Population

The highly prized Sunshine Coast lifestyle is the major contributor to the region’s rapid population growth.

The Sunshine Coast population is presently estimated at more than 250,000 and currently growing at 3.3% per annum. This compares with 2.2% for South East Queensland and 1.8% for Queensland.

According to the annual ‘Population Growth Ranking Report’, the Sunshine Coast is the 11th largest urban community in Australia but is poised to overtake Hobart in the near future.

The Sunshine Coast’s growth has been phenomenal. In 1976, it was Australia’s 25th largest urban community with just 41,780 people.

Based on conservative estimates, the Sunshine Coast’s population is projected to reach 333,223 by 2001 and 434,982 by 2021.