Gold Coast · Council (LGA)
How well-off the area is, how fast its population is growing, and the businesses and new homes here.
A 9.1% population jump since 2021 marks the recent rapid expansion of the Gold Coast. This growth is paired with a strong economic standing, as the area is more advantaged than about 90% of similar places across the country.
All council (lga) areas, 2021. The marker is Gold Coast — higher than 86% of areas.
SEIFA indexes ranking relative advantage and disadvantage.
The Gold Coast is a high-advantage area with an overall score of 1,009, which is larger than about 81% of similar areas. This is supported by strong results in education, job skills, and access to resources, all of which score 8 out of 10.
9
Higher than 86% of council (lga) areas.
ABS Index of Relative Socio-economic Advantage and Disadvantage, 2021, as a national decile: 1 = among the 10% most disadvantaged areas in Australia, 10 = among the 10% most advantaged. IRSAD summarises both advantage and disadvantage, so a high score reflects relatively many high-income, well-educated households and few low-income, low-skill ones.
8
Higher than 71% of council (lga) areas.
ABS Index of Relative Socio-economic Disadvantage, 2021, as a national decile: 1 = among the 10% most disadvantaged areas in Australia, 10 = among the least disadvantaged. IRSD focuses on disadvantage alone (low income, low education, unemployment, unskilled occupations), so a higher decile means relatively less disadvantage.
8
Higher than 71% of council (lga) areas.
ABS Index of Economic Resources, 2021, as a national decile: 1 = among the 10% lowest areas for economic resources in Australia, 10 = among the highest. IER reflects the income, housing costs, dwelling size and assets of households, so a higher decile means relatively greater economic resources.
8
Higher than 71% of council (lga) areas.
ABS Index of Education and Occupation, 2021, as a national decile: 1 = among the 10% lowest areas for education and occupation in Australia, 10 = among the highest. IEO reflects residents' qualifications and the skill level of their jobs, so a higher decile means a more highly educated and skilled workforce.
1,009
Higher than 79% of council (lga) areas.
ABS Index of Relative Socio-economic Advantage and Disadvantage, 2021, as a raw index score (standardised so the Australian average is about 1000). Higher scores indicate relatively greater advantage; lower scores greater disadvantage.
Annual population estimates and change since the census.
With a population of 691,230, the Gold Coast is among the largest in its category. Recent growth of 9.1% is much higher than most areas and slightly above the Queensland figure of 8.7%.
691,230
Higher than 92% of council (lga) areas.
Estimated resident population (ABS), 2025.
9.1%
Higher than 86% of council (lga) areas.
Population growth since the 2021 Census, from ABS annual estimates.
Operating businesses and dwellings approved.
The region is a major economic hub with 83,266 businesses, one of the highest counts at this level. Building activity remains high, with 4,119 approved dwellings among the largest figures for similar areas.
83,266
Higher than 93% of council (lga) areas.
Operating businesses (ABS Counts of Australian Businesses), June 2025.
4,119
Higher than 93% of council (lga) areas.
Dwelling units approved in 2024-25 (ABS Building Approvals).
Australian Bureau of Statistics. (2021). Economy & Advantage in Gold Coast [Census of Population and Housing]. CensusAtlas, used under CC BY 4.0. https://censusatlas.au/region/lga/LGA33430/gold-coast/topic/economy-advantage
