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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. 108 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
As of Aug 2026, the suburb of Roma is estimated to have a population of around 7,092, based on AreaSearch analysis of broader regional ABS updates and address validations completed since the Census. In comparison to the 2021 Census count of 6,838 people, this represents an addition of 254 people (3.7%). This demographic estimate is calculated from an ERP figure of 7,083 published in the June 2025 ABS release, alongside 108 validated new addresses recorded since the Census. The suburb of Roma currently maintains a population density of 90 persons per square kilometer, providing generous spatial capacity for potential future expansion.
With a 3.7% increase since the 2021 census, local growth surpassed the wider SA3 area (3.5%), establishing the locality as a leading growth area across the region. Natural increase acted as the primary demographic driver, generating approximately 68.0% of total recent population additions. To evaluate forward-looking demographic trends, AreaSearch incorporates ABS/Geoscience Australia projections released in 2024 using 2022 as a base year. Where SA2 areas are not covered or for timelines post-2032, Queensland State Government projections released in 2023 referencing 2021 benchmarks are utilized. Because state projections lack age bracket distributions, AreaSearch applies proportional growth weightings aligned with ABS Greater Capital Region data (released in 2023, based on 2022 figures). Under this modeling methodology, projections indicate an overall demographic contraction, with the population of the suburb of Roma expected to decrease by 411 persons by 2041. Nonetheless, certain age cohorts will expand, led by the 25 to 34 age group with an anticipated increase of 168 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 1.1 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
Based on AreaSearch analysis of ABS building approvals across statistical areas, residential planning in Roma has seen approximately 9 dwellings approved annually, totaling an estimated 47 homes over the past 5 financial years (between FY-21 and FY-25), with 5 approved so far in FY-25. Over the past 5 financial years (between FY-21 and FY-25), an average of 4.9 incoming residents arrived for each dwelling built, creating a situation where new housing supply substantially trails local demand, generating upward pricing pressures and heightened competition among buyers. Newly approved dwellings reflect an expected average construction cost of $506,000, aligning closely with broader regional norms.
In addition, $28.3 million in commercial approvals have been registered during this financial year, underscoring strong commercial development activity. Per capita dwelling approvals in Roma run at approximately three-quarters the level recorded in Rest of Qld and rank within the 12th percentile of areas evaluated across Australia, limiting purchasing options and maintaining demand for established homes. Tracking below the national average as well, this trend reflects the established character of the township and possible local planning limits. Recent residential development has consisted entirely of standalone houses, preserving the traditional low-density urban form and offering family homes that cater to buyers seeking space. An estimated ratio of 1184 residents for each approved dwelling illustrates the area's subdued, low-volume development environment. With demographic forecasts pointing toward stable or shrinking population numbers, housing demand pressures across Roma could ease, potentially establishing advantageous market conditions for property 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 $7.42 billion. 10 are already under construction and 15 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 infrastructure investment, major planning projects, and civic works have a profound impact on regional community development. AreaSearch has identified a total of 6 projects expected to influence the locality. Key initiatives include the Denise Spencer Aquatic Centre Redevelopment, Community Housing Limited Roma Social Housing, Roma Hospital Redevelopment, and the Bowen Street Roma Priority Development Area, with prominent details outlined 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 77.2%. 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 maintains a skilled local workforce characterized by strong representation across essential services, an unemployment rate of 3.0%, and estimated annual employment growth of 1.3%, according to statistical aggregations by AreaSearch. In March 2026, employed residents totaled 4,214, while the local jobless rate sat 0.9% beneath the 3.9% recorded across Regional Qld. Labor force participation is notably robust at 77.2%, compared to 64.2% in Regional Qld. Census records indicate that only 4.6% of employed locals worked from home, though specific Covid-19 restrictions during that period should be taken into account.
The primary employment sectors among local workers are health care & social assistance, public administration & safety, and retail trade. Roma demonstrates notable workforce specialization within public administration & safety, holding an employment concentration 1.7 times the regional standard. Conversely, professional & technical roles are less prevalent, engaging only 3.7% of the local workforce compared to 5.1% in Regional Qld. A ratio of 0.7 jobs for every resident at the Census reflects an above-average level of local employment opportunities. Aggregated statistical analysis of ABS and SALM data by AreaSearch reveals that during the twelve months to March 2026, local employment expanded by 1.3% while the labor force grew by 2.4%, leading to a 1.1 percentage points rise in the unemployment rate. Over the same period, Regional Qld saw employment rise by 0.1%, the labor force grow by 0.3%, and unemployment increase by 0.1 percentage points. National workforce forecasts from Jobs and Skills Australia as of Mar-26 provide additional context regarding future demand in Roma. Australia-wide employment is forecast to increase by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, with performance differing notably across sectors. Applying these industry growth projections to Roma's employment profile indicates local jobs could grow by 6.2% over five years and 13.2% over ten years (this represents a baseline weighting calculation for illustrative purposes and does not incorporate local demographic 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
Postcode-level ATO data released for financial year 2023 and analyzed by AreaSearch shows that taxpayers in the suburb of Roma recorded a median income of $54,538 and an average of $63,572. These figures track below the Australian benchmark, while comparing to a median of $53,146 and an average of $66,593 in Regional Qld. Applying Wage Price Index growth of 11.36% since financial year 2023 yields updated March 2026 estimates of approximately $60,734 for median income and $70,794 for average income. In the 2021 Census, personal weekly income reached the 74th percentile ($957), while household earnings placed at the 47th percentile.
In terms of earnings distribution, 36.6% of residents (2,595 individuals) earn within the $1,500 - 2,999 bracket, closely tracking the 31.7% observed across the broader region. Residents retain 88.3% of their income after meeting accommodation costs, indicating strong discretionary 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
According to findings from the latest Census, the housing composition in Roma consisted of 90.0% standalone houses and 10.0% other dwelling types (including semi-detached properties, apartments, and alternative residences), compared to 76.4% houses and 23.6% other dwellings in Regional Qld. Outright home ownership in Roma stood at 25.7%, trailing Regional Qld, while 27.1% of properties were mortgaged and 47.2% were rented. Housing costs remain favorable, with median monthly mortgage payments of $1,300 and median weekly rent of $250, compared to Regional Qld benchmarks of $1,655 and $345. On a national scale, mortgage repayments in Roma are substantially lower than the Australian average of $1,863, and rental rates remain well below the national figure 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
Family households represent the dominant domestic structure at 64.8% of all households, consisting of couples with children (27.7%), couples without children (24.8%), and single parent families (11.1%). Non-family households account for the remaining 35.2%, composed of lone person households (31.7%) and group households (3.7%). The median household size of 2.4 persons 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
Attainment of higher education qualifications in the area is an ongoing focal point, with tertiary qualification rates of 18.2% tracking significantly below the Australian average of 30.4%, presenting potential for targeted educational initiatives. Bachelor degrees are held by 13.1% of residents, followed by postgraduate qualifications at 3.0% and graduate diplomas at 2.1%. Vocational and technical credentials feature strongly across the community, with 41.9% of residents aged 15+ holding trade qualifications, comprising certificates (33.3%) and advanced diplomas (8.6%). Participation in study is substantial across the area, with 33.1% of residents currently enrolled in formal educational courses.
This includes 13.2% attending primary school, 9.3% in secondary schooling, and 3.4% enrolled in tertiary education 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
Health assessments compiled by AreaSearch regarding mortality and chronic conditions highlight noteworthy public health challenges in Roma, with common medical ailments evident across both younger and older cohorts. Private health insurance coverage marginally leads the typical SA2 benchmark, held by approximately 52% of the local population (~3,715 people). Asthma and mental health issues constitute the most prevalent conditions in the locality, affecting 10.7 and 8.4% of residents, respectively, while 66.5% of locals reported no long-term medical conditions compared to 67.6% across Regional Qld. Working-age residents face distinct health burdens due to elevated rates of chronic illness.
Seniors aged 65 and over make up 14.5% of the population (1,028 people), which is lower than the 20.3% recorded in Regional Qld, though health challenges among older demographics rank even higher relative to national benchmarks than the general populace.
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 measures below wider averages, with Australian citizens comprising 84.1% of the population, 89.3% born in Australia, and 93.2% speaking exclusively English at home. Christianity is the predominant religious belief, accounting for 60.8% of residents in Roma compared to 52.2% across Regional Qld. Regarding ancestral background, the leading heritage groups represented in Roma are Australian at 31.7% (notably above the regional level of 26.5%), English at 27.9%, and Australian Aboriginal at 9.1% (substantially higher than the regional average of 3.9%). Other specific cultural backgrounds show notable differences in representation, with German ancestry accounting for 5.0% in Roma (vs 4.7% regionally), 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. 30.7% 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 Roma maintains a relatively young age distribution. As of August 2026 updates, children and young adults (0 - 24) make up 34.9% of residents, compared to 29.6% across Regional Qld, while seniors and retirees (65+) account for 14.5% versus 20.4% regionally. AreaSearch estimates the median age at 35 as at August 2026, matching the 2021 Census level and sitting 6 years below the Regional Qld figure of 41 recorded at that Census. Since the Census, the most significant shift occurred among adults aged 25 - 44, who increased from 27.3% to an estimated 29.6% of the population.
By 2041, senior and retiree cohorts are forecast to drive the majority of growth, adding 133 residents (13%) to reach 1,161, while youth cohorts, middle-aged groups, and younger retirees are projected to contract.
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 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 | May 2026 5 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 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 — 108 validated new addresses here. The headline figure is therefore a current estimate for Aug 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 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 (SAL32464). QuickStats reports 2021 only — the figures on this page are more current wherever the ledger shows a later date.