Median house price
—
No data available
QLD · Gold Coast Council
Main Beach, 4217
Est. population · Jun 2025
4,333
Growth (1 yr)
+4.8%
Growth (5 yr)
+9.3%
Median age
57
Median income
$1,682/wk
Employment rate
49.1%
Languages at home
10%non-English
Most common: Japanese, French, Portuguese
2021 Census · usual residence
Desirability score
- Coastal
- Green suburb
- National parks
- Excellent transport
- Café precinct
Suburb profile
Life in Main Beach revolves around the coast, with the feel of a mid-sized suburb that never strays far from the water. An older demographic makes it especially popular with retirees, with a healthy mix of renters and owner-occupiers. Many residents were born overseas or speak a language other than English at home.
Food and coffee punch above the usual for coastal suburbs, giving the suburb a lived-in social scene. Parks and open space are a real strength relative to many coastal suburbs, easy for walks, sport and weekend downtime. Reasonably walkable — many errands reachable on foot or by bus, with buses and ferries linking the suburb to surrounding areas.
Housing is expensive relative to much of the state. This is a mature, settled pocket where the existing streetscape still defines the local character.
The desirability picture is around average, weighed down by softer safety relative to similar coastal suburbs. Limited access to some essential local services also trimmed the result.
At a glance
Main Beach snapshot
A quick read of housing, growth, livability, and risk
Median rent
$1,000/wk
Population (ERP)
4,333
+4.8% annual growth
Dwelling vacancy
33.7%
Census unoccupied dwellings
Livability profile
Desirability pillars vs the peer median (50th percentile)
How it compares
Relative standing using percentiles, ranks, and national deciles
Desirability
#35
among Coastal & beach · Mature
Safety
91st
percentile in state (higher = safer)
Pop. growth
95th
percentile in QLD
Advantage (IRSAD)
9/10
national SEIFA decile
School ICSEA
43rd
percentile among schools with ICSEA
Population growth
Recent ERP change over 1 and 5 years
Housing mix
Dwelling types from the 2021 Census
Risks & flags
Quick scan — open a section below for full context
Living here
Desirability
Ranks & confidence
- Desirability score
- 42.2/100 — Average
- State standing
- Top 48% of Queensland's suburbs
- National rank
- 3386th in Australia
- State rank
- 730th in QLD
- Peer rank
- #35 among Coastal & beach · Mature suburbs
- Cohort rank
- #81 among Coastal & beach suburbs
- Data confidence
- 78%
Data sources & freshness
- Suburb Guide desirability index — Suburb Guide (derived) · current · Updated
Housing
- All types (Mar 2026)
- $1,000
Median weekly rent from Queensland RTA rental bond data. Figures can be unreliable where few bonds were lodged in the quarter.
Contributes to desirability score · Housing (15%) · Future Growth (7%)
Median price, rental yield and vacancy Recent price momentum
Data sources & freshness
- RTA bond statistics — Residential Tenancies Authority (Queensland) · Mar 2026 · Updated · Quarterly releases
Population
Estimated resident population
4,333(June 2025)
+4.8% annual · +9.3% over 5 years · 95th percentile in QLD
Growth figures & methodology
- Annual growth
- +4.8%
- 5-year growth
- +9.3%
- Change in 1 year
- +198
- Change in 5 years
- +369
- Growth rank in QLD
- 95th percentile
ABS Estimated Resident Population allocated to this suburb from SA2-level data. Not an official ABS suburb count.
Methodology
Figures are allocated from ABS Estimated Resident Population at Statistical Area Level 2 (SA2), using 2021 Census share within overlapping SA2 regions. Where Census data is unavailable, area overlap is used instead.
The dashed chart line is a simple growth-trend estimate to June 2030 (~4,600), extrapolated at +1.2% average annual growth since 2011. It is illustrative only — not an official ABS forecast.
2021 Census figures
2021 Census
- Population
- 3,998
- Median age
- 57
- Median household income / week
- $1,682
- Dwelling vacancy
- 33.7%
- Unoccupied private dwellings
- 924 of 2,740
- Median monthly mortgage
- $2,091
- Employment rate
- 49.1%
- Dwelling mix (houses / semi / flats)
- 62 / 88 / 1,624 (+ 29 other)
Contributes to desirability score · Community (5%)
Employment, household income and age diversity (2021 Census)
Data sources & freshness
- 2021 Census — General Community Profile — Australian Bureau of Statistics · Updated
The 2026 Census runs in August 2026; suburb-level updates are expected from mid-2027.
- Estimated Resident Population — Australian Bureau of Statistics · 2025 · Updated · SA2 ERP allocated to suburb boundaries
Community & culture
No 2021 Census cultural diversity data for this suburb yet.
Data sources & freshness
- 2021 Census — General Community Profile — Australian Bureau of Statistics · Updated
The 2026 Census runs in August 2026; suburb-level updates are expected from mid-2027.
Crime & safety
Reported offences are running lower than the same point last year.
Offence counts & rates
- Total offences (Jan 2026 to Aug 2026)
- 425
- Against the person
- 112
- Against property
- 166
- Rate per 1,000 residents
- 98.1
- Person-crime prevalence
- About 1 in 36 residents
- State safety percentile
- 90.6th (lower crime is better)
- Increase (daily rate, partial year)
- +2.6%
Most common offence types
- Assault375
- Drug Offences1076
- Good Order Offences896
- Other Theft (Excl. Unlawful Entry)1085
- Traffic And Related Offences315
Contributes to desirability score · Safety (18%)
Crime rate and year-on-year trend
Data sources & freshness
- QPS Online Crime Map — Queensland Police Service · Jan 2025 to Dec 2025 → Jan 2026 to Aug 2026; Jan 2026 to Aug 2026 · Updated · Calendar-year aggregates
Family & Lifestyle
Schools & preschools
- Schools within 2 km
- 1
- Median school ICSEA
- 993
- Median ICSEA percentile
- 43th
School list
- Men of Business AcademySpecial · Independent · ICSEA 993 · 43th percentile · LBOTE 5% · 238 students · Top SEA quarter 8% · 1.5 km awayView on My School →
Contributes to desirability score · Education (15%)
School and preschool counts, median school ICSEA
Data sources & freshness
- ACARA school locations — Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority · 2025 · Updated · Annual release
- School ICSEA scores — Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority · 2025 · Updated · Annual release
Public transport
20 public transport stops in this suburb
- Main Beach Pde at Breaker Street
- Main Beach Pde at Main Beach Tourist Park
- Main Beach Pde at Main Beach Tourist Park
- Main Beach Pde at Woodroffe Avenue
- Sea World
Contributes to desirability score · Accessibility (15%)
Public transport stop coverage
Data sources & freshness
- GTFS public transport stops — State transport authority open-data feeds · current · Updated
Amenities
205 nearby amenities within ~1.5 km
19 restaurants · 3 cafes · 2 bars · 1 fast food · 1 food courts · 4 playgrounds · 1 sports centres · 29 swimming pools
Local character & venue list
Local character
- Reasonably walkable — many errands reachable on foot or by bus
- Good local dining options — 26 food & drink venues nearby
- Great for outdoor family life — 15 parks mapped in suburb, 4 playgrounds nearby
- Well connected by public transport — 20 public transport stops
- Strong local sport and recreation — 36 sport and outdoor facilities nearby
- Walkability proxy
- 60/100
- Cafés per 1,000 residents
- 0.75
- Food & drink per 1,000 residents
- 6.5
- Parks per 1,000 residents
- 3.75
Food & drink(26)
- Oasis Pool BarBar
71 Sea World Drive
- Pearls BarBar
71 Sea World Drive
- Jack’s Coffee RoastersCafe
- Other People's MoneyCafe
- Waterfall CafeCafe
- Mariners Cove Fish & ChipsFast food
- Plaza Food CourtFood court
- Ace Wasabi's Sushi PlaceRestaurant
- Dockside TavernRestaurant
- Fisherman's Wharf TavernRestaurant
- Glass Dining & Lounge BarRestaurant
74 Sea World Drive
- Gods of the SeaRestaurant
- Hatsuhana Japanese RestaurantRestaurant
- Hog's Breath CafeRestaurant
- La Luna DiningRestaurant
- Ladybird Restaurant & BarRestaurant
- Le JardinRestaurant
- Lobby Lounge High TeaRestaurant
- Omeros Brothers Seafood RestaurantRestaurant
74 Sea World Drive, Main Beach
- Omeros Brothers Seafood RestaurantRestaurant
Unit 55 74 Sea World Drive
- Restaurant
- Shoreline RestaurantRestaurant
- Sunset Waterfront GrillRestaurant
- Terraces RestaurantRestaurant
71 Sea World Drive
- The DeckRestaurant
71 Sea World Drive
- The Melrose RestaurantRestaurant
Health & services(1)
- Veterinary Quarantine CentreVeterinary
Sport & outdoors(38)
- Milon 24/7 GymGym
Unit 110 74 Sea World Drive, Main Beach
- Muriel Henchman ParkPark
- Philip ParkPark
- Playground (4)
- Sports centre
- Sports field
- Oasis PoolSwimming pool
- Swimming pool (26)
- Villa PoolSwimming pool
- Village Roadshow Theme ParksSwimming pool
Entertainment(4)
- Sea World TheatreCinema
- Nickelodeon StageTheatre
- Seal TheatreTheatre
- Theatre
Transport(6)
3 bus stops · 3 ferry terminals
Other(50)
- Fishermans Local Liquor Bottle ShopAlcohol
- Games RoomAmusement Arcade
- Artwork
- Dora's Fiesta CarouselAttraction
- Jet RescueAttraction
- LeviathanAttraction
- Nickelodeon LandAttraction
- Pirates PhotoAttraction
- Skydive Surfers ParadiseAttraction
- Bbq
- Relaxation CorporationBeauty salon
- Bleachers
- Drinking fountainDrinking water
- Fitness Station
- Fountain (3)
- Garden (34)
- Sheraton Grand Mirage ResortHotel
71 Sea World Drive
- Davy Jones LockerLocker
- LockersLocker
- Imperial Hotel Gold Coast MarinaMarina
- Marina MirageMarina
- Marine Rescue SouthportMarina
Muriel Henchman Drive
- Mariner's Cove MarinaMarina
- Outdoor Seating (2)
- GCCCParking
- Parking (15)
- Sea World (overflow parking)Parking
- Sea World (parking)Parking
- Village Roadshow Theme ParksParking
- Parking Entrance (3)
- Parking Space (2)
- Mariner's CovePetrol station
- Picnic Table
- Public toilets
- Village Roadshow Theme ParksPublic toilets
- Peter's Fish MarketSeafood
120 Sea World Drive, Main Beach
- Shelter (25)
- Shower (2)
- Slipway
- Stadium (3)
- MainStation
- MidStation
- Sea World ResortStation
- Sea WorldTheme Park
Sea World Drive
- Waste Basket
- Waste Disposal
- Castaway BayWater Park
- The ReefWater Park
- Heli Scenic FlightsYes
- Nickelodeon StoreYes
Names and addresses from OpenStreetMap. Unnamed venues show as their type (e.g. Cafe). Transport stops are summarised by type rather than listed individually.
Contributes to desirability score · Lifestyle (15%)
Food, shopping, recreation and sport (OpenStreetMap)
Data sources & freshness
- Local amenity insights — Suburb Guide (derived) · current · Updated
- OpenStreetMap amenities — OpenStreetMap contributors · current · Updated
Parks & reserves
28 parks and public open space in this suburb
- Cable ParkPark
- Helen ParkPark
- Hindle ReservePark
- Hollindale ParkPark
- Jack Gordon ParkPark
- Main Beach PlacePark
- Muriel Henchman ParkPark
- Narrow Neck ReservePark
- Naval Reserve Memorial ParkPark
- Park or reserveNature reserve
Data sources & freshness
- Parks & reserves — State government + ABS LGA boundaries · current · Updated
Green cover
- Parks & woodland (OSM)
- 15
- Parks (OSM)
- 15
OpenStreetMap parks and natural woodland features mapped within the suburb boundary.
Contributes to desirability score · Environment (10%)
Parks and green cover (OpenStreetMap)
Data sources & freshness
- OpenStreetMap green cover — OpenStreetMap contributors · current · Updated
Health access
- Hospitals & GP clinics in suburb
- 1
- Nearest hospital
- Emergency (4.3 km)
- Nearest hospital type
- Hospital
- Nearest hospital emergency
- Emergency department
- Emergency department in suburb
- Not in suburb
- Main Beach PharmacyPharmacy
Contributes to desirability score · Accessibility (15%)
Hospitals and GP clinics
Data sources & freshness
- Hospitals & clinics — OpenStreetMap + state health datasets · current · Updated
NDIS participation
- NDIS participants (31 March 2026)
- 35
- Participants per 1,000 residents
- 8.1
Active NDIS participants allocated from NDIA Statistical Area Level 2 (SA2, ASGS 2016) counts to this suburb boundary. Not an official suburb-level NDIS figure · as at 31 March 2026.
For NDIS spend and service-demand exploration by SA2 or postcode, see the Care Sector Demand Map.
Data sources & freshness
- NDIS participants by SA2 — National Disability Insurance Agency · 2026-Q1 · Updated · Quarterly SA2 counts allocated to suburb boundaries
Weather
Typical conditions by season for suburbs in the same ~44 km climate area. Rainfall totals are summed from monthly WorldClim layers; rainy-day counts are approximate.
Summer (Dec–Feb)
- Usual max / min
- 29° / 20°
- Rainfall
- 628 mm · ~78 rainy days
Autumn (Mar–May)
- Usual max / min
- 26° / 17°
- Rainfall
- 552 mm · ~69 rainy days
Winter (Jun–Aug)
- Usual max / min
- 21° / 10°
- Rainfall
- 240 mm · ~30 rainy days
Spring (Sep–Nov)
- Usual max / min
- 25° / 15°
- Rainfall
- 282 mm · ~35 rainy days
Contributes to desirability score · Lifestyle (15%)
Temperature and humidity comfort
Data sources & freshness
- Seasonal climate normals — WorldClim 2.1 · Updated
Future & Planning
Heritage
2 heritage places
- Main Beach Pavilion and Southport Surf Lifesaving ClubState heritage place
- Southport Cable Hut (former)State heritage place
Data sources & freshness
- State heritage register — State heritage authority · current · Updated
Hazards
- Bushfire planning zone
- No overlay at centroid
Bushfire overlay checked at suburb centroid via Queensland Bushfire Prone Area mapping.
Contributes to desirability score · Safety (18%)
Bushfire hazard overlays
Data sources & freshness
- Hazard planning overlays — State government hazard layers · current · Updated
Politics & representation
- Federal electorate
- Moncrieff
- Member of Parliament
- Angie BELL (Liberal National Party of Queensland)
- Results from
- 2025 federal election
- Electorate enrolment (2025)
- 125,713
- Turnout (2025)
- 85.7%
- Swing since 2022 (2025)
- +2.4 pp toward Labor
Two-party preferred (2025)
Coalition 58.8%Labor 41.2%
Estimated suburb voting profile
Estimated from 8 nearby ordinary polling places (up to 4.8 km away).
Coalition 58.8%Labor 41.2%
Similar Labor lean to the electorate
Estimated swing since 2022: -0.9 pp toward Coalition
Nearest polling places
- Main BeachLabor 28.1% · Coalition 71.9% TPP (2025)1.7 km away
- SouthportLabor 52.0% · Coalition 48.0% TPP (2025)1.9 km away
- Special Hospital Team 4Labor 26.3% · Coalition 73.7% TPP (2025)2.4 km away
- Southport North (Moncrieff)Labor 56.9% · Coalition 43.1% TPP (2025)2.5 km away
- Southport CentralLabor 49.2% · Coalition 50.8% TPP (2025)2.9 km away
Federal electorate from AEC federal division boundaries (2025 redistribution). Division-level results are official AEC figures from the latest general election, with by-election updates where applicable. The estimated suburb profile blends up to eight nearest ordinary polling booths in the same electorate using inverse-distance weighting from the suburb centroid — an approximation, not official AEC data. Nearest polling places are shown for reference.
Data sources & freshness
- Federal election results — Australian Electoral Commission · Updated · 2025 election with by-election overlays
Socio-economic
- IRSAD decile (2021)
- 9/10
- IRSD decile (2021)
- 8/10
ABS Socio-Economic Indexes for Areas (SEIFA), 2021 release — the latest available, derived from the 2021 Census. Deciles rank suburbs nationally from 1 (lowest) to 10 (highest).
What do IRSAD and IRSD measure?
IRSAD — Index of Relative Socio-economic Advantage and Disadvantage. Combines indicators of advantage (e.g. high income, skilled occupations) and disadvantage. Higher decile = more advantaged relative to other Australian areas.
IRSD — Index of Relative Socio-economic Disadvantage. Focuses on disadvantage only (e.g. low income, unemployment, limited education). Higher decile = less disadvantage nationally.
A new SEIFA edition typically follows each census; the ABS has not announced a release date beyond 2021.
Contributes to desirability score · Community (5%)
Socio-economic advantage (IRSAD decile)
Data sources & freshness
- SEIFA 2021 (IRSAD / IRSD) — Australian Bureau of Statistics · Updated
Compare with
Similar suburbs to weigh up side by side — scores, safety, schools, and lifestyle.
More in Gold Coast Council
Other suburbs in the same local government area.
Comparable suburbs
Similar population and socio-economic profile in other parts of Queensland.