Our city, the Gold Coast is one of the largest cities by population in Australia and is the second largest in Queensland. The official population of Gold Coast City as of the 30th June 2018, is 606,774, making it the largest non-capital city in Australia. The Gold Coast has seen significant population growth since the 1920s and is one of Australia’s top tourist destinations, luring in residents and tourists alike with its beautiful coasts, thriving nightlife, and natural beauty.
The Gold Coast Demographics
The population of the Gold Coast is 51.4% female, according to the 2016 Census. The median age in the city is 39 years old. English is the most common ancestry in the city, with 29.3% of inhabitants being of English descent. 64% of the population was born in Australia, with 7.9% of residents originating from New Zealand and 5.2% being born in England. Over 17% of the population hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. 45.8% of residents were born to parents that were born in Australia.
31.8% of residents reported that they do not have a religion. The top religion in the city is Catholicism, of which over 20% reported following per the 2016 Census. Over 80% of households speak English only, while the second top language spoken within the city is Mandarin, which is spoken by 1.6% of the population.
The Gold Coast History
Though the Gold Coast area had its first recorded sighting in the 1700s, it was uninhabited until 1823. It was originally known as the South Coast because of its location in relation to Brisbane. The city received its name because of over inflation of goods and housing. Though this name was thought by some to be derogatory, over the years, the area became known for its beautiful beaches and nightlife, and by the 1950s, tourism was booming, leading many to integrate “Gold Coast” into the names of their businesses. The city was renamed as the Town of Gold Coast, followed up one year later as the City of Gold Coast.
The city continues to be a thriving tourism spot because of its beaches that are known for surfing, pristine rainforests, stunning skyline, and activities including shopping and theme parks. Its movie, TV, and music industries have earned it the nickname “Australia’s Hollywood,” and it is now the most populous non-capital city in Australia.
The Gold Coast Population Growth
The Gold Coast’s population has grown considerably over the last decade. The city has gained over 126,000 new residents between the 2006 and 2016 Censuses. From year to year, the city has seen annual population growth ranging from 1.79% to 3.75%. The city is one of the fastest-growing in Australia and with tourism booming and new opportunities opening up with the development of business districts, population is only expected to continue its upward climb in the years to come.
