Rockhampton City

Rockhampton City has shown very soft population growth performance across periods assessed by AreaSearch

Rockhampton City's population was approximately 3,349 as of May 2026, a decrease of 15 people from the 2021 Census figure of 3,364. This decrease is inferred from ABS estimated resident population data showing 3,345 in June 2025 and an additional 52 validated new addresses since the Census date. The population density was around 65 persons per square kilometer. Overseas migration primarily drove recent population growth in the area. 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. These state projections lack age category splits, so AreaSearch applies proportional growth weightings based on ABS Greater Capital Region projections released in 2023 and based on 2022 data. Projected demographic shifts suggest lower quartile growth for Australia's non-metropolitan areas. By 2041, the area is projected to increase by 89 persons, reflecting a total increase of 2.5% over the 16 years.

AreaSearch assessment of residential development drivers sees a low level of activity in Rockhampton City, placing the area among the bottom 25% of areas assessed nationally

Rockhampton City has averaged approximately 14 new dwelling approvals each year over the past five financial years, totalling 70 homes. In the current financial year FY-26, 19 approvals have been recorded to date. The city's population decline has resulted in adequate housing supply relative to demand, leading to a balanced market with good buyer choice. New properties are constructed at an average expected construction cost value of $448,000.

This financial year has seen $44.2 million in commercial approvals, indicating high levels of local commercial activity. Compared to the Rest of Qld, Rockhampton City maintains similar construction rates per person, consistent with the broader area's market balance, although development activity has moderated recently. Recent construction comprises 14.0% detached houses and 86.0% medium and high-density housing, marking a significant shift from existing housing patterns (currently 76.0% houses), suggesting diminishing developable land availability and responding to evolving lifestyle preferences and housing affordability needs. The estimated population per dwelling approval is 479 people in the area. According to AreaSearch's latest quarterly estimate, Rockhampton City is expected to grow by 85 residents through to 2041.

With current construction levels, housing supply should adequately meet demand, creating favourable conditions for buyers while potentially enabling growth that exceeds current forecasts.

Rockhampton City has moderate levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the top 50% nationally

Changes to local infrastructure significantly affect an area's performance. AreaSearch has identified 20 projects likely to impact the region. Key initiatives include Browne Park Redevelopment, Rockhampton Botanic Gardens and Zoo Redevelopment, Central Queensland Defence Industry Precinct Business Case, and Rockhampton Museum of Art. 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.

Employment conditions in Rockhampton City face significant challenges, ranking among the bottom 10% of areas assessed nationally

Rockhampton City has a diverse workforce with both white and blue collar jobs. The unemployment rate was 15.7% in the past year, with an estimated employment growth of 1.6%. As of December 2025, there were 1,419 residents employed, while the unemployment rate was 11.7% above Regional Queensland's rate of 4.0%.

Workforce participation was at 61.5%, lower than Regional Queensland's 64.5%. According to Census responses, only 5.1% of residents worked from home. Employment is concentrated in health care & social assistance, accommodation & food, and construction sectors. The area has a notable concentration in accommodation & food, with employment levels at 1.6 times the regional average.

Conversely, agriculture, forestry & fishing shows lower representation at 1.7% compared to the regional average of 4.5%. There are 2.8 workers for every resident, indicating that Rockhampton City functions as an employment hub attracting workers from surrounding areas. In the 12-month period ending in May-25, employment increased by 1.6%, while labour force decreased by 3.5%, causing a fall in unemployment rate of 4.3 percentage points. National employment forecasts suggest growth of 6.6% over five years and 13.8% over ten years for Rockhampton City, based on industry-specific projections applied to the local employment mix.

The area's income levels rank in the lower 15% nationally based on AreaSearch comparative data

AreaSearch's aggregation of the latest postcode level ATO data released for financial year 2023 indicates that Rockhampton City SA2 had a median income among taxpayers of $47,927 and an average level of $59,663. This is lower than national averages, which are $53,146 (median) and $66,593 (average). Based on Wage Price Index growth of 11.36% since financial year 2023, current estimates for Rockhampton City would be approximately $53,372 (median) and $66,441 (average) as of March 2026. According to the 2021 Census, household, family, and personal incomes in Rockhampton City fall between the 5th and 13th percentiles nationally. Income analysis shows that 26.9% of the population (900 individuals) have incomes within the $800 - $1,499 range, contrasting with the regional lead of 31.7% in the $1,500 - $2,999 bracket. Housing affordability pressures are severe, with only 83.2% of income remaining, ranking at the 6th percentile nationally.

Rockhampton City is characterized by a predominantly suburban housing profile, with a higher proportion of rental properties than the broader region

Rockhampton City's dwelling structures, as per the latest Census, consisted of 75.7% houses and 24.3% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings). This compares to Regional Qld's 76.4% houses and 23.6% other dwellings. Home ownership in Rockhampton City was at 28.3%, with mortgaged dwellings at 25.8% and rented ones at 45.9%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $1,073, below Regional Qld's average of $1,655. The median weekly rent in Rockhampton City was $250, compared to Regional Qld's $345. Nationally, Rockhampton City's mortgage repayments were lower than the Australian average of $1,863, and rents were substantially below the national figure of $375.

Rockhampton City features high concentrations of lone person households and group households, with a lower-than-average median household size

Family households account for 54.8% of all households, including 13.5% couples with children, 19.7% couples without children, and 17.9% single parent families. Non-family households constitute the remaining 45.2%, with lone person households at 41.0% and group households comprising 4.5%. The median household size is 2.1 people, which is smaller than the Regional Queensland average of 2.5.

Rockhampton City faces educational challenges, with performance metrics placing it in the bottom quartile of areas assessed nationally

The area's university qualification rate is 14.3%, significantly lower than Australia's average of 30.4%. Bachelor degrees are the most common at 9.6%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (2.9%) and graduate diplomas (1.8%). Vocational credentials are prevalent, with 37.8% of residents aged 15+ holding such qualifications, including advanced diplomas (6.6%) and certificates (31.2%). Educational participation is high, with 27.3% of residents currently enrolled in formal education, comprising 10.7% in primary, 6.6% in secondary, and 4.4% in tertiary education.

Educational participation is notably high, with 27.3% of residents currently enrolled in formal education. This includes 10.7% in primary education, 6.6% in secondary education, and 4.4% pursuing tertiary education.

No public transport data available for this catchment area.

Health performance in Rockhampton City is a key challenge with a range of health conditions having marked impacts on both younger and older age cohorts

Rockhampton City faces significant health challenges, as indicated by AreaSearch's assessment of mortality rates and chronic condition prevalence. Several health conditions affect both younger and older age groups. Private health cover is low, at approximately 49% of the total population (around 1,637 people), compared to 52.5% in Regional Qld and a national average of 55.7%.

The most prevalent medical conditions are mental health issues affecting 12.0% of residents and arthritis impacting 10.5%. Conversely, 57.5% of residents report no medical ailments, compared to 67.6% in Regional Qld. Working-age individuals face notable health challenges due to higher chronic condition rates. The area has 17.6% of residents aged 65 and over (591 people), lower than the 20.4% in Regional Qld. Health outcomes among seniors present some challenges, generally aligning with national rankings.

Rockhampton City is considerably less culturally diverse than average when assessed alongside AreaSearch's national rankings for language and cultural background related metrics

Rockhampton City showed lower cultural diversity, with 84.7% citizens, 88.7% born in Australia, and 93.7% speaking English only at home. Christianity was the predominant religion, at 51.3%, compared to 52.2% regionally. Top ancestral groups were English (29.9%), Australian (29.4%), and Irish (9.0%).

Notably, Australian Aboriginal representation was higher at 7.5% (vs regional 3.9%), as was German at 5.1% (vs 4.7%) and Maori at 0.7% (vs 0.8%).

Rockhampton City's population is slightly older than the national pattern

Rockhampton City has a median age of 40, close to Regional Queensland's figure of 41 but slightly higher than the national norm of 38. The 25-34 age group is strongly represented at 15.7%, compared to Regional Queensland. However, the 75-84 cohort is less prevalent at 5.4%. According to the 2021 Census, the 0-4 age group has grown from 4.8% to 6.7%, while the 25-34 cohort increased from 14.3% to 15.7%. Conversely, the 15-24 cohort has declined from 13.2% to 10.6%, and the 45-54 group dropped from 13.0% to 11.6%. Demographic modeling suggests Rockhampton City's age profile will significantly evolve by 2041. Leading this shift, the 25-34 group is projected to grow by 15%, reaching 603 people from the current 525. Meanwhile, population declines are forecast for the 45-54 and 15-24 cohorts.