Pacific Paradise
With a median age of 46, Pacific Paradise runs 6 years older than the national figure, and that gap explains much of what the data shows. Household income sits at the 34.1st percentile nationally, meaningfully below average, yet mortgage stress is absent: mortgage-to-income at 27.6% and rent-to-income at 29.9% both sit below the 30% stress threshold. The suburb covers just 2.65 square kilometres with a population of 2,675, giving a density of 1,011 residents per square kilometre. Separate houses dominate at 74.7% of stock. The workforce skews toward healthcare (20.3%) and construction (14.1%), and 88.8% of residents drive to work, higher than the national average.
Population
2,675
Median Age
46.0
Household IncomeiMedian weekly household income (ABS Census)
$1,340/wk
DAs (12 months)iDevelopment Applications lodged in the past year
6
Median House
$480K
Estimated from rent (2025)
The estimated median house price is $480,000, below the Queensland coastal average for Sunshine Coast-adjacent areas, partly because incomes sit in the 34.1st percentile nationally and the buyer pool is constrained. Monthly mortgage repayments average $1,600, giving a mortgage-to-income ratio of 27.6%, which stays comfortably below the 30% stress threshold. Three-bedroom homes are the dominant stock at 50.8% of dwellings, followed by two-bedroom at 29.4% and four-plus at 18.5%. Separate houses make up 74.7% of all dwellings, with semi-detached at 17.4% and apartments at just 7.9%. Outright owners (35.6%) and mortgage holders (37.3%) are roughly balanced, suggesting a mix of long-settled residents and active buyers rather than a purely rental or equity-rich market.
For Buyers
The estimated median house price is $480,000, below the Queensland coastal average for Sunshine Coast-adjacent areas, partly because incomes sit in the 34.1st percentile nationally and the buyer pool is constrained. Monthly mortgage repayments average $1,600, giving a mortgage-to-income ratio of 27.6%, which stays comfortably below the 30% stress threshold. Three-bedroom homes are the dominant stock at 50.8% of dwellings, followed by two-bedroom at 29.4% and four-plus at 18.5%. Separate houses make up 74.7% of all dwellings, with semi-detached at 17.4% and apartments at just 7.9%. Outright owners (35.6%) and mortgage holders (37.3%) are roughly balanced, suggesting a mix of long-settled residents and active buyers rather than a purely rental or equity-rich market.
For Investors
Renters account for 27.1% of households, and weekly rent sits at $400. Against a $480,000 median price, that rent implies a gross yield near 4.3%, higher than most coastal suburbs closer to Brisbane. However, the vacancy rate of 4.5% is elevated compared to the national norm, signalling softer rental demand than the yield figure alone suggests. Development activity is thin: only 4 applications lodged in the past 12 months, all small-scale, indicating little new supply pressure but also little development-driven upside. The employment participation rate is just 47.4%, lower than state and national averages, because the aging resident base includes a large proportion not in the labour force (934 people). Investors should weigh the reasonable yield against the vacancy rate and the limited population growth signal.
Development Activity
Total DAs
9
Last 12 Months
6
YoY ChangeiYear-over-year change in DA lodgements
+200.0%
Avg DA CostiAverage estimated cost per DA in the past year
N/A
Monthly DA Lodgements
DA Categories
Schools in Pacific Paradise iICSEA: school advantage index. 1000 = national avg, higher = more advantaged
Pacific Paradise State School
Prep-6 · 467 students
Demographics
The median age of 46 sits 6 years above the national figure, making this one of the older resident profiles on the Sunshine Coast. Overseas-born residents make up 19.7% of the population, 1.9 points below the national average, consistent with the predominantly Anglo-Celtic ancestry mix: English (1,220), Scottish (344) and Irish (307) are the top ancestries. Average household size is 2.3, slightly below the national figure, and the household composition reflects the older profile, with 36.3% of families being couples without children. University qualifications reach 20.0%, which is 10.1 points below the national figure, and the workforce leans toward community, clerical and trade roles rather than professional or managerial occupations.
Age Distribution
Bedrooms
Dwelling Structure
74.7%
Houses
17.4%
Townhouse
7.9%
Apartment
Tenure
Separate houses account for 74.7% of dwellings, well above the national share, and apartments sit at just 7.9%, limiting the high-density rental stock that creates vacancy problems elsewhere. Three-bedroom homes are the most common at 50.8%, with two-bedroom at 29.4% giving buyers strong mid-range options. Tenure is relatively balanced: 35.6% own outright, 37.3% hold a mortgage and 27.1% rent. The outright ownership share is meaningful for a suburb at the 34.1st income percentile nationally, suggesting many residents purchased before recent price growth. Monthly mortgage repayments of $1,600 and a mortgage-to-income ratio of 27.6% indicate the market remains accessible relative to local incomes, even if the income base itself is below average.
Mortgage / mo
$1,600
Rent / wk
$400
HH Size
2.3
Personal Income / wk
$654
Vacancy Ratei% of dwellings unoccupied on Census night (ABS 2021)
4.5%
Unoccupied
49
Rent / IncomeiMedian rent as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
29.9%
Mortgage / IncomeiMedian mortgage as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
27.6%
Community Profile
Ancestry
Household Composition
36.3%
Couples, no children
1,969
Total families
Economy & Employment
Healthcare is the largest industry at 20.3% of employed residents (153 workers), consistent with the older age profile creating local demand for health services. Construction follows at 14.1% (106 workers), which aligns with ongoing residential development in the broader Sunshine Coast corridor. Education accounts for 11.2% and manufacturing 7.3%, while hospitality employs 6.8%. By occupation, community and personal service workers (173) narrowly edge out clerical and admin (172), with professionals third at 156. The unemployment rate is 5.7%, higher than the national average, and the participation rate of 47.4% is lower than state norms because 934 residents are not in the labour force, driven by the suburb's older demographic profile.
Socio-Economic Indexes (SEIFA)iABS index ranking suburbs from 1 (most disadvantaged) to 10 (most advantaged)
Full-time
59.3%
Part-time
35.0%
Participation
47.4%
Employed
1,019
Occupations
Top Industries
University
20.0%
Postgraduate
2.3%
Born Overseas
19.7%
Dwellings
1,036
Transport to Work
Car dependency is high at 88.8% of residents driving to work, higher than the national average, and public transport use sits at just 1.8%, reflecting the suburban road network of the Sunshine Coast region. Walking and cycling account for 3.7% of commutes. No schools are recorded within the suburb boundary, so families depend on institutions in nearby Coolum Beach, Marcoola and Mudjimba. Volunteering runs at 13.7% and 9.5% of residents need daily assistance (239 people), a share that is elevated relative to younger-median suburbs because of the older age profile. Rent-to-income at 29.9% and mortgage-to-income at 27.6% both sit just below the 30% stress threshold, meaning housing costs are manageable but leave limited buffer for most households.
Drive
88.8%
Public Transport
1.8%
Walk / Cycle
3.7%
Work from Home
N/A
National Ranking iPercentile rank among ~15,000 AU suburbs. 90% = higher than 90% of suburbs
How Pacific Paradise compares to ~15,000 Australian suburbs
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Pacific Paradise a good suburb to live in?
Pacific Paradise suits residents who prefer a quieter, car-dependent coastal suburb with a predominantly older community. The median age is 46, which is 6 years above the national figure. Housing costs are manageable, with mortgage-to-income at 27.6% and rent-to-income at 29.9%, both below the 30% stress threshold. However, public transport is minimal at 1.8% usage, and there are no recorded schools within the suburb boundary.
What is the median house price in Pacific Paradise?
The estimated median house price in Pacific Paradise is $480,000, based on 2025 rent data. Monthly mortgage repayments average $1,600, giving a mortgage-to-income ratio of 27.6%, which is below the 30% stress threshold. Weekly rent averages $400, implying a gross yield near 4.3% against the median price.
What schools are in Pacific Paradise?
No schools are recorded within the Pacific Paradise suburb boundary in this dataset. Families rely on schools in neighbouring suburbs such as Coolum Beach and Marcoola. The suburb's university qualification rate is 20.0%, which is 10.1 points below the national average, reflecting the older, trade and service-oriented workforce profile.
Is Pacific Paradise safe?
Detailed crime statistics are not available for Pacific Paradise in this dataset. As an indirect indicator, the suburb has a volunteering rate of 13.7% and a resident mobility rate where 71.6% of people stayed in place over the census period, suggesting a degree of community stability. The housing stress measures are low, with mortgage-to-income at 27.6% and rent-to-income at 29.9%.
Is Pacific Paradise good for property investment?
The estimated gross rental yield of approximately 4.3% (weekly rent $400 against median price $480,000) is reasonable for a coastal suburb. However, the vacancy rate of 4.5% is above average, indicating softer rental demand. Only 4 development applications were lodged in the past 12 months, so new supply is not a short-term pressure. Investors should weigh the yield against the elevated vacancy and the low employment participation rate of 47.4%.
How is Pacific Paradise's population changing?
Pacific Paradise has a population of 2,675 across 2.65 square kilometres. The resident base skews older, with a median age of 46 compared to 40 nationally. The turnover rate is 28.4%, meaning 71.6% of residents stayed in place over the census period. Development activity is minimal at 4 applications in the past 12 months, suggesting slow organic growth rather than rapid expansion.
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 Pacific Paradise on the Map
View parcels, zoning overlays, DA applications, schools and more.
Open Interactive Map