Rosslea
With 58.4% of residents renting and a vacancy rate of 12.4%, Rosslea sits firmly in renter territory compared to most Australian suburbs. At a median house price of $377,000, it sits well below both state and national medians, making it among the more affordable pockets of Townsville. Household income falls at the 33.4th percentile nationally, reflecting a working-class base with Healthcare and Education accounting for nearly 40% of local employment. The suburb scores decile 3 on IRSD, indicating notable relative disadvantage below the national average, yet university qualifications reach 32.8%, which is 2.7 percentage points above the national figure.
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
2
Median House
$377K
Estimated from rent (2025)
The $377,000 estimated median house price is well below the broader Townsville median and significantly lower than national benchmarks, which makes Rosslea accessible for first-home buyers priced out of larger markets. Monthly mortgage repayments average $1,517, and the mortgage-to-income ratio sits at 26.3%, below the 30% stress threshold despite household income at only the 33.4th percentile nationally. Separate houses make up 33.3% of dwellings, with semi-detached properties dominating at 42.5% and apartments at 24.1%. Two-bedroom dwellings account for 49.8% of stock, more than three times the 3-bedroom share of 31.8%, so buyers seeking larger family homes face limited choice. Only 18.7% of residents own outright, reflecting the suburb's affordability profile and relatively young tenure history.
For Buyers
The $377,000 estimated median house price is well below the broader Townsville median and significantly lower than national benchmarks, which makes Rosslea accessible for first-home buyers priced out of larger markets. Monthly mortgage repayments average $1,517, and the mortgage-to-income ratio sits at 26.3%, below the 30% stress threshold despite household income at only the 33.4th percentile nationally. Separate houses make up 33.3% of dwellings, with semi-detached properties dominating at 42.5% and apartments at 24.1%. Two-bedroom dwellings account for 49.8% of stock, more than three times the 3-bedroom share of 31.8%, so buyers seeking larger family homes face limited choice. Only 18.7% of residents own outright, reflecting the suburb's affordability profile and relatively young tenure history.
For Investors
A renter share of 58.4%, well above the national average, provides landlords with a large and consistent tenant pool. Weekly rent averages $275, and with a median price around $377,000, gross yields are relatively attractive compared to capital city markets. The vacancy rate of 12.4% is elevated and warrants caution, suggesting some oversupply in the current market. Net internal migration averages 44 people per year and overseas migration adds 15, giving a balanced but modest demand base. Development activity is minimal, with only 1 application lodged in the past 12 months, suggesting little new supply pressure. Population grew 17.4% over the last decade, and the medium forecast projects continued growth toward 3,385 by 2031, which should gradually absorb excess stock.
Development Activity
Total DAs
2
Last 12 Months
2
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's median age is 35, which is 5 years below the national median, making it a comparatively younger suburb. The overseas-born population is 18.8%, about 2.8 percentage points below the national figure, while ancestry leans heavily Anglo-Celtic, led by English (686 residents), Irish (208) and Scottish (205). University qualifications reach 32.8%, sitting 2.7 points above national, which is notable given income sitting at only the 33.4th percentile, suggesting a professional workforce that is not yet fully reflected in earnings. Average household size of 1.9 is 0.6 below the national average, consistent with a high proportion of couples without children (36.6% of families) and minimal single-parent households. The volunteering rate of 13.0% indicates moderate community engagement.
Age Distribution
Bedrooms
Dwelling Structure
33.3%
Houses
42.5%
Townhouse
24.1%
Apartment
Tenure
Tenure in Rosslea is renter-dominated: 58.4% rent, 23.0% carry a mortgage, and only 18.7% own outright. This tenure split, where renters outnumber owners by more than 2 to 1, is significantly skewed toward renting compared to the national average. Semi-detached dwellings lead at 42.5%, followed by separate houses at 33.3% and apartments at 24.1%, giving the suburb a denser, more mixed character than typical Queensland outer suburbs. Two-bedroom dwellings make up nearly half the stock at 49.8%, with one-bedroom units at 6.3% and four-plus bedroom homes at just 12.1%. Weekly rent of $275 translates to a rent-to-income ratio of 20.6%, comfortably below the 30% stress threshold. Mortgage stress is also absent, with the mortgage-to-income ratio at 26.3%.
Mortgage / mo
$1,517
Rent / wk
$275
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
36.6%
Couples, no children
1,119
Total families
Economy & Employment
Healthcare is the dominant industry at 24.8% of the local workforce (171 workers), reflecting proximity to Townsville Hospital and associated services, well above the national industry share. Education follows at 15.2% (105 workers), and Public Administration accounts for 13.6% (94 workers), together giving Rosslea a public-sector-heavy employment base that tends to be recession-resistant. By occupation, Professionals lead at 261 workers, followed by Community and Personal Service Workers at 158 and Clerical and Administrative workers at 136. The unemployment rate is 5.9%, above the national average, and the participation rate is 63.3%. SEIFA deciles show a split: education and occupation (IEO) scores decile 6, above mid-range, while IRSD ranks decile 3, indicating underlying disadvantage relative to the national population despite the professional occupation mix.
Unemployment
7.5%
Labour Force
3,208
Unemployed
241
Quarterly Trend
Source: SALM Dec-25
Socio-Economic Indexes (SEIFA)iABS index ranking suburbs from 1 (most disadvantaged) to 10 (most advantaged)
Full-time
68.4%
Part-time
25.7%
Participation
63.3%
Employed
988
Occupations
Top Industries
University
32.8%
Postgraduate
5.9%
Born Overseas
18.8%
Dwellings
891
Transport to Work
Car dependency is high in Rosslea, with 87.3% of residents commuting by car, compared to far lower rates in capital city suburbs. Public transport use is only 0.9%, reflecting limited service typical of regional Queensland rather than a lack of demand. Walking and cycling account for 5.0%, slightly elevated for a suburb with a density of 1,094 residents per km2. No schools are recorded within Rosslea's 1.74 km2 boundary, so families rely on institutions in adjacent Townsville suburbs. The IRSAD decile of 4 places Rosslea below the national midpoint on the combined advantage-disadvantage index. Only 5.5% of residents (95 people) need daily assistance, which is moderate. Rent-to-income at 20.6% keeps housing costs manageable for renters, contributing to a degree of everyday livability despite the low income ranking.
Drive
87.3%
Public Transport
0.9%
Walk / Cycle
5.0%
Work from Home
N/A
Population Forecast
+1.37%/yr
(+43 people/yr)
EstablishedRosslea's population grew 17.4% over the past decade and currently sits at around 3,147 residents in 2025. The medium forecast projects steady growth to approximately 3,385 by 2031, adding roughly 43 people per year at a 1.37% annual rate. Internal migration contributes 44 residents per year on average and overseas migration adds another 15, keeping growth balanced rather than dependent on one source. The gentrification score sits at 22 with an Early Signs stage, and rent has grown 83% over the measured period, significantly outpacing real income growth of 6.9%, which explains why affordability worsened from 21.2% in 2011 to 29.5% in 2021. The young share of the population declined 3.9 points while the senior share rose 5.4 points, pointing to an aging trajectory similar to many regional Queensland suburbs.
Historical + Forecast
Hamilton-Perry + Holt smoothing on ERP 2001-2025
Age Cohort Forecast
Primary Driver
Balanced
Net Overseas / yr
+15
Net Internal / yr
+44
Gentrification Signal
Early signs
Population +22% since 2011, Accelerating: -0% → 22%
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 offers affordable housing, with a $377,000 estimated median house price well below the national median, and the rent-to-income ratio of 20.6% is comfortable for renters. The suburb scores decile 3 on IRSD, indicating relative disadvantage, and car dependency is high at 87.3%. It suits budget-conscious residents who prioritise affordability over convenience.
What is the median house price in Rosslea?
The estimated median house price is $377,000, based on 2025 data. Monthly mortgage repayments average $1,517 and weekly rent averages $275. The mortgage-to-income ratio sits at 26.3%, below the 30% stress threshold, making it relatively affordable compared to most Australian capital city suburbs.
What schools are in Rosslea?
No schools are recorded within the Rosslea boundary in this dataset. The suburb covers 1.74 km2 in central Townsville, so families access schools in neighbouring suburbs. Despite the lack of local schools, university qualifications among residents reach 32.8%, which is 2.7 percentage points above the national figure.
Is Rosslea safe?
Detailed crime statistics are not available for Rosslea in this dataset. As a contextual indicator, the suburb scores decile 3 on IRSD, below the national median on disadvantage, which correlates with higher-than-average social risk in comparable regional areas. The unemployment rate of 5.9% is above the national average, which can contribute to local crime pressures.
Is Rosslea good for property investment?
Rosslea's 58.4% renter share provides a strong tenant base, and with a $377,000 median price and $275 weekly rent, gross yields are relatively high compared to capital city markets. The 12.4% vacancy rate is elevated and requires monitoring. Population is forecast to grow to around 3,385 by 2031 at 1.37% annually, supporting gradual demand improvement.
How is Rosslea's population changing?
Rosslea's population grew 17.4% over the past decade and reached approximately 3,147 in 2025. The medium forecast projects growth to around 3,385 by 2031, adding about 43 people per year. Net internal migration averages 44 arrivals annually and overseas migration adds 15, giving a balanced growth profile. The suburb is on an aging trajectory, with the senior share rising 5.4 points since 2011.
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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