Tweed Heads

Population growth drivers in Tweed Heads are strong compared to national averages based on AreaSearch's ranking of recent, and medium to long-term trends

As of Nov 2025, the estimated population of Tweed Heads is around 9,797, reflecting an increase of 621 people since the 2021 Census. The ABS ERP estimate for Jun 2024 placed the resident population at 9,631, with an additional 150 validated new addresses contributing to this growth. This results in a population density ratio of 2,605 persons per square kilometer, placing Tweed Heads in the upper quartile nationally according to AreaSearch assessments. The suburb's population grew by 6.8% between the 2021 Census and Nov 2025, outpacing both the SA4 region (3.3%) and SA3 area growth rates. Overseas migration accounted for approximately 50.0% of overall population gains during recent periods. AreaSearch projections, based on ABS/Geoscience Australia data released in 2024 with a 2022 base year, forecast Tweed Heads' population to increase by 976 persons to 2041, reflecting a gain of 6.5% over the 17-year period.

AreaSearch is adopting ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area, as released in 2024 with 2022 as the base year. For any SA2 areas not covered by this data, AreaSearch is utilising the NSW State Government's SA2 level projections, as released in 2022 with 2021 as the base year. Growth rates by age group from these aggregations are also applied to all areas for years 2032 to 2041. Moving forward with demographic trends, a population increase just below the median of regional areas across the nation is expected, with the area expected to grow by 976 persons to 2041 based on aggregated SA2-level projections, reflecting recording a gain of 6.5% in total over the 17 years.

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

Tweed Heads has seen approximately 44 new homes approved annually based on AreaSearch analysis of ABS building approval numbers. Over the past five financial years, from FY21 to FY25, around 221 homes were approved, with an additional 71 approved so far in FY26. Each dwelling built over this period has resulted in an average of 2.1 new residents per year.

The average construction cost value for new homes is $493,000. In the current financial year, $28.1 million in commercial development approvals have been recorded. Compared to the Rest of NSW, Tweed Heads has 58.0% more building activity per person. New building activity consists of 43.0% detached houses and 57.0% medium and high-density housing. The population density in Tweed Heads is around 438 people per dwelling approval, indicating a developed market.

Population forecasts suggest Tweed Heads will gain approximately 642 residents by 2041. Given current development patterns, new housing supply should meet demand, potentially facilitating further population growth.

Tweed Heads has very high levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the top 10% nationally

The performance of an area is significantly influenced by changes in local infrastructure, major projects, and planning initiatives. AreaSearch has identified 32 such projects that could impact this area. Notable projects include Enid Street Residential Towers, River Terrace Mixed-Use Development, Tweed Heads Road Infrastructure Upgrades, and Tweed Heads Social Housing Development. The following list details those projects likely to be most relevant.

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

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 employment landscape in Tweed Heads presents a mixed picture: unemployment remains low at 3.2%, yet recent job losses have affected its comparative national standing

Tweed Heads has a skilled workforce with essential services sectors well represented. The unemployment rate as of June 2025 was 3.2%, according to AreaSearch's aggregation of statistical area data.

In that month, 3,902 residents were employed while the unemployment rate was 0.5% lower than Rest of NSW's rate of 3.7%. Workforce participation in Tweed Heads was 46.3%, significantly lower than Rest of NSW's 56.4%. Employment is concentrated in health care & social assistance, construction, and accommodation & food, with a particular specialisation in the latter at 1.4 times the regional level. Agriculture, forestry & fishing, however, has lower representation at 0.7% compared to the regional average of 5.3%.

The area appears to offer limited local employment opportunities. Over the 12 months to June 2025, labour force levels decreased by 4.7%, alongside a 4.1% employment decline, causing the unemployment rate to fall by 0.7 percentage points. In contrast, Rest of NSW experienced an employment decline of 0.1% and labour force growth of 0.3%, with a rise in unemployment rate by 0.4 percentage points. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from Sep-22 suggest potential future demand within Tweed Heads. These projections estimate national employment to 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 Tweed Heads' employment mix suggests local employment should increase by 6.9% over five years and 14.1% over ten years, though these are simple extrapolations for illustrative purposes and do not account for localised population projections.

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

AreaSearch's latest postcode level ATO data for financial year ending June 2022 shows median income in Tweed Heads was $44,792 and average income was $58,092. This is lower than Rest of NSW's median income of $49,459 and average income of $62,998. By September 2025, estimated median income in Tweed Heads would be approximately $50,440 and average income $65,417, based on Wage Price Index growth of 12.61% since financial year ending June 2022. According to Census 2021 data, incomes in Tweed Heads fall between the 9th and 21st percentiles nationally for household, family, and personal incomes. The $800 - 1,499 income bracket captures 29.1% of the community (2,850 individuals), unlike metropolitan regions where the $1,500 - 2,999 range is more prevalent at 29.9%. Housing affordability pressures are severe in Tweed Heads, with only 79.9% of income remaining after housing costs, ranking at the 8th percentile nationally.

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

In Tweed Heads, as per the latest Census evaluation, 25.0% of dwellings were houses while 75.0% consisted of other types such as semi-detached homes, apartments, and 'other' dwellings. This contrasts with Non-Metro NSW's figures of 66.3% houses and 33.8% other dwellings. Home ownership in Tweed Heads was recorded at 43.1%, similar to Non-Metro NSW, with mortgaged dwellings at 21.5% and rented ones at 35.4%. The median monthly mortgage repayment in the area was $1,733, lower than Non-Metro NSW's average of $1,872. The median weekly rent figure for Tweed Heads stood at $403, slightly higher than Non-Metro NSW's $400. Nationally, mortgage repayments in Tweed Heads were lower than the Australian average of $1,863, while rents were higher than the national figure of $375.

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

Family households account for 56.4% of all households, including 14.8% couples with children, 30.8% couples without children, and 9.8% single parent families. Non-family households constitute the remaining 43.6%, with lone person households at 38.4% and group households comprising 5.3%. The median household size is 2.0 people, which is smaller than the Rest of NSW average of 2.4.

Educational attainment in Tweed Heads aligns closely with national averages, showing typical qualification patterns and performance metrics

Educational qualifications in Tweed Heads show that 23.1% of residents aged 15 and above hold university degrees, compared to the NSW average of 32.2%. The most common qualification is a bachelor degree at 16.8%, followed by postgraduate qualifications at 4.3% and graduate diplomas at 2.0%. Vocational credentials are also prevalent, with 39.3% of residents aged 15 and above holding such qualifications, including advanced diplomas (12.0%) and certificates (27.3%). A significant portion of the population, 22.5%, is currently engaged in formal education, with 6.5% in primary, 5.2% in secondary, and 3.9% in tertiary education.

The area has two primary schools, St Joseph's Primary School and Tweed Heads Public School, serving a total of 694 students. These schools provide balanced educational opportunities, typical of Australian schools (ICSEA: 1026). Both focus on primary education, with secondary options available in nearby areas. The school places per 100 residents stand at 7.2, lower than the regional average of 14.2, indicating that some students may attend schools outside Tweed Heads.

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

Tweed Heads has 51 active public transport stops, all of which are bus stops. These stops are served by 52 different routes that together facilitate 1,929 weekly passenger trips. The average distance from a resident's location to the nearest transport stop is 196 meters.

On average, there are 275 trips per day across all routes, equating to approximately 37 weekly trips per individual stop.

Health performance in Tweed Heads is well below average with prevalence of common health conditions notable across both younger and older age cohorts

Tweed Heads faces significant health challenges, with common conditions prevalent across both younger and older age groups. Approximately 50% (~4892 people) have private health cover, lower than the national average of 55.3%.

The most frequent medical issues are arthritis (11.8%) and mental health concerns (7.6%). Around 61.9% report no medical ailments, compared to 64.2% in Rest of NSW. About 34.9% (~3419 people) are aged 65 and over, higher than the 26.1% in Rest of NSW. Despite this, health outcomes among seniors exceed averages, outperforming general population metrics.

In terms of cultural diversity, Tweed Heads records figures broadly comparable to the national average, as found in AreaSearch's assessment of a number of language and cultural background related metrics

Tweed Heads' cultural diversity aligns with its wider region, with 83.6% citizens, 77.6% born in Australia, and 91.3% speaking English only at home. Christianity is the predominant religion, comprising 54.8%. Judaism's representation is notable at 0.2%, compared to 0.2% regionally.

The top three ancestry groups are English (32.7%), Australian (24.6%), and Irish (11.0%). Spanish, Maori, and New Zealand groups show higher representation in Tweed Heads than regionally, at 0.6%, 0.8%, and 0.8% respectively.

Tweed Heads ranks among the oldest 10% of areas nationwide

The median age in Tweed Heads is 54 years, significantly higher than Rest of NSW's average of 43 and considerably older than Australia's national norm of 38. Compared to the Rest of NSW average, the 75-84 age cohort is notably over-represented at 12.6% in Tweed Heads, while the 5-14 age group is under-represented at 6.9%. The concentration of the 75-84 age group is well above the national average of 6.0%. Between the 2021 Census and the present day, the 35 to 44 age group has grown from 10.6% to 12.2% of the population in Tweed Heads, while the 55 to 64 cohort has declined from 14.4% to 12.6%. By the year 2041, Tweed Heads is projected to experience notable shifts in its age composition. The 85+ age group is expected to grow steadily, increasing by 269 people (49%) from 548 to 818. Notably, the combined 65+ age groups will account for 51% of total population growth, reflecting the area's aging demographic profile. Conversely, both the 65 to 74 and 15 to 24 age groups are projected to decrease in number.