Broadbeach Waters (Qld)

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Evaluating demographics data updates from the ABS for the wider region, alongside recent address points verified by Districts since the Census, indicates that the suburb of Broadbeach Waters has an estimated 9,122 residents as of May 2026. This represents a growth of 958 people (11.7%) relative to the 2021 Census, which registered 8,164 individuals. This shift is calculated from a resident headcount of 9,109, calculated by Districts using the latest ABS ERP release (June 2025) plus an extra 61 validated new addresses since the Census. Such population numbers result in a density of 1,717 persons per square kilometer, placing it above the typical figures across sites nationwide monitored by Districts. The 11.7% expansion rate in the suburb of Broadbeach Waters since the 2021 census outpaced the Rest of Qld (9.2%) and the national benchmark, establishing it as a local growth pacesetter. The population gains were heavily influenced by arrivals from abroad, who accounted for roughly 73.0% of total increases recently, though other components such as relocations from other states and natural increases also added positive numbers.

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The suburb of Broadbeach Waters is characterized by an educated workforce across diverse industries, featuring an unemployment rate of only 2.0% and annual job growth estimated at 3.2% based on aggregated local data. In March 2026, employed residents numbered 5,091, with unemployment tracking 1.9% below the Regional Qld average of 3.9%, and participation rates sitting at a standard level (66.7% compared to 64.3% in Regional Qld). Census returns showed a moderate 20.6% of the workforce worked from home, though this may reflect pandemic-era movement restrictions.

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Tax data from the ATO released for financial year 2023 shows the suburb of Broadbeach Waters has a median taxpayer income of $52,125 and an average income of $125,740. This represents an exceptionally high level nationally, compared to a median of $53,146 and average of $66,593 across Regional Qld. Adjusted for Wage Price Index growth of 11.36% since financial year 2023, estimated values would stand at roughly $58,046 for the median and $140,024 for the average in March 2026. According to the Census, household, family, and individual earnings place the area around the 67th percentile nationally. The largest income bracket is the 29.6% of households earning between $1,500 - 2,999 weekly (representing 2,700 residents), which is similar to the wider region where this bracket accounts for 31.7%. High-earning households are prominent, with receiving more than weekly, pointing to substantial financial capacity. Although residential housing costs account for of income, strong earnings keep disposable income at the th percentile, and the SEIFA index ranks the area in the th decile.

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The composition of residential properties in the suburb of Broadbeach Waters at the last Census was 78.4% detached houses and 21.7% other types of housing, including townhouses and apartments, compared to 76.4% houses and 23.6% other properties in Regional Qld. Home ownership rates were high at 40.4%, with the remaining properties being purchased under a mortgage (36.4%) or occupied by tenants (23.3%). The median monthly cost for mortgaged homes was $2,600, whereas the median weekly rent was $600, compared to regional figures of $1,655 and $345 respectively. On a national level, mortgage costs in the suburb of Broadbeach Waters are higher than the Australian average of $1,863, and rental costs are also well above the countrywide average of $375.

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Families make up the majority of households at 71.5%, which consists of couples with children at 31.0%, couples without children at 30.2%, and single parents with children at 9.1%. The remaining 28.5% are non-family households, with single-person households representing 21.5% and share houses accounting for 6.9%. The median number of occupants per household is 2.6, which is slightly above the Regional Qld average of 2.5.

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The educational attainment of residents in the suburb of Broadbeach Waters is high for the region, with tertiary graduation rates at 30.1% of residents aged 15+ compared to 20.6% in the Rest of Qld and 25.4% in the wider SA4 area. Bachelor degrees are the most common higher qualification at 21.8%, followed by postgraduate degrees at 6.1% and graduate diplomas at 2.2%. Vocational training is also prominent, with 35.8% of residents aged 15+ holding trade credentials, consisting of advanced diplomas (13.4%) and certificates (22.4%).

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Transport networks include 34 active public transport stops in the suburb of Broadbeach Waters, consisting of bus services. These stops connect to 16 separate routes, which support 2,398 weekly passenger journeys. Accessibility is rated favorably, with residents living an average of 225 meters from their closest stop. Due to the residential nature of the suburb of Broadbeach Waters, most working residents commute to other areas, with private vehicles remaining the primary choice at 89%. Car ownership averages 1.7 vehicles per household, which is higher than the regional average. About 20.6% of residents worked from home, according to the 2021 Census, which may have been influenced by COVID-19 rules.

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Health metrics show excellent outcomes in the suburb of Broadbeach Waters, characterized by low mortality rates and a low incidence of chronic illnesses across age brackets, alongside an exceptionally high rate of private medical insurance covering approximately 77% of residents (7,025 people). This compares to a rate of 52.5% in Regional Qld and a national average of 55.7%.

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The suburb of Broadbeach Waters displays higher cultural diversity than most comparable areas, with 14.6% of residents using a non-English language at home and 31.1% born outside Australia. Christianity is the primary religious affiliation, representing 53.6% of the population. The most distinct relative overrepresentation is found in Judaism, which accounts for 0.7% of the population, compared to 0.1% in Regional Qld.

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The median age of 42 years in the suburb of Broadbeach Waters is close to the Regional Qld average of 41 and higher than the Australian median of 38. Compared to Regional Qld, the 35 - 44 age bracket has a high representation at 14.7%, while children aged 5 - 14 are less common at 10.2%. The local population has grown younger since the 2021 Census, with the median age falling 1.2 years from 43 to 42. Specifically, residents aged 25 to 34 increased from 12.1% to 14.1%, and those aged 35 to 44 rose from 12.7% to 14.7%. In contrast, the 45 to cohort fell from to , and the to bracket declined from to . Population models for project notable demographic shifts in the suburb of Broadbeach Waters. The to group is expected to grow, increasing by people () from to while both the to and to brackets are expected to decrease.

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Broadbeach Waters currently has an estimated 401 children under 5 years old, comprising approximately 238 children aged 0-2 and 158 children aged 3-4. This cohort grew by an estimated 20% since the previous census. while population forecasts indicate future growth, with an anticipated increase of 24% by 2041 (to approximately 499 children). Meanwhile the 5-12 cohort currently amounts to 740. While growth has been positive birth rates observed in the area have been low, with approximately 7.6 births per 1,000 residents recorded over the latest two-year period analysed which ranks the area among the bottom 20% of areas assessed nationally. This rate has slowed down slightly in recent years however.