Rockhampton Surrounds - East
Statistical Area - sa2

Rockhampton Surrounds - East has seen population growth performance typically on par with national averages when looking at short and medium term trends

Rockhampton Surrounds - East's population was approximately 3,799 as of November 2025. This figure represents an increase of 292 people since the 2021 Census, which recorded a population of 3,507. The growth is inferred from ABS data showing an estimated resident population of 3,711 in June 2024 and an additional 118 validated new addresses since the Census date. This results in a population density ratio of 5.6 persons per square kilometer. Rockhampton Surrounds - East's growth rate of 8.3% since the 2021 census exceeded both the SA4 region (6.6%) and the SA3 area, indicating it as a growth leader in the region. Interstate migration contributed approximately 69.7% of overall population gains during recent periods.

AreaSearch adopts 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 used, released in 2023 and based on 2021 data. However, these state projections do not provide age category splits, so AreaSearch applies proportional growth weightings in line with ABS Greater Capital Region projections for each age cohort, released in 2023 using 2022 data as the base year. Future population dynamics project an above median growth for Australia's regional areas. By 2041, Rockhampton Surrounds - East is expected to increase by 575 persons, representing a total increase of 12.8% over the 17-year period.

Residential development activity is slightly higher than average within Rockhampton Surrounds - East when compared nationally

Rockhampton Surrounds - East has seen approximately 21 dwelling approvals annually. Between FY-21 and FY-25105 homes received approval, with a further 6 approved in FY-26. Each new home has attracted an average of 1.9 new residents per year over the past five financial years.

The average construction cost value for these properties is $337,000. Commercial approvals this financial year totalled $279,000, indicating limited commercial development activity. Compared to Rest of Qld, Rockhampton Surrounds - East has shown 52.0% higher new home approvals per capita. All recent developments have been detached houses, maintaining the area's low-density character and appealing to families seeking space.

The location currently hosts approximately 168 people per dwelling approval, indicating a growing market. By 2041, Rockhampton Surrounds - East is projected to gain 487 residents. With current construction levels, housing supply should meet demand adequately, creating favourable conditions for buyers and potentially enabling population growth exceeding current forecasts.

Rockhampton Surrounds - East has emerging levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the 36thth percentile nationally

Changes to local infrastructure significantly impact an area's performance. AreaSearch identified 16 projects likely affecting the region. Notable ones are Rockhampton-Yeppoon Road project, Yeppoon Road Upgrade (commencing 2023), Lifestyles By The Beach Over 50s Village at Zilzie, Crestwood Estate development, and Oak Tree Retirement Village in Norman Gardens. Relevant projects are listed below.

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 performance in Rockhampton Surrounds - East has been broadly consistent with national averages

Rockhampton Surrounds - East has a balanced workforce with both white and blue collar jobs. The construction sector is notably prominent, with an unemployment rate of 3.6% as of June 2025.

Employment growth in the past year was estimated at 3.5%. There are currently 2,003 residents employed, with an unemployment rate of 0.3% lower than Rest of Qld's rate of 3.9%. Workforce participation is similar to Rest of Qld's 59.1%. The dominant employment sectors include construction, health care & social assistance, and mining.

Mining has a particularly strong presence, with an employment share three times the regional level. Health care & social assistance, however, has limited presence at 12.0% compared to the regional average of 16.1%. Employment opportunities locally may be limited, as indicated by the census working population vs resident population count. Between June 2024 and June 2025, employment levels increased by 3.5%, while labour force grew by 5.0%, causing a rise in unemployment rate of 1.4 percentage points. In comparison, Rest of Qld had employment growth of 1.8% and an unemployment increase of 0.2 percentage points during the same period. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May 2025 suggest potential future demand within Rockhampton Surrounds - East. National employment is forecast to expand by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, with varying growth rates between industry sectors. Applying these projections to the local employment mix suggests a growth of approximately 5.6%% over five years and 12.2% over ten years.

Income levels align closely with national averages, indicating typical economic conditions for Australian communities according to AreaSearch analysis

Rockhampton Surrounds - East's median income among taxpayers was $54,848 in financial year 2022. The average income stood at $66,766 during the same period. This compares to figures for Rest of Qld's which were $50,780 and $64,844 respectively. Based on a Wage Price Index growth of 13.99% from financial year 2022 to September 2025, current estimates would be approximately $62,521 (median) and $76,107 (average). Census data shows household, family and personal incomes all rank modestly in Rockhampton Surrounds - East, between the 33rd and 41st percentiles. The income bracket of $1,500 - 2,999 captures 31.4% of the community (1,192 individuals), consistent with broader trends across the metropolitan region showing 31.7% in the same category. Housing costs are manageable with 87.3% retained, but disposable income sits below average at the 46th percentile.

Rockhampton Surrounds - East is characterized by a predominantly suburban housing profile, with above-average rates of outright home ownership

Rockhampton Surrounds - East had 98.8% houses and 1.2% other dwellings in the latest Census, compared to Non-Metro Qld's 88.5% houses and 11.5% other dwellings. Home ownership was at 46.9%, with mortgaged dwellings at 44.3% and rented ones at 8.7%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $1,733, higher than Non-Metro Qld's average of $1,517. The median weekly rent figure was $280, compared to Non-Metro Qld's $300. Nationally, Rockhampton Surrounds - East's mortgage repayments were lower at $1,733 than the Australian average of $1,863, while rents were substantially below the national figure of $375.

Rockhampton Surrounds - East features high concentrations of family households, with a higher-than-average median household size

Family households account for 77.8% of all households, including 32.1% couples with children, 36.6% couples without children, and 7.9% single parent families. Non-family households constitute the remaining 22.2%, with lone person households at 19.9% and group households comprising 2.2%. The median household size is 2.6 people, larger than the Rest of Qld average of 2.5.

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

The area's university qualification rate is 13.8%, significantly lower than the Australian average of 30.4%. This presents both a challenge and an opportunity for targeted educational initiatives. Bachelor degrees are the most common at 9.5%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (2.5%) and graduate diplomas (1.8%). Vocational credentials are prominent, with 42.5% of residents aged 15+ holding them - advanced diplomas (7.6%) and certificates (34.9%).

Educational participation is high at 27.7%, including primary education (11.4%), secondary education (9.2%), and tertiary education (2.4%). Rockhampton Surrounds - East has 4 schools with a combined enrollment of 141 students, serving typical Australian school conditions (ICSEA: 965) with balanced educational opportunities. The area has 3 primary and 1 secondary school, but limited local school capacity (3.7 places per 100 residents vs regional average of 17.6) results in many families traveling for schooling.

No public transport data available for this catchment area.

Health performance in Rockhampton Surrounds - East is lower than average with common health conditions somewhat prevalent across both younger and older age cohorts

Rockhampton Surrounds East faces significant health challenges with common health conditions prevalent across younger and older age cohorts.

The rate of private health cover is approximately 52%, impacting around 1,990 people. The most common medical conditions are arthritis (affecting 10.9% of residents) and asthma (7.2%). A total of 66.7% of residents report no medical ailments, compared to 64.7% in the rest of Queensland. The area has a higher proportion of residents aged 65 and over at 23.1%, with around 877 people falling into this category, compared to 18.5% in the rest of Queensland.

The latest Census data sees Rockhampton Surrounds - East placing among the least culturally diverse areas in the country when compared across a range of language and cultural background related metrics

Rockhampton Surrounds - East showed lower cultural diversity, with 89.1% citizens, 91.2% born in Australia, and 97.6% speaking English only at home. Christianity was the dominant religion, at 56.5%, compared to 56.3% regionally. Top ancestry groups were Australian (34.4%), English (30.4%), and Irish (8.4%).

Notable differences included German (5.2% vs regional 4.9%), South African (0.6% vs 0.3%), and Dutch (1.5% vs 0.9%).

Rockhampton Surrounds - East hosts an older demographic, ranking in the top quartile nationwide

Rockhampton Surrounds - East has a median age of 45, which is higher than Rest of Qld's figure of 41 and also above the national average of 38. The age profile shows that individuals aged 65-74 make up 14.8% of the population, a notably higher proportion compared to both Rest of Qld (12%) and the national average (9.4%). Conversely, those aged 25-34 constitute only 9.8%, which is lower than Rest of Qld's figure of 16%. Between the 2021 Census and now, the proportion of individuals aged 75 to 84 has increased from 5.7% to 7.0%, while the 55 to 64 cohort has decreased from 17.6% to 14.9% and the 45 to 54 group has dropped from 13.3% to 10.9%. Looking ahead to 2041, demographic projections indicate significant shifts in Rockhampton Surrounds - East's age structure. The 75 to 84 age group is expected to grow by 51%, reaching 398 individuals from the current figure of 264. Conversely, population declines are projected for those aged 15-24 and 55-64.