Rockhampton · Council (LGA)
How well-off the area is, how fast its population is growing, and the businesses and new homes here.
More than 5,700 businesses operate across Rockhampton, making it a major economic hub for the region. While the city supports a high number of enterprises and new homes, overall levels of wealth and job skills are lower than in most other areas.
All council (lga) areas, 2021. The marker is Rockhampton — lower than 71% of areas.
SEIFA indexes ranking relative advantage and disadvantage.
The typical resident has less access to money and resources than most people across the country. This is reflected in an overall advantage score of 924, which is smaller than about 72% of similar areas.
3
Lower than 71% of council (lga) areas.
ABS Index of Relative Socio-economic Advantage and Disadvantage, 2021, as a national decile: 1 = among the 10% most disadvantaged areas in Australia, 10 = among the 10% most advantaged. IRSAD summarises both advantage and disadvantage, so a high score reflects relatively many high-income, well-educated households and few low-income, low-skill ones.
3
Lower than 71% of council (lga) areas.
ABS Index of Relative Socio-economic Disadvantage, 2021, as a national decile: 1 = among the 10% most disadvantaged areas in Australia, 10 = among the least disadvantaged. IRSD focuses on disadvantage alone (low income, low education, unemployment, unskilled occupations), so a higher decile means relatively less disadvantage.
4
Lower than 64% of council (lga) areas.
ABS Index of Economic Resources, 2021, as a national decile: 1 = among the 10% lowest areas for economic resources in Australia, 10 = among the highest. IER reflects the income, housing costs, dwelling size and assets of households, so a higher decile means relatively greater economic resources.
3
Lower than 71% of council (lga) areas.
ABS Index of Education and Occupation, 2021, as a national decile: 1 = among the 10% lowest areas for education and occupation in Australia, 10 = among the highest. IEO reflects residents' qualifications and the skill level of their jobs, so a higher decile means a more highly educated and skilled workforce.
924
Lower than 72% of council (lga) areas.
ABS Index of Relative Socio-economic Advantage and Disadvantage, 2021, as a raw index score (standardised so the Australian average is about 1000). Higher scores indicate relatively greater advantage; lower scores greater disadvantage.
Annual population estimates and change since the census.
Rockhampton is larger than about 83% of areas at its level with 85,794 residents. However, its population grew by 3.5% since 2021, which is well below the Queensland figure of 8.7%.
85,794
Higher than 80% of council (lga) areas.
Estimated resident population (ABS), 2025.
3.5%
Lower than 51% of council (lga) areas.
Population growth since the 2021 Census, from ABS annual estimates.
Operating businesses and dwellings approved.
The city is a significant center for commerce with 5,721 businesses, a figure larger than about 78% of similar areas. This activity is supported by 202 approved dwellings, which is also higher than most comparable areas.
5,721
Higher than 75% of council (lga) areas.
Operating businesses (ABS Counts of Australian Businesses), June 2025.
202
Higher than 70% of council (lga) areas.
Dwelling units approved in 2024-25 (ABS Building Approvals).
Australian Bureau of Statistics. (2021). Economy & Advantage in Rockhampton [Census of Population and Housing]. CensusAtlas, used under CC BY 4.0. https://censusatlas.au/region/lga/LGA36370/rockhampton/topic/economy-advantage
