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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 Surrounds has an estimated 6,299 residents, up from 5,989 at the 2021 Census — a change of 310 people, or 5.2%. Growth has averaged 1.0% a year over five years. 137 new addresses have been validated here since Census night. Natural increase accounts for 45.3% of that increase. Fewer than ten people live on each square kilometre, across a boundary that takes in surrounding rural land. Population is estimated from ABS Estimated Resident Population releases and GNAF address data, re-based from the 2021 Census and updated annually.
Detail
AreaSearch indicates that the population of Roma Surrounds stands at approximately 6,299 as of May 2026. Compared to the 5,989 residents recorded in the 2021 Census, this represents a growth of 310 individuals (5.2%). This trend is derived from the ABS estimated resident population of 6,287 in June 2025 and 137 validated new addresses added since the Census. Consequently, the population density is 0.10 persons per square kilometer, indicating a spacious environment for residents. This 5.2% rate of growth since the 2021 Census outperformed both the wider SA3 area (3.5%) and the SA4 region, positioning the locality as a leader in regional growth.
The primary catalyst for this growth was natural increase, which accounted for roughly 45.3% of the total population gains, though interstate and overseas migration also made positive contributions. Projections for each SA2 region adopted by AreaSearch are sourced from the 2024 ABS/Geoscience Australia release, using 2022 as the baseline. For regions without coverage, or for periods beyond 2032, projections from the Queensland State Government released in 2023 (based on 2021 data) are used. Because state-level projections lack age breakdown details, AreaSearch allocates proportional growth across age groups based on the 2023 ABS Greater Capital Region projections (using 2022 baseline data). These projections suggest a future contraction in the overall population, estimating a loss of 335 residents by 2041. In contrast, specific cohorts are expected to expand, with the 75 to 84 age group projected to increase by 71 people. Further information is available in the age section.
Frequently Asked Questions - Population
59 new dwellings have been approved in Roma Surrounds over the past five years, an average of 11 a year. That is 1.9 approvals per 1,000 residents. Approvals are currently running at an annualised 4, well below that longer-run average. Figures come from ABS building approvals aggregated to this SA2 boundary and are updated monthly as the ABS releases them.
Detail
Roma Surrounds has averaged approximately 11 residential approvals annually, culminating in 59 approvals over the last 5 financial years. In the current FY-26, 4 approvals have been registered so far. With an average of 5.1 new residents for each completed home between FY-21 and FY-25, demand outpaces supply, which typically drives up prices and competition. Newly built homes carry an average construction value of $339,000, aligning with regional trends. Furthermore, commercial approvals totaling $5.8 million have been logged this financial year, reflecting a modest focus on commercial expansion. Roma Surrounds exhibits slightly higher development levels than the Rest of Qld, running 20.0% above the regional per-capita average over the 5 year period, which helps support existing property values while maintaining buyer options, even though building rates have slowed recently.
This activity level falls below the national average, indicating a mature market and potential planning barriers. Recent construction consists solely of detached houses, maintaining the low-density profile of the area and appealing to buyers seeking space. The ratio of 1009 people per single dwelling approval highlights the quiet pace of local development. Given that the population is projected to stabilize or decrease, housing pressure in Roma Surrounds is likely to ease, potentially offering favorable opportunities for prospective buyers.
Frequently Asked Questions - Development
Development applications around Roma Surrounds
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| Lodged | Address | Description | Type | Distance | Status |
|---|
SOURCE: Planning portals and council registers, compiled by AreaSearch. Distance & bearing measured from the suburb midpoint.
AreaSearch tracks 8 current infrastructure and development projects inside Roma Surrounds, worth an estimated $12.4 billion. A further 74 sit in the immediately surrounding suburbs, taking the tracked pipeline within reach of the area to $51.3 billion. 21 are already under construction and 25 are due for completion within three years. The pipeline spans energy, transport & logistics and sports & recreation. 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 performance is heavily shaped by developments in regional infrastructure and major projects. AreaSearch has identified 22 projects expected to influence the area. High-impact works include the Maranoa Pump Track Community Infrastructure, Carnarvon Highway Culvert Replacement North of Roma, Roma Airport General Aviation Apron Upgrade, and the Denise Spencer Aquatic Centre Redevelopment, with details provided on those of high relevance.
Professional plan users can use the search below to filter and access additional projects.
INFRASTRUCTURE SEARCH
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Frequently Asked Questions - Infrastructure
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 Culvert Replacement North of Roma
Replacement of aging culvert infrastructure on Carnarvon Highway north of Roma to improve drainage, flood resilience, and road safety for heavy vehicle traffic
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.
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
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.
Australia Pacific LNG Upstream Phase 1 (Spring Gully)
Expansion of coal seam gas infrastructure within the Surat and Bowen Basins. In March 2026, the project received federal approval to construct up to 1,695 new gas production wells and 1,545 km of pipelines. This phase focuses on maintaining domestic supply and export targets while managing environmental conditions for threatened species and water resources through 2081. Construction for the new expansion is scheduled to begin in 2026.
3,584 residents of Roma Surrounds are employed, from a labour force of 3,663. Unemployment sits at 2.2%, with participation at 73.4%. Weighted for its industry mix, the area's sectors are forecast to grow about 4.5% 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
The local workforce is evenly distributed between white and blue-collar roles across diverse sectors, featuring a low unemployment rate of 2.2% and an estimated annual employment growth rate of 1.6%. As of March 2026, there are 3,584 employed residents, with the unemployment rate tracking 1.8% below the Regional Qld benchmark of 3.9%. Participation in the labor force is high at 73.4%, compared to the Regional Qld rate of 64.3%. Census data indicates that 25.3% of workers operated from home, though this figure reflects Covid-19 lockdown conditions. The primary sectors employing local residents are agriculture, forestry & fishing, health care & social assistance, and education & training.
The agricultural, forestry & fishing sector shows a high concentration, with a workforce share 9.0 times the regional average. Conversely, health care & social assistance is less prominent, employing 9.0% of the local workforce compared to 16.1% regionally. Although local employment is available, the ratio of the Census working population to the resident population suggests many residents travel outside the area for work. Analysis conducted by AreaSearch using SALM and ABS figures indicates that between the 12 months leading to March 2026, employment grew by 1.6% whereas the labour force expanded by 2.3%, which led to an increase in the unemployment rate of 0.7 percentage points. This trend differs from the situation in Regional Qld, where employment grew by 0.1%, the labour force grew by 0.3%, and unemployment increased by 0.1 percentage points. Forecasts issued by Jobs and Skills Australia in May-25 provide additional context regarding anticipated future demand within Roma Surrounds. These projections span both five and ten-year timeframes and have been overlaid with the local employment profile to estimate growth trends. Although national employment is expected to expand by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, expansion rates vary considerably across different industry sectors. When these sector-specific forecasts are applied to Roma Surrounds's employment composition, local employment is projected to grow by 4.5% over five years and 10.6% over ten years (please note this is a simple weighting extrapolation for illustrative purposes and does not take into account localised population projections).
Frequently Asked Questions - Employment
Median household income in Roma Surrounds is $1,436 a week (about $75,000 a year), with median personal income at $770 a week. ATO records put median taxable income at $49,818 a year against an average of $56,901. 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
According to the latest ATO postcode statistics for the financial year 2023, the median income for taxpayers in the Roma Surrounds SA2 is $49,818, with an average of $56,901. These figures are below national averages, and compare to a median of $53,146 and an average of $66,593 in Regional Qld. Adjusted for a Wage Price Index growth of 11.36% since the financial year 2023, estimated values as of March 2026 are approximately $55,477 for the median and $63,365 for the average. Census data places household, family, and personal incomes in moderate brackets, ranging between the 31st and 42nd percentiles.
The largest income bracket is $1,500 - 2,999, containing 30.6% of residents (1,927 people), which is similar to the 31.7% observed across the region. Housing costs consume a manageable share of income, leaving residents with 92.4% of their earnings, though disposable income is below average at the 40th percentile, and the SEIFA index ranks the area in the 5th decile.
Frequently Asked Questions - Income
Roma Surrounds had 2,063 occupied dwellings at the 2021 Census, 97% detached houses and 0% apartments. 30% are owned with a mortgage, 21% rented and 49% owned outright. At that Census the median rent was $155 a week and the median mortgage repayment $1,114 a month. Rent absorbs 10.8% of household income here and mortgage repayments 17.9%. Dwelling stock, tenure and housing costs are 2021 Census measures — the only source that counts dwellings at this boundary size.
Detail
At the time of the latest Census, residential structures in Roma Surrounds were composed of 97.1% houses and 2.9% other options like semi-detached properties and apartments, compared to 76.4% houses and 23.6% other options in Regional Qld. Home ownership rates in the area were high at 49.2%, with the remaining properties being mortgaged (29.9%) or rented (20.9%). The median monthly mortgage repayment of $1,114 sat well below the Regional Qld average, while the median weekly rent was $155, compared to regional averages of $1,655 and $345 respectively. Nationally, mortgage repayments are significantly lower than the Australian average of $1,863, and rent is also well below the national average of $375.
Frequently Asked Questions - Housing
Roma Surrounds counted 2,063 households at the 2021 Census, an estimated 2,170 today, averaging 2.5 people each. 32% are couples with children, against 33% couples without children. 26% of households are people living alone, and families average 2.2 children. Household and family composition is measured only by the Census, so these are 2021 figures.
Detail
Family households constitute 72.0% of the local area, consisting of couples with children (32.2%), couples without children (32.5%), and single parent families (6.7%). Non-family households account for the remaining 28.0%, with single-person households representing 25.6% and group households making up 2.5%. The median household size is 2.5 people, matching the average for Regional Qld.
Frequently Asked Questions - Households
14.0% of adults in Roma Surrounds hold a university qualification, including 11.4% with a bachelor degree and 1.1% with postgraduate qualifications, lower than 92% of areas nationally. A further 29.8% hold a vocational qualification. 11 schools serve the area, with 474 enrolment places and an average ICSEA of 903 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
Educational attainment levels show that university qualifications (14.0%) are notably lower than the Australian average of 30.4%, pointing to opportunities for targeted educational programs. Among residents, bachelor degrees are held by 11.4%, graduate diplomas by 1.5%, and postgraduate qualifications by 1.1%. Vocational education is prominent, with 39.7% of residents aged 15+ holding technical credentials, consisting of advanced diplomas (9.9%) and certificates (29.8%). Enrolment in formal education is high, involving 29.9% of the population. This comprises 14.8% of residents in primary education, 9.3% in secondary education, and 1.9% in tertiary studies.
Frequently Asked Questions - Education
Schools Detail
Getting around Roma Surrounds means driving: households keep an average of 1.9 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
69.3% of residents in Roma Surrounds report no long-term health condition. 4.2% need daily assistance with core activities, and 47.6% hold private health cover. The standardised death rate runs at 5.0 per 1,000 residents. Health conditions, assistance needs and insurance are 2021 Census measures; the death rate comes from current ABS releases.
Detail
Local health profiles show favorable trends, with mortality and chronic condition rates in Roma Surrounds aligning with national averages. The prevalence of common health conditions is low in both younger and older cohorts. Private health insurance coverage is relatively low at approximately 48% of the population (~2,998 people), compared to 52.5% in Regional Qld and a national average of 55.7%. Asthma and arthritis are the most common medical conditions locally, affecting 8.7% and 8.5% of residents respectively. Additionally, 69.3% of the population reported no chronic conditions, compared to 67.6% across Regional Qld.
Health outcomes for the working-age cohort are standard. Residents aged 65 and over make up 21.1% of the population (1,332 people), and health outcomes for this senior cohort rank highly compared to national averages.
Frequently Asked Questions - Health
Roma Surrounds is largely Australian-born, at 95.4% of residents, with 1.7% speaking a language other than English at home. The largest reported ancestries are Australian (36.8%) and English (29.8%). 4.7% 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 measures are below the national average, with citizens making up 87.6% of the population, 95.4% of residents born in Australia, and 98.3% using only English at home. The predominant religion is Christianity, representing 69.7% of the population, compared to 52.2% across Regional Qld. In terms of parent country of birth, the main ancestries are Australian at 36.8% (above the regional average of 26.5%), English at 29.8%, and Scottish at 9.4%. Other groups show variations from regional averages, including German ancestry at 4.9% (compared to 4.7% regionally), Australian Aboriginal at 4.7% (compared to 3.9%), and Irish at 8.8% (compared to 8.2%).
Frequently Asked Questions - Diversity
The median resident of Roma Surrounds is 42. 20.9% 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 median age of 42 years in Roma Surrounds is similar to the Regional Qld average of 41 and above the Australian median of 38. The 0 - 4 cohort is relatively large (7.1% locally), while the 25 - 34 cohort is smaller (10.7%) compared to regional averages. Since the 2021 Census, the 15 to 24 cohort expanded from 8.9% to 10.2%, and the 75 to 84 group rose from 6.0% to 7.3%. Meanwhile, the 45 to 54 cohort fell from 14.0% to 12.0%, and the 55 to 64 cohort decreased from 14.7% to 13.5%.
Demographic projections for 2041 indicate that the 75 to 84 cohort will expand by 64 people (14%), rising from 458 to 523, with seniors aged 65+ accounting for 77% of projected population growth. Conversely, the 45 to 54 and 0 to 4 groups are projected to decline.
Frequently Asked Questions - Age
Data & MethodBoundaries, Sources & Method for Roma Surrounds
9 of 14 data sections on this page were updated within the last 12 months — the newest current to Aug 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) | May 2026 3 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 May 2026, with the 2021 Census supplying the small-area baseline. | ||
| Age profile | ABS, Geoscience Australia, State governments Annual | May 2026 3 months ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Age cohorts are re-based to the latest ABS population estimates and state projections, current to May 2026. Each cohort is held as a Census baseline and a current estimate. | ||
| Development & approvals | ABS, GNAF Monthly (ABS approvals) | Jun 2026 2 months ago headline measures · May 2026 baseline |
| Property sales & rents | Valuer General, Rental Board, ABS Weekly sales, quarterly rents | Aug 2026 this month all 21 measures |
| 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 Aug 2026. | ||
| Infrastructure projects | Infrastructure Australia, State agencies, Local governments Daily | Aug 2026 this month all 8 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 Aug 2026. | ||
| Employment | ABS, DEWR, JSA Quarterly (ABS SALM) | Mar 2026 5 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) | Aug 2026 this month headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Transport | ABS, State Transport Departments Each timetable release | Jul 2026 last month headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Services & amenities | Provider directories, ACECQA Continuous | Jul 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 — 137 validated new addresses here. The headline figure is therefore a current estimate for May 2026, not a 2021 count (5,989 at the 2021 Census → 6,299 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 May 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 (307011177). QuickStats reports 2021 only — the figures on this page are more current wherever the ledger shows a later date.