Surfers Paradise

The area is noticeably older than the rest of the state, with 22.7% of people aged 65 and over. In contrast, children under 15 make up only 10.5% of the population, a figure that has fallen sharply since 2011.

International migration is a major feature here, as 35.4% of residents were born overseas, which is far above the Queensland average. English, Australian, and Irish are the most common ancestries.

Reflecting its global population, 20.3% of people use a language other than English at home, a figure that rose by 17 points since 2011. Mandarin is the most common non-English language.

About 36.8% of residents report no religion, which is a little below the national figure. Christianity remains the most common affiliation at 45.1%.

The community is well-qualified, with 26.3% of adults holding a bachelor degree or higher. This is well above the state average, and the number of people who completed Year 12 has risen since 2011.

Typical weekly household income is $1,505, which is a little below the national figure. However, there is a significant presence of high earners, with 12.3% of people earning $2,000 or more a week.

Residents are generally healthier than those in most similar areas, with much lower rates of mental health conditions (6.4%) and long-term health conditions (24.4%).

Participation in unpaid work is very low here, with far fewer people volunteering or providing unpaid care compared to the rest of the state.

Living arrangements are distinct, with a very high 33.4% of people living alone. Small households are the norm, with an average of 2.1 people per home.

Apartments dominate the landscape, making up 62.2% of homes, while detached houses are far less common than in most of Australia. Renting is very popular here, with 39.5% of households renting at a typical weekly cost of $430.

Public transport use is higher than in most areas, and 9.5% of homes have no motor vehicle. Working from home is also more common than in the state average.

The population is highly mobile, with 52.8% of residents having moved in the last five years. Recent arrivals from overseas make up a significant 23.4% of the community.

A smaller proportion of the population is working or looking for work compared to the state. Many residents are employed in accommodation and food services, though the unemployment rate is slightly higher than the national figure.

Surfers Paradise is very walkable, with 93% of homes within a 15-minute walk of groceries and 93.7% within a 10-minute walk of public transport.