Wulguru - Roseneath

Wulguru - Roseneath has shown very soft population growth performance across periods assessed by AreaSearch

Based on analysis by AreaSearch, the population of Wulguru - Roseneath is approximately 6,406 as of May 2026. This represents an expansion of 315 people (5.2%) from the 6,091 residents recorded during the 2021 Census. This growth is calculated using the June 2025 ABS estimated resident population of 6,403 along with 50 validated new addresses registered since the Census. With this population level, the density stands at 100 persons per square kilometer, indicating low density with ample space and capacity for future expansion. The area's post-census growth rate of 5.2% is within 1.9 percentage points of the wider SA4 region (7.1%), indicating competitive growth dynamics. The main contributor to this growth was interstate migration, which accounted for roughly 66.5% of the total population increase, though positive contributions were also made by natural increase and overseas migration.

Projections from ABS and Geoscience Australia, published in 2024 using 2022 as a baseline, are utilized for each SA2 region. For SA2 areas where this data is unavailable, or for periods after 2032, projections from the Queensland State Government released in 2023 (utilizing 2021 data) are adopted instead. Because the state-level projections lack breakdowns by age, AreaSearch distributes growth across age cohorts using weightings derived from the 2023 ABS Greater Capital Region projections, which are based on 2022 data. Looking forward, the area is projected to follow growth trends typical of the lower quartile of non-metropolitan Australia, with an estimated increase of 46 residents by 2041 according to the most recent annual ERP figures, representing a total expansion of 0.7% over the 16 years.

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

Residential building activity is minimal in Wulguru - Roseneath, averaging 1 new dwellings annually, representing 5 approvals over five years. This low volume of construction reflects the rural character of the locality, where residential development is generally spurred by localized housing needs rather than broader market forces. Because the volume of approvals is so low, percentage changes and comparative trends from year to year can fluctuate significantly depending on individual projects.

Construction activity in Wulguru - Roseneath is substantially lower than in the Rest of Qld. The volume of new development is also situated well below national averages.

Based on the most recent quarterly estimates from AreaSearch, Wulguru - Roseneath is projected to add 43 residents by 2041. Although residential construction is currently keeping pace with these growth forecasts, home buyers could face increased competition as the population expands.

Wulguru - Roseneath has strong levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the top 30% nationally

Local infrastructure projects, major developments, and urban planning initiatives play a critical role in driving regional performance. AreaSearch has identified a total of 21 projects expected to impact the local area. Principal developments include the SunHQ Hydrogen Hub, the Queensland Resources Common User Facility, Iluka, and the Wulguru Group Stuart Facility Expansion, with key details provided for the most significant projects.

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 Wulguru - Roseneath face significant challenges, ranking among the bottom 10% of areas assessed nationally

The local workforce in Wulguru - Roseneath is evenly split between white and blue collar occupations, with a solid representation of essential service workers and an unemployment rate of 6.8%. As of March 2026, there are 2,261 residents in employment, while the unemployment rate is 2.9% higher than the Regional Qld rate of 3.9%. Furthermore, workforce participation is significantly lower, standing at 43.7% compared to 64.3% in Regional Qld. Census data indicates that a low 4.9% of residents worked from home, though this figure may have been influenced by COVID-19 pandemic restrictions.

The primary sectors employing local residents are health care & social assistance, public administration & safety, and retail trade. The workforce shows a heavy concentration in public administration & safety, with employment levels reaching 1.9 times the regional average. Conversely, agriculture, forestry & fishing represents a minor share of employment at 0.6%, compared to 4.5% across the region. Although there are local jobs available, the ratio of Census working population to the local population suggests that many residents travel outside the area for work.

An analysis of SALM and ABS data by AreaSearch indicates that over the 12-month period, the local labor force contracted by 1.9% and total employment fell by 2.7%, causing the unemployment rate to rise by 0.7 percentage points. Over the same timeframe in Regional Qld, employment grew by 0.1%, the labor force expanded by 0.3%, and unemployment edged up by 0.1 percentage points. National employment forecasts from Jobs and Skills Australia as of May-25 provide context for future local demand. These five-year and ten-year national projections have been applied to the local industry mix to estimate future employment trends. Nationally, employment is projected to grow by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, though rates vary by sector. Applying these sectoral growth rates to the employment profile of Wulguru - Roseneath suggests local employment could grow by 6.1% over five years and 12.9% over ten years, representing a simple weighted extrapolation that does not account for localized population changes.

Income figures position the area below 75% of locations analysed nationally by AreaSearch

According to the most recent postcode-level ATO data released for the 2023 financial year, taxpayers in the Wulguru - Roseneath SA2 recorded a median income of $49,359 and an average income of $58,165. These figures sit below the national average, as well as the Regional Qld median of $53,146 and average of $66,593. Factoring in Wage Price Index growth of 11.36% since the 2023 financial year, current income estimates for March 2026 are approximately $54,966 for the median and $64,773 for the average. In the 2021 Census, household, family, and personal incomes in Wulguru - Roseneath ranked modestly, falling between the 30th and 36th percentiles. The largest income bracket contains 33.3% of the population earning $1,500 - 2,999 weekly (2,133 residents), which is similar to the regional average of 31.7% in this bracket. After accounting for housing costs, residents retain 86.4% of their income for other living expenses.

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

At the time of the latest Census, the housing stock in Wulguru - Roseneath consisted of 90.0% houses and 10.0% other dwelling types, such as semi-detached homes, apartments, and alternative accommodation. This compares to Regional Qld where houses make up 76.4% and other dwellings comprise 23.6%. The rate of outright home ownership was 33.9%, which matches the rate in Regional Qld, with the remaining households holding a mortgage (36.4%) or renting (29.7%). The median monthly mortgage payment of $1,300 was lower than the Regional Qld average of $1,655, while the median weekly rent was $283 compared to the regional average of $345. On a national level, mortgage repayments in Wulguru - Roseneath are much lower than the Australian average of $1,863, and weekly rents are also well below the national figure of $375.

Wulguru - Roseneath has a typical household mix, with a lower-than-average median household size

Families make up the majority of local households at 68.0%, consisting of couples with children (24.1%), couples without children (27.7%), and single parent families (14.9%). The remaining 32.0% are non-family households, which are predominantly lone person households (28.5%) along with group households (3.5%). The median household size of 2.4 residents is slightly below the Regional Qld average of 2.5.

Wulguru - Roseneath faces educational challenges, with performance metrics placing it in the bottom quartile of areas assessed nationally

Educational attainment in the area is relatively low, with the proportion of residents holding a university qualification (11.3%) sitting well below the national average of 30.4%. This gap represents both an educational challenge and an opportunity for targeted learning programs. Bachelor degrees are the most common tertiary qualification at 8.3%, followed by graduate diplomas at 1.6% and postgraduate qualifications at 1.4%. Vocational and technical training is common, with 30.8% of residents aged 15+ holding a vocational qualification, consisting of advanced diplomas (7.1%) and certificates (23.7%).

Participation in education is high, with 41.2% of the local population enrolled in some form of structured learning. This group includes 15.5% in primary schools, 12.6% in secondary schools, and 6.0% undertaking tertiary studies.

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

An analysis of public transport reveals that Wulguru - Roseneath is serviced by 33 active transit stops, which consist of bus services. These stops are connected to 2 distinct routes that provide a combined total of 186 weekly passenger trips. Access to public transport is rated as good, with residents living an average of 306 meters from the nearest stop. Due to the suburban nature of the area, most residents travel outside the suburb for work, and private vehicles are the primary mode of travel, used by 94% of commuters. Households own an average of 1.4 vehicles. A low 4.9% of residents worked from home at the time of the 2021 Census, which may have been influenced by pandemic conditions.

Bus services run at an average frequency of 26 trips per day across all routes, which translates to roughly 5 weekly trips for each transit stop.

Health performance in Wulguru - Roseneath is lower than average with common health conditions somewhat prevalent across both younger and older age cohorts

Wulguru - Roseneath faces notable health challenges, indicated by AreaSearch's evaluation of mortality statistics and the prevalence of chronic illnesses, which are somewhat common in both younger and older age brackets. Additionally, the rate of private health insurance coverage is low, with only about 48% of the population (~3,087 people) holding cover, compared to 52.5% in Regional Qld and a national average of 55.7%.

Arthritis and mental health conditions are the most frequently reported medical issues locally, affecting 10.3 and 9.9% of residents respectively. Conversely, 62.8% of the population reported no chronic health conditions, compared to 67.6% across Regional Qld. Chronic health issues are particularly notable among the working-age population. Residents aged 65 and over make up 18.4% of the population (1,176 people), which is lower than the Regional Qld average of 20.4%. Health profiles for these senior residents show some challenges, with national rankings aligning closely with the general population.

Wulguru - Roseneath is considerably less culturally diverse than average when assessed alongside AreaSearch's national rankings for language and cultural background related metrics

Cultural diversity in Wulguru - Roseneath is lower than average, with citizens making up 73.1% of the population, 91.6% of residents born in Australia, and 96.0% speaking only English at home. The predominant religion is Christianity, adhered to by 53.9% of the population, compared to 52.2% across Regional Qld.

Regarding parental ancestry, the three most common groups in Wulguru - Roseneath are Australian at 29.3%, English at 28.9%, and Irish at 9.3%. There are also distinct differences in the representation of other ethnic backgrounds, with Australian Aboriginal residents overrepresented at 6.5% of the population (compared to 3.9% regionally), German backgrounds at 4.1% (compared to 4.7%), and Scottish backgrounds at 8.0% (compared to 7.8%).

Wulguru - Roseneath's population aligns closely with national norms in age terms

The median age of Wulguru - Roseneath residents is 39 years, which is slightly younger than the Regional Qld average of 41 years but very close to the Australian national average of 38 years. Residents aged 35 - 44 are highly represented at 16.4% of the population, while children aged 5 - 14 make up a smaller proportion (8.9%) than is typical for Regional Qld. Since 2021, the 35 to 44 age bracket has risen from 15.1% to 16.4% of the population, and the 75 to 84 cohort has grown from 5.4% to 6.4%, while the 15 to 24 cohort fell from 12.0% to 10.7%. Looking ahead to 2041, demographic projections suggest substantial changes, with the population aged 85+ expected to grow by 116 people (79%), rising from 146 to 263. The combined cohorts aged 65+ are expected to drive 80% of the area's total population growth, reflecting a clear aging trend, while the 25 to 34 and 5 to 14 age brackets are projected to contract.