Its northern boundaries of Priestdale and Underwood Road form the boundary of the City of Logan and the City of Brisbane. Part of the suburb's western boundary follows the Pacific Motorway.[4]
In the past Rochedale was known for its rich, red soil that is good for crops. Yet due to recent years of drought in the area, much of the farming has been abandoned and are now commercialised.[citation needed]
In 1952, the Gill family ran a poultry farm and piggery and in 1967 developed the land into the first sewered estate in the region. They named some of the streets after the towns[where?] and streets in England from where they originated in 1951.[citation needed] Some of the streets were Ridgeway Street, Green Way, Edgeware Drive Gills Close and Hindmarsh Court.
The suburb was named and bounded on 1 August 1979,[3] when it was split off from the larger Rochedale.[5] The name Rochedale refers to the homestead built by the Roche family who settled in the area in 1868. The family farmed grapes and citrus fruits in the 1870s.[5] The name Rochedale has been used since the 1880s.[6]
Springwood Road State School opened on 29 January 1974.[7]
Rochedale South State School opened on 30 January 1979.[7]
Demographics
In the 2011 census, Rochedale South recorded a population of 14,996 people, 51.3% female and 48.7% male.[8] The median age of the Rochedale South population was 35 years, 2 years below the national median of 37. 71.9% of people living in Rochedale South were born in Australia. The other top responses for country of birth were New Zealand 6.5%, England 4.3%, South Africa 1.1%, India 0.6%, Fiji 0.6%. 86.1% of people spoke only English at home; the next most common languages were 0.9% Cantonese, 0.9% Mandarin, 0.6% Arabic, 0.5% Hindi, 0.4% Greek.[8]
In the 2016 census, Rochedale South had a population of 15,317 people.[9] The "average" person in Rochedale South would be a 36-year-old female, married with 1.8 children, living in a mortgaged 3 bed house with 2 cars. She would be employed full time in a professional role holding a bachelor's degree and travel to work by car. She would be born in Australia of English heritage, but not religious.[9][original research?]
In the 2021 census, Rochedale South had a population of 15,228 people.[1]
There are no secondary schools in Rochedale South. The nearest secondary schools are Rochedale State High School and Redeemer Lutheran College (a non-state school) in Rochedale, approximately 1 km (0.62 mi) north,[14] and Springwood State High School in Springwood, on the southern boundary.[15]
