Alexandra Headland
At 1.5 km2 with a population of 4,235, Alexandra Headland packs an unusually high density of 2,817 people per km2 for a Sunshine Coast suburb, and the apartment stock tells the story: 53.9% of dwellings are apartments, well above the typical coastal profile. The median age of 47 sits 7 years above the national figure, and the senior share has climbed 6.1 points over the past decade, signalling a clear aging trajectory. Yet the household income sits at the 58.4th percentile nationally, a middle-income position that reflects the mix of retirees and working households. Overseas migration adds 259 residents a year, compared to a net internal outflow of 141, so international arrivals are driving what modest growth exists.
Population
4,235
Median Age
47.0
Household IncomeiMedian weekly household income (ABS Census)
$1,682/wk
DAs (12 months)iDevelopment Applications lodged in the past year
3
Median House
$513K
Estimated from rent (2025)
The estimated median house price of $513,000 places Alexandra Headland well below Sunshine Coast premium markets such as Noosa. Apartments dominate at 53.9% of dwellings, with separate houses at only 35.8%, so buyers seeking a detached home are competing for minority stock. Two-bedroom dwellings are the most common at 37.4%, followed by three-bedroom at 26%, with 4-plus bedroom homes at 24.2%. Monthly mortgage repayments average $1,820 at a mortgage-to-income ratio of 25%, sitting right at the standard affordability threshold. Affordability has actually improved over the decade, from 49.9% in 2011 to 46.5% in 2021. Outright owners at 34.3% outpace those on a mortgage at 27.2%, a pattern typical of established coastal suburbs with older, debt-light residents.
For Buyers
The estimated median house price of $513,000 places Alexandra Headland well below Sunshine Coast premium markets such as Noosa. Apartments dominate at 53.9% of dwellings, with separate houses at only 35.8%, so buyers seeking a detached home are competing for minority stock. Two-bedroom dwellings are the most common at 37.4%, followed by three-bedroom at 26%, with 4-plus bedroom homes at 24.2%. Monthly mortgage repayments average $1,820 at a mortgage-to-income ratio of 25%, sitting right at the standard affordability threshold. Affordability has actually improved over the decade, from 49.9% in 2011 to 46.5% in 2021. Outright owners at 34.3% outpace those on a mortgage at 27.2%, a pattern typical of established coastal suburbs with older, debt-light residents.
For Investors
Alexandra Headland presents a mixed picture for investors. Weekly rent of $410 against a $513,000 median implies a gross yield of around 4.2%, reasonable compared to many coastal markets. However, the 20.7% vacancy rate is elevated, suggesting oversupply in the apartment segment which accounts for 53.9% of dwellings. The 38.6% renter share provides a reasonable tenant base, and rent has grown 33.3% over the period, a strong result compared to national trends. Net overseas migration adds 259 residents annually, supporting underlying demand, though net internal outflow of 141 per year offsets some of that gain. Development activity is low with only 2 applications in the past 12 months, so new supply pressure is minimal.
Development Activity
Total DAs
16
Last 12 Months
3
YoY ChangeiYear-over-year change in DA lodgements
0.0%
Avg DA CostiAverage estimated cost per DA in the past year
N/A
Monthly DA Lodgements
DA Categories
Demographics
The median age of 47 is 7 years above the national average, and the senior share has grown 6.1 points over the decade while the working-age share fell 0.1 points, confirming the aging trajectory. Overseas-born residents account for 22.5% of the population, 0.9 points above national, a modest international influence. Ancestry is Anglo-Celtic in character, led by English (1,886), Irish (626) and Scottish (551). University qualifications reach 36.6%, which is 6.5 percentage points above the national figure, reflecting the professional and managerial occupational mix. Average household size is 2.1, which is 0.4 below national, consistent with older couples-without-children households. Couples with no children account for 43.2% of families, higher than typical suburban profiles.
Age Distribution
Bedrooms
Dwelling Structure
35.8%
Houses
7.9%
Townhouse
53.9%
Apartment
Tenure
Tenure is split across three modes: 34.3% own outright, 27.2% carry a mortgage and 38.6% rent. Outright owners outnumber mortgage holders by a 1.3-to-1 ratio, consistent with the older median age of 47 and lower debt carry among established residents. The stock is heavily apartment-oriented at 53.9%, with separate houses at only 35.8% and semi-detached at 7.9%. The dominant bedroom type is two-bedroom at 37.4%, which drives the below-national household size of 2.1. The estimated median house price of $513,000 comes with monthly mortgage repayments of $1,820 and a mortgage-to-income ratio of 25.0%, at the boundary of affordability stress. Rent-to-income at 24.4% remains below the 30% stress threshold for renters, giving tenants moderate breathing room.
Mortgage / mo
$1,820
Rent / wk
$410
HH Size
2.1
Personal Income / wk
$901
Vacancy Ratei% of dwellings unoccupied on Census night (ABS 2021)
20.7%
Unoccupied
470
Rent / IncomeiMedian rent as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
24.4%
Mortgage / IncomeiMedian mortgage as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
25.0%
Community Profile
Languages Spoken at Home
Ancestry
Household Composition
43.2%
Couples, no children
2,742
Total families
Economy & Employment
Healthcare is the largest industry at 20.9% of workers (334 people), markedly higher than the national share, which reflects the above-average senior population and associated care demand. Construction follows at 13.0% (208 workers) and Education at 11.1% (177), with Professional and Technical services and Hospitality each at 7.9%. By occupation, Professionals lead at 558, followed by Managers at 337 and Community and Personal service workers at 307. The unemployment rate is 5.0% against a participation rate of 55.9%, both consistent with a suburb where 1,171 residents are outside the labour force, many of them retired. The SEIFA IRSAD decile of 6 places Alexandra Headland in the middle of the national distribution for socio-economic advantage and disadvantage.
Unemployment
5.8%
Labour Force
3,264
Unemployed
189
Quarterly Trend
Source: SALM Dec-25
Socio-Economic Indexes (SEIFA)iABS index ranking suburbs from 1 (most disadvantaged) to 10 (most advantaged)
Full-time
60.9%
Part-time
34.1%
Participation
55.9%
Employed
2,001
Occupations
Top Industries
University
36.6%
Postgraduate
8.5%
Born Overseas
22.5%
Dwellings
1,789
Transport to Work
Car dependence is pronounced: 87.5% of residents drive to work, compared to a national average closer to 70%, and only 1.6% use public transport. Active travel is low at 5.7% walking or cycling. No schools are recorded inside the suburb boundary, so families rely on institutions in nearby areas of the Sunshine Coast. The IRSAD decile of 6 places Alexandra Headland in the middle nationally for combined advantage and disadvantage. The volunteering rate of 18.7% is solid, and 6.6% of residents need daily assistance, a figure consistent with the older median age of 47. Housing stress is contained: rent-to-income at 24.4% and mortgage-to-income at 25.0% both sit below the 30% stress threshold, giving the community reasonable financial stability.
Drive
87.5%
Public Transport
1.6%
Walk / Cycle
5.7%
Work from Home
N/A
Population Forecast
+0.79%/yr
(+103 people/yr)
EstablishedThe suburb has grown 12.6% over the past decade and the current population of 4,235 is expanding at 0.79% annually, adding about 103 people per year. Medium forecasts project the broader SA2 reaching 13,725 by 2031 from 13,101 in 2025. Overseas migration is the primary growth driver at 259 net arrivals per year, while net internal outflow of 141 per year acts as a partial counterweight. The gentrification score of 14 places Alexandra Headland in the not gentrifying category, appropriate for a suburb already at IRSAD decile 6 with limited upward mobility signals. The aging trajectory, with a senior share delta of +6.1 points, means future service demand will tilt toward healthcare and aged care rather than schools or childcare.
Historical + Forecast
Hamilton-Perry + Holt smoothing on ERP 2001-2025
Age Cohort Forecast
Primary Driver
Overseas Migration
Net Overseas / yr
+259
Net Internal / yr
-141
Gentrification Signal
Not gentrifying
Population +13% since 2011, Net internal outflow -141/yr, Strong overseas inflow +259/yr
National Ranking iPercentile rank among ~15,000 AU suburbs. 90% = higher than 90% of suburbs
How Alexandra Headland compares to ~15,000 Australian suburbs
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Alexandra Headland a good suburb to live in?
Alexandra Headland suits older and semi-retired households well. The median age is 47, which is 7 years above the national average, and 43.2% of families are couples without children. IRSAD decile 6 places it in the national middle for advantage. Housing costs are moderate, with rent-to-income at 24.4% and mortgage-to-income at 25%, both below the 30% stress threshold.
What is the median house price in Alexandra Headland?
The estimated median house price is $513,000. Monthly mortgage repayments average $1,820, producing a mortgage-to-income ratio of 25.0%. Weekly rent is $410, giving a gross yield of around 4.2% against the median price. Affordability improved from 49.9% in 2011 to 46.5% in 2021.
What schools are in Alexandra Headland?
No schools are recorded inside the Alexandra Headland boundary in this dataset. Families access schools in neighbouring Sunshine Coast suburbs. Despite the lack of local schools, university qualification rates reach 36.6% among residents, which is 6.5 percentage points above the national figure.
Is Alexandra Headland safe?
Detailed crime statistics are not available for Alexandra Headland in this dataset. As a proxy, the suburb sits at IRSAD decile 6 nationally, a moderate advantage position. The volunteering rate of 18.7% and a relatively stable resident base (64.6% stayed in the same address over 5 years) are indicators of an established, settled community.
Is Alexandra Headland good for property investment?
Weekly rent of $410 against a $513,000 median implies a gross yield near 4.2%, reasonable compared to lower-yield coastal markets. Rent has grown 33.3% over the measured period. The main caution is the 20.7% vacancy rate, high for a suburb where 53.9% of stock is apartments, signalling oversupply risk in that segment.
How is Alexandra Headland's population changing?
The suburb grew 12.6% over the past decade and is adding about 103 people per year at 0.79% annual growth. Overseas migration drives growth at 259 net arrivals per year, offset by internal outflow of 141. The population is aging, with the senior share up 6.1 points since 2011, which is reshaping demand toward healthcare and aged services.
How to read these comparisons
Phrases like "above the national average" reference the unweighted median across Australian suburbs with more than 1,000 residents, not population-weighted national figures. Suburb-level medians are more useful for ranking suburbs against each other; ABS census headlines are population-weighted (so dominated by Sydney and Melbourne) and can read very differently.
Current baseline (refreshed 2026-05-10): median age 40, university-educated 30.1%, born overseas 21.6%, average household size 2.5 people.
Data sources: ABS 2021 Census (demographics, income, tenure), state Valuer-General (house prices), Department of Jobs SALM (unemployment), ACARA (school ICSEA), state Crime Statistics agencies (offences), council DA portals (development applications). Population forecasts use a Hamilton-Perry cohort model calibrated to ABS ERP.
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