Palm Beach (Qld)

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Palm Beach (Qld) has an estimated population of 18,887 as of May 2026, according to analysis of ABS population updates for the wider region and new address validations by Districts since the Census. Compared to the 16,349 residents counted in the 2021 Census, this represents a population gain of 2,538 individuals, or a 15.5% expansion. The figure is derived from a resident population of 18,678 calculated by Districts using the latest ABS ERP release from June 2025, supplemented by 715 validated new addresses added since the Census date. This population level translates to a density of 2,983 persons per square kilometer, placing the locality in the top quartile of all Australian areas evaluated by Districts. With a growth rate of 15.5% since the 2021 census, Palm Beach (Qld) outpaced the Rest of Qld average of 9.2% as well as the national benchmark, making it a regional growth leader. Overseas migration was the primary driver of these gains, accounting for approximately 48.0% of the total population increase during recent periods, although natural growth and interstate migration also contributed positively.

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Based on statistical area data compiled by Districts, Palm Beach has a highly educated workforce, healthy representation in essential services, an unemployment rate of only 2.5%, and an estimated job growth rate of 3.8% over the past year. Employed residents numbered 10,793 as of March 2026, while the local unemployment rate sits 1.4% below the Regional Qld level of 3.9%. Furthermore, the workforce participation rate of 70.2% is significantly higher than the Regional Qld average of 64.3%. Census data indicates that a moderate 17.1% of local workers operated from home, though this figure may reflect the influence of pandemic lockdowns.

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ATO data for the 2023 financial year compiled by Districts indicates that the suburb of Palm Beach has income levels exceeding the national benchmark. Taxpayers in the suburb recorded a median income of $51,221 and an average income of $72,295, compared to Regional Qld averages of $53,146 and $66,593. Adjusting these figures for the 11.36% growth in the Wage Price Index since the 2023 financial year yields estimated values of approximately $57,040 for the median and $80,508 for the average as of March 2026. The 2021 Census reveals that household, family, and individual incomes in Palm Beach sit around the 55th percentile nationally. The most common weekly income bracket is $1,500 - 2,999, which accounts for 31.2% of the local population (5,892 individuals), matching the metropolitan average of 31.7% in the same bracket. Housing costs place a heavy burden on residents, leaving only of income available after payments, which ranks in the th percentile, while the SEIFA index for income places the area in the th decile.

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At the most recent Census, the distribution of dwelling types in Palm Beach was 41.1% freestanding houses and 59.0% alternative housing types, such as townhouses, semi-detached properties, and apartments, compared to Regional Qld where houses comprised 76.4% and alternative dwellings made up 23.6%. Home ownership in Palm Beach stood at 29.3%, which is lower than the Regional Qld level, with the remaining properties being mortgaged (33.0%) or rented (37.8%). The median mortgage payment in the area was $2,093 per month and the median rent was $445 per week, both higher than the Regional Qld medians of $1,655 and $345. On a national level, housing costs in Palm Beach also exceed the Australian median mortgage payment of $1,863 and the median weekly rent of $375.

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Families make up the majority of households at 63.2%, consisting of couples with children at 24.7%, couples without children at 27.2%, and single-parent homes at 10.3%. The remaining 36.8% of households are non-family arrangements, with single-person households representing 29.8% and group households making up 7.0%. The local median household size is 2.3 individuals, which is smaller than the Regional Qld average of 2.5.

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University qualification rates in the local area are high, with 29.5% of residents aged 15+ holding a degree, exceeding the Rest of Qld average of 20.6% and the SA4 regional average of 25.4%. Bachelor degrees are the most common tertiary credential at 21.3%, followed by postgraduate qualifications at 5.4% and graduate diplomas at 2.8%. Vocational education is also well represented, with 38.7% of residents aged 15+ holding trade credentials, consisting of advanced diplomas at 12.8% and certificate qualifications at 25.9%.

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Public transport services in Palm Beach include 46 active stops consisting of bus and train options. These stops are serviced by 11 distinct routes that provide a total of 2,319 passenger trips per week. Transport links are accessible, with residents living an average of 216 meters from the nearest stop. The suburb is primarily residential, and 90% of commuting residents travel by private car. The average vehicle ownership rate is 1.4 cars per household. A total of 17.1% of residents worked from home, according to the 2021 Census, which may have been influenced by COVID-19 pandemic conditions.

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Districts health metrics show strong outcomes in Palm Beach based on mortality statistics and chronic disease rates, with low rates of common health conditions observed across both younger and older cohorts. Private health insurance coverage is high, with approximately 56% of the population (~10,548 people) holding policies, compared to 52.5% in Regional Qld.

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Cultural diversity measures in Palm Beach are lower than average, with citizens making up 86.8% of the population, Australian-born residents accounting for 81.3%, and monolingual English speakers representing 93.4%. Christianity is the most common religious affiliation, representing 47.1% of residents. The most pronounced religious overrepresentation occurs in Judaism, which accounts for 0.1% of the population, compared to 0.1% in Regional Qld.

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The median age of 38 years in Palm Beach is slightly below the Regional Qld average of 41 years and matches the national average of 38 years. The 25 - 34 age bracket has a high representation at 18.2% compared to Regional Qld, while the 5 - 14 group has a lower share at 10.0%. Post-2021 Census data indicates a decline in median age from 39 years to 38 years. Specifically, the cohort aged 25 to 34 expanded from 16.1% to 18.2% of the population, and the group aged 35 to 44 increased from 14.4% to 16.1%. Meanwhile, the cohort aged 45 to 54 shrank from to , and the group aged to decreased from to . By the age structure is projected to shift, with the to age group growing by people () from to while the to cohort is forecast to experience minor growth of ( people).

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Palm Beach currently has an estimated 1,057 children under 5 years old, comprising approximately 627 children aged 0-2 and 417 children aged 3-4. This cohort grew by an estimated 29% since the previous census. while population forecasts indicate future growth, with an anticipated increase of 34% by 2041 (to approximately 1,419 children). Meanwhile the 5-12 cohort currently amounts to 1,516. While growth has been positive birth rates observed in the area have been moderate, with approximately 11.5 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.