Rochedale South - Priestdale

Rochedale South - Priestdale has shown very soft population growth performance across periods assessed by AreaSearch

Rochedale South-Priestdale's population is approximately 16,075 as of February 2026. This represents an increase of 681 people since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 15,394. The growth is inferred from ABS estimates; the population was 16,050 in June 2024 and there were additional 81 validated new addresses after the Census date. This results in a density ratio of 1,235 persons per square kilometer, higher than national averages assessed by AreaSearch. The area's growth rate of 4.4% since the Census is competitive with other SA3 areas, which have an average growth rate of 6.4%. Natural growth contributed approximately 51.4% to overall population gains recently.

AreaSearch uses ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area released in 2024, based on 2022 data. For areas not covered by this data and years post-2032, Queensland State Government's SA2 area projections from 2023 are used, based on 2021 data. These state projections do not provide age category splits, so AreaSearch applies proportional growth weightings in line with ABS Greater Capital Region projections released in 2023, based on 2022 data. Considering projected demographic shifts, the area is expected to grow by 90 persons to 2041, reflecting an increase of 0.4% over 17 years.

Residential development activity is lower than average in Rochedale South - Priestdale according to AreaSearch's national comparison of local real estate markets

Rochedale South - Priestdale has averaged approximately 48 new dwelling approvals annually over the past five financial years, totalling 242 homes. As of FY-26 so far, 6 approvals have been recorded. The average increase in residents per year per dwelling constructed between FY-21 and FY-25 is around 0.3. This indicates that new supply is keeping pace with or exceeding demand, providing ample buyer choice and creating capacity for population growth beyond current forecasts.

The average construction value of new dwellings is approximately $335,000. There have been $40.9 million in commercial approvals this financial year, suggesting robust local business investment. Compared to Greater Brisbane, Rochedale South - Priestdale maintains similar construction rates per person, supporting market stability in line with regional patterns. However, development activity has moderated in recent periods.

This is also below the national average, reflecting the area's maturity and possible planning constraints. The majority of new developments consist of detached houses (82.0%) with a smaller proportion of attached dwellings (18.0%), preserving the area's suburban nature and attracting space-seeking buyers. There are approximately 503 people per dwelling approval in the location, indicating an established area. According to AreaSearch's latest quarterly estimate, Rochedale South - Priestdale is projected to add 65 residents by 2041. With current construction levels, housing supply should adequately meet demand, creating favourable conditions for buyers and potentially enabling growth that exceeds current forecasts.

Rochedale South - Priestdale has very high levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the top 20% nationally

Changes in local infrastructure significantly affect an area's performance. AreaSearch has identified fifty projects expected to impact the region. Notable projects include 319 Gardner Road Townhouses Stage 3566 Underwood Road Mixed Development, Springwood Health Hub, and Daisy Hill Koala Conservation Trails. The following list details those most relevant.

Professional plan users can use the search below to filter and access additional projects.

Denotes AI-based impression for illustrative purposes only, not to be taken as definitive under any circumstances. Please follow links and conduct other investigations from the project's source for actual imagery. Developers and project owners wishing us to use original imagery please Contact Us and we will do so.

AreaSearch analysis of employment trends sees Rochedale South - Priestdale performing better than 90% of local markets assessed across Australia

Rochedale South - Priestdale has a skilled workforce with notable representation in essential services sectors. The unemployment rate as of September 2025 is 2.0%, which is below Greater Brisbane's rate of 4.0%. Employment growth over the past year was estimated at 2.7%.

There are 9,243 residents currently employed, with workforce participation at 73.1%, slightly higher than Greater Brisbane's 70.7%. According to Census responses, 17.8% of residents work from home. Key industries of employment include health care & social assistance, education & training, and construction. The area has a particularly strong specialization in education & training, with an employment share of 1.3 times the regional level.

Conversely, accommodation & food services have limited presence with 5.1% employment compared to 6.7% regionally. Employment opportunities locally appear limited based on Census data comparing working population and resident population. Between September 2024 and September 2025, employment levels increased by 2.7%, while the labour force grew by 1.8%, leading to a decrease in unemployment by 0.8 percentage points. In contrast, Greater Brisbane saw employment rise by 3.8% and unemployment fall by 0.5 percentage points during the same period. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May-25 project an increase of 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years nationally. Applying these projections to Rochedale South - Priestdale's employment mix suggests local employment should increase by 6.5% over five years and 13.5% over ten years, though these are simple weighted extrapolations for illustrative purposes only.

Income analysis reveals strong economic positioning, with the area outperforming 60% of locations assessed nationally by AreaSearch

AreaSearch's latest postcode level ATO data for financial year 2023 shows that Rochedale South - Priestdale SA2 has an income just above the national average. The median income is $56,626 and the average income stands at $69,582. In comparison, Greater Brisbane's figures are a median income of $58,236 and an average income of $72,799. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 9.91% since financial year 2023, current estimates for Rochedale South - Priestdale would be approximately $62,238 (median) and $76,478 (average) as of September 2025. Census data reveals that household, family and personal incomes in Rochedale South - Priestdale cluster around the 59th percentile nationally. The largest segment comprises 37.1% earning $1,500 - 2,999 weekly (5,963 residents), which aligns with the broader area where this cohort likewise represents 33.3%. After housing costs, 85.2% of income remains for other expenses. The area's SEIFA income ranking places it in the 6th decile.

Rochedale South - Priestdale is characterized by a predominantly suburban housing profile, with above-average rates of outright home ownership

Dwelling structure in Rochedale South-Priestdale, as recorded at the latest Census on 28 August 2016, consisted of 88.5% houses and 11.5% other dwellings. In Brisbane metropolitan area, this was 73.5% houses and 26.5% other dwellings. Home ownership in Rochedale South-Priestdale stood at 30.2%, with mortgaged dwellings at 47.0% and rented ones at 22.8%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $1,800, below Brisbane metro's average of $1,863. Median weekly rent in the area was $395, compared to Brisbane metro's $380. Nationally, Rochedale South-Priestdale's mortgage repayments were lower than Australia's average of $1,863, while rents exceeded the national figure of $375.

Rochedale South - Priestdale features high concentrations of family households, with a higher-than-average median household size

Family households constitute 78.9% of all households, including 39.1% couples with children, 26.6% couples without children, and 12.4% single parent families. Non-family households account for the remaining 21.1%, with lone person households at 18.5% and group households comprising 2.6%. The median household size is 2.8 people, which is larger than the Greater Brisbane average of 2.6.

The educational profile of Rochedale South - Priestdale exceeds national averages, with above-average qualification levels and academic performance metrics

Educational attainment in Rochedale South - Priestdale is notably higher than broader benchmarks. Specifically, 27.6% of residents aged 15 and above hold university qualifications, compared to 16.2% in the SA4 region and 20.6% in the SA3 area. Bachelor degrees are most common at 19.0%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (5.8%) and graduate diplomas (2.8%). Vocational credentials are also prevalent, with 36.8% of residents aged 15 and above holding such qualifications – advanced diplomas account for 11.9% and certificates for 24.9%.

Educational participation is high in the area, with 30.0% of residents currently enrolled in formal education. This includes 10.7% in primary education, 8.7% in secondary education, and 4.9% pursuing tertiary education.

Transport servicing is low compared to other areas nationally based on assessment of service frequency, route connectivity and accessibility

Rochedale South - Priestdale has 78 active public transport stops, all of which are bus stops. These stops are served by six different routes that together facilitate 295 weekly passenger trips. The area's transport accessibility is rated as excellent, with residents typically located 197 meters from the nearest stop. Most residents commute outward due to its residential nature. Cars remain the dominant mode of transportation at 88%, while buses account for 8%. On average, there are 1.7 vehicles per dwelling, which exceeds the regional average.

According to the 2021 Census, 17.8% of residents work from home, a figure that may be influenced by COVID-19 conditions. The service frequency across all routes averages 42 trips per day, equating to approximately three weekly trips per individual stop.

Rochedale South - Priestdale's residents are extremely healthy with prevalence of common health conditions low among the general population and nearer the nation's average across older, at risk cohorts

Analysis shows strong health performance in Rochedale South - Priestdale based on AreaSearch's assessment of mortality rates and chronic condition prevalence.

Prevalence of common health conditions is low among the general population, nearing the nation's average across older, at-risk cohorts. Private health cover rate leads the average SA2 area at approximately 54% of the total population (~8664 people). The most common medical conditions are mental health issues and asthma, impacting 8.3% and 8.2% of residents respectively, while 69.7% declare themselves completely clear of medical ailments compared to 69.2% across Greater Brisbane. Health outcomes among the working-age population are broadly typical. The area has 17.1% of residents aged 65 and over (2744 people), which is higher than the 15.2% in Greater Brisbane. Health outcomes among seniors are above average, though ranking lower nationally than the broader population.

The level of cultural diversity witnessed in Rochedale South - Priestdale was found to be above average when compared nationally for a number of language and cultural background related metrics

Rochedale South-Priestdale, surveyed in June 2016, had a higher cultural diversity than most local areas. 27.4% of its residents were born overseas, and 18.9% spoke languages other than English at home. Christianity was the predominant religion, practiced by 52.2%.

The 'Other' religious category was slightly overrepresented at 1.9%, compared to Greater Brisbane's 1.3%. In terms of ancestry, the top groups were English (25.6%), Australian (23.6%), and Other (10.1%). Notably, New Zealanders comprised 1.4% (vs regional 1.0%), Koreans 1.4% (vs 0.5%), and Maori 1.3% (vs 1.1%) of the population.

Rochedale South - Priestdale's population is slightly younger than the national pattern

Rochedale South - Priestdale has a median age of 38, which is slightly higher than Greater Brisbane's figure of 36 but equal to Australia's median age of 38 years. The age group of 75-84 shows strong representation in Rochedale South - Priestdale at 6.9%, compared to Greater Brisbane. Meanwhile, the 25-34 cohort is less prevalent at 10.5%. Between 2021 and present, the 75-84 age group has grown from 5.0% to 6.9% of the population, while the 15-24 cohort increased from 11.5% to 12.9%. Conversely, the 25-34 cohort has declined from 12.5% to 10.5%, and the 65-74 group dropped from 9.4% to 8.1%. By 2041, demographic projections indicate significant shifts in Rochedale South - Priestdale's age structure. The 85+ group is expected to grow by 149%, reaching 804 people from the current figure of 323. This aging population trend is evident, with those aged 65 and above comprising 65% of projected growth. Conversely, the 15-24 and 0-4 age cohorts are expected to experience population declines.