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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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Kangaroo Island has an estimated 5,227 residents, up from 4,894 at the 2021 Census — a change of 333 people, or 6.8%. Growth has averaged 1.1% a year over five years. 132 new addresses have been validated here since Census night. Overseas migration accounts for 63.0% of that increase. Fewer than ten people live on each square kilometre, across a boundary that takes in surrounding rural land. 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 AreaSearch findings, the resident count for Kangaroo Island stands at approximately 5,227 as of Aug 2026, representing an expansion of 333 people (6.8%) from the 4,894 people recorded at the 2021 Census. This adjustment draws on the ABS estimated resident population of 5,212 as of June 2025 alongside 132 validated new addresses identified since the Census date. With 1.2 persons per square kilometer, the region maintains a low-density environment with substantial physical room per resident. The local expansion rate of 6.8% since the 2021 census outpaced the Rest of SA (6.2%), positioning the locality at the forefront of regional growth.
Net overseas migration served as the main catalyst, accounting for roughly 63.0% of recent population additions, while natural growth and interstate migration also registered positive contributions. Projections utilized by AreaSearch incorporate ABS/Geoscience Australia models published in 2024 using 2022 as their foundation year. Where SA2 coverage is absent, or for periods post-2032, figures rely on 2023 SA State Government Regional/LGA age-cohort forecasts based on 2021 data, converted via weighted aggregation from LGA down to SA2 boundaries. Anticipated expansion rates position the locality slightly under the national non-metropolitan median, with latest annual ERP figures pointing to an addition of 602 persons by 2041, which corresponds to an overall 11.2% rise across the 16 years.
Frequently Asked Questions - Population
262 new dwellings have been approved in Kangaroo Island over the past five years, an average of 52 a year. That places the area in the 66th percentile for residential development activity nationally, about 10 approvals per 1,000 residents a year. Of the 52 dwellings approved in the latest reporting year, 98% were detached houses and the rest townhouses or apartments. Figures come from ABS building approvals aggregated to this SA2 boundary and are updated monthly as the ABS releases them.
Detail
Residential construction approvals in Kangaroo Island have registered roughly 52 new dwellings annually, accumulating 262 homes over the past 5 financial years. Stability is reinforced by an equilibrium in supply and demand dynamics, evidenced by an average of 1.1 new residents per year per dwelling constructed over the past 5 financial years (between FY-22 and FY-26), with typical building costs averaging $371,000 per dwelling. Furthermore, non-residential investment remains steady, marked by $13.6 million in commercial approvals recorded this financial year. On a per-capita basis, building volumes on Kangaroo Island track at roughly three-quarters of the level seen across Rest of SA, though nationally the district ranks within the 85th percentile.
Structural activity is overwhelmingly geared toward standalone dwellings, with 98.0% detached houses alongside 2.0% townhouses or apartments, reinforcing spacious living environments appealing to lifestyle-focused purchasers. A ratio of around 100 people per dwelling approval further underlines its profile as an expanding market. Projections derived from the latest AreaSearch quarterly estimate indicate that Kangaroo Island will expand by 587 residents leading up to 2041. Ongoing building trajectories appear sufficient to absorb incoming demand, which supports sound conditions for property buyers and could provide capacity to outperform projected population gains.
Frequently Asked Questions - Development
Development applications around Kangaroo Island
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| Lodged | Address | Description | Type | Distance | Status |
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SOURCE: Planning portals and council registers, compiled by AreaSearch. Distance & bearing measured from the suburb midpoint.
AreaSearch tracks 14 current infrastructure and development projects inside Kangaroo Island. A further 40 sit in the immediately surrounding suburbs, taking the tracked pipeline within reach of the area to $6.78 billion. 14 are already under construction and 12 are due for completion within three years. The pipeline spans transport & logistics, communities, precincts & urban renewal and residential development. 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
Civic development, strategic planning initiatives, and infrastructure upgrades play a crucial role in shaping regional momentum. AreaSearch has pinpointed 14 notable projects expected to influence the community, featuring key developments such as the Kingscote Airport Master Plan, Seaview Motel Renovation and Expansion, Kingscote Town Centre Project, and Kangaroo Island Wool Mill Retail and Commercial Buildings, with the most critical undertakings detailed 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
Kingscote Airport Master Plan
A long-term master plan (2018-2035) for the Kingscote Airport precinct, aiming for it to be recognised as an exciting and developing urban destination supporting business and employment growth by 2030. The plan also focuses on increasing capacity for freight to connect island industries with markets.
Seaview Motel Renovation and Expansion
Renovation and expansion of the heritage-listed Seaview Motel, which includes reinstating the 100-seat restaurant and adding 28 premium and 14 standard suites, new reception, back-of-house facilities, carparks, and landscaping. This project follows damage from a fire.
Kangaroo Island Wool Mill Retail and Commercial Buildings
Design and construction of new onsite retail and commercial buildings adjoining the Kangaroo Island Wool Mill. This project aims to centralise manufacturing and production operations with a mill, factory, and retail facilities all on one site.
Kingscote Town Centre Project
A revitalisation project for the Kingscote town centre, aimed at enhancing town spirit, increasing community engagement, and driving economic growth. Phase 1 works, which commenced in March 2022, include improved pedestrian access, widened and resurfaced footpaths, street planting, and new street furniture.
Cajetan Amadio Mixed Use Development (Dauncey Street, Kingscote)
A development-approved mixed-use project comprising a 110-room hotel with a private conference room and gym, two restaurants, a retail tenancy (cellar door), and a consulting tenancy. The design integrates an existing two-storey Local Heritage building with a new five-storey modern building.
Boxer Road Quarry
A mining lease for extractive materials (Basalt) covering approximately 46.34 hectares, operated by A & G Willson Earthmovers (SA) Pty Ltd. The quarry provides essential raw materials for construction and other industries.
Kingscote Jetty Upgrade
Upgrades and refurbishments to the Kingscote main jetty and nearby Fisherman's Wharf and Screw Pile jetties. This project ensured the long-term structural integrity of the jetties and delivered a safe and reliable amenity for the local community, extending the jetty's design life by 30 years. Works included the removal of infrastructure no longer required, such as the steel wharf, slipway, and redundant 'Ro-Ro' ramp.
KI Health Service Master Plan
A master plan that has been implemented to provide greater capacity and healthcare services to the Kangaroo Island community, improving health outcomes and access to medical facilities across the island.
2,802 residents of Kangaroo Island are employed, from a labour force of 2,858. Unemployment sits at 2.0%, with participation at 65.1%. Weighted for its industry mix, the area's sectors are forecast to grow about 5.4% nationally over five years. That reflects industry composition only and makes no allowance for local population growth. 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 labor market on Kangaroo Island displays strong capability across multiple industries, highlighted by an unemployment rate sitting at only 2.0% and annual job growth estimated at 3.6%. Figures for March 2026 show 2,802 residents actively employed, with joblessness tracking 3.5% lower than the 5.5% observed across Regional SA, while labor force participation reaches an elevated 65.1% against 58.3% regionally. In addition, Census data revealed that 15.9% of workers performed their duties from home, a metric that may reflect temporary Covid-19 lockdown circumstances. Primary sources of resident employment are centered in agriculture, forestry & fishing, accommodation & food, alongside health care & social assistance.
Specialization is particularly marked in agriculture, forestry & fishing, which captures a concentration 1.5 times the broader regional benchmark. Conversely, manufacturing accounts for a modest 3.6% of local jobs relative to 9.3% regionally. Comparing Census figures for the working population against total resident numbers suggests that a sizable contingent of workers travels outside the immediate area for employment. According to AreaSearch evaluation of ABS and SALM metrics, total employment climbed by 3.6% over the 12-month period as the labor pool expanded by 4.2%, resulting in a 0.5 percentage points uptick in unemployment. Across Regional SA, employment rose by 1.2% and the labor force grew by 2.6%, driving a 1.4 percentage point rise. Forward-looking guidance from Jobs and Skills Australia as of Mar-26 provides perspective on future workforce trajectories across five-year and ten-year horizons. Nationally, overall jobs are projected to rise by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, with wide variation across industries. When mapped against the local industrial base, Kangaroo Island is projected to see employment gains of 5.4% over five years and 11.6% over ten years (noting this illustrative weighting model does not incorporate local demographic projections).
Frequently Asked Questions - Employment
Median household income in Kangaroo Island is $1,128 a week (about $59,000 a year), with median personal income at $672 a week. ATO records put median taxable income at $41,897 a year against an average of $50,726. 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
Compiled ATO postcode statistics for financial year 2023 indicate that taxpayers in the Kangaroo Island SA2 recorded a median earnings level of $41,897 and an average of $50,726, trailing both nationwide figures and Regional SA benchmarks of $48,920 and $58,933 respectively. Factoring in Wage Price Index appreciation of 10.17% since financial year 2023, modeled figures as of March 2026 reach roughly $46,158 (median) and $55,885 (average). In the 2021 Census, local individual, family, and household earnings placed across the 8th to 23rd percentiles in Australia. The largest concentration of earners falls in the $400 - 799 weekly bracket, encompassing 27.3% of residents (1,426 individuals), contrasting with the wider region where 27.5% occupy the $1,500 - 2,999 bracket.
Even though residents keep 89.4% of their income after housing expenses, net disposable income settles in only the 14th percentile across the country.
Frequently Asked Questions - Income
Kangaroo Island had 1,940 occupied dwellings at the 2021 Census, 96% detached houses and 1% apartments. 30% are owned with a mortgage, 24% rented and 47% owned outright. At that Census the median rent was $208 a week and the median mortgage repayment $1,023 a month. Rent absorbs 18.4% of household income here and mortgage repayments 20.9%. Dwelling stock, tenure and housing costs are 2021 Census measures — the only source that counts dwellings at this boundary size.
Detail
At the most recent Census, the local housing stock consisted of 95.5% houses and 4.4% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings), presenting a higher concentration of standalone residences than Regional SA (88.5% houses and 11.5% other dwellings). Outright home ownership reached an elevated 46.5%, outstripping regional norms, while 30.0% of properties were owned with a mortgage and 23.5% were leased. Ongoing accommodation expenses remain comparatively low: monthly median mortgage payments of $1,023 and weekly median rents of $208 sit well under Regional SA levels of $1,153 and $220. In the national context, local mortgage servicing costs and rental rates sit far beneath the Australian averages of $1,863 per month and $375 per week respectively.
Frequently Asked Questions - Housing
Kangaroo Island counted 1,940 households at the 2021 Census, an estimated 2,072 today, averaging 2.2 people each. 20% are couples with children, fewer than in 86% of areas nationally, against 36% couples without children. 34% of households are people living alone, and families average 1.9 children. Household and family composition is measured only by the Census, so these are 2021 figures.
Detail
Family arrangements constitute the bulk of the domestic landscape at 63.8%, including couples without children at 36.3%, couples with children at 20.3%, and single parent families at 6.4%. Non-family living structures make up 36.2% of homes, largely represented by lone person households at 33.7% and group households at 2.5%. The typical household size stands at 2.2 people, slightly beneath the Regional SA median of 2.3.
Frequently Asked Questions - Households
21.4% of adults in Kangaroo Island hold a university qualification, including 15.4% with a bachelor degree and 3.6% with postgraduate qualifications. A further 28.1% hold a vocational qualification. 4 schools serve the area, with 713 enrolment places and an average ICSEA of 993 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
Tertiary educational attainment on Kangaroo Island sits below broader benchmarks, with 21.4% of residents aged 15+ possessing higher education qualifications compared to 30.4% across Australia, pointing to scope for further upskilling. Bachelor degrees form the largest segment at 15.4%, accompanied by postgraduate qualifications at 3.6% and graduate diplomas at 2.4%. Meanwhile, technical and vocational training shows considerable strength, with 37.7% of residents aged 15+ holding vocational credentials, consisting of advanced diplomas (9.6%) and certificates (28.1%). Around 24.3% of local residents are actively engaged in formal study. Within this student cohort, 12.1% attend primary education, 6.2% are enrolled in secondary education, and 1.4% are undertaking tertiary education.
Frequently Asked Questions - Education
Schools Detail
Public transport in Kangaroo Island reaches 53 stops on 2 routes, timetabled for about 170 services a week. Households keep an average of 1.5 vehicles. Stop and service counts are built from operators' published GTFS timetables and refresh with each timetable release; vehicle ownership is from the 2021 Census.
Detail
Local transit infrastructure on Kangaroo Island comprises 53 operational transport stops connected by 2 distinct routes that generate 169 weekly passenger trips. Overall public transport access remains restricted, reflected in a typical distance of 3695 meters to the closest stop. Travel patterns show that private vehicles serve as the primary mode of travel for 87% of commuters, while 10% travel on foot, and household motorization averages 1.5 per dwelling. Furthermore, 15.9% of the workforce operated from home according to the 2021 Census, potentially influenced by COVID-19 conditions. Across the network, transit schedules deliver an average of 24 trips per day, translating to roughly 3 weekly trips for each individual stop.
Frequently Asked Questions - Transport
Transport Stops Detail
65.4% of residents in Kangaroo Island report no long-term health condition. 4.4% need daily assistance with core activities, and 45.9% hold private health cover. The standardised death rate runs at 4.8 per 1,000 residents. Health conditions, assistance needs and insurance are 2021 Census measures; the death rate comes from current ABS releases.
Detail
Overall health indicators for Kangaroo Island remain encouraging, with AreaSearch metrics on health conditions and mortality rates aligning closely with Australian benchmarks and reflecting modest illness prevalence across all age groups. However, private health insurance uptake is notably suppressed at approximately 46% of the total population (~2,399 people), trailing the 48.9% observed in Regional SA as well as the 55.7% recorded nationwide. Arthritis and mental health issues represent the primary reported health conditions locally, affecting 10.0 and 7.6% of the population respectively, though 65.4% of residents reported having no long-term medical conditions, outperforming the Regional SA figure of 62.5%.
While chronic illnesses are somewhat elevated among working-age cohorts, senior citizens (aged 65 and over), who comprise 30.2% of the population (1,580 people) versus 27.1% in Regional SA, register exceptional health outcomes and achieve superior national ratings relative to the broader population.
Frequently Asked Questions - Health
Kangaroo Island is largely Australian-born, at 84.1% of residents, with 4.5% speaking a language other than English at home. The largest reported ancestries are English (34.1%) and Australian (31.0%). Ancestry, language and country of birth are counted only by the Census, so these are 2021 figures.
Detail
Demographic indicators reflect a relatively homogeneous cultural makeup on Kangaroo Island, where 86.2% of residents hold Australian citizenship, 84.1% were born in Australia, and 95.5% communicate exclusively in English at home. Christianity ranks as the primary religious affiliation, accounting for 35.3% of the community. In relative terms, Judaism exhibits a distinct presence at 0.1% of the population, compared to virtually none recorded across Regional SA. Regarding ancestral lineage based on parental birthplace, the leading heritages across Kangaroo Island are English (34.1%), Australian (31.0%), and Scottish (8.2%). Specific variations also appear among other backgrounds: German ancestry accounts for 6.8% locally (vs 8.2% regionally), Dutch background represents 1.6% (vs 1.3%), and Maori heritage stands at 0.8% (vs 0.2%).
Frequently Asked Questions - Diversity
The median resident of Kangaroo Island is 50, older than 91% of areas nationally. 17.3% 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 generational distribution on Kangaroo Island closely mirrors Regional SA patterns, with the maximum divergence across the four main age brackets measuring 3.2 percentage points. As at August 2026, the estimated median age stands at 50, identical to the 2021 Census level and 3 years older than the Regional SA median of 47 from that Census, while the national figure was 38 at that Census. Since the Census, the mature adult bracket (45 - 64) has decreased from 29.7% to an estimated 25.7% of the community. Looking to 2041, expansion will be driven largely by older cohorts (65+), projected to add 429 residents (27%) to achieve a total of 2,010.
Frequently Asked Questions - Age
Data & MethodBoundaries, Sources & Method for Kangaroo Island
8 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 8 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. | ||
| 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 3 sections | ||
| Infrastructure projects | Infrastructure Australia, State agencies, Local governments Daily | Jul 2025 about a year ago all 14 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 Jul 2025. | ||
| 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 — 132 validated new addresses here. The headline figure is therefore a current estimate for Aug 2026, not a 2021 count (4,894 at the 2021 Census → 5,227 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 (407011145). QuickStats reports 2021 only — the figures on this page are more current wherever the ledger shows a later date.