Sunshine Beach

Sunshine Beach is positioned among the lower quartile of areas assessed nationally for population growth based on AreaSearch's assessment of recent, and medium term trends

Based on AreaSearch's analysis of ABS population updates and new addresses validated by them, as of November 2025, the Sunshine Beach statistical area (Lv2) has an estimated population of around 2,749. This reflects a growth of 269 people since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 2,480. The current population is inferred from AreaSearch's estimation of 2,747 residents following examination of the latest ERP data release by the ABS in June 2024 and an additional 2 validated new addresses since the Census date. This results in a density ratio of 1,446 persons per square kilometer, higher than the average seen across national locations assessed by AreaSearch. The Sunshine Beach (SA2) saw a population growth rate of 10.8% since the 2021 census, exceeding both the SA3 area's 5.9% and the non-metro area's growth rate, making it a growth leader in the region. Overseas migration contributed approximately 82.0% of overall population gains during recent periods, although all drivers including natural growth and interstate migration were positive factors.

AreaSearch adopts 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 based on 2021 data are adopted. However, these state projections do not provide age category splits; hence AreaSearch applies proportional growth weightings in line with the ABS Greater Capital Region projections for each age cohort, released in 2023 based on 2022 data. Looking ahead, lower quartile growth is anticipated for Australia's regional areas, including the Sunshine Beach (SA2), which is expected to expand by 110 persons to reach a total population of around 2,859 by 2041, reflecting an increase of approximately 2.1% over the 17-year period.

AreaSearch assessment of residential approval activity sees Sunshine Beach among the top 30% of areas assessed nationwide

AreaSearch analysis of ABS building approval numbers in Sunshine Beach shows approximately 11 residential properties granted approval annually over the past five financial years, totalling an estimated 58 homes. As of FY26, four approvals have been recorded. On average, around four new residents arrive per year for each dwelling constructed between FY21 and FY25.

This indicates that demand is outstripping supply, which typically exerts upward pressure on prices and intensifies competition among buyers. The average construction value of new properties is $681,000, suggesting developers are targeting the premium market with high-end developments. Compared to the Rest of Qld, Sunshine Beach has 12.0% less building activity per person. Nationally, it ranks at the 84th percentile among assessed areas. However, building activity has increased in recent years.

New building activity comprises 33.0% standalone homes and 67.0% townhouses or apartments. This shift towards denser development offers accessible entry options, appealing to downsizers, investors, and entry-level buyers. This marks a significant change from the area's existing housing composition, which is currently 57.0% houses. Sunshine Beach has around 116 people per dwelling approval, indicating growth area characteristics. According to AreaSearch's latest quarterly estimate, the area is projected to grow by approximately 58 residents by 2041. Given current construction levels, housing supply should meet demand adequately, creating favourable conditions for buyers and potentially enabling growth that exceeds current forecasts.

Sunshine Beach 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 two projects expected to influence the region: Sunrise Beach Village and the Noosa Aquatic Centre Facility Upgrade Plan. Other notable projects include Noosa Business Centre Village Precinct and Calile Hotel Noosa, although these may have less relevance.

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Employment conditions in Sunshine Beach demonstrate exceptional strength compared to most Australian markets

Sunshine Beach has a highly educated workforce with prominent tourism and hospitality sectors. Its unemployment rate is 1.9%, according to AreaSearch's aggregation of statistical area data.

As of September 2025, 1,416 residents are employed while the unemployment rate is 2.1% lower than Rest of Qld's rate of 4.1%. Workforce participation is somewhat lower at 56.2%, compared to Rest of Qld's 59.1%. Key industries include accommodation & food, health care & social assistance, and retail trade. Accommodation & food has notable concentration with employment levels at 1.9 times the regional average.

Public administration & safety has limited presence at 1.8% compared to 5.9% regionally. The area offers limited local employment opportunities, indicated by Census working population vs resident population count. Over the 12 months to September 2025, labour force levels decreased by 2.7%, alongside a 2.1% employment decline, causing unemployment rate to fall by 0.6 percentage points. This contrasts with Rest of Qld where employment rose by 1.7%. State-level data to 25-Nov shows QLD employment contracted by 0.01% (losing 1,210 jobs), with state unemployment rate at 4.2%, broadly in line with national rate of 4.3%. National employment forecasts from Jobs and Skills Australia suggest expansion by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Sunshine Beach's employment mix suggests local employment should increase by 6.8% over five years and 13.8% over ten years, based on simple weighting extrapolation for illustrative purposes.

Income levels sit below national averages according to AreaSearch assessment

The suburb of Sunshine Beach had an extremely high national income level according to the latest ATO data aggregated by AreaSearch for financial year 2023. The median income among taxpayers was $50,611 and the average income stood at $92,207. These figures compared to those for Rest of Qld which were $53,146 and $66,593 respectively. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 9.91% since financial year 2023, current estimates would be approximately $55,627 (median) and $101,345 (average) as of September 2025. Census 2021 income data showed personal income ranked at the 67th percentile ($902 weekly), while household income sat at the 49th percentile. Income analysis revealed that the predominant cohort spanned 29.5% of locals (810 people) in the $1,500 - 2,999 category, consistent with broader trends across regional levels showing 31.7% in the same category. Housing affordability pressures were severe, with only 83.5% of income remaining, ranking at the 49th percentile. The area's SEIFA income ranking placed it in the 7th decile.

Sunshine Beach displays a diverse mix of dwelling types, with above-average rates of outright home ownership

Sunshine Beach's dwelling structure, as per the latest Census, consisted of 56.9% houses and 43.1% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings). In comparison, Non-Metro Qld had 73.5% houses and 26.5% other dwellings. Home ownership in Sunshine Beach was 42.4%, similar to Non-Metro Qld's figure. Mortgaged dwellings were at 26.0% and rented ones at 31.5%. The median monthly mortgage repayment in the area was $2,167, higher than Non-Metro Qld's average of $2,000. The median weekly rent was recorded at $495, compared to Non-Metro Qld's $500. Nationally, Sunshine Beach's mortgage repayments were significantly higher than the Australian average of $1,863, and rents substantially above the national figure of $375.

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

Family households account for 68.1% of all households, including 18.6% couples with children, 38.7% couples without children, and 9.6% single parent families. Non-family households constitute the remaining 31.9%, with lone person households at 26.9% and group households comprising 4.7%. The median household size is 2.2 people, smaller than the Rest of Qld average of 2.4.

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

Sunshine Beach has a higher proportion of residents with university qualifications than the broader region. Specifically, 38.4% of its residents aged 15 and above have such qualifications, compared to 20.6% in the rest of Queensland and 24.9% in the SA4 region. Bachelor degrees are the most common at 26.5%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (9.2%) and graduate diplomas (2.7%). Vocational credentials are also prevalent, with 34.9% of residents aged 15 and above holding them.

This includes advanced diplomas (14.3%) and certificates (20.6%). Educational participation is high in Sunshine Beach, with 25.1% of its residents currently enrolled in formal education. This includes 7.9% in primary education, 7.9% in secondary education, and 4.2% pursuing tertiary education.

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

Sunshine Beach has 15 active public transport stops, all of which are bus stops. These stops are served by four different routes that together facilitate 721 weekly passenger trips. The accessibility to these stops is rated as excellent, with residents on average being located just 193 meters from the nearest stop.

On average, there are 103 trips per day across all routes, which equates to approximately 48 weekly trips per individual stop.

Sunshine Beach's residents are extremely healthy with very low prevalence of common health conditions across all age groups

Analysis of health metrics shows strong performance throughout Sunshine Beach with very low prevalence of common health conditions across all age groups. The rate of private health cover is exceptionally high at approximately 64% of the total population (1,752 people), compared to 60.6% across Rest of Qld and a national average of 55.7%. The most common medical conditions in the area are arthritis and asthma, impacting 7.4 and 6.1% of residents respectively, while 74.2% declare themselves completely clear of medical ailments compared to 68.8% across Rest of Qld.

The area has 24.2% of residents aged 65 and over (665 people), which is lower than the 25.8% in Rest of Qld. Health outcomes among seniors are particularly strong, performing even better than the general population in health metrics.

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

Sunshine Beach's cultural diversity is above average, with 9.1% speaking a language other than English at home and 29.3% born overseas. Christianity is the predominant religion, comprising 40.0%. Judaism is overrepresented compared to Rest of Qld, making up 0.2% vs 0.3%.

Top ancestry groups are English (33.6%), Australian (19.2%), and Irish (11.7%). French (1.7%) is notably more prevalent than regionally (1.0%), as are Welsh (0.9%) and Scottish (10.1%).

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

Sunshine Beach has a median age of 48, which is higher than Rest of Qld's figure of 41 and significantly above the national norm of 38. The 55-64 age group makes up 17.0% of Sunshine Beach's population, compared to Rest of Qld's figure, while the 5-14 cohort is less prevalent at 8.1%. This concentration of the 55-64 age group is well above the national average of 11.2%. Post-2021 Census data shows that the 75-84 age group has grown from 7.1% to 8.6%, and the 25-34 cohort has increased from 10.3% to 11.6%. Conversely, the 65-74 cohort has declined from 16.1% to 13.7%, and the 45-54 group has dropped from 15.6% to 14.2%. By 2041, Sunshine Beach is expected to see notable shifts in its age composition. The 25-34 group is projected to grow by 19% (59 people), reaching 378 from 318. Meanwhile, the 45-54 and 5-14 cohorts are expected to experience population declines.