Rocklea
At a median house price of $436,000 and an IRSAD decile of 1, Rocklea sits at the affordable, high-disadvantage end of Brisbane's market, yet 38.2% of residents hold university qualifications, which is 8.1 percentage points above the national figure. That combination of low property values and an educated workforce is unusual and points to a suburb in transition. The population of 1,672 is small, density runs at 181 residents per km2 across 9.22 km2, and 36.8% were born overseas, which is 15.2 points above national. The identity is firmly detached housing, with 88% of dwellings being separate houses, and almost half the suburb rents rather than owns.
Population
1,672
Median Age
34.0
Household IncomeiMedian weekly household income (ABS Census)
$1,493/wk
DAs (12 months)iDevelopment Applications lodged in the past year
37
Median House
$436K
Estimated from rent (2025)
The median house price of $436,000 is estimated from rental data for 2025, making Rocklea one of the more affordable entry points within 10 km of Brisbane CBD. Monthly mortgage repayments average $1,635, and with a mortgage-to-income ratio of 25.3%, buyers remain below the 30% stress threshold, which is better than many inner-ring markets. Separate houses dominate at 88% of dwellings, so buyers get genuine detached stock rather than apartment alternatives. The bedroom mix skews toward three-bedroom homes at 45.7%, with 4-plus at 15.3% and two-bedroom at 25%. Only 18.5% of residents own outright compared to 32.7% on a mortgage, reflecting that many current homeowners bought relatively recently. Rent-to-income sits at 22.4%, below the stress threshold, so the suburb is more accessible than the state average for renters converting to buyers.
For Buyers
The median house price of $436,000 is estimated from rental data for 2025, making Rocklea one of the more affordable entry points within 10 km of Brisbane CBD. Monthly mortgage repayments average $1,635, and with a mortgage-to-income ratio of 25.3%, buyers remain below the 30% stress threshold, which is better than many inner-ring markets. Separate houses dominate at 88% of dwellings, so buyers get genuine detached stock rather than apartment alternatives. The bedroom mix skews toward three-bedroom homes at 45.7%, with 4-plus at 15.3% and two-bedroom at 25%. Only 18.5% of residents own outright compared to 32.7% on a mortgage, reflecting that many current homeowners bought relatively recently. Rent-to-income sits at 22.4%, below the stress threshold, so the suburb is more accessible than the state average for renters converting to buyers.
For Investors
A renter share of 48.7% gives landlords a deep and stable tenant pool. Weekly rent averages $335, and against a $436,000 median, that implies a gross yield near 4.0%, which is higher than many comparable Brisbane suburbs. The vacancy rate of 7.6% is elevated and signals some softness in demand, so investors should factor potential void periods into yield calculations. Development activity is active at 37 applications in the past 12 months, with commercial change-of-use applications visible in recent samples, suggesting the suburb is shifting toward mixed light-industrial and residential use. The suburb scores IRSAD decile 1, placing it in the bottom 10% nationally for relative disadvantage, which historically correlates with the highest upside if gentrification takes hold. With university qualifications already at 38.2%, the demographic base for that transition is partly in place.
Development Activity
Total DAs
125
Last 12 Months
37
YoY ChangeiYear-over-year change in DA lodgements
+19.4%
Avg DA CostiAverage estimated cost per DA in the past year
N/A
Monthly DA Lodgements
DA Categories
Schools in Rocklea iICSEA: school advantage index. 1000 = national avg, higher = more advantaged
Rocklea State School
Prep-6 · 69 students
Demographics
The median age of 34 is 6 years below the national figure, giving Rocklea a younger profile than most Brisbane suburbs. Overseas-born residents reach 36.8%, which is 15.2 percentage points above national, and the top ancestry groups are English (489), Irish (178) and Scottish (136), with significant non-English language communities including Mandarin (14), Arabic (11) and Cantonese (11). University qualifications at 38.2% run 8.1 points above national, an above-average educated workforce relative to the suburb's income position. Average household size is 2.3, slightly below the national figure of 2.5. Couples with children (424) outnumber couples without children (276) among the 999 total families. The volunteering rate of 11.9% is modest, and 8.7% of residents need daily assistance, which is meaningful for a suburb of 1,672 people.
Age Distribution
Bedrooms
Dwelling Structure
88.0%
Houses
4.3%
Townhouse
7.7%
Apartment
Tenure
Tenure splits clearly: 18.5% own outright, 32.7% carry a mortgage and 48.7% rent, making renters the largest single group. The stock is almost entirely separate houses at 88%, with apartments at 7.7% and semi-detached at 4.3%. Three-bedroom homes account for 45.7% of the stock, followed by two-bedroom at 25% and 4-plus at 15.3%. The 0-1 bedroom share of 13.9% is notable for a suburb with so few apartments, suggesting some smaller detached homes or granny flats in the mix. The median house price of $436,000 stands well below the Brisbane median, reflecting IRSAD decile 1 disadvantage. Monthly mortgage repayments of $1,635 produce a mortgage-to-income ratio of 25.3%, below the 30% stress threshold, so existing mortgage holders are not under pressure compared to many other Queensland suburbs.
Mortgage / mo
$1,635
Rent / wk
$335
HH Size
2.3
Personal Income / wk
$793
Vacancy Ratei% of dwellings unoccupied on Census night (ABS 2021)
7.6%
Unoccupied
53
Rent / IncomeiMedian rent as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
22.4%
Mortgage / IncomeiMedian mortgage as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
25.3%
Community Profile
Languages Spoken at Home
Ancestry
Household Composition
27.6%
Couples, no children
999
Total families
Economy & Employment
Healthcare dominates employment at 19.2% of the local workforce (110 workers), followed by Education at 13.8% (79 workers) and Professional/Tech at 9.4% (54 workers). Public Admin accounts for 7.7% and Construction 7.0%, giving the economy a mix of public-sector services and trades. By occupation, Professionals lead at 209 workers, with Clerical/Admin at 105 and Community/Personal at 100. The unemployment rate of 9.1% is high relative to the national figure, and the participation rate of 60.5% is below average, with 390 residents not in the labour force. Full-time employment runs at 65.6% of those employed. Rocklea scores IRSD and IRSAD decile 1, the bottom 10% nationally for relative disadvantage and socioeconomic advantage, consistent with the elevated unemployment, though the university qualification rate of 38.2% suggests upward mobility for a portion of residents.
Socio-Economic Indexes (SEIFA)iABS index ranking suburbs from 1 (most disadvantaged) to 10 (most advantaged)
Full-time
65.6%
Part-time
25.3%
Participation
60.5%
Employed
777
Occupations
Top Industries
University
38.2%
Postgraduate
9.7%
Born Overseas
36.8%
Dwellings
626
Transport to Work
Transport in Rocklea is car-dependent: 85.6% of residents drive to work, and only 6.6% use public transport, below most inner-Brisbane norms. Walking or cycling accounts for 4.2%. No schools are recorded inside the Rocklea boundary in this dataset, so families rely on schools in neighbouring suburbs. Crime data is not available for this suburb. As an indirect indicator of disadvantage, Rocklea scores IRSAD decile 1 and IRSD decile 1, placing it in the bottom 10% nationally, which is relevant context for livability assessments. Rent-to-income at 22.4% keeps tenants below the stress threshold of 30%, so the suburb is affordable for renters. The need-for-assistance rate of 8.7% (136 residents) is above the typical community average, reflecting the lower socioeconomic profile compared to most Brisbane suburbs.
Drive
85.6%
Public Transport
6.6%
Walk / Cycle
4.2%
Work from Home
N/A
National Ranking iPercentile rank among ~15,000 AU suburbs. 90% = higher than 90% of suburbs
How Rocklea compares to ~15,000 Australian suburbs
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Rocklea a good suburb to live in?
Rocklea offers affordable housing with a $436,000 median house price and a mortgage-to-income ratio of 25.3%, below the 30% stress threshold. However, it scores IRSAD decile 1 nationally, the bottom 10% for relative disadvantage, and has an unemployment rate of 9.1%. The suburb suits buyers prioritising affordability and a young median age of 34, while being aware of higher disadvantage indicators.
What is the median house price in Rocklea?
The median house price is estimated at $436,000 based on 2025 rental data. Weekly rent averages $335, and monthly mortgage repayments run approximately $1,635. The mortgage-to-income ratio of 25.3% is below the 30% stress threshold, making Rocklea one of the more accessible entry-level markets within Brisbane's inner south.
What schools are in Rocklea?
No schools are recorded inside the Rocklea boundary in this dataset. Families in the suburb rely on schools in neighbouring areas. Despite this, 38.2% of residents hold university qualifications, which is 8.1 percentage points above the national average, indicating the local population is well-educated relative to the suburb's income profile.
Is Rocklea safe?
Detailed crime statistics are not available for Rocklea in this dataset. As a broader indicator, the suburb scores IRSD decile 1, the bottom 10% nationally for relative disadvantage, which is associated with higher crime risk in comparable suburbs. The unemployment rate of 9.1% is above national norms and is another factor prospective residents should weigh. Checking QLD Police Service local data is recommended for current crime rates.
Is Rocklea good for property investment?
Rocklea has a 48.7% renter share and weekly rent of $335, producing a gross yield near 4.0% against the $436,000 median, higher than many Brisbane suburbs. The vacancy rate of 7.6% is elevated, signalling some demand softness. The suburb's IRSAD decile 1 position places it in the bottom 10% nationally, historically associated with larger capital upside if the demographic profile improves. 37 development applications in 12 months indicate ongoing activity.
How is Rocklea's population changing?
Rocklea's current population is 1,672 across 9.22 km2. Residential turnover runs at 32.1%, with 67.9% of residents staying in place year on year. The suburb has a young median age of 34, which is 6 years below the national figure, and 36.8% were born overseas, which is 15.2 percentage points above national, reflecting ongoing migration inflows that typically support housing demand.
What languages are spoken in Rocklea?
About 36.8% of Rocklea residents were born overseas, which is 15.2 percentage points above the national average. The most common non-English languages spoken at home are Mandarin (14 speakers), Arabic (11) and Cantonese (11), reflecting a small but internationally diverse community within a population of 1,672.
How much development is happening in Rocklea?
There were 37 development applications lodged in the past 12 months. Recent applications include commercial change-of-use for medium impact industry and mixed building work combining commercial and residential uses, suggesting Rocklea is attracting light-industrial and mixed-use investment. This activity is notable for a suburb with a population of only 1,672 residents.
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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