Suburb profile · ABS Census 2021
Main Beach suburb profile
Main Beach, QLD · Postcode 4217
This Main Beach suburb profile summarises official Australian Bureau of Statistics Census 2021 data for Main Beach, QLD (postcode 4217). Use it as a free suburb report covering population, median rent, household income, age, housing tenure and employment, plus how those figures changed since Census 2016— then compare Main Beach with nearby suburbs.
Main Beach at a glance
Population
3,998
Median rent
$500/wk
Household income
$1,682/wk
Median age
57
Main Beach trends (2016 → 2021)
Change since the previous Census. Historical figures are mapped from State Suburbs (SSC) to today's suburb boundaries.
Population
Census 2011 → 2016 → 2021
+14.4% over 10 years
Population
3,998
was 3,883 in 2016
+115 · +3%
Median rent
$500/wk
was $443/wk in 2016
+$57 · +12.9%
Household income
$1,682/wk
was $1,534/wk in 2016
+$148 · +9.6%
Median age
57
was 51 in 2016
+6 · +11.8%
Dig deeper: Main Beach population growth · Main Beach then and now
Main Beach vs nearby & Greater Brisbane
Median Census 2021 figures for Main Beach, nearby suburbs (8), and the Brisbane metro median (suburbs with 1,000+ people).
Rent
+19% vs area
- Main Beach$500/wk
- Nearby$442.5/wk
- Brisbane$420/wk
Household income
-16.5% vs area
- Main Beach$1,682/wk
- Nearby$1,574/wk
- Brisbane$2,015/wk
Median age
+54.1% vs area
- Main Beach57
- Nearby43.5
- Brisbane37
Personal income
+8.4% vs area
- Main Beach$938/wk
- Nearby$775.5/wk
- Brisbane$865/wk
Nearby uses the same postcode first, then larger suburbs in QLD. See Brisbane rankings.
Socio-economic profile
How Main Beach compares to other Australian suburbs on income, education and occupation — from official ABS SEIFA 2021 data.
Main Beach ranks among Australia's most advantaged suburbs. It shows limited economic resources and high education and occupation levels.
Relative disadvantage (IRSD)
Decile 81,058.9
Lower score / decile = more relative disadvantage
Advantage & disadvantage (IRSAD)
Decile 91,063.9
Higher score / decile = more relative advantage
Economic resources (IER)
Decile 3985.9
Access to economic resources (income, housing)
Education & occupation (IEO)
Decile 91,070.7
Education and occupational skill levels
Source: ABS SEIFA 2021. See methodology.
Main Beach on the map
OpenStreetMap outline for Main Beach, QLD.
Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors. Boundary matching is approximate.
Main Beach people
- Population
- 3,998
- Median age
- 57
- Born overseas
- 26%
- Average household size
- 1.9
Total usual residents (Census 2021)
Median age of residents in years
Percentage born outside Australia
Average number of people per household
Main Beach income
- Median household income
- $1,682/wk
- Median personal income
- $938/wk
Median total weekly household income
Median total weekly personal income
Main Beach housing
- Median rent
- $500/wk
- Median mortgage repayment
- $2,091/mo
- Separate houses
- 2.3%
- Flats & apartments
- 59.3%
- Owned outright
- 30.8%
- Mortgaged
- 13.4%
- Rented
- 20.4%
- Unoccupied dwellings
- 33.7%
Median weekly rent for rented dwellings
Median monthly mortgage repayment
Percentage of dwellings that are separate houses
Percentage of dwellings that are flats or apartments
Percentage of dwellings owned without a mortgage
Percentage of dwellings with a mortgage
Percentage of dwellings rented
Percentage of private dwellings unoccupied on Census night
Main Beach work
- Employment to population
- 49.1%
- Unemployment rate
- 4.7%
- Year 12 or above
- 59.4%
Employed persons as a percentage of population aged 15+
Unemployed persons as a percentage of the labour force
Percentage with Year 12 or equivalent as highest school level
Nearby suburb profiles (near 4217)
Compare Main Beach with nearby suburbs
Main Beach in numbers
Main Beach had 3,998 residents at the 2021 Census, making it the 434th most populous suburb or locality in QLD out of 3,110. The median age is 57, 43% above the typical QLD suburb. The average household has 1.9 people. 26% of residents were born overseas.
Among occupied homes, 30.8% own their home outright, 13.4% are paying a mortgage, 20.4% rent. Flats and apartments make up 59.3% of dwellings, with 2.3% separate houses. Median rent was $500/wk, 43% above the typical QLD suburb.
Median household income was $1,682/wk, close to the typical QLD suburb. The unemployment rate on Census night was 4.7%. 59.4% of adults had completed Year 12 or above. On the ABS SEIFA index of relative socio-economic disadvantage it sits in decile 8 nationally (1 is most disadvantaged, 10 least).
Between the 2016 and 2021 Censuses the population grew 3% (from 3,883 to 3,998). Median rent moved from $443/wk to $500/wk (+12.9%).
Main Beach suburb FAQs
- What is the median rent in Main Beach, QLD?
- The median weekly rent in Main Beach was $500/wk at the 2021 Census (ABS).
- How many people live in Main Beach, QLD?
- Main Beach had 3,998 residents at the 2021 Census, up 3% from 2016.
- What is the median household income in Main Beach?
- Median household income in Main Beach was $1,682/wk at the 2021 Census.
- Do most people rent or own in Main Beach?
- 20.4% of occupied homes in Main Beach were rented, 30.8% were owned outright and 13.4% were owned with a mortgage.
About this Main Beach suburb profile
Figures are from the ABS Census of Population and Housing 2021 (General Community Profile) for the Suburbs and Localities boundary matching Main Beach. Where shown, 2016 values come from the 2016 State Suburbs (SSC) profile, linked via ABS geographic correspondence — boundaries are not always identical. Medians may be suppressed for very small areas. This is not financial or relocation advice — use it alongside current market data.
Source: ABS Census 2021. Methodology · Richest suburbs in Brisbane