Mount Coolum (Qld)

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According to investigations of ABS demographic updates for the broader region, combined with fresh addresses verified by Districts since the Census, the suburb of Mount Coolum holds a population estimated at 4,819 as of May 2026. This represents a rise of 274 residents (6.0%) from the 2021 Census, which registered 4,545 individuals. This shift is calculated from a resident population of 4,792, calculated by Districts using the latest ABS ERP data release (June 2025) along with 37 validated new addresses established post-Census. Such a population size represents a density of 963 persons per square kilometer, aligning closely with typical averages recorded across regions evaluated by Districts. Inward migration from overseas served as the primary growth driver, accounting for 66.0% of the overall population expansion in recent times, though all components including interstate relocation and natural growth made positive contributions.

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The suburb of Mount Coolum is home to a highly qualified labor force with strong representation in essential service industries and a low unemployment rate of 3.1%, based on aggregated statistical area data compiled by Districts. In March 2026, employed residents numbered 2,592, keeping the local unemployment rate 0.8% below the 3.9% recorded across Regional Qld, while participation in the workforce matches standard expectations at 66.3% compared to 64.3% in Regional Qld. Census data indicates a moderate 20.9% of the local workforce performed their jobs from home, though this figure may reflect the influence of pandemic lockdowns.

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According to compiled postcode data from the ATO released for the 2023 financial year, taxpayers in the suburb of Mount Coolum recorded a median income of $49,192 and an average income of $71,750. These figures exceed the national average and compare to $53,146 and $66,593 throughout Regional Qld. Adjusting for Wage Price Index growth of 11.36% since the 2023 financial year, estimates for March 2026 would be roughly $54,780 for the median and $79,901 for the average. Based on the 2021 Census, household, family, and individual incomes are moderate, placing between the 46th and 51st percentiles. The largest income bracket is represented by 35.7% of taxpayers (1,720 individuals) earning between $1,500 and $2,999 weekly, which is similar to the wider region where fall into this range. Housing affordability presents a significant challenge, with only of income left over after housing costs, ranking at the th percentile, while the SEIFA index places the area in the th decile for income.

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At the time of the most recent Census, the distribution of dwelling types in the suburb of Mount Coolum was 62.6% separate houses and 37.4% alternative housing types, such as townhouses, apartments, and other dwellings, compared to Regional Qld where separate houses made up 76.4% and alternative structures made up 23.6%. Home ownership rates in the suburb of Mount Coolum stood at 30.2%, slightly below the levels seen across Regional Qld, with the remaining properties occupied by residents with a mortgage (39.9%) or renting (30.0%). The median monthly mortgage payment was $1,863, which is considerably higher than the Regional Qld average of $1,655, while the median weekly rent was $450 compared to the Regional Qld average of $345. Nationally, mortgage costs match the Australian median of $1,863, while local rents are notably higher than the countrywide figure of $375.

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Families make up the majority of households in the suburb of Mount Coolum at 69.1%, consisting of 28.5% couples with children, 29.4% couples without children, and 10.9% single-parent households. Non-family living arrangements account for the remaining 30.9%, with single-person households at 26.0% and group households at 4.7%. The median size of a household is 2.4 residents, which is slightly smaller than the Regional Qld average of 2.5.

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The educational profile of the suburb of Mount Coolum is distinct within the region, with university degrees held by 30.0% of residents aged 15 and over, outperforming the Rest of Qld average of 20.6% and the SA4 regional average of 24.9%, highlighting a strong local focus on tertiary education. Bachelor degrees are the most common qualification at 20.2%, followed by postgraduate degrees at 6.3% and graduate diplomas at 3.5%. Vocational and technical training also has a strong presence, with 40.6% of residents aged 15 and over holding vocational qualifications, split between advanced diplomas at 13.5% and certificates at 27.1%.

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Public transport connectivity includes 8 active transit stops within the suburb of Mount Coolum, consisting of bus services. These stops are served by 2 separate routes, which together accommodate 330 weekly passenger journeys. Access to transport is rated as good, with residents living an average of 365 meters from the nearest stop. Because the area is mainly residential, most workers commute to other areas, with private vehicles remaining the primary transport mode at 94%. Households own an average of 1.4 vehicles. At the 2021 Census, 20.9% of residents worked from home, which may reflect pandemic-era arrangements.

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Health indicators demonstrate positive outcomes for residents of the suburb of Mount Coolum, with Districts' evaluation of mortality rates and chronic illnesses showing outcomes that align with national averages, showing typical occurrences of common health issues across both younger and older cohorts, alongside a high rate of private health insurance coverage at approximately 56% of the population, representing about 2,680 individuals, compared to 52.5% across Regional Qld.

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The suburb of Mount Coolum shows lower levels of cultural diversity than average, with 80.3% of residents born in Australia, 88.8% holding citizenship, and 94.4% speaking only English at home. Christianity is the primary religion, followed by 41.4% of the population. The most notable statistical divergence is for Judaism, which represents 0.2% of residents compared to 0.1% across Regional Qld.

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The median age in the suburb of Mount Coolum is 43 years, which is older than the Regional Qld average of 41 and significantly higher than the national median of 38 years. The 45 to 54 cohort is highly represented at 14.6% compared to Regional Qld, while the 25 to 34 age group is less common at 10.6%. Changes since the 2021 Census show the 15 to 24 age bracket has increased from 9.7% to 11.1%, whereas the 45 to 54 cohort decreased from 16.5% to 14.6%, and the 55 to 64 group dropped from 14.2% to 12.8%. Projections suggest the demographic structure will change significantly by with the to cohort expected to grow by , adding residents to reach while the to cohort is projected to decrease by .

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Mount Coolum currently has an estimated 265 children under 5 years old, comprising approximately 143 children aged 0-2 and 94 children aged 3-4. This cohort grew by an estimated 12% since the previous census. while population forecasts indicate future growth, with an anticipated increase of 20% by 2041 (to approximately 317 children). Meanwhile the 5-12 cohort currently amounts to 424. While growth has been positive birth rates observed in the area have been moderate, with approximately 9.0 births per 1,000 residents recorded over the latest two-year period analysed which ranks the area within the middle tier nationally. This rate has slowed down slightly in recent years however.