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 around 3,799 as of August 2025. This figure shows an increase of 292 people since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 3,507. The change is inferred from the 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 (6.4%) 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, with all drivers including natural growth and overseas migration being positive factors.

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 adopted, released in 2023 based on 2021 data. However, these state projections do not provide age category splits, so AreaSearch applies proportional growth weightings in line with the ABS Greater Capital Region projections for each age cohort, released in 2023 based on 2022 data. Looking ahead, regional areas including Rockhampton Surrounds - East are projected to have above median population growth, with an expected increase of 575 persons by 2041, representing a 12.8% total increase over the 17 years.

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

Rockhampton Surrounds - East has seen around 21 dwelling approvals per year. The Australian Bureau of Statistics provides this data on a financial year basis. Over the past five years, from FY21 to FY25, there were 105 approvals, with two more in FY26 so far. On average, each new dwelling has brought in 1.9 new residents annually over these years.

This suggests a balanced supply and demand market, supporting stable conditions. The average construction cost of new homes is $433,000, below regional norms, indicating affordable housing options. In FY26, there have been $279,000 in commercial development approvals, reflecting a predominantly residential focus. Compared to the Rest of Qld, Rockhampton Surrounds - East has 52.0% higher new home approvals per person.

This offers more choices for buyers and maintains the area's traditional low density character, with all recent developments being detached houses. There are approximately 168 people per dwelling approval in the location, indicating an expanding market. By 2041, Rockhampton Surrounds - East is forecasted to gain 487 residents. With current construction levels, housing supply should meet demand adequately, creating favourable conditions for buyers and potentially enabling population growth beyond current forecasts.

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

The performance of an area is significantly influenced by changes in local infrastructure, major projects, and planning initiatives. AreaSearch has identified a total of 16 projects that are expected to impact the area. Notable projects include the Fitzroy to Gladstone Pipeline, Rockhampton-Yeppoon Road, Yeppoon Road Upgrade, Crestwood Estate, and Zilzie Over 50s Village (Land Lease Community). The following list details those projects considered most relevant.

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

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 prominent, with an unemployment rate of 3.6% and estimated employment growth of 3.5% over the past year.

As of June 2025, 2,003 residents are employed, with an unemployment rate of 3.9% compared to Rest of Qld's 4.2%. Workforce participation is similar to Rest of Qld at 59.1%. Dominant employment sectors include construction, health care & social assistance, and mining. Mining shows strong specialization, with an employment share three times the regional level.

Health care & social assistance has limited presence, with 12.0% compared to 16.1% regionally. Employment opportunities locally appear limited based on Census data. From June 2024 to June 2025, employment levels increased by 3.5%, labour force by 5.0%, raising unemployment rate by 1.4 percentage points. In comparison, Rest of Qld had employment growth of 1.8% and unemployment rise of 0.2%. Statewide in Sep-25, Queensland's employment contracted by 0.23%, with an unemployment rate of 4.2%. Nationally, the unemployment rate is 4.5%, with employment growth of 0.26%. Jobs and Skills Australia forecasts national employment growth at 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Rockhampton Surrounds - East's employment mix suggests local 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 had a median taxpayer income of $54,848 and an average income of $66,766 in the financial year 2022. This compares to Rest of Qld's median income of $50,780 and average income of $64,844 for the same period. Based on a Wage Price Index growth rate of 11.71% from financial year 2022 to March 2025, estimated incomes would be approximately $61,271 (median) and $74,584 (average) by that date. Census data shows household, family, and personal incomes in Rockhampton Surrounds - East rank between the 33rd and 41st percentiles. The income bracket of $1,500 to $2,999 captures 31.4% of individuals (1,192 people) in the community, similar to the broader metropolitan region at 31.7%. Housing costs allow for retention of 87.3% of income, but disposable income is 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, as per the latest Census, had 98.8% houses and 1.2% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings), compared to Non-Metro Qld's 88.5% houses and 11.5% other dwellings. Home ownership in Rockhampton Surrounds - East was 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. Median weekly rent in the area was $280, lower than Non-Metro Qld's $300. Nationally, Rockhampton Surrounds - East's mortgage repayments were below the Australian average of $1,863, and rents were substantially lower at $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 make up the remaining 22.2%, with lone person households at 19.9% and group households comprising 2.2% of the total. The median household size is 2.6 people, which is 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 most prevalent 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, including advanced diplomas (7.6%) and certificates (34.9%).

Educational participation is high at 27.7%, comprising primary education (11.4%), secondary education (9.2%), and tertiary education (2.4%). The four schools in Rockhampton Surrounds - East have a combined enrollment of 141 students, serving distinct age groups with balanced educational opportunities (ICSEA: 965). There are three primary and one secondary school, but limited local capacity means many families travel nearby 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 both younger and older age cohorts, with private health cover at approximately 52% of the total population (~1,990 people), higher than the average SA2 area.

The most common medical conditions are arthritis (impacting 10.9% of residents) and asthma (7.2%). A majority, 66.7%, reported being completely clear of medical ailments compared to 64.7% across Rest of Qld. The area has a higher proportion of residents aged 65 and over at 23.1% (877 people) compared to the Rest of Qld's 18.5%.

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 had a cultural diversity below average, with 89.1% of its population being citizens, 91.2% born in Australia, and 97.6% speaking English only at home. Christianity was the main religion in Rockhampton Surrounds - East, comprising 56.5%. This compares to 56.3% across Rest of Qld.

The top three ancestry groups were Australian (34.4%), English (30.4%), and Irish (8.4%). Notably, German was overrepresented at 5.2%, South African at 0.6%, and Dutch at 1.5%.

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 the national average of 38. Its age profile shows that those aged 65-74 are particularly prominent, making up 14.8% of the population, compared to the national figure of 9.4%. Meanwhile, the 25-34 age group is smaller at 9.8%, compared to Rest of Qld's figure. Since the 2021 Census, the 75 to 84 age group has grown from 5.7% to 7.0% of the population. Conversely, the 55 to 64 cohort has declined 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 reveal significant shifts in Rockhampton Surrounds - East's age structure. The 75 to 84 age group is projected to grow by 51%, reaching 398 people from 264. Conversely, population declines are projected for the 15 to 24 and 55 to 64 cohorts.