Margate (Qld)

Detail

Based on analysis of ABS population updates for the broader area, and new addresses validated by Districts since the Census the population of the suburb of Margate (Qld) is estimated at around 7,756 as of May 2026. This reflects an increase of 181 people (2.4%) since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 7,575 people. The change is inferred from the resident population of 7,647, estimated by Districts following examination of the latest ERP data release by the ABS (June 2025) and an additional two validated new addresses since the Census date. This level of population equates to a density ratio of 2,949 persons per square kilometer, placing it in the upper quartile relative to national locations assessed by Districts. Population growth for the area was primarily driven by overseas migration that contributed approximately 66.0% of overall population gains during recent periods.

Detail

Margate is characterized by a workforce possessing strong technical qualifications, with a notable presence in core service fields, an unemployment rate of 5.0%, and a yearly employment growth rate estimated at 2.6% using aggregated statistical area data. Figures from March 2026 show 3,618 residents are actively employed, which is coupled with an unemployment rate that sits 0.6% higher than the Greater Brisbane benchmark of 4.3%. Furthermore, labor force participation is lower, registering at 58.4% compared to 70.4% across the broader capital city. Census data indicates that a moderate portion of the workforce, 15.6%, worked from home, although this figure was likely influenced by health-related lockdown measures.

Detail

The latest postcode-level ATO statistics for the financial year 2023 show that personal earnings in Margate fall below the national benchmark, with a median of $50,575 and an average of $61,326. In comparison, Greater Brisbane recorded a median income of $58,236 and an average of $72,799. Adjusting these values for the 11.36% increase in the Wage Price Index since the financial year 2023 suggests estimated figures of approximately $56,320 for the median and $68,293 for the average as of March 2026. The 2021 Census highlights that household, family, and individual incomes in Margate all rank between the 15th and 25th percentiles across the country. The most common weekly household income bracket is $1,500 - 2,999, capturing 25.9% of residents (2,008 people), which is comparable to the wider metropolitan region where this cohort represents . Residential affordability is highly constrained, with only of income remaining after housing costs, placing the area in the th percentile nationally.

Detail

Residential property types in Margate at the time of the latest Census consisted of 71.8% detached houses and 28.2% alternative dwellings such as townhouses and apartments, compared to 73.5% houses and 26.5% other dwellings throughout the Brisbane metropolitan area. Home ownership rates were higher than the metropolitan average, with 28.4% of residents owning their properties outright, while 29.6% had a mortgage and 42.0% rented. The median monthly mortgage payment of $1,733 was below the Brisbane metropolitan average of $1,863, and the median weekly rent was $320, compared to the regional figure of $380. On a national level, Margate mortgage payments are lower than the Australian average of $1,863, and rents are also significantly below the national median of $375.

Detail

Families comprise 60.2% of the local households, which includes couples with children at 20.7%, couples without children at 23.8%, and single-parent households at 14.6%. The remaining 39.8% of households are non-family arrangements, consisting of single-person households at 36.2% and group households at 3.5%. The median household occupancy of 2.2 people is smaller than the average of 2.6 recorded across Greater Brisbane.

Detail

The local population presents distinct educational patterns, with the proportion of residents holding university qualifications (19.6%) tracking below the Greater Brisbane average of 30.5%. Bachelor degrees represent the most common higher education qualification at 13.2%, with postgraduate degrees at 3.8% and graduate diplomas at 2.6%. Vocational and technical capabilities are highly prevalent, as 42.0% of individuals aged 15 and over hold vocational qualifications, divided between advanced diplomas at 12.6% and certificate-level training at 29.4%.

Detail

Public transport services in Margate include 26 active transit stops, which consist of bus connections. These stops are serviced by 4 distinct routes that run a combined 639 weekly passenger journeys. Transport accessibility is highly rated, with residents living an average of 178 meters from their nearest public transit stop. Commuting patterns reflect the residential nature of the suburb, with most workers traveling outside the area; private vehicles are the primary mode of travel at 86%, while 6% of commuters travel by train. Vehicle ownership stands at an average of 1.1 cars per dwelling, which is lower than the metropolitan average. At the 2021 Census, 15.6% of residents worked from home, which may reflect temporary pandemic restrictions.

Detail

Health indicators point to notable public health challenges in Margate, according to Districts analysis of local mortality rates and the prevalence of chronic health conditions across various age cohorts. Private health insurance coverage is relatively low, with about 52% of the population (~3,994 people) holding coverage, compared to 55.8% across the Greater Brisbane area.

Detail

Margate exhibits moderate levels of cultural diversity, with citizens accounting for 86.1% of the population, Australian-born individuals representing 77.1%, and 93.5% of households speaking only English. Christianity is the dominant religious affiliation, representing 48.8% of the community. The most notable religious overrepresentation relative to the broader metropolitan area is Judaism, which accounts for 0.1% of residents, equal to the 0.1% average across Greater Brisbane.

Detail

The median age of 46 years in Margate is much higher than Greater Brisbane's average of 36 years, and also older than the national median of 38 years. Compared to the capital city, Margate contains a higher proportion of residents in the 65 - 74 age bracket (13.1%) but has a smaller representation of people aged 25 - 34 (9.0%). Since the 2021 Census, the proportion of residents aged 75 to 84 has risen from 6.6% to 9.0%, while the 45 to 54 cohort has decreased from 15.1% to 13.7%. Projections for 2041 indicate significant demographic shifts, led by a 69% expansion of the 75 to 84 age group, which will grow from to people. Overall, the population aged and over is projected to account for of all population growth, confirming an aging community profile. By contrast, the to and to age brackets are expected to shrink.

Detail

Margate currently has an estimated 395 children under 5 years old, comprising approximately 199 children aged 0-2 and 132 children aged 3-4. This cohort grew by an estimated 4% since the previous census. though population forecasts indicate future decline, with an anticipated decrease of 3% by 2041 (to approximately 382 children). Meanwhile the 5-12 cohort currently amounts to 548. While growth has been positive birth rates observed in the area have been low, with approximately 8.3 births per 1,000 residents recorded over the latest two-year period analysed which ranks the area among the bottom 30% of areas assessed nationally. This rate has slowed down slightly in recent years however.