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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
According to AreaSearch's evaluation of broader ABS population releases alongside new addresses confirmed since the Census, the suburb of Gracemere has an estimated population of around 12,940 as of Aug 2026. This represents an expansion of 917 people (7.6%) compared to the 2021 Census tally of 12,023 people. Such progress is derived from an Estimated Resident Population of 12,929 calculated from the June 2025 ABS ERP update, supplemented by 66 validated new addresses following the Census. This headcount results in a population density of 184 persons per square kilometer, offering generous personal space and scope for future expansion.
Outpacing the broader SA3 area (7.5%), the suburb of Gracemere's 7.6% rise since the 2021 census establishes it as a regional growth frontrunner. Natural increase was the primary contributor, accounting for roughly 70.0% of total recent population gains, while overseas and interstate migration also delivered positive inflows. Projections from ABS/Geoscience Australia (issued in 2024 using 2022 as a base year) are utilised by AreaSearch across SA2 locations. Where data is absent or extends beyond 2032, Queensland State Government SA2 projections (released in 2023 from 2021 figures) are applied instead. Because these state forecasts lack breakdowns by age, AreaSearch incorporates proportional age weightings based on the 2023 ABS Greater Capital Region series (reflecting 2022 benchmarks). These anticipated demographic patterns place the suburb of Gracemere in the highest quartile for non-metropolitan growth across Australia, with aggregate SA2 models anticipating an influx of 2,825 persons by 2041, representing a cumulative increase of 21.8% over the 16 years.
Frequently Asked Questions - Population
142 new dwellings have been approved in Gracemere over the past five years, an average of 28 a year. That places the area in the 61st 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, 84% were detached houses and the rest townhouses or apartments. Approvals are currently running at an annualised 26, broadly in line with 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
An analysis of ABS building approvals by AreaSearch indicates that residential development in Gracemere has averaged approximately 28 dwellings per year, accumulating to an estimated 142 homes across the preceding 5 financial years. During FY-25 to date, 26 approvals have been logged. With an average influx of 5.2 new residents per constructed home annually between FY-21 and FY-25, demand continues to heavily outpace building activity, typically generating upward pricing pressure and heightened buyer competition. New residences reflect an average expected construction cost of $439,000, sitting below regional benchmarks to present more affordable options.
Concurrently, $6.3 million in commercial approvals have been registered during this financial year, underlining the district's predominantly residential focus. Per capita building activity in Gracemere runs at roughly 61% of the level seen across Rest of Qld, placing the locality in the 40th percentile nationally and limiting new housing choices, which subsequently channels demand toward existing stock. Output sits below the nationwide benchmark as well, pointing to an established community profile alongside possible planning constraints. Of all new residential construction, detached houses account for 84.0% while medium and high-density builds make up 16.0%, preserving a low-density neighborhood fabric tailored to buyers seeking spacious family residences. A ratio of 368 residents for every dwelling approval highlights the subdued pace of local construction activity. Long-term demographic forecasts project that Gracemere will add 2,814 residents by 2041 relative to the most recent quarterly estimate from AreaSearch. Should building rates stay at current levels, residential supply may struggle to match population expansion, intensifying competition for properties and encouraging firmer price growth.
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 investment, major works, and strategic planning initiatives play a decisive role in shaping community outcomes. In total 15 projects have been identified by AreaSearch that are likely to impact the locality, including the Gracemere State High School, Gracemere Residential Housing Estates, Central Queensland Livestock Exchange Upgrade, and Gracemere Shoppingworld Expansion, which feature among 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.
6,567 residents of Gracemere are employed, from a labour force of 6,831. Unemployment sits at 3.9%, with participation at 68.8%. 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 9,981, 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
Workforce patterns in Gracemere demonstrate a balanced distribution across blue-collar and white-collar roles, supported by a strong presence in essential services and a low unemployment rate of 3.9%, based on AreaSearch's statistical area data. As of March 2026, 6,567 residents are employed, with the local jobless rate matching Regional Qld's 3.9% and labour force participation standing at a solid 68.8% (above the 64.2% recorded for Regional Qld). Census metrics recorded that only 4.4% of workers operated from home, though this figure reflects the influence of Covid-19 restrictions at the time.
Local workers are predominantly engaged across health care & social assistance, retail trade, and transport, postal & warehousing. Gracemere displays notable specialization in mining, where local employment concentration is 2.3 times that of the regional benchmark. Conversely, agriculture, forestry & fishing accounts for only 1.5% of workers compared to the broader regional rate of 4.5%. Comparing Census working population counts against resident numbers indicates that local employment opportunities remain somewhat limited. AreaSearch's evaluation of ABS and SALM figures indicates that over the 12 months leading to March 2026, the local labour pool contracted by 5.0% while total employment dropped by 3.4%, bringing the unemployment rate down by 1.5 percentage points. In comparison, Regional Qld saw employment rise by 0.1% alongside a 0.3% labour force gain, yielding a 0.1 percentage point increase in unemployment. Future labour demand can be evaluated using national industry projections from Jobs and Skills Australia as of Mar-26. These national forecasts point to employment growth of 6.6% across five years and 13.7% over ten years, with distinct variations across sectors. Applying these industry growth rates to Gracemere's specific employment distribution projects local employment gains of 6.2% across five years and 13.2% over ten years (representing a weighted extrapolation for illustrative context without factoring in localised demographic forecasts).
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
ATO postcode records compiled by AreaSearch for financial year 2023 indicate that earnings in Gracemere sit below national figures, recording a median of $53,803 and an average of $64,340. Across Regional Qld, median income was $53,146 while average income reached $66,593. Accounting for an 11.36% increase in the Wage Price Index since financial year 2023, updated figures are estimated at approximately $59,915 (median) and $71,649 (average) as of March 2026. Data from Census 2021 places personal, family, and household earnings modestly between the 44th and 47th percentiles. The $1,500 - 2,999 weekly earnings bracket accounts for 38.5% of individuals (4,981 individuals), broadly echoing the 31.7% share recorded in the metropolitan area.
Affordability pressures are elevated, leaving residents with 84.5% of income after housing expenses and ranking at 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
Census records show that standalone houses constituted 96.1% of Gracemere's residential stock, with apartments, semi-detached homes, and other dwellings comprising 3.8%, contrasting with Regional Qld where houses made up 76.4% and other dwellings 23.6%. Outright home ownership stood at 23.2%, trailing the Regional Qld level, while properties under a mortgage and rental dwellings accounted for 36.7% and 40.2% respectively. Median monthly mortgage obligations were $1,517 (below Regional Qld's $1,655), and median weekly rent was $340 (compared to $345 regionally). When evaluated nationally, Gracemere remains considerably more affordable than the Australian median monthly mortgage of $1,863 and weekly rental rate 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 overwhelming majority of households at 77.8%, consisting of couples with children (34.0%), couples without children (25.5%), and single parent families (17.1%). Non-family arrangements account for the remaining 22.2%, split between single-person dwellings at 19.2% and group living arrangements at 3.1%. The average household size stands at 2.8 people, surpassing the Regional Qld average 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
Attainment levels highlight certain educational disparities, as university qualification rates stand at 10.9%, markedly under the Australian figure of 30.4%. Bachelor degrees comprise 8.4% of credentials, with graduate diplomas at 1.3% and postgraduate qualifications at 1.2%. Meanwhile, vocational and technical training is widely held, with 42.7% of residents aged 15+ possessing vocational credentials, including 34.3% with certificates and 8.4% holding advanced diplomas. Participation in study is robust throughout the community, with 34.0% of residents actively enrolled in formal courses. This cohort encompasses 14.4% attending primary school, 10.0% in secondary education, and 3.3% engaged in tertiary studies.
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
AreaSearch health metrics show notable challenges across Gracemere regarding chronic disease rates and mortality indicators, with prevalent health issues observed among younger and older demographics alike. Private health insurance coverage stands at approximately 53% of the population (~6,819 people), placing it slightly ahead of the typical SA2 benchmark. Asthma and mental health conditions represent the most frequently reported diagnoses locally, affecting 10.0% and 9.7% of the community respectively. Meanwhile, 66.2% of residents reported having no long-term medical conditions, comparable to 67.6% across Regional Qld. Working-age residents face elevated rates of chronic illness.
Older residents aged 65 and over comprise 13.5% of the local population (1,746 people), well below the 20.3% share in Regional Qld, with senior health indicators generally aligning with broader national averages.
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
Cultural diversity measures in Gracemere remain below national averages, with Australian citizens making up 89.9% of the population, 91.6% born in Australia, and 95.7% using English exclusively at home. Christianity forms the predominant faith, practiced by 51.1% of residents compared to 52.2% across Regional Qld. Looking at parental heritage, the leading reported ancestries in Gracemere are Australian at 33.6% (exceeding the regional level of 26.5%), English at 28.9%, and Australian Aboriginal at 7.5%. Other ancestries show varying levels of representation, including German at 5.1% (compared to 4.7% regionally), Maori at 0.7% (against 0.8%), and New Zealand at 0.7% (versus 0.9%).
Frequently Asked Questions - Diversity
The median resident of Gracemere is 32, younger than 90% of areas nationally. 28.9% 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 demographic profile of Gracemere leans heavily towards younger age brackets. Based on AreaSearch figures for August 2026, children and young adults (0 - 24) represent 38.1% of residents compared to 29.6% across Regional Qld, while seniors aged 65+ account for 13.5% versus 20.4% regionally. The median age is an estimated 32 as at August 2026, remaining unchanged from the 2021 Census and sitting 9 years below Regional Qld's 41 and under the Australian Census median of 38. Retirees and seniors have increased from 11.5% at the Census to an estimated 13.5%.
Age distribution shifts show children aged 5 to 14 decreasing from 17.9% to an estimated 15.8%, while the 15 to 24 cohort expanded from 12.9% to 14.4%, without an influx of younger infants. By 2041, the largest numerical gain is projected in the 25 - 44 cohort, rising by 1,081 residents (28%) to 4,898, while the fastest proportional increase will occur among seniors (65+), growing by 38% to 2,405.
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 Oct 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) | Aug 2026 2 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 Aug 2026, with the 2021 Census supplying the small-area baseline. | ||
| Age profile | ABS, Geoscience Australia, State governments Annual | Aug 2026 2 months ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Age cohorts are re-based to the latest ABS population estimates and state projections, current to Aug 2026. Each cohort is held as a Census baseline and a current estimate. | ||
| Development & approvals | ABS, GNAF Monthly (ABS approvals) | Aug 2026 2 months ago headline measures · Jul 2026 baseline |
| Property sales & rents | Valuer General, Rental Board, ABS Weekly sales, quarterly rents | Oct 2026 this month headline measures · Sep 2026 baseline |
| 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 Oct 2026. | ||
| Infrastructure projects | Infrastructure Australia, State agencies, Local governments Daily | Aug 2026 2 months ago 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 7 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) | Sep 2026 last month headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Transport | ABS, State Transport Departments Each timetable release | Jul 2026 3 months ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Services & amenities | Provider directories, ACECQA Continuous | Sep 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 Aug 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 Aug 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.