Rothwell
Rothwell’s most distinctive feature is its older household profile: the median age is 43, or 3 years above the national figure, while 46.4% of homes have 4 or more bedrooms. The suburb has 7,538 residents across 10.34 square kilometres, with 37.6% renting and 28.5% owning outright. Compared with nearby North Lakes, Rothwell reads as more settled, with an aging trajectory, 23.0% overseas-born residents and household income at the 31.1st percentile nationally. Its established form suits households seeking space, but strong car dependence and lower university attainment shape daily life.
Population
7,538
Median Age
43.0
Household IncomeiMedian weekly household income (ABS Census)
$1,305/wk
DAs (12 months)iDevelopment Applications lodged in the past year
24
Rothwell suits buyers prioritising established family-sized housing over compact apartments. Separate houses account for 69.5% of dwellings, while 46.4% contain 4 or more bedrooms and 39.4% have 3 bedrooms. The typical mortgage payment is $1,676 a month, with mortgage costs equal to 29.7% of household income. Renting costs $380 a week and represents 37.6% of households. Compared with apartments, Rothwell’s 2.8% apartment share and 27.7% semi-detached share provide a wider middle-ground choice because family-oriented stock dominates. A median sale price is not available, so purchasers should compare current listings, land size and renovation needs rather than rely on a single suburb benchmark.
For Buyers
Rothwell suits buyers prioritising established family-sized housing over compact apartments. Separate houses account for 69.5% of dwellings, while 46.4% contain 4 or more bedrooms and 39.4% have 3 bedrooms. The typical mortgage payment is $1,676 a month, with mortgage costs equal to 29.7% of household income. Renting costs $380 a week and represents 37.6% of households. Compared with apartments, Rothwell’s 2.8% apartment share and 27.7% semi-detached share provide a wider middle-ground choice because family-oriented stock dominates. A median sale price is not available, so purchasers should compare current listings, land size and renovation needs rather than rely on a single suburb benchmark.
For Investors
Rothwell’s rental profile is meaningful for investors because 37.6% of households rent, a larger share than the 28.5% who own outright. Weekly rent is $380 and vacancy is 3.9%, pointing to an established market where tenant demand should be assessed alongside property condition and access to services. Rents have grown 14.3%, while the wider growth trend is 0.62% annually and is driven primarily by overseas migration. Twenty-five development matters were recorded over 12 months, so investors should distinguish operational or approval changes from new dwelling supply. Compared with a high-growth new-estate strategy, Rothwell’s appeal is steadier rental participation and family housing, but no median sale price means a gross yield cannot be calculated responsibly.
Development Activity
Total DAs
66
Last 12 Months
24
YoY ChangeiYear-over-year change in DA lodgements
-7.7%
Avg DA CostiAverage estimated cost per DA in the past year
N/A
Monthly DA Lodgements
DA Categories
Schools in Rothwell
Open-register school locations for education access. This is not a school-quality ranking.
Grace Lutheran College (Rothwell)
Mueller College (Rothwell)
Demographics
Rothwell has an older age profile than Australia overall: the median age is 43, or 3 years above the national figure. University attainment is 19.4%, 10.7 percentage points below the national comparison, while 23.0% of residents were born overseas, 1.4 points above the national share. English ancestry is the largest reported group at 3,202 people, followed by Scottish ancestry at 830 and Irish at 768. Christianity counts 4,027 people and no religion 2,821, indicating a substantial split in affiliation. Average household size is 2.5, equal to the national comparison, and 76.5% stayed at the same address over five years. Compared with nearby North Lakes, Rothwell’s older profile is likely to support more established households and age-related services.
Age Distribution
Bedrooms
Dwelling Structure
69.5%
Houses
27.7%
Townhouse
2.8%
Apartment
Tenure
Rothwell’s housing stock is weighted toward larger, ground-oriented dwellings. Separate houses make up 69.5%, compared with 2.8% apartments and 27.7% semi-detached homes; 4 or more bedrooms account for 46.4%, higher than the 39.4% share of 3-bedroom homes. Tenure is mixed: 37.6% rent, 28.5% own outright, 25.0% hold a mortgage and 8.8% fall into other tenure categories. The $380 weekly rent sits alongside a mortgage payment of $1,676 per month, with mortgage costs at 29.7% of household income and rent at 29.1%. Compared with nearby North Lakes, Rothwell’s established mix may appeal to buyers wanting space without an apartment-heavy format, though current sale listings are needed because no median house price is available.
Mortgage / mo
$1,676
Rent / wkiABS Census 2021 median across all dwelling types. Current market rents are typically higher.
$380
Census 2021
HH Size
2.5
Personal Income / wk
$647
Vacancy Ratei% of dwellings unoccupied on Census night (ABS 2021)
3.9%
Unoccupied
116
Rent / IncomeiMedian rent as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
29.1%
Mortgage / IncomeiMedian mortgage as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
29.7%
Community Profile
Languages Spoken at Home
Ancestry
Household Composition
35.9%
Couples with children
40.7%
Couples, no children
22.0%
Single parent
2,006
Total families
Economy & Employment
Healthcare is Rothwell’s leading industry, employing 455 people or 24.2% of the industry workforce, followed by education at 255 or 13.5%, construction at 194 or 10.3%, retail at 146 or 7.8% and manufacturing at 112 or 6.0%. This mix supports community-facing work because healthcare and education together form the largest reported sectors. Community and personal service occupations count 495, ahead of professionals at 453 and trades at 424. Labour-force participation is 51.9%, full-time employment 55.9% and unemployment 5.6%. Socioeconomic scores sit below the middle decile: IRSAD and IRSD are both decile 2, while IER is decile 3 and IEO decile 2. Household income ranks at the 31.1st percentile, lower than the national midpoint, so local spending power is more constrained than in higher-income suburbs.
Unemployment
5.6%
Labour Force
3,187
Unemployed
179
Source: ABS Census 2021
Socio-Economic Indexes (SEIFA)iABS index ranking suburbs from 1 (most disadvantaged) to 10 (most advantaged)
Full-time
55.9%
Part-time
34.1%
Participation
51.9%
Employed
3,008
Full-time and part-time are shares of the employed. Source: ABS Census 2021
Occupations
Top Industries
University
19.4%
Postgraduate
2.8%
Born Overseas
23.0%
Dwellings
2,823
Transport to Work
Daily life in Rothwell is strongly car-oriented: 76.2% travel as car drivers, compared with 2.5% using public transport and 2.7% walking or cycling. A further 12.0% work from home, so commute patterns may be flexible for some households but less so for those without a vehicle. Two local schools operate, both non-state independent colleges, giving families access to an independent sector option; enrolment zones should be checked against the exact address. The suburb’s IRSAD decile is 2, and 11.9% of residents need assistance, with a count of 853, increasing the importance of nearby health and support services. For safety, check current local crime information and visit at different times before deciding. Compared with more transit-oriented areas, Rothwell is better suited to households comfortable driving.
Drive
76.2%
Public Transport
2.5%
Walk / Cycle
2.7%
Work from Home
12.0%
Population Forecast
+0.62%/yr
(+109 people/yr)
EstablishedRothwell is following an established, aging trajectory rather than a gentrifying one. The annual trend is 0.62%, while population change across the wider area is 4.7% over 10 years. Overseas migration is the primary growth driver, which can add household diversity even as the local age profile shifts older. The senior share has risen 6.5 percentage points and the young share has fallen 2.3 points, providing a clear reason for the Aging label. Gentrification is scored at 0 and classified as Not gentrifying, placing Rothwell below locations showing positive gentrification signals. Rent growth of 14.3% means housing costs remain an important watchpoint compared with the modest annual growth trend.
Historical + Forecast
Hamilton-Perry + Holt smoothing on ERP 2001-2025
Age Cohort Forecast
Primary Driver
Overseas Migration
Net Overseas / yr
+109
Net Internal / yr
-22
Gentrification Signal
Not gentrifying
National Ranking iPercentile rank among ~15,000 AU suburbs. 90% = higher than 90% of suburbs
How Rothwell compares to ~15,000 Australian suburbs
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Rothwell a good suburb to live in?
Rothwell can suit households seeking established, larger homes and an older age profile. The median age is 43, 69.5% of dwellings are separate houses and 76.2% commute by car. It is less suitable for people relying on frequent public transport, which is used by 2.5%, so inspect access to shops, services and regular routes.
What is the median house price in Rothwell?
A reliable median house price is not available for Rothwell in the current profile. Buyers should compare recent listings by dwelling type, land size and condition. The housing mix includes 69.5% separate houses and 46.4% homes with 4 or more bedrooms, so individual property characteristics can materially affect the asking price.
What schools are in Rothwell?
Rothwell has 2 local schools, both non-state independent colleges: Grace Lutheran College and Mueller College. Families should check the exact address, enrolment requirements, fees and transport arrangements because school access can vary across nearby streets and surrounding suburbs.
Is Rothwell safe?
A definitive safety verdict should not be assumed from population size or demographics. Rothwell has 7,538 residents, but that number does not establish local safety conditions. Check current Queensland Police information, speak with nearby residents and visit the property at different times before committing to a purchase or lease.
Is Rothwell good for property investment?
Rothwell may suit investors targeting established family rental demand. Renting accounts for 37.6%, weekly rent is $380 and vacancy is 3.9%, while 25 development matters were recorded over 12 months. No median sale price is available, so a gross yield cannot be calculated until a specific purchase price is assessed.
How is Rothwell's population changing?
Rothwell is on an Aging trajectory, with annual growth of 0.62% and population change across the wider area of 4.7% over 10 years. Overseas migration is the primary driver. The senior share has risen 6.5 percentage points, while the young share has fallen 2.3 points, and the gentrification score is 0.
What development is occurring in Rothwell?
Twenty-five development matters were recorded over 12 months, including roadworks and changes to development approvals. These indicate ongoing infrastructure and approval activity, but the available examples do not establish a specific number of new dwellings. Buyers should check current Moreton Bay planning approvals for impacts near a particular address.
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). Population forecasts use a Hamilton-Perry cohort model calibrated to ABS ERP.
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