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This analysis uses Suburbs and Localities (SAL) boundaries, which can materially differ from Statistical Areas (SA2) even when sharing the same name.
SAL boundaries are defined by Australia Post and the Australian Bureau of Statistics to represent commonly-known suburb names used in postal addresses.
Statistical Areas (SA2) are designed for census data collection and may combine multiple suburbs or use different geographic boundaries. For comprehensive analysis, consider reviewing both boundary types if available.
est. as @ -- *
2021 Census | -- people
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Gracemere has an estimated 12,940 residents, up from 12,023 at the 2021 Census — a change of 917 people, or 7.6%. Growth has averaged 1.3% a year over five years. Natural increase accounts for 70.0% of that increase. That puts 185 residents on each 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
Drawing on ABS population revisions for the broader district and subsequent address validations conducted by AreaSearch, the suburb of Gracemere has an estimated residency of roughly 12,940 individuals in May 2026. This represents an addition of 917 residents (7.6%) compared to the 2021 Census, which documented 12,023 citizens. This shift is derived from a resident headcount of 12,934 calculated by AreaSearch using the ABS June 2025 ERP release alongside 66 validated new addresses established post-census. Such a population size translates to a density of 184 persons per square kilometer, indicating low crowding and potential for urban expansion.
This 7.6% rise since 2021 outpaced the growth rates of both the surrounding SA3 (7.0%) and the broader SA4 territory, positioning the suburb of Gracemere as a leading expansion zone. The primary driver of this increase was natural growth, which accounted for approximately 70.0% of the overall population gains, though positive contributions were also observed from overseas and interstate relocation. Projections for each SA2 zone published in 2024 using a 2022 baseline by the ABS and Geoscience Australia are utilized by AreaSearch. For intervals extending past 2032 or locations lacking this coverage, projections compiled by the Queensland Government in 2023 from 2021 baseline data are substituted. Because the Queensland state datasets lack specific age breakdowns, AreaSearch scales cohort growth using weightings from the 2023 ABS Greater Capital Region projections based on 2022 numbers. Anticipated demographic shifts suggest that the suburb of Gracemere will experience population expansion exceeding the median for non-metropolitan Australian localities, with regional SA2 projections pointing to an increase of 2,843 residents by 2041, representing a total rise of 21.9% over the 16 years.
Frequently Asked Questions - Population
140 new dwellings have been approved in Gracemere over the past five years, an average of 28 a year. That places the area in the 62nd percentile for residential development activity nationally, about 2 approvals per 1,000 residents a year. Of the 31 dwellings approved in the latest reporting year, 87% were detached houses and the rest townhouses or apartments. Approvals are currently running at an annualised 16, well below that longer-run average. Figures come from ABS building approvals aggregated to this Suburb (SAL) boundary and are updated monthly as the ABS releases them.
Detail
Analysis of ABS building approvals allocated by statistical boundaries indicates that Gracemere averages approximately 28 dwelling approvals per year, summing to about 140 new residences over the last 5 financial years. In the current FY-26 period, 15 approvals have been registered. An average net intake of 5.6 people per built dwelling between FY-21 and FY-25 points to supply lagging behind demand, a trend that typically drives upward price pressure and intensifies competition among buyers. The average estimated construction cost for these new homes is $341,000, consistent with wider regional averages.
Furthermore, the current financial year has seen $6.3 million in commercial construction approvals, highlighting the predominantly residential focus of the neighborhood. The volume of new housing approvals per capita in Gracemere is roughly two-thirds of the rate observed across the Rest of Qld, placing the locality in the 40th percentile of all examined areas in the country. This results in a relatively tight selection of properties, which sustains interest in existing dwellings. This development pace is also lower than the national benchmark, reflecting a mature setting and indicating possible planning limitations. The mix of new construction is heavily weighted toward standalone houses at 87.0%, with townhouses and units making up 13.0%, maintaining a low-density suburban feel that appeals to buyers seeking space. An estimated average of 415 residents per single dwelling approval highlights a quiet development environment with limited construction activity. Looking ahead, the local population is projected to expand by 2,837 individuals by 2041 based on the latest quarterly calculations from AreaSearch. If building activity remains at its current pace, the delivery of new housing may not keep up with population gains, which is likely to heighten competition among buyers and support upward pressure on prices.
Frequently Asked Questions - Development
Development applications around Gracemere
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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 8 current infrastructure and development projects inside Gracemere, worth an estimated $928 million. A further 46 sit in the immediately surrounding suburbs, taking the tracked pipeline within reach of the area to $4.65 billion. 17 are already under construction and 12 are due for completion within three years. The pipeline spans residential development, sports & recreation and transport & logistics. 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 infrastructure updates, major construction projects, and zoning plans are key influences on property performance. AreaSearch has tracked 15 projects that are expected to impact the local area. Notable projects include the Gracemere State High School, the Gracemere Residential Housing Estates, upgrades to the Central Queensland Livestock Exchange, and the Gracemere Shoppingworld Expansion, with the main list highlighting the most significant developments.
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Frequently Asked Questions - Infrastructure
Sienna Estate
Sienna Estate is a 69-lot masterplanned residential community in Gracemere offering house-and-land packages and duplexes. Developed by Altus Property Group, it features generously sized blocks (720-1200sqm), high-quality inclusions, and provisions for green spaces, aiming to alleviate housing undersupply in the Rockhampton region.
Gracemere State High School
New Queensland Government secondary school for Gracemere. The project has progressed to the detailed design phase following approval of the Ministerial Infrastructure Designation. Stage 1 will deliver facilities for Years 7 and 8, with construction expected to commence in Term 4 2026 by F.K Gardner and Sons. The campus is scheduled to open in 2028 and will expand over time to a full Years 7-12 secondary school.
Gracemere Industrial Area Expansion
Staged expansion of the Gracemere Industrial Area (GIA), Central Queensland's premier industrial and logistics precinct located 10km west of Rockhampton. The GIA accommodates low, medium and high impact industries across four development stages progressing east to west, with the eastern precinct already operational and hosting over 150 transport, logistics, warehousing, mining services, fuel distribution and manufacturing businesses. The precinct is bounded by the Capricorn Highway and Blackwater rail line, providing direct access to Gladstone Port and Queensland's major mining basins.
Gracemere Shoppingworld Expansion
Expansion of Gracemere Shoppingworld to include additional retail spaces, dining options, and improved parking facilities. The expansion will serve the growing population of Gracemere and surrounding areas.
Mount Morgan Pipeline
An $88 million, 28-kilometer pipeline project providing Mount Morgan with a safe and secure water source, supporting around 50 jobs during construction and encouraging future growth and investment in the area. The pipeline runs from a new reservoir at Gracemere and provides Mount Morgan with a safe and secure water source for the future.
Capricorn Highway Rockhampton to Gracemere Duplication
Duplication of 8.4 kilometres of the Capricorn Highway between Rockhampton and Gracemere, including new bridges, improved intersections, and enhanced safety features. The project improves freight efficiency and reduces travel times for the 25,000 vehicles using this corridor daily.
Central Queensland Livestock Exchange (CQLX) Redevelopment
Redevelopment and modernization of the Central Queensland Livestock Exchange (CQLX), including upgraded selling facilities, automated livestock handling systems, improved animal welfare infrastructure, expanded selling capacity and modern operational technology. The redevelopment is complete and the facility is operating as one of Australia's premier livestock selling centres.
Somerset Road Upgrade Gracemere
Upgrade of a 570m section of Somerset Road in Gracemere, a key B-Double route serving the Gracemere Industrial Area. Works included pavement replacement and widening, asphalt overlay, line marking, new kerb and channel on the eastern side, and stormwater drainage improvements. The road reopened in October 2024, improving safety, load-bearing capacity, and traffic flow for heavy vehicles and residential traffic. The project was jointly funded by the Queensland Government through the Transport Infrastructure Development Scheme and Rockhampton Regional Council.
6,580 residents of Gracemere are employed, from a labour force of 6,844. Unemployment sits at 3.9%, with participation at 69.1%. 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. The working-day population is estimated at 9,975, about 77% of the resident population, so more people leave the area for work than travel in. 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 features a balanced distribution of white-collar and blue-collar occupations, with a strong presence in vital service industries and an unemployment rate of only 3.9% according to statistical area data compiled by AreaSearch. In March 2026, employed residents numbered 6,580, matching the Regional Qld jobless rate of 3.9%, while the participation rate of 69.1% sat slightly above the regional average of 64.3%. Census data indicates that only 4.4% of employed persons worked from their homes, though this figure may have been influenced by past pandemic-related lockdowns. The primary employment sectors for residents are health care & social assistance, retail trade, and transport, postal & warehousing.
The community has a high concentration of workers in the mining sector, representing a share 2.3 times that of the regional average. Conversely, agriculture, forestry & fishing is underrepresented, employing only 1.5% of the local workforce compared to 4.5% across Regional Qld. A comparison between the resident workforce and locally available jobs suggests that local employment opportunities are somewhat limited. According to AreaSearch analysis of SALM and ABS statistics for the broader region, the local labor force contracted by 5.0% and total employment fell by 3.4% during the 12 months leading to March 2026, leading to a 1.6 percentage point decrease in the unemployment rate. This contrasted with Regional Qld, which recorded a 0.1% increase in employment, a 0.3% expansion of the labor force, and a 0.1 percentage point rise in unemployment. National employment projections released by Jobs and Skills Australia in May-25 offer additional context on future demand. When mapped against the local industry profile, these five-year and ten-year national growth forecasts—which predict overall expansions of 6.6% and 13.7% respectively, varying by sector—indicate that local employment could rise by 6.2% over five years and 13.2% over ten years. This estimation is a basic weighted projection for comparison and does not factor in local population growth trends.
Frequently Asked Questions - Employment
Median household income in Gracemere is $1,711 a week (about $89,000 a year), with median personal income at $778 a week. ATO records put median taxable income at $53,803 a year against an average of $64,340. 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
Based on financial year 2023 ATO statistics compiled by AreaSearch, taxpayer incomes in Gracemere fall below the national average. The median taxpayer income is recorded at $53,803, with the average income at $64,340, compared to Regional Qld benchmarks of $53,146 and $66,593. Adjusted for Wage Price Index growth of 11.36% since financial year 2023, these benchmarks are estimated to be approximately $59,915 for the median and $71,649 for the average as of March 2026. The 2021 Census shows that household, family, and individual incomes all rank moderately, placing between the 44th and 47th percentiles.
The most common income band is the $1,500 - 2,999 range, which accounts for 38.5% of residents (4,981 people), similar to the regional distribution of 31.7%. Housing costs consume a significant portion of income, leaving 84.5% of earnings remaining, which ranks in the 49th percentile.
Frequently Asked Questions - Income
Gracemere had 4,010 occupied dwellings at the 2021 Census, 96% detached houses and 1% apartments. 37% are owned with a mortgage, 40% rented and 23% owned outright. At that Census the median rent was $340 a week and the median mortgage repayment $1,517 a month. Rent absorbs 19.9% of household income here and mortgage repayments 20.5%. Dwelling stock, tenure and housing costs are 2021 Census measures — the only source that counts dwellings at this boundary size.
Detail
The local housing stock at the time of the latest Census consisted of 96.1% separate houses and 3.8% other dwelling types like townhouses and apartments, compared to a regional mix of 76.4% separate houses and 23.6% other options. Home ownership rates lagged the wider region, with 23.2% of homes owned outright, while mortgaged properties accounted for 36.7% and rentals made up 40.2%. The median monthly mortgage payment of $1,517 and the median weekly rent of $340 were both below the Regional Qld averages of $1,655 and $345. On a national level, these mortgage expenses are notably lower than the Australian median of $1,863, and rent levels sit below the countrywide average of $375.
Frequently Asked Questions - Housing
Gracemere counted 4,010 households at the 2021 Census, an estimated 4,316 today, averaging 2.8 people each. 34% are couples with children, against 26% couples without children. 19% of households are people living alone, and families average 1.9 children. Household and family composition is measured only by the Census, so these are 2021 figures.
Detail
Families make up the majority of households at 77.8%, consisting of couples with children at 34.0%, couples without children at 25.5%, and single parents at 17.1%. The remaining 22.2% are non-family households, which include single-person households at 19.2% and group houses at 3.1%. The median household occupancy of 2.8 individuals is larger than the Regional Qld median of 2.5.
Frequently Asked Questions - Households
10.9% of adults in Gracemere hold a university qualification, including 8.4% with a bachelor degree and 1.2% with postgraduate qualifications, lower than 87% of areas nationally. A further 34.3% hold a vocational qualification. 3 schools serve the area, with 984 enrolment places and an average ICSEA of 915 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 a lower proportion of university graduates, with 10.9% of residents holding a tertiary degree compared to the national average of 30.4%. This gap highlights opportunities for targeted educational programs. Among those with university degrees, bachelor degrees are the most common at 8.4%, followed by graduate diplomas at 1.3% and postgraduate qualifications at 1.2%. Vocational and technical qualifications are highly prevalent, with 42.7% of residents aged 15 and over holding credentials, consisting of advanced diplomas at 8.4% and certificates at 34.3%. Engagement in education is high, with 34.0% of the population currently enrolled in study.
This group is comprised of 14.4% in primary schools, 10.0% in secondary schools, and 3.3% in tertiary programs.
Frequently Asked Questions - Education
Schools Detail
Getting around Gracemere means driving: households keep an average of 1.6 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
66.2% of residents in Gracemere report no long-term health condition, a less healthy profile than 89% of areas nationally. 6.7% need daily assistance with core activities, and 52.7% hold private health cover. The standardised death rate runs at 6.8 per 1,000 residents. Health conditions, assistance needs and insurance are 2021 Census measures; the death rate comes from current ABS releases.
Detail
Health indicators show notable difficulties for the community, according to AreaSearch measurements of mortality and chronic illness rates across both younger and older age brackets, while the rate of private health insurance coverage is slightly above the typical SA2 average at approximately 53% of residents (~6,819 people). Asthma and mental health issues are the most frequently reported medical conditions, affecting 10.0% and 9.7% of the population. Meanwhile, 66.2% of residents reported having no chronic medical conditions, compared to 67.6% across Regional Qld. Chronic illness rates are elevated among the working-age population.
Residents aged 65 and older represent 13.4% of the population (1,733 people), which is lower than the Regional Qld level of 20.4%. Senior health outcomes face some difficulties, with national rankings aligning closely with general population trends.
Frequently Asked Questions - Health
Gracemere is largely Australian-born, at 91.6% of residents, with 4.3% speaking a language other than English at home. The largest reported ancestries are Australian (33.6%) and English (28.9%). 7.5% 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
The local population has a lower level of cultural diversity compared to national averages, with citizens making up 89.9% of the population, 91.6% of residents born in Australia, and 95.7% of households speaking only English. Christianity is the dominant religion at 51.1% of the population, compared to 52.2% across Regional Qld. Regarding parental ancestry, the three largest groups are Australian at 33.6% of the population, which is higher than the regional average of 26.5%, English at 28.9%, and Australian Aboriginal at 7.5%. Other ethnic heritages show varying representation, with German heritage overrepresented at 5.1% of the population compared to 4.7% regionally, Maori heritage at 0.7% compared to 0.8% regionally, and New Zealand heritage at 0.7% compared to 0.9% regionally.
Frequently Asked Questions - Diversity
The median resident of Gracemere is 32, younger than 90% of areas nationally. 29.0% 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 32 years is significantly lower than the Regional Qld median of 41 and the national average of 38. Compared to Regional Qld, there is a higher proportion of children aged 5 - 14 years (15.6%) and a lower proportion of adults aged 55 - 64 years (8.5%). Since the 2021 Census, the 15 to 24 age bracket grew from 12.9% to 14.3% of the population, and the 65 to 74 bracket rose from 7.4% to 8.5%. In contrast, the 5 to 14 cohort declined from 17.9% to 15.6%, and the 55 to 64 cohort fell from 10.2% to 8.5%.
Projections to 2041 suggest significant demographic shifts, with the 25 to 34 age group expected to experience the highest growth rate of 38%, adding 724 residents to reach 2,627, while the 55 to 64 group is projected to grow by 3% (29 people).
Frequently Asked Questions - Age
Data & MethodBoundaries, Sources & Method for Gracemere
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 Suburb (SAL) 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 — 66 validated new addresses here. The headline figure is therefore a current estimate for May 2026, not a 2021 count (12,023 at the 2021 Census → 12,940 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 (SAL31219). QuickStats reports 2021 only — the figures on this page are more current wherever the ledger shows a later date.