Cooroy

QLD 4563 • Rest of QLD

4,801
Population (2021)
$67,028
Median Household Income
27.46 km²
Area
$430/wk
Median Rent
HinterlandVillage FeelRetiree-HavenSemi-RuralPeaceful

About Cooroy

Cooroy is a hinterland township in the Noosa Shire of South East Queensland, nestled in the Sunshine Coast hinterland approximately 25 kilometres west of Noosa Heads and 130 kilometres north of Brisbane. With a population of 4,801, it is one of the larger settlements in the Noosa hinterland, spread across 27 square kilometres of gently undulating countryside at an elevation of around 119 metres. The community skews noticeably older, with a median age of 50, reflecting its appeal to retirees, tree-changers, and long-term residents drawn to its quiet rural character.

Cooroy serves as the main service centre for the surrounding hinterland, with a main street offering cafes, specialty shops, and a weekly produce market that captures the area's creative and alternative lifestyle spirit. The suburb is home to the Cooroy Butter Factory Arts Centre, a community cultural hub hosting visual arts exhibitions and events. Families are served by local primary and secondary schools, and Cooroy's relatively affordable housing compared to the Noosa coastline makes it attractive to those seeking a relaxed pace of life with easy access to the beaches and Noosa's amenities.

Cooroy falls under postcode 4563 and is governed by Noosa Council (LGA). For state elections, residents vote in the Nicklin electorate.

📍 Location

State
Postcode
4563
Urban Area
Noosa
LGA / Council
Federal Electorate
State Electorate
Type
Urban
Timezone
Brisbane (UTC+10)
Coordinates
-26.42°, 152.90°
Statistical Area
Rest of QLD
Area
27.46 km²
Elevation
119m

🏠 Housing 2021 Census

Median Rent (weekly)
$430
Median Mortgage (monthly)
$1,733
Avg Household Size
2.4 people
Median Age
50 years
Social Housing (% of dwellings)
2.3%

43 state housing + 0 community housing dwellings (ABS 2021 Census)

🚌 Transport & Commute

Nearest Train Stations

Cooroy
0.6 km
7 min

Bus Services

  • Sunbus Route 631 — Noosa Heads / Tewantin 20-30 min

Commute to Brisbane CBD

Distance
130 km
By Train
Cooroy to Brisbane Roma Street approx 100-115 min on Sunshine Coast Line
By Car (Peak)
100-120 min
By Car (Off-Peak)
90-105 min

🛣️ Noosa hinterland town at the foot of the Cooroy Mountain; Bruce Highway provides road access south; gateway to the Noosa hinterland and Great Sandy National Park

Walkability Somewhat Walkable

Town centre and rail station area walkable; car needed for Noosa visits and broader Noosa Shire exploration

🛒 Supermarkets Nearby

No major supermarkets listed for this suburb.

🎓 Schools

🚔 Crime Statistics LGA-wide

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

Break & enter (dwelling)
212.7 / 100k
Motor vehicle theft
144.5 / 100k
Non-FV assault
360.5 / 100k
Robbery (unarmed)
6.6 / 100k
Steal from vehicle
262.5 / 100k

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

🎓 Educational Institution Attending 2021 Census

School Sector Breakdown

👥 Demographics

Census 2016
3,791
Census 2021
4,801
26.6% growth

Population Growth

Gender Distribution (Census 2021)

Personal Income 2016
$28,652
Personal Income 2021
$32,760
14.3% increase

2021 Census income breakdown

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

Personal
$32,760 / yr
$630/wk
Household
$67,028 / yr
$1289/wk
Family
$77,688 / yr
$1494/wk

Personal Income Comparison (2016 vs 2021)

📊 Population: ABS Census 2021
💰 Income: ABS Census 2021

🌍 Country of Birth 2021 Census

Born in Australia 3,699
Born Overseas 854

Top Countries of Birth (excl. Australia)

  • 1. England 307
  • 2. New Zealand 169
  • 3. South Africa 38
  • 4. Germany 29
  • 5. Netherlands 29
  • 6. United States 27
  • 7. Scotland 22
  • 8. Zimbabwe 17
  • 9. India 14
  • 10. Thailand 13

🧬 Ancestry 2021 Census

Top ancestries reported (people may report up to two)

English 2,277
Australian 1,880
Scottish 589
Irish 584
German 308
Australian Aboriginal 113
Dutch 98
Italian 94
New Zealander 51
Welsh 45

👨‍👩‍👧 Parents' Birthplace 2021 Census

2,886
Both parents born in Australia
967
Both parents born overseas
608
One parent AU, one overseas

🛐 Religion 2021 Census

No Religion
47.8%
Christianity
42.1%
Buddhism
0.9%
Hinduism
0.5%
Islam
0.2%

📊 Age Distribution 2021 Census

0-4 years
200 (4.2%)
5-14 years
536 (11.2%)
15-19 years
259 (5.4%)
20-24 years
187 (3.9%)
25-34 years
362 (7.5%)
35-44 years
518 (10.8%)
45-54 years
583 (12.1%)
55-64 years
623 (13.0%)
65-74 years
803 (16.7%)
75-84 years
516 (10.7%)
85+ years
211 (4.4%)

Nearby Suburbs

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Cooroy known for? +

Cooroy is a hinterland township in the Noosa Shire of South East Queensland, nestled in the Sunshine Coast hinterland approximately 25 kilometres west of Noosa Heads and 130 kilometres north of Brisbane. With a population of 4,801, it is one of the larger settlements in the Noosa hinterland, spread across 27 square kilometres of gently undulating countryside at an elevation of around 119 metres.

How far is Cooroy from Brisbane CBD? +

Cooroy is approximately 25 kilometres from Brisbane CBD. Drive times vary depending on traffic conditions.

Does Cooroy have public transport? +

Cooroy is served by local bus routes. For specific timetables and routes, check Transport NSW or the relevant state transport authority.

What is the population of Cooroy? +

According to the 2021 Census, Cooroy has a population of approximately 4,801 residents. It is a mid-sized suburb within the Noosa (Shire).

Is Cooroy a good place to live? +

Cooroy offers a comfortable suburban lifestyle with access to local amenities and services. It suits a range of residents from families to retirees, depending on personal preferences for pace of life and proximity to urban centres.

What is the postcode for Cooroy? +

The postcode for Cooroy, QLD is 4563.

What is the average income in Cooroy? +

Based on the 2021 Census, the median personal income in Cooroy is about $630 per week (around $32,800 per year). The median household income is $1,289 per week and the median family income is $1,494 per week.

What is the age profile of Cooroy? +

The median age in Cooroy is 50. The largest age group is 65–74 (803 residents, around 17%). Around 21% of residents are under 20 and about 32% are aged 65 or older. (2021 Census)

Is Cooroy a safe area? +

Crime statistics are recorded at the Local Government Area level. Cooroy is part of the Noosa 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 Cooroy? +

In Cooroy, the median weekly rent is $430, and the median monthly mortgage repayment is $1,733 (2021 Census).