🔍

Meridan Plains

QLD 4551 • Rest of QLD

4,589
Population (2021)
$79,508
Median Household Income
20.94 km²
Area
$460/wk
Median Rent
Family-FriendlyGrowth SuburbSuburbanAffordableSunshine Coast

About Meridan Plains

Meridan Plains is a rapidly growing suburban locality on Queensland's Sunshine Coast, situated within the Sunshine Coast Regional Council area near Caloundra, approximately 80 kilometres north of Brisbane. The suburb experienced remarkable population growth between 2016 and 2021, rising from 3,675 to 4,589 residents, reflecting strong demand for housing in this coastal hinterland region. With a median age of 36 and a median household income of around $1,529 per week, Meridan Plains attracts young families and working-age residents drawn by its relative affordability and proximity to Sunshine Coast amenities.

Situated close to the Sunshine Coast's popular beaches near Caloundra, residents enjoy easy access to a coastal lifestyle without the price premium of beachfront suburbs. The suburb is served by a growing range of local shops and services, and its position along major arterial routes provides convenient connections to Caloundra town centre and the Bruce Highway for commuters. With a strong representation of school-age children and a community drawn predominantly from English, Australian, Irish, and Scottish backgrounds, Meridan Plains offers a welcoming, family-oriented environment in one of Queensland's fastest-growing regions.

Meridan Plains falls under postcode 4551 and is governed by Sunshine Coast Council (LGA). For state elections, residents vote in the Kawana electorate.

📍 Location

State
Queensland
Postcode
4551
Urban Area
Caloundra
LGA / Council
Sunshine Coast
Federal Electorate
Fisher
State Electorate
Kawana
Type
Major Urban
Timezone
Brisbane (UTC+10)
Coordinates
-26.76°, 153.08°
Statistical Area
Rest of QLD
Area
20.94 km²
Elevation
6m

🏠 Housing 2021 Census

Median Rent (weekly)
$460
Median Mortgage (monthly)
$1,850
Avg Household Size
2.6 people
Median Age
36 years
Social Housing (% of dwellings)
1.8%

17 state housing + 13 community housing dwellings (ABS 2021 Census)

🚌 Transport & Commute

Nearest Train Stations

Landsborough Station
8 km
N/A - drive required

Bus Services

  • Sunbus Route 600, 601 — Caloundra and Sunshine Coast 20-30 min to Caloundra

Commute to Brisbane CBD

Distance
80 km
By Train
Drive to Landsborough (8 km), train to Brisbane ~80-90 min
By Car (Peak)
75-100 min via Bruce Highway
By Car (Off-Peak)
60-75 min

🛣️ Caloundra (5 km east) is the nearest major centre. Bruce Highway and Sunshine Motorway provide access to Brisbane.

Walkability Car-Dependent

New suburban layout with limited walkable amenities; a car is needed for most errands

🛒 Supermarkets Nearby

No major supermarkets listed for this suburb.

🎓 Schools

🚔 Crime Statistics LGA-wide

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

Break & enter (dwelling)
329.4 / 100k
2yr Down 17.9% 10yr Down 30.4%
Motor vehicle theft
167.5 / 100k
2yr Down 17.0% 10yr Up 28.8%
Non-FV assault
473.3 / 100k
2yr Stable 10yr Up 152.8%
Robbery (unarmed)
13.8 / 100k
2yr Down 20.0% 10yr Up 12.7%
Steal from vehicle
314.6 / 100k
2yr Down 18.3% 10yr Down 26.9%
View all offence categories for Sunshine Coast →

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

🎓 Educational Institution Attending 2021 Census

School Sector Breakdown

👥 Demographics

Census 2016
3,675
Census 2021
4,589
▲ 24.9% growth

Population Growth

Gender Distribution (Census 2021)

Personal Income 2016
$32,552
Personal Income 2021
$40,404
▲ 24.1% 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
$40,404 / yr
$777/wk
Household
$79,508 / yr
$1529/wk
Family
$94,640 / yr
$1820/wk

Personal Income Comparison (2016 vs 2021)

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

🌍 Country of Birth 2021 Census

Born in Australia 3,284
Born Overseas 1,041

Top Countries of Birth (excl. Australia)

  • 1. England 281
  • 2. New Zealand 197
  • 3. India 94
  • 4. South Africa 52
  • 5. Philippines 28
  • 6. Scotland 27
  • 7. Germany 25
  • 8. United States 22
  • 9. Ireland 20
  • 10. Canada 19

🧬 Ancestry 2021 Census

Top ancestries reported (people may report up to two)

English 1,979
Australian 1,681
Irish 493
Scottish 485
German 233
Indian 131
Italian 131
Australian Aboriginal 119
Dutch 69
New Zealander 69

👨‍👩‍👧 Parents' Birthplace 2021 Census

2,418
Both parents born in Australia
1,199
Both parents born overseas
653
One parent AU, one overseas

🛐 Religion 2021 Census

No Religion
45.8%
Christianity
44.0%
Hinduism
1.1%
Buddhism
0.5%
Sikhism
0.3%
Islam
0.2%

📊 Age Distribution 2021 Census

0-4 years
282 (6.1%)
5-14 years
676 (14.7%)
15-19 years
342 (7.5%)
20-24 years
266 (5.8%)
25-34 years
645 (14.1%)
35-44 years
603 (13.1%)
45-54 years
582 (12.7%)
55-64 years
324 (7.1%)
65-74 years
327 (7.1%)
75-84 years
414 (9.0%)
85+ years
131 (2.9%)

Nearby Suburbs

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Meridan Plains known for? +

Meridan Plains is known as one of the Sunshine Coast's fastest-growing suburbs, with new residential estates offering affordable family homes near Caloundra. The suburb is close to Caloundra's beaches, shopping centres, and the Bruce Highway for Brisbane commuters.

How far is Meridan Plains from Brisbane? +

Meridan Plains is approximately 80 kilometres north of Brisbane, about a 75-minute drive via the Bruce Highway or Sunshine Motorway. Caloundra (approximately 5 km east) is the nearest major centre for shopping and services.

Does Meridan Plains have public transport? +

Meridan Plains is served by Sunbus routes connecting to Caloundra and surrounding Sunshine Coast areas. Landsborough train station (approximately 8 km west) provides rail access to Brisbane (approximately 80–90 minutes). A car is most convenient for daily life.

What is the population of Meridan Plains? +

According to the 2021 Census, Meridan Plains has a population of approximately 4,589 residents, up significantly from 3,675 in 2016, reflecting the suburb's rapid growth as a Sunshine Coast family destination.

Is Meridan Plains a good place to live? +

Meridan Plains is well-suited to young families seeking affordable new housing on the Sunshine Coast, with easy access to Caloundra's beaches, schools, and retail, plus workable commutes to Brisbane via rail or highway. The suburb's ongoing development means amenities continue to improve.

What is the postcode for Meridan Plains? +

The postcode for Meridan Plains, QLD is 4551.

What is the average income in Meridan Plains? +

Based on the 2021 Census, the median personal income in Meridan Plains is about $777 per week (around $40,400 per year). The median household income is $1,529 per week and the median family income is $1,820 per week.

What is the age profile of Meridan Plains? +

The median age in Meridan Plains is 36. The largest age group is 5–14 (676 residents, around 15%). Around 28% of residents are under 20 and about 19% are aged 65 or older. (2021 Census)

Is Meridan Plains a safe area? +

Crime statistics are recorded at the Local Government Area level. Meridan Plains is part of the Sunshine 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 Meridan Plains? +

In Meridan Plains, the median weekly rent is $460, and the median monthly mortgage repayment is $1,850 (2021 Census).