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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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Roma has an estimated 7,092 residents, up from 6,838 at the 2021 Census — a change of 254 people, or 3.7%. Growth has averaged 0.5% a year over five years. 100 new addresses have been validated here since Census night. Density is about 91 people per 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
Based on demographic assessments of ABS regional updates and fresh address validation from AreaSearch following the Census, the suburb of Roma is home to approximately 7,092 residents as of May 2026. This represents an addition of 254 people (3.7%) from the 2021 Census, which recorded 6,838 individuals. This shift is derived from a resident headcount of 7,083 calculated by AreaSearch using the latest ABS ERP release (June 2025) plus another 100 validated new addresses since the Census date. With this headcount, the population density stands at 90 persons per square kilometer, offering ample room per resident and capacity for prospective expansion.
The 3.7% growth rate in Roma outpaced the broader SA3 area (3.5%), establishing the town as a regional growth frontrunner. Natural increase was the main driver of population growth, accounting for roughly 68.0% of the total demographic growth over recent periods. Projections from ABS and Geoscience Australia published in 2024 with a 2022 baseline are utilized by AreaSearch for each SA2 region. For locations lacking this coverage, and for the years after 2032, Queensland State Government projections released in 2023 using 2021 baseline data are applied. Because state-level forecasts lack age brackets, AreaSearch distributes growth across age cohorts using ratios from the ABS Greater Capital Region projections (published in 2023 with a 2022 baseline). Looking at upcoming demographic shifts, the suburb of Roma is projected to experience a population reduction of 401 persons by 2041 under this framework. Conversely, certain age brackets will expand, particularly the 25 to 34 cohort, which is expected to rise by 175 people. See the age section for more details.
Frequently Asked Questions - Population
47 new dwellings have been approved in Roma over the past five years, an average of 9 a year. That is 1.4 approvals per 1,000 residents. Approvals are currently running at an annualised 5, 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 permit statistics allocated from statistical areas shows that the suburb of Roma averages roughly 9 dwellings approved annually, amounting to approximately 47 homes over the prior 5 financial years. Thus far in FY-26, 5 approvals have been documented. Since an average of 3.9 new residents per built dwelling arrived annually during the 5 financial years spanning FY-21 to FY-25, demand outstrips new housing additions, which commonly triggers price growth and heightened competition among buyers, with new homes averaging a construction value of $434,000. Additionally, commercial approvals reached $28.3 million this financial year, pointing to high local business activity.
In comparison to the Rest of Qld, construction activity per person in Roma is 16.0% lower, placing it in the 13th percentile of all assessed areas nationwide, which restricts choices for buyers and sustains demand for existing properties. This volume is also below the national average, reflecting a mature market and potential planning barriers. Furthermore, recent housing additions consisted entirely of detached dwellings, preserving a low-density profile that appeals to buyers looking for space. The ratio of 1292 people per residential approval highlights a quiet, slow-paced construction environment. Given that demographic projections point to stable or declining numbers, Roma is likely to experience less pressure on housing demand, which should benefit home buyers.
Frequently Asked Questions - Development
Development applications around Roma
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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 5 current infrastructure and development projects inside Roma, worth an estimated $52 million. A further 38 sit in the immediately surrounding suburbs, taking the tracked pipeline within reach of the area to $7.37 billion. 11 are already under construction and 12 are due for completion within three years. The pipeline spans energy, residential development and sports & recreation. 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 performance is heavily impacted by changes to infrastructure, development planning, and major projects. AreaSearch has identified 6 projects likely to influence the area. Principal developments include the Denise Spencer Aquatic Centre Redevelopment, the Community Housing Limited Roma Social Housing, the Roma Hospital Redevelopment, and the Bowen Street Roma Priority Development Area, with the details of the most significant projects listed below.
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Frequently Asked Questions - Infrastructure
Denise Spencer Aquatic Centre Redevelopment
Redevelopment of Roma's Denise Spencer Aquatic Centre into an inclusive regional aquatic facility. The project includes demolition of the existing pools, an 8-lane 50-metre outdoor pool with grandstand seating, a 25-metre indoor program and lap pool, a 10-metre four-flume waterslide tower, zero-depth splash pad, toddler pool, water play area, new entry building with kiosk and multipurpose room, accessible amenities, indoor changerooms, shaded areas, swim club facilities and supporting plant. Construction commenced in April 2025 and the centre is on track to open for the 2026 summer school holidays.
Community Housing Limited Roma Social Housing
A social housing project by Community Housing Limited (CHL) aimed at providing affordable rental accommodation for vulnerable community members in Roma. The development includes various housing types to address the local shortage of public and social housing, integrated with community facilities.
Roma Airport General Aviation Apron Upgrade
Upgrade of general aviation apron facilities at Roma Airport including runway improvements, taxiway enhancements, and aircraft parking bay upgrades to support regional aviation services
Bowen Street Roma Priority Development Area
A priority development area that has developed the Clearview Rise residential estate, providing 372 residential lots to support housing growth and community expansion in Roma. The estate is sold out and listed as a past project by Economic Development Queensland.
Roma Hospital Redevelopment
New $116.6 million state-of-the-art hospital featuring 22 beds, two birthing suites, two operating theatres, increased outpatient capacity, and world-class health facilities serving south west Queensland
Arrow Energy Surat Gas Project North
Arrow Energy's Surat Gas Project North is the northern expansion of its 27-year Surat Gas Project near Miles. The development includes up to 450 coal seam gas wells over two stages, a field compression station, a 26 to 27 km infrastructure corridor, gas and water gathering pipelines, road and intersection upgrades, and a hybrid power station with gas generation, solar and battery storage. First gas was delivered in late 2025 and the project is scaling toward about 130 TJ/day at peak capacity, with field compression station, accommodation and hybrid power works continuing.
Ampol Residual Land Portfolio - 104 Victoria Street, St George
Vacant 3,041 sqm former Ampol service station site in St George town centre, offered as part of a 13-site national Ampol Residual Land Portfolio. The site has undergone comprehensive remediation including removal of underground fuel infrastructure and is considered development-ready. Zoned for commercial use, the site is marketed by Cushman and Wakefield via Expressions of Interest (closing 25 June 2025) for redevelopment across retail, mixed-use, commercial or other uses. Agents are Daniel Cullinane and Patrick Birchley of Cushman and Wakefield Investment Sales.
Chinchilla Weir Revitalisation
Revitalisation of the Chinchilla Weir under Western Downs Regional Council's COVID-19 Recovery Package. Works completed 3 July 2021 improved amenities and the natural landscape including day use upgrades, landscaping, fire pits, shelters, BBQs, bin enclosures, vehicle barriers, camp kitchen, interpretation signage, and upgrades to overnight camping areas.
4,214 residents of Roma are employed, from a labour force of 4,346. Unemployment sits at 3.0%, with participation at 76.5%. 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. Unemployment and labour force come from ABS Small Area Labour Markets, updated quarterly; the industry and occupation profile is from the 2021 Census.
Detail
Roma possesses a skilled workforce with strong representation in essential services, an unemployment rate of only 3.0%, and a 1.3% increase in employment over the past year based on compiled statistical area data. As of March 2026, 4,214 locals are employed, and the unemployment rate is 0.9% lower than the Regional Qld rate of 3.9%. Labor force participation is exceptionally high, sitting at 76.5% compared to 64.3% in Regional Qld. Census records indicate that a small 4.6% of residents worked from home, although Covid-19 lockdown circumstances should be kept in mind.
The primary sectors employing local residents are health care & social assistance, public administration & safety, and retail trade. The workforce shows a distinct concentration in public administration & safety, with its employment share reaching 1.7 times the regional average. Conversely, professional & technical roles are underrepresented, accounting for 3.7% of local workers compared to 5.1% in Regional Qld. The ratio of 0.7 workers for every resident at the Census indicates a higher-than-average volume of local employment opportunities. According to SALM and ABS figures aggregated from wider statistical areas, employment in Roma grew by 1.3% while the labour force expanded by 2.4% over the 12 months ending March 2026, leading to a 1.1 percentage point increase in the unemployment rate. Over the same timeframe, Regional Qld recorded employment growth of 0.1% and labour force expansion of 0.3%, with a 0.1 percentage point rise. Employment projections released by Jobs and Skills Australia in May-25 offer additional perspective on potential demand trends in Roma. These five and ten-year projections have been applied to the local workforce structure to model future growth. Nationally, employment is projected to grow by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, though rates vary by sector. Applying these industry projections to Roma's workforce structure suggests local employment would rise by 6.2% over five years and 13.2% over ten years, assuming a basic weighted extrapolation that does not adjust for local population forecasts.
Frequently Asked Questions - Employment
Median household income in Roma is $1,706 a week (about $89,000 a year), with median personal income at $957 a week. ATO records put median taxable income at $54,538 a year against an average of $63,572. 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
The latest postcode-level ATO statistics for financial year 2023 indicate that incomes in the suburb of Roma are below the national average, with a median of $54,538 and an average of $63,572. This is in contrast to Regional Qld, where the median income is $53,146 and the average is $66,593. Adjusting for a Wage Price Index rise of 11.36% since financial year 2023 yields estimated values of approximately $60,734 for the median and $70,794 for the average as of March 2026. Census findings show that individual income sits in the 74th percentile ($957 weekly), while household income ranks in the 47th percentile.
The primary income group contains 36.6% of residents (2,595 people) earning between $1,500 - 2,999, which is comparable to the metropolitan region where this group constitutes 31.7%. Residents retain 88.3% of their earnings after housing expenses, indicating solid purchasing power.
Frequently Asked Questions - Income
Roma had 2,518 occupied dwellings at the 2021 Census, 90% detached houses and 1% apartments. 27% are owned with a mortgage, 47% rented and 26% owned outright. At that Census the median rent was $250 a week and the median mortgage repayment $1,300 a month. Rent absorbs 14.7% of household income here and mortgage repayments 17.6%. Dwelling stock, tenure and housing costs are 2021 Census measures — the only source that counts dwellings at this boundary size.
Detail
Residential structures in Roma at the last Census consisted of 90.0% houses and 10.0% alternative dwellings like semi-detached properties, apartments, and other housing formats, compared to 76.4% houses and 23.6% other options in Regional Qld. Home ownership rates in Roma trailed Regional Qld at 25.7%, with the remaining properties being mortgaged (27.1%) or rented (47.2%). The median monthly mortgage payment in the area was recorded at $1,300, which is well below the Regional Qld average of $1,655. The median weekly rent was $250, compared to the regional figure of $345.
Locally, mortgage payments are lower than the Australian average of $1,863, and rents are below the national average of $375.
Frequently Asked Questions - Housing
Roma counted 2,518 households at the 2021 Census, averaging 2.4 people each. 28% are couples with children, against 25% couples without children. 32% of households are people living alone, and families average 1.8 children. Household and family composition is measured only by the Census, so these are 2021 figures.
Detail
Families make up 64.8% of all households, consisting of 27.7% couples with children, 24.8% couples without children, and 11.1% single-parent households. Non-family living arrangements account for the remaining 35.2%, where single-person households represent 31.7% and group homes comprise 3.7%. The median household size of 2.4 people is slightly below the Regional Qld average of 2.5.
Frequently Asked Questions - Households
18.2% of adults in Roma hold a university qualification, including 13.1% with a bachelor degree and 3.0% with postgraduate qualifications. A further 33.3% hold a vocational qualification. 6 schools serve the area, with 1,651 enrolment places and an average ICSEA of 945 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 challenges are present in the area, as university degree attainment (18.2%) is lower than the Australian average of 30.4%. This highlights both an area of difficulty and a focus area for future education policies. Bachelor degrees are held by 13.1% of residents, followed by postgraduate degrees (3.0%) and graduate diplomas (2.1%). Vocational qualifications are common, with 41.9% of residents aged 15+ holding trade credentials, including advanced diplomas (8.6%) and certificates (33.3%). Enrolment in education is strong, with 33.1% of residents currently studying in formal settings. This includes 13.2% in primary schools, 9.3% in high schools, and 3.4% in tertiary programs.
Frequently Asked Questions - Education
Schools Detail
Getting around Roma means driving: households keep an average of 1.4 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
66.5% of residents in Roma report no long-term health condition, a less healthy profile than 85% of areas nationally. 3.7% need daily assistance with core activities, and 52.4% hold private health cover. The standardised death rate runs at 7.1 per 1,000 residents. Health conditions, assistance needs and insurance are 2021 Census measures; the death rate comes from current ABS releases.
Detail
Assessments of mortality rates and chronic health conditions by AreaSearch show that Roma faces notable health challenges, with common ailments present in both younger and older generations. The rate of private health insurance coverage is slightly higher than the average SA2 region, covering approximately 52% of the population, which represents about 3,715 people. Asthma and mental health issues were the most prevalent medical conditions, affecting 10.7% and 8.4% of residents. Meanwhile, 66.5% of locals reported having no chronic medical conditions, compared to 67.6% across Regional Qld. Residents of working age face elevated rates of chronic illnesses.
The suburb of Roma has 14.7% of its population aged 65 and older (1,042 people), which is lower than the Regional Qld average of 20.4%. Health indicators among seniors are challenging, with national rankings higher than those of the general population.
Frequently Asked Questions - Health
Roma is largely Australian-born, at 89.3% of residents, with 6.8% speaking a language other than English at home. The largest reported ancestries are Australian (31.7%) and English (27.9%). 9.1% 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 in Roma is below average, with citizens making up 84.1% of the population, 89.3% born in Australia, and 93.2% speaking only English at home. Christianity is the dominant religion, practiced by 60.8% of residents, compared to 52.2% across Regional Qld. Regarding ancestral background, the three largest ancestries in Roma are Australian at 31.7% of the population, which is higher than the regional average of 26.5%, English at 27.9%, and Australian Aboriginal at 9.1%, which is higher than the regional rate of 3.9%. Other distinct ethnic groups include German at 5.0% of Roma (vs 4.7% in the region), Filipino at 1.9% (vs 0.9%), and South Australian at 0.4% (vs 0.5%).
Frequently Asked Questions - Diversity
The median resident of Roma is 35, younger than 76% 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 median age of 35 years in Roma is lower than Regional Qld's average of 41 and slightly below the national median of 38. The 25 to 34 age bracket is overrepresented locally at 17.2% compared to the regional average, while the 65 to 74 group is underrepresented at 8.3%. Since the 2021 Census, the 25 to 34 cohort expanded from 14.0% to 17.2%, whereas the 5 to 14 cohort decreased from 14.6% to 12.8%. Projections for 2041 indicate demographic changes, with the 25 to 34 cohort expected to grow by 9% (112 people) to reach 1,332 from 1,219.
Demographic aging is ongoing, with seniors aged 65 and older accounting for 54% of projected growth. On the other hand, the 0 to 4 and 45 to 54 brackets are projected to decline.
Frequently Asked Questions - Age
Data & MethodBoundaries, Sources & Method for Roma
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 | May 2026 3 months ago all 5 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 May 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 — 100 validated new addresses here. The headline figure is therefore a current estimate for May 2026, not a 2021 count (6,838 at the 2021 Census → 7,092 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 (SAL32464). QuickStats reports 2021 only — the figures on this page are more current wherever the ledger shows a later date.