Statistical Area 2 (SA2) · Area profile
Noosa Heads
13 km²
Far older than the typical Queensland community, Noosa Heads is a wealthy coastal retreat where a third of residents are seniors. The area has seen significant growth since 2011, adding over 1,100 people to its population. It is a highly qualified and affluent place, which is reflected in the high proportion of homes owned outright and a workforce with many university degrees. The neighborhood's character is shaped by its popularity with retirees and overseas arrivals, creating a sophisticated, leisure-oriented atmosphere.
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The typical resident is 54, making the area far older than the national figure of 38. Seniors aged 65 and over make up 32.4% of the population, a figure that rose 7.5 points since 2011, while children under 15 are much less common than in most other areas.
People born overseas make up 28.5% of the community, which is well above the Queensland average. English, Australian, Scottish, and Irish are the most common ancestries.
English is the primary language for 86.1% of residents. Only 8.3% use another language at home, which is far below the national figure.
A large number of residents report having no religion, accounting for 47.1% of the population. This figure has risen by 19 points since 2011 and is well above the national average.
The community is highly educated, with 30.7% of adults holding a bachelor degree or higher. This is well above the national average, and the proportion of people who finished Year 12 has also risen since 2011.
Typical weekly family incomes are $2,228, which is higher than most areas. Wealth is concentrated at the top, with 17.2% of people earning $2,000 or more per week, a figure that rose nearly 10 points since 2011.
While 6.1% of people need help with daily activities, which is about the same as the national figure, the rate of mental health conditions is much lower than in most other areas.
Volunteering is common here, with 17.7% of people helping out, well above the state average. However, much fewer people provide unpaid childcare compared to most other areas.
The First Nations population is small, making up 0.6% of the community. Those identifying as First Nations have a typical personal income of $1,125, which is far above the national figure.
Homes are slightly smaller than usual, with 2.3 people per household. Nearly half of all households consist of couples without children.
Home ownership is very high, with 49% of homes owned outright, far above the national average. However, the cost of living is steep, as typical weekly rents are $550 and monthly mortgage payments are $2,167.
Working from home is very popular here, with 27.5% of the workforce doing so, far above the state average. Despite this, 45.2% of people still commute by car.
The area is highly dynamic, with 51.6% of residents moving in the last five years. Recent arrivals from overseas also make up a large portion of the population at 18.2%.
The workforce is smaller than in most areas, with only 50.7% of adults working or looking for work. Many residents work in accommodation and food services, and the unemployment rate is lower than the national average.
Noosa Heads is an advantaged area, scoring an 8 out of 10 for overall advantage. This reflects its high levels of education and strong access to money and resources.
The area is much wetter than the state average, with an average annual rainfall of 1,637mm. Temperatures are generally milder than in other parts of Queensland.
The neighborhood is very walkable, with 76.4% of homes within a 15-minute walk of most amenities. Residents are especially close to parks, groceries, and health services, though very few live near a school.