Rochedale South - Priestdale
Statistical Area - sa2

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

Rochedale South - Priestdale's population is 16,061 as of Aug 2025. This is an increase of 667 people from the 2021 Census figure of 15,394, reflecting a 4.3% growth since then. The change was inferred from ABS estimated resident population of 16,050 in June 2024 and validated new addresses since the Census date. This results in a population density ratio of 1,234 persons per square kilometer, higher than average national locations assessed by AreaSearch. The area's growth rate is competitive at 4.3%, being within 1.9 percentage points of the SA3 area's 6.2%. Natural growth contributed approximately 51.4% to overall population gains recently.

AreaSearch uses ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area, released in 2024 with a base year of 2022. For areas not covered by this data and years post-2032, Queensland State Government's SA2 area projections from 2023 (based on 2021 data) are adopted, applying proportional growth weightings for age cohorts based on ABS Greater Capital Region projections released in 2023. By 2041, the area is projected to grow by 90 persons, an increase of 0.5% 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, 2 approvals have been recorded. On average, 0.3 new residents per year per dwelling constructed were observed between FY-21 and FY-25. This suggests that new supply is meeting or exceeding demand, providing ample buyer choice and capacity for population growth beyond current forecasts.

The average expected construction cost value of new dwellings in the area is $631,000. In FY-26, there have been $40.9 million in commercial approvals, indicating high levels of local commercial activity. Compared to Greater Brisbane, Rochedale South - Priestdale maintains similar construction rates per person, supporting market stability. However, development activity has moderated recently, which is below the national average, reflecting the area's maturity and potential planning constraints.

New developments consist of 82.0% detached houses and 18.0% attached dwellings, preserving the suburban nature of the location and attracting space-seeking buyers. The area has approximately 503 people per dwelling approval, indicating an established area. Future projections suggest Rochedale South - Priestdale will add 79 residents by 2041. With current construction levels, housing supply should adequately meet demand, creating favourable conditions for buyers while potentially enabling growth that exceeds current forecasts.

Rochedale South - Priestdale has moderate levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the top 50% nationally

The performance of a region is significantly impacted by changes in local infrastructure, major projects, and planning initiatives. AreaSearch has identified a total of 49 such projects that are expected to influence the area. Notable projects include Solaris Rochedale, Citrine Townhomes, 319 Gardner Road Townhouses Stage 3, and Lily Rochedale. The following details those projects likely to be most relevant.

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

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. Its unemployment rate was 2.1% as of June 2025, lower than Greater Brisbane's 4.1%.

Employment growth over the past year was estimated at 5.2%. There are 9,575 residents employed, with a workforce participation rate of 67.1%, slightly higher than Greater Brisbane's 64.5%. Key industries include health care & social assistance, education & training, and construction. The area specializes in education & training, with an employment share 1.3 times the regional level.

Accommodation & food services have limited presence at 5.1%, compared to 6.7% regionally. Employment opportunities locally appear limited based on Census data comparison of working population vs resident population. Between June 2024 and June 2025, employment levels increased by 5.2% while labour force grew by 4.8%, leading to a unemployment rate decrease of 0.4 percentage points. In contrast, Greater Brisbane saw employment rise by 4.4%. Statewide in Queensland, employment contracted by 0.23% (losing 8,070 jobs) as of Sep-25, with an unemployment rate of 4.2%, compared to the national rate of 4.5%. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May 2025 project overall growth of 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Rochedale South - Priestdale's industry mix suggests local growth of approximately 6.5% over five years and 13.5% over ten years, though these are simple 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 ended June 2022 indicates that income in Rochedale South - Priestdale is above the national average. The median income was $54,676 and the average income stood at $68,873. In comparison, Greater Brisbane's figures showed a median income of $55,645 and an average income of $70,520. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 11.71% since financial year ended June 2022, current estimates would be approximately $61,079 for median income and $76,938 for average income as of March 2025. Census data reveals that household, family and personal incomes in Rochedale South - Priestdale cluster around the 59th percentile nationally. Looking at income distribution, the largest segment comprises 37.1% earning between $1,500 and $2,999 weekly, with 5,958 residents falling into this category. This aligns with the broader area where this cohort likewise represents 33.3%. After housing expenses, 85.2% of income remains for other expenses. The area's SEIFA income ranking places it in the 6th decile nationally.

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

Rochedale South - Priestdale's dwelling structure in its latest Census showed 88.5% houses and 11.5% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings), compared to Brisbane metro's 77.9% houses and 22.2% other dwellings. Home ownership was at 30.2%, with mortgaged dwellings at 47.0% and rented at 22.8%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $1,800, above Brisbane metro's average of $1,638. Median weekly rent was $395, compared to Brisbane metro's $320. Nationally, Rochedale South - Priestdale had lower mortgage repayments ($1,800 vs Australia's $1,863) and higher rents ($395 vs Australia's $375).

Rochedale South - Priestdale features high concentrations of family households, with a fairly typical median household size

Family households comprise 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, aligning with the Greater Brisbane average.

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 shows a significant advantage with 27.6% of residents aged 15+ holding university qualifications compared to the SA4 region's 16.2% and the SA3 area's 20.6%. Bachelor degrees are the most common at 19.0%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (5.8%) and graduate diplomas (2.8%). Vocational credentials are also prominent, with 36.8% of residents aged 15+ holding such qualifications - advanced diplomas at 11.9% and certificates at 24.9%. Educational participation is notably high, 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. The area has two schools serving students: Rochedale South State School and Springwood Road State School, with a total of 973 students. These schools focus exclusively on primary education, with secondary options available in surrounding areas. The local school capacity is limited at 6.1 places per 100 residents compared to the regional average of 20.7, indicating many families travel for schooling.

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

Rochedale South - Priestdale has 80 active public transport stops. These are all bus stops serviced by 7 routes. There are a total of 357 weekly passenger trips across these routes.

Residents have excellent transport accessibility with an average distance of 192 meters to the nearest stop. The service frequency is 51 trips per day, which amounts to approximately 4 weekly trips per individual stop.

Rochedale South - Priestdale's residents are healthier than average in comparison to broader Australia with a fairly standard level of common health conditions seen across both young and old age cohorts

Rochedale South - Priestdale residents show relatively positive health outcomes, with common conditions seen across both young and old age groups. Approximately 54% (~8,624 people) have private health cover, compared to 49.5% in Greater Brisbane.

Mental health issues affect 8.3% of residents, while asthma impacts 8.2%. Around 69.7% declare no medical ailments, compared to 68.5% across Greater Brisbane. The area has 16.5% (2,651 people) aged 65 and over, higher than the 15.4% in Greater Brisbane. Senior health outcomes are above average, similar to the general population's profile.

Rochedale South - Priestdale was found to be more culturally diverse than the vast majority of local markets in Australia, upon assessment of a range of language and cultural background related metrics

Rochedale South-Priestdale, surveyed from July 2016 to June 2021, showed higher cultural diversity than most local areas. Overseas-born residents comprised 27.4%, with 18.9% speaking languages other than English at home. Christianity dominated the religious landscape, accounting for 52.2%.

The 'Other' religion category was slightly overrepresented at 1.9%, compared to Greater Brisbane's 1.8%. In terms of ancestry, the top groups were English (25.6%), Australian (23.6%), and Other (10.1%). Notably, New Zealand (1.4%), Korean (1.4%), and Maori (1.3%) ethnicities showed higher representation than regional averages.

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

Rochedale South - Priestdale has a median age of 37 years, nearly matching Greater Brisbane's average of 36 and close to Australia's median of 38. Compared to Greater Brisbane, Rochedale South - Priestdale has a higher proportion of residents aged 75-84 (6.6%) but fewer residents aged 25-34 (11.0%). Between the 2021 Census and the present, the proportion of residents aged 75 to 84 has grown from 5.0% to 6.6%, while those aged 15 to 24 increased from 11.5% to 12.7%. Conversely, the proportion of residents aged 25 to 34 has declined from 12.5% to 11.0%, and those aged 65 to 74 have dropped from 9.4% to 8.1%. By 2041, demographic modeling suggests significant changes in Rochedale South - Priestdale's age profile. The 85+ cohort is projected to grow by 172%, adding 508 residents and reaching 804. Residents aged 65 and above will drive 63% of population growth, indicating demographic aging trends. Conversely, the 0 to 4 and 5 to 14 age cohorts are expected to experience population declines.