Carrara
At 42, Carrara's median age is 2 years above the national figure, giving this Gold Coast suburb an established character with a gradually older resident mix rather than a young renter-market feel. Its 13,138 residents occupy 13.23 sq km at 993 people per sq km, while 29.5% were born overseas, 7.9 percentage points above the national share. Buyers comparing Carrara with nearby Nerang and Merrimac will find a suburb defined by age and transport patterns: 77.2% drive to work and just 1.2% use public transport. The housing mix supports families and downsizers, with 48.1% of homes having 3 bedrooms and 41.9% of families being couples without children.
Population
13,138
Median Age
42.0
Household IncomeiMedian weekly household income (ABS Census)
$1,562/wk
DAs (12 months)iDevelopment Applications lodged in the past year
14
Carrara suits buyers who value established housing and practical road access, but a current median house price is not available. The strongest guide is the dwelling mix: 52.1% of homes are separate houses, 33.7% are semi-detached and 8.9% are apartments. Three-bedroom homes dominate at 48.1%, followed by 4-plus-bedroom dwellings at 28.4%, so the stock leans larger than a compact apartment market. Monthly mortgage cost is $1,900, with mortgage payments at 28.1% of household income, lower than the 28.8% rent-to-income share. Compared with a higher-density Gold Coast pocket, Carrara is better suited to buyers wanting space, while recent settled sales remain essential for setting a budget.
For Buyers
Carrara suits buyers who value established housing and practical road access, but a current median house price is not available. The strongest guide is the dwelling mix: 52.1% of homes are separate houses, 33.7% are semi-detached and 8.9% are apartments. Three-bedroom homes dominate at 48.1%, followed by 4-plus-bedroom dwellings at 28.4%, so the stock leans larger than a compact apartment market. Monthly mortgage cost is $1,900, with mortgage payments at 28.1% of household income, lower than the 28.8% rent-to-income share. Compared with a higher-density Gold Coast pocket, Carrara is better suited to buyers wanting space, while recent settled sales remain essential for setting a budget.
For Investors
Carrara presents a mixed investment case. Weekly rent is $450 and 27.9% of households rent, creating an established tenant base, while the 5.0% vacancy rate gives renters more choice than a tightly held market and may limit rapid rent escalation. Demand is supported by 1.17% annual growth, with Overseas migration identified as the primary driver, although the Aging trajectory points to a changing tenant profile. Thirteen development applications in the past 12 months indicate ongoing activity, but not a large pipeline of confirmed dwellings. Compared with a high-turnover rental market, Carrara's 25.7% turnover rate and 74.3% staying rate suggest investors should assess long-term retention as well as yield. Gross yield cannot be calculated without a current median sale price.
Development Activity
Total DAs
14
Last 12 Months
14
YoY ChangeiYear-over-year change in DA lodgements
—
Avg DA CostiAverage estimated cost per DA in the past year
N/A
Monthly DA Lodgements
DA Categories
Schools in Carrara
Open-register school locations for education access. This is not a school-quality ranking.
Emmanuel College (Carrara)
Josiah College (Carrara)
Demographics
Carrara's demographic centre is older and more settled than the national profile. Median age is 42, or 2 years above national, while the average household size is 2.4, 0.1 below national. University attainment is 28.9%, 1.2 percentage points below national, suggesting a workforce mix broader than a graduate-heavy inner-city suburb. Overseas-born residents account for 29.5%, 7.9 points above national; Mandarin is the most common listed non-English language with 105 speakers, followed by Japan at 64. English ancestry is recorded for 5,467 people, ahead of Scottish at 1,515 and Irish at 1,442. Christianity counts 6,358 residents and no religion 5,409. Compared with younger, smaller-household areas, Carrara's age and household profile supports a steadier family and downsizer market.
Age Distribution
Bedrooms
Dwelling Structure
52.1%
Houses
33.7%
Townhouse
8.9%
Apartment
Tenure
Carrara's housing stock is more ground-oriented than its apartment share suggests, but it is not dominated by detached homes. Separate houses account for 52.1%, above semi-detached dwellings at 33.7% and apartments at 8.9%. The bedroom profile reinforces family scale: 48.1% have 3 bedrooms and 28.4% have 4 or more, compared with 17.6% with 2 bedrooms and 5.9% with 0 or 1. Ownership is split between 32.1% outright and 39.1% with a mortgage, while 27.9% rent. That structure creates both owner-occupier depth and a meaningful rental pool. Mortgage costs of $1,900 monthly represent 28.1% of household income, lower than the 28.8% rent share. A current median house price is unavailable, so buyers should compare recent sales by dwelling type rather than rely on a single suburb-wide figure.
Mortgage / mo
$1,900
Rent / wkiMedian weekly rent for new bonds (Jun 2026 quarter), QLD RTA bond data. Census 2021 median: $450.
$850
Bond data Jun 2026 quarter · houses $850 · units $680
HH Size
2.4
Personal Income / wk
$771
Vacancy Ratei% of dwellings unoccupied on Census night (ABS 2021)
5.0%
Unoccupied
271
Rent / IncomeiMedian rent as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
28.8%
Mortgage / IncomeiMedian mortgage as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
28.1%
Community Profile
Languages Spoken at Home
Ancestry
Household Composition
39.1%
Couples with children
41.9%
Couples, no children
17.7%
Single parent
3,766
Total families
Economy & Employment
Carrara has a service and construction economy with a practical occupational mix. Healthcare is the largest listed industry at 17.6% and 772 workers, followed by construction at 12.0% and 524, education at 11.8% and 518, retail at 8.3% and 362, and professional/tech at 7.6% and 332. The occupation profile is broader than those industries alone: professionals number 1,308, trades 921, clerical/admin 869, managers 855 and community/personal workers 853. Labour participation is 63.1%, unemployment is 5.4% and full-time work is 55.1%, pointing to a substantial working base alongside 3,573 people not in the labour force. Household income is $1,562 weekly at the 49.8th percentile, while IEO, IER, IRSD and IRSAD all sit at SEIFA decile 6. Compared with top-decile suburbs, Carrara's middle ranking suggests reasonable but not premium socioeconomic capacity, consistent with its near-median income position.
Unemployment
5.4%
Labour Force
6,917
Unemployed
373
Source: ABS Census 2021
Socio-Economic Indexes (SEIFA)iABS index ranking suburbs from 1 (most disadvantaged) to 10 (most advantaged)
Full-time
55.1%
Part-time
34.2%
Participation
63.1%
Employed
6,544
Full-time and part-time are shares of the employed. Source: ABS Census 2021
Occupations
Top Industries
University
28.9%
Postgraduate
6.2%
Born Overseas
29.5%
Dwellings
5,173
Transport to Work
Carrara works best for residents comfortable with driving. Car drivers account for 77.2% of commuters, compared with 1.2% using public transport and 1.6% walking or cycling; 15.5% work from home, which can reduce daily travel for some households. Local education access includes 2 schools, both non-state independent colleges, so families should check enrolment zones and compare nearby government options against the exact address. IRSAD is at decile 6, placing socioeconomic advantage around the middle rather than in the highest deciles. The suburb's 2.4-person average household size, 12.8% volunteering rate and 4.9% needing assistance point to a settled area with varied household needs. Compared with transit-led Gold Coast locations, Carrara's daily convenience depends more on road connections, parking and school-run planning. A current crime rate should be checked through Queensland Police before making a safety decision.
Drive
77.2%
Public Transport
1.2%
Walk / Cycle
1.6%
Work from Home
15.5%
Population Forecast
+1.17%/yr
(+168 people/yr)
EstablishedCarrara's growth outlook is positive but shaped by age transition. The forecast trend is 1.17% annually, above a flat trajectory, and Overseas migration is the primary driver. Across the wider area, population change is 13.6% over 10 years, while the shift trajectory is labelled Aging: the senior share has risen 7.3 percentage points, the young share has fallen 1.6 points and the working share has declined 3.3 points. Gentrification remains at the Early signs stage with a score of 21, so change is emerging rather than fully established. Rent growth of 28.6% adds pressure for tenants and may strengthen investor interest, but affordability moved from 60.1 in 2011 to 58.4 in 2021 and is labelled Stable. Compared with a younger expansion corridor, Carrara's likely appeal rests more on established amenity, overseas migration and gradual renewal than on a rapidly youthful population.
Historical + Forecast
Hamilton-Perry + Holt smoothing on ERP 2001-2025
Age Cohort Forecast
Primary Driver
Overseas Migration
Net Overseas / yr
+157
Net Internal / yr
+31
Gentrification Signal
Early signs
Population +19% since 2011, Accelerating: 5% → 14%
National Ranking iPercentile rank among ~15,000 AU suburbs. 90% = higher than 90% of suburbs
How Carrara compares to ~15,000 Australian suburbs
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Carrara a good suburb to live in?
Carrara can suit residents wanting established, family-scale housing and road access. Median age is 42, 77.2% drive to work and 52.1% of homes are separate houses. Compared with transit-led Gold Coast areas, it is less convenient without a car, so inspect commute, parking and school-zone needs before choosing.
What is the median house price in Carrara?
A current median house price is not available. Buyers can use $450 weekly rent, $1,900 monthly mortgage cost and the 52.1% separate-house share as context, but these indicators are not a substitute for recent settled sales. Compared with relying on a suburb-wide median, address-level sales by dwelling type provide a more reliable budget guide.
What schools are in Carrara?
Carrara has 2 local schools: Emmanuel College and Josiah College. Both are non-state independent colleges. School performance should not be inferred from location, and enrolment zones can differ from suburb boundaries. Compared with assuming every nearby school is local, confirm sector, year levels and entry requirements for the exact address.
Is Carrara safe?
A suburb-level crime rate is not stated, so use current Queensland Police and local safety information before deciding. Carrara has 13,138 residents and an IRSAD decile of 6, but neither measure is a safety score. Compare recent incidents by street or surrounding area, then inspect lighting, traffic and access at different times.
Is Carrara good for property investment?
Carrara may suit a long-term investor because 27.9% of households rent, weekly rent is $450 and vacancy is 5.0%. Growth is forecast at 1.17% annually, driven primarily by Overseas migration, while the aging trajectory may favour stable demand from established households. Compared with a high-turnover market, the 74.3% staying rate supports checking tenant retention as well as yield.
How is Carrara's population changing?
Carrara is changing gradually rather than through a sudden demographic reset. The wider area's population change is 13.6% over 10 years, the annual growth trend is 1.17% and Overseas migration is the primary driver. At the same time, the senior share is up 7.3 percentage points and the young share is down 1.6, so the trajectory is labelled Aging. Compared with a younger growth corridor, expect measured renewal and an older resident mix.
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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