🔍

Coolangatta

QLD 4225 • Rest of QLD

6,491
Population (2021)
$69,212
Median Household Income
1.90 km²
Area
$405/wk
Median Rent
BeachsideCoastalTourist HubRetiree-HavenCafé Culture
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About Coolangatta

Coolangatta is a vibrant beachside suburb located at the very southern tip of the Gold Coast, straddling the Queensland–New South Wales border within the Gold Coast City Council area. With a population of 6,491 spread across just 1.9 square kilometres, it is one of Australia's most compact and iconic coastal communities. The suburb attracts a mix of retirees, long-term residents, and holidaymakers, with a median age of 50 and small average household sizes of 1.9 reflecting its couple and lifestyle-focused demographic.

Coolangatta is synonymous with surf culture — home to world-famous breaks at Snapper Rocks, Greenmount, and Rainbow Bay, it regularly hosts international surfing competitions including the WSL Quiksilver Pro. The compact town centre along Marine Parade offers cafes, restaurants, and local shopping, while the nearby Gold Coast Airport makes the suburb highly accessible for travellers and weekenders. Its easygoing coastal vibe, warm subtropical climate, and stunning beachfront position make Coolangatta one of the Gold Coast's most enduring and beloved destinations.

Coolangatta falls under postcode 4225 and is governed by the Gold Coast Council (Local Government Area). For federal elections, residents vote in the electorate of McPherson, while state elections fall under the Currumbin electorate.

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📈 Suburbs With the Fastest-Growing Incomes in Queensland

📍 Location

State
Queensland
Postcode
4225
Urban Area
Gold Coast
LGA / Council
Gold Coast
Federal Electorate
McPherson
State Electorate
Currumbin
Type
Major Urban
Timezone
Brisbane (UTC+10)
Coordinates
-28.17°, 153.54°
Statistical Area
Rest of QLD
Area
1.90 km²
Population Density
3,416 /km²
Elevation
9m

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💰 Income

ATO taxable income Postcode 4225

Median taxable income for individual taxpayers in postcode 4225, comparing the 2019–20 and 2023–24 financial years.

Median 2019–20
$41,278
Median 2023–24
$53,436
▲ 29.5% increase
Average taxable income (2023–24)
$73,766

Source: ATO Taxation Statistics 2023–24, Individuals Table 8 (median & average taxable income by postcode). Covers all individuals who lodged a return in postcode 4225; postcodes with fewer than 200 lodgments are suppressed by the ATO.

Census personal income 2016 vs 2021

Personal Income 2016
$32,344
Personal Income 2021
$40,820
▲ 26.2% increase

Personal Income Comparison (2016 vs 2021)

2021 Census income breakdown

Personal = median for one earner. Household = all members of a dwelling pooled. Family = related members only. Annual = weekly × 52.

Personal
$40,820 / yr
$785/wk
Household
$69,212 / yr
$1331/wk
Family
$92,924 / yr
$1787/wk
💰 Income: ABS Census 2021

🏠 Housing 2021 Census

Median Rent (weekly)
$405
Median Mortgage (monthly)
$1,805
Avg Household Size
1.9 people
Median Age
50 years

🚌 Transport & Commute

Nearest Train Stations

Varsity Lakes
8.5 km
N/A (bus required)
G:link Light Rail - Coolangatta stop
0.5 km
6 min

Bus Services

  • Route 700, TX3, 760 — Surfers Paradise / Gold Coast Airport / Tweed Heads 15-30 min

Commute to Brisbane CBD

Distance
100 km
By Train
G:link light rail to Broadbeach then bus to Robina/Varsity Lakes and train to Brisbane approx 120-140 min total
By Car (Peak)
85-110 min
By Car (Off-Peak)
70-85 min

🛣️ Gold Coast border suburb adjacent to Tweed Heads NSW; Gold Coast Airport is 2 km away; iconic surf beach destination

Walkability Very Walkable

Beach, cafes, restaurants, and shops walkable along the esplanade; excellent light rail and bus connections

🛒 Supermarkets Nearby

  • Woolworths
    72-80 Marine Parade Coolangatta 4225 QLD

🎓 Schools

👥 Demographics

Census 2016
5,948
Census 2021
6,491
▲ 9.1% growth

Population Growth

Gender Distribution (Census 2021)

📊 Population: ABS Census 2021

🎓 Educational Institution Attending 2021 Census

School Sector Breakdown

🚔 Crime Statistics LGA-wide

These are the latest rates for the Gold Coast Local Government Area, which contains Coolangatta. Rates are per 100,000 residents for calendar year 2025; trends compare 2 and 10 year periods.

Break & enter (dwelling)
550.5 / 100k
2yr Down 27.0% 10yr Down 27.2%
Motor vehicle theft
337.3 / 100k
2yr Down 18.9% 10yr Stable
Non-FV assault
838.1 / 100k
2yr Stable 10yr Up 59.3%
Robbery (unarmed)
19.8 / 100k
2yr Down 16.5% 10yr Down 19.2%
Steal from vehicle
578 / 100k
2yr Down 17.0% 10yr Down 31.5%
View all offence categories for Gold Coast →

Source: Queensland Police Service via data.qld.gov.au

🌍 Country of Birth 2021 Census

Born in Australia 4,666
Born Overseas 1,359

Top Countries of Birth (excl. Australia)

  • 1. New Zealand 279
  • 2. England 255
  • 3. Brazil 161
  • 4. Philippines 43
  • 5. United States 42
  • 6. South Africa 37
  • 7. Canada 35
  • 8. Scotland 28
  • 9. France 27
  • 10. Italy 27

🧬 Ancestry 2021 Census

Top ancestries reported (people may report up to two)

English 2,743
Australian 2,065
Irish 921
Scottish 795
German 297
Italian 252
Australian Aboriginal 144
Dutch 81
Spanish 78
French 76

👨‍👩‍👧 Parents' Birthplace

3,652
Both parents born in Australia
1,546
Both parents born overseas
788
One parent AU, one overseas

🛐 Religion 2021 Census

Christianity
44.8%
No Religion
44.0%
Buddhism
1.4%
Hinduism
0.4%
Islam
0.3%
Judaism
0.2%

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📊 Age Distribution 2021 Census

0-4 years
219 (3.4%)
5-14 years
319 (4.9%)
15-19 years
188 (2.9%)
20-24 years
380 (5.9%)
25-34 years
1,113 (17.1%)
35-44 years
699 (10.8%)
45-54 years
733 (11.3%)
55-64 years
1,040 (16.0%)
65-74 years
1,045 (16.1%)
75-84 years
491 (7.6%)
85+ years
274 (4.2%)

Nearby Suburbs

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Coolangatta known for? +

Coolangatta is famous for its world-class surf breaks including Snapper Rocks (host of the annual Quiksilver Pro Gold Coast surfing competition), its twin-town connection with Tweed Heads NSW, and the Gold Coast Airport. The beach town has an iconic Australian surf culture character.

How far is Coolangatta from Brisbane CBD? +

Coolangatta is approximately 100 kilometres south of Brisbane CBD, with a drive time of around 90-110 minutes via the M1 Pacific Motorway.

Does Coolangatta have public transport? +

Coolangatta is served by the Gold Coast Light Rail (G:link) with a tram stop at Coolangatta, and the Gold Coast Airport provides interstate air connections. Bus routes connect to Tweed Heads and the broader Gold Coast.

What is the population of Coolangatta? +

According to the 2021 Census, Coolangatta has a population of approximately 6,491 residents within the Gold Coast City Council local government area.

Is Coolangatta a good place to live? +

Coolangatta offers iconic Australian surf culture living at the QLD-NSW border, with world-famous breaks, a relaxed beach town atmosphere, and the practical benefit of the Gold Coast Airport. It suits surfers, beach lovers, and those wanting a classic Gold Coast coastal lifestyle.

What is the postcode for Coolangatta? +

The postcode for Coolangatta is 4225.

What is the average income in Coolangatta? +

Based on the 2021 Census, the median personal income in Coolangatta is about $785 per week (around $40,800 per year). The median household income is $1,331 per week and the median family income is $1,787 per week.

What is the age profile of Coolangatta? +

The median age in Coolangatta is 50. The largest age group is 25–34 (1,113 residents, around 17%). Around 11% of residents are under 20 and about 28% are aged 65 or older. (2021 Census)

Is Coolangatta a safe area? +

Crime statistics are recorded at the Local Government Area level. Coolangatta is part of the Gold Coast LGA — see the Crime Statistics section on this page for the latest recorded offence rates per 100,000 residents, along with 2-year and 10-year trends.

How much is rent in Coolangatta? +

In Coolangatta, the median weekly rent is $405, and the median monthly mortgage repayment is $1,805 (2021 Census).