West Rockhampton
An IRSAD decile 10 ranking alongside a $330,000 median house price is an unusual combination, yet West Rockhampton achieves both. Household income sits at the 34.6th percentile nationally, well below the typical decile-10 profile, because the advantage scores reflect education and occupation patterns rather than raw wealth. The suburb's 1,848 residents are younger than the national average at a median age of 36, four years below the national figure, and 88.8% of dwellings are separate houses on a 6.33 km2 footprint, giving it one of the most detached-dominant housing profiles in regional Queensland.
Population
1,848
Median Age
36.0
Household IncomeiMedian weekly household income (ABS Census)
$1,350/wk
DAs (12 months)iDevelopment Applications lodged in the past year
0
Median House
$330K
Estimated from rent (2025)
At a $330,000 median house price, West Rockhampton sits well below comparable southeast Queensland markets, and monthly mortgage repayments average $1,215, producing a mortgage-to-income ratio of 20.8%, comfortably below the 30% stress threshold. Separate houses account for 88.8% of all dwellings compared to just 4.1% apartments, so buyers get genuine detached stock rather than a mixed-format compromise. Three-bedroom homes dominate at 58.3% of all dwellings, with four-plus bedroom options at 19.6%, making the suburb practical for families. Outright owners (30.9%) and mortgage holders (34.9%) are near equal, suggesting a settled, owner-occupier community where purchase prices remain accessible relative to local incomes.
For Buyers
At a $330,000 median house price, West Rockhampton sits well below comparable southeast Queensland markets, and monthly mortgage repayments average $1,215, producing a mortgage-to-income ratio of 20.8%, comfortably below the 30% stress threshold. Separate houses account for 88.8% of all dwellings compared to just 4.1% apartments, so buyers get genuine detached stock rather than a mixed-format compromise. Three-bedroom homes dominate at 58.3% of all dwellings, with four-plus bedroom options at 19.6%, making the suburb practical for families. Outright owners (30.9%) and mortgage holders (34.9%) are near equal, suggesting a settled, owner-occupier community where purchase prices remain accessible relative to local incomes.
For Investors
A 34.2% renter share provides a steady tenant base, and weekly rent of $258 against a $330,000 median implies a gross yield near 4.1%, higher than most capital city markets. The offsetting risk is a 10.7% vacancy rate, which is elevated and signals that rental demand does not fully absorb available stock. Forecast area population grew from 18,793 in 2023 to 19,142 in 2024, with medium projections reaching 20,020 by 2031, adding incremental demand. Overseas migration drives a net gain of 313 residents a year while internal migration runs negative at 97 per year, so population growth depends on international inflow rather than domestic movement. Rent growth reached 37.3% over the measured period, indicating pricing power despite the high vacancy.
Schools in West Rockhampton iICSEA: school advantage index. 1000 = national avg, higher = more advantaged
Crescent Lagoon State School
Prep-6 · 362 students
Demographics
West Rockhampton's median age of 36 sits four years below the national figure, and the working-age cohort remains the dominant share even as the suburb trends toward aging, with the senior share up 3.3 points over a decade. Overseas-born residents account for just 7.3% of the population, which is 14.3 points below the national average, reflecting a predominantly locally-born community. Ancestry is Anglo-Celtic, led by English (756 residents), Irish (202) and Scottish (182). University qualifications reach 22.0%, which is 8.1 points below the national rate, and the occupational mix is led by Professionals (162 workers) followed by Community and Personal Service workers (129), a pattern consistent with the suburb's healthcare-heavy employment base.
Age Distribution
Bedrooms
Dwelling Structure
88.8%
Houses
7.1%
Townhouse
4.1%
Apartment
Tenure
Tenure splits almost evenly between the three main categories: 30.9% own outright, 34.9% carry a mortgage and 34.2% rent, a more balanced distribution than many comparable suburbs. The stock is overwhelmingly separate houses at 88.8%, far above the national average, with semi-detached at 7.1% and apartments at just 4.1%. Three-bedroom dwellings account for 58.3% of all homes, reflecting a family-oriented layout, while four-plus bedroom properties at 19.6% offer larger options at the $330,000 price point. Rent-to-income sits at 19.1%, below the 30% stress threshold, and mortgage-to-income at 20.8% is similarly comfortable, making West Rockhampton one of the more affordable residential options compared to southeast Queensland medians.
Mortgage / mo
$1,215
Rent / wk
$258
HH Size
2.3
Personal Income / wk
$724
Vacancy Ratei% of dwellings unoccupied on Census night (ABS 2021)
10.7%
Unoccupied
87
Rent / IncomeiMedian rent as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
19.1%
Mortgage / IncomeiMedian mortgage as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
20.8%
Community Profile
Ancestry
Household Composition
26.6%
Couples, no children
1,349
Total families
Economy & Employment
Healthcare is the dominant industry at 31.2% of employed residents (149 workers), nearly double the second-placed Education sector at 13.8% (66 workers), a concentration that anchors local employment to Rockhampton's hospital and health services. Construction follows at 9.4% and Public Administration at 7.9%, giving the economy a mix of services and government employment that reduces exposure to any single sector. The unemployment rate is 5.2%, above the national average, and the participation rate of 54.3% is below typical levels, partly because 502 residents are not in the labour force. The SEIFA IEO score reaches decile 10, indicating strong education and occupation outcomes relative to national benchmarks, while the IER score at decile 8 reflects moderate household wealth rather than high asset accumulation. Real income grew 20.3% over the decade.
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
65.4%
Part-time
29.4%
Participation
54.3%
Employed
767
Occupations
Top Industries
University
22.0%
Postgraduate
4.0%
Born Overseas
7.3%
Dwellings
733
Transport to Work
Car dependency is high at 85.8% of residents driving to work, above the national average, consistent with regional Queensland where public transport use reaches only 1.0% and walking or cycling accounts for 4.9%. Crime statistics are not available in the current dataset, but the IRSD decile 9 ranking indicates low relative disadvantage, placing the suburb in the top 10% nationally on that measure. The IRSAD decile 10 score, the highest tier, confirms strong combined advantage across education, occupation and economic resources. Rent-to-income at 19.1% leaves tenants with comfortable headroom, and 14.5% of residents volunteer, above many comparable regional suburbs. The suburb's 8.7% rate of residents needing daily assistance is moderate, and the 75.9% who stayed at the same address for five years reflects a settled, low-turnover community.
Drive
85.8%
Public Transport
1.0%
Walk / Cycle
4.9%
Work from Home
N/A
Population Forecast
+0.61%/yr
(+119 people/yr)
EstablishedPopulation in the wider Rockhampton area grew 0.61% annually, adding approximately 119 residents per year, and medium forecasts project the broader area population reaching 20,020 by 2031 from 19,142 in 2024. The area recovered fully from a 2.7% COVID-era dip and now sits 4.0% above its pandemic low. Rent growth of 37.3% over the measured period outpaced many comparable regional markets, signalling building demand even as the vacancy rate at 10.7% remains elevated. The gentrification score of 23 places the suburb at an early-signs stage, driven by overseas migration inflows of 313 per year and a population increase of over 10% since 2011. Affordability improved from 49.1% of income in 2011 to 45.6% in 2021, a gradual easing trend.
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 West Rockhampton compares to ~15,000 Australian suburbs
Frequently Asked Questions
Is West Rockhampton a good suburb to live in?
West Rockhampton ranks at IRSAD decile 10, the top tier nationally for combined advantage, with low housing stress ratios of 20.8% mortgage-to-income and 19.1% rent-to-income. At a median age of 36, four years below the national figure, it has a younger-than-average population. The main limitation is high car dependency at 85.8%, typical of regional Queensland.
What is the median house price in West Rockhampton?
The median house price is approximately $330,000, well below southeast Queensland benchmarks. Monthly mortgage repayments average $1,215 and weekly rent is $258, making this one of the more affordable residential markets in the state. The mortgage-to-income ratio of 20.8% sits comfortably below the 30% stress threshold.
What schools are in West Rockhampton?
No schools are recorded inside the West Rockhampton boundary in this dataset. Families rely on schools in neighbouring Rockhampton suburbs. University qualifications are held by 22.0% of residents, which is 8.1 points below the national average, pointing to a predominantly trade and services-oriented workforce.
Is West Rockhampton safe?
Detailed crime statistics are not available for West Rockhampton. As an indirect indicator, the suburb scores decile 9 on IRSD, placing it in the top 10% nationally on the index of relative disadvantage, and IRSAD decile 10, the highest tier. These rankings are consistent with a low-disadvantage area relative to national and state comparisons.
Is West Rockhampton good for property investment?
The 34.2% renter share and $258 weekly rent against a $330,000 median imply a gross yield near 4.1%, higher than most capital city markets. Rent growth reached 37.3% over the measured period. The main risk is a 10.7% vacancy rate, which is elevated, and net internal migration running negative at 97 per year, meaning population growth depends on overseas arrivals of 313 per year.
How is West Rockhampton's population changing?
The broader Rockhampton area grew at 0.61% annually and is forecast to reach 20,020 residents by 2031 from 19,142 in 2024. The suburb recovered fully from a 2.7% COVID-era dip and sits 4.0% above its pandemic low. Overseas migration drives the growth at 313 net arrivals per year while internal migration is negative at 97 per year.
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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