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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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Rasmussen has an estimated 5,041 residents, up from 4,669 at the 2021 Census — a change of 372 people, or 8.0%. Growth has averaged 1.3% a year over five years. 233 new addresses have been validated here since Census night. Natural increase accounts for 64.0% of that increase. That puts 913 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
As of Aug 2026, demographic assessments combining ABS regional updates with 233 validated new addresses identified by AreaSearch indicate that the suburb of Rasmussen has reached an estimated resident count of 5,041. This represents an addition of 372 people (8.0%) compared to the 2021 Census tally of 4,669 people, adjusting from the June 2025 ABS ERP release of 4,974. Consequently, population density stands at 913 persons per square kilometer, aligning closely with typical benchmarks evaluated by AreaSearch. Outpacing the broader SA4 region (7.2%), the suburb of Rasmussen achieved an 8.0% expansion rate to emerge as a regional leader in demographic growth.
Natural increase served as the primary contributor, accounting for roughly 64.0% of recent population additions, while interstate migration and overseas arrivals also provided positive contributions. Projections for the suburb of Rasmussen incorporate the 2024 ABS/Geoscience Australia SA2 dataset using 2022 as a base year, supplemented beyond 2032 and across unmapped SA2 boundaries by Queensland State Government 2023 releases based on 2021 numbers. Because state data lacks age-group breakdowns, AreaSearch applies age-cohort distribution weightings derived from the 2023 ABS Greater Capital Region series (2022 base). Over the 16 years running to 2041, demographic models project an addition of 562 persons (a total rise of 9.8%), placing future growth slightly under the median for Australian non-metropolitan localities.
Frequently Asked Questions - Population
114 new dwellings have been approved in Rasmussen over the past five years, an average of 22 a year. That places the area in the 72nd percentile for residential development activity nationally, about 4 approvals per 1,000 residents a year. Of the 41 dwellings approved in the latest reporting year, 66% were detached houses and the rest townhouses or apartments. Approvals are currently running at an annualised 103, running ahead of 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
Statistical evaluations of ABS residential building permits indicate that Rasmussen has recorded approximately 22 dwellings approved annually, amounting to 114 homes across the past 5 financial years, with 103 approvals logged during FY-25 to date. Between FY-21 and FY-25, new resident occupancy averaged 1.4 new residents per year per dwelling constructed, moderating to 0.6 people per dwelling over the past 2 financial years and highlighting a well-calibrated, stabilizing supply-demand balance. Approved residential projects show an average estimated construction value of $346,000, underscoring competitive building affordability relative to regional norms. Concurrently, commercial building approvals have totaled $5.4 million in the current financial year, demonstrating modest non-residential development.
Per capita residential construction in Rasmussen exceeds the Rest of Qld benchmark by 106.0%, expanding opportunities for property buyers. While standalone houses currently constitute 89.0% of existing stock, new residential approvals comprise 66.0% standalone homes alongside 34.0% medium and high-density housing options like townhouses and apartments, reflecting shifts in land availability, urban density planning, and buyer price preferences. Generating roughly 53 people per dwelling approval, the locality continues to exhibit clear expansion attributes. From the most recent AreaSearch quarterly baseline through to 2041, Rasmussen is projected to expand by 495 residents. Current residential construction volumes are well positioned to satisfy this forecast housing demand, providing favorable purchasing conditions and potentially accommodating population growth above baseline forecasts.
Frequently Asked Questions - Development
Development applications around Rasmussen
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| Lodged | Address | Description | Type | Distance | Status |
|---|
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 Rasmussen, worth an estimated $1.07 billion. A further 36 sit in the immediately surrounding suburbs, taking the tracked pipeline within reach of the area to $10.5 billion. 19 are already under construction and 10 are due for completion within three years. The pipeline spans residential development, communities, precincts & urban renewal and communities. 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
Community performance is strongly linked to strategic infrastructure investment, with 12 major projects identified by AreaSearch as directly relevant to the district. Prominent undertakings shaping the area include Riverway Plaza Stage 2 Extension, Riverstone Estate, Somers & Hervey Estate, and River Parks Estate.
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Frequently Asked Questions - Infrastructure
Riverway Plaza Stage 2 Extension
Stage 2 expansion of Riverway Plaza in the Upper Ross growth corridor of Townsville. The project delivers a new 3,585 sqm full-line Coles supermarket, approximately 30-35 specialty stores, and a 650 sqm Snap Fitness gym. Infrastructure improvements include a 140-space basement car park, additional shaded surface parking, and upgraded public amenities, completing the transition into a comprehensive district retail hub.
Riverstone Estate
Riverstone Estate is a 271 hectare masterplanned residential community in Rasmussen, Townsville, being delivered by Elements North Queensland. The development will provide around 1,500 homes together with future neighbourhood retail, community facilities, open space, walking trails along the Bohle River and supporting infrastructure. Construction is progressing with Stage 3 now selling and the land sales centre operating on site.
Somers & Hervey Estate
A residential development by Urbex, a BMD Group company, located in Rasmussen, Queensland. The estate offers approximately 850 lots for new homes.
First Nations Social Housing Project (Rasmussen)
Construction is underway on 24 new social homes at 1145 Riverway Drive, Rasmussen. The project is being delivered by Yumba-Meta Limited with Queensland Government support as part of a broader pipeline of social and community housing across North Queensland. Units are intended to meet Social Housing Design guidelines and accessibility standards. Completion is targeted for late 2025.
Ross River Estate
Ross River Estate is a completed residential land development in Kelso, offering lifestyle blocks in a natural environment close to the Ross River. The estate is part of Parkside Group's portfolio of residential communities in North Queensland, designed for families seeking a quality lifestyle near Townsville's amenities. All lots have been sold out, confirming the project's successful completion.
Pinnacle Drive Estate
Residential development by Markwell Developments located in Rasmussen, Queensland. This project provides new housing options in the area.
Rasmussen Village and Community Hub
A new community vision for approximately 2,500 people along the Bohle River in Townsville's Upper Ross. The project aims to create a vibrant, integrated residential community by linking and expanding existing neighbourhoods and infrastructure. It envisions diverse housing choices, including collaboration with Defence Housing Authority, and redefines the Bohle River as a regional open space destination.
DHA Housing for Defence at Rasmussen
Defence Housing Australia (DHA) developed approximately 1,180 allotments on a 99-hectare site in Rasmussen, with 401 dwellings constructed for Defence families. The project aimed to provide high-quality attached and detached housing to meet the growing need for accommodation for Defence personnel in the Townsville area. Construction was planned to commence in 2013 with completion by December 2023.
1,996 residents of Rasmussen are employed, from a labour force of 2,249. Unemployment sits at 11.2%, with participation at 57.7%. Weighted for its industry mix, the area's sectors are forecast to grow about 6.3% nationally over five years. That reflects industry composition only and makes no allowance for local population growth. The working-day population is estimated at 4,000, about 79% 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
Rasmussen maintains a diverse workforce across blue-collar and white-collar roles with a noticeable presence in essential services, while carrying an unemployment rate of 11.2%. As of March 2026, employed locals number 1,996 residents. The local jobless rate sits 7.3% above the 3.9% recorded across Regional Qld, and the labor force participation rate of 57.7% trails the regional figure of 64.2%. Furthermore, remote employment was registered at 3.2% in Census findings, a metric influenced by Covid-19 restrictions at the time. The primary employment sectors for local workers are health care & social assistance, public administration & safety, and retail trade.
Public administration & safety demonstrates exceptional local concentration, registering a worker share 2.4 times the regional proportion. In contrast, agriculture, forestry & fishing accounts for only 0.8% of the local workforce compared to 4.5% regionally. Comparing Census resident workers with local workplace counts highlights a predominantly residential district with limited local commercial job generation. Over the year leading to March 2026, SALM and ABS figures show Rasmussen experienced a 1.9% contraction in its labor pool and a 3.1% decline in employed residents, lifting unemployment by 1.1 percentage points, whereas Regional Qld recorded a 0.3% labor force gain, 0.1% employment growth, and a 0.1 percentage points rise in unemployment. Looking forward from Mar-26, Jobs and Skills Australia forecasts project nationwide job growth of 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Mapping these industry projections against the local employment profile indicates potential employment increases of 6.3% over five years and 13.3% over ten years for Rasmussen.
Frequently Asked Questions - Employment
Median household income in Rasmussen is $1,420 a week (about $74,000 a year), with median personal income at $722 a week. ATO records put median taxable income at $54,930 a year against an average of $61,546. 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 taxation statistics for financial year 2023 show Rasmussen taxpayers recorded a median income of $54,930 and an average income of $61,546, trailing nationwide averages while comparing to Regional Qld benchmarks of $53,146 (median) and $66,593 (average). Factoring in an 11.36% Wage Price Index increase since financial year 2023, March 2026 estimates indicate updated figures of $61,170 for median earnings and $68,538 for average earnings. According to the 2021 Census, local personal, family, and household earnings sit between the 30th and 32nd percentiles, with 35.0% of earners (1,764 residents) taking home $1,500 - 2,999 weekly, comparable to the 31.7% share seen across the metropolitan area.
After housing commitments, remaining disposable income stands at 83.9%, ranking at the 30th percentile.
Frequently Asked Questions - Income
Rasmussen had 1,604 occupied dwellings at the 2021 Census, 89% detached houses and 5% apartments. 37% are owned with a mortgage, 44% rented and 19% owned outright. At that Census the median rent was $263 a week and the median mortgage repayment $1,343 a month. Rent absorbs 18.5% of household income here and mortgage repayments 21.8%. 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 separate houses made up 88.9% of Rasmussen dwellings and attached or multi-unit dwellings represented 11.1%, contrasting with Regional Qld where standalone homes accounted for 76.4% and other formats 23.6%. Outright homeownership was 19.4%, with 36.6% paying off a mortgage and 44.0% renting. Local housing costs remain significantly lower than regional and national benchmarks: median monthly mortgage payments reached $1,343 versus $1,655 in Regional Qld and $1,863 nationally, while median weekly rent sat at $263 compared to $345 regionally and $375 across Australia.
Frequently Asked Questions - Housing
Rasmussen counted 1,604 households at the 2021 Census, an estimated 1,732 today, averaging 2.7 people each. 28% are couples with children, against 25% couples without children. 22% 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 constitute 73.4% of households in the area, divided into couples with children (28.3%), couples without children (24.9%), and single parent families (19.1%). The remaining 26.6% consists of non-family households, including lone person households at 22.3% and group households at 4.2%. With an average of 2.7 people per dwelling, household sizes exceed the Regional Qld benchmark of 2.5.
Frequently Asked Questions - Households
11.9% of adults in Rasmussen hold a university qualification, including 8.9% with a bachelor degree and 1.4% with postgraduate qualifications, lower than 89% of areas nationally. A further 34.0% hold a vocational qualification. 2 schools serve the area, with 704 enrolment places and an average ICSEA of 865 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 figures show that 11.9% of Rasmussen residents hold university degrees, below the nationwide level of 30.4%. Within tertiary qualifications, bachelor degrees represent 8.9%, graduate diplomas comprise 1.6%, and postgraduate qualifications account for 1.4%. Vocational education is strongly represented, with 42.6% of residents aged 15+ holding technical credentials, including 8.6% with advanced diplomas and 34.0% with certificates. A significant 33.1% of the population is actively engaged in studies. This student cohort includes 13.4% enrolled in primary education, 9.6% attending secondary education, and 3.9% undertaking tertiary education courses.
Frequently Asked Questions - Education
Schools Detail
Public transport in Rasmussen reaches 16 stops on 1 route, timetabled for about 240 services a week. The typical home sits about 380 m from its nearest stop. Households keep an average of 1.4 vehicles. Stop and service counts are built from operators' published GTFS timetables and refresh with each timetable release; vehicle ownership is from the 2021 Census.
Detail
The suburb of Rasmussen is serviced by 16 active public transport bus stops across 1 individual routes, generating 241 weekly passenger trips. Stop accessibility is favorable, with residents situated an average of 376 meters from a boarding point. Due to the area's residential nature, outward commuting predominates, with private vehicles accounting for 96% of journeys and vehicle availability averaging 1.4 per dwelling. Meanwhile, 3.2% of residents worked from home during the 2021 Census under prevailing COVID-19 settings. Bus routes provide an overall frequency of 34 trips per day, delivering around 15 weekly trips per individual stop across the network.
Frequently Asked Questions - Transport
Transport Stops Detail
65.2% of residents in Rasmussen report no long-term health condition, a less healthy profile than 94% of areas nationally. 7.4% need daily assistance with core activities, and 51.6% hold private health cover. The standardised death rate runs at 7.7 per 1,000 residents. Health conditions, assistance needs and insurance are 2021 Census measures; the death rate comes from current ABS releases.
Detail
Health assessments by AreaSearch highlight notable wellness challenges across younger and older demographics, characterized by elevated chronic illness rates and mortality metrics. Private health insurance coverage is comparatively restricted, held by approximately 52% of the local population (~2,600 people). Mental health conditions (10.6%) and arthritis (8.6%) represent the most prevalent diagnosed ailments, with 65.2% of residents reporting no chronic conditions compared to 67.6% across Regional Qld. Chronic conditions are elevated among working-age individuals. Seniors aged 65 and over account for 13.2% of the population (665 people), below the 20.3% regional benchmark, and exhibit health outcomes consistent with broader national trends.
Frequently Asked Questions - Health
Rasmussen is largely Australian-born, at 89.6% of residents, with 5.5% speaking a language other than English at home. The largest reported ancestries are Australian (27.8%) and English (27.0%). 10.3% 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 metrics for Rasmussen sit below regional averages, with 88.0% Australian citizenship, 89.6% born in Australia, and 94.5% speaking exclusively English in the home. Christianity represents the leading faith at 47.8%, while Other religious affiliations account for 0.7% of the populace compared to 0.8% across Regional Qld. Regarding parental lineage, Australian ancestry leads at 27.8%, followed by English ancestry at 27.0%, and Australian Aboriginal ancestry at 10.3%, notably above the regional rate of 3.9%. Additional community representations include Maori at 0.8% (matching the 0.8% regional rate), Maltese at 0.4% (matching 0.4% regionally), and Samoan at 0.1% (compared to 0.2% across the wider region).
Frequently Asked Questions - Diversity
The median resident of Rasmussen is 32, younger than 90% of areas nationally. 31.7% 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 suburb of Rasmussen features a relatively youthful age structure, with AreaSearch August 2026 data placing 36.6% of residents in the 0 - 24 age bracket compared to 29.6% across Regional Qld, and 13.2% in the 65+ cohort compared to 20.4% regionally. The estimated median age as at August 2026 is 32, matching the 2021 Census figure, while remaining 9 years younger than the 41 recorded for Regional Qld at that Census and below the national median of 38. The 25 - 44 cohort has expanded from 27.3% at the Census to an estimated 29.2%.
Looking ahead to 2041, this 25 - 44 demographic is forecast to experience the largest numerical increase, adding 351 residents (24%) to reach 1,823.
Frequently Asked Questions - Age
Data & MethodBoundaries, Sources & Method for Rasmussen
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 — 233 validated new addresses here. The headline figure is therefore a current estimate for Aug 2026, not a 2021 count (4,669 at the 2021 Census → 5,041 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 (SAL32393). QuickStats reports 2021 only — the figures on this page are more current wherever the ledger shows a later date.