Runaway Bay (Qld)

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Based on demographic evaluations from the ABS for the surrounding region, combined with updated addresses verified by Districts since the Census, the population of the suburb of Runaway Bay is projected to be approximately 9,774 as of May 2026. This represents an addition of 466 residents (5.0%) compared to the 2021 Census, which counted 9,308 people. The adjustment is calculated from a local population of 9,755, which was determined by Districts using the latest ABS ERP release (June 2025) along with 31 new verified addresses added since the Census. This population level yields a density of 1,780 individuals per square kilometer, which exceeds the typical average across the country. The suburb of Runaway Bay's post-census growth of 5.0% trails the broader SA3 region (7.0%) by 2.0 percentage points, showing solid local growth dynamics. The expansion was primarily fueled by net overseas migration, which accounted for roughly 86.0% of the overall population increases during this timeframe.

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Runaway Bay possesses a highly qualified workforce spread across multiple sectors, with a jobless rate of just 3.4% and an estimated employment expansion of 3.3% over the prior year, according to aggregated regional statistics from Districts. In March 2026, 4,587 local citizens were employed, with the unemployment rate sitting 0.6% below the Regional Qld benchmark of 3.9%, while the participation rate is notably lower at 54.4% compared to 64.3% in Regional Qld. Census data indicates that a moderate 20.0% of the working population performed their duties from home, though this figure may have been influenced by COVID-19 pandemic restrictions.

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According to tax data from the ATO aggregated by Districts for the 2023 financial year, average incomes in the suburb of Runaway Bay are exceptionally high compared to national averages. The median income for tax-paying residents is $49,814 and the average income is $76,105, compared to Regional Qld averages of $53,146 and $66,593. Factoring in Wage Price Index growth of 11.36% since the 2023 financial year, current estimates point to a median of approximately $55,473 and an average of $84,751 as of March 2026. The 2021 Census indicates that household, family, and individual incomes are relatively modest, positioning the area between the 27th and 34th percentiles. The weekly income band of $1,500 - 2,999 is the most common, accounting for 26.4% of residents (2,580 people), which is similar to the wider region where fall into this bracket. Housing affordability presents a major challenge, with residents retaining just of their income, placing the area in the th percentile, while its SEIFA income measure sits in the th decile.

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According to the latest Census, the housing composition in Runaway Bay consisted of 45.3% separate houses and 54.7% alternative housing options, such as townhouses, units, and other structures. This compares to Regional Qld where separate houses make up 76.4% and other options account for 23.6%. Home ownership is significantly higher than the regional benchmark at 45.4%, with the remaining properties being mortgaged (29.2%) or rented (25.3%). The median monthly mortgage payment was notably high at $2,000, while the median weekly rent was $435, compared to Regional Qld benchmarks of $1,655 and $345. Locally, mortgage repayments exceed the Australian median of $1,863, and weekly rents are considerably higher than the national median of $375.

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Families comprise the majority of households at 67.7%, consisting of couples with children (19.9%), couples without children (37.5%), and single-parent households (9.2%). The remaining 32.3% are non-family households, which include lone person households at 28.7% and group households at 3.5%. The median household occupancy is 2.2 people, which is smaller than the Regional Qld average of 2.5.

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The proportion of residents with tertiary qualifications in Runaway Bay is lower than the regional average, with 22.4% of residents aged 15+ holding a university degree, compared to 30.4% nationwide. This difference suggests opportunities for further educational programs and skill development. Bachelor degrees represent the most common university qualification at 15.4%, with postgraduate degrees at 4.7% and graduate diplomas at 2.3%. Vocational training is common, with 39.3% of residents aged 15+ holding qualifications in trade or technical fields, including advanced diplomas (13.6%) and certificates (25.7%).

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Analysis of the local transport network shows 34 active stops operating in Runaway Bay, consisting of bus services. These stops are served by 4 distinct routes, which provide a total of 1,788 weekly passenger trips. Transport accessibility is excellent, with residents living an average of 199 meters from their nearest stop. Because the area is heavily residential, most workers commute out of the suburb, with private cars remaining the primary travel mode for 92% of commuters. Vehicle ownership stands at 1.3 cars per household, which is below the regional average. Census data from 2021 indicates that 20.0% of residents worked from home, which may have been influenced by pandemic conditions.

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Health indicators show favorable outcomes for the population of Runaway Bay. Analysis by Districts of mortality rates and health conditions shows results that are consistent with national averages, with normal rates of health issues observed across all age cohorts. The proportion of residents with private health insurance is high at roughly 57% of the population (~5,606 people), compared to 52.5% in Regional Qld.

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Runaway Bay exhibits higher cultural diversity than most comparable markets, with 11.7% of residents speaking a language other than English in their homes and 31.7% born in another country. Christianity is the dominant religion, practiced by 58.7% of the population. The most distinct religious overrepresentation is seen in Judaism, which accounts for 0.3% of the population, compared to 0.1% across Regional Qld.

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The median age of 53 years in Runaway Bay is much higher than the Regional Qld average of 41 and the national median of 38. Compared to the Regional Qld distribution, the 75 - 84 age bracket is highly represented (13.2% locally), while the 25 - 34 bracket is underrepresented (7.5%). This local concentration of residents aged 75 - 84 is also higher than the national figure of 6.1%. Since the 2021 Census, the proportion of residents aged 15 to 24 grew from 8.7% to 10.6%, and the 85+ cohort expanded from 4.5% to 6.2%. In contrast, the 65 to 74 group fell from to and the to bracket decreased from to . By the age profile is expected to undergo major changes. The group aged and over is projected to grow by ( people), rising from to . The demographic aging trend is pronounced, with residents aged and over accounting for of the projected population increase. Conversely, the cohorts aged to and to are expected to decrease in size.

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Runaway Bay currently has an estimated 293 children under 5 years old, comprising approximately 174 children aged 0-2 and 117 children aged 3-4. This cohort declined by an estimated 1% since the previous census. though population forecasts indicate future growth, with an anticipated increase of 18% by 2041 (to approximately 347 children). Meanwhile the 5-12 cohort currently amounts to 597. Birth rates in the area have averaged 5.5 per 1,000 residents over the latest two-year period, a low rate (among the bottom 20% of areas assessed nationally). This rate has slowed down slightly in recent years however.