Rosslea
A compact, renter-led suburb, Rosslea has 1,903 residents across 1.74 square kilometres, producing a density of 1,094.2 people per square kilometre. Its median age of 35 is 5 years below the national comparison, while 58.1% of households rent, well above the 18.6% owning outright. Vacancy is also high at 12.4%, which can create more choice for tenants but softer competition for landlords. Compared with nearby Aitkenvale and Mundingburra, Rosslea is best assessed through its attached housing, rental depth and car-oriented access. Household income sits at the 33.4th percentile nationally, reinforcing its relatively accessible positioning.
Local council: Townsville
Population
1,903
Median Age
35.0
Household IncomeiMedian weekly household income (ABS Census)
$1,332/wk
DAs (12 months)iDevelopment Applications lodged in the past year
15
Rosslea suits buyers prioritising lower holding costs and smaller dwellings, although a current median house price should be confirmed from recent settled sales. The listed mortgage commitment is $1,517 per month, with mortgage payments equal to 26.3% of household income, below the 58.1% share of households that rent. Housing is not dominated by detached homes: 42.5% is semi-detached, 33.3% separate houses and 24.1% apartments. Two-bedroom homes account for 49.8%, higher than the 31.8% share of three-bedroom homes, so Rosslea may fit singles, couples and downsizers better than buyers seeking larger family layouts.
For Buyers
Rosslea suits buyers prioritising lower holding costs and smaller dwellings, although a current median house price should be confirmed from recent settled sales. The listed mortgage commitment is $1,517 per month, with mortgage payments equal to 26.3% of household income, below the 58.1% share of households that rent. Housing is not dominated by detached homes: 42.5% is semi-detached, 33.3% separate houses and 24.1% apartments. Two-bedroom homes account for 49.8%, higher than the 31.8% share of three-bedroom homes, so Rosslea may fit singles, couples and downsizers better than buyers seeking larger family layouts.
For Investors
Rosslea has a substantial tenant base, with 58.1% of households renting and a weekly rent of $275. That rental depth can support ongoing enquiry, but the 12.4% vacancy rate is above the level associated with a tightly constrained market, so investors should allow for letting periods and carefully test achievable rent. Fourteen development matters in the past year indicate some project activity, including lot creation and building work, though the available examples do not establish a large new dwelling pipeline. Balanced migration and a 1.37% annual growth trend provide a steadier backdrop than a sharply expanding market, making purchase price and property condition especially important.
Development Activity
Total DAs
15
Last 12 Months
15
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
Rosslea has a median age of 35, which is 5 years below the national comparison, but its trajectory is ageing as the senior share rises and the young share falls. University attainment is 32.8%, or 2.7 percentage points above the national comparison, while the overseas-born share is 18.8%, 2.8 points below it. Average household size is 1.9 people, 0.6 below the national figure, consistent with the suburb's large rental and smaller-dwelling base. English ancestry is the largest recorded group at 686 people, followed by Irish at 208 and Scottish at 205. Christianity accounts for 870 people compared with 774 reporting no religion. Buyers comparing Rosslea with Aitkenvale or Mundingburra should pay close attention to household size and tenure rather than assuming a uniform inner-Townsville market.
Age Distribution
Bedrooms
Dwelling Structure
33.3%
Houses
42.5%
Townhouse
24.1%
Apartment
Tenure
Rosslea's tenure pattern is more rental-oriented than owner-occupied: 58.1% of households rent, compared with 22.9% paying a mortgage and 18.6% owning outright. The dwelling mix is also more attached than a conventional detached suburb, with 42.5% semi-detached homes, 33.3% separate houses and 24.1% apartments. Two-bedroom properties make up 49.8%, higher than the 31.8% share of three-bedroom homes, while 49.8% of dwellings have two bedrooms and only 12.1% have four or more. Mortgage costs are listed at $1,517 monthly and represent 26.3% of household income, while rent is $275 weekly and 20.6% of income. These figures suggest Rosslea's affordability appeal is tied to compact formats and renting, although worsening affordability from 21.2% in 2011 to 29.5% in 2021 warrants careful budgeting.
Mortgage / mo
$1,517
Rent / wkiMedian weekly rent for new bonds (Jun 2026 quarter), QLD RTA bond data. Census 2021 median: $275.
$550
Bond data Jun 2026 quarter · houses $550 · units $440
HH Size
1.9
Personal Income / wk
$909
Vacancy Ratei% of dwellings unoccupied on Census night (ABS 2021)
12.4%
Unoccupied
127
Rent / IncomeiMedian rent as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
20.6%
Mortgage / IncomeiMedian mortgage as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
26.3%
Community Profile
Ancestry
Household Composition
27.9%
Couples with children
47.6%
Couples, no children
23.2%
Single parent
452
Total families
Economy & Employment
Healthcare is Rosslea's largest employment industry at 24.8%, representing 171 workers, followed by Education at 15.2% and 105 workers, Public Administration at 13.6% and 94, Construction at 6.4% and 44, and Retail at 6.1% and 42. Professionals lead occupations with 261 people, above Managers at 111, while Community and Personal Service roles account for 158 and Clerical and Administrative roles 136. Labour-force participation is 66.5%, unemployment is 5.6%, and 65.0% of employed residents work full time. The SEIFA profile is mixed: education and occupation reaches decile 6, above the economic resources decile 1, while disadvantage measures sit at decile 3 for IRSD and decile 4 for IRSAD. That gap suggests qualified workers coexist with constrained household resources, helping explain the 33.4th income percentile.
Unemployment
5.6%
Labour Force
1,102
Unemployed
62
Source: ABS Census 2021
Socio-Economic Indexes (SEIFA)iABS index ranking suburbs from 1 (most disadvantaged) to 10 (most advantaged)
Full-time
65.0%
Part-time
30.0%
Participation
66.5%
Employed
1,040
Full-time and part-time are shares of the employed. Source: ABS Census 2021
Occupations
Top Industries
University
32.8%
Postgraduate
5.9%
Born Overseas
18.8%
Dwellings
891
Transport to Work
Rosslea is highly car-oriented: 83.0% of residents travel as car drivers, far above the 0.9% using public transport, while 4.7% walk or cycle and 4.9% work from home. That pattern makes private vehicle access important for commuting and daily errands, whereas residents relying on public transport may need to plan more carefully. The suburb contains 1,903 people at a density of 1,094.2 per square kilometre, creating an urban format without a large-household profile. Social need assistance is recorded for 5.5% of residents, and 13.0% volunteer. SEIFA livability context is moderate to constrained, with IRSAD at decile 4 and IRSD at decile 3, both below higher-resource locations. Visit streets at different times and compare transport convenience against the exact address.
Drive
83.0%
Public Transport
0.9%
Walk / Cycle
4.7%
Work from Home
4.9%
Growth Outlook
Rosslea sits on an established growth path, with the wider-area trend running at 1.37% annually and population change of 17.4% over 10 years. Migration is labelled Balanced, so momentum is not attributed to one dominant inflow. The demographic trajectory is Aging: the senior share has increased by 5.4 percentage points while the young share has declined by 3.9 points, a clear contrast that may gradually shift demand toward accessible, lower-maintenance housing. Rent growth of 83.0% and affordability worsening from 21.2% in 2011 to 29.5% in 2021 indicate stronger housing pressure than earlier conditions. The gentrification indicators are mixed, with a score of 22 at the Early signs stage, while the longer shift measure records 63 and Active. This suggests gradual change rather than a completed transformation.
Population trend: Townsville council area
Rosslea sits in the Townsville council area. These are the council area's residents, not Rosslea's.
Residents 2025
206,260
Growth, 5 yr average
+1.2%/yr
2020 to 2025
Growth, last year
+1.1%
2024 to 2025
ABS Estimated Resident Population by LGA, 30 June each year; council area, not this suburb
National Ranking iPercentile rank among ~15,000 AU suburbs. 90% = higher than 90% of suburbs
How Rosslea compares to ~15,000 Australian suburbs
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Rosslea a good suburb to live in?
Rosslea can suit renters, singles and couples who value compact housing and car access. It has 1,903 residents, 58.1% renters and 83.0% car drivers, compared with only 0.9% using public transport. Check the exact street, commute and nearby services before choosing a home.
What is the median house price in Rosslea?
Rosslea's median house price should be confirmed through recent settled sales because no current median figure is available. The $275 weekly rent provides a rental reference, but compared with a purchase valuation it does not show the likely sale price, deposit requirement or borrowing cost for a particular property.
What schools are in Rosslea?
Rosslea has 0 school campuses identified within its boundary. Families should compare nearby schools, check catchments against the exact address and confirm current enrolment rules before signing a lease or contract, as school access can differ between Rosslea streets and neighbouring suburbs.
Is Rosslea safe?
Rosslea has 1,903 residents, but population size alone cannot establish whether every street feels safe. Compare current Queensland Police Service incident information by location and category, then inspect the property and surrounding route at different times before making a decision.
Is Rosslea good for property investment?
Rosslea has investment positives, including 58.1% renting and $275 weekly rent, but the 12.4% vacancy rate is relatively high compared with a tightly occupied market. Fourteen development matters and Balanced migration add context, while the absent median sale price means yield must be tested against current comparable sales.
How is Rosslea's population changing?
Growth across the wider area is running at 1.37% annually, with 17.4% population change over 10 years and migration classified as Balanced. Rosslea is on an Aging trajectory: the senior share is up 5.4 points, while the young share is down 3.9 points, a clear contrast that may favour lower-maintenance housing.
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).
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