Maroochydore
A 47-year median age, 13.02 sq km footprint and 20,629 residents give Maroochydore a mature, dense coastal profile rather than a conventional family-only market. Age sits 7.0 years above the national comparison, while 42.9% of households rent and the vacancy rate is 13.3%, pointing to a mobile housing base. Compared with nearby Buderim and Mooloolaba, the mix of 36.8% apartments, 24.3% semi-detached homes and 37.8% separate houses signals more varied urban housing. Overseas migration is the primary growth driver, and a gentrification score of 66 places the area in the Advanced stage.
Population
20,629
Median Age
47.0
Household IncomeiMedian weekly household income (ABS Census)
$1,360/wk
DAs (12 months)iDevelopment Applications lodged in the past year
112
Homebuyers face a tenure mix that supports choice but requires careful product matching. Separate houses account for 37.8%, apartments 36.8% and semi-detached dwellings 24.3%, so Maroochydore is less detached-focused than a conventional suburban market. Three-bedroom homes are the largest group at 40.8%, above two-bedroom homes at 35.9%, while 0 to 1-bedroom stock is 7.6% and 4-plus-bedroom homes are 15.6%. Mortgage-to-income pressure is 29.4%, below rental pressure of 30.1%, but renters are flagged for stress. That makes dwelling condition, body corporate costs and long-term holding capacity important parts of the buying decision.
For Buyers
Homebuyers face a tenure mix that supports choice but requires careful product matching. Separate houses account for 37.8%, apartments 36.8% and semi-detached dwellings 24.3%, so Maroochydore is less detached-focused than a conventional suburban market. Three-bedroom homes are the largest group at 40.8%, above two-bedroom homes at 35.9%, while 0 to 1-bedroom stock is 7.6% and 4-plus-bedroom homes are 15.6%. Mortgage-to-income pressure is 29.4%, below rental pressure of 30.1%, but renters are flagged for stress. That makes dwelling condition, body corporate costs and long-term holding capacity important parts of the buying decision.
For Investors
Maroochydore's rental case is supported by a large tenant base but tempered by unusually available stock. Renting accounts for 42.9%, higher than outright ownership at 32.1%, and weekly rent is $410. The 13.3% vacancy rate gives tenants more choice than a tight market, which can limit short-term rent leverage even as demand shifts. There were 93 development lodgements in 12 months, creating future competition across apartments and attached homes. The 2.08% annual growth trend, driven primarily by overseas migration, supports a longer-term demand story, but investors should stress-test vacancy, maintenance and new supply risk.
Development Activity
Total DAs
203
Last 12 Months
112
YoY ChangeiYear-over-year change in DA lodgements
+286.2%
Avg DA CostiAverage estimated cost per DA in the past year
N/A
Monthly DA Lodgements
DA Categories
Schools in Maroochydore
Open-register school locations for education access. This is not a school-quality ranking.
Stella Maris School (Maroochydore)
Maroochydore State High School
Maroochydore State School
Demographics
Maroochydore's 47-year median age is 7.0 years above the national average, while its 2.1-person average household is 0.4 below the national figure. Couples without children make up 56.6% of families, compared with 24.7% couples with children and 16.9% one-parent families, helping explain demand for smaller dwellings. English ancestry counts 8,726 people, followed by Irish at 2,550. Christianity totals 8,887 and no religion 8,450. Overseas-born residents are 26.4%, 4.8 points above national, while university attainment is 29.7%, 0.4 points below. Compared with nearby Buderim and Mooloolaba, the 36.5% turnover rate points to a more mobile coastal population.
Age Distribution
Bedrooms
Dwelling Structure
37.8%
Houses
24.3%
Townhouse
36.8%
Apartment
Tenure
Maroochydore's housing is split across 37.8% separate houses, 36.8% apartments and 24.3% semi-detached dwellings, a pattern more varied than a detached-only suburb. Two- and three-bedroom homes dominate at 35.9% and 40.8%, compared with 7.6% studio or one-bedroom and 15.6% four-plus-bedroom stock. Tenure is equally mixed: 32.1% own outright, 22.1% hold a mortgage and 42.9% rent. Mortgage-to-income pressure is 29.4%, below rental pressure of 30.1%, and rent stress is flagged, so affordability is more difficult for tenants. Compared with nearby Buderim, the apartment and attached-home mix makes Maroochydore more suitable for buyers seeking lower-maintenance housing.
Mortgage / mo
$1,733
Rent / wkiMedian weekly rent for new bonds (Jun 2026 quarter), QLD RTA bond data. Census 2021 median: $410.
$820
Bond data Jun 2026 quarter · houses $820 · units $710
HH Size
2.1
Personal Income / wk
$771
Vacancy Ratei% of dwellings unoccupied on Census night (ABS 2021)
13.3%
Unoccupied
1,358
Rent / IncomeiMedian rent as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
30.1% stressed
Mortgage / IncomeiMedian mortgage as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
29.4%
Community Profile
Languages Spoken at Home
Ancestry
Household Composition
24.7%
Couples with children
56.6%
Couples, no children
16.9%
Single parent
5,274
Total families
Economy & Employment
Healthcare is Maroochydore's largest industry at 22.0% and 1,432 workers, more than double construction at 10.5% and 682. Education contributes 9.2% or 601 workers, followed by hospitality at 8.8% and professional and technology services at 8.2%, so the economy is anchored by care, services and construction rather than one narrow employer base. Professionals number 1,951, ahead of community and personal services at 1,385 and trades at 1,372. Unemployment is 4.6% with 54.2% participation, while full-time employment is 52.8%. SEIFA places education and occupation at decile 5, economic resources at decile 3, and disadvantage and advantage/disadvantage at deciles 5 and 5. The lower resources result sits below the other deciles, consistent with a mixed renter and retiree economy.
Unemployment
4.6%
Labour Force
9,976
Unemployed
457
Source: ABS Census 2021
Socio-Economic Indexes (SEIFA)iABS index ranking suburbs from 1 (most disadvantaged) to 10 (most advantaged)
Full-time
52.8%
Part-time
36.4%
Participation
54.2%
Employed
9,519
Full-time and part-time are shares of the employed. Source: ABS Census 2021
Occupations
Top Industries
University
29.7%
Postgraduate
6.5%
Born Overseas
26.4%
Dwellings
8,797
Transport to Work
Daily life is car-oriented: 70.9% drive to work, compared with 1.5% using public transport and 6.8% walking or cycling. A further 16.1% work from home, which can reduce commuting pressure but increases the value of local services. Three schools provide a practical local spread, including 2 government schools covering primary and high school and 1 Catholic non-state school. Check enrolment zones against the exact address because boundaries can cut across the suburb. With an IRSAD decile of 5 and an area of 13.02 sq km, Maroochydore sits around the middle of the socioeconomic scale rather than the top or bottom. Check current street-level safety conditions before choosing a property, especially near busy activity areas.
Drive
70.9%
Public Transport
1.5%
Walk / Cycle
6.8%
Work from Home
16.1%
Population Forecast
+2.08%/yr
(+536 people/yr)
EstablishedMaroochydore's forecast trend is 2.08% annual growth, compared with a flat-growth suburb, with overseas migration identified as the primary driver. Population change across the wider area is 39.7% over 10 years, while the shift trajectory is Aging: the senior share has risen 4.8 percentage points and the young share has fallen 1.3 points. Gentrification signals are Advanced, with a score of 66. Rent growth of 36.7% and real income growth of 19.7% point to a changing cost base. Compared with a settled coastal market, this combination means demand is growing while the resident profile is becoming older.
Historical + Forecast
Hamilton-Perry + Holt smoothing on ERP 2001-2025
Age Cohort Forecast
Primary Driver
Overseas Migration
Net Overseas / yr
+336
Net Internal / yr
+266
Gentrification Signal
Advanced
Population +48% since 2011, Net internal migration +266/yr, Strong overseas inflow +336/yr, Accelerating: 15% → 29%
National Ranking iPercentile rank among ~15,000 AU suburbs. 90% = higher than 90% of suburbs
How Maroochydore compares to ~15,000 Australian suburbs
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Maroochydore a good suburb to live in?
Maroochydore can suit residents who value coastal services, mixed housing and an older demographic. The median age is 47, vacancy is 13.3% and 70.9% drive to work, so lifestyle appeal comes with car dependence and a mobile rental market. Check the exact street, parking and school zone before buying or renting.
What is the median house price in Maroochydore?
A current median house price is not stated. Compare recent settled sales by street, dwelling type and bedroom count, because 37.8% of homes are separate houses, 36.8% are apartments and 24.3% are semi-detached.
What schools are in Maroochydore?
Three schools are located in Maroochydore: Maroochydore State School, Maroochydore State High School and Stella Maris School. The mix is 2 government schools, including primary and high school, plus 1 Catholic non-state school. Check the enrolment zone for the exact address.
Is Maroochydore safe?
Safety should be checked at street level using current local crime information rather than assumed from the suburb name. Maroochydore covers 13.02 sq km, has 20,629 residents and a 47-year median age, so conditions can differ between busy coastal, retail and residential pockets.
Is Maroochydore good for property investment?
Maroochydore may suit investors seeking a substantial tenant base, but the 13.3% vacancy rate is a material risk. Renting is 42.9%, weekly rent is $410 and 93 development lodgements were recorded in 12 months. The 2.08% annual growth trend and overseas migration driver support demand, but underwriting should allow for competition.
How is Maroochydore's population changing?
Population change across the wider area is 39.7% over 10 years, with a 2.08% annual growth trend driven primarily by overseas migration. Maroochydore's own population is 20,629 today. The trajectory is Aging, with the senior share up 4.8 points and the young share down 1.3 points.
What development is happening in Maroochydore?
Development activity is material, with 93 lodgements in the past 12 months. That pipeline can add housing choice, but it may also increase competition for existing apartments and attached homes. The current mix already includes 36.8% apartments and 24.3% semi-detached dwellings, compared with 37.8% separate houses.
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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