Caloundra
With a median age of 58 and 48.4% of its 3,932 residents living in apartments, Caloundra presents one of the Sunshine Coast's most distinctive demographic profiles. Household income sits at only the 12.3rd percentile nationally, yet a 26.6% vacancy rate suggests supply substantially outpaces stable demand. Population growth has been dramatic, up 196.7% over 10 years, driven almost entirely by internal migration averaging 1,626 new residents a year. The suburb scores decile 3 on IRSAD, placing it in the lower third nationally for relative advantage. Rent-to-income at 36.7% flags financial stress that sits above the 30% stress threshold.
Population
3,932
Median Age
58.0
Household IncomeiMedian weekly household income (ABS Census)
$980/wk
DAs (12 months)iDevelopment Applications lodged in the past year
12
Median House
$450K
Estimated from rent (2025)
The estimated median house price of $450,000 positions Caloundra as affordable relative to many coastal Queensland markets. Monthly mortgage repayments average $1,600, but the mortgage-to-income ratio reaches 37.7%, above the 30% stress threshold, because household incomes rank at only the 12.3rd percentile nationally. Separate houses make up just 23.8% of the stock, while apartments dominate at 48.4% and semi-detached dwellings at 27.0%. Two-bedroom dwellings account for 40.5% and three-bedroom for 39.7%, with only 7.7% in the 4-plus bedroom range. Outright owners at 40.5% outnumber mortgage holders at 15.3%, suggesting a substantial base of debt-free, often retired residents who have held property for decades.
For Buyers
The estimated median house price of $450,000 positions Caloundra as affordable relative to many coastal Queensland markets. Monthly mortgage repayments average $1,600, but the mortgage-to-income ratio reaches 37.7%, above the 30% stress threshold, because household incomes rank at only the 12.3rd percentile nationally. Separate houses make up just 23.8% of the stock, while apartments dominate at 48.4% and semi-detached dwellings at 27.0%. Two-bedroom dwellings account for 40.5% and three-bedroom for 39.7%, with only 7.7% in the 4-plus bedroom range. Outright owners at 40.5% outnumber mortgage holders at 15.3%, suggesting a substantial base of debt-free, often retired residents who have held property for decades.
For Investors
A renter share of 44.2% provides a broad tenant pool, and weekly rent of $360 against a $450,000 median implies a gross yield around 4.2%, more competitive than many metropolitan markets. However, the 26.6% vacancy rate is well above a healthy 3% threshold, signalling oversupply risk, particularly in the apartment segment which makes up 48.4% of dwellings. Internal migration of 1,626 net residents a year delivers consistent demand support, while 12 development applications over the past 12 months include multiple multi-unit residential proposals. Rent growth reached 26.3% over the measured period, and annual population growth is forecast at 4.93%, among the higher rates in regional Queensland.
Development Activity
Total DAs
35
Last 12 Months
12
YoY ChangeiYear-over-year change in DA lodgements
-7.7%
Avg DA CostiAverage estimated cost per DA in the past year
N/A
Monthly DA Lodgements
DA Categories
Schools in Caloundra iICSEA: school advantage index. 1000 = national avg, higher = more advantaged
Our Lady of the Rosary School
Prep-6 · 321 students
Caloundra Christian College
Prep-12 · 438 students
Caloundra State School
Prep-6 · 481 students
Caloundra State High School
7-12 · 1316 students
Demographics
The median age of 58 sits 18.0 years above the national figure, making Caloundra one of the oldest resident communities on the Sunshine Coast. Average household size is 1.9, which is 0.6 below the national average, consistent with a predominantly retired couples-and-singles profile. Couples with no children account for 47.2% of all families. Overseas-born residents reach 23.5%, which is 1.9 percentage points above the national figure. Ancestry is strongly Anglo-Celtic: English leads with 1,746 residents, followed by Irish at 534 and Scottish at 469. University qualifications at 25.1% sit 5.0 points below the national rate, which aligns with the older, pre-university-boom cohort now retired on the coast.
Age Distribution
Bedrooms
Dwelling Structure
23.8%
Houses
27.0%
Townhouse
48.4%
Apartment
Tenure
Tenure structure reveals an unusual split: 40.5% own outright and 15.3% carry a mortgage, while 44.2% rent. The outright ownership rate is high compared to national averages, reflecting the older demographic who have paid off homes or moved into retirement housing. Apartments dominate at 48.4%, with semi-detached at 27.0% and separate houses at just 23.8%, lower than typical suburban averages. The two-bedroom segment leads at 40.5% and three-bedroom follows at 39.7%. Rent-to-income at 36.7% and mortgage-to-income at 37.7% both exceed the 30% stress threshold, as local incomes rank at the 12.3rd percentile nationally while housing costs track coastal demand rather than local wages.
Mortgage / mo
$1,600
Rent / wk
$360
HH Size
1.9
Personal Income / wk
$584
Vacancy Ratei% of dwellings unoccupied on Census night (ABS 2021)
26.6%
Unoccupied
647
Rent / IncomeiMedian rent as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
36.7% stressed
Mortgage / IncomeiMedian mortgage as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
37.7% stressed
Community Profile
Languages Spoken at Home
Ancestry
Household Composition
47.2%
Couples, no children
2,373
Total families
Economy & Employment
Healthcare is the dominant industry at 23.6% of employed residents (221 workers), more than double the next sector, consistent with the older population requiring health and aged-care services. Education follows at 11.0% and Hospitality at 10.6%, with Construction at 9.3% and Retail at 7.2%. By occupation, Professionals lead with 265 workers, followed by Community and Personal Services at 225, reflecting the care-economy orientation. The unemployment rate is 7.2%, above typical national rates, and the participation rate is only 37.2% because 1,792 residents are not in the labour force, largely retirees. The IRSD decile of 3 places the suburb in the bottom third nationally for relative disadvantage, driven by low income and high welfare dependency.
Unemployment
6.6%
Labour Force
3,303
Unemployed
218
Quarterly Trend
Source: SALM Dec-25
Socio-Economic Indexes (SEIFA)iABS index ranking suburbs from 1 (most disadvantaged) to 10 (most advantaged)
Full-time
55.0%
Part-time
37.8%
Participation
37.2%
Employed
1,240
Occupations
Top Industries
University
25.1%
Postgraduate
5.3%
Born Overseas
23.5%
Dwellings
1,771
Transport to Work
Transport reliance is heavily car-based, with 78.6% of residents driving to work, compared to only 2.1% using public transport, reflecting limited transit options for a coastal suburb. Walking or cycling reaches 14.0%, above the national rate, likely helped by the beach proximity and retirement lifestyle. No schools are recorded within the Caloundra suburb boundary, so families depend on institutions in neighbouring areas. The IRSAD decile of 3 places the suburb in the lower third nationally for advantage, and 12.3% of residents (452 people) need daily assistance, a rate reflecting the older age profile rather than acute disadvantage. Volunteering at 16.7% is moderate, and the couples-without-children household structure at 47.2% of families indicates a stable, settled community base.
Drive
78.6%
Public Transport
2.1%
Walk / Cycle
14.0%
Work from Home
N/A
Population Forecast
+4.93%/yr
(+1,176 people/yr)
High GrowthPopulation expanded by 196.7% over 10 years and grew from 19,418 to 23,872 between 2023 and 2025, an annual increment of approximately 1,176 persons at 4.93%. Internal migration is the primary driver, averaging 1,626 net arrivals per year versus only 103 from overseas migration. Medium forecasts project population reaching 28,444 by 2031, a further 19% above the 2025 base. The gentrification stage is classified as new development with a score of 0, meaning the growth is additive rather than displacement-driven. Affordability measured as a cost burden improved from 71.8% in 2011 to 56.2% in 2021, and real income growth of 31.2% over the decade has narrowed the gap between local wages and housing costs.
Historical + Forecast
Hamilton-Perry + Holt smoothing on ERP 2001-2025
Age Cohort Forecast
Primary Driver
Internal Migration
Net Overseas / yr
+103
Net Internal / yr
+1,626
Gentrification Signal
New development
National Ranking iPercentile rank among ~15,000 AU suburbs. 90% = higher than 90% of suburbs
How Caloundra compares to ~15,000 Australian suburbs
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Caloundra a good suburb to live in?
Caloundra suits retirees and empty-nesters well, with a median age of 58 and 40.5% of homes owned outright. However, the IRSAD decile of 3 places it in the lower third nationally for relative advantage, incomes rank at the 12.3rd percentile, and rent-to-income at 36.7% signals affordability pressure for renters. Amenity and lifestyle are the main draw rather than economic strength.
What is the median house price in Caloundra?
The estimated median house price is $450,000, with monthly mortgage repayments averaging $1,600. Weekly rent is $360, implying a gross rental yield around 4.2%. The mortgage-to-income ratio sits at 37.7%, above the 30% stress threshold given household incomes at the 12.3rd percentile nationally.
What schools are in Caloundra?
No schools are recorded within the Caloundra suburb boundary in this dataset. Families rely on schools in adjacent suburbs. Local university qualification rates reach 25.1%, which is 5.0 percentage points below the national figure, consistent with an older retiree population rather than a family-formation catchment.
Is Caloundra safe?
Detailed crime statistics are not available for Caloundra in this dataset. As an indirect indicator, the IRSD decile of 3 places the suburb in the lower third nationally for relative disadvantage, and 12.3% of residents need daily assistance. The older population profile and stable 70.1% residential retention rate suggest a settled community, but economic stress indicators warrant attention.
Is Caloundra good for property investment?
The 44.2% renter share and 4.2% estimated gross yield on $360 weekly rent are positive. However, a 26.6% vacancy rate is well above the healthy 3% benchmark, indicating oversupply risk especially in the 48.4% apartment stock. Annual population growth of 4.93% and internal migration of 1,626 per year support medium-term demand. Investors should monitor vacancy closely before committing.
How is Caloundra's population changing?
Population grew 196.7% over 10 years and reached 23,872 in 2025, up from 19,418 in 2023. Annual growth runs at 4.93%, adding around 1,176 people per year. Internal migration at 1,626 net arrivals annually is the dominant driver. Medium forecasts project 28,444 residents by 2031, a 19% increase from the 2025 base.
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.
Explore Caloundra on the Map
View parcels, zoning overlays, DA applications, schools and more.
Open Interactive Map