Compare
Sunshine Beach vs Cooloola
Statistical Area 2 (SA2) comparison ≈ 52 km apart · Sunshine Beach profile · Cooloola profile
Sunshine Beach Cooloola
Cooloola and Sunshine Beach are two different types of Queensland coastal areas. Cooloola is far older, with a typical resident aged 62 and 43.7% of the population aged 65 and over. It is also more affordable, with a typical weekly household income of $790 and typical weekly rents of $280. In contrast, Sunshine Beach is wealthier and more highly qualified; 32.3% of adults hold a bachelor degree or higher, and the typical weekly household income is far higher at $1,826.
Both areas share a similar population size and have grown at nearly the same rate since 2021. They also have an almost identical share of one-parent families and very few people who speak little or no English. However, many gaps have widened since 2011, including the difference in typical incomes, home-loan payments, and the number of university degrees.
Where they differ most
Demographics & Identity
Population
in Sunshine Beachin Cooloola
6,851
34th pct
6,568
32nd pct
- First area, 2011: 6,344
- First area, 2016: 6,534
- First area, 2021: 6,851
- Second area, 2011: 5,720
- Second area, 2016: 6,263
- Second area, 2021: 6,568
Median age
in Sunshine Beachin Cooloola
46 yrs
81st pct
62 yrs
100th pct
- First area, 2011: 42 yrs
- First area, 2016: 44 yrs
- First area, 2021: 46 yrs
- Second area, 2011: 53 yrs
- Second area, 2016: 58 yrs
- Second area, 2021: 62 yrs
Age structure
20.0%
Seniors (65+)
+23.7 pts ▸
43.7%
32.6%
Older adults (45–64)
◂ +2.3 pts
30.3%
21.4%
Young adults (25–44)
◂ +10.0 pts
11.5%
15.9%
Children (0–14)
◂ +6.7 pts
9.2%
10.1%
Youth (15–24)
◂ +4.7 pts
5.4%
Marital status
49.0%
Married
+3.0 pts ▸
52.0%
33.4%
Never married
◂ +12.1 pts
21.3%
11.7%
Divorced
+4.0 pts ▸
15.7%
3.0%
Widowed
+3.7 pts ▸
6.8%
2.8%
Separated
+1.5 pts ▸
4.3%
Age & sex structure
Sunshine Beach
Cooloola
Bars show the share of each area's own population, so differently sized areas stay comparable.
- 85+ in Sunshine Beach: 0.6% males, 0.6% females; 85+ in Cooloola: 1.3% males, 1.4% females
- 80–84 in Sunshine Beach: 1.2% males, 1.0% females; 80–84 in Cooloola: 2.5% males, 1.9% females
- 75–79 in Sunshine Beach: 1.9% males, 1.7% females; 75–79 in Cooloola: 5.0% males, 3.8% females
- 70–74 in Sunshine Beach: 3.2% males, 2.8% females; 70–74 in Cooloola: 7.6% males, 6.4% females
- 65–69 in Sunshine Beach: 3.4% males, 3.6% females; 65–69 in Cooloola: 7.1% males, 6.9% females
- 60–64 in Sunshine Beach: 3.6% males, 3.8% females; 60–64 in Cooloola: 5.1% males, 5.7% females
- 55–59 in Sunshine Beach: 4.0% males, 4.4% females; 55–59 in Cooloola: 4.0% males, 4.4% females
- 50–54 in Sunshine Beach: 4.2% males, 4.6% females; 50–54 in Cooloola: 3.4% males, 2.7% females
- 45–49 in Sunshine Beach: 3.7% males, 4.3% females; 45–49 in Cooloola: 2.2% males, 2.4% females
- 40–44 in Sunshine Beach: 3.0% males, 3.8% females; 40–44 in Cooloola: 1.8% males, 1.6% females
- 35–39 in Sunshine Beach: 2.5% males, 2.9% females; 35–39 in Cooloola: 1.3% males, 1.8% females
- 30–34 in Sunshine Beach: 2.5% males, 2.6% females; 30–34 in Cooloola: 1.2% males, 1.4% females
- 25–29 in Sunshine Beach: 2.1% males, 1.8% females; 25–29 in Cooloola: 1.1% males, 1.2% females
- 20–24 in Sunshine Beach: 1.8% males, 2.1% females; 20–24 in Cooloola: 1.2% males, 0.9% females
- 15–19 in Sunshine Beach: 3.4% males, 2.8% females; 15–19 in Cooloola: 2.0% males, 1.4% females
- 10–14 in Sunshine Beach: 3.4% males, 2.9% females; 10–14 in Cooloola: 1.8% males, 1.8% females
- 5–9 in Sunshine Beach: 3.0% males, 2.5% females; 5–9 in Cooloola: 1.7% males, 1.4% females
- 0–4 in Sunshine Beach: 1.8% males, 2.2% females; 0–4 in Cooloola: 1.4% males, 1.1% females
Ancestry & Birthplace
Country of birth
68.3%
Australia
+7.1 pts ▸
75.4%
7.5%
England
◂ +2.0 pts
5.5%
4.3%
New Zealand
◂ +1.6 pts
2.8%
1.1%
South Africa
◂ +0.4 pts
0.7%
0.4%
Philippines
+0.2 pts ▸
0.5%
0.4%
Italy
◂ +0.2 pts
0.3%
0.2%
India
◂ +0.2 pts
0.0%
0.1%
China
◂ +0.1 pts
0.1%
0.0%
Vietnam
+0.1 pts ▸
0.1%
0.0%
Nepal
even
0.0%
Ancestry
45.8%
English
◂ +1.3 pts
44.5%
29.4%
Australian
+7.4 pts ▸
36.8%
14.5%
Irish
◂ +2.4 pts
12.1%
13.7%
Scottish
◂ +2.2 pts
11.5%
6.6%
German
+0.9 pts ▸
7.5%
3.6%
Italian
◂ +2.2 pts
1.4%
2.3%
Dutch
◂ +0.8 pts
1.5%
0.5%
Filipino
+0.3 pts ▸
0.8%
0.6%
Greek
◂ +0.4 pts
0.2%
0.6%
Chinese
◂ +0.3 pts
0.2%
0.4%
Indian
◂ +0.2 pts
0.1%
0.0%
Vietnamese
+0.1 pts ▸
0.2%
Language
Language used at home
86.0%
English only
+3.5 pts ▸
89.5%
0.6%
Italian
◂ +0.3 pts
0.3%
0.2%
Mandarin
◂ +0.1 pts
0.1%
0.2%
Greek
◂ +0.2 pts
0.0%
0.1%
Tagalog
+0.1 pts ▸
0.1%
0.0%
Vietnamese
+0.1 pts ▸
0.1%
0.1%
Cantonese
◂ +0.1 pts
0.0%
0.1%
Arabic
◂ +0.1 pts
0.0%
0.1%
Hindi
◂ +0.1 pts
0.0%
0.0%
Punjabi
even
0.0%
Religion
Religious affiliation
52.8%
No religion
◂ +12.0 pts
40.8%
37.8%
Christianity
+10.0 pts ▸
47.7%
7.2%
Not stated
+3.0 pts ▸
10.2%
1.2%
Buddhism
◂ +0.5 pts
0.7%
0.4%
Other religions
even
0.4%
0.3%
Judaism
◂ +0.3 pts
0.0%
0.2%
Hinduism
◂ +0.1 pts
0.0%
0.2%
Islam
◂ +0.1 pts
0.0%
Education & Qualifications
Highest year of school
69.6%
Year 12
◂ +39.8 pts
29.8%
14.1%
Year 10
+21.8 pts ▸
36.0%
3.1%
Year 9 or below
+12.5 pts ▸
15.7%
7.1%
Year 11
+1.2 pts ▸
8.4%
Highest qualification level
21.3%
Certificate III / IV
+19.1 pts ▸
40.4%
31.4%
Bachelor degree
◂ +20.6 pts
10.9%
16.5%
Advanced diploma / diploma
◂ +2.9 pts
13.6%
9.9%
Postgraduate degree
◂ +8.0 pts
1.9%
3.9%
Graduate diploma / certificate
◂ +1.9 pts
2.0%
1.7%
Certificate I / II
+1.4 pts ▸
3.1%
Field of qualification
20.0%
Management & commerce
◂ +8.0 pts
12.0%
9.0%
Engineering & related
+9.4 pts ▸
18.3%
12.1%
Society & culture
◂ +4.4 pts
7.7%
12.0%
Health
◂ +4.1 pts
7.9%
9.2%
Education
◂ +1.4 pts
7.8%
7.8%
Architecture & building
+0.4 pts ▸
8.2%
6.6%
Food, hospitality & personal services
+0.8 pts ▸
7.4%
6.0%
Creative arts
◂ +4.2 pts
1.7%
3.1%
Natural & physical sciences
◂ +1.8 pts
1.3%
1.8%
Agriculture & environment
+0.6 pts ▸
2.3%
1.2%
Information technology
◂ +0.6 pts
0.7%
Income
Personal income
in Sunshine Beachin Cooloola
$868
62nd pct
$461
0th pct
- First area, 2011: $593
- First area, 2016: $700
- First area, 2021: $868
- Second area, 2011: $365
- Second area, 2016: $426
- Second area, 2021: $461
Household income
in Sunshine Beachin Cooloola
$1,826
55th pct
$790
0th pct
- First area, 2011: $1,073
- First area, 2016: $1,371
- First area, 2021: $1,826
- Second area, 2011: $653
- Second area, 2016: $741
- Second area, 2021: $790
Family income
in Sunshine Beachin Cooloola
$2,177
56th pct
$968
0th pct
- First area, 2011: $1,305
- First area, 2016: $1,663
- First area, 2021: $2,177
- Second area, 2011: $758
- Second area, 2016: $840
- Second area, 2021: $968
Household income distribution
23.8%
$650–$1,499
+17.7 pts ▸
41.5%
14.4%
Under $650
+17.1 pts ▸
31.4%
29.5%
$1,500–$2,999
◂ +15.2 pts
14.3%
15.6%
$4,000 or more
◂ +13.6 pts
2.0%
8.5%
$3,000–$3,999
◂ +6.3 pts
2.2%
Personal income distribution
35.9%
Under $650
+25.3 pts ▸
61.1%
32.2%
$650–$1,499
◂ +10.3 pts
22.0%
17.4%
$1,500–$2,999
◂ +11.8 pts
5.6%
8.3%
$3,000 or more
◂ +7.0 pts
1.3%
Health & Disability
Long-term health conditions reported
7.3%
Arthritis
+13.2 pts ▸
20.5%
5.9%
Mental health
+6.0 pts ▸
11.8%
6.2%
Other condition
+5.2 pts ▸
11.4%
3.6%
Heart disease
+5.5 pts ▸
9.1%
6.5%
Asthma
+2.0 pts ▸
8.5%
1.9%
Diabetes
+5.9 pts ▸
7.9%
3.2%
Cancer
+3.5 pts ▸
6.7%
1.6%
Lung condition
+4.8 pts ▸
6.4%
0.8%
Stroke
+1.4 pts ▸
2.1%
0.4%
Dementia
+0.5 pts ▸
0.9%
Number of long-term health conditions
69.0%
None
◂ +23.0 pts
46.0%
16.5%
One condition
+7.0 pts ▸
23.5%
4.4%
Two conditions
+7.1 pts ▸
11.5%
1.8%
Three or more
+6.3 pts ▸
8.1%
Community Participation
First Nations
Family & Households
Household size
in Sunshine Beachin Cooloola
2.4
36th pct
2.0
7th pct
- First area, 2011: 2.4
- First area, 2016: 2.4
- First area, 2021: 2.4
- Second area, 2011: 2.2
- Second area, 2016: 2.0
- Second area, 2021: 2.0
Family composition
35.6%
Couples without children
+24.0 pts ▸
59.6%
51.6%
Couples with children
◂ +24.2 pts
27.4%
12.2%
One-parent families
even
12.2%
0.6%
Other families
even
0.7%
Household size
42.7%
2 people
+8.0 pts ▸
50.7%
22.4%
1 person
+10.7 pts ▸
33.1%
15.1%
3 people
◂ +7.2 pts
7.9%
13.7%
4 people
◂ +9.2 pts
4.5%
4.7%
5 people
◂ +2.3 pts
2.3%
1.0%
6 or more
+0.2 pts ▸
1.2%
Housing & Dwellings
$500
88th pct
$280
22nd pct
- First area, 2011: $350
- First area, 2016: $400
- First area, 2021: $500
- Second area, 2011: $220
- Second area, 2016: $253
- Second area, 2021: $280
Mortgage
in Sunshine Beachin Cooloola
$2,167
73rd pct
$1,300
14th pct
- First area, 2011: $1,807
- First area, 2016: $1,863
- First area, 2021: $2,167
- Second area, 2011: $1,400
- Second area, 2016: $1,200
- Second area, 2021: $1,300
People / bedroom
in Sunshine Beachin Cooloola
0.80
29th pct
0.70
0th pct
- First area, 2011: 1.10
- First area, 2016: 0.80
- First area, 2021: 0.80
- Second area, 2011: 1.10
- Second area, 2016: 0.70
- Second area, 2021: 0.70
How homes are owned or rented
38.3%
Owned outright
+16.3 pts ▸
54.6%
32.3%
Owned with a mortgage
◂ +13.5 pts
18.9%
27.3%
Rented
◂ +5.6 pts
21.7%
1.0%
Not stated
+1.4 pts ▸
2.5%
0.9%
Other tenure
+1.3 pts ▸
2.2%
Types of homes
65.2%
Separate house
+18.3 pts ▸
83.6%
21.4%
Townhouse / semi-detached
◂ +16.0 pts
5.3%
13.2%
Flat or apartment
◂ +9.0 pts
4.2%
0.0%
Other dwelling
+4.9 pts ▸
4.9%
Bedrooms per home
37.7%
3 bedrooms
+10.3 pts ▸
47.9%
28.5%
4 bedrooms
◂ +6.8 pts
21.7%
24.1%
2 bedrooms
◂ +7.1 pts
17.1%
7.2%
5 or more
◂ +4.5 pts
2.7%
1.3%
1 bedroom
+5.0 pts ▸
6.3%
0.3%
Studio / none
+1.6 pts ▸
1.9%
Weekly rent distribution
7.1%
$200–$349
+55.5 pts ▸
62.5%
42.4%
$350–$549
◂ +23.0 pts
19.4%
26.3%
$550–$749
◂ +26.3 pts
0.0%
14.8%
$750 or more
◂ +14.8 pts
0.0%
6.8%
Under $200
+6.4 pts ▸
13.2%
Monthly mortgage distribution
20.0%
$1,000–$1,799
+20.2 pts ▸
40.3%
33.3%
$1,800–$2,999
◂ +17.6 pts
15.7%
14.6%
Under $1,000
+18.2 pts ▸
32.9%
25.1%
$3,000 or more
◂ +20.9 pts
4.2%
Transport & Vehicles
How people get to work
52.5%
Car (driver)
+2.9 pts ▸
55.4%
23.7%
Worked at home
◂ +12.2 pts
11.5%
2.3%
Walked
+2.9 pts ▸
5.3%
3.7%
Car (passenger)
+0.9 pts ▸
4.6%
1.4%
Bicycle
◂ +0.7 pts
0.7%
1.2%
Bus
◂ +0.4 pts
0.8%
0.0%
Train
even
0.0%
Motor vehicles per home
43.4%
2 vehicles
◂ +6.2 pts
37.2%
36.3%
1 vehicle
+6.9 pts ▸
43.2%
12.7%
3 vehicles
◂ +1.6 pts
11.2%
4.7%
4 or more
◂ +0.6 pts
4.1%
2.7%
No vehicle
+1.8 pts ▸
4.4%
Migration & Movement
Jobs & Industry
Industries people work in
14.0%
Accommodation & food
+1.0 pts ▸
15.0%
9.6%
Retail trade
+3.9 pts ▸
13.5%
12.9%
Health care & social assistance
◂ +3.6 pts
9.3%
10.8%
Construction
◂ +2.3 pts
8.6%
9.8%
Professional & technical
◂ +7.3 pts
2.6%
8.6%
Education & training
◂ +2.7 pts
5.9%
4.4%
Administrative & support
+0.8 pts ▸
5.2%
2.8%
Manufacturing
+2.3 pts ▸
5.1%
2.9%
Public administration & safety
+2.0 pts ▸
4.9%
2.0%
Transport & warehousing
+2.8 pts ▸
4.8%
0.8%
Agriculture, forestry & fishing
+3.9 pts ▸
4.8%
3.1%
Other services
+0.8 pts ▸
3.9%
Occupations people work in
25.4%
Professionals
◂ +13.8 pts
11.7%
8.3%
Labourers
+8.6 pts ▸
16.8%
16.8%
Managers
◂ +4.8 pts
12.0%
13.3%
Technicians & trades
+1.0 pts ▸
14.3%
13.4%
Community & personal service
◂ +0.8 pts
12.6%
9.9%
Sales workers
+2.1 pts ▸
12.0%
9.2%
Clerical & administrative
+0.7 pts ▸
9.8%
1.7%
Machinery operators & drivers
+5.8 pts ▸
7.4%
Economy & Advantage
Environment & Climate
Walkability
Compare Sunshine Beach with nearby areas
Compare Cooloola with nearby areas
Cite this page
Australian Bureau of Statistics. (2021). Sunshine Beach vs Cooloola [Census of Population and Housing]. CensusAtlas, used under CC BY 4.0. https://censusatlas.au/compare/sa2/316051437/sunshine-beach/vs/319031511/cooloola