Mooloolaba

Mooloolaba 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 validation, the estimated population of the suburb of Mooloolaba is around 8,780 as of Feb 2026. This reflects an increase of 578 people since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 8,202. The change was inferred from AreaSearch's estimated resident population of 8,718 in June 2024 and 96 validated new addresses since the Census date. This results in a density ratio of 2,239 persons per square kilometer, above national averages assessed by AreaSearch. Mooloolaba's growth rate of 7.0% since census is within 1.1 percentage points of its SA3 area (8.1%). Overseas migration was the primary driver of population growth during recent periods.

For projections, AreaSearch uses ABS/Geoscience Australia data 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 adopted, applying proportional growth weightings from ABS Greater Capital Region projections. Future trends suggest a population increase just below the median of locations outside capital cities, with an expected gain of 738 persons to 2041, reflecting a total growth of 6.6% over 17 years.

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

Mooloolaba saw approximately 29 new homes approved annually based on AreaSearch analysis of ABS building approval numbers. Between FY-21 and FY-25, around 146 homes were approved, with a further 17 approved in FY-26 to date. On average, 2.1 people moved to the area per new home constructed over these years.

New homes had an average construction cost value of $1,120,000, indicating developers targeted premium market segments. In FY-26, there have been $10.6 million in commercial approvals. Compared to Rest of Qld, Mooloolaba has significantly less development activity, being 57.0% below the regional average per person. Recent construction comprises 60.0% detached houses and 40.0% attached dwellings. At around 373 people per approval, Mooloolaba indicates a mature market with population forecasts estimating an increase of 581 residents by 2041.

Current development rates should comfortably meet demand based on AreaSearch's latest quarterly estimate.

Mooloolaba 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 likely affecting the region. Notable projects include Mooloolaba Foreshore Revitalisation Project, Mooloolaba Transport Corridor Upgrade, Avani Hotel Mooloolaba, and Mooloolaba - Alexandra Headland Local Plan Area. 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.

Mooloolaba ranks among the top 25% of areas assessed nationally for overall employment performance

Mooloolaba has a well-educated workforce with diverse sector representation and an unemployment rate of 2.1%, according to AreaSearch's aggregation of statistical area data. As of September 2025, there are 4,750 residents employed, with an unemployment rate of 2.0% below Rest of Qld's rate of 4.1%. Workforce participation is similar to Rest of Qld's at 65.7%.

A moderate 16.6% of residents work from home, considering Covid-19 lockdown impacts. Dominant employment sectors include health care & social assistance, construction, and accommodation & food. The area specializes in accommodation & food with an employment share 1.4 times the regional level but has a lower representation in agriculture, forestry & fishing at 1.4% compared to Rest of Qld's 4.5%. Limited local employment opportunities are indicated by the count of Census working population vs resident population.

Between September 2024 and September 2025, Mooloolaba's labour force decreased by 2.7%, with employment decreasing by 2.1%, causing unemployment to fall by 0.6 percentage points. Rest of Qld recorded employment growth of 1.7% during the same period. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May-25 suggest that Mooloolaba's employment should increase by 6.9% over five years and 14.0% over ten years, based on industry-specific projections applied to its employment mix.

Income levels sit below national averages according to AreaSearch assessment

The suburb of Mooloolaba had a higher income level than the national average according to the latest Australian Taxation Office data aggregated by AreaSearch for the financial year 2023. The median income among taxpayers in Mooloolaba was $50,367 and the average income stood at $70,426. This compares to figures for the Rest of Qld of $53,146 and $66,593 respectively. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 9.91% since financial year 2023, current estimates would be approximately $55,358 (median) and $77,405 (average) as of September 2025. According to Census 2021 income data, personal income ranks at the 58th percentile with a weekly income of $843, while household income sits at the 36th percentile. Distribution data shows that 32.0% of the community (2,809 individuals) fall within the $1,500 - 2,999 earnings band, mirroring the metropolitan region where 31.7% occupy this bracket. Housing affordability pressures are severe in Mooloolaba, with only 82.2% of income remaining, ranking at the 34th percentile. The area's Socio-Economic Indexes for Areas (SEIFA) income ranking places it in the 6th decile.

Mooloolaba features a more urban dwelling mix with significant apartment living, with above-average rates of outright home ownership

Mooloolaba's dwelling structures, as per the latest Census, consisted of 38.9% houses and 61.1% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings). In comparison, Non-Metro Qld had 76.4% houses and 23.6% other dwellings. Home ownership in Mooloolaba was at 33.5%, with mortgaged dwellings at 23.9% and rented ones at 42.6%. The median monthly mortgage repayment in the area was $1,762, higher than Non-Metro Qld's average of $1,655. The median weekly rent figure was $400, compared to Non-Metro Qld's $345. Nationally, Mooloolaba's mortgage repayments were lower than the Australian average of $1,863, while rents exceeded the national figure of $375.

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

Family households constitute 60.2% of all households, including 18.7% couples with children, 30.6% couples without children, and 10.0% single parent families. Non-family households comprise the remaining 39.8%, with lone person households at 33.1% and group households making up 6.8%. The median household size is 2.1 people, smaller than the Rest of Qld average of 2.5.

The educational profile of Mooloolaba exceeds national averages, with above-average qualification levels and academic performance metrics

The area's educational profile is notable regionally, with university qualification rates at 28.5% of residents aged 15+, surpassing the Rest of Qld average of 20.6% and the SA4 region rate of 24.9%. Bachelor degrees are most common at 20.5%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (5.6%) and graduate diplomas (2.4%). Vocational credentials are prevalent, with 38.1% of residents aged 15+ holding such qualifications – advanced diplomas at 12.4% and certificates at 25.7%.

Educational participation is high, with 25.8% of residents currently enrolled in formal education, including 7.6% in primary, 6.7% in secondary, and 5.6% pursuing tertiary education.

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

Mooloolaba has 31 active public transport stops, all of which are bus stops. These stops are served by five different routes that together facilitate 1,007 weekly passenger trips. The accessibility of these transport services is rated as excellent, with residents typically living just 183 meters from the nearest stop. Most residents in this predominantly residential area commute outward. Cars remain the primary mode of transport, used by 88% of residents, while walking accounts for 5%. On average, there are 1.2 vehicles per dwelling, below the regional average.

According to the 2021 Census, 16.6% of residents work from home, which may be influenced by COVID-19 conditions. The service frequency averages 143 trips per day across all routes, equating to approximately 32 weekly trips per individual stop.

Mooloolaba's residents are extremely healthy with both young and old age cohorts seeing low prevalence of common health conditions

Analysis of health metrics shows strong performance throughout Mooloolaba. Mortality rates and chronic condition prevalence were low across both young and old age cohorts.

Private health cover was found to be very high at approximately 55% of the total population (~4,838 people), compared to 52.5% across Rest of Qld. The most common medical conditions in the area were arthritis and mental health issues, impacting 9.1 and 7.6% of residents respectively. 69.4% of residents declared themselves completely clear of medical ailments, compared to 67.6% across Rest of Qld. Under-65 population demonstrated better than average health outcomes. The area has 21.9% of residents aged 65 and over (1,922 people), higher than the 20.4% in Rest of Qld. Health outcomes among seniors are particularly strong, with national rankings broadly in line with the general population.

The level of cultural diversity witnessed in Mooloolaba was found to be slightly above average when compared nationally for a number of language and cultural background related metrics

Mooloolaba's cultural diversity was above average, with 9.8% speaking a language other than English at home and 27.0% born overseas. Christianity was the dominant religion, comprising 46.5%. Judaism was overrepresented at 0.2%, compared to 0.1% regionally.

The top three ancestral groups were English (32.7%), Australian (22.8%), and Irish (10.0%). Notable divergences included New Zealand's overrepresentation at 1.4% versus 0.9% regionally, French at 0.7% versus 0.5%, and Welsh at 0.7% versus 0.5%.

Mooloolaba hosts a notably older demographic compared to the national average

Mooloolaba's median age is 43 years, which is higher than the Rest of Qld average of 41 years and exceeds the national average of 38 years. The 25-34 age group comprises 16.9% of Mooloolaba's population, compared to the Rest of Qld. The 5-14 age group makes up 8.5%. According to post-2021 Census data, the 25-34 age group grew from 14.3% to 16.9%, while the 75-84 cohort increased from 6.1% to 7.4%. Conversely, the 45-54 age group declined from 13.0% to 11.3%, and the 55-64 group dropped from 14.9% to 13.7%. Demographic modeling suggests Mooloolaba's age profile will significantly change by 2041. The 25-34 cohort is projected to grow by 17%, adding 258 residents to reach 1,742. Meanwhile, population declines are projected for the 65-74 and 5-14 cohorts.