Rockhampton Surrounds - West
Statistical Area - sa2

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

Rockhampton Surrounds - West's population is approximately 3,230 as of August 2025. This represents an increase of 228 people, a rise of 7.6% since the 2021 Census which reported a population of 3,002. The change is inferred from the estimated resident population of 3,203 in June 2024 and an additional 160 validated new addresses since the Census date. This results in a density ratio of 0.70 persons per square kilometer. Rockhampton Surrounds - West's growth since the 2021 census at 7.6% exceeded the SA4 region (6.4%) and the SA3 area, indicating it as a growth leader in the region. Interstate migration contributed approximately 68.3% of overall population gains during recent periods, although all drivers including natural growth and overseas migration were positive factors.

AreaSearch adopts ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area, released in 2024 with 2022 as the base year. For areas not covered by this data and years post-2032, Queensland State Government's SA2 area projections released in 2023 based on 2021 data are used. These state projections do not provide age category splits, so proportional growth weightings in line with ABS Greater Capital Region projections (released in 2023, based on 2022 data) for each age cohort are applied where utilised. Future population dynamics anticipate an increase just below the median of Australia's regional areas, with the area expected to gain 357 persons by 2041, recording a total increase of 10.2% over the 17 years.

AreaSearch analysis of residential development drivers sees Rockhampton Surrounds - West recording a relatively average level of approval activity when compared to local markets analysed countrywide

Rockhampton Surrounds - West has averaged approximately five new dwelling approvals annually. Development approval data is produced by the Australian Bureau of Statistics on a financial year basis, with 26 dwellings approved over the past five financial years, from FY-21 to FY-25, and two so far in FY-26. On average, this has resulted in around ten new residents per year for every home built during these years. This demand significantly outpaces supply, which typically puts upward pressure on prices and increases competition among buyers.

New homes are being constructed at an average expected cost of $415,000, below regional levels, indicating more affordable housing choices for buyers in the area. There have also been commercial approvals valued at $369,000 this financial year, demonstrating the area's residential nature. Compared to the rest of Queensland, Rockhampton Surrounds - West shows substantially reduced construction, with 56.0% below the regional average per person. This constrained new construction usually reinforces demand and pricing for existing homes. However, development activity has picked up in recent periods.

Recent development has been entirely comprised of standalone homes, maintaining the area's traditional low density character focused on family homes appealing to those seeking space. The estimated population count per dwelling approval is 454 people in the area, reflecting its quiet, low activity development environment. Population forecasts indicate Rockhampton Surrounds - West will gain approximately 329 residents through to 2041. If current development rates continue, housing supply may not keep pace with population growth, potentially increasing competition among buyers and supporting stronger price growth.

Rockhampton Surrounds - West has emerging levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the 20thth percentile nationally

Changes to local infrastructure significantly influence an area's performance. AreaSearch identified 46 projects likely impacting the region. Key initiatives include Moah Creek Renewable Energy Project, Breeze Residential Estate, Somerset Road Upgrade Gracemere, and Gracemere Industrial Area Expansion. The following list details those most relevant.

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

Employment performance in Rockhampton Surrounds - West ranks among the strongest 15% of areas evaluated nationally

Rockhampton Surrounds - West has a balanced workforce with both white and blue collar jobs. The construction sector is prominent, with an unemployment rate of 2.2% as of June 2025.

Employment growth over the past year was estimated at 4.6%. There are 1,929 residents in work, with an unemployment rate of 1.7%, which is below Rest of Qld's rate of 3.9%. Workforce participation is fairly standard at 61.3%. Key employment sectors include agriculture, forestry & fishing, construction, and health care & social assistance.

The area has a strong specialization in agriculture, forestry & fishing (4.0 times the regional level), but lower representation in accommodation & food services (2.0% vs regional average of 8.3%). Over the year to June 2025, employment increased by 4.6%, while labour force rose by 5.1%, resulting in a slight increase in unemployment (0.4 percentage points). In contrast, Rest of Qld had employment growth of 1.8% and a smaller rise in unemployment (0.2 percentage points). State-level data to Sep-25 shows Queensland's employment contracted by 0.23%, with an unemployment rate of 4.2%. National forecasts from Jobs and Skills Australia project overall employment growth of 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Rockhampton Surrounds - West's industry mix suggests local growth of approximately 5.5%% over five years and 12.0% over ten years.

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 2022 reports Rockhampton Surrounds - West's median income among taxpayers as $57,745 and average income as $69,042. These figures are higher than the national averages. The Rest of Qld shows a median income of $50,780 and an average income of $64,844. Applying Wage Price Index growth of 11.71% since financial year 2022, estimated incomes as of March 2025 would be approximately $64,507 (median) and $77,127 (average). The 2021 Census indicates that household, family, and personal incomes in Rockhampton Surrounds - West cluster around the 56th percentile nationally. The earnings profile shows that 31.8% of locals (1,027 people) fall within the $1,500 - $2,999 income bracket, similar to metropolitan regions where 31.7% occupy this range. After housing costs, residents retain 88.6% of their income, reflecting strong purchasing power. The area's SEIFA income ranking places it in the 4th decile.

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

Dwelling structure in Rockhampton Surrounds - West, as per the latest Census, consists of 98.6% houses and 1.4% 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 Surrounds - West stands at 44.6%, with the remaining dwellings either mortgaged (45.0%) or rented (10.4%). The median monthly mortgage repayment in the area is $1,733, higher than Non-Metro Qld's average of $1,517. Median weekly rent in Rockhampton Surrounds - West is recorded at $300, aligning with Non-Metro Qld's figure. Nationally, mortgage repayments in Rockhampton Surrounds - West are lower than the Australian average of $1,863, while rents are substantially below the national figure of $375.

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

Family households constitute 78.2% of all households, including 32.7% couples with children, 36.8% couples without children, and 7.5% single parent families. Non-family households comprise the remaining 21.8%, with lone person households at 20.4% and group households comprising 1.4%. The median household size is 2.7 people, larger than the Rest of Qld average of 2.5.

Educational outcomes in Rockhampton Surrounds - West fall within the lower quartile nationally, indicating opportunities for improvement in qualification attainment

The area faces significant educational challenges, with university qualification rates at 12.6%, substantially below the Australian average of 30.4%. This discrepancy presents both a challenge and an opportunity for targeted educational initiatives. Bachelor degrees are the most common, at 9.5%, followed by graduate diplomas (1.8%) and postgraduate qualifications (1.3%). Trade and technical skills are prominent, with 45.1% of residents aged 15+ holding vocational credentials - advanced diplomas at 8.1% and certificates at 37.0%.

Educational participation is notably high, with 31.7% of residents currently enrolled in formal education. This includes 13.0% in primary education, 9.7% in secondary education, and 3.4% pursuing tertiary education. The four schools in Rockhampton Surrounds - West have a combined enrollment reaching 101 students. These schools demonstrate typical Australian school conditions (ICSEA: 968) with balanced educational opportunities, focusing exclusively on primary education while nearby areas offer secondary options. However, limited local school capacity (3.1 places per 100 residents vs 17.6 regionally) means many families travel to nearby areas for schooling.

No public transport data available for this catchment area.

Health outcomes in Rockhampton Surrounds - West are marginally below the national average with common health conditions slightly more prevalent than average across both younger and older age cohorts

Rockhampton Surrounds - West shows below-average health outcomes with common conditions slightly more prevalent than average across both younger and older age groups.

Private health cover is relatively high at approximately 54% of the total population, around 1,734 people. The most frequent medical conditions are arthritis (affecting 10.6% of residents) and asthma (8.3%), while 66.0% report being completely free from medical ailments compared to 64.7% in the rest of Queensland. Approximately 18.0%, or around 582 people, are aged 65 and over. Health outcomes among seniors are above average, performing better than the general population in health metrics.

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

Rockhampton Surrounds - West had a cultural diversity score below average, with 86.0% of its population being citizens, 95.5% born in Australia, and 99.0% speaking English only at home. Christianity was the dominant religion, comprising 68.1% of people in Rockhampton Surrounds - West, compared to 56.3% across Rest of Qld. The top three ancestry groups were Australian (37.9%), English (29.4%), and Irish (9.9%).

Notably, German ancestry was overrepresented at 5.6%, while Australian Aboriginal was underrepresented at 2.7%. Maori representation remained consistent with the regional average at 0.5%.

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

The median age in Rockhampton Surrounds - West is close to Rest of Qld's average of 41 years, both being well above the Australian median of 38 years. Compared to the Rest of Qld average, the 55-64 cohort is notably over-represented at 15.0%, while the 15-24 year-olds are under-represented at 9.7%. Between the Census dates of 2021 and the present, the 5 to 14 age group has grown from 12.3% to 14.2%, and the 35 to 44 cohort increased from 12.3% to 13.6%. Conversely, the 15 to 24 cohort declined from 10.8% to 9.7%, and the 55 to 64 group dropped from 16.1% to 15.0%. Population forecasts for Rockhampton Surrounds - West indicate substantial demographic changes by 2041. The 25 to 34 age cohort is projected to expand notably, increasing by 101 people (29%) from 348 to 450. Meanwhile, the 55 to 64 and 15 to 24 cohorts are expected to experience population declines.