Rocherlea
With household income at the 4.6th percentile nationally, Rocherlea ranks among Australia's lowest-income suburbs, and the figures downstream reflect that. The median age of 32 sits 8 years below the national figure, unemployment runs at 23.1%, and 70.5% of residents rent rather than own, compared to the national renter share closer to one-third. The suburb covers 16.96 square kilometres north of Launceston, with density of just 60.9 people per square kilometre and a population of 1,033. English-origin ancestry dominates, overseas-born residents account for only 4.2%, which is 17.4 points below national, and the local workforce skews toward labourers and community service workers.
Population
1,033
Median Age
32.0
Household IncomeiMedian weekly household income (ABS Census)
$794/wk
DAs (12 months)iDevelopment Applications lodged in the past year
0
No median house price is recorded for Rocherlea in available datasets, reflecting the suburb's small transaction volume and predominantly rental character. Monthly mortgage repayments average $867, which against a household income at the 4.6th percentile nationally produces a mortgage-to-income ratio of 25.2%, technically below the 30% stress threshold. Separate houses account for 83.8% of dwellings, well above national norms, with semi-detached properties making up the remaining 16.2%. Three-bedroom homes dominate at 56.8% and two-bedroom at 26.7%, leaving four-plus bedroom homes at just 11.3%. Outright ownership sits at 12.7% and mortgage-holder share at 16.8%, both lower than state and national averages, because the majority are renters paying $220 per week.
For Buyers
No median house price is recorded for Rocherlea in available datasets, reflecting the suburb's small transaction volume and predominantly rental character. Monthly mortgage repayments average $867, which against a household income at the 4.6th percentile nationally produces a mortgage-to-income ratio of 25.2%, technically below the 30% stress threshold. Separate houses account for 83.8% of dwellings, well above national norms, with semi-detached properties making up the remaining 16.2%. Three-bedroom homes dominate at 56.8% and two-bedroom at 26.7%, leaving four-plus bedroom homes at just 11.3%. Outright ownership sits at 12.7% and mortgage-holder share at 16.8%, both lower than state and national averages, because the majority are renters paying $220 per week.
For Investors
At 70.5%, Rocherlea's renter share is roughly double the national average, which means consistent tenant demand exists. Weekly rent of $220 is low relative to state median rents, a consequence of the suburb's position at the 4.6th percentile for household income nationally. The vacancy rate of 8.1% is elevated, suggesting some softness in tenant absorption despite the renter-majority profile. No development applications were recorded in the past 12 months, indicating very limited new supply entering the market. The 16.5% annual turnover rate signals moderate tenant mobility rather than deep community roots. For investors, low entry costs and sustained rental demand are the main arguments, while high unemployment at 23.1% and low income levels represent the core risk to rent continuity.
Schools in Rocherlea iICSEA: school advantage index. 1000 = national avg, higher = more advantaged
Brooks High School
7-12 · 451 students
Demographics
Rocherlea's median age of 32 sits 8 years below the national figure, making it notably younger than most Australian suburbs. The overseas-born share of 4.2% runs 17.4 points below national, reflecting a strongly Australian-born community. Ancestry is predominantly English (480 residents), followed by Ancestry Not Stated (105), Scottish (73) and Irish (57), a profile consistent with long-settled working-class Tasmania. University qualifications reach only 8.7%, which is 21.4 points below the national average, pointing to a workforce concentrated in trades, care and service roles rather than professional occupations. Average household size is 2.4, marginally below national, and volunteering participation sits at 10.2%. Around 10.8% of residents need daily assistance, compared to lower rates in more advantaged suburbs.
Age Distribution
Bedrooms
Dwelling Structure
83.8%
Houses
16.2%
Townhouse
N/A
Apartment
Tenure
The housing stock in Rocherlea is dominated by separate houses at 83.8%, with semi-detached properties filling the remaining 16.2% and no recorded apartment stock. Three-bedroom homes make up 56.8% of dwellings and two-bedroom homes 26.7%, a mix suited to family households. Tenure is skewed heavily toward renting at 70.5%, while outright owners account for 12.7% and mortgage holders 16.8%. These proportions are below state and national averages for ownership, because affordability barriers and low household incomes at the 4.6th percentile nationally leave most residents in the rental market. Weekly rent is $220. Housing stress indicators are moderate: rent-to-income sits at 27.7% and mortgage-to-income at 25.2%, both below the 30% stress threshold despite the constrained income base.
Mortgage / mo
$867
Rent / wk
$220
HH Size
2.4
Personal Income / wk
$468
Vacancy Ratei% of dwellings unoccupied on Census night (ABS 2021)
8.1%
Unoccupied
35
Rent / IncomeiMedian rent as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
27.7%
Mortgage / IncomeiMedian mortgage as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
25.2%
Community Profile
Ancestry
Household Composition
15.3%
Couples, no children
769
Total families
Economy & Employment
Healthcare is the largest employing industry at 23.4% of local workers, followed by Admin at 9.9%, Hospitality at 9.0%, Manufacturing and Retail each at 8.1%. By occupation, Labourers represent the largest group at 72 workers, followed by Community and Personal Service at 45, Machinery and Drivers at 42, and Sales at 39. These figures reflect a workforce concentrated in lower-wage blue-collar and community service roles rather than professional or managerial positions. The unemployment rate of 23.1% is well above state and national benchmarks, and the labour force participation rate of 39.2% is low, with 356 residents not in the labour force at all. Full-time employment accounts for 54.4% of those employed. Year 12 completion data is recorded at 0.0%, a figure likely affected by the suburb's young age profile and small sample size, so it is treated as unreliable here.
Socio-Economic Indexes (SEIFA)iABS index ranking suburbs from 1 (most disadvantaged) to 10 (most advantaged)
Full-time
54.4%
Part-time
22.5%
Participation
39.2%
Employed
237
Occupations
Top Industries
University
8.7%
Postgraduate
1.0%
Born Overseas
4.2%
Dwellings
394
Transport to Work
Car dependence is extreme in Rocherlea: 85.7% of residents drive to work, above most Australian suburban averages, while only 1.8% use public transport and 3.6% walk or cycle. This pattern is consistent with the suburb's dispersed 16.96 square kilometre footprint and limited service infrastructure relative to inner Launceston. No schools are recorded within the suburb boundary, meaning families rely on facilities in neighbouring areas. Crime rate data is not available in current datasets. The need-for-assistance rate of 10.8% (101 residents) is elevated compared to more advantaged suburbs, which is consistent with an area where household income sits at the 4.6th percentile nationally. Rent-to-income at 27.7% keeps the rental market below technical stress thresholds, though incomes leave little buffer for additional costs.
Drive
85.7%
Public Transport
1.8%
Walk / Cycle
3.6%
Work from Home
N/A
National Ranking iPercentile rank among ~15,000 AU suburbs. 90% = higher than 90% of suburbs
How Rocherlea compares to ~15,000 Australian suburbs
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Rocherlea a good suburb to live in?
Rocherlea offers affordable rental housing at $220 per week, with 83.8% separate houses in a low-density 16.96 square kilometre area. However, household income sits at the 4.6th percentile nationally, unemployment runs at 23.1%, and public transport use is only 1.8%, making car ownership essential. It suits households prioritising low-cost housing over proximity to services.
What is the median house price in Rocherlea?
No median house price is recorded for Rocherlea in current datasets, reflecting the small number of transactions in this suburb of 1,033 people. Weekly rent averages $220, below typical Launceston rents, and monthly mortgage repayments average $867, producing a mortgage-to-income ratio of 25.2%.
What schools are in Rocherlea?
No schools are recorded inside the Rocherlea suburb boundary in this dataset. The suburb has a median age of 32 and 205 couples with children, so families rely on schools in neighbouring Launceston suburbs. University qualifications among local residents reach only 8.7%, which is 21.4 points below the national figure.
Is Rocherlea safe?
Detailed crime statistics are not available for Rocherlea in current datasets. As a contextual indicator, household income sits at the 4.6th percentile nationally and unemployment is 23.1%, both factors correlated with elevated crime risk in comparable low-income suburban areas. Prospective residents are advised to check Tasmania Police area crime data directly.
Is Rocherlea good for property investment?
The 70.5% renter share, roughly double the national average, ensures consistent tenant demand, and no development applications in the past 12 months means minimal new supply competition. However, weekly rent of $220 is low, vacancy sits at 8.1%, and household incomes at the 4.6th percentile nationally create rent-payment risk. Yield-focused investors in a low-price-point market may find it viable; capital growth evidence is limited without recorded price data.
How is Rocherlea's population changing?
No population forecast data is available for Rocherlea specifically. The current population of 1,033 residents has a density of 60.9 people per square kilometre across 16.96 square kilometres. Annual turnover is 16.5%, with 83.5% of residents remaining at the same address, and zero development applications suggest limited pipeline growth.
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 Valuer-General (house prices), Department of Jobs SALM (unemployment), ACARA (school ICSEA), 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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