Noosa Heads

Noosa Heads lies within the top quartile of areas nationally for population growth performance according to AreaSearch analysis of recent, and medium to long-term trends

Based on analysis of ABS population updates for the broader area, as of Nov 2025, the estimated population of Noosa Heads is around 5,339. This reflects an increase of 219 people since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 5,120. The change is inferred from the resident population of 5,298 estimated by AreaSearch following examination of the latest ERP data release by the ABS (June 2024), and an additional 117 validated new addresses since the Census date. This level of population equates to a density ratio of 414 persons per square kilometer in Noosa Heads. Over the past decade, Noosa Heads has demonstrated resilient growth patterns with a compound annual growth rate of 1.6%, outpacing the non-metro area. Population growth for the suburb was primarily driven by overseas migration during recent periods.

AreaSearch is adopting ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area, released in 2024 with 2022 as the base year. For areas not covered by this data and years post-2032, Queensland State Government's SA2 area projections released in 2023 are adopted. It should be noted that these state projections do not provide age category splits; hence proportional growth weightings are applied based on ABS Greater Capital Region projections for each age cohort. Anticipating future population dynamics, a population increase just below the median of Australian non-metropolitan areas is expected in Noosa Heads, with the area expected to expand by 620 persons to 2041 based on aggregated SA2-level projections, reflecting an increase of 10.7% in total over the 17 years.

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

AreaSearch analysis of ABS building approval numbers shows Noosa Heads had approximately 38 new homes approved annually. From FY-21 to FY-25, around 190 homes were approved, with an additional 4 approved in FY-26 so far. This results in roughly 1.1 new residents per year per dwelling constructed over the past five financial years.

The average construction value is approximately $1,706,000, indicating a focus on premium market segment properties. Commercial approvals totaled $16.2 million this financial year. Compared to the rest of Queensland, Noosa Heads has experienced elevated construction levels, with 46.0% more approvals per person over the past five years. This maintains buyer options and sustains property demand, although recent activity has moderated. Recent constructions comprise 44.0% standalone homes and 56.0% townhouses or apartments, marking a shift from the current housing pattern of 72.0% houses.

This suggests decreasing developable land availability and responds to changing lifestyle preferences and affordability needs. Noosa Heads has an estimated population density of approximately 220 people per dwelling approval, indicating a low-density market. By 2041, the area is projected to grow by 572 residents based on the latest AreaSearch quarterly estimate. With current construction levels, housing supply should meet demand adequately, creating favorable conditions for buyers and potentially enabling growth that exceeds current forecasts.

Noosa Heads has moderate levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the 49thth percentile nationally

Changes to local infrastructure significantly impact an area's performance. AreaSearch has identified 18 projects likely affecting the region. Notable ones include Noosa Business Centre Village Precinct, Bottlebrush Noosa Heads, Noosa Junction Station - State Facilitated Mixed-Use Development, and JURA Noosa. The following list details those most relevant.

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

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AreaSearch analysis reveals Noosa Heads significantly outperforming the majority of regions assessed nationwide

Noosa Heads has a well-educated workforce with professional services being strongly represented. The unemployment rate was 1.7% as of June 2025, based on AreaSearch's aggregation of statistical area data.

In this month, 2,590 residents were employed while the unemployment rate was 2.3 percentage points lower than Rest of Qld's rate of 3.9%. Workforce participation in Noosa Heads lagged significantly at 50.7%, compared to Rest of Qld's 59.1%. The key industries of employment among residents were accommodation & food, health care & social assistance, and professional & technical services. Employment specialization was particularly high in accommodation & food, with a share of 2.1 times the regional level.

Conversely, agriculture, forestry & fishing employed just 0.9% of local workers, below Rest of Qld's 4.5%. The ratio of 0.9 workers per resident, as at the Census, indicated substantial local employment opportunities. Over the 12 months to June 2025, labour force levels decreased by 2.2%, alongside a 1.4% decline in employment, resulting in a fall of 0.7 percentage points in the unemployment rate. This contrasted with Rest of Qld, where employment rose by 1.8%, the labour force grew by 2.0%, and unemployment rose by 0.2 percentage points. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from Sep-22 offered further insight into potential future demand within Noosa Heads. These projections, covering five and ten-year periods, estimated national employment growth of 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these industry-specific projections to Noosa Heads's employment mix suggested local employment should increase by 6.9% over five years and 13.8% over ten years, though it was noted that this was a simple weighting extrapolation for illustrative purposes and did not take into account localised population projections.

Income levels align closely with national averages, indicating typical economic conditions for Australian communities according to AreaSearch analysis

Noosa Heads' median income among taxpayers is $48,704 according to AreaSearch data based on ATO figures for financial year 2022. The average income in Noosa Heads stands at $88,732 during this period. In comparison, the median and average incomes for Rest of Qld are $50,780 and $64,844 respectively. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 13.99% since financial year 2022, estimated median income as of September 2025 would be approximately $55,518, with average income estimated at $101,146 during the same period. According to the 2021 Census, incomes in Noosa Heads cluster around the 61st percentile nationally. Income analysis shows that 26.6% of Noosa Heads' population (1,420 individuals) fall within the $1,500 - $2,999 income range, similar to the surrounding region where 31.7% occupy this range. After housing expenses, 85.9% of income remains for other expenses in Noosa Heads. The area's SEIFA income ranking places it in the 8th decile.

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

Noosa Heads dwelling structures, as per the latest Census, were 72.3% houses and 27.7% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings). Non-Metro Qld had 73.5% houses and 26.5% other dwellings. Home ownership in Noosa Heads was 50.6%, with mortgaged dwellings at 24.5% and rented ones at 24.9%. Median monthly mortgage repayments were $2,167, higher than Non-Metro Qld's average of $2,000. Median weekly rent in Noosa Heads was $550, compared to Non-Metro Qld's $500. Nationally, Noosa Heads' mortgage repayments were significantly higher at $1,863 and rents substantially above the national figure of $375.

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

Family households constitute 70.4% of all households, including 20.1% couples with children, 41.2% couples without children, and 8.6% single parent families. Non-family households account for the remaining 29.6%, with lone person households at 24.6% and group households comprising 5.0%. The median household size is 2.3 people, smaller than the Rest of Qld average of 2.4.

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

Noosa Heads has a higher educational attainment than broader benchmarks. 36.6% of its residents aged 15+ have university qualifications, compared to 20.6% in the rest of Queensland and 24.9% in the SA4 region. Bachelor degrees are most common at 26.0%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (7.4%) and graduate diplomas (3.2%). Vocational credentials are also prevalent, with 33.4% of residents aged 15+ holding them - advanced diplomas at 15.0% and certificates at 18.4%.

A significant 22.4% of the population is actively pursuing formal education, including 8.4% in primary, 7.3% in secondary, and 2.6% in tertiary education. Educational facilities appear to be located outside Noosa Heads' immediate boundaries, requiring families to access schools in neighboring areas.

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

Public transport analysis shows 21 active transport stops operating within Noosa Heads. These stops serve a mix of bus routes, totalling nine individual routes. Together, these routes facilitate 1,059 weekly passenger trips.

Transport accessibility is rated good, with residents typically located 339 metres from the nearest transport stop. Service frequency averages 151 trips per day across all routes, equating to approximately 50 weekly trips per individual stop.

Noosa Heads's residents are healthier than average in comparison to broader Australia with a fairly standard level of common health conditions seen across both young and old age cohorts

Health data shows Noosa Heads residents have relatively positive health outcomes with common conditions seen across both young and old age groups. The rate of private health cover is high at approximately 62% of the total population (3,329 people), compared to 57.2% in Rest of Qld and the national average of 55.3%. The most common medical conditions are arthritis affecting 9.5% and mental health issues impacting 5.8% of residents.

68.8% declare themselves completely clear of medical ailments, similar to Rest of Qld at 68.8%. Noosa Heads has a higher proportion of seniors aged 65 and over at 30.9% (1,649 people), compared to 25.8% in Rest of Qld. Health outcomes among seniors are particularly strong, performing better than the general population in health metrics.

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

Noosa Heads has a cultural diversity index above the average, with 8.8% of its residents speaking a language other than English at home and 30.3% born overseas. Christianity is the predominant religion in Noosa Heads, comprising 46.4% of the population. Notably, Judaism is overrepresented compared to the rest of Queensland, making up 0.6% of Noosa Heads' population versus 0.3%.

The top three ancestry groups are English (33.4%), Australian (19.2%), and Scottish (11.2%). Some ethnic groups show notable divergences: French is overrepresented at 1.6%, South African at 1.0%, and Hungarian at 0.4% compared to regional averages of 1.0%, 0.8%, and 0.3% respectively.

Noosa Heads ranks among the oldest 10% of areas nationwide

Noosa Heads's median age is 53 years, which is significantly higher than the Rest of Qld average of 41 and considerably older than the Australian median of 38. Compared to the Rest of Qld average, the 75 - 84 cohort is notably over-represented at 12.3% locally, while the 5 - 14 year-olds are under-represented at 9.1%. The concentration of the 75 - 84 age group is well above the national average of 6.0%. According to post-2021 Census data, Noosa Heads has seen a rejuvenation with its median age falling from 54 to 53 years. Notable shifts include the 75 to 84 age group growing from 9.7% to 12.3%, and the 15 to 24 cohort increasing from 7.2% to 9.4%. Conversely, the 65 to 74 cohort has declined from 19.4% to 15.8%, and the 45 to 54 group dropped from 13.6% to 12.5%. Demographic modeling suggests Noosa Heads's age profile will evolve significantly by 2041, with the 25 to 34 cohort projected to grow strongly at 34%, adding 177 residents to reach 706. Conversely, both the 55 to 64 and 5 to 14 age groups are expected to see reduced numbers.