Sunshine Plaza has an estimated population of 411,810 as of June 2018 which is forecast to grow at an average annual rate of 2.0% reaching 481,460 by 2026. The average age of the resident population is 42.0. The Average household income is $85,350 with 49.7% of the population with dependent children.

The primary north sector extends to the Maroochy River in the north, the alignment of the Bruce Highway in the west and Mooloolaba Road in the south. The primary south sector encompasses the area to the south of Mooloolaba Road bounded by the alignment of the Bruce Highway to the west. In combination, the two primary sectors and the three secondary sectors are referred to as the Sunshine Plaza main trade area, from which Sunshine Plaza would attract the majority of sales. In addition, five tertiary sectors have been defined. In combination, the main trade area and the five tertiary sectors is referred to as the Sunshine Plaza total trade area, which generally encompasses the entire Sunshine Coast region of Queensland, as well as the inland area of Gympie.