New socioeconomic indexes released by the Australian Bureau of Statistics based on 2021 census data reveal the areas of the Gold Coast that are most advantaged and those most disadvantaged, and the numbers reveal a notable contrast.
While Broadbeach Waters, Bundall, and Clear Island Waters emerge as some of the most advantaged, suburbs like Labrador, Coombabah, and Southport score well below the average, signifying higher levels of disadvantage.
We've listed the 10 most advantaged and the 10 most disadvantaged suburbs of the Gold Coast
The socioeconomic index or SEIFA^ summarizes information about the economic and social conditions of people and households within an area. It takes into account things like income, education, occupation, housing, employment, family structure etc. The factors are combined to create a score with an average of 1,000. The higher the score above 1,000 the greater the level of advantage, the lower the score the greater the disadvantage experienced in that area.
To get an idea of the disparity across Australia, and how the scores differ, the most advantaged areas of Australia are Woollahara in Sydney's Eastern Suburbs with a score of 1,175 and Sydney's harbourside suburb of Mosman with a score of 1,168. While the most disadvantaged suburbs of Australia are Woorabinda and Cherbourg, with scores of 658 and 659 respectively, both are tiny remote towns located in outback Queensland. The City of Gold Coast as a whole has a score of 1,009, while Brisbane is Queensland's LGA with the highest score of 1061.
10 most advantaged suburbs on the Gold Coast
Broadbeach Waters | 1075.70
Bundall | 1067.80
Clear Island Waters | 1066.90
Main Beach | 1063.90
Hope Island | 1062.90
Reedy Creek | 1060.50
Currumbin Valley & Tallebudgera | 1054.90
Benowa | 1053.00
Paradise Point & Hollywell | 1044.50
Worongary & Tallai | 1044.00
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10 most disadvantaged suburbs on the Gold Coast
Labrador | 929.50
Coombahah | 936.30
Southport North / South | 953.60 / 980.90
Pimpama South | 955.30
Nerang & Mount Nathan | 965.00
Biggara Waters | 972.20
Upper Coomera North | 975.30
Highland Park | 983.50
Merrimac | 986.00
Stapylton & Ormeau East | 989.00
Need help finding the best suburbs for you?
With so many suburbs, each offering a completely different lifestyle, it can be hard deciding on what areas are best for you.
This is where I can help! Book a personal consultation and I will assist you in identifying the best suburbs (and schools) that suit your specific living requirements, your budget and lifestyle preferences.
Sources & disclaimer:
Australian Bureau of Statistics, Census 2021, Socio-Economic Indexes for Areas (SEIFA).
We have in preparing this information used our best endeavours to ensure that the information contained herein is true and accurate but accept no responsibility and disclaim all liability in respect of any errors, omissions, inaccuracies or misstatements that may occur
^SEIFA explained
SEIFA Index of Relative Socio-economic Advantage and Disadvantage (IRSAD) summarizes information about the economic and social conditions of people and households within an area, including both relative advantage and disadvantage measures.
A low score indicates relatively greater disadvantage and a lack of advantage in general. For example, an area could have a low score if there are:
- many households with low incomes, or many people in unskilled occupations, AND
- few households with high incomes, or few people in skilled occupations.
A high score indicates a relative lack of disadvantage and greater advantage in general. For example, an area may have a high score if there are:
- many households with high incomes, or many people in skilled occupations, AND
- few households with low incomes, or few people in unskilled occupations.
