Region (SA4) · Area profile
Sunshine Coast
3,086 km²
A noticeably older population marks the Sunshine Coast, where the typical resident is 44. This region has grown quickly, adding about 91,931 people since 2011. It is a place where many people have retired or moved for a slower pace, evidenced by a high proportion of seniors and a strong trend toward home ownership. The community is largely Australian-born and English-speaking, creating a stable, established character across its varied landscapes.
A fast-growing area where schools haven't kept pace per child.
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The area is much older than most, with 22.5% of people aged 65 and over, which is well above the national figure. This senior population has grown by 4.4 percentage points since 2011, while the proportion of children under 15 has fallen.
Most residents were born in Australia, though 21.0% were born overseas. English is the most common ancestry at 45.7%, followed by Australian at 35.1%.
The region is far less linguistically diverse than the rest of Australia, with only 6.1% of people using a language other than English at home. Very few people speak little or no English, at just 0.5%.
A large number of residents report no religion, at 47.0%, which is well above the national figure of 38.9%. This figure has risen sharply by 21 percentage points since 2011.
The workforce is well qualified, with 21.7% of adults holding a bachelor degree or higher. Year 12 completion rose 10 percentage points since 2011 to reach 56.5%.
Typical weekly household income is $1,574, which is a little below the national figure. However, higher earners are becoming more common, with the share of households earning $3,000 or more a week rising 13 percentage points since 2011.
Long-term health conditions are a little more common here than in the rest of the state, affecting 30.1% of people. Arthritis is the most reported condition at 10.5%.
Volunteering is more common here than in most areas, with 15.9% of people pitching in. There is also a higher than average number of former Defence Force members, at 3.9%.
First Nations residents show strong outcomes, with a Year 12 completion rate of 50.3% and an unemployment rate of 7.6%, which is well below the national figure.
Families tend to be slightly larger than in other areas, with 2.5 people per home. Couples with children make up the largest group at 52.5%.
Home ownership is strong, with 35.4% of homes owned outright. While rental rates are well below the national average, the typical weekly rent of $440 is much higher than in most other areas.
Cars are essential here, as only 3.9% of homes have no motor vehicle. Working from home is more common than in most areas, while very few people, just 0.9%, use public transport to commute.
The region is a major draw for newcomers, with 47.6% of people having moved here in the last five years. This is well above the national figure of 40.7%.
Full-time employment is much lower than the national average at 51.7%, though the unemployment rate is lower than most areas at 4.4%. Health care and social assistance is the largest industry.
The region continues to grow rapidly, with a population increase of 9.4% since 2021, which is higher than most other similar areas.
The area is much wetter than the state average, with annual rainfall of 1,651mm. It also has minimum temperatures that are much higher than most other areas.
Most homes are within a 15-minute walk of a park, but fewer are within walking distance of schools or groceries compared to the state average. The overall walkability is rated as somewhat walkable.