Roma Surrounds
Statistical Area - sa2

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

Roma Surrounds' population is approximately 6,258 as of August 2025. This figure represents an increase of 269 people from the 2021 Census total of 5,989, reflecting a growth rate of 4.5%. The increase is inferred from ABS estimates of resident population in June 2024 (6,248) and additional validated new addresses since the Census date (112). This results in a population density ratio of 0.10 persons per square kilometer. Roma Surrounds' growth rate since the census is comparable to its SA3 area (4.6%), indicating strong growth fundamentals. Natural growth contributed about 51.0% of overall population gains recently, with all migration factors also being positive contributors.

AreaSearch uses ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area, released in 2024 and based on 2022 data. For areas not covered by this data and years post-2032, Queensland State Government's SA2 area projections from 2023 (based on 2021 data) are adopted, with proportional growth weightings applied for age cohorts. Future population projections indicate a decline of 319 persons by 2041, but specific age cohorts like the 75 to 84 group are expected to grow, with an increase of 80 people projected.

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

Roma Surrounds has received around 11 dwelling approvals annually. The Australian Bureau of Statistics produces development approval data on a financial year basis: 59 dwellings approved between FY21 and FY25, with 1 so far in FY26. On average, 5.3 people have moved to the area per dwelling built over these years. This significant demand exceeds new supply, leading to price growth and increased buyer competition.

New properties are constructed at an average expected cost of $328,000, below regional norms. There have been $5.8 million in commercial approvals this financial year, indicating limited commercial development focus. Compared to the Rest of Qld, Roma Surrounds has 22.0% higher construction activity per person over the past five years. However, development activity has moderated recently.

All recent building activity consists of detached houses, maintaining the area's traditional low density character focused on family homes. There are approximately 1002 people in the area for each dwelling approval, reflecting its quiet development environment. Population projections show stability or decline, indicating reduced housing demand pressures and benefiting potential buyers.

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

Changes to local infrastructure significantly impact an area's performance. AreaSearch identified 24 projects potentially affecting this region. Notable ones are Maranoa Pump Track Community Infrastructure, Carnarvon Highway Culvert Replacement North of Roma (completed Dec-19), Roma Airport General Aviation Apron Upgrade (commenced Jun-20), and Denise Spencer Aquatic Centre Redevelopment (started Feb-21). Below is a list of most relevant projects.

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

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. The unemployment rate in June 2025 was 1.8%.

Employment growth over the past year was estimated at 5.2%. As of June 2025, 3602 residents were employed, with an unemployment rate of 2.1%, below Rest of Qld's rate of 3.9%. Workforce participation was 63.9%, compared to Rest of Qld's 59.1%. Key industries of employment among residents are agriculture, forestry & fishing, health care & social assistance, and education & training.

Agriculture, forestry & fishing has a particularly strong presence with an employment share 9.0 times the regional level, while health care & social assistance has limited presence at 9.0% compared to the regional 16.1%. Many residents commute elsewhere for work based on Census working population data. In the 12-month period ending June 2025, employment increased by 5.2%, labour force increased by 5.8%, causing unemployment to rise by 0.6 percentage points. By comparison, Rest of Qld recorded employment growth of 1.8%, labour force growth of 2.0%, with unemployment rising 0.2 percentage points. State-level data to Sep-25 shows Queensland's employment contracted by 0.23% (losing 8070 jobs), with the state unemployment rate at 4.2%. National employment forecasts from Jobs and Skills Australia, May 2025, project national employment growth of 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Roma Surrounds's employment mix suggests local growth of approximately 4.5% over five years and 10.6% over ten years.

Income levels sit below national averages according to AreaSearch assessment

AreaSearch's latest postcode level ATO data for financial year 2022 shows Roma Surrounds had a median taxpayer income of $47,759 and an average of $55,936. Nationally, these figures are lower than the average. In Rest of Qld, the median was $50,780 and the average was $64,844. By March 2025, estimates based on Wage Price Index growth suggest a median income of approximately $53,352 and an average of $62,486 in Roma Surrounds. Census data indicates household, family, and personal incomes are modest, ranking between the 32nd and 43rd percentiles. Income analysis reveals that 30.6% of locals (1,914 people) fall into the $1,500 - 2,999 income category. Housing costs allow for retention of 92.4%, but disposable income is below average at the 41st percentile. The area's SEIFA income ranking places it in the fifth decile.

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

The 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). In comparison, Non-Metro Qld had 90.3% houses and 9.7% other dwellings. The level of home ownership in Roma Surrounds was 49.2%, with the remaining dwellings either mortgaged (29.9%) or rented (20.9%). The median monthly mortgage repayment in the area was $1,114, compared to Non-Metro Qld's $1,300 and the national average of $1,863. The median weekly rent figure in Roma Surrounds was recorded at $155, while Non-Metro Qld had a figure of $230, and the national average was $375.

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

Family households are present in 72.0 percent of all households, which includes couples with children at 32.2 percent, couples without children at 32.5 percent, and single parent families at 6.7 percent. Non-family households constitute the remaining 28.0 percent, with lone person households at 25.6 percent and group households making up 2.5 percent of the total. 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 faces educational challenges, with university qualification rates at 14.0%, significantly below the Australian average of 30.4%. This presents both a challenge and an opportunity for targeted educational initiatives. Bachelor degrees are most common at 11.4%, followed by graduate diplomas (1.5%) and postgraduate qualifications (1.1%). Trade and technical skills are prominent, with 39.7% of residents aged 15+ holding vocational credentials - advanced diplomas (9.9%) and certificates (29.8%).

Educational participation is high, with 29.9% of residents currently enrolled in formal education, including 14.8% in primary, 9.3% in secondary, and 1.9% in tertiary education. Eleven schools serve 474 students in the area, with a mix of 7 primary and 4 K-12 schools. Local school capacity is limited at 7.6 places per 100 residents compared to the regional average of 16.0, leading many families to travel for schooling.

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 align with national benchmarks, exhibiting typical common health conditions across both young and elderly residents. Private health cover is low at approximately 48%, covering around 3,003 people, compared to the national average of 55.3%.

The most prevalent medical conditions are asthma (affecting 8.7% of residents) and arthritis (8.5%), while 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% (1,291 people), compared to Rest of Qld's 18.2%. Health outcomes among seniors are notably strong, surpassing those of 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 was found to have below average cultural diversity, with 87.6% of its population being citizens, 95.4% born in Australia, and 98.3% speaking English only at home. The dominant religion is Christianity, comprising 69.7% of the people in Roma Surrounds, compared to 64.6% across Rest of Qld. Regarding ancestry, the top three represented groups are Australian (36.8%), English (29.8%), and Scottish (9.4%).

Notably, German is overrepresented at 4.9%, compared to 5.3% regionally, while Australian Aboriginal is underrepresented at 4.7%, compared to 6.7%. Irish representation is also slightly higher than regional averages, at 8.8% versus 8.4%.

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

The median age in Roma Surrounds is 42 years, close to Rest of Qld's average of 41 but higher than the Australian median of 38. The 0-4 cohort is over-represented at 6.9% locally compared to Rest of Qld's average, while the 15-24 year-olds are under-represented at 10.3%. Since the Census in 2021, the population aged 15-24 has increased from 8.9% to 10.3%, while those aged 55-64 have decreased from 14.7% to 13.2% and the 45-54 group has dropped from 14.0% to 12.5%. By 2041, population forecasts indicate substantial demographic changes in Roma Surrounds. The 75-84 age cohort is projected to expand by 69 people (16%), from 437 to 507. Those aged 65 and above are expected to comprise 68% of the growth. Conversely, the 0-4 and 35-44 cohorts are predicted to experience population declines.