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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
Sales Activity
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Population
Population growth drivers in Pacific Paradise are above average based on AreaSearch's ranking of recent, and medium to long-term trends
Pacific Paradise's population is estimated at around 2,727 as of May 2026. This reflects an increase of 52 people since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 2,675. The change is inferred from AreaSearch's resident population estimate of 2,726 following examination of ABS ERP data release in June 2025 and validation of four new addresses since the Census date. This level of population equates to a density ratio of 1,029 persons per square kilometer. Over the past decade, Pacific Paradise has demonstrated resilient growth patterns with a compound annual growth rate of 1.8%, outpacing the Rest of Qld. Population growth was primarily driven by overseas migration contributing approximately 93.0% of overall population gains during 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 and years post-2032, Queensland State Government's SA2 area projections released in 2023 based on 2021 data are adopted. However, these state projections do not provide age category splits; hence proportional growth weightings aligned with ABS Greater Capital Region projections released in 2023 based on 2022 data are applied for each age cohort where utilised. Examining future population trends suggests a population increase just below the median of non-metropolitan areas nationally, with Pacific Paradise expected to grow by 153 persons to reach approximately 2,880 by 2041 based on aggregated SA2-level projections, reflecting a total gain of 5.6% over the 16-year period.
Frequently Asked Questions - Population
Development
Residential development activity is lower than average in Pacific Paradise according to AreaSearch's national comparison of local real estate markets
Pacific Paradise has seen limited development activity, averaging two approvals per year over five years (14 approvals). This low level is typical of rural areas with modest housing needs and construction activity constrained by local demand and infrastructure capacity. Notably, the small number of approvals can significantly impact annual growth statistics.
Compared to Rest of Qld and national averages, Pacific Paradise has much lower development activity. All new constructions have been detached dwellings, maintaining the area's rural character and emphasizing space. Interestingly, developers are building more traditional houses than suggested by current mix (75.0% at Census), indicating strong demand for family homes despite density pressures. The area has approximately 1088 people per dwelling approval, reflecting an established market.
Pacific Paradise is projected to grow by 152 residents by 2041, according to the latest AreaSearch quarterly estimate. If current development rates continue, housing supply may not keep pace with population growth, potentially increasing competition among buyers and supporting stronger price growth.
Frequently Asked Questions - Development
Development applications around Pacific Paradise
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SOURCE: Planning portals and council registers, compiled by AreaSearch. Distance & bearing measured from the suburb midpoint.
Infrastructure
Pacific Paradise has very high levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the top 10% nationally
Changes to local infrastructure significantly influence an area's performance. AreaSearch has identified six projects likely impacting the area. Key projects include Stockland Twin Waters West, David Low Way in Pacific Paradise, Wilkins Park, Pacific Paradise Improvements, and the New Sunshine Coast Planning Scheme (North Shore Local Plan).
Professional plan users can use the search below to filter and access additional projects.
INFRASTRUCTURE SEARCH
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Frequently Asked Questions - Infrastructure
Sunshine Coast Infrastructure Coordination Plan
A collaborative infrastructure plan between the Queensland Government and Sunshine Coast Council covering the Sunshine Coast Urban Corridor, a 24 km stretch from Maroochydore to Caloundra encompassing approximately 2,200 ha. The plan coordinates transport, energy, water, education, and health infrastructure to support population growth to 2041. As of 2026, its priorities are being incorporated into the proposed Sunshine Coast Planning Scheme 2046, which completed formal community consultation in September 2025 and is under post-consultation review. Key infrastructure being delivered includes The Wave public transport system (Stage 2), the Mooloolah River Interchange Upgrade, and the Caloundra Transport Corridor Upgrade.
Brisbane 2032 Olympics Horizon Centre
The $1 billion Horizon Centre is a signature Public Private Partnership (PPP) proposal by Walker Corporation, Built, and Woods Bagot. Designed as a legacy project for the Brisbane 2032 Games, the precinct features a 7,000-seat multi-format indoor arena, a 5-star hotel, and a dedicated athlete village. Following infrastructure reviews in 2025, it was positioned as a private-sector led alternative to state-funded venues. Post-Games, the arena is intended to serve as a premier arts, music, and exhibition hub for the Sunshine Coast, while the village components will transition into permanent high-density residential accommodation integrated with the region's future transport network.
Sunshine Coast International Broadband Network
Queensland's first direct international subsea data connection, linking the Sunshine Coast to the Japan-Guam-Australia South (JGA-S) cable. The project includes a dedicated Cable Landing Station (CLS) in Maroochydore, now owned and operated by NEXTDC as SC1, providing the fastest data transmission from Australia's east coast to Asia.
Sunshine Coast Airport Expansion Project
Major airport expansion completed in June 2020 featuring a new 2,450m x 45m international runway (13/31) capable of handling wide-body aircraft including A330, B777, B787, and A350. The $347 million project enables direct international flights to Asia, China, and Hawaii, with new air traffic control tower and terminal upgrades. Declared a Priority Development Area in 2023, supporting ongoing terminal expansion, a 50-hectare aerospace precinct, and up to $1 billion in future infrastructure investments planned through 2040.
New Sunshine Coast Planning Scheme Project
Sunshine Coast Council is preparing a new planning scheme to replace the Sunshine Coast Planning Scheme 2014. The proposed scheme sets the land use planning framework for the region, guiding growth, housing diversity, local plans, environmental protection, climate resilience, centres and employment areas. Formal public consultation ran from 15 July to 19 September 2025. Council received around 4,600 formal submissions and is reviewing and responding to issues raised before deciding required changes, preparing a Consultation Report and seeking final State approval. The review is expected to continue well into 2026.
Bruce Highway Upgrade - Maroochydore Road to Mons Road
Major upgrade of Bruce Highway interchange at Maroochydore Road and Mons Road, including new four-lane eastbound bridge, signalised interchange, service roads, and extension of Owen Creek Road. Project includes asphalt rehabilitation at Bli Bli interchange.
Stockland Twin Waters West
Approved masterplanned residential community on a 104 hectare site between the Maroochy River and the Sunshine Motorway. Council granted preliminary approval in December 2023. Site establishment works and trial embankments commenced in mid 2025. The plan includes about 450 detached homes with minimum lot size of 500sqm and average 700sqm, 1ha of community facilities, around 30.9ha of open space with three parks, and a new lake of about 17ha with a walkable waterfront network. Kangaroo habitat and central wetland protection are included.
Vantage Pacific Paradise
An established resort-style land lease community for over 50s operated as Vantage by AVID. Residents own their home and lease the land, with access to a clubhouse, heated pool and spa, gym, indoor bowls, tennis and pickleball, cinema, library, workshop, golf simulator and more inside a secure gated estate. Previously known as Living Gems Pacific Paradise.
Employment
Despite maintaining a low unemployment rate of 3.9%, Pacific Paradise has experienced recent job losses, resulting in a below average employment performance ranking when compared nationally
Pacific Paradise maintains a diverse workforce with equal representation of white and blue collar jobs. Key sectors such as essential services are well-represented, with an unemployment rate of 3.9% as per AreaSearch's statistical area data aggregation. As of December 2025, there were 1,296 employed residents, aligning with Regional Qld's 4.0% unemployment rate but lagging behind in workforce participation at 58.2%, compared to Regional Qld's 64.5%.
Census responses indicate that only 9.9% of residents work from home, though Covid-19 lockdown impacts should be considered. The leading employment industries among residents are health care & social assistance, construction, and retail trade. Notably, construction employs at 1.3 times the regional average while agriculture, forestry & fishing employs just 1.5% of local workers, below Regional Qld's 4.5%. Local employment opportunities appear limited as Census working population versus resident population suggests.
Over the 12 months to December 2025, labour force levels decreased by 4.5%, and employment declined by 4.6%, resulting in a rise of 0.2 percentage points in unemployment rate. This contrasts with Regional Qld where employment rose by 0.7% and labour force grew by 1.0%. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May-25 project national employment growth at 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, but industry-specific projections vary significantly. Applying these projections to Pacific Paradise's employment mix suggests local employment should increase by 6.5% over five years and 13.5% over ten years, assuming constant population growth for illustrative purposes.
Frequently Asked Questions - Employment
Income
Income metrics place the area in the bottom 10% of locations nationally according to AreaSearch analysis
AreaSearch's latest postcode level ATO data for financial year 2023 shows that Pacific Paradise has an income below the national average. The median income is $40,895 and the average income stands at $54,408. This contrasts with Regional Qld's figures of a median income of $53,146 and an average income of $66,593. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 11.36% since financial year 2023, estimated incomes as of March 2026 would be approximately $45,541 (median) and $60,589 (average). The 2021 Census shows that household, family and personal incomes in Pacific Paradise fall between the 20th and 23rd percentiles nationally. Income brackets indicate that 34.0% of the community earns between $1,500 - 2,999 (927 individuals), consistent with broader trends across the broader area showing 31.7% in the same category. Housing affordability pressures are severe, with only 81.7% of income remaining, ranking at the 21st percentile.
Frequently Asked Questions - Income
Housing
Pacific Paradise is characterized by a predominantly suburban housing profile, with above-average rates of outright home ownership
Dwelling structure in Pacific Paradise, as evaluated at the latest Census held on 28 August 2016, comprised 74.7% houses and 25.3% other dwellings. In Regional Qld, this was 76.4% houses and 23.6% other dwellings. Home ownership in Pacific Paradise stood at 35.9%, with mortgaged dwellings at 36.7% and rented dwellings at 27.4%. The median monthly mortgage repayment in the area was $1,600, compared to Regional Qld's $1,655. The median weekly rent figure was recorded at $400, against Regional Qld's $345. Nationally, Pacific Paradise's mortgage repayments were lower than the Australian average of $1,863, while rents exceeded the national figure of $375.
Frequently Asked Questions - Housing
Household Composition
Pacific Paradise features high concentrations of group households, with a lower-than-average median household size
Family households comprise 69.9% of all households, including 21.8% couples with children, 33.5% couples without children, and 13.9% single parent families. Non-family households account for the remaining 30.1%, with lone person households at 24.5% and group households comprising 5.3% of the total. The median household size is 2.3 people, which is smaller than the Regional Queensland average of 2.5.
Frequently Asked Questions - Households
Local Schools & Education
Pacific Paradise shows below-average educational performance compared to national benchmarks, though pockets of achievement exist
The area's university qualification rate is 15.2%, significantly lower than the Australian average of 30.4%. This disparity presents both a challenge and an opportunity for targeted educational initiatives. Bachelor degrees are the most common at 12.1%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (1.6%) and graduate diplomas (1.5%). Vocational credentials are prevalent, with 43.4% of residents aged 15 and above holding them, including advanced diplomas (11.0%) and certificates (32.4%).
A significant 22.7% of the population is actively engaged in formal education, comprising 8.5% in primary, 6.2% in secondary, and 2.9% in tertiary education.
Frequently Asked Questions - Education
Schools Detail
Nearby Services & Amenities
Transport
Transport servicing is moderate compared to other areas nationally based on assessment of service frequency, route connectivity and accessibility
Pacific Paradise has six operational public transport stops, all serving buses. These stops are covered by two routes that collectively facilitate 330 weekly passenger trips. The area's transport accessibility is deemed good, with residents typically living 239 meters from their nearest stop. As a predominantly residential zone, most commuters travel outward. Cars remain the primary mode of transportation at 92%. On average, there are 1.3 vehicles per dwelling, below the regional norm.
According to the 2021 Census, only 9.9% of residents work from home, which may be influenced by COVID-19 conditions. Across all routes, service frequency averages 47 trips daily, equating to roughly 55 weekly trips per individual stop.
Frequently Asked Questions - Transport
Transport Stops Detail
Health
Health performance in Pacific Paradise is lower than average with common health conditions somewhat prevalent across both younger and older age cohorts
Pacific Paradise faces significant health challenges based on AreaSearch's assessment. Mortality rates and chronic condition prevalence are high across both younger and older age cohorts. Private health cover is very low at approximately 49% of the total population (~1,329 people), compared to Regional Qld's 52.5% and the national average of 55.7%.
The most common medical conditions are arthritis (10.5%) and mental health issues (9.4%). However, 62.7% of residents claim to be completely clear of medical ailments, compared to Regional Qld's 67.6%. Working-age residents show above average prevalence of chronic health conditions. The area has 27.0% of residents aged 65 and over (736 people), higher than Regional Qld's 20.4%. Health outcomes among seniors present some challenges, with national rankings broadly in line with the general population.
Frequently Asked Questions - Health
Cultural Diversity
Pacific Paradise ranks below the Australian average when compared to other local markets across a number of language and cultural background related metrics
Pacific Paradise's cultural diversity was found to be below average, with 87.9% of its population being citizens, 80.3% born in Australia, and 94.7% speaking English only at home. Christianity is the predominant religion in Pacific Paradise, comprising 45.1% of people. Buddhism, however, is overrepresented compared to Regional Qld, with 1.3% versus 1.1%.
The top three ancestry groups are English (33.2%), Australian (26.5%), and Scottish (9.4%). Notably, Hungarian, New Zealand, and French ethnicities are also overrepresented in Pacific Paradise at 0.5%, 1.3%, and 0.8% respectively, compared to their regional percentages of 0.2%, 0.9%, and 0.5%.
Frequently Asked Questions - Diversity
Age
Pacific Paradise hosts an older demographic, ranking in the top quartile nationwide
Pacific Paradise has a median age of 45, which is higher than the Regional Qld figure of 41 and also above the national average of 38 years. The age profile shows that those aged 75-84 are particularly prominent, making up 10.3% of the population, while the 45-54 age group is smaller at 9.6%, compared to Regional Qld. Between the 2021 Census and now, the median age has decreased by 1.2 years from 46 to 45, indicating a shift towards a younger demographic. Key changes include the growth of the 25-34 age group from 11.8% to 14.4%, and the increase of the 75-84 cohort from 9.0% to 10.3%. Conversely, the 45-54 age group has declined from 12.1% to 9.6%, and the 55-64 group has dropped from 11.9% to 10.0%. By 2041, demographic modeling suggests Pacific Paradise's age profile will significantly evolve. The 25-34 cohort is projected to grow by 15%, adding 58 residents to reach 451. Senior residents aged 65 and above will drive 53% of population growth, emphasizing demographic aging trends. In contrast, both the 5-14 and 55-64 age groups are expected to see reduced numbers.