Main Beach, QLD: suburb profile

The population of Main Beach QLD is 3,998 according to the 2021 Census. The median personal income in Main Beach is $938 per week ($48,776 per year). Median rent in Main Beach is $500 per week ($2,167 per month). Main Beach has a median age of 57 years, older than the national median of 38. Main Beach has a population density of 1,155 people per km².

The most common overseas birthplace in Main Beach is New Zealand. The most common religion is No religion (33.0% of residents). After English, the most spoken language is French. The median monthly mortgage repayment in Main Beach is $2,091.

Population

3,998

Census 2021

Median income

$938/wk

Personal, Census 2021

Median rent

$500/wk

Weekly, Census 2021

Median age

57years

Census 2021

Valid: Census 2021 · Source: ABS Census of Population and Housing 2021.

Main Beach Map

Main Beach, Queensland Map data: OpenStreetMap

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Main Beach Population

3,998 residents at the 2021 Census.

Main Beach Median Income & Rent

Median Income

$938/wk

$48,776 per year

Ranked 1,737 of 14,663

Median Rent

$500/wk

$2,167 per month

Ranked 576 of 14,663

Median Age

57years

19 years older than the national median

Mortgage

$2,091/mo

Avg household size: 1.9 · 0.9 per bedroom

Valid: Census 2021 · Source: ABS Census of Population and Housing.

Main Beach Demographics

Gender Split

Male 49.3% (1,972) Female 50.7% (2,032)

Population Density

1,155

people per km²

3,998 people · 3.5 km²

Households

1.9

Avg household size

0.9

Persons per bedroom

$2,269

Family income/wk

Main Beach Age Distribution

0-4

5-9

10-14

15-19

20-24

25-29

30-34

35-39

40-44

45-49

50-54

55-59

60-64

65-69

70-74

75-79

80-84

85+

Male Female

Source: ABS Census 2021, Suburb and Locality (SAL)

Main Beach Housing Tenure

Of the 1,820 occupied private dwellings in Main Beach at the 2021 Census, 30.8% were rented, 46.4% owned outright and 20.2% owned with a mortgage.

Other tenure type

1.6% 29 dwellings

Owned outright

46.4% 845 dwellings

Owned with mortgage

20.2% 367 dwellings

Rented

30.8% 560 dwellings

Tenure type not stated

1.3% 23 dwellings

Source: ABS Census 2021, Suburb and Locality (SAL)

Most common overseas birthplaces

New Zealand

6.0%

England

4.8%

South Africa

1.6%

Brazil

0.9%

Italy

0.8%

Japan

0.8%

United States of America

0.8%

Shares are of all residents. Source: ABS Census 2021, G09 Country of Birth by SAL

Main Beach Religion

No religion

33.0%

Catholic

22.1%

Anglican

18.2%

Not stated

12.5%

Uniting Church

3.0%

Presbyterian and Reformed

2.7%

Christian (other)

1.9%

Buddhism

1.0%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G14 Religion by SAL

Main Beach Education Level

Year 12 or equivalent

68.8%

Year 10 or equivalent

20.4%

Year 11 or equivalent

7.8%

Year 9 or equivalent

3.1%

Shares are of people whose highest year of school is Year 9 to 12 only. Source: ABS Census 2021, G16 Highest Year of School by SAL

Most common languages at home other than English

French

1.0%

Japanese

1.0%

Mandarin

0.9%

Portuguese

0.9%

Italian

0.8%

Spanish

0.6%

Greek

0.4%

Shares are of all residents. Source: ABS Census 2021, G13 Language Used at Home by SAL

Main Beach Employment

Employed full-time

30.4% 950 people

Employed part-time

22.4% 700 people

Unemployed

3.0% 93 people

Not in labour force

44.3% 1,386 people

Source: ABS Census 2021, G46 Labour Force Status by SAL

Main Beach Qualifications

Bachelor Degree

37.2%

Certificate III/IV

22.2%

Advanced Diploma/Diploma

22.1%

Postgraduate Degree

12.2%

Graduate Diploma/Certificate

4.9%

Certificate I/II

1.5%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G49 Non-School Qualification by SAL

Main Beach Occupation

Professionals

35.8%

Managers

20.6%

Clerical & Administrative

10.9%

Community & Personal Service

9.5%

Sales Workers

8.9%

Technicians & Trade Workers

7.8%

Labourers

4.5%

Machinery Operators & Drivers

2.0%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G51 Industry of Employment by Occupation

Main Beach Field of Study

Management & Commerce

30.9%

Health

16.7%

Society & Culture

12.4%

Engineering

8.7%

Education

8.5%

Food, Hospitality & Personal Services

5.8%

Architecture & Building

5.6%

Creative Arts

5.0%

Natural & Physical Sciences

3.2%

Agriculture & Environment

1.8%

Information Technology

1.5%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G51 Field of Study by SAL

Main Beach Dwelling Types

Semi-detached (2+ storey)

54.8%

Separate house

42.5%

Semi-detached (1 storey)

2.7%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G36 Dwelling Structure by SAL

Main Beach Weekly Household Income

Nil/Negative/wk

2.9%

$1-$149/wk

1.3%

$150-$299/wk

1.4%

$300-$399/wk

1.5%

$400-$499/wk

5.5%

$500-$649/wk

4.6%

$650-$799/wk

5.6%

$800-$999/wk

7.5%

$1,000-$1,249/wk

7.0%

$1,250-$1,499/wk

8.4%

$1,500-$1,749/wk

5.8%

$1,750-$1,999/wk

6.2%

$2,000-$2,499/wk

10.4%

$2,500-$2,999/wk

5.6%

$3,000-$3,499/wk

5.6%

$3,500-$3,999/wk

4.2%

$4,000+/wk

16.7%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G33 Household Income by SAL

Main Beach Marital Status

Married

45.2% 1,703

Separated

2.9% 109

Divorced

15.6% 588

Widowed

5.6% 213

Never married

30.7% 1,157

Source: ABS Census 2021, G05 Marital Status by SAL

Main Beach Ancestry

English

41.6%

Australian

23.7%

Irish

14.9%

Scottish

11.9%

German

5.1%

Italian

3.7%

Dutch

2.0%

Chinese

1.7%

Greek

1.3%

French

1.2%

New Zealander

1.2%

Shares are of the suburb population. People can report up to two ancestries, so shares add to more than 100%. Source: ABS Census 2021, G08 Ancestry by SAL

Main Beach School & University Attendance

Vocational Education

25.9%

Secondary — Other Non-Govt

19.0%

Primary — Other Non-Govt

13.8%

Primary — Government

11.7%

Secondary — Government

11.4%

Pre-school

7.9%

Secondary — Catholic

5.5%

Primary — Catholic

4.8%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G15 Type of Educational Institution by SAL

Main Beach Need for Assistance

Does not have need for assistance

84.5%

Has need for assistance

3.6%

Need for assistance not stated

11.9%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G18 Core Activity Need for Assistance by SAL

Main Beach Volunteering

Volunteer

15.3% 505

Not a volunteer

84.7% 2,805

Source: ABS Census 2021, G23 Voluntary Work by SAL

Main Beach Monthly Mortgage Repayments

$0-$299/mo

7.8%

$300-$449/mo

1.7%

$450-$599/mo

2.7%

$600-$799/mo

3.8%

$800-$999/mo

3.1%

$1,000-$1,399/mo

12.6%

$1,400-$1,799/mo

14.7%

$1,800-$2,399/mo

22.9%

$2,400-$2,999/mo

14.0%

$3,000-$3,999/mo

16.7%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G38 Mortgage Repayment by SAL

Main Beach How People Get to Work

Car (driver)

70.8%

Did not go to work

13.1%

Walked only

4.2%

Tram/Light Rail

3.0%

Car (passenger)

3.0%

Bicycle

2.0%

Bus

1.1%

Motorbike/Scooter

1.0%

Other

0.8%

Train

0.7%

Truck

0.2%

Taxi/Rideshare

0.2%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G62 Method of Travel to Work by SAL

Main Beach Car Ownership

0 vehicles

5.3%

1 vehicle

51.2%

2 vehicles

34.5%

3 vehicles

6.5%

4+ vehicles

2.5%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G34 Motor Vehicles per Dwelling by SAL

Main Beach Number of Bedrooms

1 bedroom

9.4%

2 bedrooms

59.1%

3 bedrooms

25.5%

4 bedrooms

4.6%

5 bedrooms

0.8%

6+ bedrooms

0.6%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G41 Number of Bedrooms by SAL

Main Beach Population Mobility

24.2%

moved in the last year

58.3%

moved in the last 5 years

4.7%

unemployment rate (Census)

51.6%

labour force participation

Source: ABS Census 2021, G43 Summary by SAL

Main Beach Indigenous Population

1.0%

Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander

Source: ABS Census 2021, G07 Indigenous Status by SAL

Main Beach Long-term Health Conditions

Mental health

220

Arthritis

194

Heart disease

157

Asthma

109

Cancer

103

Diabetes

Lung condition

Stroke

Kidney disease

Dementia

Source: ABS Census 2021, G19 Long-term Health Conditions by SAL

Main Beach Personal Weekly Income Distribution

$0 or less/wk

8.1%

$1-$149/wk

3.2%

$150-$299/wk

5.1%

$300-$399/wk

3.2%

$400-$499/wk

3.9%

$500-$649/wk

3.7%

$650-$799/wk

9.3%

$800-$999/wk

9.8%

$1,000-$1,249/wk

9.8%

$1,250-$1,499/wk

8.1%

$1,500-$1,749/wk

6.7%

$1,750-$1,999/wk

6.5%

$2,000-$2,999/wk

10.2%

$3,000-$3,499/wk

3.7%

$3,500+/wk

8.6%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G17 Personal Income by SAL

Main Beach Family Structure

Couple — no children

61.2%

Couple — children under 15

16.4%

Couple — no children under 15

12.6%

One parent — no children under 15

5.7%

One parent — children under 15

4.1%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G29 Family Composition by SAL

Main Beach Military Service

Current ADF — Reserves

0.1% 3

Previously served

3.6% 118

Never served

96.4% 3,202

Source: ABS Census 2021, G22 ADF Service by SAL

Main Beach Unpaid Carers

Provided unpaid assistance

11.3% 376

Did not provide

88.7% 2,937

Source: ABS Census 2021, G25 Unpaid Assistance by SAL

Main Beach Children Ever Born

No children

38.8%

1 child

14.2%

2 children

29.0%

3 children

13.7%

4 children

3.3%

5+ children

0.9%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G28 Children Ever Born by SAL

Main Beach When Migrants Arrived

Before 1951

1951–1960

1961–1970

105

1971–1980

104

1981–1990

149

1991–2000

137

2001–2010

184

2011–2015

2016

2017

2018

2019

2020

2021

Source: ABS Census 2021, G10 Year of Arrival by SAL

Main Beach Unpaid Domestic Work

Less than 5 hours

24.2%

5–14 hours

30.7%

15–29 hours

12.4%

30+ hours

5.8%

Did not do domestic work

26.9%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G24 Unpaid Domestic Work by SAL

Main Beach Household Size

1 person

35.6%

2 persons

49.6%

3 persons

9.6%

4 persons

3.4%

5 persons

1.1%

6+ persons

0.7%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G35 Household Size by SAL

Main Beach Where Residents Moved From

Same address

2,649

Moved from QLD

477

Moved — same area (SA2)

167

Moved from NSW

Moved from VIC

Moved from overseas

Moved from TAS

Moved from NT

Moved from SA

Moved from WA

Moved from ACT

Source: ABS Census 2021, G44 Address 1 Year Ago by SAL

Main Beach Family Blending

Intact family — no other children

89.2%

Step family — no other children

10.8%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G31 Family Blending by SAL

Main Beach Schools

schools nearby

government

1024

avg ICSEA score

8,495

total students

St Hilda's School Independent

Combined · Prep-12 · 1,258 students

1135

ICSEA

The Southport School Independent

Combined · Prep-12 · 1,621 students

1118

ICSEA

Southport State High School Government

Secondary · 7-12 · 2,231 students

1031

ICSEA

Musgrave Hill State School Government

Primary · Prep-6 · 636 students

1028

ICSEA

Southport Special School Government

Combined · Prep-12 · 212 students

1027

ICSEA

Southport State School Government

Primary · Prep-6 · 538 students

1012

ICSEA

Labrador State School Government

Primary · Prep-6 · 670 students

997

ICSEA

Men of Business Academy Independent

Secondary · 11-12 · 238 students

993

ICSEA

Keebra Park State High School Government

Secondary · 7-12 · 1,001 students

968

ICSEA

Southport Flexible School Catholic

Secondary · 7-12 · 90 students

935

ICSEA

Mastery Schools Australia - Southport Campus Independent

Combined

The BUSY School - Southport Campus Independent

Secondary

Source: Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority (ACARA), 2025. ICSEA is the Index of Community Socio-Educational Advantage (national average 1000).

All schools near Main Beach, with a map

Main Beach Rent Prices & Affordability

30% of median household income goes on median rent

Marks at 25% and 35%. Band: moderate.

Household income $1,682/wk

Median rent $500/wk

Rent to income 29.7%

Rent is between 25% and 35% of household income: moderate housing costs.

Median rent in Main Beach against your income

Your weekly income

About $7,289 a month

Median rent $500/wk

Left after rent $1,182/wk

Rent share 29.7%

Cheaper alternatives with similar incomes

Palm Cove

Income: $797/wk Rent: $365/wk $135/wk less rent

Kings Beach

Income: $789/wk Rent: $370/wk $130/wk less rent

Paradise Point

Income: $843/wk Rent: $450/wk $50/wk less rent

Minyama

Income: $790/wk Rent: $473/wk $27/wk less rent

Parrearra

Income: $773/wk Rent: $490/wk $10/wk less rent

Ocean View

Income: $941/wk Rent: $350/wk $150/wk less rent

Tinbeerwah

Income: $776/wk Rent: $400/wk $100/wk less rent

Coolangatta (Qld)

Income: $785/wk Rent: $405/wk $95/wk less rent

Main Beach vs the typical QLD suburb

The median personal income in Main Beach is $938 a week, 26% above the typical QLD suburb ($747). That ranks 274th of 1,527 QLD suburbs with 200 or more residents. Median rent is $500 a week, $180 more than the typical QLD suburb. Rent takes 29.7% of the median household income here, against 20.4% in the typical QLD suburb. The median resident is 57, 15 years older than in the typical QLD suburb (42).

The typical suburb is the median across suburbs with 200 or more residents. ABS Census 2021, calculated by GDP.com.au.
Measure	Main Beach	Typical QLD	Difference	Typical Australia
Personal income	$938/wk	$747/wk	+26%	$766/wk
Household income	$1,682/wk	$1,593/wk	+6%	$1,637/wk
Rent	$500/wk	$320/wk	+56%	$330/wk
Mortgage repayment	$2,091/mo	$1,625/mo	+29%	$1,733/mo
Median age	57	42	+15 yrs	42
Rent share of household income	29.7%	20.4%	+9.3 pts	20.3%

Income, rent and mortgage against the typical suburb Valid: Census 2021 · Source: ABS, calculated by GDP.com.au

Suburbs near Main Beach

The closest suburb to Main Beach is Labrador, 2.9 km away.

Labrador

2.9 km away · income $654/wk · rent $380/wk

Southport (Qld)

3.1 km away · income $666/wk · rent $410/wk

Biggera Waters

4.4 km away · income $717/wk · rent $430/wk

Surfers Paradise

4.6 km away · income $775/wk · rent $410/wk

Runaway Bay

5.5 km away · income $727/wk · rent $435/wk

Parkwood (Qld)

5.7 km away · income $736/wk · rent $538/wk

Compare Main Beach

Frequently Asked Questions About Main Beach

What is the population of Main Beach QLD?

The population of Main Beach QLD is 3,998 according to the ABS Census 2021. The suburb has a population density of 1,155 people per km². Main Beach is ranked #1,924 out of 14,663 suburbs by population.

What is the median income in Main Beach?

The median personal income in Main Beach QLD is $938 per week, or $48,776 per year. The median household income is $1,682 per week. Family income is $2,269 per week. Main Beach is ranked #1,737 by income out of 14,663 Australian suburbs.

How much is rent in Main Beach?

Median rent in Main Beach QLD is $500 per week ($2,167 per month). Rent represents 29.7% of household income, which is considered moderate. Main Beach ranks #576 out of 14,663 suburbs by rent.

What are mortgage repayments in Main Beach?

The median monthly mortgage repayment in Main Beach QLD is $2,091. This data comes from the ABS Census 2021 and reflects mortgage repayments for owner-occupied dwellings.

What is the median age in Main Beach?

The median age in Main Beach QLD is 57 years. This is older than the national median age of 38 years.

Is Main Beach a good suburb to live in?

Main Beach is a suburb in Queensland with a population of 3,998. The median income is $938/wk, which is above the typical QLD suburb ($747/wk). Rent affordability is rated as moderate (29.7% of household income). See the full suburb profile above for detailed statistics.

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Data: Australian Bureau of Statistics, Census of Population and Housing 2021. SA2 area: 31735. All dollar figures in AUD.