Surfers Paradise (Qld)

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Analysis of ABS demographic updates for the broader region, combined with post-Census address validation by Districts, indicates the suburb of Surfers Paradise has an estimated population of 32,224 as of May 2026. Compared to the 2021 Census count of 26,412 people, this represents an expansion of 5,812 people (22.0%). This shift is calculated from a resident population of 32,050, which Districts estimated using the June 2025 ABS ERP data release, plus an additional 1,678 validated new addresses recorded since the Census. Such population numbers yield a density ratio of 5,555 persons per square kilometer, placing the area in the top 10% of all national locations assessed by Districts and highlighting local land as a highly coveted resource. The 22.0% growth rate in the suburb of Surfers Paradise since the 2021 census outpaced the Rest of Qld (9.2%) and the national benchmark, making it a regional growth leader. Overseas migration was the primary driver, accounting for roughly of the total population expansion in recent times, though interstate migration and natural growth also registered positive contributions.

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Surfers Paradise is characterized by an educated local workforce with a prominent tourism and hospitality presence, an unemployment rate of only 3.0%, and an estimated job growth of 3.3% over the prior year, according to Districts statistical area aggregations. As of March 2026, there are 18,920 employed residents. This unemployment rate is 0.9% below the 3.9% recorded in Regional Qld, while labor force participation matches the Regional Qld figure of 64.3% closely. Census responses indicate that a moderate 15.7% of the working population operated from home, though this figure may reflect the influence of COVID-19 lockdowns.

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Income levels in Surfers Paradise are notably higher than the national average, according to the latest ATO data aggregated by Districts for financial year 2023. Taxpayer income in the suburb shows a median of $44,991 and an average of $74,474, which compares to Regional Qld benchmarks of $53,146 and $66,593. Factoring in Wage Price Index growth of 11.36% since financial year 2023, updated estimates suggest figures of roughly $50,102 (median) and $82,934 (average) as of March 2026. The 2021 Census placed personal income at the 43rd percentile ($775 weekly) and household income at the 21st percentile. Income distribution data shows that 28.9% of the local population (9,312 individuals) falls into the $1,500 - weekly bracket, similar to the observed across the wider region. Housing cost pressures are pronounced, with residents retaining only of their income, which ranks in the th percentile, while the SEIFA income index places the area in the th decile.

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The housing mix in Surfers Paradise at the time of the latest Census consisted of 10.1% houses and 89.8% other housing types like apartments and semi-detached dwellings, contrasting with the Regional Qld breakdown of 76.4% houses and 23.6% other dwellings. Home ownership in Surfers Paradise stood at 28.0%, lower than the Regional Qld average, with the remaining properties occupied by mortgagors (19.0%) or tenants (53.0%). The median monthly mortgage payment was below the Regional Qld average at $1,606, whereas the median weekly rent was $410, compared to Regional Qld figures of $1,655 and $345. On a national level, monthly mortgage outlays in Surfers Paradise are significantly below the Australian average of $1,863, while weekly rents exceed the national average of $375.

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Families make up 50.9% of local households, consisting of couples with children at 11.0%, couples without children at 31.6%, and single parent households at 7.0%. Non-family living arrangements account for the remaining 49.1%, with single-person households representing 39.9% and group households making up 9.2% of the total. The median household size of 1.9 residents is smaller than the Regional Qld average of 2.5.

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The level of educational attainment in Surfers Paradise is higher than regional benchmarks, with 32.3% of residents aged 15+ holding a university degree, compared to 20.6% in Rest of Qld and 25.4% in the SA4 region. This education profile positions the community well for professional services and knowledge-sector roles. Bachelor degrees are the most common qualification at 22.6%, followed by postgraduate degrees (7.2%) and graduate diplomas (2.5%). Vocational training is also common, with 37.2% of residents aged 15+ holding vocational qualifications, split between advanced diplomas (15.1%) and certificates (22.1%).

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Public transport networks in the area include 56 active transit stops in Surfers Paradise, providing access to light rail, train, and bus services. These stops support 13 distinct routes that deliver 2,843 passenger trips each week. Transport access is good, with residents living an average of 202 meters from a transit stop. The suburb is mostly residential and many workers commute elsewhere. Private vehicles are the primary mode of travel at 69%, while 11% of residents walk to work and 6% use the bus. Vehicle ownership stands at an average of 0.8 cars per household, which is below the regional average. A total of 15.7% of residents worked from home, according to the 2021 Census, which may reflect pandemic-related conditions.

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Health indicators show favorable outcomes across Surfers Paradise based on Districts assessments of mortality rates and chronic illness, which reveal low rates of common health conditions across all age cohorts. Private health insurance coverage is high, with approximately 57% of the population (~18,274 people) holding cover, compared to 52.5% across Regional Qld.

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Surfers Paradise shows high levels of cultural diversity, with 28.3% of residents speaking a non-English language at home and 45.6% born outside Australia. Christianity is the most common religious affiliation, accounting for 47.4% of the population. Judaism shows a notable local concentration at 0.6% of the population, compared to the Regional Qld average of 0.1%.

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The median age of residents is 40, which is close to the Regional Qld average of 41 and slightly higher than the national median of 38. The 25 - 34 age bracket is well represented at 25.9% of the population compared to Regional Qld, while the 5 - 14 group is smaller at 4.0%. The concentration of residents aged 25 - 34 is higher than the national average of 14.6%. Since the 2021 Census, younger arrivals have lowered the median age by 1.6 years to 40. The 25 to 34 cohort increased from 21.4% to 25.9% of the population, while the 45 to 54 group fell from 12.3% to , and the to bracket declined from to . By the age structure is projected to shift, with the to age bracket expected to grow by , adding residents to total .

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Surfers Paradise currently has an estimated 837 children under 5 years old, comprising approximately 496 children aged 0-2 and 331 children aged 3-4. This cohort grew by an estimated 9% since the previous census. while population forecasts indicate future growth, with an anticipated increase of 57% by 2041 (to approximately 1,317 children). Meanwhile the 5-12 cohort currently amounts to 1,005. While growth has been positive birth rates observed in the area have been low, with approximately 5.7 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.