Statistical Area 2 (SA2) · Area profile
Molendinar
8 km²
Sitting within the Gold Coast region, Molendinar is a diverse community with a strong international presence. It is a relatively young area where the typical resident is 37, and many families live in large, spacious homes. About 35% of the population was born overseas, creating a multicultural atmosphere that is much more pronounced than the state average. This mix of demographics and larger households gives the area a distinct character compared to its neighbours.
The area's schools rate above its broader socio-economic standing.
Families are well catered for: 19 schools serve Molendinar.
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The community is younger than the national figure, with 18.9% of residents being children under 15 and a much lower proportion of seniors at 12.8%. The population has grown slightly since 2011, now totaling 6,450 people.
People born overseas make up 34.9% of the population, a figure far above the Queensland average. English and Australian are the most common ancestries, followed by Chinese, Irish, and Scottish.
Reflecting its overseas birth rate, 24.6% of residents use a language other than English at home, which is far above the state average. Mandarin is the most common non-English language spoken.
About 42.6% of people report having no religion, a figure that has risen by 21 points since 2011. Christianity remains the most common religious affiliation at 43.2%.
The area has seen a rise in qualifications, with 61.6% of residents completing Year 12, which is well above the state average. About 22.2% of adults hold a bachelor degree or higher.
The typical household income is $1,767 a week, which is about the same as the national figure. However, the typical personal income of $703 is a little below the state and national averages.
Residents are slightly healthier than those in most other areas, with 25.8% having a long-term health condition, which is well below the Queensland average.
Volunteer rates are much lower than most areas at 10.6%. About 11.7% of people provide unpaid care, while 27% are caring for children without pay.
First Nations residents have a Year 12 completion rate of 52.2%, which is far above the national figure. However, the unemployment rate for this group is much higher than most areas at 17.6%.
Homes here are larger than usual, with 3.0 people per household and a high proportion of one-parent families at 17.3%. Very few people live alone compared to the rest of the state.
Large homes are the norm, with 90.5% having three or more bedrooms. Renting is more common here than in the state average, and typical weekly rents are much higher than most areas at $450.
Car use is dominant, with 65.1% of people driving to work and very few using public transport. Only 9.6% of the workforce works from home, which is far below the national figure.
The area is quite mobile, with 42.9% of people moving in the last five years. Recent arrivals from overseas make up 10.4% of the population.
Full-time employment is much lower than in most areas at 51.6%. The local economy relies heavily on health care, social assistance, and the hospitality sector.
Molendinar is a major hub for business, with 1,538 businesses, which is more than about 78% of similar areas. Its overall advantage score is about the national average.
The area experiences very high annual rainfall of 1,555mm. Average maximum temperatures are much higher than most areas, though they remain well below the state average.
While nearly every home is within a 15-minute walk of a park, the area is far below the state average for walking to groceries or health services.