Rocklea - Acacia Ridge

An assessment of population growth drivers in Rocklea - Acacia Ridge reveals an overall ranking slightly below national averages considering recent, and medium term trends

Rocklea - Acacia Ridge's population is approximately 10,190 as of November 2025. This figure represents an increase of 479 people since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 9,711. The change is inferred from the estimated resident population of 10,025 in June 2024 and an additional 58 validated new addresses since the Census date. This results in a population density ratio of 453 persons per square kilometer. Population growth was primarily driven by overseas migration, contributing approximately 65.8% of overall population gains during recent periods.

AreaSearch uses ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area, released in 2024 with a base year of 2022. For areas not covered 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 ABS Greater Capital Region projections for each age cohort, released in 2023 using 2022 data. Considering projected demographic shifts, lower quartile growth is anticipated, with the area expected to increase by 350 persons to 2041 based on latest annual ERP population numbers, reflecting a gain of 1.8% over the 17 years.

AreaSearch assessment of residential development drivers sees a low level of activity in Rocklea - Acacia Ridge, placing the area among the bottom 25% of areas assessed nationally

Rocklea - Acacia Ridge has granted around 25 residential properties approval annually. Over the past five financial years, from FY-21 to FY-25, a total of 126 homes have been approved, with an additional 24 approved so far in FY-26. Despite population decline during this period, development activity has been adequate relative to the decreasing population, which is positive for buyers.

The average expected construction cost value of new dwellings is $319,000. This year, $85.9 million in commercial approvals have been registered, indicating strong commercial development momentum. Compared to Greater Brisbane, Rocklea - Acacia Ridge has significantly less development activity, at 73.0% below the regional average per person. This limited new supply generally supports stronger demand and values for established dwellings. However, construction activity has intensified recently, though it remains under the national average, suggesting the area's established nature and potential planning limitations. New development consists of 67.0% detached houses and 33.0% attached dwellings, with an increasing blend of attached housing types offering choices across price ranges.

This represents a shift from the area's existing housing composition, which is currently 86.0% houses, indicating decreasing availability of developable sites and reflecting changing lifestyles and demand for more diverse, affordable housing options. The location has approximately 318 people per dwelling approval, indicating a low density market. According to the latest AreaSearch quarterly estimate, Rocklea - Acacia Ridge is expected to grow by 185 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.

Rocklea - Acacia Ridge has very high levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the top 10% nationally

Changes in local infrastructure significantly impact an area's performance. AreaSearch has identified 64 projects that could affect the region. Notable initiatives include Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Hospital expansion, Transition - Archerfield Logistics Estate, Acacia Ridge Transit-Oriented Development Precinct, and Acacia Ridge Industrial Estate expansion for warehouse and logistics facilities. The following list details those most likely to be relevant.

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

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Employment conditions in Rocklea - Acacia Ridge face significant challenges, ranking among the bottom 10% of areas assessed nationally

Rocklea - Acacia Ridge has a skilled workforce with well-represented essential services sectors. As of September 2025, the unemployment rate is 15.2%. There are 4,329 residents in work while the unemployment rate is 11.2% higher than Greater Brisbane's rate of 4.0%.

Workforce participation lags at 63.2%, compared to Greater Brisbane's 70.8%. According to Census responses, only 11.8% of residents work from home. Leading employment industries include health care & social assistance, retail trade, and construction. The area has a manufacturing employment share of 1.4 times the regional level but professional & technical services have limited presence at 5.2%, compared to the regional 8.9%.

There are 2.7 workers per resident, indicating it functions as an employment hub attracting workers from surrounding areas. Over the year to September 2025, labour force levels increased by 0.3% while employment declined by 2.1%, resulting in a rise of 2.1 percentage points in unemployment rate. By comparison, Greater Brisbane recorded employment growth of 3.8% and labour force growth of 3.3%, with a decrease of 0.5 percentage points in unemployment. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May-25 project national employment growth of 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, but growth rates vary significantly between industry sectors. Applying these projections to Rocklea - Acacia Ridge's employment mix suggests local employment should increase by 6.2% over five years and 13.2% over ten years.

Income levels sit below national averages according to AreaSearch assessment

The Rocklea - Acacia Ridge SA2 had a median taxpayer income of $54,172 and an average of $61,249 in financial year 2023, according to postcode level ATO data aggregated by AreaSearch. This was lower than the national average, with Greater Brisbane having a median income of $58,236 and an average income of $72,799. By September 2025, estimates suggest the median income would be approximately $59,540 and the average $67,319, based on Wage Price Index growth of 9.91% since financial year 2023. The 2021 Census showed household, family, and personal incomes in Rocklea - Acacia Ridge fell between the 20th and 24th percentiles nationally. Income analysis revealed that 34.3% of residents (3,495 people) earned between $1,500 and $2,999, similar to regional levels where this cohort also represented 33.3%. Housing affordability pressures were severe, with only 80.0% of income remaining, ranking at the 20th percentile.

Rocklea - Acacia Ridge is characterized by a predominantly suburban housing profile, with a higher proportion of rental properties than the broader region

Rocklea-Acacia Ridge's dwelling structures in the latest Census showed 85.7% houses and 14.3% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings), compared to Brisbane metro's 73.5% houses and 26.5% other dwellings. Home ownership in Rocklea-Acacia Ridge was at 20.8%, with mortgaged dwellings at 29.8% and rented ones at 49.4%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $1,517, below Brisbane metro's average of $1,863. Median weekly rent in Rocklea-Acacia Ridge was $335, compared to Brisbane metro's $380. Nationally, Rocklea-Acacia Ridge's mortgage repayments were significantly lower than the Australian average of $1,863, and rents were substantially below the national figure of $375.

Rocklea - Acacia Ridge features high concentrations of group households, with a lower-than-average median household size

Family households account for 64.5 percent of all households, including 24.3 percent couples with children, 21.3 percent couples without children, and 17.0 percent single parent families. Non-family households constitute the remaining 35.5 percent, with lone person households at 28.8 percent and group households making up 6.5 percent of the total. The median household size is 2.5 people, which is smaller than the Greater Brisbane average of 2.6.

Rocklea - Acacia Ridge faces educational challenges, with performance metrics placing it in the bottom quartile of areas assessed nationally

The area's university qualification rate is 23.5%, significantly lower than the SA4 region average of 42.1%. Bachelor degrees are most common at 16.3%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (5.0%) and graduate diplomas (2.2%). Vocational credentials are held by 34.8% of residents aged 15+, with advanced diplomas at 10.0% and certificates at 24.8%. Educational participation is high, with 31.5% of residents currently enrolled in formal education: primary (10.9%), secondary (7.2%), and tertiary (5.6%).

Educational participation is notably high, with 31.5% of residents currently enrolled in formal education. This includes 10.9% in primary education, 7.2% in secondary education, and 5.6% pursuing tertiary education.

Transport servicing is good compared to other areas nationally based on assessment of service frequency, route connectivity and accessibility

Rocklea - Acacia Ridge has 74 active public transport stops offering a mix of train and bus services. These stops are served by 27 individual routes, collectively facilitating 3,461 weekly passenger trips. Transport accessibility is rated good, with residents typically located 229 meters from the nearest stop. In this primarily residential area, most commuters travel outward. Car remains the dominant mode of transport at 82%, followed by bus at 6% and train at 6%. Vehicle ownership averages 1.2 per dwelling, below the regional average.

According to the 2021 Census, a relatively low 11.8% of residents work from home, which may reflect COVID-19 conditions. Service frequency averages 494 trips per day across all routes, equating to approximately 46 weekly trips per individual stop.

Health performance in Rocklea - Acacia Ridge is a key challenge with a range of health conditions having marked impacts on both younger and older age cohorts

Rocklea - Acacia Ridge faces significant health challenges, as indicated by AreaSearch's assessment of mortality rates and chronic condition prevalence. A range of health conditions affects both younger and older age groups. Private health cover is relatively low at approximately 50% of the total population (~5,074 people), compared to 55.8% in Greater Brisbane and the national average of 55.7%.

Mental health issues and asthma are the most common medical conditions, affecting 9.8 and 8.4% of residents respectively. However, 66.8% of residents claim to be completely clear of medical ailments, compared to 69.2% in Greater Brisbane. The working-age population faces notable health challenges due to elevated chronic condition rates. The area has 14.2% of residents aged 65 and over (1,447 people). Health outcomes among seniors present some challenges, with national rankings broadly in line with the general population.

Rocklea - Acacia Ridge was found to be more culturally diverse than the vast majority of local markets in Australia, upon assessment of a range of language and cultural background related metrics

Rocklea-Acacia Ridge has a high level of cultural diversity, with 37.4% of its population born overseas and 33.7% speaking a language other than English at home. Christianity is the dominant religion in Rocklea-Acacia Ridge, accounting for 42.6% of people. However, Islam is notably overrepresented, comprising 9.8% of the population compared to the Greater Brisbane average of 2.0%.

In terms of ancestry, the top three groups are English (21.2%), Australian (19.8%), and Other (18.7%). Notably, Samoan, Spanish, and Vietnamese populations are higher than regional averages: Samoan is at 1.4% compared to 0.9%, Spanish at 0.8% versus 0.4%, and Vietnamese at 2.2% against 0.8%.

Rocklea - Acacia Ridge hosts a young demographic, positioning it in the bottom quartile nationwide

Rocklea - Acacia Ridge has a median age of 34, which is slightly lower than Greater Brisbane's figure of 36 and significantly under Australia's national average of 38 years. Compared to Greater Brisbane, Rocklea - Acacia Ridge has a higher proportion of residents aged 25-34 (17.6%) but fewer residents aged 15-24 (11.9%). Between the 2021 Census and now, the population share of those aged 35 to 44 has increased from 14.1% to 14.9%, while the proportion of those aged 15 to 24 has decreased from 12.5% to 11.9%. By 2041, population forecasts indicate significant demographic shifts for Rocklea - Acacia Ridge. The 45-54 age group is projected to grow by 19%, adding 231 residents to reach a total of 1,433. This growth trend reflects an overall demographic aging, with residents aged 65 and older representing 55% of the anticipated population increase. Conversely, the 0-4 and 5-14 age groups are expected to experience population declines.