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

Based on ABS population updates and AreaSearch validation, as of Nov 2025, Tweed Heads statistical area (Lv2) has an estimated population of around 9,844. This reflects a growth of 668 people since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 9,176. The change is inferred from AreaSearch's estimate of resident population at 9,669 following examination of ABS ERP data release in June 2024 and an additional 150 validated new addresses since the Census date. This results in a density ratio of 2,618 persons per square kilometer, placing Tweed Heads (SA2) in the upper quartile nationally according to AreaSearch assessments. The area's 7.3% growth since the 2021 census exceeded both SA4 and SA3 regions, marking it as a growth leader. Overseas migration contributed approximately 50.0% of overall population gains during recent periods.

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, NSW State Government's SA2 level projections released in 2022 with 2021 as the base year are utilized. Growth rates by age group from these aggregations are applied to all areas for years 2032 to 2041. According to demographic trends, Tweed Heads (SA2) is expected to grow by 978 persons to 2041 based on aggregated SA2-level projections, reflecting a gain of 6.1% over the 17-year period.

Residential development activity is slightly higher than average within Tweed Heads when compared nationally

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 FY-21 to FY-25, around 223 homes were approved, with an additional 73 approved so far in FY-26. Each dwelling built has led to an average of 2.1 new residents per year over these five years, indicating strong demand that supports property values.

The average expected construction cost value of new homes is $493,000, suggesting a focus on the premium market with high-end developments. This financial year, $7.6 million in commercial approvals have been registered, reflecting the area's residential character. Compared to the Rest of NSW, Tweed Heads has 59.0% more building activity per person. This offers buyers greater choice, although building activity has slowed in recent years. The new building activity shows a skew towards compact living, with 38.0% detached houses and 62.0% medium and high-density housing.

This trend offers affordable entry pathways and attracts downsizers, investors, and first-time purchasers. With around 348 people per dwelling approval, Tweed Heads exhibits a developed market. Population forecasts indicate that Tweed Heads will gain approximately 597 residents by 2041, based on the latest AreaSearch quarterly estimate. Given current development patterns, new housing supply should readily meet demand, offering good conditions for buyers and potentially facilitating population growth beyond current projections.

Tweed Heads 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 32 projects likely to affect this region. Notable ones 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 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.

While Tweed Heads retains a healthy unemployment rate of 3.4%, recent employment declines have impacted its national performance ranking

Tweed Heads has a skilled workforce with well-represented essential services sectors. Its unemployment rate is 3.4%, as per AreaSearch's aggregation of statistical area data.

As of September 2025, there are 3,976 residents employed, with an unemployment rate of 0.4% below Rest of NSW's rate of 3.8%. Workforce participation in Tweed Heads is lower at 46.3%, compared to Rest of NSW's 56.4%. The leading employment industries among residents are health care & social assistance, construction, and accommodation & food. Notably, accommodation & food has a strong representation with an employment share 1.4 times the regional level.

Conversely, agriculture, forestry & fishing shows lower representation at 0.7% versus the regional average of 5.3%. The area appears to offer limited local employment opportunities, as indicated by the Census working population vs resident population count. Between September 2024 and September 2025, Tweed Heads' labour force decreased by 2.4%, while employment declined by 1.6%, resulting in a fall of 0.7 percentage points in the unemployment rate. In comparison, Rest of NSW recorded an employment decline of 0.5%, labour force decline of 0.1%, and an increase in unemployment by 0.4 percentage points. State-level data to November 25 shows that NSW's employment contracted by 0.03% (losing 2,260 jobs), with the state unemployment rate at 3.9%. This compares favourably to the national unemployment rate of 4.3%. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May-25 suggest that national employment should expand by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Tweed Heads' employment mix, local employment is estimated to increase by 6.9% over five years and 14.1% over ten years.

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 in Tweed Heads, median income is $44,792 and average income is $58,092. In comparison, Rest of NSW has a median income of $52,390 and an average income of $65,215. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 8.86% since financial year 2023, estimated incomes for September 2025 would be approximately $48,761 (median) and $63,239 (average). Census 2021 income data indicates that Tweed Heads' household, family, and personal incomes fall between the 9th and 21st percentiles nationally. The $800 - 1,499 earnings band captures 29.1% of Tweed Heads' community (2,864 individuals), unlike metropolitan regions where 29.9% fall within the $1,500 - 2,999 range. Housing affordability pressures are severe in Tweed Heads, with only 79.9% of income remaining, 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

The dwelling structure in Tweed Heads, as per the latest Census, consisted of 25.0% houses and 75.0% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings). In comparison, Non-Metro NSW had 66.3% houses and 33.8% other dwellings. The home ownership level in Tweed Heads was 43.1%, with mortgaged dwellings at 21.5% and rented ones at 35.4%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $1,733, lower than Non-Metro NSW's average of $1,872. The median weekly rent figure in Tweed Heads was $403, compared to Non-Metro NSW's $400. Nationally, Tweed Heads' mortgage repayments were lower at $1,733 than the Australian average of $1,863, while rents were higher at $403 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 constitute 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 account for the remaining 43.6%, with lone person households at 38.4% and group households comprising 5.3% of the total. 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 lag behind regional averages as of 2021. Only 23.1% of residents aged 15 and over hold university degrees, compared to NSW's 32.2%. University graduates make up the largest group at 16.8%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (4.3%) and graduate diplomas (2.0%). Vocational credentials are also common, with 39.3% of residents aged 15 and over holding such qualifications - advanced diplomas account for 12.0% while certificates make up 27.3%.

A significant portion of the population is actively engaged in education, with 22.5% pursuing formal learning. This includes 6.5% in primary education, 5.2% in secondary education, and 3.9% pursuing tertiary education as of the latest data available.

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

Tweed Heads has 57 active public transport stops. All these stops are serviced by buses via 52 different routes. These routes collectively provide 1,954 weekly passenger trips.

Residents' accessibility to transport is rated excellent, with an average distance of 196 meters to the nearest stop. On average, there are 279 daily trips across all routes, which equates to approximately 34 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 half (49.16%) of its total population (~4,916 people) has private health cover, lower than the national average of 55.7%.

The most prevalent medical conditions are arthritis (11.8% of residents) and mental health issues (7.6%). Conversely, 61.9% of residents report no medical ailments, compared to 64.2% in Rest of NSW. Residents aged 65 and over comprise 34.7% (3,415 people), higher than the 26.1% in Rest of NSW. Despite this, health outcomes among seniors are above average, outperforming the general population in health 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, in terms of cultural diversity, aligns with its wider region's average. Its population is predominantly Australian citizens (83.6%), born in Australia (77.6%), and speaking English at home (91.3%). Christianity is the dominant religion in Tweed Heads, comprising 54.8% of residents.

Notably, Judaism is slightly overrepresented compared to Rest of NSW, with 0.2% versus 0.2%. The top three ancestry groups are English (32.7%), Australian (24.6%), and Irish (11.0%). Some ethnic groups show notable differences: Spanish at 0.6% in Tweed Heads compared to 0.3% regionally, Maori at 0.8% versus 0.5%, and New Zealanders at 0.8% versus 0.7%.

Tweed Heads ranks among the oldest 10% of areas nationwide

The median age in Tweed Heads is 54 years, which is significantly higher than the Rest of NSW average of 43 years and considerably older than the national norm of 38 years. 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 year-olds are under-represented at 6.9%. This concentration of the 75-84 cohort is well above the national average of 6.0%. Between the 2021 Census and present, the 35 to 44 age group has grown from 10.6% to 12.1% of the population, while the 55 to 64 cohort has declined from 14.4% to 12.6%. By 2041, Tweed Heads is expected to see notable shifts in its age composition. The 85+ age cohort is projected to expand considerably, increasing by 277 people (51%) from 541 to 819. Notably, the combined 65+ age groups will account for 51% of total population growth, reflecting the area's aging demographic profile. Conversely, both the 5-14 and 65-74 age groups are expected to see reduced numbers.