Roma

Roma has shown very soft population growth performance across periods assessed by AreaSearch

Based on ABS population updates and AreaSearch's analysis, as of November 2025, Roma's estimated population is around 7,185. This reflects a growth of 347 people since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 6,838. The change is inferred from AreaSearch's resident population estimate of 7,123 following examination of ABS' latest ERP data release in June 2024 and an additional 98 validated new addresses since the Census date. This level of population results in a density ratio of 92 persons per square kilometer. Roma's growth rate of 5.1% since the 2021 census exceeded the SA3 area's growth rate of 3.8%. Natural growth contributed approximately 68.0% of overall population gains during recent periods.

AreaSearch adopts ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area, released in 2024 with a base year of 2022. For areas not covered by this data and years post-2032, Queensland State Government's SA2 area projections are adopted, based on 2021 data and released in 2023. However, these state projections do not provide age category splits, so AreaSearch applies proportional growth weightings in line with ABS Greater Capital Region projections for each age cohort, released in 2023 using 2022 data. Projections indicate a decline in overall population by 405 persons by 2041. However, specific age cohorts are expected to grow, led by the 25-34 age group with an anticipated growth of 229 people.

Residential development activity is lower than average in Roma according to AreaSearch's national comparison of local real estate markets

AreaSearch analysis of ABS building approval numbers shows Roma has received approximately 9 dwelling approvals annually on average over the past five financial years. This totals an estimated 47 homes since FY-21 to FY-25. As of FY-26, 2 approvals have been recorded. The average new resident count per year for each home built in Roma during this period is 4.7.

Commercial approvals registered this financial year amount to $28.3 million, indicating significant commercial development activity. Compared to the Rest of Qld, Roma has 16.0% less new development per person and ranks at the 13th percentile nationally for new dwellings approved, suggesting relatively limited buyer choice and interest in existing properties. All new construction in Roma consists of standalone homes, maintaining its low-density character with a focus on family homes. The estimated population per dwelling approval is 1291 people.

With stable or declining population expected, housing pressure in Roma should remain relatively low, potentially creating buying opportunities.

Roma has strong levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the top 30% nationally

The performance of an area is significantly influenced by changes to local infrastructure, major projects, and planning initiatives. Six projects have been identified by AreaSearch that are expected to impact the area. Notable projects include Denise Spencer Aquatic Centre Redevelopment, Community Housing Limited Roma Social Housing, Roma Hospital Redevelopment, and Bowen Street Roma Priority Development Area. The following list details those likely to be most relevant.

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

Denotes AI-based impression for illustrative purposes only, not to be taken as definitive under any circumstances. Please follow links and conduct other investigations from the project's source for actual imagery. Developers and project owners wishing us to use original imagery please Contact Us and we will do so.

AreaSearch analysis reveals Roma significantly outperforming the majority of regions assessed nationwide

Roma has a skilled workforce with an unemployment rate of 2.7% as of September 2025. The area experienced estimated employment growth of 5.2% over the past year.

There are 4,281 residents in work, with an unemployment rate that is 1.4% below Rest of Qld's rate of 4.1%. Workforce participation in Roma is 67.0%, compared to Rest of Qld's 59.1%. Dominant employment sectors include health care & social assistance, public administration & safety, and retail trade. Public administration & safety has a particularly high share of employment, at 1.7 times the regional level.

However, professional & technical services are under-represented, with only 3.7% of Roma's workforce compared to 5.1% in Rest of Qld. The ratio of workers to residents is 0.7, indicating a level of local employment opportunities above the norm. Over the 12 months to September 2025, employment increased by 5.2% while labour force increased by 6.8%, causing the unemployment rate to rise by 1.5 percentage points. In contrast, Rest of Qld experienced employment growth of 1.7% and labour force growth of 2.1%, with a 0.3 percentage point rise in unemployment. State-level data from 25-Nov shows Queensland's employment contracted by 0.01%, with an unemployment rate of 4.2%, broadly in line with the national rate of 4.3%. Jobs and Skills Australia forecasts national employment to expand by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, but growth rates differ significantly between industry sectors. Applying these projections to Roma's employment mix suggests local employment should increase by 6.2% over five years and 13.2% 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 indicates that the suburb of Roma has an income below the national average. The median income is $54,538 and the average income stands at $63,572. This contrasts with Rest of Qld's figures where the median income is $53,146 and the average income is $66,593. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 9.91% since financial year 2023, current estimates for Roma would be approximately $59,943 (median) and $69,872 (average) as of September 2025. Census data shows that personal income ranks at the 74th percentile ($957 weekly), while household income sits at the 47th percentile. Income brackets reveal that the predominant cohort spans 36.6% of locals (2,629 people) in the $1,500 - 2,999 category, which aligns with the metropolitan region where this cohort also represents 31.7%. After housing costs, residents retain 88.3% of their income, reflecting strong purchasing power.

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

In Roma, as per the latest Census evaluation, 90.0% of dwellings were houses, with the remaining 10.0% comprising semi-detached homes, apartments, and other types. This is similar to Non-Metro Qld's figures of 90.3% houses and 9.7% other dwellings. Home ownership in Roma stood at 25.7%, with mortgaged properties at 27.1% and rented ones at 47.2%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $1,300, aligning with Non-Metro Qld's average, while the median weekly rent was $250, compared to Non-Metro Qld's figures of $1,300 and $230 respectively. Nationally, Roma's mortgage repayments were significantly lower than the Australian average of $1,863, with rents substantially below the national figure of $375.

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

Family households constitute 64.8% of all households, including 27.7% couples with children, 24.8% couples without children, and 11.1% single parent families. Non-family households account for the remaining 35.2%, with lone person households at 31.7% and group households comprising 3.7%. The median household size is 2.4 people, which is smaller than the Rest of Qld average of 2.5.

Educational outcomes in Roma fall within the lower quartile nationally, indicating opportunities for improvement in qualification attainment

The area's university qualification rate is 18.2%, significantly lower than Australia's average of 30.4%. Bachelor degrees are the most common at 13.1%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (3.0%) and graduate diplomas (2.1%). Vocational credentials are prevalent, with 41.9% of residents aged 15+ holding them, including advanced diplomas (8.6%) and certificates (33.3%). Educational participation is high, with 33.1% of residents currently enrolled in formal education.

This includes 13.2% in primary education, 9.3% in secondary education, and 3.4% pursuing tertiary education.

No public transport data available for this catchment area.

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

Roma faces significant health challenges with common health conditions somewhat prevalent across the board, particularly among older age cohorts. The rate of private health cover in Roma is approximately 52%, covering around 3,764 people, which is higher than the average SA2 area's rate of 49.4% for Rest of Qld.

The most common medical conditions in Roma are asthma and mental health issues, affecting 10.7% and 8.4% of residents respectively. Conversely, 66.5% of residents report having no medical ailments, compared to 67.6% across Rest of Qld. Roma has a lower proportion of seniors aged 65 and over, with 14.2%, or approximately 1,020 people, compared to the 18.2% in Rest of Qld. Health outcomes among seniors require more attention than those for the broader population.

Roma is considerably less culturally diverse than average when assessed alongside AreaSearch's national rankings for language and cultural background related metrics

Roma's cultural diversity was found to be below average, with 84.1% of its population being citizens, 89.3% born in Australia, and 93.2% speaking English only at home. The predominant religion in Roma is Christianity, accounting for 60.8% of the population, compared to 64.6% across the rest of Queensland. Regarding ancestry, the top three represented groups are Australian (31.7%), English (27.9%), and Australian Aboriginal (9.1%).

Notably, German ethnicity is overrepresented in Roma at 5.0%, compared to 5.3% regionally, while Filipino is at 1.9% versus 1.0%, and South African is at 0.4% compared to 0.3%.

Roma's population is younger than the national pattern

The median age in Roma is 35 years, which is lower than the Rest of Queensland's average of 41 years and under the national average of 38 years. The 25-34 age cohort in Roma is notably higher at 16.2%, compared to the Rest of Queensland average, while the 65-74 age group is lower at 7.8%. Post-2021 Census data shows that the 25-34 age group has grown from 14.0% to 16.2% of Roma's population, while the 5-14 cohort has declined from 14.6% to 12.7%, and the 45-54 age group has dropped from 12.0% to 10.7%. Population forecasts for 2041 indicate significant demographic changes in Roma, with the 25-34 age group expected to grow by 14% (168 people), reaching 1,332 from 1,163. Conversely, both the 0-4 and 45-54 age groups are projected to decrease in numbers.