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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.
est. as @ -- *
ABS ERP | -- people | --
2021 Census | -- people
Curious about local property values? Filter the chart to assess the volume and appreciation (including resales) trends and regional comparisons, or scroll to the map below view this information at an individual property level.
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Berri has an estimated 4,180 residents, up from 4,143 at the 2021 Census. That puts 346 residents on each square kilometre. 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 conducted by AreaSearch, the resident population of Berri stands at approximately 4,180 as of Aug 2026. This represents a net gain of 37 people (0.9%) compared to the 4,143 people counted in the 2021 Census. These figures are derived from ABS estimated resident population numbers showing 4,176 residents as of June 2025 alongside 33 validated new addresses recorded following the Census. With a density of 346 persons per square kilometer, the locality offers generous physical space per resident with scope for future growth. International migration served as the primary catalyst for demographic expansion, representing virtually the exclusive contributor to recent population increases.
AreaSearch incorporates SA2 projections published jointly by the ABS and Geoscience Australia in 2024 (using 2022 as their baseline year). Where SA2 coverage is absent or projections extend past post-2032, figures rely on the 2023 SA State Government Regional/LGA age-cohort forecasts based on 2021 numbers, adjusted via a weighted aggregation methodology from LGA to SA2 geographies. Applying these models to future demographic trends suggests an overall contraction, with the local population projected to decrease by 49 persons by 2041. In contrast, select demographic brackets are slated for expansion, most notably the 75 to 84 cohort, which is expected to increase by 131 people. <i>See the age section for more details.</i>
Frequently Asked Questions - Population
30 new dwellings have been approved in Berri over the past five years, an average of 6 a year. That is 1.4 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 building approvals in Berri average roughly 6 dwellings annually, totaling 30 homes approved across the past 5 financial years (between FY-22 and FY-26). Amid broader population contraction, residential supply has aligned well with demand to maintain an orderly market with ample buyer choice, with newly approved homes carrying an average construction cost of $362,000. In addition, commercial planning approvals have reached $25.3 million during this financial year, demonstrating consistent commercial investment in the township. Relative to Rest of SA, residential building approval volume in Berri is distinctly subdued, tracking 77.0% below the regional per-capita benchmark despite a recent pickup in activity.
Output also sits beneath national levels, underscoring the established fabric of the township and hinting at regulatory or planning constraints. All recent approvals have consisted exclusively of separate houses, preserving the traditional low-density residential amenity centered on spacious family living. Notably, developers are targeting detached dwellings at an even higher rate than existing stock suggests (78.0% at Census), reflecting sustained buyer appetite for traditional houses over higher-density alternatives. The presence of 435 people for each approved dwelling further illustrates a restrained, low-volume development landscape. Given that demographic modeling projects steady to declining numbers, easing housing demand in Berri should create favorable conditions for prospective purchasers.
Frequently Asked Questions - Development
Development applications around Berri
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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 3 current infrastructure and development projects inside Berri. A further 39 sit in the immediately surrounding suburbs, taking the tracked pipeline within reach of the area to $2.81 billion. 11 are already under construction and 11 are due for completion within three years. The pipeline spans residential development, communities, precincts & urban renewal and transport & logistics. 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
Local infrastructure investment, capital works, and planning frameworks are pivotal determinants of regional performance. AreaSearch has pinpointed 3 projects positioned to influence the area. Leading initiatives include the Berri Energy Project, McLean Street Residential Estate, Riverview Drive Reconstruction (Flood Recovery), and Project EnergyConnect, with primary developments outlined below.
Professional plan users can use the search below to filter and access additional projects.
INFRASTRUCTURE SEARCH
Denotes AI-based impression for illustrative purposes only, not to be taken as definitive under any circumstances. Please follow links and conduct other investigations from the project's source for actual imagery. Developers and project owners wishing us to use original imagery please Contact Us and we will do so.
Frequently Asked Questions - Infrastructure
Berri Energy Project
Australia's first fully operational utility-scale DC-coupled solar and battery energy storage system. The project, built on a former racecourse, features a 5.8 MWp solar farm (9,800 solar panels) coupled with a 6.7 MWh battery. It commenced full commercial operations in early 2023, generating 11,500 MWh annually, and provides Frequency Control Ancillary Services (FCAS) and voltage control services to the grid. It also has a community fund donating over $190,000 over its lifetime.
McLean Street Residential Estate
Sale of a significant 3.06ha development site (Lot 45 McLean St) in the Riverland town of Berri, which was advertised with two professionally drafted concept plans for a low-density residential estate of up to 34 new homes to address the critical local housing shortage. The site was sold on October 9, 2025.
Riverview Drive Reconstruction (Flood Recovery)
The reconstruction of Riverview Drive in Berri, following significant damage caused by the earth levee bank constructed during the 2022/23 River Murray flood. The project involved a like-for-like road renewal over an expanded scope, delivered $416,000 under budget, marking a major flood recovery milestone for the Berri Barmera Council. The section reconstructed measured 2,860m (2.86km).
Big Orange Redevelopment
Revitalisation of the iconic 15-meter tall Big Orange landmark into a 1.5 million AUD multifaceted destination featuring a craft brewery, distillery, restaurant, bar, and outdoor dining verandah to boost regional tourism and celebrate the region's citrus heritage.
Renmark High School Redevelopment
A multi-stage redevelopment project including a new administration building, library and student services upgrade, FLO creative teaching refurbishment, and Home Economics area upgrade. Also included major services and air conditioning and lighting upgrades to all buildings.
Taylor Riverfront Precinct
Transformation of Renmark's riverfront open space to create a high-quality regional destination. Includes a new visitor information centre, 'eat street' on Murray Avenue, feature lighting, water play, BBQs, and family recreation areas.
Renmark Riverfront Wharf Upgrade
The project involved a major upgrade of the Renmark Riverfront Wharf, including a new 3-metre wide walkway, improved access for houseboats, revitalised wharf area with improved lighting and accessible ramps. The new wharf is designed to withstand high river flow and flooding. It aims to revitalize and enhance the amenity and liveability by repairing damage, ensuring flood resilience, accessibility, and asset longevity for 30-50 years.
Revive Renmark
A continuation of the Urban Design Framework, which includes upgrades to Murray Avenue and the Murray Avenue, Renmark Avenue and Ral Ral intersection. Aims to bring life and activity to the town centre and revive its economy.
1,946 residents of Berri are employed, from a labour force of 2,075. Unemployment sits at 6.2%, with participation at 58.6%. Weighted for its industry mix, the area's sectors are forecast to grow about 5.7% nationally over five years. That reflects industry composition only and makes no allowance for local population growth. The working-day population is estimated at 4,595, about 110% of the resident population, so the area draws in more workers than it sends out. 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 economy in Berri features a balanced distribution between professional and manual occupations alongside strong representation in essential community services, recording an unemployment rate of 6.2% and twelve-month estimated job growth of 2.7%. Total employed residents numbered 1,946 as of March 2026, while the jobless rate sits 0.8% higher than Regional SA's 5.5% and workforce participation matches Regional SA's 58.3%. Census figures indicated that only 4.7% of workers operated from home, though this coincided with Covid-19 restrictions. The primary employers of local residents are health care & social assistance, manufacturing, and retail trade.
Health care & social assistance displays substantial regional concentration, holding an employment share 1.3 times the wider regional baseline. Conversely, agriculture, forestry & fishing accounts for only 6.4% of resident jobs, well below the 14.5% seen across Regional SA. An employment self-sufficiency metric of 0.7 jobs per resident at the Census points to a comparatively favorable local job supply. According to findings from AreaSearch using SALM and ABS figures, the period leading up to March 2026 saw a 2.7% increase in employment and a 4.0% rise in the labour force, which led to a 1.2 percentage point increase in unemployment. In contrast, Regional SA experienced 1.2% employment growth, 2.6% labour force growth, and a 1.4 percentage point rise in unemployment. Jobs and Skills Australia's national forecasts originating from Mar-26 can provide additional perspective on anticipated future demand in Berri. These projections span five and ten-year horizons and have been aligned with the local employment profile to estimate growth trends. Although national employment is projected to grow by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, expansion rates vary considerably across different industry sectors. When these sector-specific forecasts are applied to Berri's employment composition, the result indicates that local employment should grow by 5.7% over five years and 12.6% over ten years. It is important to note that this calculation represents a basic weighting extrapolation for illustrative purposes only and does not incorporate localized population projections.
Frequently Asked Questions - Employment
Median household income in Berri is $1,039 a week (about $54,000 a year), with median personal income at $610 a week. ATO records put median taxable income at $49,369 a year against an average of $55,392. 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 taxpayer statistics compiled by AreaSearch for financial year 2023 place median income in the Berri SA2 at $49,369 alongside an average of $55,392, falling below national standards while comparing to Regional SA figures of $48,920 (median) and $58,933 (average). Factoring in 10.17% growth in the Wage Price Index since financial year 2023 yields updated estimates of roughly $54,390 for median earnings and $61,025 for average earnings as of March 2026. Data from the 2021 Census positions local household, family, and individual incomes between the 4th and 13th percentiles nationwide.
Income distribution reveals that 29.7% of residents (1,241 individuals) fall into the $400 - 799 weekly bracket, whereas the broader benchmark is anchored by the $1,500 - 2,999 band at 27.5%. After meeting housing costs, households retain 85.3% of earnings, placing the area in the 6th percentile across the country.
Frequently Asked Questions - Income
Berri had 1,758 occupied dwellings at the 2021 Census, 78% detached houses and 4% apartments. 25% are owned with a mortgage, 43% rented and 32% owned outright. At that Census the median rent was $215 a week and the median mortgage repayment $1,040 a month. Rent absorbs 20.7% of household income here and mortgage repayments 23.1%. 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 latest Census, Berri's residential stock was composed of 78.1% standalone houses and 21.9% alternative configurations (including townhouses, units, and other dwellings), contrasted with 88.5% houses and 11.5% other dwellings across Regional SA. Outright home ownership trailed the wider region at 32.0%, with 24.9% of homes carrying a mortgage and 43.2% occupied by tenants. Monthly mortgage payments had a median value of $1,040, below Regional SA's $1,153, while weekly rent carried a median of $215 versus $220 regionally. Compared to Australian benchmarks, housing costs in Berri are notably lower than the national median mortgage of $1,863 and median rent of $375.
Frequently Asked Questions - Housing
Berri counted 1,758 households at the 2021 Census, averaging 2.1 people each. 18% are couples with children, fewer than in 91% of areas nationally, against 26% couples without children. 36% of households are people living alone, and families average 1.8 children. Household and family composition is measured only by the Census, so these are 2021 figures.
Detail
Family units account for 60.4% of total households, consisting of couples with children (17.9%), couples without children (26.0%), and single-parent households (15.2%). The remaining 39.6% consists of non-family arrangements, dominated by single-person dwellings at 36.2% and share accommodation at 3.5%. The average household size stands at 2.1 people, under the Regional SA benchmark of 2.3.
Frequently Asked Questions - Households
14.3% of adults in Berri hold a university qualification, including 10.2% with a bachelor degree and 2.7% with postgraduate qualifications, lower than 94% of areas nationally. A further 28.2% hold a vocational qualification. 4 schools serve the area, with 1,102 enrolment places and an average ICSEA of 934 against a national benchmark of 1,000. Qualifications come from the 2021 Census; school enrolments, ICSEA and results come from ACARA's current release.
Detail
Educational outcomes indicate persistent hurdles in tertiary attainment, with only 14.3% of the populace holding university qualifications compared to 30.4% across Australia. This gap highlights both an educational deficit and scope for targeted programs. Bachelor degrees form the primary higher education credential at 10.2%, followed by postgraduate degrees at 2.7% and graduate diplomas at 1.4%. Vocational pathways are well established, with 35.6% of residents aged 15+ possessing trade or technical credentials, encompassing advanced diplomas (7.4%) and certificates (28.2%). Formal study engagement is substantial throughout the community, with 25.7% of residents enrolled in educational institutions.
This comprises 10.9% attending primary schools, 7.4% in secondary education, and 2.1% engaged in tertiary studies.
Frequently Asked Questions - Education
Schools Detail
Getting around Berri means driving: households keep an average of 1.2 vehicles, and scheduled services reach only a handful of stops. Service data is built from operators' published GTFS timetables; vehicle ownership is from the 2021 Census.
Detail
Public transit infrastructure in Berri comprises 6 active transport stops across the area. Network operations span 9 individual routes that provide a combined total of 56 weekly passenger trips. Transit access is moderate, with typical walking distances of 500 meters to reach the nearest stop. Given the predominantly residential character of the locality, outward commuting is standard, with private vehicles serving as the principal transport method at 89% and walking accounting for 6%. Household car ownership averages 1.2 per dwelling, trailing the regional standard, while 4.7% of workers worked from home according to the 2021 Census (which may have been influenced by COVID-19).
Across all transit routes, services run at an average rate of 8 trips per day, providing roughly 9 weekly trips for each individual stop.
Frequently Asked Questions - Transport
Transport Stops Detail
59.8% of residents in Berri report no long-term health condition, a less healthy profile than 93% of areas nationally. 9.9% need daily assistance with core activities, and 47.4% hold private health cover. The standardised death rate runs at 7.7 per 1,000 residents. Health conditions, assistance needs and insurance are 2021 Census measures; the death rate comes from current ABS releases.
Detail
Health assessments by AreaSearch identify substantial public health challenges across Berri regarding chronic illness rates and mortality patterns, affecting both younger residents and older demographics, while private health insurance uptake remains subdued at approximately 47% of residents (~1,981 people) versus the Australian benchmark of 55.7%. Arthritis and mental health conditions are the most prevalent ailments locally, reported by 10.6 and 9.9% of the population, respectively, while 59.8% of residents reported having no long-term medical issues compared to 62.5% across Regional SA. Elevated rates of chronic illness place pressure on working-age residents.
Seniors aged 65 and over comprise 23.5% of the community (982 people), tracking below Regional SA's 27.1%, with senior health metrics presenting challenges that align broadly with wider national distribution.
Frequently Asked Questions - Health
Berri is largely Australian-born, at 85.2% of residents, with 11.4% speaking a language other than English at home. The largest reported ancestries are English (29.6%) and Australian (28.7%). 4.7% 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
Cultural diversity metrics for Berri track below broader averages, with Australian citizenship held by 88.1% of residents, 85.2% born in Australia, and 88.6% speaking only English at home. Christianity represents the predominant faith, claimed by 45.7% of the populace. Notably, the Other category shows higher-than-average representation at 2.6% in Berri compared to 0.8% throughout Regional SA. Looking at ancestral background based on parental birthplace, the leading heritages are English (29.6%), Australian (28.7%), and German (8.8%). Specific community groups exhibit higher local proportions than the broader region, including Greek ancestry at 2.8% (against 0.6% regionally), Hungarian at 0.4% (against 0.1%), and Australian Aboriginal representation at 4.7% (versus 3.3%).
Frequently Asked Questions - Diversity
The median resident of Berri is 42. 26.3% 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 age distribution in Berri skews younger than Regional SA overall. Adults aged 25 - 44 represent 27.9% of the community as at August 2026 compared to 21.4% regionally, while seniors aged 65+ make up 23.5% versus 27.1% across Regional SA. The median age is estimated at 42 as at August 2026, mirroring the 2021 Census figure and sitting 5 years below the Regional SA median of 47 recorded at that Census. Since the Census, the 25 - 44 cohort has expanded from 23.8% to an estimated 27.9%. Looking forward to 2041, the largest numerical increase is projected among seniors and retirees (65+), growing by 136 residents (14%) to reach 1,118.
In contrast, youth cohorts, children, and young-to-middle-aged adults are expected to contract over the same timeframe.
Frequently Asked Questions - Age
Data & MethodBoundaries, Sources & Method for Berri
9 of 14 data sections on this page were updated within the last 12 months — the newest current to Sep 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 · Jul 2026 baseline |
| Property sales & rents | Valuer General, Rental Board, ABS Weekly sales, quarterly rents | Sep 2026 this 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 Sep 2026. | ||
| Infrastructure projects | Infrastructure Australia, State agencies, Local governments Daily | Oct 2025 11 months ago all 3 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 Oct 2025. | ||
| 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 — 33 validated new addresses here. The headline figure is therefore a current estimate for Aug 2026, not a 2021 count (4,143 at the 2021 Census → 4,180 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 (407031160). QuickStats reports 2021 only — the figures on this page are more current wherever the ledger shows a later date.