Pelican Waters, QLD: suburb profile

The population of Pelican Waters QLD is 7,393 according to the 2021 Census. The median personal income in Pelican Waters is $671 per week ($34,892 per year). Median rent in Pelican Waters is $540 per week ($2,340 per month). Pelican Waters has a median age of 55 years, older than the national median of 38. Pelican Waters has a population density of 887 people per km².

The most common overseas birthplace in Pelican Waters is England. The most common religion is No religion (35.0% of residents). After English, the most spoken language is German. The median monthly mortgage repayment in Pelican Waters is $2,200.

Population
7,393
Census 2021
Median income
$671/wk
Personal, Census 2021
Median rent
$540/wk
Weekly, Census 2021
Median age
55years
Census 2021

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

Pelican Waters vs the typical QLD suburb

The median personal income in Pelican Waters is $671 a week, 10% below the typical QLD suburb ($747). That ranks 1,012th of 1,527 QLD suburbs with 200 or more residents. Median rent is $540 a week, $220 more than the typical QLD suburb. Rent takes 34.8% of the median household income here, against 20.4% in the typical QLD suburb. The median resident is 55, 13 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.
MeasurePelican WatersTypical QLDDifferenceTypical Australia
Personal income$671/wk$747/wk −10%$766/wk
Household income$1,552/wk$1,593/wk −3%$1,637/wk
Rent$540/wk$320/wk +69%$330/wk
Mortgage repayment$2,200/mo$1,625/mo +35%$1,733/mo
Median age5542 +13 yrs42
Rent share of household income34.8%20.4% +14.4 pts20.3%
Income, rent and mortgage against the typical suburb Valid: Census 2021 · Source: ABS, calculated by GDP.com.au
Bar chart of median income, rent and mortgage repayment in Pelican Waters, the typical QLD suburb and the typical Australian suburb.

Pelican Waters Population

7,393 residents at the 2021 Census.

Pelican Waters Median Income & Rent

Median Income
$671/wk
$34,892 per year
Ranked 5,964 of 14,663
Median Rent
$540/wk
$2,340 per month
Ranked 435 of 14,663
Median Age
55years
17 years older than the national median
Mortgage
$2,200/mo
Avg household size: 2.5 · 0.7 per bedroom

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

Pelican Waters Rent Prices & Affordability

35% of median household income goes on median rent

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

Household income $1,552/wk
Median rent $540/wk
Rent to income 34.8%

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

Median rent in Pelican Waters against your income

About $6,725 a month
Median rent $540/wk
Left after rent $1,012/wk
Rent share 34.8%

Pelican Waters Schools

4
schools nearby
3
government
1037
avg ICSEA score
2,383
total students
Caloundra City Private School Independent
Combined · Prep-12 · 228 students
1095
ICSEA
Baringa State Primary School Government
Primary · Prep-6 · 930 students
1032
ICSEA
Golden Beach State School Government
Primary · Prep-6 · 548 students
1015
ICSEA
Baringa State Secondary College Government
Secondary · 7-12 · 677 students
1007
ICSEA

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

All schools near Pelican Waters, with a map

Pelican Waters Map

Pelican Waters, Queensland Map data: OpenStreetMap
Loading map…

People in Pelican Waters

Demographics

Gender Split

Male 48.1% (3,557) Female 51.9% (3,833)

Population Density

887
people per km²
7,393 people · 8.3 km²

Households

2.5
Avg household size
0.7
Persons per bedroom
$1,717
Family income/wk

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)

Most common overseas birthplaces

England
9.1%
New Zealand
4.8%
South Africa
1.6%
Scotland
0.9%
Germany
0.6%
Thailand
0.5%
United States of America
0.4%

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

Most common languages at home other than English

German
0.6%
Thai
0.5%
Afrikaans
0.4%
Vietnamese
0.3%
Italian
0.2%
Spanish
0.2%
Cantonese
0.2%

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

Ancestry

English
47.9%
Australian
33.8%
Scottish
12.6%
Irish
12.5%
German
6.3%
Italian
2.4%
Dutch
1.8%
Australian Aboriginal
1.7%
New Zealander
1.2%
Chinese
1.1%
Welsh
1.1%

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

Religion

No religion
35.0%
Catholic
21.7%
Anglican
19.5%
Uniting Church
5.6%
Not stated
5.2%
Presbyterian and Reformed
2.8%
Christian (other)
2.2%
Baptist
1.8%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G14 Religion by SAL

Indigenous Population

1.7%
Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander

Source: ABS Census 2021, G07 Indigenous Status by SAL

Marital Status

Married
65.8% 4,188
Separated
2.1% 135
Divorced
7.6% 484
Widowed
5.4% 346
Never married
19.0% 1,211

Source: ABS Census 2021, G05 Marital Status by SAL

Family Structure

Couple: no children
44.8%
Couple: children under 15
31.1%
Couple: no children under 15
16.1%
One parent: children under 15
4.3%
One parent: no children under 15
3.6%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G29 Family Composition by SAL

Household Size

1 person
13.9%
2 persons
52.1%
3 persons
12.5%
4 persons
13.9%
5 persons
5.3%
6+ persons
2.3%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G35 Household Size by SAL

Homes in Pelican Waters

Housing Tenure

Of the 2,777 occupied private dwellings in Pelican Waters at the 2021 Census, 12.6% were rented, 56.3% owned outright and 29.3% owned with a mortgage.

Other tenure type
1.0% 29 dwellings
Owned outright
56.3% 1,564 dwellings
Owned with mortgage
29.3% 814 dwellings
Rented
12.6% 351 dwellings
Tenure type not stated
0.9% 26 dwellings

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

Dwelling Types

Separate house
93.1%
Semi-detached (2+ storey)
5.9%
Semi-detached (1 storey)
1.0%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G36 Dwelling Structure by SAL

Number of Bedrooms

1 bedroom
0.4%
2 bedrooms
3.5%
3 bedrooms
23.8%
4 bedrooms
60.2%
5 bedrooms
11.0%
6+ bedrooms
1.1%

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

Monthly Mortgage Repayments

$0-$299/mo
5.4%
$300-$449/mo
2.3%
$450-$599/mo
2.8%
$600-$799/mo
2.5%
$800-$999/mo
4.2%
$1,000-$1,399/mo
8.7%
$1,400-$1,799/mo
11.1%
$1,800-$2,399/mo
26.6%
$2,400-$2,999/mo
19.0%
$3,000-$3,999/mo
17.5%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G38 Mortgage Repayment by SAL

Car Ownership

0 vehicles
1.4%
1 vehicle
31.1%
2 vehicles
46.9%
3 vehicles
13.8%
4+ vehicles
6.9%

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

Work, income and education in Pelican Waters

Employment

Employed full-time
25.5% 1,474 people
Employed part-time
18.8% 1,087 people
Unemployed
2.6% 149 people
Not in labour force
53.2% 3,081 people

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

Occupation

Professionals
27.7%
Managers
17.2%
Technicians & Trade Workers
14.3%
Clerical & Administrative
14.1%
Community & Personal Service
11.1%
Sales Workers
7.5%
Labourers
4.5%
Machinery Operators & Drivers
3.7%

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

Weekly Household Income

Nil/Negative/wk
2.1%
$1-$149/wk
1.1%
$150-$299/wk
0.7%
$300-$399/wk
1.5%
$400-$499/wk
5.4%
$500-$649/wk
3.6%
$650-$799/wk
8.8%
$800-$999/wk
7.3%
$1,000-$1,249/wk
9.2%
$1,250-$1,499/wk
9.2%
$1,500-$1,749/wk
5.6%
$1,750-$1,999/wk
5.3%
$2,000-$2,499/wk
9.6%
$2,500-$2,999/wk
7.2%
$3,000-$3,499/wk
6.0%
$3,500-$3,999/wk
4.4%
$4,000+/wk
13.3%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G33 Household Income by SAL

Personal Weekly Income Distribution

$0 or less/wk
10.8%
$1-$149/wk
5.7%
$150-$299/wk
7.2%
$300-$399/wk
5.2%
$400-$499/wk
4.3%
$500-$649/wk
4.8%
$650-$799/wk
9.8%
$800-$999/wk
9.2%
$1,000-$1,249/wk
9.6%
$1,250-$1,499/wk
7.4%
$1,500-$1,749/wk
6.7%
$1,750-$1,999/wk
4.7%
$2,000-$2,999/wk
7.3%
$3,000-$3,499/wk
2.2%
$3,500+/wk
4.9%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G17 Personal Income by SAL

How People Get to Work

Car (driver)
72.8%
Did not go to work
17.9%
Car (passenger)
5.4%
Walked only
1.0%
Bicycle
1.0%
Other
0.7%
Motorbike/Scooter
0.5%
Truck
0.5%
Bus
0.3%

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

Education Level

Year 12 or equivalent
56.8%
Year 10 or equivalent
30.0%
Year 11 or equivalent
8.4%
Year 9 or equivalent
4.7%

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

Qualifications

Certificate III/IV
36.7%
Bachelor Degree
25.0%
Advanced Diploma/Diploma
24.0%
Postgraduate Degree
7.9%
Graduate Diploma/Certificate
4.2%
Certificate I/II
2.2%

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

Field of Study

Management & Commerce
25.0%
Engineering
17.4%
Health
14.5%
Society & Culture
11.8%
Education
9.3%
Architecture & Building
8.5%
Food, Hospitality & Personal Services
6.5%
Creative Arts
1.9%
Natural & Physical Sciences
1.9%
Agriculture & Environment
1.6%
Information Technology
1.6%

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

School & University Attendance

Primary: Government
21.8%
Secondary: Government
17.9%
Secondary: Other Non-Govt
15.1%
Primary: Other Non-Govt
11.6%
Secondary: Catholic
11.6%
Primary: Catholic
7.9%
Vocational Education
7.2%
Pre-school
7.0%

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

More from the 2021 Census

Need for Assistance

Does not have need for assistance
90.5%
Has need for assistance
5.9%
Need for assistance not stated
3.5%

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

Long-term Health Conditions

Mental health
530
Arthritis
406
Heart disease
293
Cancer
225
Diabetes
219
Asthma
217
Lung condition
208
Stroke
89
Kidney disease
76
Dementia
36

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

Unpaid Carers

Provided unpaid assistance
13.8% 839
Did not provide
86.2% 5,258

Source: ABS Census 2021, G25 Unpaid Assistance by SAL

Volunteering

Volunteer
17.2% 1,049
Not a volunteer
82.8% 5,060

Source: ABS Census 2021, G23 Voluntary Work by SAL

Military Service

Current ADF: Reserves
0.1% 8
Previously served
5.2% 317
Never served
94.7% 5,805

Source: ABS Census 2021, G22 ADF Service by SAL

Children Ever Born

No children
23.8%
1 child
11.7%
2 children
36.9%
3 children
19.9%
4 children
6.3%
5+ children
1.4%

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

When Migrants Arrived

Before 1951
41
1951: 1960
103
1961: 1970
204
1971: 1980
215
1981: 1990
210
1991: 2000
197
2001: 2010
431
2011: 2015
189
2016
32
2017
36
2018
31
2019
47
2020
26
2021
22

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

Population Mobility

17.1%
moved in the last year
50.3%
moved in the last 5 years
4.8%
unemployment rate (Census)
47.8%
labour force participation

Source: ABS Census 2021, G43 Summary by SAL

Where Residents Moved From

Same address
5,859
Moved from QLD
599
Moved: same area (SA2)
287
Moved from NSW
105
Moved from VIC
85
Moved from overseas
71
Moved from WA
15
Moved from TAS
14
Moved from SA
11
Moved from ACT
10
Moved from NT
6

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

Unpaid Domestic Work

Less than 5 hours
18.4%
5: 14 hours
30.8%
15: 29 hours
18.0%
30+ hours
11.4%
Did not do domestic work
21.4%

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

Family Blending

Intact family: no other children
85.5%
Step family: no other children
9.4%
Blended family: no other children
2.6%
Other couple: children only
1.3%
Intact family: other children present
1.1%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G31 Family Blending by SAL

Cheaper alternatives with similar incomes

Suburbs near Pelican Waters

The closest suburb to Pelican Waters is Golden Beach (Qld), 2.1 km away.

Golden Beach (Qld)
2.1 km away · income $658/wk · rent $400/wk
Caloundra West
3.0 km away · income $751/wk · rent $465/wk
Baringa
3.6 km away · income $939/wk · rent $485/wk
Nirimba (Qld)
4.2 km away · income $953/wk · rent $510/wk
Caloundra
4.8 km away · income $584/wk · rent $360/wk
Little Mountain
5.2 km away · income $705/wk · rent $461/wk

Frequently Asked Questions About Pelican Waters

What is the population of Pelican Waters QLD?

The population of Pelican Waters QLD is 7,393 according to the ABS Census 2021. The suburb has a population density of 887 people per km². Pelican Waters is ranked #983 out of 14,663 suburbs by population.

What is the median income in Pelican Waters?

The median personal income in Pelican Waters QLD is $671 per week, or $34,892 per year. The median household income is $1,552 per week. Family income is $1,717 per week. Pelican Waters is ranked #5,964 by income out of 14,663 Australian suburbs.

How much is rent in Pelican Waters?

Median rent in Pelican Waters QLD is $540 per week ($2,340 per month). Rent represents 34.8% of household income, which is considered moderate. Pelican Waters ranks #435 out of 14,663 suburbs by rent.

What are mortgage repayments in Pelican Waters?

The median monthly mortgage repayment in Pelican Waters QLD is $2,200. This data comes from the ABS Census 2021 and reflects mortgage repayments for owner-occupied dwellings.

What is the median age in Pelican Waters?

The median age in Pelican Waters QLD is 55 years. This is older than the national median age of 38 years.

Is Pelican Waters a good suburb to live in?

Pelican Waters is a suburb in Queensland with a population of 7,393. The median income is $671/wk, which is below the typical QLD suburb ($747/wk). Rent affordability is rated as moderate (34.8% of household income). See the full suburb profile above for detailed statistics.

Data: Australian Bureau of Statistics, Census of Population and Housing 2021. SA2 area: 32294. All dollar figures in AUD.