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This analysis uses ABS Statistical Areas Level 2 (SA2) boundaries, which can materially differ from Suburbs and Localities (SAL) even when sharing similar names.
SA2 boundaries are defined by the Australian Bureau of Statistics and are designed to represent communities for statistical reporting (e.g., census and ERP).
Suburbs and Localities (SAL) represent commonly-used suburb/locality names (postal-style areas) and may use different geographic boundaries. For comprehensive analysis, consider reviewing both boundary types if available.
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ABS ERP | -- people | --
2021 Census | -- people
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Roma has an estimated 7,092 residents, up from 6,838 at the 2021 Census — a change of 254 people, or 3.7%. Growth has averaged 0.5% a year over five years. 108 new addresses have been validated here since Census night. Density is about 91 people per square kilometre. Population is estimated from ABS Estimated Resident Population releases and GNAF address data, re-based from the 2021 Census and updated annually.
Detail
Roma has an estimated population of approximately 7,092 as of Aug 2026, according to analysis by AreaSearch. Compared to the 2021 Census tally of 6,838 people, this represents an addition of 254 people (3.7%). This calculation draws upon the ABS estimated resident population figure of 7,083 recorded in June 2025 alongside 108 validated new addresses confirmed after the Census. With 90 persons per square kilometer, the locality maintains a low population density that affords generous physical room per resident and capacity for ongoing expansion. Exceeding the broader SA3 area mark of 3.5%, Roma's 3.7% expansion rate since the 2021 census positions it as a regional frontrunner in demographic gains.
Most of this upward movement stemmed from natural growth, which accounted for roughly 66.8% of net population additions in recent times. Projections published by the ABS and Geoscience Australia in 2024 (using 2022 as their starting point) serve as the foundation for AreaSearch's SA2 figures. For outlying years post-2032 or areas omitted from that release, Queensland State Government SA2 series issued in 2023 from 2021 base data are incorporated instead. Because these state forecasts lack breakdowns by age bracket, AreaSearch applies proportional distribution adjustments aligned with the ABS Greater Capital Region projections (published in 2023 from 2022 data) across each demographic band. Under this modeling framework, the district's overall demographic trajectory points downward, shrinking by 404 persons by 2041. Even so, certain segments are set to expand, most prominently the 25 to 34 age group with a projected increase of 172 people. See the age section for more details.
Frequently Asked Questions - Population
37 new dwellings have been approved in Roma over the past five years, an average of 7 a year. That is 1.1 approvals per 1,000 residents. Figures come from ABS building approvals aggregated to this SA2 boundary and are updated monthly as the ABS releases them.
Detail
Residential building approvals in Roma have tracked at roughly 7 new homes annually, totaling 37 homes across the past 5 financial years (between FY-22 and FY-26). Over this same span (between FY-22 and FY-26), the locality recorded an average of 4.8 new residents for every residence constructed, demonstrating that housing construction is lagging significantly behind demographic demand and elevating competition among purchasers. At the same time, newly authorized dwellings show an average expected construction cost of $450,000, sitting below regional benchmarks and offering relatively attainable entry points. Furthermore, commercial building approvals have reached $28.3 million this financial year, underscoring solid activity across the commercial property sector.
Per capita residential consents in Roma run at roughly three-quarters of the pace observed across Rest of Qld, placing the locality in the 12th percentile nationwide. This subdued supply environment limits choices for buyers while reinforcing interest in established properties. Approval numbers sit beneath national benchmarks as well, illustrating the district's mature urban fabric and possible planning constraints. In addition, recent residential building activity consists entirely of standalone houses, reinforcing the low-density landscape and catering to purchasers seeking detached layouts with spacious surroundings. The ratio of 1217 people in the area for every authorized dwelling highlights a tranquil development landscape with subdued construction volume. With demographic forecasts pointing to flat or contracting numbers, Roma could see residential market constraints ease, generating more advantageous conditions for prospective purchasers.
Frequently Asked Questions - Development
Development applications around Roma
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| Lodged | Address | Description | Type | Distance | Status |
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SOURCE: Planning portals and council registers, compiled by AreaSearch. Distance & bearing measured from the suburb midpoint.
AreaSearch tracks 5 current infrastructure and development projects inside Roma, worth an estimated $52 million. A further 76 sit in the immediately surrounding suburbs, taking the tracked pipeline within reach of the area to $54 billion. 22 are already under construction and 29 are due for completion within three years. The pipeline spans energy, transport & logistics and environmental & disaster management. Records are compiled from Infrastructure Australia, state agencies, council planning portals and public announcements, reviewed and updated daily, then ranked by proximity, construction stage, completion horizon and project scale.
Detail
Local capital works, major development initiatives, and planning schemes have a profound effect on neighborhood dynamics. AreaSearch has pinpointed 6 projects anticipated to influence the district. Prominent undertakings comprise the Denise Spencer Aquatic Centre Redevelopment, Community Housing Limited Roma Social Housing, Roma Hospital Redevelopment, and Bowen Street Roma Priority Development Area, with the detailed list highlighting those carrying the greatest local significance.
Professional plan users can use the search below to filter and access additional projects.
INFRASTRUCTURE SEARCH
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Frequently Asked Questions - Infrastructure
Denise Spencer Aquatic Centre Redevelopment
Redevelopment of Roma's Denise Spencer Aquatic Centre into an inclusive regional aquatic facility. The project includes demolition of the existing pools, an 8-lane 50-metre outdoor pool with grandstand seating, a 25-metre indoor program and lap pool, a 10-metre four-flume waterslide tower, zero-depth splash pad, toddler pool, water play area, new entry building with kiosk and multipurpose room, accessible amenities, indoor changerooms, shaded areas, swim club facilities and supporting plant. Construction commenced in April 2025 and the centre is on track to open for the 2026 summer school holidays.
Community Housing Limited Roma Social Housing
A social housing project by Community Housing Limited (CHL) aimed at providing affordable rental accommodation for vulnerable community members in Roma. The development includes various housing types to address the local shortage of public and social housing, integrated with community facilities.
Roma Airport General Aviation Apron Upgrade
Upgrade of general aviation apron facilities at Roma Airport including runway improvements, taxiway enhancements, and aircraft parking bay upgrades to support regional aviation services
Bowen Street Roma Priority Development Area
A priority development area that has developed the Clearview Rise residential estate, providing 372 residential lots to support housing growth and community expansion in Roma. The estate is sold out and listed as a past project by Economic Development Queensland.
Roma Hospital Redevelopment
New $116.6 million state-of-the-art hospital featuring 22 beds, two birthing suites, two operating theatres, increased outpatient capacity, and world-class health facilities serving south west Queensland
Maranoa Pump Track Community Infrastructure
Modern pump track facility for BMX and mountain bike riders featuring beginner and advanced circuits, landscaping, seating areas, and community gathering spaces
Carnarvon Highway Orange Hill Upgrade
Safety and capacity upgrades on the Carnarvon Highway at Orange Hill near Roma, including pavement widening, widened lanes and shoulders, turn treatments near Lalors Lane, culvert extensions/replacements and additional warning signage to improve safety and heavy vehicle operations.
Roma North Gas Expansion Project
Senex Energy's $1 billion Surat Basin expansion, including the Roma North development, has been completed ahead of schedule with first gas delivered in Q1 2025. The project involves approximately 400 wells and expanding processing capacity to deliver 60 PJ of natural gas annually to the east coast market, injecting over $200 million into local Queensland communities.
4,214 residents of Roma are employed, from a labour force of 4,346. Unemployment sits at 3.0%, with participation at 77.6%. Weighted for its industry mix, the area's sectors are forecast to grow about 6.2% nationally over five years. That reflects industry composition only and makes no allowance for local population growth. Unemployment and labour force come from ABS Small Area Labour Markets, updated quarterly; the industry and occupation profile is from the 2021 Census.
Detail
Roma benefits from a capable labor pool with extensive representation across core community sectors, a jobless rate standing at just 3.0%, and annual employment gains estimated at 1.3%. There were 4,214 residents working as of March 2026, while the local jobless rate came in 0.9% under the Regional Qld figure of 3.9%. Labor force engagement is particularly high, reaching 77.6% relative to 64.2% across Regional Qld. Census records show that a modest 4.6% of workers operated from home, though figures should be interpreted in light of Covid-19 restrictions in place at the time.
The primary employment sectors for local residents are health care & social assistance, public administration & safety, and retail trade. Public administration & safety shows an especially heavy local footprint, employing workers at 1.7 times the regional standard. Conversely, professional & technical roles account for only 3.7% of the local workforce, trailing the Regional Qld mark of 5.1%. At the time of the Census, the local economy supported 0.7 workers for every resident, highlighting an above-average supply of neighborhood jobs. According to AreaSearch's evaluation of ABS and SALM releases, local employment grew by 1.3% over the 12-month period while the local labor pool expanded by 2.4%, pushing the unemployment rate up by 1.1 percentage points. Across Regional Qld over the same duration, jobs expanded by 0.1%, the workforce rose by 0.3%, and joblessness increased by 0.1 percentage points. Looking ahead, Jobs and Skills Australia's national forecasts from Mar-26 provide context on potential labor requirements in Roma. These five-year and ten-year projections have been applied across the local industry profile to estimate future trends. Countrywide employment is slated to climb 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, though trajectories differ markedly by industry. Translating these sector trends to Roma's workforce structure indicates an increase in local jobs of 6.2% over five years and 13.2% over ten years (note that this reflects an illustrative weighted extrapolation that does not incorporate local demographic forecasts).
Frequently Asked Questions - Employment
Median household income in Roma is $1,706 a week (about $89,000 a year), with median personal income at $957 a week. ATO records put median taxable income at $57,222 a year against an average of $65,642. Household income is from the 2021 Census; taxable income is from ATO Taxation Statistics for the latest financial year available, indexed forward using the ABS Wage Price Index.
Detail
Figures from the ATO for financial year 2023 compiled by AreaSearch indicate that earnings within the Roma SA2 track slightly behind countrywide benchmarks, showing a median income of $57,222 and an average income of $65,642. Across Regional Qld, median earnings stood at $53,146 while average earnings reached $66,593. Factoring in Wage Price Index growth of 11.36% since financial year 2023, updated figures for March 2026 are approximately $63,722 for median income and $73,099 for average income. In the 2021 Census, individual weekly earnings ($957) placed in the 74th percentile, whereas household incomes sat in the 47th percentile.
In terms of earnings distributions, 36.6% of residents (2,595 individuals) fall into the $1,500 - 2,999 bracket, closely tracking the 31.7% recorded regionally. Residents retain 88.3% of their earnings once housing expenses are met, demonstrating strong discretionary spending capacity.
Frequently Asked Questions - Income
Roma had 2,518 occupied dwellings at the 2021 Census, 90% detached houses and 1% apartments. 27% are owned with a mortgage, 47% rented and 26% owned outright. At that Census the median rent was $250 a week and the median mortgage repayment $1,300 a month. Rent absorbs 14.7% of household income here and mortgage repayments 17.6%. Dwelling stock, tenure and housing costs are 2021 Census measures — the only source that counts dwellings at this boundary size.
Detail
According to the most recent Census, the local housing stock in Roma was made up of 90.0% separate houses and 10.0% other dwellings (incorporating semi-detached residences, flats, and alternative formats), compared to 76.4% separate houses and 23.6% other dwellings across Regional Qld. Outright home ownership trailed the wider regional proportion, accounting for 25.7% of households, while the remaining residences were split between mortgaged properties (27.1%) and rental accommodation (47.2%). Monthly median mortgage commitments in the locality sat substantially below the Regional Qld benchmark at $1,300, while median rent was recorded at $250 weekly, compared to regional benchmarks of $1,655 and $345 respectively.
Across Australia, typical mortgage repayments of $1,863 and typical rents of $375 are both substantially higher than the figures seen in Roma.
Frequently Asked Questions - Housing
Roma counted 2,518 households at the 2021 Census, averaging 2.4 people each. 28% are couples with children, against 25% couples without children. 32% of households are people living alone, and families average 1.8 children. Household and family composition is measured only by the Census, so these are 2021 figures.
Detail
Families constitute the vast majority of local living arrangements at 64.8% of all households, consisting of 27.7% couples with children, 24.8% couples without children, and 11.1% single parent families. Non-family residences make up the remaining 35.2% of dwellings, including 31.7% single-person homes and 3.7% group living arrangements. The typical household size sits at 2.4 people, slightly below the Regional Qld benchmark of 2.5.
Frequently Asked Questions - Households
18.2% of adults in Roma hold a university qualification, including 13.1% with a bachelor degree and 3.0% with postgraduate qualifications. A further 33.3% hold a vocational qualification. 6 schools serve the area, with 1,651 enrolment places and an average ICSEA of 945 against a national benchmark of 1,000. Qualifications come from the 2021 Census; school enrolments, ICSEA and results come from ACARA's current release.
Detail
Attainment of higher education qualifications presents a hurdle locally, with university qualification levels standing at 18.2% compared to 30.4% across Australia overall, signaling a clear opportunity for education initiatives. Within tertiary credentials, bachelor degrees represent 13.1%, postgraduate awards comprise 3.0%, and graduate diplomas account for 2.1%. Conversely, practical and vocational qualifications are widely held, with 41.9% of residents aged 15+ holding trade credentials, consisting of 8.6% with advanced diplomas and 33.3% with certificates. Participation in study is strong throughout Roma, with 33.1% of the population actively enrolled in educational institutions.
This comprises 13.2% attending primary school, 9.3% in secondary programs, and 3.4% enrolled in higher education.
Frequently Asked Questions - Education
Schools Detail
Getting around Roma means driving: households keep an average of 1.4 vehicles, and no scheduled public transport appears in the current timetable feeds. Service data is built from operators' published GTFS timetables; vehicle ownership is from the 2021 Census.
Frequently Asked Questions - Transport
Transport Stops Detail
66.5% of residents in Roma report no long-term health condition, a less healthy profile than 89% of areas nationally. 3.7% need daily assistance with core activities, and 51.9% hold private health cover. The standardised death rate runs at 8.3 per 1,000 residents. Health conditions, assistance needs and insurance are 2021 Census measures; the death rate comes from current ABS releases.
Detail
Health assessments by AreaSearch highlight meaningful well-being hurdles in Roma regarding mortality measures and long-term health issues, with common ailments evident in both younger cohorts and senior demographics. Furthermore, private healthcare enrollment lags standard SA2 metrics, covering roughly 52% of the local population (~3,680 people). Asthma and mental health issues represent the two most widespread medical diagnoses locally, affecting 10.7 and 8.4% of residents, while 66.5% reported no chronic medical issues, compared to 67.6% across Regional Qld. Working-age locals experience higher-than-average rates of long-term medical conditions. Seniors aged 65 and over make up 14.4% of the population (1,018 people), which is below the 20.3% share seen across Regional Qld.
Chronic health issues among elderly residents remain notable, with national disease prevalence rankings sitting above those of the broader local community.
Frequently Asked Questions - Health
Roma is largely Australian-born, at 89.3% of residents, with 6.8% speaking a language other than English at home. The largest reported ancestries are Australian (31.7%) and English (27.9%). 9.1% of residents identify as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander. Ancestry, language and country of birth are counted only by the Census, so these are 2021 figures.
Detail
Cultural diversity in Roma is comparatively low, with Australian citizens making up 84.1% of the populace, 89.3% born in Australia, and 93.2% speaking exclusively English at home. Christianity forms the dominant faith, observed by 60.8% of the local community, compared to 52.2% across Regional Qld. Looking at ancestral heritage (parental birthplaces), the three largest cohorts in Roma are Australian at 31.7% (well above the regional benchmark of 26.5%), English at 27.9%, and Australian Aboriginal at 9.1% (exceeding the Regional Qld standard of 3.9%). Distinct variances emerge across other ethnic backgrounds as well: German ancestry represents 5.0% locally (compared to 4.7% regionally), Filipino accounts for 1.9% (versus 0.9%), and South Australian comprises 0.4% (versus 0.5%).
Frequently Asked Questions - Diversity
The median resident of Roma is 35, younger than 79% of areas nationally. 30.6% of residents are aged 15 to 34. Age cohorts are not raw Census counts: the Census split is re-based to the latest ABS population estimates and state projections.
Detail
The age distribution in Roma leans heavily toward younger demographics. Estimates updated to August 2026 indicate that 34.6% of residents are children and young adults (0 - 24), exceeding the 29.6% share in Regional Qld, while seniors aged 65+ make up 14.4%, below the regional proportion of 20.4%. The median age remains at 35 as at August 2026, unchanged since the 2021 Census and 6 years younger than the 41 recorded across Regional Qld at that Census. The most noticeable demographic shift since the Census has occurred in the young to middle aged adults bracket (25 - 44), expanding from 27.3% to an estimated 29.5%.
Projections to 2041 indicate that retirement and senior cohorts will drive future growth, increasing by 131 residents (13%) to reach 1,149, while cohorts of children and young adults, along with middle aged and young retiree groups, are expected to contract.
Frequently Asked Questions - Age
Data & MethodBoundaries, Sources & Method for Roma
9 of 14 data sections on this page were updated within the last 12 months — the newest current to Oct 2026.
Everything is aggregated to the SA2 boundary shown above, on a 2021 Census baseline. Only 3 sections — housing, households and cultural diversity — still wait on the 2026 Census.
The ledger — source, cycle and currency by section
| Section | Source & update cycle | Currency |
|---|---|---|
| Updated within the last 12 months 9 sections | ||
| Population | ABS, GNAF, Geoscience Australia Annual (ABS ERP) | Aug 2026 2 months ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Re-based to the ABS Estimated Resident Population (June 2025 release) and updated with new dwellings from GNAF address data. Current to Aug 2026, with the 2021 Census supplying the small-area baseline. | ||
| Age profile | ABS, Geoscience Australia, State governments Annual | Aug 2026 2 months ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Age cohorts are re-based to the latest ABS population estimates and state projections, current to Aug 2026. Each cohort is held as a Census baseline and a current estimate. | ||
| Development & approvals | ABS, GNAF Monthly (ABS approvals) | Aug 2026 2 months ago headline measures · Jul 2026 baseline |
| Property sales & rents | Valuer General, Rental Board, ABS Weekly sales, quarterly rents | Oct 2026 this month headline measures · Sep 2026 baseline |
| Sales from the state Valuer General register, refreshed weekly, and rents from quarterly rental bond lodgements. Both are read live each time this page loads, current to Oct 2026. | ||
| Infrastructure projects | Infrastructure Australia, State agencies, Local governments Daily | May 2026 5 months ago all 5 projects tracked here |
| Project pipeline maintained continuously from Infrastructure Australia, state agencies, local government and public announcements. Records are added and revised daily; this area was last updated May 2026. | ||
| Employment | ABS, DEWR, JSA Quarterly (ABS SALM) | Mar 2026 7 months ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Unemployment and labour force from ABS Small Area Labour Markets, current to Mar 2026. The growth outlook applies Department of Employment (now Jobs and Skills Australia) forecasts for all 19 industry divisions to the local industry mix, so it measures sector composition rather than local expansion and makes no allowance for population growth. Job demand comes from the same agency via its Internet Vacancy Index; industry and occupation structure from the 2021 Census. | ||
| Education | ABS, ACARA Annual (ACARA) | Sep 2026 last month headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Transport | ABS, State Transport Departments Each timetable release | Jul 2026 3 months ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Services & amenities | Provider directories, ACECQA Continuous | Sep 2026 last month all 14 measures |
| Annual and financial-year sources 2 sections | ||
| Income | ABS, ATO Annual (ATO) | FY 2023 3 years ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| ATO taxable income statistics for FY 2023, indexed forward using the Wage Price Index. Census household income provides the distribution detail. | ||
| Health | ABS, ATO Annual | 2024 2 years ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Census-measured — next update: 2026 Census 3 sections No more current small-area source exists for these, so they are labelled as Census-measured rather than implied to be current. | ||
| Housing | ABS 5-yearly (Census) | 2021 Census next update 2026 all 30 measures |
| Households | ABS 5-yearly (Census) | 2021 Census next update 2026 all 18 measures |
| Cultural diversity | ABS, Geoscience Australia 5-yearly (Census) | 2021 Census next update 2026 all 44 measures |
"Currency" is the most recent release feeding that section. Where the Census supplies the structural baseline underneath a current headline figure, the row says so.
How the numbers are built
Population
The Census provides the small-area baseline, aggregated from mesh blocks to this boundary. It is then re-based to the ABS Estimated Resident Population (June 2025 release), and new dwellings built since Census night are counted from address data — 108 validated new addresses here. The headline figure is therefore a current estimate for Aug 2026, not a 2021 count (6,838 at the 2021 Census → 7,092 now). Annual growth rates are compound (CAGR), not simple averages.
Age profile
Cohort shares are not raw Census counts. Every cohort is held as a pair — the Census baseline and a current estimate — and the split is re-based using ERP and state population projections, current to Aug 2026. Median age is the Census median plus modelled change since. Charts that show both are labelled "2021 Census vs Current Estimate".
Property sales
Sourced from the state valuation authority's sales register — current, not Census, and refreshed weekly. Medians are calculated from settled transactions in the period shown; periods with very low transaction counts are flagged or suppressed, because a handful of sales can move a median substantially.
Rents
Derived from state rental bond lodgement data, by dwelling type and bedroom count. Bonds are lodged at the start of a new tenancy, so this reflects new lettings, not the whole rented stock.
Development & infrastructure
Building approvals come from current ABS releases; development applications are collected from council and state planning portals; the infrastructure pipeline is compiled from Infrastructure Australia and local government sources. Applications are matched to this boundary by address or coordinates, so very recent lodgements may not yet appear.
Employment & income
Industry and occupation structure comes from the Census, but the headline labour-market indicators do not. Unemployment and labour force are derived from ABS Small Area Labour Markets (quarterly). The employment outlook applies Department of Employment forecasts for all 19 industry divisions to this area's own industry mix (the agency is now Jobs and Skills Australia), as does the Internet Vacancy Index used for job demand. Because it is weighted on industry composition alone, that outlook carries no allowance for local population growth — in fast-growing areas the real rise in local jobs will typically be higher. Income combines Census household income with ATO taxable-income statistics for FY 2023, indexed forward using the Wage Price Index.
Education, transport & amenities
School enrolments, ICSEA and performance come from ACARA's current release, not the Census. Public transport stops and service frequency are derived from GTFS timetable feeds published by state transport departments. Services and amenities are proximity and count scores built from provider directories, refreshed on their own cycle. The Census contributes only the travel-to-work and qualification measures.
Rankings and benchmarks. Where we rank this area, the comparison set is every area of the same boundary type — suburbs against suburbs, SA2s against SA2s. Benchmarks compare this area against its greater capital city region and the national figure for the same measure and period.
Limits worth knowing. Small areas carry larger error margins, and the ABS introduces small random adjustments to Census counts to protect confidentiality — so totals may not sum exactly. Estimates re-based from regional data describe the area's expected trajectory, not a direct count of it. Figures are indicative for research and are not financial, planning or valuation advice.
Cross-check us. The Census baseline for this boundary is at ABS 2021 Census QuickStats (307011176). QuickStats reports 2021 only — the figures on this page are more current wherever the ledger shows a later date.