Pelican Waters
A median age of 55 (15 years above the national figure) and 57.3% outright ownership make Pelican Waters the Sunshine Coast's most distinctly retiree-oriented suburb in this population bracket. Yet population grew 27.5% over the decade and continues at 1.9% annually (272 persons/year), driven by net internal migration of +236/year, meaning Australians from other regions are actively choosing to relocate here. The paradox is financial: household incomes sit at only the 50th percentile nationally, but 72.2% of homes have 4+ bedrooms, suggesting retired households living in homes sized for families they once raised.
Population
7,393
Median Age
55.0
Household IncomeiMedian weekly household income (ABS Census)
$1,552/wk
DAs (12 months)iDevelopment Applications lodged in the past year
10
Median House
$653K
Estimated from rent (2025)
At $653,000 estimated median, Pelican Waters prices reflect the canal and golf course amenity. Mortgage repayments of $2,200/month push mortgage-to-income to 32.7%, above the 30% stress threshold. However, only 29.8% hold mortgages, so the stress calculation applies to a minority. For incoming buyers, the 88.0% detached housing and 72.2% 4+ bedroom stock means large homes on large lots. Semi-detached at 6.4% and apartments at 5.5% provide limited downsizer alternatives. With outright owners at 57.3%, turnover depends on estate sales and downsizing triggers.
For Buyers
At $653,000 estimated median, Pelican Waters prices reflect the canal and golf course amenity. Mortgage repayments of $2,200/month push mortgage-to-income to 32.7%, above the 30% stress threshold. However, only 29.8% hold mortgages, so the stress calculation applies to a minority. For incoming buyers, the 88.0% detached housing and 72.2% 4+ bedroom stock means large homes on large lots. Semi-detached at 6.4% and apartments at 5.5% provide limited downsizer alternatives. With outright owners at 57.3%, turnover depends on estate sales and downsizing triggers.
For Investors
Only 12.9% of stock is rented, the thinnest tenant pool in this analysis. Weekly rent of $540 against $653,000 median implies a gross yield near 4.3%, respectable on paper. But 6.4% vacancy exceeds the balanced benchmark, and rent-to-income at 34.8% already crosses the stress line, limiting scope to raise rents. Internal migration of +236/year provides modest demand growth. 10 DAs in 12 months signal low supply addition. The aging-trajectory identity means the future tenant pool likely contracts as retirees age in place rather than rent.
Development Activity
Total DAs
30
Last 12 Months
10
YoY ChangeiYear-over-year change in DA lodgements
+42.9%
Avg DA CostiAverage estimated cost per DA in the past year
N/A
Monthly DA Lodgements
DA Categories
Schools in Pelican Waters iICSEA: school advantage index. 1000 = national avg, higher = more advantaged
Caloundra City Private School
Prep-12 · 228 students
Demographics
The 55-year median age sits 15 years above the national figure, the widest gap among Sunshine Coast suburbs in this population range. English ancestry dominates at 3,539 (48% of population), followed by Scottish (933), Irish (923), and German (466). Only 25.6% were born overseas, 4pp above the national average. Non-English languages are minimal: German (20 speakers), Afrikaans (17), Mandarin (11). Couples without children (44.6% of families) vastly outnumber couples with children, confirming the empty-nester profile. Participation at 42.7% ranks well below national norms.
Age Distribution
Bedrooms
Dwelling Structure
88.0%
Houses
6.4%
Townhouse
5.5%
Apartment
Tenure
Detached houses dominate at 88.0%, with small components of semi-detached (6.4%) and apartments (5.5%). The bedroom distribution is heavily top-weighted: 72.2% have 4+ bedrooms, 23.8% have 3, and under 4% are 2-bedroom or smaller. Outright ownership at 57.3% is nearly double the national average, while renters at 12.9% represent a thin market. Mortgage holders at 29.8% face stress at 32.7% of income, though this group is a minority. The SEIFA IRSAD decile of 6 suggests above-median but not affluent conditions.
Mortgage / mo
$2,200
Rent / wk
$540
HH Size
2.5
Personal Income / wk
$671
Vacancy Ratei% of dwellings unoccupied on Census night (ABS 2021)
6.4%
Unoccupied
189
Rent / IncomeiMedian rent as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
34.8% stressed
Mortgage / IncomeiMedian mortgage as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
32.7% stressed
Community Profile
Languages Spoken at Home
Ancestry
Household Composition
44.6%
Couples, no children
6,341
Total families
Economy & Employment
Healthcare leads at 20.3% (395 workers), followed by Construction (12.1%, 236), Education (10.7%, 209), Retail (8.7%, 169), and Professional/Tech (8.2%, 159). The healthcare concentration reflects both the aged local population and proximity to Caloundra medical facilities. Professionals lead occupations at 594, with Clerical/Admin at 459 and Managers at 448. Unemployment at 5.4% sits slightly above the national average. The low 42.7% participation rate is the defining economic metric, confirming mass retirement rather than weak employment conditions.
Unemployment
3.1%
Labour Force
6,085
Unemployed
186
Quarterly Trend
Source: SALM Dec-25
Socio-Economic Indexes (SEIFA)iABS index ranking suburbs from 1 (most disadvantaged) to 10 (most advantaged)
Full-time
57.5%
Part-time
37.1%
Participation
42.7%
Employed
2,569
Occupations
Top Industries
University
28.0%
Postgraduate
6.7%
Born Overseas
25.6%
Dwellings
2,778
Transport to Work
One school serves the suburb: Caloundra City Private School (Independent combined, ICSEA 1,095, 228 students), scoring well above the national benchmark. Public transport usage is negligible at 0.4%, the lowest in this analysis, with 90.5% driving. Walking/cycling at 2.4% is modest. Volunteering at 17.2% exceeds the national average, typical of retiree communities. The 6.1% needing-assistance rate (436 people) is above average and will likely increase given the aging trajectory and 55-year median age.
Drive
90.5%
Public Transport
0.4%
Walk / Cycle
2.4%
Work from Home
N/A
Population Forecast
+1.9%/yr
(+272 people/yr)
EstablishedPopulation is forecast to grow from 14,293 (2025) to 15,946 by 2031, at 1.9% annually (272 persons/year). Internal migration is the primary driver at +236/year net, supplemented by overseas migration of +128/year. Growth of 27.5% over the decade and 35% since 2011 indicates sustained attraction as a retirement destination. However, the aging trajectory is intensifying: senior share grew 7.2pp while working-age share fell 4.2pp over the decade. Gentrification score of 37 (early signs) reflects population growth rather than income uplift, as real income grew only 8.2%.
Historical + Forecast
Hamilton-Perry + Holt smoothing on ERP 2001-2025
Age Cohort Forecast
Primary Driver
Internal Migration
Net Overseas / yr
+128
Net Internal / yr
+236
Gentrification Signal
Early signs
Population +35% since 2011, Net internal migration +236/yr
National Ranking iPercentile rank among ~15,000 AU suburbs. 90% = higher than 90% of suburbs
How Pelican Waters compares to ~15,000 Australian suburbs
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Pelican Waters a good suburb to live in?
Pelican Waters suits retirees and empty-nesters, with 57.3% owning outright, 17.2% volunteering (above national average), and canal/golf amenity. However, 42.7% labour force participation is very low, public transport at 0.4% is effectively nonexistent, and mortgage stress at 32.7% exceeds the threshold for the 29.8% who carry loans.
What is the median house price in Pelican Waters?
The estimated median house price is $653,000 (2025 rent-derived), with monthly mortgage payments of $2,200. The stock is predominantly large: 72.2% of homes have 4+ bedrooms. Household incomes at the 50th percentile nationally create stress for new mortgage holders at 32.7% of income.
What schools are in Pelican Waters?
Pelican Waters has 1 school: Caloundra City Private School (Independent combined, ICSEA 1,095, 228 students), scoring 95 points above the national benchmark of 1,000. Families seeking government or secondary options would need to travel to Caloundra or Golden Beach.
Is Pelican Waters safe?
Suburb-level crime data is not available. The SEIFA IRSD decile of 6 indicates slightly above-median advantage, and the 57.3% outright ownership, 74.8% residential stability, and retiree demographics typically correlate with below-average crime rates in Sunshine Coast suburbs.
Is Pelican Waters good for property investment?
Gross yield of 4.3% ($540/week on $653,000) is respectable, but only 12.9% of stock is rented, creating a very thin tenant pool. Vacancy at 6.4% exceeds the balanced benchmark. Rent stress at 34.8% of income limits rent growth. Population growth of 1.9%/year adds some demand, but the aging profile narrows the renter pipeline.
How is Pelican Waters's population changing?
Population is forecast to reach 15,946 by 2031, growing at 1.9% annually. Internal migration adds 236 net people per year, the primary driver. The median age of 55 is 15 years above the national figure, and senior share grew 7.2pp over the decade, making this one of Queensland's fastest-aging growth suburbs.
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.
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