Urban Centre · Area profile
Rosewood
6 km²
Low weekly incomes and high rental rates define Rosewood, a community that has grown by 184% since 2011. This is a place where a high number of one-parent families live in detached houses, though many now rent rather than own. It is a diverse mix of people, including a significant Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander population and a growing number of seniors. While the population is expanding rapidly, it remains a modest residential area with a high need for health support.
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The population has surged to 3,074 people, with a notable increase in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander residents to 6.6%. While the typical resident is 39, there is a significant age gap, as the number of seniors aged 65 and over rose 12 points since 2011 to reach 20.2%.
Most residents were born in Australia, and the area has far fewer people born overseas (8.6%) than the national figure of 27.7%. English, Scottish, and Irish ancestries are the most common alongside Australian heritage.
English is the primary language here, with only 2.2% of people using another tongue at home, which is far below the national figure of 22.3%. Very few residents speak little or no English.
A large number of residents report no religion, making up 42.5% of the community. This figure has risen 21 points since 2011, while Christianity remains the most common affiliation at 44.4%.
The area has a much lower proportion of university degrees (8.0%) and Year 12 completions (39.2%) compared to the state and national figures. Trade qualifications are common, with many adults holding a Certificate III or IV.
Weekly incomes are well below the national figure, with the typical household earning $1,231. The number of households earning $3,000 or more a week has fallen since 2011, and only 4.5% of people earn $2,000 or more per week.
Health challenges are prominent, as 36.8% of people have a long-term health condition and 14.3% have a mental health condition, both well above national figures. Additionally, 8.9% of residents need help with daily activities.
Rosewood has a very high number of former Defence Force members (7.6%) compared to the rest of Australia. However, volunteering is much lower than in most areas, falling to 12.3% since 2011.
One-parent families make up 26.1% of the community, a figure far above the national average. This is alongside a rise in people living alone, who now make up 28.6% of households.
Renters make up 41.7% of the market, a massive increase from 6.8% in 2011. While 91% of homes are separate houses, typical weekly rents are $295, which is well below the national figure.
Most people drive to work, but 8.6% of homes have no motor vehicle, which is higher than in most areas. Working from home is less common here than across Australia, at just 8.6%.
The community is very mobile, with 46.9% of people moving in the last five years. This is well above the national figure, though recent arrivals from overseas remain low at 4.2%.
Fewer adults are working or looking for work (49.8%) compared to the national figure of 61.1%. The unemployment rate is also much higher than most areas, rising to 8.4% since 2011.
The area is somewhat walkable, with nearly all homes within a 15-minute walk of a park. However, access to groceries and public transport is far below the state average.