Rockhampton City

Rockhampton City is positioned among the lower quartile of areas assessed nationally for population growth based on AreaSearch's assessment of recent, and medium term trends

Rockhampton City's population, as per AreaSearch's analysis, was approximately 3,450 by November 2025. This figure represents an increase of 86 individuals, a rise of 2.6%, from the 2021 Census total of 3,364 people. The change is inferred from the estimated resident population of 3,381 recorded by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) as of June 2024 and an additional 43 validated new addresses since the Census date. This results in a population density ratio of 67 persons per square kilometer, indicating significant space per person and potential for further development. The primary driver of population growth was overseas migration, contributing approximately 52.5% of overall population gains during recent periods.

AreaSearch employs 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 are adopted, released in 2023 based on 2021 data. However, these state projections do not provide age category splits; hence proportional growth weightings aligned with the ABS Greater Capital Region projections (released in 2023, based on 2022 data) for each age cohort are applied when utilised. Looking ahead with demographic trends, lower quartile growth of national non-metropolitan areas is anticipated. The area is projected to grow by 126 persons to reach the year 2041, reflecting a total gain of 1.6% over the 17-year period based on the latest annual estimated resident population numbers.

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 around 14 dwelling approvals per year. Between FY21-FY25, approximately 70 homes were approved, with another 18 approved so far in FY26. Despite population decline during this period, development activity has been adequate relative to population change.

The average value of new homes being built is $448,000. This year alone, $44.2 million in commercial development approvals have been recorded, indicating high local commercial activity. Compared to the rest of Queensland, Rockhampton City maintains similar development levels per person, though building activity has slowed recently. In terms of dwelling types, 14.0% are detached dwellings and 86.0% are townhouses or apartments, marking a shift from the current housing pattern of 76.0% houses. This trend may suggest diminishing developable land availability and responds to evolving lifestyle preferences and housing affordability needs.

The area's low development activity is reflected in its estimated 479 people per dwelling approval. Future projections estimate Rockhampton City will add 57 residents by 2041, with current construction levels expected to meet demand adequately, creating favourable conditions for buyers while potentially enabling growth that exceeds current forecasts.

Rockhampton City has strong levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the top 40% nationally

Changes to local infrastructure significantly influence an area's performance. AreaSearch identified 21 projects that could impact the area. Key projects 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, well-represented essential services sectors, and an unemployment rate of 21.0% as of September 2025. The city's employment rate is 16.9% higher than the Rest of Queensland's rate of 4.1%.

Workforce participation in Rockhampton City lags behind at 52.1%, compared to Rest of Qld's 59.1%. Employment among residents is concentrated in health care & social assistance, accommodation & food services, and construction sectors. Notably, the accommodation & food sector has employment levels at 1.6 times the regional average. Conversely, agriculture, forestry & fishing employs only 1.7% of local workers, lower than Rest of Qld's 4.5%.

As per the Census, there are 2.8 workers for every resident in Rockhampton City, indicating it functions as an employment hub attracting workers from surrounding areas. In the year to September 2025, Rockhampton City's labour force increased by 0.6%, while employment decreased by 5.3%, leading to a rise in unemployment of 5.0 percentage points. In comparison, Rest of Qld recorded employment growth of 1.7% and labour force growth of 2.1%, with unemployment rising by 0.3 percentage points. State-level data as of 25-Nov-2025 shows Queensland's employment contracted by 0.01% (losing 1,210 jobs), with the state unemployment rate at 4.2%, closely aligned with the national rate of 4.3%. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May-25 project overall employment growth of 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Rockhampton City's employment mix suggests local employment should increase by 6.6% over five years and 13.8% over ten years, based on a simple weighting extrapolation for illustrative purposes.

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

AreaSearch's aggregation of ATO data released for financial year 2022 shows Rockhampton City SA2 had a median income among taxpayers of $45,329 and an average level of $58,778. This is below the national average of $64,844. In Rest of Qld, median and average incomes were $50,780 and $64,844 respectively. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 13.99% since financial year 2022, estimated median income for Rockhampton City as of September 2025 is approximately $51,671, with average income at around $67,001. Census data indicates household, family and personal incomes in Rockhampton City fall between the 5th and 13th percentiles nationally. Income analysis reveals that 26.9% of residents (928 people) earn within the $800 - 1,499 bracket, differing from the regional norm where the $1,500 - 2,999 category dominates at 31.7%. Housing affordability pressures are severe in Rockhampton City, with only 83.2% of income remaining after housing costs, 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 Non-Metro Qld's 88.5% houses and 11.5% other dwellings. Home ownership in Rockhampton City stood at 28.3%, with mortgaged dwellings at 25.8% and rented ones at 45.9%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $1,073, lower than Non-Metro Qld's average of $1,517. The median weekly rent in Rockhampton City was $250, compared to Non-Metro Qld's $300. Nationally, Rockhampton City's mortgage repayments were significantly lower at $1,073 than the Australian average of $1,863, while 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 percent of all households, including 13.5 percent couples with children, 19.7 percent couples without children, and 17.9 percent single parent families. Non-family households constitute the remaining 45.2 percent, with lone person households at 41.0 percent and group households comprising 4.5 percent of the total. The median household size is 2.1 people, which is smaller than the Rest of Qld 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 them, including advanced diplomas (6.6%) and certificates (31.2%). Educational participation is high at 27.3%, with 10.7% in primary education, 6.6% in secondary education, and 4.4% pursuing 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, with various conditions affecting both younger and older age groups. Private health cover is relatively low at approximately 49% of the total population, around 1,693 people, compared to 53.2% across the rest of Queensland and a national average of 55.3%. Mental health issues and arthritis are the most common medical conditions, impacting 12.0 and 10.5% of residents respectively.

Around 57.5% of residents report being completely clear of medical ailments, compared to 64.7% across the rest of Queensland. The area has 18.5% of residents aged 65 and over, around 637 people. Health outcomes among seniors present some challenges, broadly in line with the general population's health profile.

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's cultural diversity was found to be below average, with 84.7% of its population being citizens, 88.7% born in Australia, and 93.7% speaking English only at home. The predominant religion in Rockhampton City was Christianity, accounting for 51.3% of the population, compared to 56.3% across the rest of Queensland. In terms of ancestry, the top three represented groups were English (29.9%), Australian (29.4%), and Irish (9.0%).

Notably, certain ethnic groups had differing representations: Australian Aboriginal was overrepresented at 7.5%, compared to 5.1% regionally; German was similarly represented at 5.1%; Maori was slightly higher at 0.7%.

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

The median age in Rockhampton City is 41 years, which matches the average for the Rest of Queensland but is higher than Australia's median age of 38 years. Compared to the Rest of Queensland, Rockhampton City has a higher proportion of residents aged 25-34 (15.6%) but fewer residents aged 5-14 (10.3%). According to the 2021 Census, the population aged 0-4 grew from 4.8% to 6.1%, while the 25-34 cohort increased from 14.3% to 15.6%. Conversely, the 15-24 group decreased from 13.2% to 11.1%, and the 45-54 group dropped from 13.0% to 11.6%. By 2041, demographic projections show significant shifts in Rockhampton City's age structure. The 25-34 cohort is expected to grow by 17 people (from 537 to 627), leading the demographic shift. Conversely, the 45-54 and 15-24 cohorts are projected to experience population declines.