Karoonda - Lameroo
Statistical Area - sa2

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

Karoonda - Lameroo's population is around 2,960 as of Aug 2025. This reflects an increase of 39 people since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 2,921 people. The change is inferred from the estimated resident population of 2,956 from the ABS as of June 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. Population growth for the area was primarily driven by overseas migration.

AreaSearch is adopting ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area, released in 2024 with 2022 as the base year. For areas not covered and years post-2032, SA State Government's Regional/LGA projections are adopted with adjustments made employing a method of weighted aggregation of population growth from LGA to SA2 levels. Considering projected demographic shifts, lower quartile growth of national regional areas is anticipated. The area is expected to increase by 82 persons to 2041 based on the latest population numbers, reflecting an increase of 2.6% in total 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 14 new homes approved annually over the past five financial years, totalling 70 homes. As of FY-26, there have been 0 approvals recorded so far. The population decline in recent years has resulted in adequate development activity relative to population size, benefiting buyers with more affordable housing options, as new properties are constructed at an average value of $196,000, below regional norms. This financial year, $42.0 million in commercial development approvals have been recorded, indicating high levels of local commercial activity.

Compared to the Rest of SA, Karoonda - Lameroo records about three-quarters the building activity per person and ranks among the 36th percentile nationally, offering more limited choices for buyers but supporting demand for existing homes. All new construction has consisted of detached houses, maintaining the area's traditional low density character with a focus on family homes. The estimated population per dwelling approval is 480 people, reflecting its quiet development environment.

Population forecasts indicate Karoonda - Lameroo will gain 78 residents by 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

No infrastructure changes or major projects have been identified by AreaSearch as likely to impact this area. Key projects include SA Water Capital Work Delivery Contracts, SA Public Housing Maintenance and Services Contracts, Project EnergyConnect (scheduled for completion in 2027), and EnergyConnect.

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

Karoonda-Lameroo has a balanced workforce with white and blue collar jobs, diverse sector representation, and an unemployment rate of 2.6% as of June 2025. There are 1,523 residents employed while the unemployment rate is 2.0% lower than Rest of SA's rate of 4.6%.

Workforce participation stands at 57.9%, slightly higher than Rest of SA's 54.1%. Dominant employment sectors include agriculture, forestry & fishing, health care & social assistance, and education & training. The area specializes in agriculture, forestry & fishing with an employment share 3.6 times the regional level, while manufacturing shows lower representation at 1.9% compared to the regional average of 9.3%. Many residents commute elsewhere for work based on Census working population data.

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 project overall growth of 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, but growth rates vary between sectors. Applying these projections to Karoonda-Lameroo's employment mix suggests local growth of approximately 4.3% over five years and 10.3% over ten years.

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

Karoonda - Lameroo had a median taxpayer income of $42,284 and an average of $47,531 in financial year 2022. This is lower than national averages, with Rest of SA having a median income of $46,889 and an average income of $56,582. Based on Wage Price Index growth from June 2022 to September 2025 (12.83%), current estimated incomes are approximately $47,709 (median) and $53,629 (average). According to the 2021 Census, household, family, and personal incomes in Karoonda - Lameroo fall between the 13th and 18th percentiles nationally. The earnings profile shows that 28.2% of the community earns between $800 and $1,499 annually (834 individuals), unlike surrounding regions where 27.5% fall within the $1,500 - $2,999 range. Housing costs are modest, with 94.1% of income retained, but total disposable income ranks at just 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 while 3.4% consisted of semi-detached homes, apartments, and other types. This differs from Non-Metro SA's figures of 89.9% houses and 10.1% other dwellings. Home ownership in Karoonda - Lameroo stood at 54.8%, with mortgaged properties at 26.6% and rented ones at 18.6%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $661, lower than Non-Metro SA's average of $1,083. Weekly rent in the area was recorded as $160, compared to Non-Metro SA's $220. Nationally, Karoonda - Lameroo's median monthly mortgage repayment is significantly lower at $661 than the Australian average of $1,863, and weekly rents are 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 account for 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 faces educational challenges, with university qualification rates at 13.3%, significantly lower than the Australian average of 30.4%. This presents both a challenge and an opportunity for targeted educational initiatives. Bachelor degrees are most common at 10.4%, followed by postgraduate qualifications at 1.6% and graduate diplomas at 1.3%. Trade and technical skills are prominent, with 37.4% of residents aged 15+ holding vocational credentials - advanced diplomas at 9.0% and certificates at 28.4%.

Educational participation is high, with 25.9% of residents currently enrolled in formal education. This includes 12.1% in primary education, 8.1% in secondary education, and 1.2% pursuing tertiary education. Karoonda - Lameroo's 4 schools have a combined enrollment of 409 students, operating under typical Australian school conditions (ICSEA: 987) with balanced educational opportunities. The educational mix includes 2 primary schools and 2 K-12 schools. Note: where schools show 'n/a' for enrolments, please refer to the parent campus.

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 public transport stops operating within the Karoonda - Lameroo area as of 2021. These stops are served by a mix of buses, with four individual routes providing a total of 25 weekly passenger trips. Transport accessibility is rated limited, with residents typically located 10859 meters from the nearest stop.

Service frequency averages three trips per day across all routes, equating to 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 both younger and older age cohorts. The rate of private health cover is extremely low at approximately 46% of the total population (~1,361 people), compared to the national average of 55.3%.

The most common medical conditions in the area are arthritis and asthma, impacting 9.8% and 9.3% of residents respectively. 62.8% of residents declared themselves completely clear of medical ailments, slightly higher than the Rest of SA's 61.8%. The area has 25.1% of residents aged 65 and over (743 people), which is lower than the Rest of SA's 26.2%. Health outcomes among seniors in Karoonda-Lameroo are above average, performing better 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 was found to have a cultural diversity score below average, with 85.3% of its population being Australian citizens, 87.6% born in Australia, and 93.2% speaking English only at home. The predominant religion in Karoonda-Lameroo is Christianity, accounting for 53.6% of the population, compared to 46.1% across the rest of South Australia. In terms of ancestry, the top three groups are Australian (33.0%), English (31.8%), and German (11.6%).

Notable differences exist in the representation of certain ethnic groups: South African is overrepresented at 1.5% compared to 0.2% regionally, Korean is present at 0.2% while not represented regionally, and Dutch is represented at 1.2% versus 1.1% regionally.

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-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 Karoonda - Lameroo's age profile will change significantly. The 85+ age cohort is projected to increase markedly, expanding by 92 people (97%) from 94 to 187. Notably, the combined 65+ age groups are expected to account for 61% of total population growth, reflecting the area's aging demographic profile. Conversely, population declines are projected for the 0-4 and 25-34 cohorts.