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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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Rothwell has an estimated 8,172 residents, up from 7,538 at the 2021 Census — a change of 634 people, or 8.4%. Growth has averaged 1.4% a year over five years. 129 new addresses have been validated here since Census night. Overseas migration accounts for 100.0% of that increase. That puts 779 residents on each 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
According to AreaSearch's review of ABS population updates alongside 129 validated new addresses identified since the Census, the suburb of Rothwell has an estimated population of approximately 8,172 as of Aug 2026. This represents an addition of 634 people (8.4%) relative to the 7,538 residents recorded in the 2021 Census. Such growth is deduced from an estimated resident population of 8,166 calculated after reviewing the June 2025 ABS ERP figures. At present, the suburb of Rothwell records a population density of 779 persons per square kilometer, aligning closely with typical AreaSearch benchmarks.
The suburb of Rothwell's post-census expansion rate of 8.4% trails the national benchmark (9.5%) by only 1.1 percentage points, showing sturdy demographic performance. This upward momentum was largely sustained by overseas migration, which served as practically the sole contributor to local population additions over recent timeframes. Projections for the suburb of Rothwell incorporate ABS/Geoscience Australia SA2 modeling published in 2024 (using 2022 as its baseline). For periods beyond 2032 or areas omitted from that release, Queensland State Government SA2 forecasts published in 2023 (drawn from 2021 data) are used instead. Because the state-level figures lack age-bracket breakdowns, AreaSearch allocates cohort distributions using proportional weightings from the 2023 ABS Greater Capital Region release (based on 2022 data). Looking toward future demographic shifts, the suburb of Rothwell is tracking in the lower quartile of statistical areas nationwide, with aggregated SA2 modeling indicating a gain of 215 persons by 2041, representing a cumulative 2.6% rise across the 16 years.
Frequently Asked Questions - Population
134 new dwellings have been approved in Rothwell over the past five years, an average of 26 a year. That places the area in the 89th percentile for residential development activity nationally, about 3 approvals per 1,000 residents a year. Of the 55 dwellings approved in the latest reporting year, 29% were detached houses and the rest townhouses or apartments. Approvals are currently running at an annualised 176, running ahead of 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
Analysing ABS building approvals across statistical areas, AreaSearch notes that Rothwell registers approximately 26 dwelling approvals per year. Across the previous 5 financial years (between FY-21 and FY-25), around 134 residential builds were approved, with 176 approvals logged to date in FY-25. The area added an average of 3 new residents annually per completed dwelling across the past 5 financial years (between FY-21 and FY-25), highlighting healthy buyer interest that underpins values. Construction costs for new residential dwellings average $543,000, which sits somewhat above regional benchmarks and underscores a premium development focus.
Meanwhile, commercial approvals of $3.7 million recorded this financial year point to modest commercial building activity. Recent residential approvals comprise 29.0% detached houses and 71.0% attached dwellings, offering approachable market price points suited to downsizers, first-home purchasers, and investors. This stands in clear contrast to the current local mix, where detached houses make up 70.0% of existing dwellings, highlighting shrinking supply of broadacre residential parcels as well as evolving lifestyle trends toward diverse, cost-effective options. With around 65 people per dwelling approval, Rothwell displays key markers of an expanding urban growth area. Projections indicate that Rothwell will expand by 209 residents up to 2041, based on recent quarterly AreaSearch estimates. At current building rates, newly supplied housing should comfortably satisfy local demand, offering an advantageous climate for buyers and potentially supporting expansion rates beyond current baseline projections.
Frequently Asked Questions - Development
Development applications around Rothwell
Loading development applications…
| Lodged | Address | Description | Type | Distance | Status |
|---|
SOURCE: Planning portals and council registers, compiled by AreaSearch. Distance & bearing measured from the suburb midpoint.
AreaSearch tracks 8 current infrastructure and development projects inside Rothwell, worth an estimated $757 million. A further 130 sit in the immediately surrounding suburbs, taking the tracked pipeline within reach of the area to $38.4 billion. 42 are already under construction and 64 are due for completion within three years. The pipeline spans residential development, transport & logistics and retail. 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
Infrastructure upgrades, major developments, and strategic planning initiatives play a decisive role in shaping local performance. AreaSearch has pinpointed a total of 25 projects expected to influence the community, including major undertakings such as Wellbrook by Azure, Freshwater Hub, Thyme Lifestyle Resort Rothwell (formerly Grace Living Rothwell), and Mango Hill Urban Village.
Professional plan users can use the search below to filter and access additional projects.
INFRASTRUCTURE SEARCH
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.
Frequently Asked Questions - Infrastructure
Wellbrook by Azure
A $189 million gated terrace home community at 499-507 Anzac Avenue, Rothwell, delivering 240 three- and four-bedroom homes across eight floorplans. Designed under the Farmhouse Modernism aesthetic, the development features resort-style amenities including a pool, gym, steam room, sauna, hot and cold plunge pools, covered pavilion with BBQ, and a dedicated co-working space. Delivered by Azure's in-house construction team, Azure Build. The initial release of 155 homes sold out within four weeks of launch.
Redcliffe Aerodrome
Council-owned Redcliffe Aerodrome is an operational general aviation facility serving flight training, aviation services, aircraft parking and emergency aircraft access. Current works identified by City of Moreton Bay relate to aerodrome pavement extension, including pipe installation, asphalt wearing course, linemarking and lighting, rather than a confirmed standalone business park development.
Thyme Lifestyle Resort Rothwell
A luxury over-50s land lease community by Serenitas featuring 192 low-maintenance, architect-designed homes and a state-of-the-art Clubhouse with resort-style facilities. Located on the Redcliffe Peninsula, it offers independent living with no entry or exit fees, pet-friendly amenities, and a secure gated entry.
Alma Road Bend Upgrade Dakabin
The City of Moreton Bay is undertaking a $4.5 million road safety upgrade along Alma Road near number 140 in Dakabin, supported by $3 million from the Queensland Government's SEQ Community Stimulus Program. The project replaces an existing sharp road bend with a single-lane roundabout and constructs a 2.5-metre shared active transport pathway, on-road bike lanes, and updated street lighting. Construction commenced in 2026.
Multiple Dwellings - Ellison Parade Mango Hill
Four-storey residential building with 23 medium density units (less than 21m high) plus 3 retail tenancies at 2 Ellison Parade, Mango Hill. Designed by Ellivo Architects. Mixed-use development combining residential apartments with ground floor retail spaces in growing Mango Hill area.
Mango Hill Urban Village
The Mango Hill Urban Village (MHUV) is a proposed 10.4-hectare transit-oriented mixed-use precinct located 400 metres from Mango Hill Station. The development application (DA/2025/1375) features 23 towers ranging from 8 to 30 storeys, comprising 2,329 apartments, 118,023 sqm of commercial workspace, and 6,600 sqm of retail and dining space. The project aims to create 12,000 jobs and includes a green spine pedestrian network with 1.23 hectares of public open space.
Rothwell Central Shopping Centre Expansion
Expansion and full refurbishment of the former Rothwell Shopping Centre into Rothwell Central, a modern sub-regional centre. Adds approximately 15,000 sqm of new retail and commercial floor space including a new full-line Coles, Kmart, medical centre, dining precinct, childcare, gym and multi-deck car park with over 800 spaces total. Completed and fully opened in late 2024.
Thyme Lifestyle Resort Rothwell
A luxury over-50s lifestyle resort featuring 192 homesites. The development includes a multimillion-dollar clubhouse, bowling green, pickleball courts, and a pool. The project required significant civil works including 100,000 cubic meters of fill to manage flood and tidal constraints.
3,829 residents of Rothwell are employed, from a labour force of 4,015. Unemployment sits at 4.6%, with participation at 59.8%. Weighted for its industry mix, the area's sectors are forecast to grow about 6.6% 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
Rothwell maintains a balanced mix across blue-collar and white-collar roles, supported by a healthy representation in essential services. The local unemployment rate sits at 4.6%, and the workforce expanded by an estimated 5.4% across the preceding twelve months according to AreaSearch's statistical area data. As of March 2026, 3,829 residents are actively working, with local unemployment sitting 0.3% above the 4.3% benchmark in Greater Brisbane. However, labor force participation stands at 59.8%, significantly trailing Greater Brisbane's 70.1%. Census records show a modest 11.4% of employed locals working from home, though this figure reflects Covid-19 lockdown circumstances at the time.
The top sectors providing work to local residents are health care & social assistance, retail trade, and education & training. Employment within health care & social assistance is particularly pronounced, tracking at 1.2 times the wider regional benchmark. Conversely, professional & technical roles account for only 4.5% of local employment, compared with 8.9% across Greater Brisbane. A comparison between Census working figures and resident headcount suggests substantial numbers of workers commute outside the area for employment. Examining aggregated ABS and SALM figures across the year to March 2026, the area achieved 5.4% employment growth alongside a 6.0% labor force increase, leading to a 0.5 percentage points rise in unemployment. Across Greater Brisbane over the same timeframe, jobs grew by 3.2%, the labor pool increased by 3.4%, and unemployment rose by 0.1 percentage points. Additional perspective on future local requirements is available from Jobs and Skills Australia's Mar-26 national employment projections over five- and ten-year horizons. Nationally, overall employment is projected to climb 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, though sector trajectory varies. Weighting these industry projections against Rothwell's current industry composition indicates local jobs could grow by 6.6% over five years and 13.8% over ten years (note that this illustrative extrapolation relies purely on sector weightings without accounting for local population projections).
Frequently Asked Questions - Employment
Median household income in Rothwell is $1,305 a week (about $68,000 a year), with median personal income at $647 a week. ATO records put median taxable income at $48,581 a year against an average of $55,149. 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
According to aggregated postcode-level ATO records for financial year 2023, Rothwell records a median taxpayer income of $48,581 alongside an average income of $55,149. These figures sit beneath wider national benchmarks and trail Greater Brisbane's median of $58,236 and average of $72,799. Factoring in an 11.36% Wage Price Index rise since financial year 2023 brings estimated income levels to roughly $54,100 (median) and $61,414 (average) as of March 2026. Data from the 2021 Census places the area's household, family, and individual incomes between the 19th and 20th percentiles nationally. The largest segment is the $1,500 - 2,999 earnings bracket, capturing 30.1% of residents (2,459 people), mirroring the regional share of 33.3%.
Severe housing cost pressures leave residents with only 79.8% of income after accommodation expenses, placing the area at the 17th percentile.
Frequently Asked Questions - Income
Rothwell had 2,822 occupied dwellings at the 2021 Census, 70% detached houses and 3% apartments. 28% are owned with a mortgage, 41% rented and 31% owned outright. At that Census the median rent was $380 a week and the median mortgage repayment $1,676 a month. Rent absorbs 29.1% of household income here and mortgage repayments 29.6%. Dwelling stock, tenure and housing costs are 2021 Census measures — the only source that counts dwellings at this boundary size.
Detail
At the time of the latest Census, Rothwell's housing stock consisted of 69.5% separate houses and 30.5% other dwellings (including semi-detached units, apartments, and other dwellings), whereas Brisbane metro recorded 73.5% houses and 26.5% other dwellings. Outright home ownership in Rothwell reached 31.1%, noticeably above the metro average, with 27.5% holding mortgages and 41.4% renting. Median monthly mortgage payments stood at $1,676, considerably lower than Brisbane metro's $1,863, while median weekly rent was $380, matching the Brisbane metro figure of $380. Compared against the broader country, Rothwell's mortgage costs sit well under the Australian median of $1,863, whereas weekly rents exceed the national level of $375.
Frequently Asked Questions - Housing
Rothwell counted 2,822 households at the 2021 Census, an estimated 3,059 today, averaging 2.5 people each. 25% are couples with children, against 28% couples without children. 28% of households are people living alone, and families average 1.9 children. Household and family composition is measured only by the Census, so these are 2021 figures.
Detail
Families constitute the majority of households at 69.5%, consisting of couples with children (25.3%), couples without children (28.0%), and single parent families (15.2%). Non-family living arrangements account for the other 30.5%, comprising single-person households (27.9%) alongside group homes (2.8%). The median household size is 2.5 people, marginally under the Greater Brisbane metric of 2.6.
Frequently Asked Questions - Households
14.8% of adults in Rothwell hold a university qualification, including 11.0% with a bachelor degree and 1.9% with postgraduate qualifications. A further 28.7% hold a vocational qualification. 2 schools serve the area, with 3,401 enrolment places and an average ICSEA of 1,078 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
Higher education rates in the area present notable room for growth, as tertiary degree holders represent 14.8% of the populace compared to 30.5% throughout Greater Brisbane. Bachelor degrees form the primary tertiary qualification at 11.0%, with postgraduate qualifications at 1.9% and graduate diplomas at 1.9%. Vocational and technical training is widely held, with 40.5% of individuals aged 15+ possessing trade credentials, consisting of 11.8% with advanced diplomas and 28.7% with certificates. A substantial 28.9% of the population actively participates in education. Specifically, 10.6% of residents are enrolled in primary schooling, 9.0% attend secondary institutions, and 3.9% are engaged in tertiary studies.
Frequently Asked Questions - Education
Schools Detail
Getting around Rothwell means driving: households keep an average of 1.2 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
58.4% of residents in Rothwell report no long-term health condition, a less healthy profile than 91% of areas nationally. 11.3% need daily assistance with core activities, and 49.1% hold private health cover. The standardised death rate runs at 6.5 per 1,000 residents. Health conditions, assistance needs and insurance are 2021 Census measures; the death rate comes from current ABS releases.
Detail
Analysis of mortality statistics and chronic disease rates by AreaSearch indicates meaningful public health challenges across Rothwell, with ailments impacting younger as well as older demographics. Furthermore, private healthcare coverage remains moderate at approximately 49% of residents (~4,009 people), below the Greater Brisbane figure of 55.8% and the Australian national average of 55.7%. Arthritis and mental health conditions rank as the most prevalent health concerns, affecting 11.1 and 9.9% of the population, respectively. Meanwhile, 58.4% of residents reported having no medical conditions, trailing the 69.2% rate seen across Greater Brisbane.
Working-age residents experience an elevated incidence of long-term health issues. Seniors aged 65 and over constitute 25.8% of the community (2,108 people), exceeding Greater Brisbane's 15.0%, with senior health benchmarks broadly tracking general population rankings.
Frequently Asked Questions - Health
Rothwell is largely Australian-born, at 77.0% of residents, with 9.4% speaking a language other than English at home. The largest reported ancestries are English (31.1%) and Australian (26.6%). 3.0% 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 Rothwell ranks above average, with 9.4% of locals speaking a non-English language at home and 23.0% having been born abroad. Christianity stands as the primary religious affiliation, representing 57.2% of the local population compared to 47.8% across Greater Brisbane. Examining parental country of birth, the three most prominent ancestries in Rothwell are English at 31.1%, Australian at 26.6%, and Scottish at 8.1%. Several other cultural groups exhibit heightened representation relative to the wider region, including Samoan at 1.7% (compared to 0.9% regionally), Maori at 1.6% (compared to 1.1%), and New Zealand at 1.1% (compared to 1.0%).
Frequently Asked Questions - Diversity
The median resident of Rothwell is 43. 23.3% 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
Demographically, the suburb of Rothwell displays clear lifestyle and retirement community attributes. Updated figures for August 2026 show that seniors and retirees aged 65+ make up 25.8% of the population, outstripping the 15.0% proportion across Greater Brisbane, whereas young to middle aged adults (25 - 44) account for 21.2% versus 30.6% regionally. The median age remains at an estimated 43, matching the 2021 Census figure and sitting 7 years above the Greater Brisbane median of 36 from that same Census, where the Australian median stood at 38. By 2041, senior and retiree groups are projected to drive the bulk of local growth, gaining 650 residents (31%) to total 2,758, whereas young to middle aged adults, children, and young adults are forecast to decrease.
Frequently Asked Questions - Age
Data & MethodBoundaries, Sources & Method for Rothwell
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 | Aug 2026 2 months ago all 8 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 Aug 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 — 129 validated new addresses here. The headline figure is therefore a current estimate for Aug 2026, not a 2021 count (7,538 at the 2021 Census → 8,172 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 (SAL32483). QuickStats reports 2021 only — the figures on this page are more current wherever the ledger shows a later date.