Roma Surrounds
Statistical Area - sa2

Roma Surrounds has shown very soft population growth performance across periods assessed by AreaSearch

Roma Surrounds' population, as of November 2025, is approximately 6,313, marking an increase of 324 people since the 2021 Census. The 2021 Census recorded a population of 5,989 in Roma Surrounds. This growth was inferred from ABS' estimated resident population of 6,248 in June 2024 and an additional 134 validated new addresses since the Census date. This results in a population density ratio of 0.10 persons per square kilometer. Roma Surrounds' population grew by 5.4% from 2021 to 2025, surpassing the SA3 area's growth rate of 5.2%. Natural growth contributed approximately 51.0% 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 by this data 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 from ABS Greater Capital Region projections (released in 2023, based on 2022 data) for each age cohort. Looking ahead, population projections indicate a decline of 319 persons by 2041. However, specific age cohorts are expected to grow, notably the 75 to 84 age group, projected to increase by 80 people.

Residential development activity is lower than average in Roma Surrounds according to AreaSearch's national comparison of local real estate markets

Roma Surrounds has experienced approximately 11 dwelling approvals per year. Over the past five financial years, from FY21 to FY25, a total of 59 homes were approved, with an additional 3 approved so far in FY26. On average, around 5.3 people have moved to the area annually for each dwelling built during these years.

This significant demand exceeds new supply, typically leading to price growth and increased buyer competition. The average construction value of new properties is $339,000, aligning with broader regional development trends. In FY26, there have been $5.8 million in commercial approvals, indicating limited focus on commercial development compared to residential. Compared to the rest of Queensland, Roma Surrounds has recorded elevated construction activity, approximately 22.0% above the regional average per person over the past five years.

However, this is lower than national averages, suggesting market maturity and potential development constraints. The recent building activity in Roma Surrounds consists entirely of detached houses, maintaining the area's traditional low-density character with a focus on family homes. As of now, there are an estimated 1002 people per dwelling approval in the area, reflecting its quiet, low-activity development environment. Population projections indicate stability or decline, which should reduce housing demand pressures and benefit potential buyers in the future.

Roma Surrounds has limited levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the 9thth percentile nationally

The performance of a region is significantly impacted by changes in local infrastructure. AreaSearch has identified 23 projects that could potentially affect this area. Notable initiatives include Maranoa Pump Track Community Infrastructure, Carnarvon Highway Culvert Replacement North of Roma (scheduled for completion on 1st October 2021), Roma Airport General Aviation Apron Upgrade (commenced on 15th March 2020), and Denise Spencer Aquatic Centre Redevelopment (expected to finish by 31st December 2022). The following list details those projects likely to have the most relevance.

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

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The exceptional employment performance in Roma Surrounds places it among Australia's strongest labour markets

Roma Surrounds has a balanced workforce with diverse sector representation. Its unemployment rate was 1.8% in the past year.

Employment grew by an estimated 5.2% during this period. As of June 2025, 3,602 residents are employed, with an unemployment rate of 2.1%, below Rest of Qld's rate of 3.9%. Workforce participation is 63.9%, compared to Rest of Qld's 59.1%. Key industries include agriculture, forestry & fishing, health care & social assistance, and education & training.

Agriculture, forestry & fishing has a strong presence with an employment share 9.0 times the regional level. Health care & social assistance has limited presence at 9.0% compared to 16.1% regionally. Many residents commute elsewhere for work based on Census data analysis. In the 12 months ending June 2025, employment increased by 5.2%, labour force by 5.8%, raising unemployment by 0.6 percentage points. Rest of Qld recorded lower growth rates: employment at 1.8%, labour force at 2.0%, and unemployment rising by 0.2 percentage points. Jobs and Skills Australia forecasts national employment growth of 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Roma Surrounds' employment mix suggests local growth of approximately 4.5% over five years and 10.6% over ten years, based on simple weighting extrapolation for illustrative purposes.

Income levels sit below national averages according to AreaSearch assessment

AreaSearch's latest postcode level ATO data for financial year 2022 shows Roma Surrounds' median income among taxpayers is $47,759, with an average of $55,936. This is lower than the national average. Rest of Qld has a median income of $50,780 and an average of $64,844. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 13.99% since financial year 2022, estimated incomes as of September 2025 would be approximately $54,440 (median) and $63,761 (average). Census data reveals household, family, and personal incomes rank modestly in Roma Surrounds, between the 32nd and 43rd percentiles. Income analysis shows that 30.6% of locals (1,931 people) fall into the $1,500 - 2,999 income category. Housing costs are manageable with 92.4% retained. Disposable income ranks at the 41st percentile. The area's SEIFA income ranking places it in the 5th decile.

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

Dwelling structure in Roma Surrounds, as evaluated at the latest Census, comprised 97.1% houses and 2.9% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings), compared to Non-Metro Qld's 90.3% houses and 9.7% other dwellings. Home ownership in Roma Surrounds was 49.2%, with the remainder of dwellings either mortgaged (29.9%) or rented (20.9%). The median monthly mortgage repayment in the area was $1,114, while the median weekly rent figure was recorded at $155. Nationally, Roma Surrounds's mortgage repayments are significantly lower than the Australian average of $1,863, while rents are substantially below the national figure of $375.

Roma Surrounds has a typical household mix, with a fairly typical median household size

Family households account for 72.0% of all households, including 32.2% couples with children, 32.5% couples without children, and 6.7% single parent families. Non-family households constitute the remaining 28.0%, with lone person households at 25.6% and group households comprising 2.5%. The median household size is 2.5 people, which aligns with the average for the Rest of Qld.

Roma Surrounds faces educational challenges, with performance metrics placing it in the bottom quartile of areas assessed nationally

The area's university qualification rate is significantly lower than the Australian average at 14.0% compared to 30.4%. Bachelor degrees are most common at 11.4%, followed by graduate diplomas at 1.5% and postgraduate qualifications at 1.1%. Vocational credentials are prevalent, with 39.7% of residents aged 15+ holding such qualifications, including advanced diplomas (9.9%) and certificates (29.8%). Educational participation is high, with 29.9% of residents currently enrolled in formal education.

This includes primary education at 14.8%, secondary education at 9.3%, and tertiary education at 1.9%. Eleven schools serve a total of 474 students in the area, which has varied educational conditions across Roma Surrounds. The educational mix consists of seven primary schools and four K-12 schools. Local school capacity is limited with 7.6 places per 100 residents compared to the regional average of 16.0, leading many families to travel for schooling in nearby areas.

No public transport data available for this catchment area.

Roma Surrounds's residents are relatively healthy in comparison to broader Australia with a fairly standard level of common health conditions seen across both young and old age cohorts

Roma Surrounds' health metrics closely match national benchmarks, with common health conditions seen across both young and old age cohorts. Private health cover is low at approximately 48% of the total population (~3,030 people), compared to the national average of 55.3%.

The most prevalent medical conditions are asthma (8.7%) and arthritis (8.5%). A majority, 69.3%, report no medical ailments, slightly higher than the Rest of Qld's 67.6%. Roma Surrounds has a higher proportion of seniors aged 65 and over at 20.6% (~1,303 people), compared to Rest of Qld's 18.2%. Health outcomes among seniors are notably strong, outperforming the general population in health metrics.

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

Roma Surrounds had a cultural diversity index below the average, with 87.6% of its population being citizens, 95.4% born in Australia, and 98.3% speaking English only at home. Christianity was the predominant religion in Roma Surrounds, accounting for 69.7% of the population, compared to 64.6% across the Rest of Qld. The top three ancestry groups were Australian (36.8%), English (29.8%), and Scottish (9.4%).

Notably, German ancestry was overrepresented at 4.9%, while Australian Aboriginal was underrepresented at 4.7%. Irish ancestry was also slightly higher than the regional average at 8.8%.

Roma Surrounds hosts an older demographic, ranking in the top quartile nationwide

The median age in Roma Surrounds is 42 years, which is close to Rest of Qld's average of 41 years but well above Australia's median of 38 years. Compared to the Rest of Qld average, the 0-4 cohort is notably over-represented at 6.9% in Roma Surrounds, while the 15-24 year-olds are under-represented at 10.3%. Since the Census on 2nd August 2021, the percentage of the population aged 15 to 24 has grown from 8.9% to 10.3%, while the 55 to 64 cohort has declined from 14.7% to 13.2% and the 45 to 54 group has dropped from 14.0% to 12.5%. Population forecasts for Roma Surrounds indicate substantial demographic changes by 2041. The 75 to 84 age cohort is projected to expand by 65 people, from 441 to 507, a growth of 15%. Those aged 65 and above are expected to comprise 69% of this projected population growth. Conversely, the 0-4 and 35-44 cohorts are forecasted to experience population declines.