Goyder

Goyder has shown very soft population growth performance across periods assessed by AreaSearch

Goyder's population is approximately 4,153 as of May 2026. This figure reflects an increase of 74 people since the 2021 Census, which recorded a population of 4,079. The growth is inferred from ABS data showing an estimated resident population of 4,152 in June 2025 and additional validated new addresses since the Census date. This results in a density ratio of 0.60 persons per square kilometer. Goyder's 1.8% population increase since the census is within 1.3 percentage points of the SA3 area's growth rate of 3.1%. Population growth was primarily driven by interstate migration, contributing approximately 66.7% of overall gains during recent periods.

AreaSearch uses ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area released in 2024 with a base year of 2022. For areas not covered and years post-2032, the SA State Government's Regional/LGA projections by age category are adopted, based on 2021 data and adjusted using weighted aggregation from LGA to SA2 levels. Future population trends indicate a decline overall; the area's population is projected to decrease by 46 persons by 2041. However, specific age cohorts are expected to grow, notably the 75 to 84 age group, which is projected to increase by 154 people.

The level of residential development activity in Goyder is very low in comparison to the average area assessed nationally by AreaSearch

Goyder has averaged approximately 8 new dwelling approvals annually over the past five financial years, totalling 42 homes. As of FY-26, 11 approvals have been recorded. The population decline in recent years has maintained adequate housing supply relative to demand, resulting in a balanced market with good buyer choice. New dwellings are developed at an average expected construction cost value of $202,000, below regional norms, offering more affordable housing options for purchasers.

This financial year, $3.8 million in commercial development approvals have been recorded, indicating the area's primarily residential nature. Compared to Rest of SA, Goyder has around two-thirds the rate of new dwelling approvals per person and ranks among the 25th percentile nationally, leading to relatively constrained buyer choice and supporting interest in existing properties. This activity is also below average nationally, reflecting the area's maturity and possible planning constraints. Recent building activity consists entirely of detached houses, preserving the area's low density nature and attracting space-seeking buyers.

The estimated population per dwelling approval is 898 people, indicating a quiet, low activity development environment. With stable or declining population forecasts, Goyder may experience less housing pressure in the future, creating favourable conditions for buyers.

Goyder has limited levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the 15thth percentile nationally

Changes to local infrastructure significantly impact an area's performance. AreaSearch identified ten projects likely affecting the region; notable ones are Goyder Renewables Zone, Bundey BESS and Solar Project, Burra Township Master Plan, and Barrier Highway Safety Upgrades. The following list details those most relevant.

Professional plan users can use the search below to filter and access additional projects.

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Employment drivers in Goyder are experiencing difficulties, placing it among the bottom 20% of areas assessed across Australia

Goyder has a balanced workforce with white and blue collar jobs across various sectors. The unemployment rate is 7.4%. Over the past year, employment grew by an estimated 1.2%.

As of December 2025, 1,818 residents are employed while the unemployment rate is 6.4% (1.7% above Regional SA's rate of 5.7%). Workforce participation is lower than Regional SA's standard at 55.5%. According to Census responses, 18.4% of residents work from home. Dominant employment sectors include agriculture, forestry & fishing, health care & social assistance, and retail trade.

Goyder has a significant specialization in agriculture, forestry & fishing (2.1 times the regional level), but is under-represented in health care & social assistance (9.8% vs Regional SA's 13.9%). Employment opportunities locally appear limited based on Census working population versus resident population comparison. Between December 2024 and December 2025, employment increased by 1.2%, labour force by 3.2%, leading to a 1.8 percentage point rise in unemployment. In contrast, Regional SA saw employment growth of 0.7% and labour force growth of 3.1%, with a 2.2 percentage point rise in unemployment. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May-25 project national employment growth of 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, but growth varies significantly by industry sector. Applying these projections to Goyder's employment mix suggests local employment should increase by 4.7% over five years and 10.8% over ten years (note: this is a simple weighting extrapolation for illustrative purposes).

Income metrics place the area in the bottom 10% of locations nationally according to AreaSearch analysis

AreaSearch's latest postcode level ATO data for financial year 2023 shows that income in Goyder SA2 is below the national average. The median income is $42,060 and the average income stands at $51,129. In comparison, Regional SA has a median income of $48,920 and an average income of $58,933. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 10.17% since financial year 2023, current estimates for Goyder would be approximately $46,338 (median) and $56,329 (average) as of March 2026. According to the 2021 Census, household, family, and personal incomes in Goyder all fall between the 1st and 3rd percentiles nationally. Income brackets indicate that 34.6% of individuals in Goyder earn between $400 and $799 per week, contrasting with regional levels where the highest bracket is $1,500 to $2,999 at 27.5%. The prevalence of lower-income residents (44.1% earning under $800/week) suggests constrained household budgets across much of Goyder. While housing costs are modest with 89.8% of income retained, the total disposable income ranks at just the 4th percentile nationally.

Goyder is characterized by a predominantly suburban housing profile, with above-average rates of outright home ownership

Goyder's dwelling structures, as per the latest Census, consisted of 96.3% houses and 3.7% other dwellings. Compared to Regional SA's figures of 88.5% houses and 11.5% other dwellings, Goyder had a higher proportion of houses. Home ownership in Goyder stood at 52.5%, with mortgaged dwellings at 28.5% and rented ones at 19.0%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $867, significantly lower than Regional SA's average of $1,153. Median weekly rent in Goyder was recorded at $190, compared to Regional SA's $220. Nationally, Goyder's mortgage repayments were much lower than the Australian average of $1,863, and rents were substantially below the national figure of $375.

Goyder features high concentrations of lone person households, with a lower-than-average median household size

Family households constitute 64.0% of all households, including 22.8% couples with children, 32.6% couples without children, and 7.7% single parent families. Non-family households account for the remaining 36.0%, with lone person households at 34.2% and group households comprising 1.7% of the total. The median household size is 2.2 people, which is smaller than the Regional SA average of 2.3.

Goyder faces educational challenges, with performance metrics placing it in the bottom quartile of areas assessed nationally

The area's university qualification rate is 12.0%, significantly lower than Australia's average of 30.4%. Bachelor degrees are the most common at 8.4%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (2.1%) and graduate diplomas (1.5%). Vocational credentials are prominent, with 39.5% of residents aged 15+ holding them, including advanced diplomas (8.8%) and certificates (30.7%). Educational participation is high, with 25.0% of residents currently enrolled in formal education.

This includes 10.6% in primary education, 8.4% in secondary education, and 1.7% pursuing tertiary education.

No public transport data available for this catchment area.

Health performance in Goyder is well below average with prevalence of common health conditions notable across both younger and older age cohorts

Goyder faces substantial health challenges, according to AreaSearch's assessment. Mortality rates and chronic condition prevalence were notable across both younger and older age cohorts. Private health cover was found to be extremely low at approximately 46% of the total population (around 1,914 people), compared to 48.9% in Regional SA and a national average of 55.7%.

The most common medical conditions were arthritis (12.3%) and mental health issues (9.4%). About 60.3% of residents declared themselves completely clear of medical ailments, compared to 62.5% in Regional SA. Working-age population faces notable health challenges with elevated chronic condition rates. The area has 31.8% of residents aged 65 and over (1,319 people), higher than the 27.1% in Regional SA. Health outcomes among seniors are above average, with national rankings even higher than the general population.

The latest Census data sees Goyder placing among the least culturally diverse areas in the country when compared across a range of language and cultural background related metrics

Goyder's cultural diversity was found to be below average, with 90.1% of its population being citizens, 89.0% born in Australia, and 97.6% speaking English only at home. Christianity was the main religion in Goyder, comprising 54.7% of people, compared to 45.2% across Regional SA. The top three ancestry groups were English (31.9%), Australian (31.7%), and German (13.6%), with German being notably higher than the regional average of 8.2%.

Dutch representation was overrepresented in Goyder at 1.2%, compared to 1.3% regionally, while Australian Aboriginal was underrepresented at 1.7%, compared to 3.3%.

Goyder ranks among the oldest 10% of areas nationwide

Goyder's median age is 51 years, which is higher than the Regional SA average of 47 and considerably older than the national norm of 38. The age profile shows that those aged 65-74 are particularly prominent at 19.0%, while the 25-34 group is smaller at 7.4% compared to Regional SA. This concentration of 65-74 year-olds is well above the national average of 9.4%. Between 2021 and present, the proportion of those aged 65-74 has increased from 16.3% to 19.0%, while the 75-84 cohort has risen from 8.2% to 10.2%. Conversely, the 55-64 group has declined from 18.2% to 15.8%, and the 45-54 group has dropped from 12.2% to 10.9%. By 2041, demographic projections show significant shifts in Goyder's age structure. The 75-84 age cohort is projected to increase by 141 people (33%), from 422 to 564. Residents aged 65 and older will represent 98% of the anticipated population growth, while declines are projected for the 0-4 and 45-54 cohorts.