Rockingham
Statistical Area - sa2

Population growth drivers in Rockingham are strong compared to national averages based on AreaSearch's ranking of recent, and medium to long-term trends

Rockingham's population is approximately 18,573 as of August 2025. This figure reflects a 13.2% increase from the 2021 Census population of 16,411 people. The estimated resident population of 18,463 in June 2024 and an additional 134 validated new addresses since the Census date indicate this growth. Rockingham's population density is around 520 persons per square kilometer. The area's 13.2% growth rate since the 2021 census surpasses the national average of 8.6%, positioning it as a regional growth leader. Interstate migration contributed approximately 61.7% of Rockingham's population gains during recent periods.

AreaSearch uses 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 post-2032 growth estimation, AreaSearch employs the latest Greater Capital Region projections from the ABS (released in 2023, based on 2022 data). Future population trends project above median growth for Rockingham, with an expected increase of 3,881 persons by 2041, reflecting a total increase of 20.3% over 17 years.

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

Rockingham has received approximately 46 dwelling approvals annually. The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) reports that from financial year 2021 to 2025, a total of 232 approvals were recorded, with an additional 13 approved in the current financial year 2026. On average, each newly built home accommodates around 9 new residents annually over the past five financial years. This demand outpaces supply, potentially driving up prices and increasing buyer competition.

The average construction cost of new dwellings is $430,000. In the current financial year, commercial approvals totalled $830.2 million, indicating robust commercial development activity in Rockingham. However, compared to Greater Perth, Rockingham has significantly less development activity, approximately 70% below the regional average per person. This scarcity of new properties can strengthen demand and prices for existing properties. New developments primarily consist of detached dwellings (82%) and townhouses or apartments (18%), maintaining Rockingham's low-density character and attracting space-seeking buyers.

Interestingly, developers are building more traditional houses than the current mix suggests at Census, indicating strong demand for family homes. With around 270 people per dwelling approval, Rockingham exhibits a developing market. Future projections anticipate an addition of 3,771 residents by 2041. If current development rates persist, housing supply may struggle to keep pace with population growth, potentially heightening buyer competition and supporting price increases.

Rockingham has emerging levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the 28thth percentile nationally

Changes to local infrastructure significantly affect an area's performance. AreaSearch identified 38 projects likely impacting the region. Notable initiatives include Waikiki Hotel Site Redevelopment, Atwater Estate Rockingham, Seaside Estate Madora Bay, and Secret Harbour Beachfront Development. The following list details projects of greatest relevance.

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

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

Rockingham's workforce is balanced across white and blue-collar jobs, with significant representation in essential services sectors. The unemployment rate was 8.3% as of the previous year, with an estimated employment growth of 3.7%.

As of June 2025, there are 9,197 residents employed, with an unemployment rate of 4.5%, which is 0.6 percentage points higher than Greater Perth's rate of 3.9%. Workforce participation in Rockingham lags behind Greater Perth at 51.7% compared to 65.2%. The leading employment industries among Rockingham residents are public administration & safety, health care & social assistance, and construction. The area has a notable concentration in public administration & safety, with employment levels at 2.7 times the regional average.

Conversely, professional & technical services show lower representation at 3.3% compared to the regional average of 8.2%. As of the Census, there is one worker for each resident, indicating substantial local employment opportunities. In the year leading up to June 2025, employment in Rockingham increased by 3.7%, while the labour force grew by 5.8%, causing the unemployment rate to rise by 1.9 percentage points. In contrast, Greater Perth saw employment rise by 3.7%, with a labour force growth of 3.8% and an unemployment rate increase of only 0.1 percentage points. State-level data from Sep-25 shows that WA's employment contracted by 0.82% (losing 14,590 jobs), with the state unemployment rate at 4.3%, which compares favourably to the national unemployment rate of 4.5%. However, it lags behind the national employment growth of 0.26%. National employment forecasts from Jobs and Skills Australia, issued in May 2025, project a 6.6% increase over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Rockingham's employment mix suggests local growth of approximately 5.7% over five years and 12.3% over ten years.

The area's income profile falls below national averages based on AreaSearch analysis

Rockingham's median income among taxpayers was $56,146 in financial year 2022, according to the latest ATO data aggregated by AreaSearch. This figure is higher than Greater Perth's median income of $58,380 during the same period. The average income in Rockingham stood at $67,869 in financial year 2022, compared to $78,020 in Greater Perth. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 11.61% since financial year 2022, current estimates for Rockingham would be approximately $62,665 (median) and $75,749 (average) as of March 2025. From the Census conducted on 10 August 2021, personal income ranked at the 27th percentile ($692 weekly), while household income was at the 10th percentile. In Rockingham, 27.2% of locals (5,051 people) fell into the $400 - $799 income category, contrasting with the broader area where the $1,500 - $2,999 bracket led at 32.0%. Housing affordability pressures were severe in Rockingham, with only 82.0% of income remaining after housing costs, ranking at the 10th percentile.

Rockingham displays a diverse mix of dwelling types, with above-average rates of outright home ownership

Rockingham's dwelling structures, as per the latest Census, consisted of 64.0% houses and 36.0% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings). In contrast, Perth metro had 90.5% houses and 9.6% other dwellings. Home ownership in Rockingham was higher at 35.8%, with mortgaged dwellings at 26.5% and rented ones at 37.8%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $1,517, lower than Perth metro's $1,733. Median weekly rent in Rockingham was $300, compared to Perth metro's $330. Nationally, Rockingham's mortgage repayments were lower at $1,517 versus Australia's average of $1,863, and rents were lower at $300 compared to the national figure of $375.

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

Family households constitute 56.2% of all households, including 17.2% couples with children, 27.6% couples without children, and 10.5% single parent families. Non-family households account for the remaining 43.8%, with lone person households at 40.8% and group households comprising 2.9%. The median household size is 2.0 people, which is smaller than the Greater Perth average of 2.6.

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

The area's university qualification rate is 13.9%, significantly lower than the Australian average of 30.4%. This presents both a challenge and an opportunity for targeted educational initiatives. Bachelor degrees are most common at 9.8%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (2.4%) and graduate diplomas (1.7%). Vocational credentials are prevalent, with 44.2% of residents aged 15+ holding such qualifications - advanced diplomas comprise 11.1% and certificates make up 33.1%.

Educational participation is high, with 25.6% of residents currently enrolled in formal education. This includes 8.3% in primary, 7.0% in secondary, and 3.9% pursuing tertiary education. The area has 13 schools serving 4,264 students, with typical Australian school conditions (ICSEA: 985) offering balanced educational opportunities. Educational provision is split between 6 primary and 7 secondary institutions. School capacity exceeds residential needs (23.0 places per 100 residents vs regional average of 17.1), indicating the area serves as an educational hub for the broader region. Note: schools marked 'n/a' for enrolments should be referred to their parent campus.

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

Transport analysis in Rockingham indicates 145 active public transport stops operating within the area, all of which are bus services. These stops are covered by ten different routes, collectively facilitating 2,592 weekly passenger trips. The accessibility of these transport services is rated as good, with residents typically situated approximately 227 meters from their nearest stop.

Across all routes, service frequency averages around 370 trips per day, equating to roughly 17 weekly trips per individual stop.

Health performance in Rockingham is well below average with prevalence of common health conditions notable across both younger and older age cohorts

Rockingham faces significant health challenges, as indicated by data showing high prevalence of common conditions across various age groups.

Approximately 53% of Rockingham residents (~9,917 people) have private health cover. The most prevalent medical conditions are arthritis and mental health issues, affecting 11.0% and 9.4% of residents respectively. Conversely, 61.2% of residents claim to be free from medical ailments, compared to 68.5% in Greater Perth. As of the latest data (2021), Rockingham has a higher proportion of seniors aged 65 and over at 27.8% (5,154 people) than Greater Perth's 15.6%. Health outcomes among Rockingham's senior population present challenges largely reflective of the broader community's health profile.

Rockingham was found to be more culturally diverse than the vast majority of local markets in Australia, upon assessment of a range of language and cultural background related metrics

Rockingham's population shows significant cultural diversity, with 10.1% speaking a language other than English at home and 36.8% born overseas. Christianity is the predominant religion, accounting for 48.1%. However, Rockingham has a slightly higher proportion of 'Other' religions, at 0.8%, compared to Greater Perth's 0.7%.

The top three ancestry groups are English (36.3%), Australian (22.7%), and Scottish (8.6%). Some ethnic groups show notable variations: Welsh is equally represented in Rockingham as regionally (0.9%), while Serbian is more prevalent at 0.8% compared to 0.3%, and Maori is underrepresented at 1.3% versus the regional average of 2%.

Rockingham hosts an older demographic, ranking in the top quartile nationwide

Rockingham's median age is 47 years, which is higher than Greater Perth's average of 37 years and exceeds the national average of 38 years. The 65-74 age group constitutes 14.0% of Rockingham's population, compared to Greater Perth's figure. Meanwhile, the 35-44 age group makes up only 10.3%. Post-Census data from 2021 shows that the 75 to 84 age group has increased from 9.0% to 9.9%, while the 45 to 54 cohort has decreased from 12.3% to 10.9%. By 2041, Rockingham's age profile is projected to change significantly. The 75 to 84 age group is expected to grow by 69%, adding 1,274 residents to reach a total of 3,111. Residents aged 65 and above are predicted to drive 77% of population growth. Conversely, the 0 to 4 and 5 to 14 age groups are projected to decline in population.