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 was approximately 10,147 as of November 2025. This figure represents an increase of 436 people, or a 4.5% rise from the 2021 Census count of 9,711 individuals. 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 452 persons per square kilometer. Overseas migration contributed approximately 65.8% 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 based on 2021 data. These state projections do not provide age category splits; therefore, 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 of national areas is anticipated. The area is expected to increase by 350 persons by 2041 based on the latest annual ERP population numbers, reflecting a gain of 2.2% in total 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 seen approximately 25 residential properties granted approval annually. Over the past five financial years, from FY-21 to FY-25, a total of 126 homes were approved, with an additional 22 approved in FY-26 so far. Despite a decrease in population during this period, development activity has been relatively adequate, benefiting buyers.

The average value for new dwellings is $319,000. This year alone, $85.9 million in commercial approvals have been registered, indicating robust commercial development momentum. Compared to Greater Brisbane, Rocklea - Acacia Ridge has significantly less development activity, 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 recently intensified. The area's development activity is also under the national average, suggesting its established nature and potential planning limitations.

New development consists of 67.0% detached houses and 33.0% attached dwellings, offering a blend of housing types across price ranges. This represents a shift from the area's existing housing composition, currently 86.0% houses, indicating decreasing availability of developable sites and reflecting changing lifestyles. The location has approximately 318 people per dwelling approval, indicating a low density market. According to AreaSearch's latest quarterly estimate, Rocklea - Acacia Ridge is expected to grow by 228 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

Area infrastructure significantly impacts local performance. AreaSearch identified 64 projects potentially affecting the area. Notable ones include Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Hospital Expansion, Transition - Archerfield Logistics Estate, Acacia Ridge Transit Oriented Development (TOD) Precinct, and Acacia Ridge Industrial Estate Expansion - Warehouse & Logistics Facilities. 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 Rocklea - Acacia Ridge face significant challenges, ranking among the bottom 10% of areas assessed nationally

Rocklea - Acacia Ridge has an unemployment rate of 15.2% as of September 2025. This is 11.2% higher than Greater Brisbane's rate of 4%.

The area has a workforce participation rate of 57.4%, compared to Greater Brisbane's 64.5%. Key employment industries are health care & social assistance, retail trade, and construction. Manufacturing is particularly prominent with an employment share 1.4 times the regional level. However, professional & technical services have limited presence at 5.2% compared to the regional 8.9%.

There are 2.7 workers for every resident in the area, indicating it serves as an employment hub attracting workers from surrounding regions. Over the year to September 2025, labour force levels increased by 0.3%, while employment declined by 2.1%, leading to a rise in unemployment rate by 2.1 percentage points. In contrast, Greater Brisbane saw employment growth of 3.8% and a fall in unemployment by 0.5%. At the state level as of 25-Nov, Queensland's employment contracted by 0.01%, with an unemployment rate of 4.2%, closely aligned with the national rate of 4.3%. National employment forecasts from May-25 project growth of 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Rocklea - Acacia Ridge's employment mix suggests local employment could increase by 6.2% over five years and 13.2% over ten years, though this is a simplified extrapolation for illustrative purposes only.

Income levels sit below national averages according to AreaSearch assessment

The median taxpayer income in Rocklea - Acacia Ridge SA2 was $52,070 and the average was $58,694 according to AreaSearch's aggregation of postcode level ATO data for financial year 2022. This is lower than national averages, contrasting with Greater Brisbane's median income of $55,645 and average income of $70,520. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 13.99% since financial year 2022, estimated incomes for September 2025 would be approximately $59,355 (median) and $66,905 (average). According to the 2021 Census, household, family, and personal incomes in Rocklea - Acacia Ridge fell between the 20th and 24th percentiles nationally. Income analysis revealed that the $1,500-$2,999 bracket dominated with 34.3% of residents (3,480 people), aligning with regional levels where this cohort likewise 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 had 85.7% houses and 14.3% other dwellings in the latest Census, compared to Brisbane metro's 82.0% houses and 18.1% other dwellings. Home ownership 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 $1,872. Median weekly rent was $335, compared to Brisbane metro's $400. Nationally, mortgage repayments were significantly lower than the Australian average of $1,863, while 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 compose 64.5% of all households, including 24.3% couples with children, 21.3% couples without children, and 17.0% single parent families. Non-family households constitute the remaining 35.5%, with lone person households at 28.8% and group households comprising 6.5%. The median household size is 2.5 people, smaller than the Greater Brisbane average of 3.0.

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%. This disparity presents both a challenge and an opportunity for targeted educational initiatives. Bachelor degrees are the most common at 16.3%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (5.0%) and graduate diplomas (2.2%). Vocational credentials are prevalent, with 34.8% of residents aged 15+ holding them, including advanced diplomas (10.0%) and certificates (24.8%).

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

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

Rocklea - Acacia Ridge has 98 active public transport stops. These are a mix of train and bus services operating on 26 individual routes. The total weekly passenger trips provided by these routes is 3,737.

Residents have excellent transport accessibility, with an average distance of 187 meters to the nearest stop. The service frequency averages 533 trips per day across all routes, which equates to approximately 38 weekly trips per individual stop.

Health performance in Rocklea - Acacia Ridge is lower than average with common health conditions somewhat prevalent across the board, though to a considerably higher degree among older age cohorts

Rocklea - Acacia Ridge faces significant health challenges with common health conditions prevalent across all age groups but to a higher degree among older cohorts. The area has approximately 49% of its total population (~4,982 people) with private health cover, lower than the national average of 55.3%.

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 declare themselves completely clear of medical ailments compared to 77.2% across Greater Brisbane. The area has a higher proportion of seniors aged 65 and over at 14.2% (1,441 people) compared to the Greater Brisbane average of 12.1%. Health outcomes among seniors require more attention than those in the broader 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 high cultural diversity, with 37.4% of its population born overseas and 33.7% speaking a language other than English at home. Christianity is the main religion in Rocklea-Acacia Ridge, comprising 42.6% of people there, compared to Islam which is overrepresented at 9.8%, higher than Greater Brisbane's average of 7.5%. The top three ancestry groups are English (21.2%), Australian (19.8%), and Other (18.7%).

Notably, Samoan (1.4%) and Spanish (0.8%) populations are overrepresented compared to regional averages, while Vietnamese is slightly underrepresented at 2.2%.

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 younger than Greater Brisbane's figure of 36 and 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 aged 35-44 has grown from 14.1% to 14.9%, while the 15-24 age group has declined from 12.5% to 11.9%. By 2041, Rocklea - Acacia Ridge's population is expected to see significant changes. The 45-54 age group is projected to grow by 20%, adding 236 residents to reach a total of 1,433. The demographic aging trend continues with residents aged 65 and older representing 55% of the anticipated population growth. Meanwhile, the 0-4 and 5-14 age groups are expected to experience population declines.