Rocklea (Qld)

Rocklea has seen population growth performance typically on par with national averages when looking at short and medium term trends

Based on analysis of ABS population updates for the broader area, the Rocklea (Qld) statistical area (Lv2)'s population is estimated at around 1,731 as of Nov 2025. This reflects an increase of 59 people (3.5%) since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 1,672 people. The change is inferred from the resident population of 1,699 estimated by AreaSearch following examination of the latest ERP data release by the ABS in June 2024 and an additional 2 validated new addresses since the Census date. This level of population equates to a density ratio of 187 persons per square kilometer. Population growth for the area was primarily driven by overseas migration that contributed approximately 66.0% of overall population gains during recent periods.

AreaSearch is adopting ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area, released in 2024 with a base year of 2022. For any SA2 areas not covered by this data, and for years post-2032, Queensland State Government's SA2 area projections are adopted, released in 2023 and based on 2021 data. It should be noted that these state projections do not provide age category splits; hence where utilised, AreaSearch is applying proportional growth weightings in line with the ABS Greater Capital Region projections released in 2023, based on 2022 data for each age cohort. Moving forward with demographic trends, lower quartile growth of national areas is anticipated. The Rocklea (Qld) (SA2) is expected to increase by 42 persons to 2041 based on aggregated SA2-level projections, reflecting an increase of 2.2% in total over the 17 years.

AreaSearch assessment of residential development drivers sees a low level of activity in Rocklea, placing the area among the bottom 25% of areas assessed nationally

AreaSearch analysis of ABS building approval numbers indicates Rocklea has had virtually no dwelling approvals in recent years, totalling an estimated 4 homes over the past five financial years. So far in FY26, 2 approvals have been recorded. Over the past five financial years (FY21 to FY25), there was an average of 1.5 new residents per new home. However, this has increased to 21 people per dwelling over the past two financial years, suggesting growing demand and tightening supply. The average construction value for development projects in Rocklea is $398,000, higher than regional norms, indicating quality-focused development.

This year, there have been $1.9 million in commercial approvals registered, predominantly residential focused. Compared to Greater Brisbane, Rocklea has markedly lower building activity, supporting stronger demand and values for established properties. Nationally, it is also below average due to the area's maturity and possible planning constraints. Recent development has been entirely comprised of detached dwellings, maintaining Rocklea's traditional low density character with a focus on family homes. The estimated population per dwelling approval in the area is 1724 people, reflecting its quiet, low activity development environment.

Rocklea has very high levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the top 10% nationally

Changes to local infrastructure significantly influence an area's performance. AreaSearch identified 33 projects potentially impacting the area. Key initiatives include Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Hospital Expansion, Transition - Archerfield Logistics Estate, Cross River Rail - Moorooka Station Upgrade, and Moorooka Station Upgrade. The following list details those most relevant.

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

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The labour market performance in Rocklea lags significantly behind most other regions nationally

Rocklea has an educated workforce with essential services well represented. The unemployment rate in September 2025 was 13.8%.

Residents' employment rate is 9.8% higher than Greater Brisbane's 4.0%, indicating room for improvement. Workforce participation stands at 66.5%. Key industries are health care & social assistance, education & training, and retail trade. Other services have notable concentration with levels at 1.6 times the regional average.

Finance & insurance has limited presence at 1.8% compared to 3.4% regionally. There are 8.6 workers per resident, indicating it functions as an employment hub attracting workers from surrounding areas. Over a 12-month period ending in September 2025, labour force increased by 0.6%, while employment declined by 1.7%, causing unemployment to rise by 2.0 percentage points. In comparison, Greater Brisbane saw employment growth of 3.8% and labour force growth of 3.3%, with unemployment falling by 0.5 percentage points. As of 25-November in Queensland, employment contracted by 0.01% (losing 1,210 jobs), with the state unemployment rate at 4.2%. National forecasts from May-25 project national employment to expand by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Rocklea's employment mix suggests local employment should increase by 6.5% over five years and 13.5% over ten years.

Income levels align closely with national averages, indicating typical economic conditions for Australian communities according to AreaSearch analysis

AreaSearch's latest postcode level ATO data for financial year 2023 shows Rocklea's median income among taxpayers is $62,657, with an average of $70,628. This is higher than the national average and compares to Greater Brisbane's median of $58,236 and average of $72,799. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 9.91% since financial year 2023, current estimates would be approximately $68,866 (median) and $77,627 (average) as of September 2025. According to the 2021 Census, household, family, and personal incomes in Rocklea rank modestly between the 35th and 48th percentiles. The income bracket of $1,500 - 2,999 dominates with 34.5% of residents (597 people), similar to the metropolitan region at 33.3%. Housing affordability pressures are severe in Rocklea, with only 80.6% of income remaining, ranking at the 31st percentile. The area's SEIFA income ranking places it in the 4th decile.

Rocklea is characterized by a predominantly suburban housing profile, with a higher proportion of rental properties than the broader region

Rocklea's dwelling structure, as per the latest Census, consisted of 88.0% houses and 12.0% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings). This compares to Brisbane metro's 82.0% houses and 18.1% other dwellings. Home ownership in Rocklea was at 17.7%, with mortgaged dwellings at 33.4% and rented ones at 48.9%. The median monthly mortgage repayment in the area was $1,635, below Brisbane metro's average of $1,872. The median weekly rent figure was recorded at $335, compared to Brisbane metro's $400. Nationally, Rocklea's mortgage repayments were significantly lower than the Australian average of $1,863, while rents were substantially below the national figure of $375.

Rocklea features high concentrations of group households and lone person households, with a lower-than-average median household size

Family households constitute 53.1% of all households, including 20.4% couples with children, 20.7% couples without children, and 9.9% single parent families. Non-family households account for the remaining 46.9%, with lone person households at 37.8% and group households comprising 8.8%. The median household size is 2.3 people, which is smaller than the Greater Brisbane average of 3.0.

Rocklea shows below-average educational performance compared to national benchmarks, though pockets of achievement exist

Rocklea Trail has 33.1% of residents aged 15+ with university degrees, compared to the SA4 region's 42.1%. Bachelor degrees are most common at 22.1%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (7.5%) and graduate diplomas (3.5%). Vocational credentials are held by 31.1% of residents aged 15+, with advanced diplomas at 9.3% and certificates at 21.8%. Educational participation is high, with 30.5% currently enrolled in formal education: 9.6% in tertiary, 8.8% in primary, and 4.5% in secondary education.

Educational participation is notably high, with 30.5% of residents currently enrolled in formal education. This includes 9.6% in tertiary education, 8.8% in primary education, and 4.5% pursuing secondary education.

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

Rocklea has 11 operational public transport stops. These include both train and bus services. There are 24 different routes serving these stops, together facilitating 3,223 weekly passenger trips.

Residents enjoy good transport accessibility, with an average distance of 257 meters to the nearest stop. The service frequency is 460 trips daily across all routes, which translates to about 293 weekly trips per individual stop.

Health performance in Rocklea is lower than average with common health conditions somewhat prevalent across the board, though to a considerably higher degree among older age cohorts

Rocklea faces significant health challenges. Common health conditions are somewhat prevalent across all age groups but more so among older cohorts.

Approximately 55% (~955 people) of Rocklea's population has private health cover, compared to 49.8% in Greater Brisbane. The most common medical conditions are mental health issues (10.8%) and asthma (7%). Only 68.4% of residents report no medical ailments, compared to 77.2% in Greater Brisbane. Rocklea has a higher proportion of seniors aged 65 and over at 13.2% (228 people), versus 12.1% in Greater Brisbane. Health outcomes among seniors require more attention than those for the broader population.

Rocklea was found to be more culturally diverse than the vast majority of local markets in Australia, upon assessment of a range of language and cultural background related metrics

Rocklea has a high level of cultural diversity, with 29.7% of its population speaking a language other than English at home and 36.8% born overseas. The predominant religion in Rocklea is Christianity, accounting for 39.8% of the population. Buddhism, however, is more prevalent in Rocklea compared to Greater Brisbane, making up 4.5% versus 5.3%.

In terms of ancestry, the top three groups are English at 22.7%, Australian at 19.4%, and Other at 13.8%. Notably, Russian (1.8%), Spanish (0.9%), and Vietnamese (3.2%) ethnicities are overrepresented in Rocklea compared to regional averages of 0.2%, 0.5%, and 2.3% respectively.

Rocklea hosts a young demographic, positioning it in the bottom quartile nationwide

Rocklea's median age is 34, which is younger than Greater Brisbane's figure of 36 and Australia's national average of 38 years. Compared to Greater Brisbane, Rocklea has a higher proportion of residents aged 25-34 (21.2%) but fewer residents aged 5-14 (9.6%). This concentration of 25-34 year-olds is notably higher than the national figure of 14.5%. Between the 2021 Census and present, the proportion of residents aged 35 to 44 has increased from 16.9% to 17.8%, while the proportion of those aged 0 to 4 has decreased from 5.7% to 5.0%. By 2041, Rocklea's population is projected to see significant demographic shifts. The 85+ age group is expected to grow by 72%, adding 47 residents and reaching a total of 113. Residents aged 65 and older are anticipated to represent 57% of this growth. Conversely, the 0 to 4 and 5 to 14 age groups are projected to experience population declines.