Facts of the Matter

312,804

The number of people who call the Sunshine Coast home, and make up for 7.3 per cent of the total Queensland population, which stands at 4,293,915 (as at 30 June, 2008).

2.3%

The average projected growth rate for the Sunshine Coast over the next 20 years. By 2026, the region’s population is expected to hit 460,862.

116,121

The number of people aged over 15 years who held a post-school qualification. 22 per cent had a bachelor degree or higher, 14.9 per cent had an advanced diploma or diploma, while 38.7 per cent had a certificate (at the time of the 2006 Census).

8,327

The number of unemployed people aged over 15 years on the Sunshine Coast in the June quarter of 2009. That calculates to an unemployment rate of 5.3 per cent, which was higher compared to Queensland’s rate of 4.4 percent.

16,721

The number of people employed in the local Retail Trade industry, representing the largest industry of employment for the Sunshine Coast area. Construction and Health Care also supported the next largest category of employed people. See table below for the results of other industries.

Employment by industry:

 

(Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics, Census of Population and Housing, 2006)

16.9%

The proportion of technicians and trades workers employed in the local area, and representing the largest occupation group. See table below for the results of other occupations.

Employment by occupation.

(Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics, Census of Population and Housing, 2006)

96,876

The number of people aged over 15 years who stated their gross individual weekly income was less than $400. While 4,842 people stated that their weekly income was more than $2,000, the rest of us are earning between $400 and $1,999 each week.

150

The number of business that classified their operations as ‘large’, out of a total 31,770 businesses that were based on the Sunshine Coast. 30,588 were small businesses, while 1,032 were medium-sized (from 2006-07).

$0-$100k

The range of annual turnover for most (14,616) Sunshine Coast businesses. 14,199 businesses have a turnover between $100k and $1 million. 9.3 per cent of businesses were successful enough to record a turnover of more than $1 million.

Facts of Matter statistics were sourced from Queensland Regional Profiles, based on the Sunshine Coast Regional Council local government area, generated on 6 February, 2010. Please visit the Office of Economic and Statistical Research at http://www.oesr.qld.gov.au for complete results.

127.3 The average price we paid for unleaded petrol throughout January, according to MotorMouth. BM Tip - You can save time and money by visiting www.motormouth.com.au to find the cheapest daily petrol prices in your area.

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