Sunshine Coast's 2026 population is now estimated at 313,811.In 2001, the population of Sunshine Coast was 165,089.Sunshine Coast has grown by 5,936 in the last year, which represents a 1.93% annual change.These population values and projections come from Australia urban centers over 10k series 1996-2021 via CityPopulation official attribution and World Population Review Internal Projections.
Sunshine Coast is located in Queensland, Australia. The population of the city was 346,522 as of 2016.
It is the ninth most populous city in Australia. The city has been experiencing a growing population as it is becoming known as a center for innovation and is the location of many new startups. The city’s beautiful beaches and attractions including the Australia Zoo are also prominent in attracting new residents and tourists alike.
The urban area of the Sunshine Coast comes to a total of 1,633 kilometers squared (630.5 square miles). The population density is approximately at 212.20 people living per square kilometer (549.59 people living per square mile).
Estimates from 2016 show that the population of Sunshine Coast is over 300,000. Females make up 51.8% of the population, while males make up 48.2% of the population. Of the total population, 86% are citizens of Australia. Over 66% of the population are over the age of 18. Almost 82% are over the age of 15. There are over 5,100 overseas visitors located in Sunshine Coast.
Almost 20% of the population was born overseas, with most coming from the United Kingdom and New Zealand. The majority of the residents are of English ancestry, followed by Australian, Irish, Scottish, German and Italian.
Over 18% of residents cited Roman Catholic as their religion. Over 16% are Anglican. Other religions include Baptist, Presbyterian, Pentecostal, Lutheran and Buddhism.
Europeans first settled Sunshine Coast during the 19th century. Many of the towns in the area during the late 1800s were ports or jetties for the timber industry. In the late 1800s, farming of fruit and dairy products became the primary industry.
After World War II, tourism began to grow and with it, the population also increased. The Sunshine Coast became a popular spot for surfing and vacationing. The city capitalized on the increase in tourism with the development of theme parks in the area. 4
Rapid growth occurred during the 1980s as the spot became even more popular with tourists. By the time 2011 rolled around, the city was one of the fastest-growing in Australia. Today, most of the farms that were once so important to the economy are no longer around. Now, retail businesses, caterers, and businesses that cater to tourists have become more important as more than 3.2 million visitors stop in every year.
The city’s booming tourism industry has led to a thriving economy. In addition to appealing to tourists, the city has also attracted hundreds of startups in various fields. The city is also planning a university town that has the potential to employ thousands of workers, which could lead to further population growth. Given the opportunities in business and the thriving economy, the population of this city is only expected to continue to see steady growth in the years ahead.
City | 2026 Pop.↓ | Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Sydney | 4,976,762 | 1.13% |
| Melbourne | 4,928,443 | 1.41% |
| Brisbane | 2,484,138 | 1.61% |
| Perth | 2,218,366 | 1.6% |
| Adelaide | 1,299,185 | 0.84% |
| Gold Coast | 741,661 | 1.93% |
| Canberra | 523,285 | 1.28% |
| Newcastle | 361,877 | 0.74% |
| Central Coast | 343,965 | 1.1% |
| Sunshine Coast | 313,811 | 1.93% |
| Wollongong | 292,054 | 0.82% |
| Hobart | 205,884 | 0.83% |
| Geelong | 190,619 | 1.1% |
| Townsville | 186,562 | 1.4% |
| Cairns | 163,376 | 1.26% |
| Darwin | 130,746 | 1.32% |
| Ballarat | 113,156 | 1.4% |
| Toowoomba | 112,978 | 0.82% |
| Bendigo | 108,707 | 1.51% |
| Maitland | 97,446 | 1.64% |
