Dundowran Beach (Qld)

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Based on demographic assessments of ABS regional updates, alongside new addresses validated by Districts since the Census, Dundowran Beach has an estimated population of approximately 2,548 as of May 2026. This represents a growth of 249 people (10.8%) from the 2021 Census, which recorded 2,299 residents. This calculation is derived from a resident base of 2,504, calculated by Districts using the ABS June 2025 ERP release, combined with 9 validated new addresses confirmed since the Census. This population level translates to a density of 292 persons per square kilometer, indicating low-density living and capacity for potential development. The 10.8% expansion since the 2021 census outpaced the Rest of Qld (9.2%) and the national benchmark, positioning the suburb as a regional growth leader. The primary driver of this demographic expansion was interstate migration, which accounted for approximately 83.0% of recent population gains, though all factors including overseas arrivals and natural increase contributed positively.

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Dundowran Beach has a highly skilled labor force with a strong presence in essential services, showing an unemployment rate of only 1.6% and an estimated annual job growth of 5.6%, according to Districts regional aggregations. In March 2026, there were 1,224 employed residents, with the unemployment rate sitting 2.3% lower than the Regional Qld average of 3.9%, while workforce participation is notably lower at 58.1% compared to the regional figure of 64.3%. Census data indicates that a modest 12.2% of the workforce operated from home, though this figure may reflect the influence of pandemic lockdowns.

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The most recent postcode-level ATO statistics from Districts for the 2023 financial year show that incomes in Dundowran Beach align closely with national benchmarks, recording a median of $54,325 and an average of $68,301. For comparison, Regional Qld recorded a median income of $53,146 and an average of $66,593. Factoring in Wage Price Index growth of 11.36% since the 2023 financial year, current estimates point to approximately $60,496 (median) and $76,060 (average) as of March 2026. According to the 2021 Census, household income sits at the 44th percentile ($1,651 weekly), while individual income is at the 27th percentile. The dominant income bracket is $1,500 - 2,999, containing 30.3% of residents ( people), which matches the wider region where this group accounts for . Housing expenses are manageable with residents keeping of their income, though disposable income is below average at the th percentile, and the SEIFA income index places the area in the th decile.

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Residential property structure in Dundowran Beach at the latest Census consisted of 100.0% houses and no other dwelling types, such as apartments or semi-detached options, compared to Regional Qld where houses made up 76.4% and other options made up 23.6%. Home ownership rates were high at 53.1%, with remaining properties held under a mortgage (39.6%) or rented (7.4%). The median monthly mortgage payment of $1,764 was higher than the Regional Qld average of $1,655, while the median weekly rent was $418 compared to the regional average of $345. On a national scale, Dundowran Beach's mortgage payments are below the Australian average of $1,863, while rental costs are significantly higher than the national median of $375.

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Families make up the vast majority of households at 86.8%, consisting of couples without children (49.1%), couples with children (29.4%), and single parent families (8.1%). Non-family households account for the remaining 13.2%, which is comprised of lone person households (9.9%) and group households (3.0%). The median household size of 2.6 residents is slightly larger than the Regional Qld average of 2.5.

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The educational profile of the suburb is distinct within the region, with higher education qualification rates (23.1% of residents aged 15+) sitting above the SA4 regional average of 13.3% and the SA3 average of 15.6%. Bachelor degrees represent the most common qualification at 15.6%, followed by postgraduate degrees (4.7%) and graduate diplomas (2.8%). Vocational and technical training is also highly prevalent, with 42.5% of the population aged 15+ holding qualifications, consisting of advanced diplomas (12.5%) and certificates (30.0%).

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Analysis of the local transport network shows 7 active passenger transit stops in Dundowran Beach, serviced by bus connections. These stops accommodate 1 distinct routes, delivering a combined 23 weekly passenger services. Regional transit accessibility is classified as moderate, with residents living an average of 444 meters from their closest stop. As the area is predominantly residential, most workers commute to outside areas, with private vehicles remaining the primary choice at 98%. Vehicle ownership rates stand at 2.0 cars per home, which is above the regional average. A relatively modest 12.2% of residents worked from home, based on 2021 Census statistics which may reflect the influence of pandemic conditions.

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An analysis of regional health indicators demonstrates favorable outcomes for Dundowran Beach, based on Districts evaluations of mortality and chronic illness rates, with low rates of common health issues observed across both younger and older demographics, and private health insurance coverage is solid at approximately 54% of residents, representing around 1,382 people.

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Dundowran Beach displays lower levels of cultural diversity than average, with 78.5% of the population born in Australia, 89.9% holding citizenship, and 95.2% speaking only English at home. The predominant religious affiliation is Christianity, representing 55.6% of the population, compared to 52.2% across Regional Qld.

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With a median age of 51, Dundowran Beach is significantly older than the Regional Qld median of 41 and the national average of 38 years. Compared to the Regional Qld average, the 65 - 74 age bracket is highly represented locally at 18.0%, while the 25 - 34 bracket is underrepresented at 5.5%. The concentration of 65 - 74 year-olds is also well above the national share of 9.4%. Since 2021, the 15 to 24 cohort has increased from 7.3% to 9.4% of the population, and the 85+ bracket has risen from 1.3% to 2.6%. Conversely, the 45 to 54 group has decreased from to , and the to cohort has dropped from to . Looking to demographic forecasts project major shifts in the local age profile. The to group is expected to grow by people (), rising from to . Older residents (+) will account for of overall population growth, reinforcing the aging trend, while the to bracket is projected to decrease by residents.

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Dundowran Beach currently has an estimated 96 children under 5 years old, comprising approximately 61 children aged 0-2 and 41 children aged 3-4. This cohort grew by an estimated 17% since the previous census. while population forecasts indicate future growth, with an anticipated increase of 31% by 2041 (to approximately 126 children). Meanwhile the 5-12 cohort currently amounts to 249. While growth has been positive birth rates observed in the area have been low, with approximately 6.1 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.