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Coolum Beach vs Sunshine Beach

Statistical Area 2 (SA2) comparison ≈ 15 km apart · Coolum Beach profile · Sunshine Beach profile

Coolum Beach Sunshine Beach

Coolum Beach and Sunshine Beach are nearby coastal areas with different profiles of accessibility and education. Sunshine Beach is more walkable and better connected, with 97.5% of homes within a 10-minute walk of public transport compared to 80.2% in Coolum Beach. Education levels and incomes are also well higher in Sunshine Beach, where 32.3% of adults hold a bachelor degree or higher. In contrast, Coolum Beach has a far higher share of homes within a 15-minute walk of health services (47.7% versus 0.0%) and larger average school sizes, at 1,278 compared to 570 students.

Since 2011, the gaps between these two areas have generally widened. There are now more people born overseas and a higher share of university graduates and high earners in Sunshine Beach than there were a decade ago. Despite these growing differences, the two areas remain very similar in other ways. They have almost identical shares of people aged 65 and over, and typical weekly household incomes are close, sitting at $1,703 in Coolum Beach and $1,826 in Sunshine Beach.

Where they differ most

Demographics & Identity

Population in Coolum Beachin Sunshine Beach +9,097 larger in Coolum Beach gap widening
15,948 79th pct 6,851 34th pct
  • First area, 2011: 13,154
  • First area, 2016: 14,589
  • First area, 2021: 15,948
  • Second area, 2011: 6,344
  • Second area, 2016: 6,534
  • Second area, 2021: 6,851
Median age in Coolum Beachin Sunshine Beach +2 yrs older in Sunshine Beach gap narrowing
44 yrs 75th pct 46 yrs 81st pct
  • First area, 2011: 38 yrs
  • First area, 2016: 42 yrs
  • First area, 2021: 44 yrs
  • Second area, 2011: 42 yrs
  • Second area, 2016: 44 yrs
  • Second area, 2021: 46 yrs
First Nations in Coolum Beachin Sunshine Beach +0.9 pts higher in Coolum Beach gap steady
1.9% 46th pct 1.0% 27th pct
  • First area, 2011: 1.6%
  • First area, 2016: 2.0%
  • First area, 2021: 1.9%
  • Second area, 2011: 0.9%
  • Second area, 2016: 0.8%
  • Second area, 2021: 1.0%
Aged 65+ in Coolum Beachin Sunshine Beach +0.4 pts higher in Sunshine Beach gap steady
19.6% 63rd pct 20.0% 66th pct
  • First area, 2011: 13.6%
  • First area, 2016: 16.6%
  • First area, 2021: 19.6%
  • Second area, 2011: 12.9%
  • Second area, 2016: 16.1%
  • Second area, 2021: 20.0%
Under 15 in Coolum Beachin Sunshine Beach +1.1 pts higher in Coolum Beach gap steady
17.0% 40th pct 15.9% 28th pct
  • First area, 2011: 20.7%
  • First area, 2016: 19.0%
  • First area, 2021: 17.0%
  • Second area, 2011: 18.6%
  • Second area, 2016: 17.7%
  • Second area, 2021: 15.9%
De facto in Coolum Beachin Sunshine Beach +0.8 pts higher in Coolum Beach gap steady
14.4% 76th pct 13.6% 70th pct
  • First area, 2011: 13.7%
  • First area, 2016: 13.1%
  • First area, 2021: 14.4%
  • Second area, 2011: 12.5%
  • Second area, 2016: 13.1%
  • Second area, 2021: 13.6%

Age structure

30.0% Older adults (45–64) +2.6 pts ▸ 32.6%
23.9% Young adults (25–44) ◂ +2.4 pts 21.4%
19.6% Seniors (65+) +0.4 pts ▸ 20.0%
17.0% Children (0–14) ◂ +1.1 pts 15.9%
9.6% Youth (15–24) +0.5 pts ▸ 10.1%

Marital status

47.2% Married +1.8 pts ▸ 49.0%
32.6% Never married +0.9 pts ▸ 33.4%
11.8% Divorced ◂ +0.1 pts 11.7%
5.0% Widowed ◂ +2.0 pts 3.0%
3.5% Separated ◂ +0.7 pts 2.8%

Age & sex structure

Coolum Beach Sunshine Beach

Bars show the share of each area's own population, so differently sized areas stay comparable.

  • 85+ in Coolum Beach: 0.9% males, 1.4% females; 85+ in Sunshine Beach: 0.6% males, 0.6% females
  • 80–84 in Coolum Beach: 1.0% males, 1.3% females; 80–84 in Sunshine Beach: 1.2% males, 1.0% females
  • 75–79 in Coolum Beach: 1.6% males, 1.7% females; 75–79 in Sunshine Beach: 1.9% males, 1.7% females
  • 70–74 in Coolum Beach: 2.5% males, 2.5% females; 70–74 in Sunshine Beach: 3.2% males, 2.8% females
  • 65–69 in Coolum Beach: 3.2% males, 3.3% females; 65–69 in Sunshine Beach: 3.4% males, 3.6% females
  • 60–64 in Coolum Beach: 3.3% males, 4.0% females; 60–64 in Sunshine Beach: 3.6% males, 3.8% females
  • 55–59 in Coolum Beach: 3.4% males, 3.8% females; 55–59 in Sunshine Beach: 4.0% males, 4.4% females
  • 50–54 in Coolum Beach: 3.5% males, 4.0% females; 50–54 in Sunshine Beach: 4.2% males, 4.6% females
  • 45–49 in Coolum Beach: 4.1% males, 3.9% females; 45–49 in Sunshine Beach: 3.7% males, 4.3% females
  • 40–44 in Coolum Beach: 3.2% males, 3.6% females; 40–44 in Sunshine Beach: 3.0% males, 3.8% females
  • 35–39 in Coolum Beach: 3.5% males, 3.8% females; 35–39 in Sunshine Beach: 2.5% males, 2.9% females
  • 30–34 in Coolum Beach: 2.5% males, 2.9% females; 30–34 in Sunshine Beach: 2.5% males, 2.6% females
  • 25–29 in Coolum Beach: 2.1% males, 2.5% females; 25–29 in Sunshine Beach: 2.1% males, 1.8% females
  • 20–24 in Coolum Beach: 2.0% males, 2.0% females; 20–24 in Sunshine Beach: 1.8% males, 2.1% females
  • 15–19 in Coolum Beach: 2.9% males, 2.6% females; 15–19 in Sunshine Beach: 3.4% males, 2.8% females
  • 10–14 in Coolum Beach: 3.3% males, 2.9% females; 10–14 in Sunshine Beach: 3.4% males, 2.9% females
  • 5–9 in Coolum Beach: 3.1% males, 2.6% females; 5–9 in Sunshine Beach: 3.0% males, 2.5% females
  • 0–4 in Coolum Beach: 2.6% males, 2.4% females; 0–4 in Sunshine Beach: 1.8% males, 2.2% females

Ancestry & Birthplace

Born overseas in Coolum Beachin Sunshine Beach +8.1 pts higher in Sunshine Beach gap widening
18.6% 41st pct 26.7% 60th pct
  • First area, 2011: 17.4%
  • First area, 2016: 17.3%
  • First area, 2021: 18.6%
  • Second area, 2011: 23.0%
  • Second area, 2016: 22.4%
  • Second area, 2021: 26.7%

Country of birth

76.9% Australia ◂ +8.6 pts 68.3%
5.5% England +2.0 pts ▸ 7.5%
3.6% New Zealand +0.7 pts ▸ 4.3%
1.2% South Africa ◂ +0.1 pts 1.1%
0.2% Italy +0.2 pts ▸ 0.4%
0.3% Philippines +0.1 pts ▸ 0.4%
0.2% India +0.1 pts ▸ 0.2%
0.2% Nepal ◂ +0.2 pts 0.0%
0.0% China +0.1 pts ▸ 0.1%
0.0% Vietnam even 0.0%

Ancestry

46.7% English ◂ +0.9 pts 45.8%
35.5% Australian ◂ +6.1 pts 29.4%
15.0% Irish ◂ +0.4 pts 14.5%
13.6% Scottish +0.2 pts ▸ 13.7%
6.7% German ◂ +0.1 pts 6.6%
3.1% Italian +0.5 pts ▸ 3.6%
2.5% Dutch ◂ +0.2 pts 2.3%
0.7% Chinese ◂ +0.2 pts 0.6%
0.7% Greek ◂ +0.1 pts 0.6%
0.4% Filipino +0.1 pts ▸ 0.5%
0.3% Indian +0.1 pts ▸ 0.4%
0.1% Vietnamese even 0.0%

Language

Other language in Coolum Beachin Sunshine Beach +3.9 pts higher in Sunshine Beach gap widening
5.1% 24th pct 9.0% 41st pct
  • First area, 2011: 3.7%
  • First area, 2016: 4.6%
  • First area, 2021: 5.1%
  • Second area, 2011: 5.2%
  • Second area, 2016: 6.2%
  • Second area, 2021: 9.0%
Limited English in Coolum Beachin Sunshine Beach +0.2 pts higher in Sunshine Beach gap steady
0.3% 14th pct 0.5% 26th pct
  • First area, 2016: 0.4%
  • First area, 2021: 0.3%
  • Second area, 2016: 0.3%
  • Second area, 2021: 0.5%

Language used at home

90.3% English only ◂ +4.3 pts 86.0%
0.3% Italian +0.3 pts ▸ 0.6%
0.1% Mandarin +0.1 pts ▸ 0.2%
0.2% Greek even 0.2%
0.1% Cantonese even 0.1%
0.0% Arabic even 0.1%
0.1% Hindi even 0.1%
0.1% Tagalog even 0.1%
0.1% Punjabi ◂ +0.1 pts 0.0%
0.0% Vietnamese even 0.0%

Religion

No religion in Coolum Beachin Sunshine Beach +0.8 pts higher in Sunshine Beach gap steady
52.0% 89th pct 52.8% 91st pct
  • First area, 2011: 30.6%
  • First area, 2016: 39.8%
  • First area, 2021: 52.0%
  • Second area, 2011: 31.8%
  • Second area, 2016: 42.1%
  • Second area, 2021: 52.8%

Religious affiliation

52.0% No religion +0.8 pts ▸ 52.8%
39.8% Christianity ◂ +2.0 pts 37.8%
6.4% Not stated +0.8 pts ▸ 7.2%
1.0% Buddhism +0.2 pts ▸ 1.2%
0.3% Other religions +0.1 pts ▸ 0.4%
0.4% Hinduism ◂ +0.2 pts 0.2%
0.1% Judaism +0.2 pts ▸ 0.3%
0.1% Islam even 0.2%

Education & Qualifications

Year 12 in Coolum Beachin Sunshine Beach +9.1 pts higher in Sunshine Beach gap widening
60.5% 58th pct 69.6% 75th pct
  • First area, 2011: 50.0%
  • First area, 2016: 53.6%
  • First area, 2021: 60.5%
  • Second area, 2011: 57.7%
  • Second area, 2016: 61.9%
  • Second area, 2021: 69.6%
Bachelor+ in Coolum Beachin Sunshine Beach +6.2 pts higher in Sunshine Beach gap widening
26.0% 61st pct 32.3% 72nd pct
  • First area, 2011: 16.4%
  • First area, 2016: 20.3%
  • First area, 2021: 26.0%
  • Second area, 2011: 19.8%
  • Second area, 2016: 24.9%
  • Second area, 2021: 32.3%
Schools in Coolum Beachin Sunshine Beach +3 more in Sunshine Beach
2 14th pct 5 64th pct
Schools/1k kids in Coolum Beachin Sunshine Beach +3.85 more in Sunshine Beach
0.74 7th pct 4.59 84th pct
Schools ≤3 km in Coolum Beachin Sunshine Beach +1 more in Coolum Beach
6 12th pct 5 10th pct
Students in Coolum Beachin Sunshine Beach +294 more in Sunshine Beach
2,555 72nd pct 2,849 76th pct
Avg size in Coolum Beachin Sunshine Beach +708 larger in Coolum Beach
1,278 99th pct 570 69th pct
ICSEA in Coolum Beachin Sunshine Beach +17 higher in Sunshine Beach
1,042 62nd pct 1,059 69th pct

Highest year of school

60.5% Year 12 +9.1 pts ▸ 69.6%
21.1% Year 10 ◂ +7.0 pts 14.1%
7.4% Year 11 ◂ +0.3 pts 7.1%
5.5% Year 9 or below ◂ +2.4 pts 3.1%

Highest qualification level

25.8% Bachelor degree +5.7 pts ▸ 31.4%
29.9% Certificate III / IV ◂ +8.5 pts 21.3%
16.8% Advanced diploma / diploma ◂ +0.3 pts 16.5%
7.4% Postgraduate degree +2.6 pts ▸ 9.9%
4.6% Graduate diploma / certificate ◂ +0.7 pts 3.9%
1.5% Certificate I / II +0.1 pts ▸ 1.7%

Field of qualification

16.5% Management & commerce +3.6 pts ▸ 20.0%
12.7% Health ◂ +0.7 pts 12.0%
12.2% Engineering & related ◂ +3.2 pts 9.0%
12.0% Society & culture +0.1 pts ▸ 12.1%
10.9% Education ◂ +1.7 pts 9.2%
9.2% Architecture & building ◂ +1.3 pts 7.8%
5.6% Food, hospitality & personal services +1.0 pts ▸ 6.6%
4.2% Creative arts +1.8 pts ▸ 6.0%
2.1% Natural & physical sciences +1.0 pts ▸ 3.1%
2.2% Agriculture & environment ◂ +0.4 pts 1.8%
1.3% Information technology ◂ +0.1 pts 1.2%

Income

Personal income in Coolum Beachin Sunshine Beach +$74 higher in Sunshine Beach gap widening
$794 48th pct $868 62nd pct
  • First area, 2011: $552
  • First area, 2016: $659
  • First area, 2021: $794
  • Second area, 2011: $593
  • Second area, 2016: $700
  • Second area, 2021: $868
Household income in Coolum Beachin Sunshine Beach +$123 higher in Sunshine Beach gap widening
$1,703 47th pct $1,826 55th pct
  • First area, 2011: $1,093
  • First area, 2016: $1,324
  • First area, 2021: $1,703
  • Second area, 2011: $1,073
  • Second area, 2016: $1,371
  • Second area, 2021: $1,826
Family income in Coolum Beachin Sunshine Beach +$106 higher in Sunshine Beach gap widening
$2,071 49th pct $2,177 56th pct
  • First area, 2011: $1,296
  • First area, 2016: $1,554
  • First area, 2021: $2,071
  • Second area, 2011: $1,305
  • Second area, 2016: $1,663
  • Second area, 2021: $2,177
High earners in Coolum Beachin Sunshine Beach +4.3 pts higher in Sunshine Beach gap widening
11.4% 54th pct 15.7% 72nd pct
  • First area, 2011: 3.9%
  • First area, 2016: 5.9%
  • First area, 2021: 11.4%
  • Second area, 2011: 6.2%
  • Second area, 2016: 9.2%
  • Second area, 2021: 15.7%
High-income homes in Coolum Beachin Sunshine Beach +4.2 pts higher in Sunshine Beach gap widening
19.9% 48th pct 24.1% 60th pct
  • First area, 2011: 4.9%
  • First area, 2016: 9.9%
  • First area, 2021: 19.9%
  • Second area, 2011: 6.6%
  • Second area, 2016: 13.3%
  • Second area, 2021: 24.1%

Household income distribution

30.9% $1,500–$2,999 ◂ +1.4 pts 29.5%
26.5% $650–$1,499 ◂ +2.8 pts 23.8%
9.7% $4,000 or more +5.9 pts ▸ 15.6%
15.3% Under $650 ◂ +0.9 pts 14.4%
10.2% $3,000–$3,999 ◂ +1.7 pts 8.5%

Personal income distribution

39.4% Under $650 ◂ +3.5 pts 35.9%
33.2% $650–$1,499 ◂ +0.9 pts 32.2%
17.5% $1,500–$2,999 ◂ +0.1 pts 17.4%
4.2% $3,000 or more +4.1 pts ▸ 8.3%

Health & Disability

Health condition in Coolum Beachin Sunshine Beach +4.9 pts higher in Coolum Beach
27.5% 46th pct 22.6% 19th pct
Mental health in Coolum Beachin Sunshine Beach +2.5 pts higher in Coolum Beach
8.4% 44th pct 5.9% 16th pct
Needs assistance in Coolum Beachin Sunshine Beach +2.6 pts higher in Coolum Beach gap steady
5.6% 53rd pct 3.0% 11th pct
  • First area, 2011: 4.8%
  • First area, 2016: 5.5%
  • First area, 2021: 5.6%
  • Second area, 2011: 2.3%
  • Second area, 2016: 2.9%
  • Second area, 2021: 3.0%

Long-term health conditions reported

9.4% Arthritis ◂ +2.1 pts 7.3%
8.4% Mental health ◂ +2.5 pts 5.9%
8.1% Other condition ◂ +1.9 pts 6.2%
7.2% Asthma ◂ +0.8 pts 6.5%
4.0% Heart disease ◂ +0.5 pts 3.6%
3.5% Cancer ◂ +0.3 pts 3.2%
2.8% Diabetes ◂ +0.8 pts 1.9%
2.1% Lung condition ◂ +0.5 pts 1.6%
1.2% Dementia ◂ +0.7 pts 0.4%
1.1% Stroke ◂ +0.3 pts 0.8%

Number of long-term health conditions

64.3% None +4.8 pts ▸ 69.0%
18.9% One condition ◂ +2.4 pts 16.5%
5.9% Two conditions ◂ +1.5 pts 4.4%
2.8% Three or more ◂ +1.0 pts 1.8%

Community Participation

Volunteering in Coolum Beachin Sunshine Beach +1.3 pts higher in Sunshine Beach gap steady
16.5% 64th pct 17.8% 73rd pct
  • First area, 2011: 19.7%
  • First area, 2016: 20.1%
  • First area, 2021: 16.5%
  • Second area, 2011: 20.3%
  • Second area, 2016: 21.0%
  • Second area, 2021: 17.8%
Unpaid carers in Coolum Beachin Sunshine Beach +0.4 pts higher in Coolum Beach gap steady
10.9% 29th pct 10.5% 25th pct
  • First area, 2011: 9.8%
  • First area, 2016: 11.1%
  • First area, 2021: 10.9%
  • Second area, 2011: 9.7%
  • Second area, 2016: 10.2%
  • Second area, 2021: 10.5%
Unpaid child care in Coolum Beachin Sunshine Beach +3.0 pts higher in Coolum Beach gap steady
27.0% 56th pct 24.0% 34th pct
  • First area, 2011: 32.0%
  • First area, 2016: 30.0%
  • First area, 2021: 27.0%
  • Second area, 2011: 28.5%
  • Second area, 2016: 27.4%
  • Second area, 2021: 24.0%
Defence service in Coolum Beachin Sunshine Beach +0.9 pts higher in Coolum Beach
3.5% 67th pct 2.6% 42nd pct
Housework 15h+ in Coolum Beachin Sunshine Beach +0.1 pts higher in Sunshine Beach gap steady
21.9% 57th pct 22.0% 58th pct
  • First area, 2011: 23.6%
  • First area, 2016: 22.1%
  • First area, 2021: 21.9%
  • Second area, 2011: 23.1%
  • Second area, 2016: 21.6%
  • Second area, 2021: 22.0%

First Nations

First Nations people in Coolum Beachin Sunshine Beach +235 larger in Coolum Beach
301 65th pct 66 21st pct
Median age in Coolum Beachin Sunshine Beach +3 yrs older in Sunshine Beach
27 yrs 71st pct 30 yrs 86th pct
Year 12 in Coolum Beachin Sunshine Beach +14.3 pts higher in Sunshine Beach
49.0% 62nd pct 63.3% 87th pct
Unemployment in Coolum Beachin Sunshine Beach +6.0 pts higher in Coolum Beach
6.0% 27th pct 0.0% 0th pct
Median income in Coolum Beachin Sunshine Beach +$156 higher in Coolum Beach
$762 71st pct $606 44th pct
Household income in Coolum Beachin Sunshine Beach +$88 higher in Coolum Beach
$1,963 65th pct $1,875 60th pct
Indigenous language in Coolum Beachin Sunshine Beach +2.4 pts higher in Sunshine Beach
3.7% 35th pct 6.1% 57th pct

Family & Households

Household size in Coolum Beachin Sunshine Beach even gap narrowing
2.4 36th pct 2.4 36th pct
  • First area, 2011: 2.5
  • First area, 2016: 2.5
  • First area, 2021: 2.4
  • Second area, 2011: 2.4
  • Second area, 2016: 2.4
  • Second area, 2021: 2.4
One-parent in Coolum Beachin Sunshine Beach +0.9 pts higher in Coolum Beach gap steady
13.0% 49th pct 12.2% 41st pct
  • First area, 2011: 16.0%
  • First area, 2016: 14.8%
  • First area, 2021: 13.0%
  • Second area, 2011: 17.0%
  • Second area, 2016: 15.9%
  • Second area, 2021: 12.2%
Living alone in Coolum Beachin Sunshine Beach +2.2 pts higher in Coolum Beach gap steady
24.6% 47th pct 22.4% 38th pct
  • First area, 2011: 23.7%
  • First area, 2016: 24.8%
  • First area, 2021: 24.6%
  • Second area, 2011: 25.2%
  • Second area, 2016: 24.3%
  • Second area, 2021: 22.4%

Family composition

54.4% Couples with children ◂ +2.8 pts 51.6%
31.9% Couples without children +3.7 pts ▸ 35.6%
13.0% One-parent families ◂ +0.9 pts 12.2%
0.6% Other families even 0.6%

Household size

38.1% 2 people +4.6 pts ▸ 42.7%
24.6% 1 person ◂ +2.2 pts 22.4%
15.9% 3 people ◂ +0.8 pts 15.1%
14.6% 4 people ◂ +0.9 pts 13.7%
5.2% 5 people ◂ +0.5 pts 4.7%
1.6% 6 or more ◂ +0.5 pts 1.0%

Housing & Dwellings

Rent in Coolum Beachin Sunshine Beach +$50 higher in Sunshine Beach gap widening
$450 80th pct $500 88th pct
  • First area, 2011: $320
  • First area, 2016: $380
  • First area, 2021: $450
  • Second area, 2011: $350
  • Second area, 2016: $400
  • Second area, 2021: $500
Mortgage in Coolum Beachin Sunshine Beach +$167 higher in Sunshine Beach gap widening
$2,000 61st pct $2,167 73rd pct
  • First area, 2011: $1,900
  • First area, 2016: $1,800
  • First area, 2021: $2,000
  • Second area, 2011: $1,807
  • Second area, 2016: $1,863
  • Second area, 2021: $2,167
People / bedroom in Coolum Beachin Sunshine Beach even gap steady
0.80 29th pct 0.80 29th pct
  • First area, 2011: 1.10
  • First area, 2016: 0.80
  • First area, 2021: 0.80
  • Second area, 2011: 1.10
  • Second area, 2016: 0.80
  • Second area, 2021: 0.80
Renting in Coolum Beachin Sunshine Beach +1.0 pts higher in Coolum Beach gap steady
28.3% 54th pct 27.3% 51st pct
  • First area, 2011: 37.1%
  • First area, 2016: 34.2%
  • First area, 2021: 28.3%
  • Second area, 2011: 37.0%
  • Second area, 2016: 31.9%
  • Second area, 2021: 27.3%
Owned outright in Coolum Beachin Sunshine Beach +6.3 pts higher in Sunshine Beach gap widening
32.0% 49th pct 38.3% 69th pct
  • First area, 2011: 25.8%
  • First area, 2016: 28.1%
  • First area, 2021: 32.0%
  • Second area, 2011: 29.6%
  • Second area, 2016: 33.2%
  • Second area, 2021: 38.3%
Separate houses in Coolum Beachin Sunshine Beach +4.6 pts higher in Coolum Beach gap narrowing
69.8% 27th pct 65.2% 24th pct
  • First area, 2011: 75.6%
  • First area, 2016: 72.7%
  • First area, 2021: 69.8%
  • Second area, 2011: 67.9%
  • Second area, 2016: 66.2%
  • Second area, 2021: 65.2%
3+ bedrooms in Coolum Beachin Sunshine Beach +3.5 pts higher in Coolum Beach gap steady
76.9% 42nd pct 73.4% 34th pct
  • First area, 2011: 77.4%
  • First area, 2016: 75.8%
  • First area, 2021: 76.9%
  • Second area, 2011: 73.0%
  • Second area, 2016: 72.6%
  • Second area, 2021: 73.4%

How homes are owned or rented

32.0% Owned outright +6.3 pts ▸ 38.3%
36.2% Owned with a mortgage ◂ +3.9 pts 32.3%
28.3% Rented ◂ +1.0 pts 27.3%
2.2% Other tenure ◂ +1.3 pts 0.9%
1.3% Not stated ◂ +0.3 pts 1.0%

Types of homes

69.8% Separate house ◂ +4.6 pts 65.2%
16.8% Townhouse / semi-detached +4.6 pts ▸ 21.4%
12.7% Flat or apartment +0.5 pts ▸ 13.2%
0.5% Other dwelling ◂ +0.5 pts 0.0%

Bedrooms per home

43.8% 3 bedrooms ◂ +6.1 pts 37.7%
27.2% 4 bedrooms +1.2 pts ▸ 28.5%
17.5% 2 bedrooms +6.6 pts ▸ 24.1%
5.8% 5 or more +1.4 pts ▸ 7.2%
3.9% 1 bedroom ◂ +2.6 pts 1.3%
0.3% Studio / none even 0.3%

Weekly rent distribution

52.1% $350–$549 ◂ +9.7 pts 42.4%
17.6% $550–$749 +8.7 pts ▸ 26.3%
7.1% $750 or more +7.7 pts ▸ 14.8%
11.7% $200–$349 ◂ +4.6 pts 7.1%
8.5% Under $200 ◂ +1.7 pts 6.8%

Monthly mortgage distribution

38.8% $1,800–$2,999 ◂ +5.6 pts 33.3%
15.2% $3,000 or more +9.9 pts ▸ 25.1%
24.8% $1,000–$1,799 ◂ +4.8 pts 20.0%
14.1% Under $1,000 +0.5 pts ▸ 14.6%

Transport & Vehicles

No car in Coolum Beachin Sunshine Beach +0.0 pts higher in Sunshine Beach gap steady
2.6% 25th pct 2.7% 25th pct
  • First area, 2011: 4.7%
  • First area, 2016: 3.3%
  • First area, 2021: 2.6%
  • Second area, 2011: 4.9%
  • Second area, 2016: 3.8%
  • Second area, 2021: 2.7%
Work from home in Coolum Beachin Sunshine Beach +5.7 pts higher in Sunshine Beach gap widening
18.0% 60th pct 23.7% 73rd pct
  • First area, 2011: 6.4%
  • First area, 2016: 7.8%
  • First area, 2021: 18.0%
  • Second area, 2011: 9.8%
  • Second area, 2016: 12.0%
  • Second area, 2021: 23.7%
PT commute in Coolum Beachin Sunshine Beach +0.4 pts higher in Sunshine Beach gap steady
0.8% 28th pct 1.2% 36th pct
  • First area, 2011: 1.4%
  • First area, 2016: 1.9%
  • First area, 2021: 0.8%
  • Second area, 2011: 1.7%
  • Second area, 2016: 2.0%
  • Second area, 2021: 1.2%
PT stops in Coolum Beachin Sunshine Beach +8 more in Coolum Beach
40 50th pct 32 42nd pct
Stops/1k in Coolum Beachin Sunshine Beach +2.16 more in Sunshine Beach
2.51 25th pct 4.67 56th pct
Departures/1k in Coolum Beachin Sunshine Beach +500.5 more in Sunshine Beach
475.3 37th pct 975.8 57th pct
PT routes in Coolum Beachin Sunshine Beach +1 more in Sunshine Beach
3 21st pct 4 29th pct
Stop walk in Coolum Beachin Sunshine Beach +13 longer in Coolum Beach
16 76th pct 3 29th pct
Drive to city in Coolum Beachin Sunshine Beach +12 longer in Sunshine Beach
79 84th pct 91 87th pct

How people get to work

60.5% Car (driver) ◂ +7.9 pts 52.5%
18.0% Worked at home +5.7 pts ▸ 23.7%
3.5% Car (passenger) +0.2 pts ▸ 3.7%
1.7% Walked +0.6 pts ▸ 2.3%
0.9% Bicycle +0.6 pts ▸ 1.4%
0.8% Bus +0.4 pts ▸ 1.2%
0.0% Train even 0.0%

Motor vehicles per home

42.3% 2 vehicles +1.1 pts ▸ 43.4%
36.7% 1 vehicle ◂ +0.5 pts 36.3%
12.8% 3 vehicles even 12.7%
5.6% 4 or more ◂ +0.8 pts 4.7%
2.6% No vehicle even 2.7%

Migration & Movement

Recent movers in Coolum Beachin Sunshine Beach +1.2 pts higher in Coolum Beach gap narrowing
47.8% 80th pct 46.6% 78th pct
  • First area, 2011: 50.0%
  • First area, 2016: 46.9%
  • First area, 2021: 47.8%
  • Second area, 2011: 44.0%
  • Second area, 2016: 46.9%
  • Second area, 2021: 46.6%
Recent arrivals in Coolum Beachin Sunshine Beach +4.9 pts higher in Sunshine Beach gap widening
9.6% 43rd pct 14.6% 67th pct
  • First area, 2011: 15.5%
  • First area, 2016: 12.1%
  • First area, 2021: 9.6%
  • Second area, 2011: 18.6%
  • Second area, 2016: 15.9%
  • Second area, 2021: 14.6%

Jobs & Industry

Unemployment in Coolum Beachin Sunshine Beach +0.4 pts higher in Sunshine Beach gap steady
4.0% 34th pct 4.4% 45th pct
  • First area, 2011: 7.3%
  • First area, 2016: 6.7%
  • First area, 2021: 4.0%
  • Second area, 2011: 7.8%
  • Second area, 2016: 5.6%
  • Second area, 2021: 4.4%
Participation in Coolum Beachin Sunshine Beach +0.6 pts higher in Coolum Beach gap narrowing
61.7% 51st pct 61.0% 48th pct
  • First area, 2011: 62.8%
  • First area, 2016: 61.4%
  • First area, 2021: 61.7%
  • Second area, 2011: 64.9%
  • Second area, 2016: 62.9%
  • Second area, 2021: 61.0%
Full-time in Coolum Beachin Sunshine Beach +3.8 pts higher in Coolum Beach gap steady
50.6% 8th pct 46.8% 0th pct
  • First area, 2011: 56.1%
  • First area, 2016: 55.3%
  • First area, 2021: 50.6%
  • Second area, 2011: 52.9%
  • Second area, 2016: 52.7%
  • Second area, 2021: 46.8%

Industries people work in

17.2% Health care & social assistance ◂ +4.3 pts 12.9%
8.6% Accommodation & food +5.4 pts ▸ 14.0%
13.2% Construction ◂ +2.4 pts 10.8%
10.5% Education & training ◂ +1.9 pts 8.6%
7.7% Professional & technical +2.1 pts ▸ 9.8%
8.4% Retail trade +1.1 pts ▸ 9.6%
3.6% Administrative & support +0.7 pts ▸ 4.4%
4.2% Manufacturing ◂ +1.4 pts 2.8%
3.9% Public administration & safety ◂ +1.0 pts 2.9%
2.0% Rental & real estate +1.8 pts ▸ 3.9%
3.9% Other services ◂ +0.8 pts 3.1%
2.5% Finance & insurance +0.4 pts ▸ 2.9%

Occupations people work in

23.9% Professionals +1.5 pts ▸ 25.4%
12.5% Managers +4.3 pts ▸ 16.8%
16.0% Technicians & trades ◂ +2.7 pts 13.3%
13.9% Community & personal service ◂ +0.5 pts 13.4%
10.7% Clerical & administrative ◂ +1.6 pts 9.2%
9.0% Sales workers +0.9 pts ▸ 9.9%
8.5% Labourers ◂ +0.3 pts 8.3%
3.6% Machinery operators & drivers ◂ +1.9 pts 1.7%

Economy & Advantage

IRSAD decile in Coolum Beachin Sunshine Beach +2 higher in Sunshine Beach
6 57th pct 8 71st pct
IRSD decile in Coolum Beachin Sunshine Beach +1 higher in Sunshine Beach
7 64th pct 8 71st pct
IER decile in Coolum Beachin Sunshine Beach +1 higher in Sunshine Beach
7 64th pct 8 71st pct
IEO decile in Coolum Beachin Sunshine Beach +1 higher in Sunshine Beach
7 64th pct 8 71st pct
IRSAD score in Coolum Beachin Sunshine Beach +37 higher in Sunshine Beach
1,018 59th pct 1,055 73rd pct
ERP in Coolum Beachin Sunshine Beach +9,540 higher in Coolum Beach
17,064 78th pct 7,524 35th pct
Growth in Coolum Beachin Sunshine Beach +3.2 pts higher in Sunshine Beach
5.4% 58th pct 8.6% 75th pct
Businesses in Coolum Beachin Sunshine Beach +744 higher in Coolum Beach
1,733 82nd pct 989 55th pct

Environment & Climate

Rainfall in Coolum Beachin Sunshine Beach +13 higher in Sunshine Beach
1,624 93rd pct 1,637 93rd pct
26.0 75th pct 25.9 74th pct
Min temp in Coolum Beachin Sunshine Beach +0.3 higher in Sunshine Beach
16.5 87th pct 16.8 88th pct

Walkability

Walk score in Coolum Beachin Sunshine Beach +0.2 higher in Coolum Beach
5.3 48th pct 5.1 45th pct
Types ≤15 min in Coolum Beachin Sunshine Beach +0.6 more in Coolum Beach
4.9 45th pct 4.3 36th pct
15-min city in Coolum Beachin Sunshine Beach +1.0 pts higher in Sunshine Beach
52.4% 39th pct 53.4% 40th pct
Walk to shops in Coolum Beachin Sunshine Beach +10.4 pts higher in Coolum Beach
63.6% 51st pct 53.3% 42nd pct
Walk to transit in Coolum Beachin Sunshine Beach +17.3 pts higher in Sunshine Beach
80.2% 39th pct 97.5% 65th pct
Walk to school in Coolum Beachin Sunshine Beach +49.5 pts higher in Sunshine Beach
14.2% 8th pct 63.7% 41st pct
Walk to a park in Coolum Beachin Sunshine Beach +1.9 pts higher in Sunshine Beach
98.1% 53rd pct 100.0% 100th pct
Walk to health in Coolum Beachin Sunshine Beach +47.7 pts higher in Coolum Beach
47.7% 52nd pct 0.0% 0th pct
Amenities/1k in Coolum Beachin Sunshine Beach +3.1 more in Sunshine Beach
8.7 15th pct 11.8 36th pct
Intersections/km² in Coolum Beachin Sunshine Beach +13 higher in Sunshine Beach
67 44th pct 80 47th pct
Mean slope in Coolum Beachin Sunshine Beach +0.4 pts higher in Sunshine Beach
7.8% 80th pct 8.3% 84th pct

Compare Coolum Beach with nearby areas

Compare Sunshine Beach with nearby areas

Cite this page

Australian Bureau of Statistics. (2021). Coolum Beach vs Sunshine Beach [Census of Population and Housing]. CensusAtlas, used under CC BY 4.0. https://censusatlas.au/compare/sa2/316031425/coolum-beach/vs/316051437/sunshine-beach