Rosewood (Qld)

Rosewood lies within the top 10% of areas nationally in terms of population growth performance according to AreaSearch analysis of short and medium-term trends

As of Nov 2025, the estimated population of Rosewood (Qld) is around 3,943, reflecting a 20.8% increase since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 3,263. This growth is inferred from AreaSearch's estimate of 3,774 residents, based on examination of the latest ERP data release by ABS (June 2024), and an additional 143 validated new addresses since the Census date. This results in a population density ratio of 125 persons per square kilometer. Rosewood's growth exceeded both national (8.9%) and state averages, marking it as a regional growth leader. Interstate migration contributed approximately 78% of overall population gains during recent periods, with all drivers being positive factors. AreaSearch adopts ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area, released in 2024 using 2022 data, and Queensland State Government's SA2 area projections for years post-2032, based on 2021 data.

Exceptional growth is predicted over the period to 2041, with the suburb expected to expand by 5,744 persons, reflecting a 139.7% increase in total population over the 17 years.

AreaSearch assessment of residential development activity positions Rosewood among the top 25% of areas assessed nationwide

AreaSearch analysis of ABS building approval numbers shows Rosewood recorded around 45 residential properties granted approval each year over the past five financial years, totalling an estimated 229 homes. So far in FY-26, 8 approvals have been recorded. On average, each dwelling built between FY-21 and FY-25 attracted 2.8 new residents per year. The average construction cost of new homes was $379,000, below the regional average.

Commercial approvals this financial year totalled $11.7 million. Compared to Greater Brisbane, Rosewood had 54.0% higher new home approvals per person in FY-26. New development consisted of 98.0% detached houses and 2.0% attached dwellings. The location had approximately 56 people per dwelling approval as of the latest AreaSearch quarterly estimate. Population forecasts indicate Rosewood will gain 5,509 residents by 2041.

If current construction levels persist, housing supply may lag population growth, potentially intensifying buyer competition and price growth.

Rosewood has strong levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the top 40% nationally

The performance of an area can significantly influenced by changes to local infrastructure, major projects, and planning initiatives. A total of one project has been identified by AreaSearch as potentially impacting the area. Key projects include South East Queensland Intermodal Terminal Capacity, Ebenezer Regional Industrial Area, Cunningham Highway Upgrade - Yamanto Interchange to Ebenezer Creek (including Amberley Interchange), and Ipswich Better Bus Network. The following details those projects likely to be most relevant.

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

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Employment drivers in Rosewood are experiencing difficulties, placing it among the bottom 20% of areas assessed across Australia

Rosewood's workforce is balanced across white and blue-collar jobs, with prominent representation in essential services sectors. The unemployment rate stands at 7.4%, with relative employment stability over the past year, as per AreaSearch's statistical area data aggregation.

As of June 2025, 1,525 residents are employed while the unemployment rate is 3.3% higher than Greater Brisbane's rate of 4.1%. Workforce participation in Rosewood lags at 49.6%, compared to Greater Brisbane's 64.5%. Dominant employment sectors include health care & social assistance, manufacturing, and public administration & safety. Manufacturing stands out with employment levels at 1.6 times the regional average.

However, professional & technical services are under-represented, with only 5.3% of Rosewood's workforce compared to Greater Brisbane's 8.9%. The area appears to offer limited local employment opportunities, indicated by the count of Census working population versus resident population. Over the 12 months to June 2025, labour force levels decreased by 0.3%, and employment declined by 0.3% in Rosewood, maintaining a relatively stable unemployment rate. In contrast, Greater Brisbane recorded employment growth of 4.4% and labour force growth of 4.0%, with unemployment falling by 0.4 percentage points. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from Sep-22 project national employment growth at 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, but industry-specific projections vary significantly. Applying these projections to Rosewood's employment mix suggests local employment should increase by 5.9% over five years and 12.7% over ten years, though this is a simple weighting extrapolation for illustrative purposes and does not account for localised population projections.

The area's income levels rank in the lower 15% nationally based on AreaSearch comparative data

Rosewood's median income among taxpayers was $45,435 in financial year 2022. The average income stood at $52,257 during the same period. In comparison, Greater Brisbane had median and average incomes of $55,645 and $70,520 respectively. Based on a Wage Price Index growth rate of 13.99% since financial year 2022, current estimates for Rosewood's median income are approximately $51,791, and the average is estimated to be around $59,568 as of September 2025. According to Census 2021 data, incomes in Rosewood fall between the 15th and 16th percentiles nationally for households, families, and individuals. The earnings profile shows that 30.9% of Rosewood's population (1,218 individuals) have incomes within the $1,500 - 2,999 range, similar to the surrounding region where 33.3% fall into this bracket. Housing affordability pressures in Rosewood are severe, with only 82.7% of income remaining after housing costs, ranking at the 15th percentile nationally.

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

Rosewood's dwellings, as per the latest Census, consisted of 92.1% houses and 8.0% other types such as semi-detached units, apartments, and 'other' dwellings. In contrast, Brisbane metro had 96.6% houses and 3.4% other dwellings. Home ownership in Rosewood stood at 29.2%, with mortgaged properties at 28.2% and rented ones at 42.6%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $1,349, lower than Brisbane metro's average of $1,517. Weekly rent median was $295 compared to Brisbane metro's $300. Nationally, Rosewood's mortgage repayments were significantly lower at $1,349 versus the Australian average of $1,863, and rents were substantially below the national figure of $375.

Rosewood features high concentrations of group households, with a lower-than-average median household size

Family households constitute 68.3% of all households, including 23.2% couples with children, 26.0% couples without children, and 17.9% single parent families. Non-family households account for the remaining 31.7%, with lone person households at 28.3% and group households comprising 3.9%. The median household size is 2.4 people, which is smaller than the Greater Brisbane average of 2.6.

Rosewood faces educational challenges, with performance metrics placing it in the bottom quartile of areas assessed nationally

The area faces educational challenges, with university qualification rates at 10.2%, significantly below the Greater Brisbane average of 30.5%. This presents both a challenge and an opportunity for targeted educational initiatives. Bachelor degrees are most common at 7.1%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (1.8%) and graduate diplomas (1.3%). Trade and technical skills are prominent, with 45.8% of residents aged 15+ holding vocational credentials – advanced diplomas (9.9%) and certificates (35.9%).

Educational participation is high at 32.5%, including 13.5% in primary education, 9.4% in secondary education, and 2.8% pursuing tertiary education. Rosewood's 3 schools have a combined enrollment of 1,020 students as of the latest data. The area has varied educational conditions with an ICSEA score of 949. Education provision is balanced with 2 primary and 1 secondary school serving distinct age groups. The area functions as an education hub with 25.9 school places per 100 residents, significantly above the regional average of 12.5, attracting students from surrounding communities.

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

Rosewood has five active public transport stops offering a mix of train and bus services. These stops are served by 27 different routes that together facilitate 872 weekly passenger trips. Transport accessibility is limited, with residents on average located 734 meters from the nearest stop.

The service frequency averages 124 trips per day across all routes, equating to about 174 weekly trips per individual stop.

Health performance in Rosewood is a key challenge with a range of health conditions having marked impacts on both younger and older age cohorts

Rosewood faces significant health challenges, with various conditions affecting both younger and older age groups. Private health cover is low, at approximately 48% (~1,889 people), compared to the national average of 55.3%.

Mental health issues and asthma are the most common conditions, impacting 12.1% and 10.4% of residents respectively. Conversely, 57.7% report no medical ailments, compared to 60.9% across Greater Brisbane. The area has 21.3% (839 people) of residents aged 65 and over. Health outcomes among seniors present challenges broadly in line with the general population's health profile.

The latest Census data sees Rosewood placing among the least culturally diverse areas in the country when compared across a range of language and cultural background related metrics

Rosewood's cultural diversity was found to be below average, with 88.5% of its population being citizens, 90.8% born in Australia, and 97.6% speaking English only at home. The predominant religion in Rosewood is Christianity, accounting for 50.5% of the population, compared to 54.9% across Greater Brisbane. In terms of ancestry, the top three represented groups in Rosewood are Australian (31.3%), English (30.6%), and Scottish (9.0%).

Notably, certain ethnic groups have different representations: German is overrepresented at 6.5% (vs regional 8.8%), New Zealand at 0.9% (vs 0.7%), and Australian Aboriginal at 4.3% (vs 3.2%).

Rosewood's population is slightly older than the national pattern

The median age in Rosewood is 39 years, which is slightly higher than Greater Brisbane's average of 36 years and close to the Australian median of 38 years. Compared to Greater Brisbane, Rosewood has a higher percentage of residents aged 65-74 (10.8%) but fewer residents aged 25-34 (10.8%). Between the 2021 Census and the present, the population aged 35-44 has increased from 10.7% to 11.5%, while the population aged 15-24 has decreased from 13.0% to 11.7%. By the year 2041, Rosewood's age composition is projected to change significantly. Notably, the 75-84 age group is expected to grow by 257%, reaching a total of 1,055 people from the current 295.