JOBS and lifestyle are driving a migration boom on the Sunshine Coast with the region attracting more internal migrants than nearly every other region in Queensland.
Australian Bureau of Statistics data shows only the Moreton Bay and Gold Coast council areas experienced greater net gains from Australians moving in the 2015-16 year.
In that year 23,113 people moved to the Sunshine Coast council area from other parts of Australia; 16,913 people moved away from the area. The net increase of 6200 people is the third most in Queensland.
Regional Development Australia Sunshine Coast chair Tony Riddle said many people moved to the region for the economy as well as the lifestyle.
"There's a lot happening on the Coast,” he said.
"People have long moved here because of the lifestyle we have, that's what we're known for.
Mr Riddle said entrepreneurship was growing with the latest figures showing about 36,000 small businesses based on the Sunshine Coast - about one for every 10 residents.
But he said the Coast was also attracting major businesses to the region - pointing to companies such as insurance giant Youi as well as government developments like the Sunshine Coast hospital.
Regional Australia Institute chief Jack Archer said across Australia cities just outside capitals were benefiting from people looking for a change.
"We see the Sunshine Coast as a 'connected lifestyle city', popular with retirees and people seeking a great lifestyle alternative on the coast,” he said.