Coolum Beach
At 15.4%, Coolum Beach has a notably high vacancy rate alongside an established population of 9,152 and a median age of 45, which is 5 years above the national comparison. The suburb leans toward older, settled households, with 34.0% owning outright and 71.2% remaining at the same address. A 20.5% work-from-home share supports a lifestyle less dependent on daily commuting, although 70.1% still drive to work. Household income sits at the 52.5th percentile, close to the national midpoint. Coolum shares the northern Sunshine Coast coastal market with nearby Peregian Beach, while its 69.7% separate-house share gives it a more conventional residential profile than a predominantly apartment-led area.
Population
9,152
Median Age
45.0
Household IncomeiMedian weekly household income (ABS Census)
$1,600/wk
DAs (12 months)iDevelopment Applications lodged in the past year
75
Coolum Beach suits buyers seeking established houses, downsizer-friendly layouts or a coastal base with some work-from-home flexibility. Separate houses account for 69.7% of dwellings, while 3-bedroom homes make up 45.1% and 4-bedroom-plus homes account for 31.3%, so family-sized stock is more common than studios or compact units. A current median house price is not available, making recent settled sales and address-level comparisons important. Mortgage repayments are listed at $2,000 monthly, while mortgage costs equal 28.9% of household income, higher than the 28.1% rent-to-income figure. Because 34.0% own outright and 33.8% have a mortgage, buyers are entering an established ownership market rather than a suburb dominated by new entrants.
For Buyers
Coolum Beach suits buyers seeking established houses, downsizer-friendly layouts or a coastal base with some work-from-home flexibility. Separate houses account for 69.7% of dwellings, while 3-bedroom homes make up 45.1% and 4-bedroom-plus homes account for 31.3%, so family-sized stock is more common than studios or compact units. A current median house price is not available, making recent settled sales and address-level comparisons important. Mortgage repayments are listed at $2,000 monthly, while mortgage costs equal 28.9% of household income, higher than the 28.1% rent-to-income figure. Because 34.0% own outright and 33.8% have a mortgage, buyers are entering an established ownership market rather than a suburb dominated by new entrants.
For Investors
Coolum Beach has a mixed investment profile because rental demand is supported by a coastal setting, but the 15.4% vacancy rate increases the risk of longer leasing periods or seasonal volatility. Rent is listed at $450 per week, and 29.1% of households rent, so investors should test returns against insurance, maintenance and vacancy assumptions rather than relying on gross rent alone. Development activity is substantial at 67 applications over 12 months, which can add renovation and replacement stock but may also increase competition. Overseas migration is identified as the primary growth driver, creating a broader demand base. The vacancy rate is lower than the 29.1% renter share, yet it remains a key distinction from a tightly held rental market.
Development Activity
Total DAs
150
Last 12 Months
75
YoY ChangeiYear-over-year change in DA lodgements
+141.9%
Avg DA CostiAverage estimated cost per DA in the past year
N/A
Monthly DA Lodgements
DA Categories
Schools in Coolum Beach
Open-register school locations for education access. This is not a school-quality ranking.
Coolum Beach Christian College (Coolum Beach)
Coolum State High School
Coolum State School
Demographics
Coolum Beach has an aging resident profile, with a median age of 45, or 5 years above the national comparison. Couples without children represent 45.0% of families, compared with 37.8% for couples with children, which helps explain the demand for established 2 and 3-bedroom homes rather than only large family properties. University attainment is 30.8%, 0.7 percentage points above the national comparison, while the overseas-born share is 19.0%, 2.6 points below it. English, Irish and Scottish ancestry counts are 4,266, 1,372 and 1,254 respectively, indicating an Anglo-leaning population. No religion is recorded by 4,617 residents, compared with 3,723 identifying with Christianity. A 71.2% stay rate also points to a relatively settled community.
Age Distribution
Bedrooms
Dwelling Structure
69.7%
Houses
13.5%
Townhouse
15.9%
Apartment
Tenure
Housing in Coolum Beach is primarily detached and owner-occupied, with 69.7% separate houses, 15.9% apartments and 13.5% semi-detached dwellings. Tenure is split between 34.0% owned outright, 33.8% mortgaged and 29.1% rented, creating a more established ownership base than a predominantly investor-held suburb. Three-bedroom homes account for 45.1% of dwellings and 4-bedroom-plus homes for 31.3%, while smaller 0 or 1-bedroom homes comprise 4.8%. Weekly rent is $450 and the mortgage-to-income ratio is 28.9%, below a 30% stress threshold. Average household size is 2.4 people, 0.1 lower than the national comparison, which aligns with the large 45.0% share of couples without children. A current median sale price is unavailable, so property comparisons should focus on dwelling type and recent transactions.
Mortgage / mo
$2,000
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 $700
HH Size
2.4
Personal Income / wk
$769
Vacancy Ratei% of dwellings unoccupied on Census night (ABS 2021)
15.4%
Unoccupied
650
Rent / IncomeiMedian rent as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
28.1%
Mortgage / IncomeiMedian mortgage as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
28.9%
Community Profile
Languages Spoken at Home
Ancestry
Household Composition
37.8%
Couples with children
45.0%
Couples, no children
16.4%
Single parent
2,538
Total families
Economy & Employment
Coolum Beach's employment base is anchored by healthcare, construction and education, accounting for 19.6%, 14.7% and 13.3% of industry employment, followed by professional and technical work at 8.6% and hospitality at 6.2%. The leading occupations are professionals with 974 workers, trades with 747, community and personal services with 599, managers with 516 and clerical or administrative workers with 500. Labour-force participation is 60.2%, unemployment is 4.2% and 2,244 workers are employed full-time compared with 1,695 part-time. Household income is at the 52.5th percentile, slightly above the midpoint rather than a high-income position. SEIFA places education and occupation at decile 7, disadvantage at decile 7 and advantage at decile 6, suggesting generally favourable conditions with less advantage than the other measures indicate.
Unemployment
4.2%
Labour Force
4,598
Unemployed
193
Source: ABS Census 2021
Socio-Economic Indexes (SEIFA)iABS index ranking suburbs from 1 (most disadvantaged) to 10 (most advantaged)
Full-time
50.9%
Part-time
38.5%
Participation
60.2%
Employed
4,405
Full-time and part-time are shares of the employed. Source: ABS Census 2021
Occupations
Top Industries
University
30.8%
Postgraduate
6.4%
Born Overseas
19.0%
Dwellings
3,544
Transport to Work
Coolum Beach is most practical for residents with access to a car: 70.1% drive to work, compared with only 1.0% using public transport and 4.5% walking or cycling. The 20.5% work-from-home rate can reduce commuting pressure, while local services remain important for an older population. Three nearby schools span 2 government schools and 1 independent non-state college, giving families a choice of sectors and school types; enrolment zones should be checked against the exact address. The IRSAD score sits at decile 6, while the education, occupation and disadvantage measures are each at decile 7, placing the suburb above many lower-access areas but below the highest-advantage locations. Volunteering is 16.9% and 6.2% need assistance, supporting a service-focused community. A local crime rate is not available, so safety decisions should include a street-level inspection and current police information.
Drive
70.1%
Public Transport
1.0%
Walk / Cycle
4.5%
Work from Home
20.5%
Population Forecast
+1.45%/yr
(+247 people/yr)
EstablishedGrowth across the wider area is forecast at 1.45% annually, with overseas migration identified as the primary driver. The longer-term shift is classified as Aging, with population change of 21.2% over 10 years, a senior-share increase of 6.0 percentage points and a young-share decline of 3.6 points. That senior increase is higher than the young-share reduction, reinforcing demand for accessible homes, health services and lower-maintenance housing. Rent growth of 38.5% also points to sustained housing-cost pressure. The main gentrification measure gives Coolum Beach a score of 8 and a Not gentrifying stage, while another shift indicator records a score of 35 and Early signs. Together, these labels suggest established growth and demographic change rather than a rapid redevelopment cycle.
Historical + Forecast
Hamilton-Perry + Holt smoothing on ERP 2001-2025
Age Cohort Forecast
Primary Driver
Overseas Migration
Net Overseas / yr
+182
Net Internal / yr
+29
Gentrification Signal
Not gentrifying
Population +24% since 2011
National Ranking iPercentile rank among ~15,000 AU suburbs. 90% = higher than 90% of suburbs
How Coolum Beach compares to ~15,000 Australian suburbs
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Coolum Beach a good suburb to live in?
Coolum Beach can suit residents who value coastal living, established housing and a slower demographic profile. The suburb has 9,152 residents, a median age of 45 and a 20.5% work-from-home rate. Car dependence is high at 70.1%, so daily convenience is better for households with private transport.
What is the median house price in Coolum Beach?
A current median house price is not available. Buyers can still assess the market using the 69.7% separate-house share, the 45.1% proportion of 3-bedroom homes and recent comparable sales. Weekly rent is $450, while mortgage costs are listed at $2,000 per month, so affordability should be tested against the exact property.
What schools are in Coolum Beach?
Coolum Beach has 3 nearby schools across 2 government campuses and 1 independent non-state college. The local mix includes primary and secondary options, but families should confirm enrolment zones and year-level availability for the exact address. School sector choice is broader than in areas with only 1 local campus.
Is Coolum Beach safe?
A definitive local crime rate is not available, so safety should be checked using current police information and an inspection at different times of day. Livability indicators include a SEIFA IRSAD decile of 6, a volunteering rate of 16.9% and 6.2% needing assistance. These measures describe social conditions, not a direct crime ranking.
Is Coolum Beach good for property investment?
Coolum Beach has potential for investors seeking coastal rental exposure, but the 15.4% vacancy rate is a material risk. Weekly rent is $450, 29.1% of households rent and 67 development applications were recorded over 12 months. Overseas migration supports demand, although vacancy is higher than a tightly held rental market would typically imply.
How is Coolum Beach's population changing?
Population change across the wider area is recorded at 21.2% over 10 years, with an annual growth trend of 1.45%. Overseas migration is the primary driver, while the trajectory is Aging. The senior share rose by 6.0 percentage points and the young share fell by 3.6 points, so future demand is likely to favour services and housing suited to older households.
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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