QLD 4123 Census 2021 + Live DA Data

Rochedale South

A 71.9th-percentile household income sits alongside a strongly detached, family-oriented housing profile in Rochedale South. The suburb has 15,228 residents across 6.2 sq km, with a density of 2,456.3 people per sq km, while 88.4% of dwellings are separate houses and 48.3% of families are couples with children. Compared with nearby Springwood and Underwood, Rochedale South reads as a more car-dependent mortgage-belt suburb, with 71.6% driving to work. Its median age of 37 is 3 years below the national comparison, but an Aging trajectory and a 4.8-point rise in senior share indicate a maturing profile.

Rochedale South urban fabric map

Population

15,228

Median Age

37.0

Household IncomeiMedian weekly household income (ABS Census)

$1,924/wk

DAs (12 months)iDevelopment Applications lodged in the past year

362

6.2 km²· 2,456.3 people/km²· Family income $2,148/wk

Rochedale South suits buyers seeking detached family housing, with 54.5% of homes containing 3 bedrooms and 37.0% containing 4 or more. Monthly mortgage commitments are $1,800, while mortgage costs equal 21.6% of household income, above the 20.5% rent-to-income share. The 46.6% mortgage tenure indicates many households are still paying off their homes, compared with 29.6% owning outright. Separate houses account for 88.4% of dwellings versus only 1.7% apartments, so the suburb is better aligned with yard space and family routines than apartment living. Household income ranks at the 71.9th percentile, above the middle of the distribution, although buyers should compare current sales carefully by street and dwelling condition.

For Buyers

Rochedale South suits buyers seeking detached family housing, with 54.5% of homes containing 3 bedrooms and 37.0% containing 4 or more. Monthly mortgage commitments are $1,800, while mortgage costs equal 21.6% of household income, above the 20.5% rent-to-income share. The 46.6% mortgage tenure indicates many households are still paying off their homes, compared with 29.6% owning outright. Separate houses account for 88.4% of dwellings versus only 1.7% apartments, so the suburb is better aligned with yard space and family routines than apartment living. Household income ranks at the 71.9th percentile, above the middle of the distribution, although buyers should compare current sales carefully by street and dwelling condition.

For Investors

Rochedale South presents an established detached-house rental profile, with weekly rent of $395, a vacancy rate of 5.3% and 22.8% of households renting. The rent-to-income share is 20.5%, below the 21.6% mortgage-to-income figure, which may support relative rental affordability for local households. Development activity is high at 352 applications across 12 months, with examples including lot reconfiguration, dwelling repairs and house extensions. That points to ongoing incremental change rather than a clearly defined high-rise pipeline. Compared with apartment-heavy markets, the 88.4% separate-house share gives investors a different maintenance and tenant-demand profile. Overseas migration is the primary growth driver, but the 0.13% annual trend is slow, so capital-growth assumptions should remain measured.

Development Activity

Total DAs

617

Last 12 Months

362

YoY ChangeiYear-over-year change in DA lodgements

+596.2%

Avg DA CostiAverage estimated cost per DA in the past year

N/A

Monthly DA Lodgements

DA Categories

Garage / Carport / Shed
79
Renovation / Extension
68
Deck / Pergola / Patio
51
New Dwelling
44
Swimming Pool / Spa
35
Demolition
32
Subdivision
30
Granny Flat / Secondary Dwelling
27

Schools in Rochedale South

Open-register school locations for education access. This is not a school-quality ranking.

Rochedale South State School

State School Government

Springwood Road State School

State School Government

Demographics

Rochedale South has a median age of 37, which is 3 years below the national comparison, and university attainment of 35.0%, 4.9 percentage points above the national figure. The overseas-born share is 27.4%, or 5.8 points above the national comparison, with Mandarin spoken by 164 residents, Korean by 144 and Punjabi by 139. English ancestry is recorded for 5,427 people, followed by Irish at 1,591 and Scottish at 1,581. Christianity is recorded for 7,506 residents and no religion for 5,793. Average household size is 2.8, or 0.3 above the national comparison, while couples with children make up 48.3% of families. Compared with nearby Springwood and Underwood, this supports a family-weighted profile despite the suburb's aging trajectory.

Age Distribution

0-14
21.1%
15-24
11.4%
25-44
28.7%
45-64
23.3%
65+
15.5%

Bedrooms

Studio/1br
0.9%
2 bed
7.6%
3 bed
54.5%
4+ bed
37.0%

Dwelling Structure

88.4%

Houses

9.9%

Townhouse

1.7%

Apartment

Tenure

Own 29.6% Mortgage 46.6% Rent 22.8% Other 1.0%

Housing is overwhelmingly detached, with separate houses accounting for 88.4% of dwellings, semi-detached homes 9.9% and apartments 1.7%. The bedroom mix is also family-oriented: 54.5% of homes have 3 bedrooms and 37.0% have 4 or more, compared with 7.6% containing 2 bedrooms and 0.9% containing 0 or 1. Mortgage holders represent 46.6% of households, higher than the 29.6% owning outright and the 22.8% renting. This tenure mix explains the suburb's mortgage-belt character, as many established households are still carrying home loans. Monthly mortgage commitments are $1,800 and weekly rent is $395. Compared with apartment-focused parts of the wider Brisbane and Logan region, Rochedale South offers a lower-density, larger-home pattern, with 2,456.3 people per sq km across 6.2 sq km.

Mortgage / mo

$1,800

Rent / wkiMedian weekly rent for new bonds (Jun 2026 quarter), QLD RTA bond data. Census 2021 median: $395.

$710

Bond data Jun 2026 quarter · houses $710

HH Size

2.8

Personal Income / wk

$840

Vacancy Ratei% of dwellings unoccupied on Census night (ABS 2021)

5.3%

Unoccupied

296

Rent / IncomeiMedian rent as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress

20.5%

Mortgage / IncomeiMedian mortgage as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress

21.6%

Community Profile

Languages Spoken at Home

Mandarin
164
Korean
144
Punjabi
139
Canton
87
Hindi
58
Arabic
57

Ancestry

English
5,427
Other
2,149
Irish
1,591
Scottish
1,581
German
868
Chinese
745

Household Composition

48.3%

Couples with children

34.7%

Couples, no children

16.0%

Single parent

4,325

Total families

Economy & Employment

Healthcare is the largest industry at 17.7%, employing 943 people, followed by Education at 15.2% and 809 people. Construction contributes 11.2% and 593 people, while Professional and Technical services account for 8.5% and Public Administration 7.3%. Professionals are the largest occupation group at 1,885 people, higher than Managers at 827, with Clerical and Administrative workers at 1,148 and Trades at 1,114. The labour force totals 8,057, participation is 67.1% and unemployment is 5.2%, while 59.2% work full time. SEIFA results place IEO at decile 6, IER at 7, IRSD at 7 and IRSAD at 6. IER and IRSD rank above IEO and IRSAD, suggesting household economic resources and disadvantage measures are somewhat stronger than the broader education, occupation and advantage profile. The 71.9th-percentile household income reinforces that mixed but generally above-middle position.

Unemployment

5.2%

Labour Force

8,057

Unemployed

416

Source: ABS Census 2021

Socio-Economic Indexes (SEIFA)iABS index ranking suburbs from 1 (most disadvantaged) to 10 (most advantaged)

Overall advantage
6
Disadvantage
7
Economic resources
7
Education & occupation
6

Full-time

59.2%

Part-time

31.9%

Participation

67.1%

Employed

7,641

Full-time and part-time are shares of the employed. Source: ABS Census 2021

Occupations

Professionals 1,885
Clerical/Admin 1,148
Trades 1,114
Managers 827
Community/Personal 800
Labourers 670
Sales 613
Machinery/Drivers 467

Top Industries

Healthcare 17.7%
Education 15.2%
Construction 11.2%
Professional/Tech 8.5%
Public Admin 7.3%

University

35.0%

Postgraduate

8.3%

Born Overseas

27.4%

Dwellings

5,320

Transport to Work

Daily life is strongly car-led: 71.6% of commuters drive, compared with 4.2% using public transport and 1.1% walking or cycling, while 18.6% work from home. This pattern suits households with cars but can make trip planning more important than in transit-oriented suburbs. Two nearby government schools are listed, both state schools, so families should check enrolment zones against the exact address because access can vary across streets. SEIFA places IRSAD at decile 6 and IER at decile 7, indicating a middle to upper-middle socioeconomic setting, while 4.8% of residents need assistance and volunteering is 15.8%. For safety decisions, review current Queensland Police information and inspect the exact streets at different times. Compared with a denser inner suburb, the lower 4.2% public transport share and higher 71.6% driving share shape a quieter, vehicle-oriented routine.

Drive

71.6%

Public Transport

4.2%

Walk / Cycle

1.1%

Work from Home

18.6%

Population Forecast

+0.13%/yr

(+21 people/yr)

Established

Rochedale South is in an established, slow-growth phase. The annual trend is 0.13%, which is above zero but modest, while population change across the wider area is 1.8% over 10 years. Overseas migration is the primary driver, although the forecast trajectory is Aging, with the senior share up 4.8 points and the working share down 3.4 points. The gentrification score is 10 and the stage is Not gentrifying, so current change is not being driven by a major uplift in socioeconomic positioning. The suburb also recorded a COVID dip of 2.1% and a recovery of 2.4%. Compared with a growth-frontier market, Rochedale South is more likely to experience gradual renewal, ageing households and selective redevelopment than rapid population expansion.

Historical + Forecast

Hamilton-Perry + Holt smoothing on ERP 2001-2025

Age Cohort Forecast

Primary Driver

Overseas Migration

Net Overseas / yr

+117

Net Internal / yr

-126

10

Gentrification Signal

Not gentrifying

Net internal outflow -126/yr, COVID recovered (-2% dip → full recovery)

National Ranking iPercentile rank among ~15,000 AU suburbs. 90% = higher than 90% of suburbs

How Rochedale South compares to ~15,000 Australian suburbs

Population
Top 2%
Household Income
Top 28%
Rent Level
Top 18%
Apartments
Top 18%
Renters
Top 32%
Uni Educated
Top 25%
Public Transport
Top 32%
Born Overseas
Top 17%
Density
Top 6%

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Rochedale South a good suburb to live in?

Rochedale South can suit households seeking detached housing, schools and car-based access. It has 15,228 residents, 88.4% separate houses and a 71.9th-percentile household income. Compared with a denser apartment suburb, its 71.6% driver share points to a more suburban daily routine.

What is the median house price in Rochedale South?

A current median house price is not stated. The housing profile still gives useful context: 88.4% of dwellings are separate houses, 54.5% have 3 bedrooms and 37.0% have 4 or more. Compare recent sales by street and dwelling type rather than applying an area-wide figure.

What schools are in Rochedale South?

Two named schools are in or serving the suburb: Rochedale South State School and Springwood Road State School. Both are government state schools. Check enrolment zones for the exact address, because school access can differ across streets; the local mix includes 2 state options.

Is Rochedale South safe?

For a current safety view, review Queensland Police information and visit the exact streets at different times. Rochedale South has 71.6% of commuters driving and 4.2% using public transport, so street activity differs from denser areas. Avoid relying on a blanket suburb-wide rating.

Is Rochedale South good for property investment?

Rochedale South may suit investors targeting established detached houses, with weekly rent of $395, vacancy of 5.3% and 22.8% renting. However, 0.13% annual growth is slow and 352 development applications in 12 months may add both renewal and competition. Compare returns and costs at property level.

How is Rochedale South's population changing?

Population change is slow and aging rather than expansion-led. The annual trend is 0.13%, while change across the wider area is 1.8% over 10 years. The trajectory is Aging, with senior share up 4.8 points and working share down 3.4 points; overseas migration is the primary driver.

What development is happening in Rochedale South?

Development activity totals 352 applications in 12 months, but the examples point to an established suburb: 1 lot split, 1 damaged-dwelling repair and 1 house extension. That pattern is more incremental than a single large precinct project. Check approvals, overlays and construction timing for each address.

How to read these comparisons

Phrases like "above the national average" reference the unweighted median across Australian suburbs with more than 1,000 residents, not population-weighted national figures. Suburb-level medians are more useful for ranking suburbs against each other; ABS census headlines are population-weighted (so dominated by Sydney and Melbourne) and can read very differently.

Current baseline (refreshed 2026-05-10): median age 40, university-educated 30.1%, born overseas 21.6%, average household size 2.5 people.

Data sources: ABS 2021 Census (demographics, income, tenure), state education open registers (school locations), state Crime Statistics agencies (offences), council DA portals (development applications). Population forecasts use a Hamilton-Perry cohort model calibrated to ABS ERP.

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