Sunrise Beach

An assessment of population growth drivers in Sunrise Beach reveals an overall ranking slightly below national averages considering recent, and medium term trends

The population of Sunrise Beach, as estimated by AreaSearch based on ABS updates and new addresses validated since the 2021 Census, is around 3,982 as of November 2025. This reflects an increase of 295 people from the previous count of 3,687 in 2021, marking an 8.0% growth for the suburb. The estimated resident population (ERP) of Sunrise Beach was 3,978 as of June 2024, according to AreaSearch's examination of the latest ABS ERP data release and validation of eight new addresses since the Census date. This population density equates to approximately 1,599 persons per square kilometer, exceeding the national average assessed by AreaSearch. Sunrise Beach's growth rate since the 2021 Census (8.0%) surpassed that of its SA3 area (6.5%), indicating it as a growth leader in the region. Overseas migration contributed around 82.0% of overall population gains during recent periods, with other factors such as natural growth and interstate migration also playing positive roles.

AreaSearch is adopting ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area, released in 2024 using a base year of 2022. For areas not covered by this data and years post-2032, Queensland State Government's SA2 area projections from 2023 (based on 2021 data) are used. However, these state projections lack age category splits; thus, AreaSearch applies proportional growth weightings aligned with ABS Greater Capital Region projections released in 2023 and based on 2022 data for each age cohort. Considering projected demographic shifts, regional areas across the nation are anticipated to experience lower quartile growth. For Sunrise Beach, aggregated SA2-level projections indicate an expected expansion of 145 persons by 2041, reflecting a total gain of 4.4% over the 17-year period.

Recent residential development output has been above average within Sunrise Beach when compared nationally

AreaSearch analysis of ABS building approval numbers indicates Sunrise Beach approved around 20 new homes annually. Between FY-21 and FY-25, approximately 103 homes were approved, with one more in FY-26 so far. Each dwelling added an average of 2.5 residents over the past five financial years.

New homes had an average construction cost value of $681,000. In FY-26, $69,000 in commercial development approvals were recorded. Sunrise Beach's development levels per person are similar to the rest of Queensland, indicating market stability. Detached dwellings accounted for 52.0% and townhouses or apartments made up 48.0% of new developments, marking a shift from existing housing patterns which were 68.0% houses.

With around 137 people per dwelling approval, Sunrise Beach is considered a growth area. By 2041, it is projected to add 176 residents based on current development patterns.

Sunrise Beach has moderate levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the 49thth percentile nationally

Changes to local infrastructure significantly impact an area's performance. AreaSearch identified three projects likely affecting this region. Notable projects include Sunrise Beach Village, Noosa Aquatic Centre Facility Upgrade Plan, David Low Way Retaining Wall and Shared Pathway at Sunrise Beach, and Noosa Business Centre Village Precinct. The following details those most relevant.

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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.

The labour market strength in Sunrise Beach positions it well ahead of most Australian regions

Sunrise Beach has a well-educated workforce with prominent tourism and hospitality sectors. Its unemployment rate is 1.8%, according to AreaSearch's aggregation of statistical area data.

As of June 2025, there are 2,296 residents employed, while the unemployment rate is 2.1% lower than Rest of Qld's rate of 3.9%. Workforce participation in Sunrise Beach is higher at 64.8%, compared to Rest of Qld's 59.1%. Leading employment industries are accommodation & food, health care & social assistance, and construction. Accommodation & food has particularly notable concentration with employment levels at 1.9 times the regional average.

Conversely, agriculture, forestry & fishing shows lower representation at 0.4% versus the regional average of 4.5%. The area appears to offer limited local employment opportunities, as indicated by the count of Census working population vs resident population. Between Jun-24 and Jul-25, labour force decreased by 1.9%, while employment declined by 1.0%, causing unemployment rate to fall by 0.9 percentage points. This contrasts with Rest of Qld where employment rose by 1.8%, 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 suggest potential future demand within Sunrise Beach. These projections estimate national employment growth at 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Sunrise Beach's employment mix suggests local employment should increase by 6.8% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, though this is a simple weighting extrapolation for illustrative purposes and does not account for localised population projections.

Income levels sit below national averages according to AreaSearch assessment

Sunrise Beach's median income among taxpayers was $47,189 in financial year 2022. The average income stood at $85,971 during the same period. This compares to figures for Rest of Qld which were $50,780 and $64,844 respectively. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 13.99% since financial year 2022, current estimates would be approximately $53,791 (median) and $97,998 (average) as of September 2025. According to the 2021 Census, household, family and personal incomes in Sunrise Beach cluster around the 56th percentile nationally. In terms of income distribution, 34.0% of locals (1,353 people) fall into the $1,500 - 2,999 category, which is similar to the broader area where 31.7% occupy this bracket. High housing costs consume 17.9% of income in Sunrise Beach. Despite this, strong earnings place disposable income at the 55th percentile nationally. The area's SEIFA income ranking places it in the 7th decile.

Sunrise Beach displays a diverse mix of dwelling types, with ownership patterns similar to the broader region

Sunrise Beach's dwelling structure, as per the latest Census, consisted of 68.0% houses and 32.0% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings). This compares to Non-Metro Qld's 73.5% houses and 26.5% other dwellings. Home ownership in Sunrise Beach was at 34.1%, with the rest either mortgaged (38.0%) or rented (27.9%). The median monthly mortgage repayment in Sunrise Beach was $2,167, higher than Non-Metro Qld's average of $2,000. Weekly rent median was $508, compared to Non-Metro Qld's $500. Nationally, Sunrise Beach's mortgage repayments were significantly higher at $2,167 versus Australia's average of $1,863. Rents in Sunrise Beach were substantially above the national figure of $375.

Sunrise Beach features high concentrations of group households, with a higher-than-average median household size

Family households account for 73.2% of all households, consisting of 32.1% couples with children, 30.3% couples without children, and 10.9% single parent families. Non-family households make up the remaining 26.8%, with lone person households at 21.2% and group households comprising 5.3%. The median household size is 2.5 people, which is larger than the Rest of Qld average of 2.4.

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

In Sunrise Beach, 33.8% of residents aged 15 and above possess university qualifications, exceeding the Rest of Qld's 20.6% and the SA4 region's 24.9%. Bachelor degrees are most common at 23.3%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (6.9%) and graduate diplomas (3.6%). Vocational credentials are held by 35.5% of residents, with advanced diplomas at 12.8% and certificates at 22.7%. Educational participation is high, with 29.3% currently enrolled in formal education: secondary education (11.2%), primary education (9.5%), and tertiary education (3.4%).

Schools appear to be located outside Sunrise Beach's immediate boundaries, requiring families to access them in neighboring areas.

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

Transport analysis shows 13 active stops operating in Sunrise Beach, serving mixed bus routes. These stops are covered by 3 separate routes, offering a total of 644 weekly passenger trips. Transport access is rated excellent, with residents averaging 187 meters from their nearest stop.

Service frequency stands at 92 daily trips across all routes, translating to about 49 weekly trips per individual stop.

Sunrise Beach's residents boast exceedingly positive health performance metrics with very low prevalence of common health conditions across all age groups

Sunrise Beach demonstrates excellent health outcomes with a very low prevalence of common health conditions across all age groups. The rate of private health cover is exceptionally high at approximately 61% of the total population (2,439 people), compared to 57.2% across the rest of Queensland and 55.3% nationally. Arthritis and asthma are the most common medical conditions in the area, affecting 6.7% and 6.5% of residents respectively.

A total of 75.6% of residents declare themselves completely clear of medical ailments, compared to 68.8% across the rest of Queensland. Sunrise Beach has a lower proportion of seniors aged 65 and over at 15.5%, with 617 people in this age group compared to 25.8% in the rest of Queensland. Health outcomes among seniors are particularly strong, performing better than the general population in health metrics.

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

Sunrise Beach's cultural diversity was above average, with 10.5% speaking a language other than English at home and 27.7% born overseas. Christianity dominated Sunrise Beach at 40.6%, but Judaism was overrepresented at 0.5% compared to Rest of Qld's 0.3%. Top ancestry groups were English (32.7%), Australian (21.6%), and Irish (9.9%).

Notably, French (1.2%) Spanish (1.0%) and Scottish (9.8%) groups were overrepresented in Sunrise Beach compared to regional averages of 1.0%, 0.4% and 9.7% respectively.

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

Sunrise Beach's median age is 44 years, which is slightly higher than Rest of Qld's average of 41 years and considerably older than Australia's median age of 38 years. The age profile shows that the 45-54 year-olds are particularly prominent, making up 17.3% of the population, while the 65-74 group is comparatively smaller at 8.3%. This concentration of 45-54 year-olds is well above the national average of 12.1%. Between 2021 and present, the 25 to 34 age group has grown from 9.2% to 10.7%, while the 75 to 84 cohort has increased from 4.5% to 5.9%. Conversely, the 65 to 74 cohort has declined from 10.4% to 8.3%. Population forecasts for Sunrise Beach in 2041 indicate substantial demographic changes. The 25 to 34 age group is projected to grow by 21%, adding 87 residents to reach a total of 514. In contrast, population declines are projected for the 5-14 and 55-64 age groups.