Parkwood
Two in three homes in Parkwood have 4 or more bedrooms (66.8%), the highest large-home share among comparable Gold Coast suburbs, yet population growth is nearly flat at 0.19% per year. This stagnation exists because the suburb is fully built out at 90.7% detached housing with zero development applications in the past 12 months. Healthcare alone employs 23.3% of residents, reflecting proximity to Gold Coast University Hospital. The SEIFA IER decile of 7 and IRSAD of 6 place Parkwood solidly in the upper-middle range nationally.
Population
8,837
Median Age
37.0
Household IncomeiMedian weekly household income (ABS Census)
$2,064/wk
DAs (12 months)iDevelopment Applications lodged in the past year
0
Median House
$616K
Estimated from rent (2025)
The estimated $616,000 median provides large-lot detached housing (90.7%) with 66.8% of homes having 4+ bedrooms, more spacious than most Gold Coast suburbs at this price point. Mortgage stress at 21.2% is low, and mortgage-to-income has dropped from 75.9% in 2011 to 73.1% in 2021, though this remains higher than the national average. No schools sit within Parkwood's boundaries, so families rely on neighbouring suburbs. The 3.1% vacancy rate signals a tight rental market, and 72.8% of residents have been in place for at least a year.
For Buyers
The estimated $616,000 median provides large-lot detached housing (90.7%) with 66.8% of homes having 4+ bedrooms, more spacious than most Gold Coast suburbs at this price point. Mortgage stress at 21.2% is low, and mortgage-to-income has dropped from 75.9% in 2011 to 73.1% in 2021, though this remains higher than the national average. No schools sit within Parkwood's boundaries, so families rely on neighbouring suburbs. The 3.1% vacancy rate signals a tight rental market, and 72.8% of residents have been in place for at least a year.
For Investors
The 3.1% vacancy rate is below equilibrium, and 30.3% of residents rent, providing a solid tenant base. Weekly rent at $538 against a $616,000 estimated median delivers a gross yield around 4.5%, higher than many Gold Coast suburbs. However, population growth of just 0.19% annually (17 people per year) and zero development applications suggest a mature, stable market with limited upside catalysts. Net internal outflow of -116/year is partly offset by overseas migration of +138/year. Rent grew 28.1% over the decade.
Demographics
English ancestry leads at 3,393, followed by Irish (820) and Scottish (793). With 33.3% born overseas (12 points above the national average), Parkwood is more diverse than many Gold Coast suburbs. Mandarin (139 speakers) and Cantonese (44) reflect a Chinese community presence, alongside Japanese (37) and Arabic (29). University attainment at 34.1% is 4 points above the national benchmark. The median age of 37 is 3 years below the national figure, and the average household size of 3.0 (0.5 above national) reflects the family-oriented housing stock.
Age Distribution
Bedrooms
Dwelling Structure
90.7%
Houses
7.7%
Townhouse
1.6%
Apartment
Tenure
The tenure split is 27.9% outright, 41.8% mortgaged, and 30.3% renting. Three-bedroom homes (31.1%) and 4+ bedrooms (66.8%) dominate, with barely any 1-2 bedroom options (combined 2.1%). This makes Parkwood one of the most large-home-concentrated suburbs on the Gold Coast. The estimated $616,000 median keeps mortgage stress at 21.2% of income, well below the 30% threshold. Semi-detached homes (7.7%) provide a small alternative to detached houses. The 27.2% population turnover suggests moderate residential churn.
Mortgage / mo
$1,894
Rent / wk
$538
HH Size
3.0
Personal Income / wk
$736
Vacancy Ratei% of dwellings unoccupied on Census night (ABS 2021)
3.1%
Unoccupied
88
Rent / IncomeiMedian rent as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
26.1%
Mortgage / IncomeiMedian mortgage as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
21.2%
Community Profile
Languages Spoken at Home
Ancestry
Household Composition
24.6%
Couples, no children
6,964
Total families
Economy & Employment
Healthcare dominates at 23.3% of employment (683 people), driven by proximity to Gold Coast University Hospital, which is the largest employer in the region. Education (12.6%) and construction (10.4%) follow. Professionals (993) are the largest occupational group, though community/personal service workers (567) and sales (503) also rank highly, reflecting the service-oriented Gold Coast economy. Unemployment at 6.9% exceeds the national average. The SEIFA IEO decile of 6 and IRSAD of 6 place Parkwood in the upper half nationally.
Unemployment
4.2%
Labour Force
5,465
Unemployed
229
Quarterly Trend
Source: SALM Dec-25
Socio-Economic Indexes (SEIFA)iABS index ranking suburbs from 1 (most disadvantaged) to 10 (most advantaged)
Full-time
59.1%
Part-time
34.0%
Participation
57.8%
Employed
3,972
Occupations
Top Industries
University
34.1%
Postgraduate
9.2%
Born Overseas
33.3%
Dwellings
2,757
Transport to Work
No schools are located within Parkwood's boundaries, so families access schools in neighbouring Southport, Molendinar, or Arundel. Public transport usage is low at 1.6%, with 89.2% driving. The SEIFA IRSAD decile of 6 places Parkwood above the national midpoint, and the IER decile of 7 indicates above-average economic resources. The 12.9% volunteering rate is close to the national average, and the 5.8% needing assistance rate is slightly above the national benchmark. Proximity to Gold Coast University Hospital provides strong healthcare access.
Drive
89.2%
Public Transport
1.6%
Walk / Cycle
2.9%
Work from Home
N/A
Population Forecast
+0.19%/yr
(+17 people/yr)
EstablishedPopulation is essentially static, projected at approximately 9,214 by 2031 from 9,135 in 2025, growing just 0.19% annually. Net internal outflow of -116/year partly offsets overseas arrivals of +138/year. Growth over the past decade was only 4.8%. The gentrification score of 0 confirms no upgrading is occurring. With zero development applications and the aging trajectory showing seniors increasing by 6.3 points and the young share dropping by 3.9 points, Parkwood is maturing in place rather than transforming. Rent grew 28.1% over the decade.
Historical + Forecast
Hamilton-Perry + Holt smoothing on ERP 2001-2025
Age Cohort Forecast
Primary Driver
Overseas Migration
Net Overseas / yr
+138
Net Internal / yr
-116
Gentrification Signal
Not gentrifying
Net internal outflow -116/yr
National Ranking iPercentile rank among ~15,000 AU suburbs. 90% = higher than 90% of suburbs
How Parkwood compares to ~15,000 Australian suburbs
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Parkwood a good suburb to live in?
Parkwood ranks in the 6th SEIFA IRSAD decile, above the national midpoint. Mortgage stress is low at 21.2%, and 66.8% of homes have 4+ bedrooms. The main limitation is the lack of local schools and low public transport usage (1.6%). Proximity to Gold Coast University Hospital is a significant amenity.
What is the median house price in Parkwood?
The estimated median is $616,000 based on 2025 rental data. Mortgage repayments average $1,894/month, consuming 21.2% of household income. The suburb offers larger homes (66.8% with 4+ bedrooms) than many Gold Coast suburbs at a similar price point.
What schools are in Parkwood?
No schools are located within Parkwood's boundaries. Families access schools in neighbouring suburbs such as Southport and Molendinar. This is a consideration for homebuyers, given that 66.8% of homes are 4+ bedrooms, suggesting a family-oriented housing stock.
Is Parkwood safe?
No suburb-level crime data is available for Parkwood. The SEIFA IRSD decile of 6 is above the national midpoint for low disadvantage, and the 72.8% residential stability rate suggests a settled community. The 72.7% home ownership rate (outright plus mortgage) is also a positive indicator.
Is Parkwood good for property investment?
The 3.1% vacancy rate is below equilibrium, and weekly rent of $538 against a $616,000 estimated median gives a strong 4.5% gross yield. However, population growth of just 0.19% annually and zero development applications indicate a fully mature market with limited growth catalysts.
How is Parkwood's population changing?
Population is nearly flat at 0.19% annual growth (17 people per year). Net internal outflow of -116/year is barely offset by overseas arrivals of +138/year. The senior share grew by 6.3 points over the past decade while the young share dropped 3.9 points, indicating an aging-in-place trend.
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 Parkwood on the Map
View parcels, zoning overlays, DA applications, schools and more.
Open Interactive Map