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This analysis uses ABS Statistical Areas Level 2 (SA2) boundaries, which can materially differ from Suburbs and Localities (SAL) even when sharing similar names.
SA2 boundaries are defined by the Australian Bureau of Statistics and are designed to represent communities for statistical reporting (e.g., census and ERP).
Suburbs and Localities (SAL) represent commonly-used suburb/locality names (postal-style areas) and may use different geographic boundaries. For comprehensive analysis, consider reviewing both boundary types if available.
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ABS ERP | -- people | --
2021 Census | -- people
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APY Lands has an estimated 2,668 residents, up from 2,333 at the 2021 Census — a change of 335 people, or 14.4%. Growth has averaged 1.2% a year over five years, faster than 83% of areas nationally. Natural increase accounts for 52.1% of that increase. Population is estimated from ABS Estimated Resident Population releases and GNAF address data, re-based from the 2021 Census and updated annually.
Detail
According to research from AreaSearch, the community of APY Lands has reached an estimated 2,668 residents as of Aug 2026. Compared with the 2,333 individuals counted during the 2021 Census, this demonstrates an expansion of 335 people (14.4%). This figure incorporates address validation updates since the census period together with the ABS estimated resident population figure of 2,668 recorded as of June 2025. Given this headcount, the region records a population density of 0.00 persons per square kilometer, ensuring substantial space for inhabitants. Outpacing both the broader SA4 territory and the SA3 area (3.9%), the 14.4% expansion rate achieved by APY Lands since the 2021 census positions it as an area pacesetter.
Natural increase served as the primary growth catalyst, generating roughly 52.1% of recent net additions, though positive contributions were registered across all components including overseas migration and interstate migration. For individual SA2 locations, AreaSearch implements ABS/Geoscience Australia demographic models released in 2024 using 2022 as the base point. In instances where an SA2 lacks coverage or projections extend past 2032, models incorporate the SA State Government's age-specific Regional/LGA figures published in 2023 based on 2021 benchmarks, aggregated to SA2 geographies via weighted growth calculations. Based on these demographic models, projections point toward an impending reduction in overall numbers, forecasting that the local population will shrink by 59 persons by 2041 under this framework. Conversely, certain demographic bands are set to expand, most prominently the 35 to 44 age group with an anticipated increase of 79 people. Additional details are available in the age breakdown.
Frequently Asked Questions - Population
20 new dwellings have been approved in APY Lands over the past five years, an average of 4 a year. That is 1.5 approvals per 1,000 residents. Figures come from ABS building approvals aggregated to this SA2 boundary and are updated monthly as the ABS releases them.
Detail
Residential development in APY Lands has averaged approximately 4 dwellings approved per annum, totaling 20 homes cleared over the preceding 5 financial years (between FY-22 and FY-26). With approximately 7.7 new residents arriving for every dwelling constructed over the past 5 financial years (between FY-22 and FY-26), additions to local supply have trailed behind demographic demand, creating conditions that typically intensify market competition and elevate costs, alongside an average building cost of $326,000 for newly approved residences. Furthermore, commercial building approvals have reached $6.2 million this financial year, reflecting a modest commercial development footprint.
Relative to Rest of SA, building activity across APY Lands is slightly elevated (16.0% above regional average per person over the 5 year period), supporting a viable selection of properties while underpinning local demand. This pace remains below the nationwide standard, indicative of an established market and potential regulatory thresholds. In addition, recent residential approvals have consisted entirely of separate houses, reinforcing the low-density landscape and providing detached options suitable for space-oriented households. Given that the local headcount is projected to contract or remain flat, APY Lands is likely to experience easing accommodation demand, which may yield advantageous conditions for prospective purchasers.
Frequently Asked Questions - Development
Development applications around APY Lands
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| Lodged | Address | Description | Type | Distance | Status |
|---|
SOURCE: Planning portals and council registers, compiled by AreaSearch. Distance & bearing measured from the suburb midpoint.
AreaSearch tracks 15 current infrastructure and development projects inside APY Lands, worth an estimated $247 million. A further 39 sit in the immediately surrounding suburbs, taking the tracked pipeline within reach of the area to $13.8 billion. 15 are already under construction and 19 are due for completion within three years. The pipeline spans transport & logistics, residential development and environmental & disaster management. Records are compiled from Infrastructure Australia, state agencies, council planning portals and public announcements, reviewed and updated daily, then ranked by proximity, construction stage, completion horizon and project scale.
Detail
Strategic planning, public works, and capital investments play a decisive role in shaping local development. In total 20 projects have been identified by AreaSearch that are likely to have an impact on the area. Notable undertakings include the APY Lands Groundwater Quantity and Quality Investigation, Umuwa Multi-Agency Facility, Umuwa Central Power House Renewable Energy Upgrade, and Fregon Anangu School Upgrade, with key details provided below.
Professional plan users can use the search below to filter and access additional projects.
INFRASTRUCTURE SEARCH
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Frequently Asked Questions - Infrastructure
APY Lands Groundwater Quantity and Quality Investigation
Research and investigation project to assess groundwater quantity and quality across the remote Anangu Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara (APY) Lands in north-western South Australia. Activities include drilling, sampling and testing, hydrogeological assessment of aquifers, water quality risk analysis, and community engagement to set water use priorities. The project partners with APY Lands community stakeholders to co-develop First Nations and western science knowledge, supporting sustainable groundwater use for drinking water, agriculture and economic development. Funded by the Australian Government through the National Water Grid Fund, with delivery led by the SA Department for Environment and Water.
Umuwa Multi-Agency Facility
Purpose-built multi-agency facility accommodating SA Police and child protection agencies. Features forensic interview capabilities, family breakout areas, communal agency areas and improved technology connectivity. Designed to improve community safety and child protection outcomes through enhanced inter-agency collaboration.
Umuwa Central Power House Renewable Energy Upgrade
Upgrade of the Umuwa Central Power House on the APY Lands under South Australia's Remote Area Energy Supply (RAES) scheme. Works delivered a ground-mount solar PV system of approximately 2.42 MWp and a Battery Energy Storage System of about 1.56 MVA / 1.1 MWh integrated with the existing diesel plant via modern controls. The system is intended to supply around 4.4 GWh per year (about 40% of total demand) and reduce diesel use by roughly 1 million litres annually, improving reliability and cutting emissions across the RAES 33 kV network.
Fregon Anangu School Upgrade
Fregon Anangu School is undergoing a facility upgrade. Construction of a new Primary School building and Secondary School buildings including covered outdoor areas with general learning areas, withdrawal spaces, breakout spaces and amenities. The upgrade includes new construction providing administration spaces, primary and secondary learning areas, food technology and canteen; refurbishment of the library resource and general teaching to provide a new art space; refurbishment of the gymnasium amenities; a vehicle storage shed; a new covered outdoor learning area (COLA) and external works; and demolition of ageing infrastructure.
Ernabella Arts Centre Extension and Refurbishment
Extension and refurbishment of Australia's oldest continuously running Indigenous art centre, established in 1948. The project will enhance facilities for the culturally significant art centre that supports over 500 Anangu artists and preserves traditional cultural practices while providing contemporary art spaces.
Indulkana Bus Shelters
Construction of two new bus shelters on Stuart Highway near Indulkana to provide shade and shelter for people travelling by bus between Adelaide, Alice Springs and the APY Lands. Improves comfort and safety for community members using public transport services.
Indulkana Street Lighting Project
Installation of five new street lights on the eastern side of Indulkana community to improve safety and visibility during night hours. The lighting infrastructure will enhance community safety and support evening activities for residents.
Network Optimisation Program - Roads
A national program concept focused on improving congestion and reliability on urban road networks by using low-cost operational measures and technology (e.g., signal timing, intersection treatments, incident management) to optimise existing capacity across major city corridors.
326 residents of APY Lands are employed, from a labour force of 916. Unemployment sits at 64.4%, with participation at 43.9%. Weighted for its industry mix, the area's sectors are forecast to grow about 6.3% nationally over five years. That reflects industry composition only and makes no allowance for local population growth, so in an area growing as fast as this one it understates the likely rise in local jobs. Unemployment and labour force come from ABS Small Area Labour Markets, updated quarterly; the industry and occupation profile is from the 2021 Census.
Detail
The local labour market in APY Lands displays a mix of manual and professional vocations, with substantial participation across public and community services, alongside an unemployment rate of 64.4%. Across the area, 326 residents were employed as of March 2026, while the jobless rate sits 59.0% above Regional SA's benchmark of 5.5%, highlighting potential for economic expansion, and the labour participation rate remains subdued (43.9% compared to Regional SA's 58.3%). Findings from the Census indicate that just 1.5% of workers operated from home, though this period coincided with Covid-19 restrictions.
The primary employment sectors for local workers are education & training, health care & social assistance, and arts & recreation. The community exhibits a strong specialization in education & training, employing staff at 3.9 times the regional average. Conversely, agriculture, forestry & fishing accounts for an unusually low share, representing 3.1% of APY Lands's workforce against 14.5% across Regional SA. Comparing the local resident workforce against the number of place-of-work jobs reported in the Census suggests limited opportunities within the immediate boundaries. AreaSearch assessment of ABS and SALM releases shows that throughout the 12 months to March 2026, the available workforce shrank by 1.3% while overall jobs fell by 48.7%, pushing the unemployment rate up by 32.9 percentage points. Over the equivalent timeframe, Regional SA saw workforce numbers rise by 2.6% and employment grow by 1.2%, with a 1.4 percentage point rise in unemployment. National employment projections published by Jobs and Skills Australia as of Mar-26 provide broader context on future labour requirements across APY Lands. These forecasts evaluate five and ten-year trends across industries to determine future employment paths. Nationwide employment is projected to expand by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, though trajectories diverge widely across individual sectors. Applying these specific sector outlooks to the existing industry distribution of APY Lands indicates potential employment gains of 6.3% over five years and 13.4% over ten years (note that this extrapolation applies industry weightings for illustrative analysis and does not incorporate local demographic forecasts).
Frequently Asked Questions - Employment
Median household income in APY Lands is $1,266 a week (about $66,000 a year), with median personal income at $324 a week. ATO records put median taxable income at $27,968 a year against an average of $34,446. Household income is from the 2021 Census; taxable income is from ATO Taxation Statistics for the latest financial year available, indexed forward using the ABS Wage Price Index.
Detail
ATO taxation statistics aggregated at the postcode tier by AreaSearch for financial year 2023 indicate that the APY Lands SA2 recorded a median individual income of $27,968 and an average of $34,446. These figures track below the Australian benchmark, as well as the Regional SA median income of $48,920 and average income of $58,933. Factoring in cumulative Wage Price Index growth of 10.17% since financial year 2023, updated estimates reach approximately $30,812 (median) and $37,949 (average) as of March 2026. According to Census records, local household income places at the 18th percentile ($1,266 weekly), whereas individual income ranks at the lowest national tier.
Examining the distribution of earnings, 32.2% of residents (859 individuals) earn between $800 - 1,499, in contrast to broader regional figures where the $1,500 - 2,999 cohort forms the largest segment at 27.5%. Despite manageable living costs allowing households to retain 93.5% of income, overall disposable earnings sit at the 29th percentile across Australia.
Frequently Asked Questions - Income
APY Lands had 514 occupied dwellings at the 2021 Census, 91% detached houses and 0% apartments. 0% are owned with a mortgage, 98% rented and 2% owned outright. At that Census the median rent was $85 a week. Dwelling stock, tenure and housing costs are 2021 Census measures — the only source that counts dwellings at this boundary size.
Detail
At the time of the most recent Census, the residential stock across APY Lands was distributed between 91.1% houses and 9.0% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings), contrasting with the Regional SA profile of 88.5% houses and 11.5% other dwellings. Outright property ownership in APY Lands trailed the wider region at 2.3%, while the balance of residences were occupied by tenants (97.7%) or subject to a mortgage (virtually no properties). Typical monthly mortgage costs stood well below Regional SA at virtually no monthly payment, and median weekly rent was measured at $85, in comparison to $1,153 and $220 across Regional SA.
When measured against Australian benchmarks, APY Lands records mortgage commitments substantially lower than the national figure of $1,863, alongside rental expenses well underneath the nationwide benchmark of $375.
Frequently Asked Questions - Housing
APY Lands counted 514 households at the 2021 Census, an estimated 588 today, averaging 4.0 people each. 35% are couples with children, against 17% couples without children. 18% of households are people living alone, and families average 1.7 children. Household and family composition is measured only by the Census, so these are 2021 figures.
Detail
Family units represent the predominant living arrangement at 80.0% of all households, consisting of 35.2% couples with children, 17.3% couples without children, and 20.2% single parent families. The remaining 20.0% of residences house non-family arrangements, with lone person households representing 17.5% and group households comprising 2.9% of the total. The typical household size of 4.0 people exceeds the Regional SA average of 2.3.
Frequently Asked Questions - Households
13.0% of adults in APY Lands hold a university qualification, including 9.2% with a bachelor degree and 2.6% with postgraduate qualifications, lower than 94% of areas nationally. A further 15.9% hold a vocational qualification. 8 schools serve the area, with 556 enrolment places. Qualifications come from the 2021 Census; school enrolments, ICSEA and results come from ACARA's current release.
Detail
Tertiary educational attainment presents an area for development, with higher education qualification rates (13.0%) trailing the Australian standard of 30.4%, creating a basis for focused learning programs. Among tertiary qualifications, Bachelor degrees constitute 9.2%, ahead of postgraduate qualifications (2.6%) and graduate diplomas (1.2%). Vocational training accounts for 19.1% of post-school credentials for people aged 15+, consisting of advanced diplomas (3.2%) and certificates (15.9%). A significant proportion of the local population is engaged in study, with 28.8% of residents enrolled in formal education programs. Breaking this down reveals 14.7% attending primary education, 7.6% in secondary education, and 1.0% pursuing tertiary education.
Frequently Asked Questions - Education
Schools Detail
Frequently Asked Questions - Transport
Transport Stops Detail
78.6% of residents in APY Lands report no long-term health condition. 4.5% need daily assistance with core activities, and 44.9% hold private health cover. The standardised death rate runs at 15.1 per 1,000 residents. Health conditions, assistance needs and insurance are 2021 Census measures; the death rate comes from current ABS releases.
Detail
Health metrics across APY Lands point to notable community hurdles based on AreaSearch research into mortality and chronic illness rates, with prevalent conditions evident across older and younger demographics alike, while private health insurance uptake is remarkably low at approximately 45% of the total population (~1,197 people). This compares to a regional uptake of 48.9% across Regional SA and an Australian benchmark of 55.7%. The primary long-term conditions reported within the region are diabetes and asthma, diagnosed in 9.5 and 4.6% of residents, respectively, although 78.6% of the population reported no chronic conditions compared to 62.5% across Regional SA.
Working-age cohorts maintain favorable health outcomes with minimal chronic disease. Residents aged 65 and over comprise 4.9% of the population (129 people), sitting below the 27.1% recorded in Regional SA. Older citizens experience strong health measures, outperforming broader national benchmarks.
Frequently Asked Questions - Health
APY Lands is largely Australian-born, at 97.3% of residents, with 88.5% speaking a language other than English at home. The largest reported ancestries are Australian Aboriginal (85.1%) and English (3.7%). 85.1% of residents identify as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander. Ancestry, language and country of birth are counted only by the Census, so these are 2021 figures.
Detail
The demographic profile of APY Lands reflects strong cultural diversity, with 2.7% of its population born overseas and 88.5% speaking a language other than English at home. Christianity constitutes the leading religious affiliation, observed by 53.7% of people in APY Lands. Most notably, the Other category represents 9.4% of the population, considerably higher than the 0.8% mark in Regional SA. Regarding parental ancestry, the three primary heritage groups across APY Lands are Australian Aboriginal, accounting for 85.1% of the population compared to the regional figure of 3.3%, English at 3.7% of the population compared to 32.5% across the region, and Australian representing 3.6% of the population against 31.3% across Regional SA.
Frequently Asked Questions - Diversity
The median resident of APY Lands is 28, younger than 99% of areas nationally. 37.7% of residents are aged 15 to 34. Age cohorts are not raw Census counts: the Census split is re-based to the latest ABS population estimates and state projections.
Detail
The demographic structure of APY Lands is oriented toward younger family cohorts. Adults aged 25 - 44 account for 37.3% of residents as at August 2026, compared to 21.4% across Regional SA, while senior cohorts (65+) make up 4.9% compared to 27.1% regionally. The estimated median age stands at 28 as at August 2026, matching the 2021 Census figure and sitting 19 years below the Regional SA median of 47 recorded at that Census, where the Australian median was 38. Among younger cohorts, individuals aged 0 - 24 have decreased from 42.7% at the Census to an estimated 38.0% of residents.
By 2041, the 45 - 64 age category is projected to see the largest increase, adding 57 (11%) to reach 584, while the younger cohort is expected to decline.
Frequently Asked Questions - Age
Data & MethodBoundaries, Sources & Method for APY Lands
9 of 14 data sections on this page were updated within the last 12 months — the newest current to Aug 2026.
Everything is aggregated to the SA2 boundary shown above, on a 2021 Census baseline. Only 3 sections — housing, households and cultural diversity — still wait on the 2026 Census.
The ledger — source, cycle and currency by section
| Section | Source & update cycle | Currency |
|---|---|---|
| Updated within the last 12 months 9 sections | ||
| Population | ABS, GNAF, Geoscience Australia Annual (ABS ERP) | Aug 2026 last month headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Re-based to the ABS Estimated Resident Population (June 2025 release) and updated with new dwellings from GNAF address data. Current to Aug 2026, with the 2021 Census supplying the small-area baseline. | ||
| Age profile | ABS, Geoscience Australia, State governments Annual | Aug 2026 last month headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Age cohorts are re-based to the latest ABS population estimates and state projections, current to Aug 2026. Each cohort is held as a Census baseline and a current estimate. | ||
| Development & approvals | ABS, GNAF Monthly (ABS approvals) | Aug 2026 last month headline measures · Jun 2026 baseline |
| Property sales & rents | Valuer General, Rental Board, ABS Weekly sales, quarterly rents | Aug 2026 last month all 21 measures |
| Sales from the state Valuer General register, refreshed weekly, and rents from quarterly rental bond lodgements. Both are read live each time this page loads, current to Aug 2026. | ||
| Infrastructure projects | Infrastructure Australia, State agencies, Local governments Daily | Jun 2026 3 months ago all 15 projects tracked here |
| Project pipeline maintained continuously from Infrastructure Australia, state agencies, local government and public announcements. Records are added and revised daily; this area was last updated Jun 2026. | ||
| Employment | ABS, DEWR, JSA Quarterly (ABS SALM) | Mar 2026 6 months ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Unemployment and labour force from ABS Small Area Labour Markets, current to Mar 2026. The growth outlook applies Department of Employment (now Jobs and Skills Australia) forecasts for all 19 industry divisions to the local industry mix, so it measures sector composition rather than local expansion and makes no allowance for population growth. Job demand comes from the same agency via its Internet Vacancy Index; industry and occupation structure from the 2021 Census. | ||
| Education | ABS, ACARA Annual (ACARA) | Aug 2026 last month headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Transport | ABS, State Transport Departments Each timetable release | Jul 2026 2 months ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Services & amenities | Provider directories, ACECQA Continuous | Jul 2026 2 months ago all 14 measures |
| Annual and financial-year sources 2 sections | ||
| Income | ABS, ATO Annual (ATO) | FY 2023 3 years ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| ATO taxable income statistics for FY 2023, indexed forward using the Wage Price Index. Census household income provides the distribution detail. | ||
| Health | ABS, ATO Annual | 2024 2 years ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Census-measured — next update: 2026 Census 3 sections No more current small-area source exists for these, so they are labelled as Census-measured rather than implied to be current. | ||
| Housing | ABS 5-yearly (Census) | 2021 Census next update 2026 all 30 measures |
| Households | ABS 5-yearly (Census) | 2021 Census next update 2026 all 18 measures |
| Cultural diversity | ABS, Geoscience Australia 5-yearly (Census) | 2021 Census next update 2026 all 44 measures |
"Currency" is the most recent release feeding that section. Where the Census supplies the structural baseline underneath a current headline figure, the row says so.
How the numbers are built
Population
The Census provides the small-area baseline, aggregated from mesh blocks to this boundary. It is then re-based to the ABS Estimated Resident Population (June 2025 release), and new dwellings built since Census night are counted from address data. The headline figure is therefore a current estimate for Aug 2026, not a 2021 count (2,333 at the 2021 Census → 2,668 now). Annual growth rates are compound (CAGR), not simple averages.
Age profile
Cohort shares are not raw Census counts. Every cohort is held as a pair — the Census baseline and a current estimate — and the split is re-based using ERP and state population projections, current to Aug 2026. Median age is the Census median plus modelled change since. Charts that show both are labelled "2021 Census vs Current Estimate".
Property sales
Sourced from the state valuation authority's sales register — current, not Census, and refreshed weekly. Medians are calculated from settled transactions in the period shown; periods with very low transaction counts are flagged or suppressed, because a handful of sales can move a median substantially.
Rents
Derived from state rental bond lodgement data, by dwelling type and bedroom count. Bonds are lodged at the start of a new tenancy, so this reflects new lettings, not the whole rented stock.
Development & infrastructure
Building approvals come from current ABS releases; development applications are collected from council and state planning portals; the infrastructure pipeline is compiled from Infrastructure Australia and local government sources. Applications are matched to this boundary by address or coordinates, so very recent lodgements may not yet appear.
Employment & income
Industry and occupation structure comes from the Census, but the headline labour-market indicators do not. Unemployment and labour force are derived from ABS Small Area Labour Markets (quarterly). The employment outlook applies Department of Employment forecasts for all 19 industry divisions to this area's own industry mix (the agency is now Jobs and Skills Australia), as does the Internet Vacancy Index used for job demand. Because it is weighted on industry composition alone, that outlook carries no allowance for local population growth — in fast-growing areas the real rise in local jobs will typically be higher. Income combines Census household income with ATO taxable-income statistics for FY 2023, indexed forward using the Wage Price Index.
Education, transport & amenities
School enrolments, ICSEA and performance come from ACARA's current release, not the Census. Public transport stops and service frequency are derived from GTFS timetable feeds published by state transport departments. Services and amenities are proximity and count scores built from provider directories, refreshed on their own cycle. The Census contributes only the travel-to-work and qualification measures.
Rankings and benchmarks. Where we rank this area, the comparison set is every area of the same boundary type — suburbs against suburbs, SA2s against SA2s. Benchmarks compare this area against its greater capital city region and the national figure for the same measure and period.
Limits worth knowing. Small areas carry larger error margins, and the ABS introduces small random adjustments to Census counts to protect confidentiality — so totals may not sum exactly. Estimates re-based from regional data describe the area's expected trajectory, not a direct count of it. Figures are indicative for research and are not financial, planning or valuation advice.
Cross-check us. The Census baseline for this boundary is at ABS 2021 Census QuickStats (406021138). QuickStats reports 2021 only — the figures on this page are more current wherever the ledger shows a later date.