Rockhampton City
A 19.4% vacancy rate and a $310,000 median house price tell the core story of Rockhampton City: an affordable, renter-heavy urban centre where supply outpaces demand. Household income sits at the 18.2nd percentile nationally, and all four SEIFA indexes score decile 1, the lowest advantage tier. More than half of residents rent (55.6%), unemployment runs at 13.3%, well above the national average, and healthcare accounts for 31.1% of local jobs. Despite those pressures, rent climbed 37.3% over the period and overseas migration is adding 313 new residents a year.
Population
2,059
Median Age
42.0
Household IncomeiMedian weekly household income (ABS Census)
$1,118/wk
DAs (12 months)iDevelopment Applications lodged in the past year
4
Median House
$310K
Estimated from rent (2025)
At $310,000, the median house price sits well below the national median, making entry-level ownership achievable at the 18.2nd percentile household income. Monthly mortgage repayments average $1,083 and the mortgage-to-income ratio is 22.4%, below the 30% stress threshold. Separate houses account for 62.3% of stock, with three-bedroom homes dominating at 39.9% and two-bedroom at 37.8%. The barrier is structural: only 20.8% of residents carry a mortgage, because the suburb skews heavily toward renters (55.6%) rather than active buyers, so resale liquidity is lower than in mortgage-belt suburbs.
For Buyers
At $310,000, the median house price sits well below the national median, making entry-level ownership achievable at the 18.2nd percentile household income. Monthly mortgage repayments average $1,083 and the mortgage-to-income ratio is 22.4%, below the 30% stress threshold. Separate houses account for 62.3% of stock, with three-bedroom homes dominating at 39.9% and two-bedroom at 37.8%. The barrier is structural: only 20.8% of residents carry a mortgage, because the suburb skews heavily toward renters (55.6%) rather than active buyers, so resale liquidity is lower than in mortgage-belt suburbs.
For Investors
Weekly rent of $250 against a $310,000 median implies a gross yield near 4.2%, above typical Brisbane metropolitan averages, but the 19.4% vacancy rate is a serious caution, indicating oversupply in the rental pool. The renter majority (55.6%) confirms persistent tenant demand, and rent growth of 37.3% over the period shows landlords have pushed rents despite vacancy. Overseas migration of 313 persons per year is the strongest demand driver, offsetting an internal outflow of 97 per year. Development is minimal at 4 applications in 12 months, so new supply is not causing the vacancy.
Development Activity
Total DAs
4
Last 12 Months
4
YoY ChangeiYear-over-year change in DA lodgements
—
Avg DA CostiAverage estimated cost per DA in the past year
N/A
Monthly DA Lodgements
DA Categories
Demographics
The median age of 42 is 2.0 years above the national figure, and the population trajectory is aging: the senior share rose 3.3 points over the decade. Overseas-born residents at 14.8% are 6.8 points below national, reflecting a locally born majority. Ancestry leans Anglo-Celtic, led by English (806 residents), Irish (229) and Scottish (176). University qualifications reach 21.9%, which is 8.2 points below the national rate, consistent with an economy oriented toward healthcare services, trades and hospitality. Average household size is 2.0, which is 0.5 below national, with couples without children making up 31.7% of families.
Age Distribution
Bedrooms
Dwelling Structure
62.3%
Houses
9.0%
Townhouse
28.7%
Apartment
Tenure
Tenure skews heavily toward renting: 55.6% of households rent, compared to 23.6% who own outright and 20.8% on mortgages, well above the national renter share. The $310,000 median is affordable by national standards, and rent-to-income at 22.4% keeps tenants below the 30% stress line. Three-bedroom homes account for 39.9% and two-bedroom 37.8%, with separate houses at 62.3% of stock. The 19.4% vacancy rate is substantially high, confirming that despite 37.3% rent growth over the period, total rental supply has remained in excess of active demand.
Mortgage / mo
$1,083
Rent / wk
$250
HH Size
2.0
Personal Income / wk
$635
Vacancy Ratei% of dwellings unoccupied on Census night (ABS 2021)
19.4%
Unoccupied
201
Rent / IncomeiMedian rent as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
22.4%
Mortgage / IncomeiMedian mortgage as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
22.4%
Community Profile
Ancestry
Household Composition
31.7%
Couples, no children
1,098
Total families
Economy & Employment
Healthcare dominates at 31.1% of workers (153 people), reflecting Rockhampton's role as a regional service centre for Central Queensland. Hospitality follows at 12.0% (59 workers) and Construction at 9.1% (45 workers). Professionals are the largest occupation group (151), followed by Labourers (140), pointing to both the healthcare base and a strong manual labour component. Unemployment at 13.3% is substantially above the national average, and participation at 48.8% is low because 653 residents are not in the labour force. All four SEIFA deciles score 1, the lowest nationally, indicating systemic disadvantage compared to most Australian suburbs.
Unemployment
5.2%
Labour Force
10,959
Unemployed
568
Quarterly Trend
Source: SALM Dec-25
Socio-Economic Indexes (SEIFA)iABS index ranking suburbs from 1 (most disadvantaged) to 10 (most advantaged)
Full-time
65.5%
Part-time
21.2%
Participation
48.8%
Employed
774
Occupations
Top Industries
University
21.9%
Postgraduate
5.2%
Born Overseas
14.8%
Dwellings
822
Transport to Work
Car dependency is high: 72.8% of residents drive to work, above the national average, while only 0.6% use public transport, reflecting the limited network in a regional Queensland centre. Walking and cycling account for 17.3% of commutes, meaningful for a city-centre location. No schools are recorded within the suburb boundary, so families depend on surrounding suburbs. The IRSAD decile of 1 places Rockhampton City in the lowest advantage tier nationally, and 9.2% of residents (168 people) need daily assistance. Rent-to-income at 22.4% stays below the 30% stress threshold despite the low income base.
Drive
72.8%
Public Transport
0.6%
Walk / Cycle
17.3%
Work from Home
N/A
Population Forecast
+0.61%/yr
(+119 people/yr)
EstablishedThe broader area grew from 18,793 in 2023 to an estimated 19,524 by 2025, at an annual rate of 0.61%. Overseas migration drives this at 313 persons per year, offsetting an internal outflow of 97 per year. The 10-year population increase is 7.8% and medium forecasts project 20,020 by 2031. The gentrification score of 23 rates as early signs, supported by strong overseas inflow and full recovery from a 2.7% COVID dip. Real income grew 20.3% over the decade, though the suburb remains below average nationally.
Historical + Forecast
Hamilton-Perry + Holt smoothing on ERP 2001-2025
Age Cohort Forecast
Primary Driver
Overseas Migration
Net Overseas / yr
+313
Net Internal / yr
-97
Gentrification Signal
Early signs
Population +10% since 2011, Strong overseas inflow +313/yr, COVID recovered (-3% dip → full recovery)
National Ranking iPercentile rank among ~15,000 AU suburbs. 90% = higher than 90% of suburbs
How Rockhampton City compares to ~15,000 Australian suburbs
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Rockhampton City a good suburb to live in?
Rockhampton City offers genuine affordability, with a $310,000 median house price and rent-to-income at 22.4%. However, unemployment runs at 13.3% and all four SEIFA indexes score decile 1, the lowest advantage tier nationally. It suits those seeking low housing costs in a regional centre rather than those prioritising economic opportunity.
What is the median house price in Rockhampton City?
The median house price is $310,000, well below the national median. Monthly mortgage repayments average $1,083 and the mortgage-to-income ratio is 22.4%, below the 30% stress threshold. Weekly rent averages $250, implying a gross yield near 4.2% for investors.
What schools are in Rockhampton City?
No schools are recorded within the Rockhampton City suburb boundary in this dataset. Families rely on schools in the broader Rockhampton area. The local university qualification rate is 21.9%, which is 8.2 points below the national figure, reflecting a workforce oriented toward trades and services.
Is Rockhampton City safe?
Detailed crime statistics are not available for Rockhampton City in this dataset. As context, the suburb scores decile 1 on the IRSD index of relative disadvantage nationally, and 9.2% of residents (168 people) need daily assistance, both factors associated with higher community stress than in higher-decile suburbs.
Is Rockhampton City good for property investment?
Weekly rent of $250 against a $310,000 median implies a gross yield near 4.2%, above typical metropolitan averages. However, the 19.4% vacancy rate signals oversupply. Rent grew 37.3% over the period and overseas migration of 313 per year supports demand, making it a higher-risk, higher-yield proposition than capital-city alternatives.
How is Rockhampton City's population changing?
The broader area grew from 18,793 in 2023 to approximately 19,524 by 2025 at 0.61% per year. Overseas migration drives growth at 313 persons annually, while internal migration shows a net outflow of 97. The 10-year population increase is 7.8% and medium forecasts project the area reaching 20,020 by 2031.
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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