Cooloola Cove (Qld)

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Analysis of ABS demographic updates for the wider region and recent address validations conducted by Districts since the Census indicates the population of the suburb of Cooloola Cove stands at approximately 2,994 as of May 2026. This represents a growth of 73 residents (2.5%) compared to the 2,921 individuals counted during the 2021 Census. This adjustment is derived from the resident population figure of 2,994, which Districts calculated by studying the latest ABS ERP release (June 2025) along with one new confirmed address since the Census. With this population level, the density ratio is 221 persons per square kilometer, which offers substantial space for each resident and leaves room for potential future building. The primary driver of population gains in recent times was interstate migration, which accounted for roughly 92.0% of the overall growth.

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The suburb of Cooloola Cove has a diverse workforce composed of both white-collar and blue-collar workers, with significant representation in the tourism and hospitality sectors, an unemployment rate of 7.8%, and estimated job growth of 7.7% over the past year according to aggregated statistical area data from Districts. As of March 2026795 residents are employed, while the local unemployment rate sits 3.9% higher than the Regional Qld rate of 3.9%, highlighting room for expansion, and workforce participation is notably low at 31.7% compared to 64.3% in Regional Qld. Census data indicates that a modest 11.8% of residents worked from home, though this figure may have been influenced by COVID-19 pandemic restrictions.

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Postcode-level ATO data compiled by Districts for financial year 2023 shows that the suburb of Cooloola Cove has a median taxpayer income of $32,697 and an average income of $44,091. These figures sit below the national average, contrasting with a median of $53,146 and an average of $66,593 in Regional Qld. Factoring in Wage Price Index growth of 11.36% since financial year 2023, updated estimates for March 2026 stand at approximately $36,411 for the median and $49,100 for the average. Based on 2021 Census records, household, family, and individual incomes in the suburb of Cooloola Cove are positioned between the 0th and 1st percentiles nationally. Income distribution shows that 41.6% of residents (1,245 people) earn within the $400 - 799 bracket, whereas the broader region sees of residents in the - range. This financial landscape indicates widespread economic pressure, with of households surviving on modest weekly incomes under . After meeting housing costs, residents retain of their income, a figure that ranks in the rd percentile across Australia.

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Data from the most recent Census shows that the housing stock in the suburb of Cooloola Cove consists of 96.5% separate houses and 3.4% other dwelling types like apartments and semi-detached properties, compared to Regional Qld which has 76.4% separate houses and 23.6% alternative dwellings. Home ownership in the suburb of Cooloola Cove is much higher than the regional average at 60.0%, with the remaining properties being mortgaged (25.6%) or rented (14.4%). The median monthly mortgage payment was $1,172, which is lower than the Regional Qld average of $1,655, and the median weekly rent was $300, compared to $345 regionally. On a national level, mortgage repayments in the suburb of Cooloola Cove are lower than the Australian median of $1,863, and rents are also below the national median of $375.

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Families make up the vast majority of households at 70.0%, which is broken down into couples without children at 47.3%, couples with children at 13.2%, and single-parent households at 9.1%. The remaining 30.0% are non-family households, consisting of single-person households at 26.4% and group households at 3.8%. The median household size stands at 2.1 persons, which is smaller than the Regional Qld average of 2.5.

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The suburb of Cooloola Cove displays low rates of higher education, with university qualification levels at 7.1% compared to the national average of 30.4%. This highlights a clear opportunity for targeted educational programs. Among university degrees, bachelor qualifications are most common at 5.5%, followed by graduate diplomas at 0.9% and postgraduate degrees at 0.7%. Vocational and technical skills are highly prevalent, with 42.9% of residents aged 15+ holding trade credentials, including advanced diplomas at 8.3% and certificates at 34.6%.

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Analysis of local public transport shows 10 transit stops operating in the suburb of Cooloola Cove, which are serviced by bus routes. These stops are served by 1 separate routes that provide a total of 10 passenger trips per week. Transport access is moderate, with an average distance of 463 meters to the closest transit stop. Because this is a residential community, most residents travel outside the area for work, with cars remaining the dominant mode of travel at 94%. Dwellings have an average of 1.4 vehicles. A low 11.8% of residents worked from home, according to the 2021 Census, which may have been influenced by COVID-19 pandemic conditions.

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Mortality rates and chronic illness trends evaluated by Districts point to significant healthcare challenges in the suburb of Cooloola Cove, with notable rates of common medical conditions across both younger and older demographics. Furthermore, the share of the population with private health insurance is low at roughly 45% (~1,337 residents), compared to 52.5% in Regional Qld and a national average of 55.7%.

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The suburb of Cooloola Cove has a low level of cultural diversity, with 82.7% of residents born in Australia, 89.4% holding citizenship, and 97.8% speaking only English at home. The predominant religion is Christianity, representing 54.3% of the local population, compared to 52.2% across Regional Qld.

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The median age of 62 years in the suburb of Cooloola Cove is significantly higher than the Regional Qld median of 41 and the national median of 38. Residents aged 65 - 74 are highly represented at 28.4%, while those aged 25 - 34 make up a small share of the population at 5.1% compared to Regional Qld. This 65 - 74 age group is much larger than the national average of 9.4%. Since 2021, the 75 to 84 cohort has grown from 12.6% to 14.5% of the population, whereas the 45 to 54 cohort has decreased from 10.9% to 9.7%. By 2041, demographic forecasts project major changes in the local age structure, with the + bracket expected to grow by people () from to . Older residents aged and over will account for of the population growth, reinforcing the aging trend, while population drops are expected for the to and to age groups.

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Cooloola Cove currently has an estimated 104 children under 5 years old, comprising approximately 52 children aged 0-2 and 34 children aged 3-4. This cohort grew by an estimated 24% since the previous census. while population forecasts indicate future growth, with an anticipated increase of 4% by 2041 (to approximately 108 children). Meanwhile the 5-12 cohort currently amounts to 144. While growth has been positive birth rates observed in the area have been low, with approximately 4.5 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.