Suburb in Gympie

Rainbow Beach, QLD

Rainbow Beach had a population of 1,220 at the 2021 Census (−2.3% since 2016). Median age 55.7. Median weekly household income $975. Source: ABS Census 2021, via Censible. Census 2026 data arrives June 2027.

Rainbow Beach at a glance

What the 2021 Census says, compared with Queensland.

In Wide Bay

Between the 2016 and 2021 censuses, Rainbow Beach's population shrank by 2.3% to 1,220, slower than Queensland as a whole (+9.6%). With a median age of 55.7, it is older than the QLD average (38.2). Children under 10 make up 6.7% of residents, and people aged 70 and over 19.7%.

31.0% of households rent, a smaller share than the QLD average of 33.6%. 45.9% own their home outright. Flats and apartments are 8.6% of homes (12.5% across Queensland). The 2021 Census counted 510 households.

The median household earns $975 a week, below the QLD average of $1,676. Renters pay a median $300 a week, and households with a mortgage repay $1,563 a month.

16.6% of residents were born overseas, fewer than the QLD average of 24.1%. 3.7% use a language other than English at home. 48.5% report no religion, higher than the QLD average (44.8%).

Key figures

2021 Census, Rainbow Beach beside QLD and Australia.

MeasureRainbow BeachQLDAustralia
Population1,2205,156,15825,422,828
Growth since 2016−2.3%+9.6%+8.6%
Median age55.738.238.2
Households5101,869,4529,275,123
Flats and apartments8.6%12.5%14.3%
Renting31.0%33.6%31.1%
Owned outright45.9%29.5%31.4%
Median household income a week$975$1,676$1,747
Median rent a week$300$364$376
Median mortgage repayment a month$1,563$1,740$1,866
Born overseas16.6%24.1%29.3%
Other language at home3.7%14.1%23.6%
No religion48.5%44.8%41.9%

Source: ABS Census 2021, via Censible. How the figures are built

Population and age

Each census since 2011, and the age profile in 2021.

Population

−2.3% since 2016.

Population · each census
  1. 1,0752011
  2. 1,2492016
  3. 1,2202021

Age

Median age 55.7, against 38.2 for Queensland.

Rainbow Beach Queensland
Share of people by age, Rainbow Beach and Queensland
0–96.7%
10–198.2%
20–295.7%
30–398.9%
40–4910.8%
50–5918.1%
60–6921.8%
70–7915.7%
80+4.0%

Source: ABS Census 2021, via Censible. How the figures are built

Cultural background

The largest groups in Rainbow Beach at the 2021 Census.

Ancestry

Top 5 · ancestry
  1. English45.2%
  2. Australian41.2%
  3. Irish14.0%
  4. Scottish13.1%
  5. German9.6%

Languages at home

Top 5 · languages at home
  1. German0.9%
  2. Italian0.6%
  3. Vietnamese0.6%
  4. Filipino0.4%
  5. Spanish0.4%

Country of birth

Top 5 · country of birth
  1. England4.8%
  2. New Zealand2.9%
  3. South Africa1.5%
  4. Germany1.0%
  5. Canada0.8%

Source: ABS Census 2021, via Censible. How the figures are built

Around Rainbow Beach

The places it belongs to, sits beside and contains.

Explore Rainbow Beach in Censible

Every census figure for Rainbow Beach, mapped and compared with any other place. A free account takes a minute.