Coolum Beach, QLD: suburb profile

The population of Coolum Beach QLD is 9,152 according to the 2021 Census. The median personal income in Coolum Beach is $769 per week ($39,988 per year). Median rent in Coolum Beach is $450 per week ($1,950 per month). Coolum Beach has a median age of 45 years, older than the national median of 38. Coolum Beach has a population density of 335 people per km².

The most common overseas birthplace in Coolum Beach is England. The most common religion is No religion (50.4% of residents). After English, the most spoken language is Spanish. The median monthly mortgage repayment in Coolum Beach is $2,000.

Population
9,152
Census 2021
Median income
$769/wk
Personal, Census 2021
Median rent
$450/wk
Weekly, Census 2021
Median age
45years
Census 2021

Valid: Census 2021 · Source: ABS Census of Population and Housing 2021.

Coolum Beach vs the typical QLD suburb

The median personal income in Coolum Beach is $769 a week, 3% above the typical QLD suburb ($747). That ranks 701st of 1,527 QLD suburbs with 200 or more residents. Median rent is $450 a week, $130 more than the typical QLD suburb. Rent takes 28.1% of the median household income here, against 20.4% in the typical QLD suburb. The median resident is 45, 3 years older than in the typical QLD suburb (42).

The typical suburb is the median across suburbs with 200 or more residents. ABS Census 2021, calculated by GDP.com.au.
MeasureCoolum BeachTypical QLDDifferenceTypical Australia
Personal income$769/wk$747/wk +3%$766/wk
Household income$1,600/wk$1,593/wk +0%$1,637/wk
Rent$450/wk$320/wk +41%$330/wk
Mortgage repayment$2,000/mo$1,625/mo +23%$1,733/mo
Median age4542 +3 yrs42
Rent share of household income28.1%20.4% +7.7 pts20.3%
Income, rent and mortgage against the typical suburb Valid: Census 2021 · Source: ABS, calculated by GDP.com.au
Bar chart of median income, rent and mortgage repayment in Coolum Beach, the typical QLD suburb and the typical Australian suburb.

Coolum Beach Population

9,152 residents at the 2021 Census.

Coolum Beach Median Income & Rent

Median Income
$769/wk
$39,988 per year
Ranked 4,151 of 14,663
Median Rent
$450/wk
$1,950 per month
Ranked 1,049 of 14,663
Median Age
45years
7 years older than the national median
Mortgage
$2,000/mo
Avg household size: 2.4 · 0.8 per bedroom

Valid: Census 2021 · Source: ABS Census of Population and Housing.

Coolum Beach Rent Prices & Affordability

28% of median household income goes on median rent

Marks at 25% and 35%. Band: moderate.

Household income $1,600/wk
Median rent $450/wk
Rent to income 28.1%

Rent is between 25% and 35% of household income: moderate housing costs.

Median rent in Coolum Beach against your income

About $6,933 a month
Median rent $450/wk
Left after rent $1,150/wk
Rent share 28.1%

Coolum Beach Schools

2
schools nearby
1
government
1064
avg ICSEA score
1,495
total students
Coolum Beach Christian College Independent
Combined · Prep-12 · 491 students
1081
ICSEA
Coolum State School Government
Primary · Prep-6 · 1,004 students
1046
ICSEA

Source: Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority (ACARA), 2025. ICSEA is the Index of Community Socio-Educational Advantage (national average 1000).

All schools near Coolum Beach, with a map

Coolum Beach Map

Coolum Beach, Queensland Map data: OpenStreetMap
Loading map…

Coolum Beach, Queensland: 26.5325°S, 153.0693°E

Coolum Beach Circle size: offences per 1,000 residents Schools (2)

People in Coolum Beach

Demographics

Gender Split

Male 49.0% (4,482) Female 51.0% (4,672)

Population Density

335
people per km²
9,152 people · 27.3 km²

Households

2.4
Avg household size
0.8
Persons per bedroom
$1,978
Family income/wk

Age Distribution

0-4
5-9
10-14
15-19
20-24
25-29
30-34
35-39
40-44
45-49
50-54
55-59
60-64
65-69
70-74
75-79
80-84
85+
Male Female

Source: ABS Census 2021, Suburb and Locality (SAL)

Most common overseas birthplaces

England
5.1%
New Zealand
3.8%
South Africa
0.9%
Germany
0.7%
Scotland
0.7%
United States of America
0.7%
Brazil
0.4%

Shares are of all residents. Source: ABS Census 2021, G09 Country of Birth by SAL

Most common languages at home other than English

Spanish
0.6%
German
0.5%
French
0.5%
Portuguese
0.4%
Italian
0.3%
Afrikaans
0.2%
Mandarin
0.2%

Shares are of all residents. Source: ABS Census 2021, G13 Language Used at Home by SAL

Ancestry

English
46.6%
Australian
35.6%
Irish
15.0%
Scottish
13.7%
German
6.6%
Italian
3.4%
Dutch
2.3%
Australian Aboriginal
1.8%
New Zealander
1.1%
French
1.0%
Welsh
1.0%

Shares are of the suburb population. People can report up to two ancestries, so shares add to more than 100%. Source: ABS Census 2021, G08 Ancestry by SAL

Religion

No religion
50.4%
Catholic
16.2%
Anglican
11.3%
Not stated
6.3%
Uniting Church
3.5%
Christian (other)
2.8%
Presbyterian and Reformed
1.8%
Baptist
1.5%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G14 Religion by SAL

Indigenous Population

2.1%
Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander

Source: ABS Census 2021, G07 Indigenous Status by SAL

Marital Status

Married
46.1% 3,524
Separated
3.5% 269
Divorced
11.8% 903
Widowed
6.0% 457
Never married
32.6% 2,488

Source: ABS Census 2021, G05 Marital Status by SAL

Family Structure

Couple: children under 15
38.6%
Couple: no children
33.1%
Couple: no children under 15
13.8%
One parent: children under 15
7.8%
One parent: no children under 15
6.7%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G29 Family Composition by SAL

Household Size

1 person
25.5%
2 persons
38.6%
3 persons
15.8%
4 persons
13.5%
5 persons
5.3%
6+ persons
1.3%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G35 Household Size by SAL

Homes in Coolum Beach

Housing Tenure

Of the 3,556 occupied private dwellings in Coolum Beach at the 2021 Census, 28.7% were rented, 33.5% owned outright and 33.4% owned with a mortgage.

Other tenure type
3.1% 109 dwellings
Owned outright
33.5% 1,191 dwellings
Owned with mortgage
33.4% 1,187 dwellings
Rented
28.7% 1,021 dwellings
Tenure type not stated
1.7% 59 dwellings

Source: ABS Census 2021, Suburb and Locality (SAL)

Dwelling Types

Separate house
83.8%
Semi-detached (2+ storey)
12.3%
Semi-detached (1 storey)
3.8%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G36 Dwelling Structure by SAL

Number of Bedrooms

1 bedroom
4.2%
2 bedrooms
18.9%
3 bedrooms
45.4%
4 bedrooms
25.8%
5 bedrooms
5.1%
6+ bedrooms
0.6%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G41 Number of Bedrooms by SAL

Monthly Mortgage Repayments

$0-$299/mo
4.3%
$300-$449/mo
3.3%
$450-$599/mo
2.0%
$600-$799/mo
3.3%
$800-$999/mo
4.3%
$1,000-$1,399/mo
10.1%
$1,400-$1,799/mo
15.8%
$1,800-$2,399/mo
29.5%
$2,400-$2,999/mo
16.9%
$3,000-$3,999/mo
10.4%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G38 Mortgage Repayment by SAL

Car Ownership

0 vehicles
3.3%
1 vehicle
37.8%
2 vehicles
40.5%
3 vehicles
12.7%
4+ vehicles
5.7%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G34 Motor Vehicles per Dwelling by SAL

Work, income and education in Coolum Beach

Employment

Employed full-time
33.0% 2,242 people
Employed part-time
25.0% 1,695 people
Unemployed
2.8% 192 people
Not in labour force
39.2% 2,661 people

Source: ABS Census 2021, G46 Labour Force Status by SAL

Occupation

Professionals
28.8%
Technicians & Trade Workers
18.4%
Community & Personal Service
14.1%
Managers
12.7%
Clerical & Administrative
10.6%
Labourers
6.1%
Sales Workers
5.8%
Machinery Operators & Drivers
3.6%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G51 Industry of Employment by Occupation

Weekly Household Income

Nil/Negative/wk
1.5%
$1-$149/wk
0.9%
$150-$299/wk
1.0%
$300-$399/wk
2.5%
$400-$499/wk
6.6%
$500-$649/wk
4.8%
$650-$799/wk
6.8%
$800-$999/wk
7.4%
$1,000-$1,249/wk
8.2%
$1,250-$1,499/wk
8.2%
$1,500-$1,749/wk
5.5%
$1,750-$1,999/wk
6.0%
$2,000-$2,499/wk
12.6%
$2,500-$2,999/wk
7.7%
$3,000-$3,499/wk
6.6%
$3,500-$3,999/wk
3.9%
$4,000+/wk
9.9%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G33 Household Income by SAL

Personal Weekly Income Distribution

$0 or less/wk
7.7%
$1-$149/wk
4.5%
$150-$299/wk
5.8%
$300-$399/wk
4.2%
$400-$499/wk
4.4%
$500-$649/wk
4.4%
$650-$799/wk
10.9%
$800-$999/wk
11.0%
$1,000-$1,249/wk
12.8%
$1,250-$1,499/wk
8.4%
$1,500-$1,749/wk
6.8%
$1,750-$1,999/wk
5.5%
$2,000-$2,999/wk
8.8%
$3,000-$3,499/wk
1.8%
$3,500+/wk
3.1%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G17 Personal Income by SAL

How People Get to Work

Car (driver)
73.4%
Did not go to work
14.7%
Car (passenger)
4.0%
Walked only
3.3%
Bicycle
1.4%
Bus
1.1%
Truck
0.8%
Other
0.8%
Motorbike/Scooter
0.5%
Taxi/Rideshare
0.1%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G62 Method of Travel to Work by SAL

Education Level

Year 12 or equivalent
63.8%
Year 10 or equivalent
24.4%
Year 11 or equivalent
8.1%
Year 9 or equivalent
3.7%

Shares are of people whose highest year of school is Year 9 to 12 only. Source: ABS Census 2021, G16 Highest Year of School by SAL

Qualifications

Certificate III/IV
36.9%
Bachelor Degree
28.6%
Advanced Diploma/Diploma
19.7%
Postgraduate Degree
7.6%
Graduate Diploma/Certificate
5.4%
Certificate I/II
1.7%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G49 Non-School Qualification by SAL

Field of Study

Management & Commerce
18.5%
Health
14.4%
Engineering
13.6%
Society & Culture
13.0%
Education
11.9%
Architecture & Building
11.7%
Food, Hospitality & Personal Services
6.1%
Creative Arts
4.8%
Agriculture & Environment
2.7%
Natural & Physical Sciences
2.0%
Information Technology
1.3%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G51 Field of Study by SAL

School & University Attendance

Primary: Government
32.4%
Secondary: Government
24.3%
Pre-school
10.5%
Vocational Education
10.0%
Primary: Other Non-Govt
8.0%
Secondary: Other Non-Govt
7.8%
Secondary: Catholic
4.0%
Primary: Catholic
3.1%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G15 Type of Educational Institution by SAL

More from the 2021 Census

Need for Assistance

Does not have need for assistance
89.0%
Has need for assistance
5.9%
Need for assistance not stated
5.1%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G18 Core Activity Need for Assistance by SAL

Long-term Health Conditions

Mental health
754
Arthritis
359
Asthma
267
Heart disease
229
Lung condition
207
Cancer
196
Diabetes
158
Stroke
105
Kidney disease
73
Dementia
49

Source: ABS Census 2021, G19 Long-term Health Conditions by SAL

Unpaid Carers

Provided unpaid assistance
11.9% 859
Did not provide
88.1% 6,377

Source: ABS Census 2021, G25 Unpaid Assistance by SAL

Volunteering

Volunteer
16.9% 1,226
Not a volunteer
83.1% 6,011

Source: ABS Census 2021, G23 Voluntary Work by SAL

Military Service

Current ADF: Regular
0.1% 8
Current ADF: Reserves
0.1% 8
Previously served
3.9% 285
Never served
95.8% 6,951

Source: ABS Census 2021, G22 ADF Service by SAL

Children Ever Born

No children
30.1%
1 child
13.4%
2 children
31.9%
3 children
17.7%
4 children
5.0%
5+ children
1.8%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G28 Children Ever Born by SAL

When Migrants Arrived

Before 1951
31
1951: 1960
95
1961: 1970
183
1971: 1980
198
1981: 1990
187
1991: 2000
186
2001: 2010
332
2011: 2015
194
2016
61
2017
51
2018
30
2019
43
2020
31
2021
17

Source: ABS Census 2021, G10 Year of Arrival by SAL

Population Mobility

20.0%
moved in the last year
51.1%
moved in the last 5 years
4.2%
unemployment rate (Census)
60.2%
labour force participation

Source: ABS Census 2021, G43 Summary by SAL

Where Residents Moved From

Same address
6,918
Moved from QLD
820
Moved: same area (SA2)
468
Moved from VIC
174
Moved from NSW
113
Moved from overseas
82
Moved from TAS
18
Moved from SA
17
Moved from NT
11
Moved from WA
9
Moved from ACT
4

Source: ABS Census 2021, G44 Address 1 Year Ago by SAL

Unpaid Domestic Work

Less than 5 hours
21.0%
5: 14 hours
32.3%
15: 29 hours
13.6%
30+ hours
9.5%
Did not do domestic work
23.6%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G24 Unpaid Domestic Work by SAL

Family Blending

Intact family: no other children
84.3%
Step family: no other children
12.3%
Blended family: no other children
2.1%
Intact family: other children present
0.9%
Other couple: children only
0.3%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G31 Family Blending by SAL

Cheaper alternatives with similar incomes

Millmerran
Income: $623/wk Rent: $240/wk $210/wk less rent
South Kolan
Income: $636/wk Rent: $280/wk $170/wk less rent
Eastern Heights
Income: $672/wk Rent: $300/wk $150/wk less rent
Whitfield (Qld)
Income: $887/wk Rent: $340/wk $110/wk less rent
Eudlo
Income: $669/wk Rent: $368/wk $82/wk less rent
Marcoola
Income: $768/wk Rent: $406/wk $44/wk less rent
Highfields (Qld)
Income: $798/wk Rent: $410/wk $40/wk less rent
Pacific Heights
Income: $857/wk Rent: $445/wk $5/wk less rent

Suburbs near Coolum Beach

The closest suburb to Coolum Beach is Yaroomba, 3.3 km away.

Yaroomba
3.3 km away · income $906/wk · rent $500/wk
Mount Coolum
3.6 km away · income $808/wk · rent $450/wk
Peregian Springs
4.2 km away · income $813/wk · rent $530/wk
Peregian Beach
6.5 km away · income $881/wk · rent $500/wk
Maroochy River
6.7 km away · income $827/wk · rent $460/wk
Marcoola
6.9 km away · income $768/wk · rent $406/wk

Compare Coolum Beach

Frequently Asked Questions About Coolum Beach

What is the population of Coolum Beach QLD?

The population of Coolum Beach QLD is 9,152 according to the ABS Census 2021. The suburb has a population density of 335 people per km². Coolum Beach is ranked #746 out of 14,663 suburbs by population.

What is the median income in Coolum Beach?

The median personal income in Coolum Beach QLD is $769 per week, or $39,988 per year. The median household income is $1,600 per week. Family income is $1,978 per week. Coolum Beach is ranked #4,151 by income out of 14,663 Australian suburbs.

How much is rent in Coolum Beach?

Median rent in Coolum Beach QLD is $450 per week ($1,950 per month). Rent represents 28.1% of household income, which is considered moderate. Coolum Beach ranks #1,049 out of 14,663 suburbs by rent.

What are mortgage repayments in Coolum Beach?

The median monthly mortgage repayment in Coolum Beach QLD is $2,000. This data comes from the ABS Census 2021 and reflects mortgage repayments for owner-occupied dwellings.

What is the median age in Coolum Beach?

The median age in Coolum Beach QLD is 45 years. This is older than the national median age of 38 years.

Is Coolum Beach a good suburb to live in?

Coolum Beach is a suburb in Queensland with a population of 9,152. The median income is $769/wk, which is above the typical QLD suburb ($747/wk). Rent affordability is rated as moderate (28.1% of household income). See the full suburb profile above for detailed statistics.

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Australian Average Salary Australian House Prices Brisbane Cost of Living

Data: Australian Bureau of Statistics, Census of Population and Housing 2021. SA2 area: 30686. All dollar figures in AUD.