Southport, Queensland

Southport Gold Coast, Queensland
The Gold Coast Broadwater commercial district
Population	28,315 (2011 census)
Established	1874
Postcode(s)	4215
Location	73 km (45 mi) from Brisbane
LGA(s)	City of Gold Coast
State electorate(s)	Southport
Federal Division(s)	Moncrieff
Suburbs around Southport: Parkwood Labrador Main Beach Molendinar Southport Main Beach Ashmore Bundall Surfers P'dise

Southport is a suburb and the central business district near the midpoint of Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia and has one of the city's largest communities. At the 2011 Census, Southport had a population of 28,315.

Originally known as Nerang Creek Heads, it was named Southport because it was the southernmost port of the colony of Queensland. Southport is recognised as the central business district of the City of Gold Coast. It has the city's largest area of office space at 103,818 m². In the past, Southport was the central entertainment location of the Gold Coast. In current times it is set apart from the normal tourist hub of the Gold Coast. However, it has still experienced tourist-driven development and extraordinary growth. Southport has 18 high-rise towers either completed, under construction or awaiting commencement.

In the 2011 Census the population of Southport is 28,315, 51.5% female and 48.5% male.

The median/average age of the Southport population is 36 years of age, 1 year below the Australian average.

55.2% of people living in Southport were born in Australia. The other top responses for country of birth were New Zealand 7.3%, England 4.3%, Korea, Republic of 2.9%, China 2.7%, Japan 1.7%.

69.8% of people speak English as their first language 3% Korean, 2.7% Mandarin, 2% Japanese, 1.4% Arabic, 1.1% Cantonese.

A settlement was first surveyed in 1874 and the name Southport decided the following year. Southport was once the site of timber mills. A port was established to ship logs to Brisbane. Cutting timber opened up the area for settlement. Early rural industries included sugar growing and livestock grazing.

In 1883, the first Southport Pier was built to allow steamships to bring cargo and passengers to Southport. In the 1880s, the Southport became the chosen site for the holiday residence of the Queensland Governor Sir Anthony Musgrave and his wife Lady Musgrave. Known as the Summer Place and still situated on the present day site of The Southport School, the choice of Southport as the preferred holiday destination for one of the most prominent couples in Queensland established the township as Queensland's preeminent seaside resort. Following the death of the governor in 1888, the Summer Place continued to be a holiday home for visitors to the area.