Jamestown
Statistical Area - sa2

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

Jamestown's population was approximately 4,905 as of November 2025, according to AreaSearch's analysis. This figure represents an increase of 309 people from the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 4,596. The change is inferred from the estimated resident population of 4,703 in June 2024 and an additional 110 validated new addresses since the Census date. This results in a population density ratio of 1.6 persons per square kilometer. Jamestown's growth rate of 6.7% since the 2021 census surpassed the SA3 area average of 4.5%, indicating it was a region leader in terms of population growth. Interstate migration was the primary driver of this growth.

AreaSearch uses ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area, released in 2024 with a base year of 2022. For areas not covered by this data and years beyond 2032, the SA State Government's Regional/LGA projections are adopted, adjusted using weighted aggregation from LGA to SA2 levels based on 2021 data released in 2023. Between 2025 and 2041, projections suggest a decline of 63 persons overall, but specific age cohorts are expected to grow, notably the 75-84 age group with an increase of 167 people.

AreaSearch assessment of residential development drivers sees a low level of activity in Jamestown, placing the area among the bottom 25% of areas assessed nationally

Jamestown has experienced approximately 9 dwelling approvals per year over the past five financial years, totalling 49 homes. In Financial Year 26, 7 approvals have been recorded to date. On average, each new dwelling constructed between Financial Years 21 and 25 has resulted in 1.2 new residents annually. However, this figure has decreased to 0.1 people per dwelling over the past two financial years, indicating improved supply availability. The average construction cost of new properties is $272,000.

This year, there have been $7.0 million in commercial approvals, suggesting limited focus on commercial development. Jamestown's construction rates per person are similar to those in the rest of South Australia, maintaining market balance with the broader area. However, these rates are lower than national averages, indicating a mature market and possible development constraints. All recent developments have been detached dwellings, preserving Jamestown's traditional low-density character and appealing to families seeking space.

With an estimated 395 people per dwelling approval, the area has a quiet, low-activity development environment. Given expected population stability or decline, housing pressure in Jamestown is likely to remain low, potentially presenting buying opportunities.

Jamestown has emerging levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the 23rdth percentile nationally

AreaSearch has identified three projects that could impact the area's performance significantly. These include Silver to Sea Way, Mid North South Australia REZ Expansion, Wapma Thura-Southern Flinders Ranges National Park, and Barrier Highway Safety Upgrades. The following list details those likely to be most relevant.

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

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.

AreaSearch analysis reveals Jamestown recording weaker employment conditions than most comparable areas nationwide

Jamestown's workforce is balanced across white and blue-collar jobs with diverse industry representation. Its unemployment rate is 4.4%.

As of June 2025, 2,182 residents are employed, with an unemployment rate of 0.2% lower than Rest of SA's 4.6%. Workforce participation stands at 56.9%, slightly higher than Rest of SA's 54.1%. Key employment sectors include agriculture, forestry & fishing, health care & social assistance, and education & training. Jamestown specializes in agriculture, forestry & fishing, with an employment share 1.9 times the regional level.

Conversely, accommodation & food services have limited presence at 3.1%, compared to 7.0% regionally. Local employment opportunities appear limited based on Census data comparison of working population and resident population. Between June 2024 and June 2025, Jamestown's labour force increased by 0.2%, while employment declined by 1.5%, leading to a 1.6 percentage point rise in unemployment rate. In contrast, Rest of SA saw employment fall by 1.2%, labour force expand by 0.1%, and unemployment rise by 1.2 percentage points. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May 2025 project national growth of 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, with varying rates across sectors. Applying these projections to Jamestown's employment mix suggests local growth of approximately 5.2% over five years and 11.7% over ten years.

Income figures position the area below 75% of locations analysed nationally by AreaSearch

Jamestown's median income among taxpayers was $47,358 in financial year 2022. The average income stood at $59,244 during the same period. These figures are lower than those for Rest of SA, which were $46,889 and $56,582 respectively. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 12.83% since financial year 2022, current estimates suggest Jamestown's median income is approximately $53,434 and average income is around $66,845 as of September 2025. Census 2021 data indicates that household, family, and personal incomes in Jamestown all fall between the 10th and 18th percentiles nationally. Income analysis shows that the majority of residents (28.3%, or 1,388 people) earn within the $800 - $1,499 bracket, contrasting with the region where the $1,500 - $2,999 bracket is most common at 27.5%. Despite modest housing costs allowing for 92.2% income retention, Jamestown's total disposable income ranks at just the 18th percentile nationally.

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

The latest Census evaluation revealed that dwelling structures in Jamestown consisted of 96.7% houses and 3.3% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings). In comparison, Non-Metro SA had 89.8% houses and 10.2% other dwellings. Home ownership in Jamestown stood at 52.3%, with mortgaged dwellings at 29.4% and rented ones at 18.3%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $802, lower than Non-Metro SA's average of $888. The median weekly rent figure in Jamestown was $192, compared to Non-Metro SA's $182. Nationally, Jamestown's mortgage repayments were significantly lower than the Australian average of $1,863, and rents were substantially below the national figure of $375.

Jamestown features high concentrations of lone person households, with a fairly typical median household size

Family households constitute 64.2% of all households, including 22.8% couples with children, 33.4% couples without children, and 7.3% single parent families. Non-family households comprise the remaining 35.8%, with lone person households at 32.8% and group households making up 3.0%. The median household size is 2.2 people, which aligns with the Rest of SA average.

Educational outcomes in Jamestown fall within the lower quartile nationally, indicating opportunities for improvement in qualification attainment

The area's university qualification rate is 14.6%, significantly lower than Australia's average of 30.4%. This presents both a challenge and an opportunity for targeted educational initiatives. Bachelor degrees are the most common at 10.9%, followed by graduate diplomas (2%) and postgraduate qualifications (1.7%). Trade and technical skills are prominent, with 38.7% of residents aged 15+ holding vocational credentials – advanced diplomas (9.2%) and certificates (29.5%).

A total of 24.3% of the population is actively pursuing formal education, including 11.5% in primary education, 6.9% in secondary education, and 1.6% in tertiary education. There are seven schools operating within Jamestown, educating approximately 713 students. The area has typical Australian school conditions (ICSEA: 998) with balanced educational opportunities. The educational mix includes five primary schools, one secondary school, and one K-12 school.

No public transport data available for this catchment area.

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

Jamestown faces significant health challenges, with common conditions prevalent among both younger and older age groups. Approximately 49% (~2,408 individuals) have private health cover, lower than the national average of 55.3%.

The most frequent medical conditions are arthritis (10.8%) and mental health issues (8.8%). A higher proportion, 61.7%, report no medical ailments compared to 59.4% in Rest of SA. Jamestown has a larger elderly population: 27.8% (~1,363 people) aged 65 or over, compared to 26.5% in Rest of SA.

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

Jamestown had cultural diversity below the average, with 92.6% citizens, 93.0% born in Australia, and 97.8% speaking English only at home. Christianity was the predominant religion, accounting for 54.2%, compared to 49.1% across Rest of SA. The top three ancestry groups were Australian (35.3%), English (32.7%), and German (7.9%).

Notably, Welsh (0.7%) was overrepresented compared to the regional average of 0.5%. Similarly, Australian Aboriginal (2.3%) and Polish (0.6%) had higher representations than their respective regional averages of 3.0% and 0.4%.

Jamestown hosts an older demographic, ranking in the top quartile nationwide

Jamestown's median age is 49, which is higher than the Rest of South Africa figure of 47 and significantly exceeds the national norm of 38. Compared to the Rest of South Africa, Jamestown has a higher proportion of residents aged 55-64 (16.4%) but fewer residents aged 25-34 (7.9%). This concentration of 55-64 year-olds is notably above the national figure of 11.2%. Between the 2021 Census and present, the proportion of Jamestown's population aged 75 to 84 has increased from 8.3% to 9.9%, while the percentage of residents aged 45 to 54 has decreased from 11.8% to 10.6%. By 2041, demographic projections indicate significant shifts in Jamestown's age structure. The 85+ group is projected to grow by 114%, reaching 283 people from the current figure of 131. This growth will be driven entirely by an aging population dynamic, with those aged 65 and above comprising all of the projected growth. Conversely, both the 45-54 and 25-34 age groups are projected to decrease in number.