877 residents on each square kilometre. Population is estimated from ABS Estimated Resident Population releases and GNAF address data, re-based from the 2021 Census and updated annually.
Detail
In the suburb of Molendinar, the population is estimated to reach around 6,707 as of Aug 2026, according to AreaSearch's evaluation of broader ABS demographic releases and 57 validated new addresses identified since the Census. This represents an addition of 257 people (4.0%) relative to the 2021 Census benchmark of 6,450 people. AreaSearch established this 6,707 resident figure by reviewing the ABS Estimated Resident Population (ERP) update from June 2025 alongside post-Census address additions. The suburb of Molendinar currently records a population density of 876 persons per square kilometer, aligning closely with typical benchmarks recorded across AreaSearch study regions.
Net overseas migration has served as the primary driver of demographic expansion, generating approximately 78.0% of recent population additions. Demographic modelling for the suburb of Molendinar incorporates ABS/Geoscience Australia SA2 projections published in 2024 using 2022 as the base year, while Queensland State Government SA2 figures released in 2023 (utilising 2021 data) are adopted for post-2032 horizons or unrepresented SA2 zones. Because these state projections lack age-bracket breakdowns, AreaSearch applies cohort growth distributions derived from the 2023 ABS Greater Capital Region projections based on 2022 data. Over the longer term, the suburb of Molendinar is projected to achieve population growth exceeding the national regional median, expanding by 870 persons to 2041 under aggregated SA2-level forecasts, representing an overall increase of 13.0% across the 16 years.
Frequently Asked Questions - Population
38 new dwellings have been approved in Molendinar over the past five years, an average of 7 a year. That is 1.4 approvals per 1,000 residents. Approvals are currently running at an annualised 10, running ahead of that longer-run average. Figures come from ABS building approvals aggregated to this Suburb (SAL) boundary and are updated monthly as the ABS releases them.
Detail
Residential construction metrics compiled by AreaSearch from ABS building approvals indicate that Molendinar averages around 7 dwelling approvals per annum, totalling 38 residential approvals across the past 5 financial years (between FY-21 and FY-25), including 10 recorded during FY-25 to date. Over the 5 financial years between FY-21 and FY-25, the influx of 1.6 people per year for every newly constructed dwelling pointed to a balanced market environment; however, this ratio has climbed to 5.5 people per dwelling over the past 2 financial years, signaling tighter supply and elevated demand.
Approved residential projects show an average estimated construction cost of $370,000, remaining below regional benchmarks and delivering attainable price points for buyers. Furthermore, commercial building approvals have reached $21.6 million in the current financial year, underscoring ongoing non-residential development. Per capita residential building activity in Molendinar tracks significantly below regional patterns, sitting 76.0% below the Rest of Qld rate. This subdued pipeline of new residential stock tends to support capital values and buyer competition across established dwellings. Local development volumes also track below national norms, reflecting both the mature urban fabric of the suburb and potential local planning limitations. Recent residential construction has consisted entirely of standalone houses, preserving the neighbourhood's low-density profile and catering to demand for spacious family properties. Detached housing accounts for an even larger share of new development than the 84.0% recorded at the Census, highlighting sustained appetite for low-density residences despite broader urban consolidation. A ratio of 838 residents per dwelling approval underlines the area's subdued pace of development. According to the latest quarterly forecasts from AreaSearch, Molendinar is anticipated to add 870 residents by 2041. Should residential construction continue at prevailing low volumes, the supply of new dwellings could fall short of demographic expansion, potentially intensifying buyer competition and placing upward pressure on property prices.
Frequently Asked Questions - Development
Development applications around Molendinar
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| Lodged | Address | Description | Type | Distance | Status |
|---|
SOURCE: Planning portals and council registers, compiled by AreaSearch. Distance & bearing measured from the suburb midpoint.
AreaSearch tracks 5 current infrastructure and development projects inside Molendinar, worth an estimated $2.05 billion. A further 127 sit in the immediately surrounding suburbs, taking the tracked pipeline within reach of the area to $50.9 billion. 50 are already under construction and 73 are due for completion within three years. The pipeline spans residential development, transport & logistics and communities. Records are compiled from Infrastructure Australia, state agencies, council planning portals and public announcements, reviewed and updated daily, then ranked by proximity, construction stage, completion horizon and project scale.
Detail
Major public works, infrastructure investments, and strategic planning initiatives play a fundamental role in shaping local development patterns. AreaSearch has identified 17 key infrastructure projects positioned to influence the area. Primary developments include Foxwell Day Hospital & Health Precinct, Costco Wholesale Coomera, Westfield Coomera Shopping Centre, and Coomera Connector Stage 1 - Central Section.
Professional plan users can use the search below to filter and access additional projects.
INFRASTRUCTURE SEARCH
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Frequently Asked Questions - Infrastructure
De Hart (Hart Street Residences)
De Hart is a boutique residential community in Ashmore featuring 34 architecturally designed townhouses, comprising 20 two-storey and 14 three-storey units. The development spans an amalgamated 7,237 sqm site and offers four-bedroom layouts with contemporary coastal aesthetics, ranging from 183 to 275 sqm. The project is characterized by distinctive geometric facades and expansive arched windows, positioned near Gold Coast University Hospital and Southport CBD.
Coomera Connector Stage 1 - Central Section
Construction of an 8km, six-lane section of the Coomera Connector (Second M1) between Helensvale Road and Smith Street Motorway. The project features three grade-separated interchanges at Helensvale Road, Gold Coast Highway, and Smith Street Motorway, along with 8km of shared active transport paths connecting to Helensvale and Parkwood light rail stations and dedicated wildlife corridors.
Griffith University Village Student Accommodation Tower
Campus Living Villages, in partnership with Griffith University, is building a new student accommodation tower at the Gold Coast campus. The project will add about 459 to 460 purpose-built student beds, with studios, two-bedroom rooms and accessible units, plus amenities including a swimming pool, cinema and communal spaces. Early works are complete and the main construction stage is under way, with the building targeting a 5 Star Green Star rating and WELL Gold certification.
TAFE Queensland Ashmore Plumbing Tower
Three-storey plumbing tower with approximately 1000 sqm of practical plumbing teaching areas equipped with industry-standard equipment. The facility doubles TAFE Queensland's plumbing training capacity and features specialised areas for sanitary drainage, rough-in bays with welding benches, fit-off bays for fixture installation, and a trade waste facility donated by Reece. One of only three multi-level plumbing towers in Queensland.
2 Uplands Drive Aged Care Facility
This 8,906 sqm development site holds approval for a 130-bed, three-storey residential aged care facility. Following a receivers' sale by Cor Cordis, the property was purchased in May 2025 for $3.63 million by a private investor. The project is strategically positioned at the corner of Napper Road and Uplands Drive, near the Gold Coast University Hospital medical precinct. The development approval remains current through April 2026, though construction has not yet commenced as of early 2026.
Kokomo Gold Coast
Luxury riverfront residential development comprising 66 apartments across two six-level buildings with 75 metres of Nerang River frontage. Features include an infinity pool, resident jetty, landscaped recreation areas and premium finishes. Construction is in its final stages with apartments now being marketed as ready for occupation during 2026.
New Street Social Housing Development
A 5-storey mid-rise development providing 60 apartments, comprising 53 social homes and 7 affordable homes. Designed by Plus Architecture, the project features multi-level breezeways, subtropical landscaping, and a durable material palette of precast concrete with navy blue screening. It is the flagship project of Vinnies Queensland's 500 Homes initiative, providing secure housing for vulnerable residents including those impacted by domestic violence or disability.
RDX Lumina - Life Sciences Centre
RDX Lumina is a $154 million life sciences, health research and innovation facility in the Gold Coast Health and Knowledge Precinct. The building provides more than 12,000 sqm of commercial, clinical, laboratory, consulting and collaboration space, including specialist PC2 labs, digital health-ready facilities, high-speed fibre access, shared amenities and a proposed direct bridge link to Gold Coast Private Hospital. Practical completion was reported in February 2026, with the centre intended to support health, medtech, biotech, clinical research and advanced technology-assisted health services.
3,737 residents of Molendinar are employed, from a labour force of 3,934. Unemployment sits at 5.0%, with participation at 70.2%. Weighted for its industry mix, the area's sectors are forecast to grow about 6.7% nationally over five years. That reflects industry composition only and makes no allowance for local population growth. The working-day population is estimated at 8,737, about 130% of the resident population, so the area draws in more workers than it sends out. Unemployment and labour force come from ABS Small Area Labour Markets, updated quarterly; the industry and occupation profile is from the 2021 Census.
Detail
Molendinar maintains a qualified resident workforce with prominent representation across the retail and lifestyle sectors, recording an unemployment rate of 5.0% and an estimated annual employment expansion of 2.4% based on aggregated statistical area figures from AreaSearch. Total employed residents stood at 3,737 as of March 2026. The local jobless rate sits 1.1% above the Regional Qld figure of 3.9%, while the labour force participation rate of 70.2% substantially outperforms the regional benchmark of 64.2%. Working from home was reported by 10.9% of residents at the Census, a figure subject to the context of Covid-19 restrictions at the time.
Local employment is predominantly concentrated across construction, accommodation & food, and health care & social assistance. Molendinar exhibits a clear sector specialization in accommodation & food, where its share of employment reaches 1.4 times the regional benchmark. In contrast, agriculture, forestry & fishing accounts for only 0.3% of local jobs compared to 4.5% across the broader region. Recording 1.2 workers for each resident at the Census, the suburb functions as a key regional employment hub that draws workers from surrounding localities. SALM and ABS data compiled across broader statistical divisions indicate that in the year to March 2026, local employment expanded by 2.4% alongside a 3.2% increase in the labour force, resulting in a 0.7 percentage point rise in the unemployment rate. Over the identical timeframe, Regional Qld recorded employment gains of 0.1% and labour force growth of 0.3%, lifting its unemployment rate by 0.1 percentage points. Looking ahead, Jobs and Skills Australia projections from Mar-26 outline national employment growth expectations of 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Weighting these industry-level forecasts against the local employment composition suggests Molendinar's workforce could expand by 6.7% across five years and 13.8% over ten years, providing an illustrative baseline based on sectoral distribution without incorporating local population projections.
Frequently Asked Questions - Employment
Median household income in Molendinar is $1,767 a week (about $92,000 a year), with median personal income at $703 a week. ATO records put median taxable income at $46,481 a year against an average of $60,433. Household income is from the 2021 Census; taxable income is from ATO Taxation Statistics for the latest financial year available, indexed forward using the ABS Wage Price Index.
Detail
ATO taxation statistics for financial year 2023 published by AreaSearch show that taxpayers in the suburb of Molendinar recorded a median income of $46,481 and an average income of $60,433, trailing both national benchmarks and the Regional Qld figures of $53,146 (median) and $66,593 (average). Factoring in the 11.36% Wage Price Index rise since financial year 2023, updated estimates as of March 2026 place median and average incomes at $51,761 and $67,298, respectively. Census results position median weekly household earnings at $1,767 (51st percentile) and individual income at the 29th percentile.
A substantial 36.3% of the population (2,434 individuals) falls within the $1,500 - 2,999 income bracket, compared to 31.7% regionally. Mortgage and rent obligations create notable affordability pressures, leaving 80.9% of income uncommitted (48th percentile), while the area sits within the 5th decile on the SEIFA income index.
Frequently Asked Questions - Income
Molendinar had 2,080 occupied dwellings at the 2021 Census, 84% detached houses and 0% apartments. 42% are owned with a mortgage, 36% rented and 23% owned outright. At that Census the median rent was $450 a week and the median mortgage repayment $1,850 a month, a total housing cost higher than 78% of areas nationally. Rent absorbs 25.5% of household income here and mortgage repayments 24.2%. Dwelling stock, tenure and housing costs are 2021 Census measures — the only source that counts dwellings at this boundary size.
Detail
Census data reveals that separate houses comprise 84.2% of the dwelling stock in Molendinar, with apartments, semi-detached residences, and other dwelling formats accounting for 15.8%, compared to 76.4% houses and 23.6% other dwellings across Regional Qld. Outright home ownership stands at 23.0%, trailing regional levels, while mortgaged properties represent 41.5% and rental accommodation accounts for 35.6%. Median monthly mortgage costs of $1,850 and median weekly rents of $450 both exceed Regional Qld benchmarks of $1,655 and $345. On a national scale, mortgage commitments in Molendinar remain below the Australian median of $1,863, whereas local rental rates sit well above the national median of $375.
Frequently Asked Questions - Housing
Molendinar counted 2,080 households at the 2021 Census, averaging 3.0 people each. 39% are couples with children, more than in 77% of areas nationally, against 23% couples without children. 15% of households are people living alone, and families average 1.6 children. Household and family composition is measured only by the Census, so these are 2021 figures.
Detail
Family units account for 78.9% of all local households, divided between couples with children at 39.0%, couples without children at 23.3%, and single parent families at 15.4%. Non-family living arrangements represent 21.1% of households, consisting of lone person residences (14.8%) and group households (6.5%). The area's median household size of 3.0 people exceeds the Regional Qld average of 2.5.
Frequently Asked Questions - Households
25.6% of adults in Molendinar hold a university qualification, including 17.7% with a bachelor degree and 5.7% with postgraduate qualifications, higher than 80% of areas nationally. A further 24.5% hold a vocational qualification. 1 school serves the area, with 1,325 enrolment places and an average ICSEA of 1,082 against a national benchmark of 1,000. Qualifications come from the 2021 Census; school enrolments, ICSEA and results come from ACARA's current release.
Detail
Tertiary qualification levels in the area compare favourably to regional averages, with 25.6% of residents aged 15+ holding university degrees against 20.6% across Rest of Qld. Bachelor degree holders form the largest cohort at 17.7%, alongside 5.7% with postgraduate qualifications and 2.2% with graduate diplomas. Vocational and technical education is also widespread, held by 36.4% of residents aged 15+, encompassing advanced diplomas (11.9%) and certificate credentials (24.5%). Formal learning participation remains substantial across the community, with 32.7% of residents attending an educational institution. This includes 10.5% enrolled in primary education, 8.9% attending secondary schools, and 6.6% engaged in tertiary studies.
Frequently Asked Questions - Education
Schools Detail
Getting around Molendinar means driving: households keep an average of 1.8 vehicles, and no scheduled public transport appears in the current timetable feeds. Service data is built from operators' published GTFS timetables; vehicle ownership is from the 2021 Census.
Frequently Asked Questions - Transport
Transport Stops Detail
71.8% of residents in Molendinar report no long-term health condition. 5.7% need daily assistance with core activities, and 51.2% hold private health cover. The standardised death rate runs at 5.6 per 1,000 residents. Health conditions, assistance needs and insurance are 2021 Census measures; the death rate comes from current ABS releases.
Detail
General health indicators in Molendinar align closely with Australian standards across chronic illness prevalence and mortality rates, showing typical incidence levels of common health conditions across both older and younger demographics, alongside a private health insurance rate of approximately 51% of residents (~3,430 people). Mental health conditions and asthma represent the most frequently reported medical diagnoses, affecting 8.1% and 7.9% of the local population, respectively, while 71.8% of residents reported having no long-term medical conditions compared to 67.6% across Regional Qld. Health metrics among working-age residents are typical. Residents aged 65 and over make up 13.1% of the community (878 people), below the Regional Qld proportion of 20.3%, with older residents demonstrating above-average health outcomes and elevated national rankings relative to the overall population.
Frequently Asked Questions - Health
37.0% of Molendinar residents were born overseas and 26.1% speak a language other than English at home, more culturally diverse than 76% of areas nationally. The largest reported ancestries are English (24.0%) and Australian (20.5%). Ancestry, language and country of birth are counted only by the Census, so these are 2021 figures.
Detail
Cultural diversity is well established in Molendinar, where 37.0% of the population was born overseas and 26.1% speaks a language other than English at home. Christianity is the predominant faith, practiced by 47.1% of residents. Judaism shows the clearest relative overrepresentation, accounting for 0.3% of the community compared to 0.1% across Regional Qld. The leading reported ancestral backgrounds in Molendinar are English (24.0% versus 29.6% regionally), Australian (20.5% versus 26.5% regionally), and Other (10.5%). Other distinct ethnic representations include Korean residents at 2.0% (compared to 0.2% across Regional Qld), Maori residents at 1.9% (versus 0.8%), and New Zealand heritage at 1.4% (versus 0.9%).
Frequently Asked Questions - Diversity
The median resident of Molendinar is 37. 30.3% of residents are aged 15 to 34. Age cohorts are not raw Census counts: the Census split is re-based to the latest ABS population estimates and state projections.
Detail
Age distributions in Molendinar track closely with Regional Qld patterns, with no individual age cohort deviating by more than 7.3 percentage points from regional proportions. As at August 2026, the estimated median age is 37, matching the 2021 Census figure and sitting 4 years below the Regional Qld Census median of 41. Residents aged 25 - 44 have increased their share from 26.6% at the Census to an estimated 27.9%. This 25 - 44 cohort is projected to see the strongest demographic expansion toward 2041, increasing by 509 people (27%) to reach 2,380.
Frequently Asked Questions - Age
Data & MethodBoundaries, Sources & Method for Molendinar
9 of 14 data sections on this page were updated within the last 12 months — the newest current to Oct 2026.
Everything is aggregated to the Suburb (SAL) boundary shown above, on a 2021 Census baseline. Only 3 sections — housing, households and cultural diversity — still wait on the 2026 Census.
The ledger — source, cycle and currency by section
| Section | Source & update cycle | Currency |
|---|---|---|
| Updated within the last 12 months 9 sections | ||
| Population | ABS, GNAF, Geoscience Australia Annual (ABS ERP) | Aug 2026 2 months ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Re-based to the ABS Estimated Resident Population (June 2025 release) and updated with new dwellings from GNAF address data. Current to Aug 2026, with the 2021 Census supplying the small-area baseline. | ||
| Age profile | ABS, Geoscience Australia, State governments Annual | Aug 2026 2 months ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Age cohorts are re-based to the latest ABS population estimates and state projections, current to Aug 2026. Each cohort is held as a Census baseline and a current estimate. | ||
| Development & approvals | ABS, GNAF Monthly (ABS approvals) | Aug 2026 2 months ago headline measures · Jul 2026 baseline |
| Property sales & rents | Valuer General, Rental Board, ABS Weekly sales, quarterly rents | Oct 2026 this month headline measures · Sep 2026 baseline |
| Sales from the state Valuer General register, refreshed weekly, and rents from quarterly rental bond lodgements. Both are read live each time this page loads, current to Oct 2026. | ||
| Infrastructure projects | Infrastructure Australia, State agencies, Local governments Daily | Aug 2026 2 months ago all 5 projects tracked here |
| Project pipeline maintained continuously from Infrastructure Australia, state agencies, local government and public announcements. Records are added and revised daily; this area was last updated Aug 2026. | ||
| Employment | ABS, DEWR, JSA Quarterly (ABS SALM) | Mar 2026 7 months ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Unemployment and labour force from ABS Small Area Labour Markets, current to Mar 2026. The growth outlook applies Department of Employment (now Jobs and Skills Australia) forecasts for all 19 industry divisions to the local industry mix, so it measures sector composition rather than local expansion and makes no allowance for population growth. Job demand comes from the same agency via its Internet Vacancy Index; industry and occupation structure from the 2021 Census. | ||
| Education | ABS, ACARA Annual (ACARA) | Sep 2026 last month headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Transport | ABS, State Transport Departments Each timetable release | Jul 2026 3 months ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Services & amenities | Provider directories, ACECQA Continuous | Sep 2026 last month all 14 measures |
| Annual and financial-year sources 2 sections | ||
| Income | ABS, ATO Annual (ATO) | FY 2023 3 years ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| ATO taxable income statistics for FY 2023, indexed forward using the Wage Price Index. Census household income provides the distribution detail. | ||
| Health | ABS, ATO Annual | 2024 2 years ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Census-measured — next update: 2026 Census 3 sections No more current small-area source exists for these, so they are labelled as Census-measured rather than implied to be current. | ||
| Housing | ABS 5-yearly (Census) | 2021 Census next update 2026 all 30 measures |
| Households | ABS 5-yearly (Census) | 2021 Census next update 2026 all 18 measures |
| Cultural diversity | ABS, Geoscience Australia 5-yearly (Census) | 2021 Census next update 2026 all 44 measures |
"Currency" is the most recent release feeding that section. Where the Census supplies the structural baseline underneath a current headline figure, the row says so.
How the numbers are built
Population
The Census provides the small-area baseline, aggregated from mesh blocks to this boundary. It is then re-based to the ABS Estimated Resident Population (June 2025 release), and new dwellings built since Census night are counted from address data — 57 validated new addresses here. The headline figure is therefore a current estimate for Aug 2026, not a 2021 count (6,450 at the 2021 Census → 6,707 now). Annual growth rates are compound (CAGR), not simple averages.
Age profile
Cohort shares are not raw Census counts. Every cohort is held as a pair — the Census baseline and a current estimate — and the split is re-based using ERP and state population projections, current to Aug 2026. Median age is the Census median plus modelled change since. Charts that show both are labelled "2021 Census vs Current Estimate".
Property sales
Sourced from the state valuation authority's sales register — current, not Census, and refreshed weekly. Medians are calculated from settled transactions in the period shown; periods with very low transaction counts are flagged or suppressed, because a handful of sales can move a median substantially.
Rents
Derived from state rental bond lodgement data, by dwelling type and bedroom count. Bonds are lodged at the start of a new tenancy, so this reflects new lettings, not the whole rented stock.
Development & infrastructure
Building approvals come from current ABS releases; development applications are collected from council and state planning portals; the infrastructure pipeline is compiled from Infrastructure Australia and local government sources. Applications are matched to this boundary by address or coordinates, so very recent lodgements may not yet appear.
Employment & income
Industry and occupation structure comes from the Census, but the headline labour-market indicators do not. Unemployment and labour force are derived from ABS Small Area Labour Markets (quarterly). The employment outlook applies Department of Employment forecasts for all 19 industry divisions to this area's own industry mix (the agency is now Jobs and Skills Australia), as does the Internet Vacancy Index used for job demand. Because it is weighted on industry composition alone, that outlook carries no allowance for local population growth — in fast-growing areas the real rise in local jobs will typically be higher. Income combines Census household income with ATO taxable-income statistics for FY 2023, indexed forward using the Wage Price Index.
Education, transport & amenities
School enrolments, ICSEA and performance come from ACARA's current release, not the Census. Public transport stops and service frequency are derived from GTFS timetable feeds published by state transport departments. Services and amenities are proximity and count scores built from provider directories, refreshed on their own cycle. The Census contributes only the travel-to-work and qualification measures.
Rankings and benchmarks. Where we rank this area, the comparison set is every area of the same boundary type — suburbs against suburbs, SA2s against SA2s. Benchmarks compare this area against its greater capital city region and the national figure for the same measure and period.
Limits worth knowing. Small areas carry larger error margins, and the ABS introduces small random adjustments to Census counts to protect confidentiality — so totals may not sum exactly. Estimates re-based from regional data describe the area's expected trajectory, not a direct count of it. Figures are indicative for research and are not financial, planning or valuation advice.
Cross-check us. The Census baseline for this boundary is at ABS 2021 Census QuickStats (SAL31873). QuickStats reports 2021 only — the figures on this page are more current wherever the ledger shows a later date.