Alexandra Headland
A compact coastal suburb of 4,235 people, Alexandra Headland combines a median age of 47 with a density of 2,816.8 people per sq km. Its age is 7 years above the national comparison, while apartments account for 53.9% of dwellings and vacancy reaches 20.7%, creating a more unit-led and fluid market than a conventional detached suburb. Buyers comparing Alexandra Headland with nearby Mooloolaba and Maroochydore are choosing a concentrated coastal pocket shaped by apartment living and an aging resident base. Household income sits at the 58.4th percentile, supporting established owner and renter demand, although high vacancy can increase competition between similar properties.
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
19
Homebuyers face an apartment-led decision rather than a typical detached-house search. Apartments represent 53.9% of dwellings, compared with 35.8% separate houses, and 2-bedroom homes are the largest bedroom group at 37.4%. A $1,820 monthly mortgage figure sits beside household income of $1,682 per week and a mortgage-to-income measure of 25.0%, while weekly rent is $410. With no reliable median house price, compare individual apartment sales, body-corporate costs, parking, coastal exposure and renovation condition. Compared with detached-home searches in nearby Buderim, Alexandra Headland suits buyers prioritising compact, lower-maintenance stock because the housing mix is concentrated in apartments. The 33.9% outright-ownership share also points to an established owner base, while 38.1% renting increases the importance of building quality.
For Buyers
Homebuyers face an apartment-led decision rather than a typical detached-house search. Apartments represent 53.9% of dwellings, compared with 35.8% separate houses, and 2-bedroom homes are the largest bedroom group at 37.4%. A $1,820 monthly mortgage figure sits beside household income of $1,682 per week and a mortgage-to-income measure of 25.0%, while weekly rent is $410. With no reliable median house price, compare individual apartment sales, body-corporate costs, parking, coastal exposure and renovation condition. Compared with detached-home searches in nearby Buderim, Alexandra Headland suits buyers prioritising compact, lower-maintenance stock because the housing mix is concentrated in apartments. The 33.9% outright-ownership share also points to an established owner base, while 38.1% renting increases the importance of building quality.
For Investors
Alexandra Headland has a rental profile that can produce strong enquiry but also meaningful vacancy risk. Weekly rent is $410, 38.1% of households rent, and vacancy is 20.7%, a rate higher than an especially tight rental market. That combination means investors should stress-test periods without a tenant, furnishing costs and body-corporate charges, particularly for the 53.9% apartment share. Sixteen development applications over 12 months point to active building work, which may increase competition between comparable properties. Growth is measured at 0.79% annually and overseas migration is the primary driver, so the case is more about location, asset quality and tenant fit than rapid price escalation. Compared with a low-vacancy investment market, leasing volatility deserves a larger allowance.
Development Activity
Total DAs
32
Last 12 Months
19
YoY ChangeiYear-over-year change in DA lodgements
+850.0%
Avg DA CostiAverage estimated cost per DA in the past year
N/A
Monthly DA Lodgements
DA Categories
Demographics
Alexandra Headland's median age is 47, or 7 years above the national comparison, and its average household size is 2.1, which is 0.4 below the national figure. Couples without children make up 55.2% of families, while couples with children account for 30.3%, reinforcing the suburb's older, smaller-household profile. University attainment is 36.6%, 6.5 percentage points above the national comparison, and 22.5% of residents were born overseas, 0.9 points above national levels. English, Irish and Scottish ancestry counts are 1,886, 626 and 551; Christianity counts 1,921 compared with 1,785 reporting no religion. Compared with nearby Maroochydore's broader regional-centre role, Alexandra Headland reads as more residential and mature because older residents and couples without children shape daily demand. Mobility is moderate, with 64.6% staying at the same address and turnover of 35.4%.
Age Distribution
Bedrooms
Dwelling Structure
35.8%
Houses
7.9%
Townhouse
53.9%
Apartment
Tenure
Price discovery is harder than in a standard house market because no median house price or quarterly price figure is available. The tenure mix is split between 33.9% owning outright, 26.8% with a mortgage and 38.1% renting, while 1.2% sits in other arrangements. Apartments are more common than separate houses, 53.9% versus 35.8%, with semi-detached homes at 7.9%. Two-bedroom dwellings lead at 37.4%, followed by 3-bedroom homes at 26.0% and 4-plus-bedroom homes at 24.2%; 0-1-bedroom stock is 12.4%. That pattern fits the average household size of 2.1 and makes layout, storage and body-corporate costs more important than land size. Compared with detached-home options in Buderim, Alexandra Headland offers a more compact, apartment-dominant housing choice. Vacancy is 20.7%, higher than a tightly held market, so owners should expect competition between similar units.
Mortgage / mo
$1,820
Rent / wkiMedian weekly rent for new bonds (Jun 2026 quarter), QLD RTA bond data. Census 2021 median: $410.
$720
Bond data Jun 2026 quarter · units $720
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
30.3%
Couples with children
55.2%
Couples, no children
13.5%
Single parent
1,077
Total families
Economy & Employment
Healthcare leads local employment at 20.9% and 334 workers, followed by construction at 13.0% and 208, education at 11.1% and 177, professional and technical work at 7.9% and 127, and hospitality at 7.9% and 126. Occupations are similarly service-led: 558 professionals, 337 managers, 307 community and personal service workers, 277 clerical and admin workers and 265 trades workers. Unemployment is 4.5%, participation is 62.0% and full-time employment is 54.6%. Household income is $1,682 weekly at the 58.4th percentile, higher than the lower half of the comparison scale; personal income is $901 and family income $2,209. SEIFA is mixed: education and occupation is decile 7, economic resources decile 4, and disadvantage and advantage are both decile 6. This suggests stronger skills than financial resilience, rather than uniformly high affluence.
Unemployment
4.5%
Labour Force
2,340
Unemployed
106
Source: ABS Census 2021
Socio-Economic Indexes (SEIFA)iABS index ranking suburbs from 1 (most disadvantaged) to 10 (most advantaged)
Full-time
54.6%
Part-time
35.0%
Participation
62.0%
Employed
2,234
Full-time and part-time are shares of the employed. Source: ABS Census 2021
Occupations
Top Industries
University
36.6%
Postgraduate
8.5%
Born Overseas
22.5%
Dwellings
1,789
Transport to Work
Alexandra Headland's 1.5 sq km footprint and density of 2,816.8 people per sq km create a compact coastal setting, with apartment living making everyday distances shorter than in a low-density hinterland suburb. Daily travel is car-led: 69.8% drove, compared with 1.3% using public transport, while 4.6% walked or cycled and 20.3% worked from home. That pattern makes parking, traffic and walking routes important when comparing properties. Families should verify the exact address against local enrolment zones and travel times rather than rely on the postcode alone. Social participation is reflected in an 18.7% volunteering rate, while 6.6% need assistance. IRSAD is decile 6, placing the suburb above lower-ranked areas but below the highest advantaged deciles. Use current local crime mapping and visit at night before making a safety decision.
Drive
69.8%
Public Transport
1.3%
Walk / Cycle
4.6%
Work from Home
20.3%
Population Forecast
+0.79%/yr
(+103 people/yr)
EstablishedAlexandra Headland has an established growth profile, with the forecast trend at 0.79% a year and overseas migration identified as the primary driver. Population change across the wider area is 12.6% over 10 years, pointing to steady expansion rather than the pace associated with a high-growth corridor. The shift trajectory is Aging, with the senior share up 6.1 percentage points and the working share down 0.1 points, so future demand is likely to favour accessible apartments, services and low-maintenance living because the resident base is getting older. Rent growth reached 33.3%, while affordability improved from 49.9% in 2011 to 46.5% in 2021. Gentrification signals are restrained, with a score of 14 and stage Not gentrifying, while the shift profile records score 35 and stage Early signs. Compared with a younger, expansion-led suburb, growth here is slower and more shaped by overseas migration and aging.
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 can suit buyers who value a coastal, apartment-led lifestyle and established services. The suburb has 4,235 residents, a median age of 47 and 53.9% apartment dwellings. It is less suited to buyers seeking abundant detached homes or low vacancy, because separate houses are 35.8% and vacancy is 20.7%.
What is the median house price in Alexandra Headland?
There is no dependable median house price figure to quote for Alexandra Headland. Buyers should compare recent sales for the specific apartment or house type, then allow for the $410 weekly rent benchmark, $1,820 monthly mortgage figure and 20.7% vacancy when testing affordability and holding costs.
What schools are in Alexandra Headland?
School decisions should be made from the exact 4572 address, nearby campus locations and enrolment zones, because practical options can sit outside suburb boundaries. Families should compare primary and secondary travel times, sector and transport access rather than infer quality from distance. The suburb covers 1.5 sq km, so surrounding options may be relevant.
Is Alexandra Headland safe?
Treat safety as an address-level decision and check current Queensland Police crime mapping before buying or renting. Alexandra Headland is compact at 1.5 sq km with 4,235 residents, so inspect the exact street, lighting, parking and nighttime activity. A daytime inspection alone is not enough for a confident comparison.
Is Alexandra Headland good for property investment?
It can suit investors seeking coastal apartments, but vacancy risk needs careful modelling. Weekly rent is $410, the renting share is 38.1% and vacancy is 20.7%, higher than a tightly held market. Sixteen development applications over 12 months and a 0.79% annual growth trend favour a selective approach focused on building quality, tenant demand and holding costs.
How is Alexandra Headland's population changing?
The current population is 4,235. Across the wider area, population change is 12.6% over 10 years and the annual trend is 0.79%, with overseas migration the primary driver. The trajectory is Aging, including a 6.1 percentage-point rise in the senior share, so growth is steady but the age mix is changing compared with a younger suburb.
What type of housing is common in Alexandra Headland?
Apartment housing is more common than separate houses: 53.9% compared with 35.8%, while semi-detached dwellings account for 7.9%. Two-bedroom homes are the largest group at 37.4%, followed by 3-bedroom homes at 26.0%. The 2.1 average household size helps explain the strong fit for smaller layouts.
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 education open registers (school locations), 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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