Hollywell
At 51, Hollywell's median age sits 11 years above the national median, making its aging resident base the defining feature rather than a passing trend. The suburb packs 2,930 residents into 1.86 square kilometres, a density of 1,577 people per square kilometre, while household income sits at the 67.5th percentile. English, Irish and Scottish ancestry counts are 1,399, 364 and 344, and 22.9% were born overseas, 1.3 percentage points above the national result. With a 2.4-person average household, Hollywell creates a different buying lens from the family-oriented search often associated with nearby Runaway Bay and Biggera Waters, although 68.3% of dwellings are separate houses.
Local council: Gold Coast
Population
2,930
Median Age
51.0
Household IncomeiMedian weekly household income (ABS Census)
$1,872/wk
DAs (12 months)iDevelopment Applications lodged in the past year
4
Homebuyers face a market where a current median house price should be confirmed through recent comparable sales, so budgeting needs to start with holding costs and dwelling type rather than a headline valuation. The typical mortgage figure is $2,167 per month and weekly rent is $530, while mortgage repayments equal 26.7% of household income and rent equals 28.3%. Separate houses account for 68.3%, apartments 16.7% and semi-detached homes 14.7%; 3-bedroom dwellings make up 49.7% and 4-plus-bedroom homes 36.1%. That mix suits buyers prioritising established houses, while the 44.2% outright ownership rate suggests a mature market. Compared with a unit-led search, Hollywell gives buyers more detached-house choice, but price checks need to be address-specific.
For Buyers
Homebuyers face a market where a current median house price should be confirmed through recent comparable sales, so budgeting needs to start with holding costs and dwelling type rather than a headline valuation. The typical mortgage figure is $2,167 per month and weekly rent is $530, while mortgage repayments equal 26.7% of household income and rent equals 28.3%. Separate houses account for 68.3%, apartments 16.7% and semi-detached homes 14.7%; 3-bedroom dwellings make up 49.7% and 4-plus-bedroom homes 36.1%. That mix suits buyers prioritising established houses, while the 44.2% outright ownership rate suggests a mature market. Compared with a unit-led search, Hollywell gives buyers more detached-house choice, but price checks need to be address-specific.
For Investors
Hollywell's investment case rests more on rental income and established demand than on a large development pipeline. Weekly rent is $530, 21.8% of occupied dwellings are rented, and vacancy is 8.7%, giving landlords an important occupancy metric because a higher vacancy rate can lengthen letting periods. Rent growth of 27.4% supports the income story, while only 2 development applications were lodged in the latest 12 months, limiting evidence of near-term new supply. Annual regional growth is forecast at 1.26%, driven by overseas migration. Compared with a high-turnover market, the 74.0% stay rate points to a more settled base, although investors should test vacancy, insurance and maintenance costs before relying on gross rent.
Development Activity
Total DAs
4
Last 12 Months
4
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
Demographics
Hollywell's demographic profile is older and somewhat less university-qualified than Australia overall: the median age is 51, or 11 years above national, while university attainment is 27.3%, 2.8 percentage points below national. Overseas-born residents account for 22.9%, 1.3 points above national, yet ancestry remains strongly Anglo-leaning, led by English 1,399, Irish 364 and Scottish 344. Christianity is recorded for 1,637 people and no religion for 1,072. Couples without children form 51.7% of families, compared with 36.9% for couples with children, consistent with an average household size of 2.4. A 74.0% stay rate supports neighbourhood continuity, while the 26.0% turnover rate still creates some renewal. Compared with younger coastal catchments, Hollywell's age profile points to services and housing suited to later-life residents.
Age Distribution
Bedrooms
Dwelling Structure
68.3%
Houses
14.7%
Townhouse
16.7%
Apartment
Tenure
Hollywell has a predominantly detached, established housing base, with separate houses at 68.3%, apartments at 16.7% and semi-detached dwellings at 14.7%. Three-bedroom homes comprise 49.7% and four-plus-bedroom homes 36.1%, so the stock can accommodate both downsizers and larger households, even though the average household size is 2.4. Tenure is split between 44.2% owned outright, 33.7% with a mortgage and 21.8% renting. Weekly rent is $530 and the mortgage figure is $2,167 per month, with rent-to-income at 28.3% and mortgage-to-income at 26.7%. Compared with an apartment-concentrated suburb, Hollywell's separate-house share is higher, while the 8.7% vacancy rate gives renters more choice than a tightly supplied market. Buyers should compare lot, condition and flood exposure because a suburb-level median price needs to be confirmed through recent sales.
Mortgage / mo
$2,167
Rent / wkiMedian weekly rent for new bonds (Jun 2026 quarter), QLD RTA bond data. Census 2021 median: $530.
$850
Bond data Jun 2026 quarter · houses $850 · units $740
HH Size
2.4
Personal Income / wk
$840
Vacancy Ratei% of dwellings unoccupied on Census night (ABS 2021)
8.7%
Unoccupied
112
Rent / IncomeiMedian rent as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
28.3%
Mortgage / IncomeiMedian mortgage as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
26.7%
Community Profile
Ancestry
Household Composition
36.9%
Couples with children
51.7%
Couples, no children
11.3%
Single parent
877
Total families
Economy & Employment
Construction is Hollywell's largest industry at 16.7% and 151 workers, followed by healthcare at 14.3% and 130, education at 10.8% and 98, professional and technical services at 10.6% and 96, and retail at 6.6% and 60. Occupations are led by professionals at 279, managers at 216, trades at 208 and clerical/admin at 200, showing a mix of skilled services and practical work. Unemployment is 3.8% and participation is 57.0%, while 995 people are outside the labour force, a pattern consistent with a median age of 51. Household income sits at the 67.5th percentile, and SEIFA deciles of 7 for education and occupation, 8 for economic resources and 7 for disadvantage place Hollywell above the middle of the national socioeconomic distribution. The relatively strong resource decile alongside moderate participation reflects an older resident base rather than weak earning capacity.
Unemployment
3.8%
Labour Force
1,437
Unemployed
54
Source: ABS Census 2021
Socio-Economic Indexes (SEIFA)iABS index ranking suburbs from 1 (most disadvantaged) to 10 (most advantaged)
Full-time
54.4%
Part-time
35.6%
Participation
57.0%
Employed
1,383
Full-time and part-time are shares of the employed. Source: ABS Census 2021
Occupations
Top Industries
University
27.3%
Postgraduate
5.8%
Born Overseas
22.9%
Dwellings
1,172
Transport to Work
Daily life in Hollywell is strongly car-oriented: 73.2% of commuters drive, compared with 0.8% using public transport and 1.5% walking or cycling. A further 20.1% work from home, which can reduce trip frequency and makes home layout more relevant for some households. The suburb covers 1.86 square kilometres at 1,577 people per square kilometre, so local errands may be reasonably concentrated, but transport convenience will vary by street and destination. Families should check current nearby primary and secondary school options, sector, year-level availability and enrolment zones against the exact address rather than assume suburb boundaries settle access. The socioeconomic profile is above the midpoint, with IRSAD decile 7 and IRSD decile 8, while 5.0% of residents need assistance. Compared with a transit-oriented area, Hollywell requires more planning around cars, school runs and access to services. Safety decisions should include current local incident checks because conditions can vary by street and time.
Drive
73.2%
Public Transport
0.8%
Walk / Cycle
1.5%
Work from Home
20.1%
Growth Outlook
Growth is steady rather than explosive, with the wider area forecast to run at 1.26% annually and overseas migration identified as the primary driver. The shift trajectory is labelled Aging, supported by a 16.0% population change across 10 years, an 8.7 percentage-point increase in the senior share and a 6.0-point decline in the working share. Affordability improved from 61.0 in 2011 to 55.2 in 2021, while real income growth reached 14.5%, which may help existing owners absorb holding costs as the age profile changes. The gentrification forecast is scored 6 and labelled Not gentrifying, so the stronger signal is demographic transition rather than wholesale price-led change. Compared with a fast-expanding fringe, Hollywell's 1.26% trend points to incremental demand and careful monitoring of overseas migration, rental growth of 27.4% and only 2 recent development applications.
Population trend: Gold Coast council area
Hollywell sits in the Gold Coast council area. These are the council area's residents, not Hollywell's.
Residents 2025
691,230
Growth, 5 yr average
+2.0%/yr
2020 to 2025
Growth, last year
+1.8%
2024 to 2025
ABS Estimated Resident Population by LGA, 30 June each year; council area, not this suburb
National Ranking iPercentile rank among ~15,000 AU suburbs. 90% = higher than 90% of suburbs
How Hollywell compares to ~15,000 Australian suburbs
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Hollywell a good suburb to live in?
Hollywell can suit residents who value an established, quieter setting and detached housing. The median age is 51, 68.3% of dwellings are separate houses and 20.1% of residents work from home. Car access is important because 73.2% drive, while only 0.8% use public transport.
What is the median house price in Hollywell?
No current median house price is quoted for Hollywell. Buyers should obtain recent comparable sales for the exact dwelling type and street, then test those figures against the $2,167 monthly mortgage reference, $530 weekly rent and the local 26.7% mortgage-to-income measure.
What schools are in Hollywell?
School choices serving Hollywell should be checked by exact address because enrolment zones, sectors and year levels can differ. Families should confirm current primary and secondary options directly with schools and the relevant authority. The suburb has an average household size of 2.4 and a 20.1% work-from-home share.
Is Hollywell safe?
Safety should be assessed using current local incident information and an address-level check, since conditions can vary across Hollywell's 1.86 square kilometres. The 5.0% need-assistance rate describes support requirements, not crime, so it should not be used as a safety measure when comparing properties.
Is Hollywell good for property investment?
Hollywell may suit investors seeking established rental demand, with weekly rent of $530, a 21.8% renting share and 27.4% rent growth. Vacancy is 8.7% and only 2 development applications were recorded in 12 months, so investors should model leasing time, insurance, maintenance and actual comparable yields.
How is Hollywell's population changing?
Hollywell has an aging trajectory. The wider area records 16.0% population change over 10 years, while the senior share increased by 8.7 percentage points and the working share fell by 6.0 points. Annual growth is forecast at 1.26%, with overseas migration the primary driver.
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).
Explore Hollywell on the Map
View parcels, zoning overlays, DA applications, schools and more.
Open Interactive Map