Karoonda - Lameroo
Statistical Area - sa2

Karoonda - Lameroo has shown very soft population growth performance across periods assessed by AreaSearch

Based on AreaSearch's analysis, Karoonda - Lameroo's population is around 2960 as of Aug 2025. This reflects an increase of 39 people since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 2921 people. The change was inferred from the estimated resident population of 2956 in Jun 2024 and an additional 17 validated new addresses since the Census date. This level of population equates to a density ratio of 0.30 persons per square kilometer, providing ample space per person. Population growth was primarily driven by overseas migration.

AreaSearch adopts 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 are adopted, based on 2021 data and released in 2023 with adjustments made using weighted aggregation from LGA to SA2 levels. Considering projected demographic shifts, lower quartile growth is anticipated for national regional areas. By 2041, the area is expected to increase by 82 persons, reflecting a total increase of 2.6% over the 17 years.

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

Karoonda - Lameroo has seen approximately 10 new homes approved annually. Development approval data is produced by the ABS on a financial year basis. There were a total of 50 approvals across the past five financial years, from FY-20 to FY-25, and none so far in FY-26. Despite population decline over this period, development activity has been adequate relative to demand, creating a balanced market with good buyer choice.

The average expected construction cost value of new dwellings is $196,000, under regional levels, indicating more affordable housing choices for buyers. In the current financial year, $42.0 million in commercial approvals have been registered, demonstrating high local commercial activity. Compared to the Rest of SA, Karoonda - Lameroo has around three-quarters the rate of new dwelling approvals per person and places among the 36th percentile nationally, resulting in relatively constrained buyer choice.

Recent building activity consists entirely of standalone homes, maintaining the area's traditional low density character with a focus on family homes appealing to those seeking space. The estimated count of 480 people per dwelling approval reflects its quiet, low activity development environment. Looking ahead, Karoonda - Lameroo is expected to grow by 78 residents through to 2041. At current development rates, new housing supply should comfortably meet demand, providing good conditions for buyers and potentially supporting growth beyond current population projections.

Karoonda - Lameroo has emerging levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the 20thth percentile nationally

Changes to local infrastructure significantly affect an area's performance. AreaSearch has identified no projects expected to impact this region. Notable initiatives include SA Water Capital Work Delivery Contracts, SA Public Housing Maintenance and Services Contracts, Project EnergyConnect, and Victorian Murray Floodplain Restoration Project.

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

Employment performance in Karoonda - Lameroo has been broadly consistent with national averages

Karoonda - Lameroo had an unemployment rate of 2.6% in June 2025. It employed 1,523 residents with a participation rate of 57.9%, compared to Rest of SA's 54.1%.

The dominant sectors were agriculture, forestry & fishing (employing 3.6 times the regional level), health care & social assistance, and education & training. However, manufacturing was lower at 1.9% versus the regional average of 9.3%. Many residents commuted elsewhere for work based on Census data analysis. Between June 2024 and June 2025, the labour force decreased by 2.3%, employment declined by 3.3%, causing unemployment to rise by 1.0 percentage points.

Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May 2025 projected a 6.6% increase over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Karoonda - Lameroo's employment mix suggested local growth of approximately 4.3% over five years and 10.3% over ten years, though this was a simple weighting extrapolation for illustrative purposes only.

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

Karoonda - Lameroo has a median taxpayer income of $42,284 and an average income of $47,531 according to AreaSearch data aggregated by postcode level ATO for the financial year 2022. This is lower than national averages; Rest of SA's median income is $46,889 with an average income of $56,582. Based on a 10.83% increase from Wage Price Index growth since FY2022, estimated incomes for March 2025 are approximately $46,863 (median) and $52,679 (average). The 2021 Census reports household, family, and personal incomes in Karoonda - Lameroo between the 13th and 18th percentiles nationally. Income distribution shows 28.2% of individuals earning between $800 and $1,499, unlike surrounding regions where 27.5% earn between $1,500 and $2,999. Housing costs are modest, with 94.1% of income retained, but total disposable income ranks at the 23rd percentile nationally.

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

In Karoonda-Lameroo, as per the latest Census evaluation, 96.6% of dwellings were houses, with the remaining 3.4% comprising semi-detached homes, apartments, and other types. This compares to Non-Metro SA's 89.9% houses and 10.1% other dwellings. The home ownership rate in Karoonda-Lameroo was 54.8%, with mortgaged dwellings at 26.6% and rented ones at 18.6%. The median monthly mortgage repayment in the area was $661, lower than Non-Metro SA's average of $1,083. The median weekly rent figure was recorded at $160, compared to Non-Metro SA's $220. Nationally, Karoonda-Lameroo's mortgage repayments were significantly lower than the Australian average of $1,863, while rents were substantially below the national figure of $375.

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

Family households are the majority at 63.5% of all households, including 23.5% couples with children, 32.5% couples without children, and 5.7% single parent families. Non-family households make up the remaining 36.5%, with lone person households at 34.8% and group households comprising 1.5%. The median household size is 2.2 people, which is smaller than the Rest of SA average of 2.3.

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

The area has university qualification rates of 13.3%, which is significantly lower than the Australian average of 30.4%. This discrepancy presents both a challenge and an opportunity for targeted educational initiatives. Bachelor degrees are the most common at 10.4%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (1.6%) and graduate diplomas (1.3%). Trade and technical skills are prominent, with 37.4% of residents aged 15+ holding vocational credentials - advanced diplomas (9.0%) and certificates (28.4%).

Educational participation is high, with 25.9% of residents currently enrolled in formal education. This includes primary education (12.1%), secondary education (8.1%), and tertiary education (1.2%). The four schools in Karoonda - Lameroo have a combined enrollment of 409 students. These schools demonstrate typical Australian school conditions, with an ICSEA score of 987, indicating balanced educational opportunities. The educational mix includes two primary schools and two K-12 schools.

Transport servicing is very low compared to other areas nationally based on assessment of service frequency, route connectivity and accessibility

Transport analysis indicates six active stops operating within Karoonda-Lameroo. These are mixed bus services, with four routes collectively offering 25 weekly passenger trips. Transport accessibility is limited, residents typically being 10859 meters from the nearest stop.

Service frequency averages three trips per day across all routes, resulting in approximately four weekly trips per individual stop.

Health performance in Karoonda - Lameroo is lower than average with common health conditions somewhat prevalent across both younger and older age cohorts

Karoonda-Lameroo faces significant health challenges with common health conditions prevalent across younger and older age cohorts. The rate of private health cover is extremely low at approximately 46% (around 1,361 people), compared to the national average of 55.3%.

The most common medical conditions are arthritis and asthma, affecting 9.8 and 9.3% of residents respectively. 62.8% of residents declare themselves completely clear of medical ailments, slightly higher than the Rest of SA's 61.8%. The area has 25.1% (743 people) of residents aged 65 and over, lower than the Rest of SA's 26.2%. Health outcomes among seniors are above average, better even than the general population in health metrics.

Karoonda - Lameroo ranks below the Australian average when compared to other local markets across a number of language and cultural background related metrics

Karoonda-Lameroo had a lower-than-average cultural diversity, with 85.3% of its population being Australian citizens and 87.6% born in Australia. The majority, 93.2%, spoke English only at home. Christianity was the predominant religion, accounting for 53.6% of the population, compared to 46.1% across Rest of SA.

Ancestry-wise, Australians made up 33.0%, English 31.8%, and Germans 11.6%. South African ancestry was notably higher at 1.5% in Karoonda-Lameroo versus 0.2% regionally, Korean ancestry was present at 0.2% (versus 0.0%), and Dutch ancestry stood at 1.2%, close to the regional figure of 1.1%.

Karoonda - Lameroo hosts an older demographic, ranking in the top quartile nationwide

Karoonda - Lameroo has a median age of 46, close to Rest of SA's figure of 47 and above the national average of 38. The 45-54 age group is strongly represented at 12.5%, compared to Rest of SA's figure, while the 65-74 cohort is less prevalent at 12.3%. Post the 2021 Census, the 75-84 age group grew from 7.5% to 9.6%, and the 15-24 cohort increased from 8.9% to 10.5%. Conversely, the 5-14 cohort declined from 12.1% to 10.6%, and the 65-74 group dropped from 13.8% to 12.3%. By 2041, demographic modeling suggests significant changes in Karoonda - Lameroo's age profile. The 85+ age cohort is projected to increase by 92 people (97%), from 94 to 187. Notably, combined 65+ age groups will account for 61% of total population growth, reflecting the area's aging demographic trend. Conversely, population declines are projected for the 0-4 and 25-34 cohorts.