Surfers Paradise

Surfers Paradise lies within the top 10% of areas nationally in terms of population growth performance according to AreaSearch analysis of short and medium-term trends

The population of the Surfers Paradise statistical area (Lv2) was estimated at around 31,466 as of Nov 2025. This reflects an increase of 5,054 people from the 2021 Census figure of 26,412, marking a growth rate of 19.1%. AreaSearch's resident population estimate for Jun 2024 was 31,214, with an additional 1,403 validated new addresses since the Census date contributing to this increase. The resulting population density of 5,425 persons per square kilometer places Surfers Paradise in the top 10% of national locations assessed by AreaSearch. The growth rate of 19.1% exceeded both the non-metro area's 8.8% and the national average, indicating strong population growth in the Surfers Paradise (SA2) since the 2021 Census. Overseas migration accounted for approximately 83.0% of overall population gains during recent periods.

AreaSearch adopts ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area based on data released in Jun 2024 with 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 using 2021 data are used. However, these state projections lack age category splits; hence proportional growth weightings based on ABS Greater Capital Region projections (released in Jun 2023) are applied for each age cohort. Looking ahead, exceptional population growth is predicted for the Surfers Paradise (SA2), with an expected increase of 17,977 persons by 2041. This reflects a total increase of 56.3% over the 17-year period.

The level of residential development activity in Surfers Paradise was found to be higher than 90% of real estate markets across the country

Based on AreaSearch analysis of ABS building approval numbers, Surfers Paradise had around 739 new homes approved annually over the past five financial years, totalling an estimated 3,698 homes. As of FY26, 67 approvals have been recorded. On average, 1.4 people moved to the area for each dwelling built between FY21 and FY25, indicating a balanced supply and demand market with stable conditions. New properties are constructed at an average value of $1,159,000, reflecting a focus on premium segment development.

In FY26, $25.1 million in commercial development approvals have been recorded, demonstrating moderate levels of commercial development. Compared to the rest of Queensland, Surfers Paradise has seen elevated construction activity, with 29.0% above the regional average per person over the past five years. This activity is well above the national average, indicating strong developer confidence in the area. New building activity consists of 2.0% standalone homes and 98.0% medium to high-density housing, attracting downsizers, investors, and first-time purchasers with affordable entry pathways. With around 33 people per dwelling approval, Surfers Paradise exhibits characteristics of a growth area.

According to the latest AreaSearch quarterly estimate, Surfers Paradise is expected to grow by 17,725 residents through to 2041, with current construction levels likely meeting demand and creating favourable conditions for buyers while potentially enabling growth that exceeds current forecasts.

Surfers 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 49 projects likely to impact the area. Notable projects include River Terrace, South Beach, Surfers Paradise, Surfers Paradise Revitalisation, and COAST. The following details projects likely to be most relevant.

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

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AreaSearch assessment positions Surfers Paradise ahead of most Australian regions for employment performance

Surfers Paradise has a well-educated workforce with prominent tourism and hospitality sectors. Its unemployment rate was 3.3% in the past year, with an estimated employment growth of 2.7%.

As of September 2025, there are 18,584 residents employed, with an unemployment rate of 0.8% below Rest of Qld's rate of 4.1%. Workforce participation is lower at 55.7%, compared to Rest of Qld's 59.1%. Leading employment industries include accommodation & food, health care & social assistance, and retail trade. The area has a notable concentration in accommodation & food, with employment levels at 2.2 times the regional average.

In contrast, agriculture, forestry & fishing employs only 0.4% of local workers, below Rest of Qld's 4.5%. Many residents commute elsewhere for work based on Census data. Over a 12-month period ending September 2025, employment increased by 2.7%, while labour force grew by 2.8%, keeping the unemployment rate relatively stable. In contrast, Rest of Qld experienced employment growth of 1.7% and labour force growth of 2.1%, with a 0.3 percentage point rise in unemployment rate. State-level data to 25-Nov-25 shows Queensland's employment contracted by 0.01%, with the state unemployment rate at 4.2%. National employment forecasts from Jobs and Skills Australia suggest national employment will expand by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, but growth rates vary significantly between industry sectors. Applying these projections to Surfers Paradise's employment mix suggests local employment should increase by 6.5% over five years and 13.4% over ten years.

The area's income levels rank in the lower 15% nationally based on AreaSearch comparative data

The suburb of Surfers Paradise had a median income among taxpayers of $44,991 and an average income of $74,474 in the financial year 2023, according to ATO data aggregated by AreaSearch. This compares to figures for Rest of Qld's of $53,146 and $66,593 respectively. As of September 2025, current estimates suggest a median income of approximately $49,450 and an average income of $81,854 based on Wage Price Index growth of 9.91%. According to the 2021 Census, personal income ranks at the 43rd percentile with weekly earnings of $775, while household income sits at the 21st percentile. The income bracket of $1,500 - 2,999 captures 28.9% of Surfers Paradise's community (9,093 individuals), which is consistent with broader trends across the surrounding region showing 31.7% in the same category. Housing affordability pressures are severe, with only 78.3% of income remaining after housing costs, ranking at the 16th percentile. The suburb's SEIFA income ranking places it in the 5th decile.

Surfers Paradise features a more urban dwelling mix with significant apartment living, with a higher proportion of rental properties than the broader region

In Surfers Paradise, as per the latest Census evaluation, 10.1% of dwellings were houses, with the remaining 89.8% comprising semi-detached homes, apartments, and other types. This is in contrast to Non-Metro Qld's figures of 25.1% houses and 74.9% other dwellings. Home ownership in Surfers Paradise stood at 28.0%, with mortgaged properties at 19.0% and rented ones at 53.0%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $1,606, lower than Non-Metro Qld's average of $1,950. Weekly rent in Surfers Paradise was recorded at $410, compared to Non-Metro Qld's $437. Nationally, Surfers Paradise's median monthly mortgage repayment is lower than the Australian average of $1,863, while weekly rents are higher than the national figure of $375.

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

Family households account for 50.9% of all households, including 11.0% couples with children, 31.6% couples without children, and 7.0% single parent families. Non-family households constitute the remaining 49.1%, with lone person households at 39.9% and group households comprising 9.2%. The median household size is 1.9 people, smaller than the Rest of Qld average of 2.1.

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

In Surfers Paradise, residents aged 15 and above have a notable educational advantage with 32.3% holding university qualifications, surpassing the broader benchmarks of 20.6% in the rest of Queensland and 25.4% in the SA4 region. Bachelor degrees are most prevalent at 22.6%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (7.2%) and graduate diplomas (2.5%). Vocational credentials are also prominent, with 37.2% of residents holding such qualifications, including advanced diplomas (15.1%) and certificates (22.1%). Educational participation is high, with 31.5% of residents currently enrolled in formal education, comprising 7.7% in tertiary education, 4.9% in primary education, and 4.3% pursuing secondary education.

Educational participation is notably high, with 31.5% of residents currently enrolled in formal education. This includes 7.7% in tertiary education, 4.9% in primary education, and 4.3% pursuing secondary education.

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

The analysis indicates that there are 55 active public transport stops in Surfers Paradise. These stops offer a variety of services including trains, light rail, and buses. There are 13 individual routes operating, which together facilitate 2,843 weekly passenger trips.

The accessibility of the transport system is deemed good, with residents on average being located 202 meters from their nearest stop. On a daily basis, there are an average of 406 trips across all routes, translating to approximately 51 weekly trips per individual stop.

The level of general health in Surfers Paradise is notably higher than the national average with both young and old age cohorts seeing low prevalence of common health conditions

Surfers Paradise shows superior health outcomes for both young and elderly residents, with low prevalence rates for common health conditions.

Approximately 57% (~17,844 people) have private health cover, a rate significantly higher than the Queensland average. The most prevalent medical conditions are arthritis (affecting 7.7%) and mental health issues (7.1%). Notably, 72.2% of residents report no medical ailments, slightly higher than the Rest of Qld's 72.6%. The area has a lower proportion of seniors aged 65 and over at 20.8% (6,544 people), compared to Queensland's average of 21.8%. Despite this, health outcomes among seniors in Surfers Paradise are particularly strong, outperforming the general population in key health metrics.

Surfers Paradise is among the most culturally diverse areas in the country based on AreaSearch assessment of a range of language and cultural background related metrics

Surfers Paradise has a high level of cultural diversity, with 28.3% of its population speaking a language other than English at home and 45.6% born overseas. Christianity is the predominant religion in Surfers Paradise, accounting for 47.4% of the population. However, Judaism is notably overrepresented, comprising 0.6% of the population compared to the rest of Queensland's 0.6%.

The top three ancestry groups are English (25.8%), Australian (16.8%), and Other (15.5%). Some ethnic groups show notable differences: Spanish is overrepresented at 1.4%, French at 0.9%, and Russian at 0.7% compared to regional percentages of 1.1%, 0.8%, and 0.6% respectively.

Surfers Paradise's median age exceeds the national pattern

Surfers Paradise has a median age of 40, close to Rest of Qld's figure of 41 but exceeding the national norm of 38. The 25-34 age group is strongly represented at 25.5%, compared to Rest of Qld's figure, while the 5-14 cohort is less prevalent at 3.9%. This concentration of the 25-34 age group is well above the national average of 14.5%. Post the 2021 Census, younger residents caused a shift in median age down by 1.5 years to 40. Specifically, the 25-34 age group grew from 21.4% to 25.5%, and the 15-24 cohort increased from 10.8% to 12.1%. Conversely, the 45-54 cohort declined from 12.3% to 10.4%, and the 65-74 group dropped from 12.7% to 11.2%. By 2041, Surfers Paradise is expected to see significant shifts in its age composition, with the 25-34 cohort projected to grow by 67%, adding 5,388 residents to reach 13,412.