The Gold Coast’s population has seen steady growth, reaching 640,778 residents in 2021, making it one of Australia’s largest and most diverse urban centres. According to the 2016 Census, the urban area had 540,559 people, while the greater region, including rural areas, reached 569,997. The city’s median age of 39 years is just slightly above the national average, with a male-to-female ratio of 48.6% to 51.4%.

The Gold Coast’s multicultural identity is reflected in its ancestry and international community. While 64% of residents were born in Australia, the city also boasts strong communities from New Zealand (7.9%), England (5.2%), China and South Africa (1.2% each), and Japan (0.7%). Indigenous Australians make up 1.7% of the population, continuing the deep cultural heritage of the region.

Language diversity is another key feature of the Gold Coast, with Mandarin (1.6%), Japanese (1.0%), Korean and Spanish (0.6% each), and Cantonese (0.5%) being the most commonly spoken languages apart from English.

The Gold Coast’s religious landscape has been shifting in recent years. The 2021 Census revealed that 43.4% of residents identify as having no religious affiliation, reflecting a national trend toward secularism. However, Catholicism (18.2%) and Anglicanism (11.9%) remain the most common religious affiliations, followed by Uniting Church (2.9%), Non-denominational Christianity (3.1%), Buddhism (1.4%), Hinduism (1.1%), and Islam (1.0%).

With its growing population, multicultural makeup, and evolving cultural identity, the Gold Coast continues to cement itself as a vibrant and dynamic city within Australia.