Bilinga, Queensland

Bilinga is a southern suburb of the Gold Coast on the Nerang-Tweed Railway line. At the 2011 Census, Bilinga had a population of 1,662.HistoryThe word "Bilinga" is derived from the word "Bilinba", meaning bats. The name was adopted in 1918 as a place name for Crown lands north of Coolangatta.After 1919, the catalyst for an increase in development was said to be the erection of a general store, owned by businessman Percy Hanzel, near the rail siding. Furthermore, increased development could be attributed to a new coastal road, which improved access to the area for holiday makers and residents.Bilinga currently holds the Gold Coast's smallest population, with only 1709 people, but has the second oldest population of residents in Australia.DemographicsIn the 2011 Census the population of Bilinga is 1,662, 48.9% female and 51.1% male.The median/average age of the Bilinga population is 43 years of age, 6 years above the Australian average.71.5% of people living in Bilinga were born in Australia. The other top responses for country of birth were New Zealand 5.6%, England 3.2%, Scotland 0.7%, Germany 0.5%, United States of America 0.5%.84.5% of people speak English as their first language 0.7% Japanese, 0.5% German, 0.4% Fijian, 0.2% Finnish, 0.2% Greek.Bilinga Surf Life Saving ClubEstablished in 1938, Bilinga SLSC members patrol the beach on weekends and public holidays from September to May each year.Bilinga - Gold Coast AirportThe Gold Coast's Domestic and international Airport Is located at 1 Eastern Avenue Bilinga. The Airport is also known as Coolangatta Airport