Light
Statistical Area - sa2

Light lies within the top quartile of areas nationally for population growth performance according to AreaSearch analysis of recent, and medium to long-term trends

Based on AreaSearch's analysis, Light's population is around 10,622 as of Aug 2025. This reflects an increase of 825 people since the 2021 Census which reported a population of 9,797 people. The change was inferred from the estimated resident population of 10,534 from the ABS as of June 2024 and an additional 137 validated new addresses since the Census date. This level of population equates to a density ratio of 9.6 persons per square kilometer. Light's growth of 8.4% since the 2021 census exceeded the SA4 region's 5.8%, marking it as a growth leader in the area. Population growth was primarily driven by interstate migration contributing approximately 74.6% of overall population gains during recent periods, although all drivers including overseas migration and natural growth were positive factors.

AreaSearch adopts 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 post-2032, the SA State Government's Regional/LGA projections by age category released in 2023 based on 2021 data are adopted with adjustments made using a method of weighted aggregation of population growth from LGA to SA2 levels. Future demographic trends project an above median population growth for regional areas across the nation, with Light expected to expand by 1,978 persons to 2041 based on the latest population numbers, showing an increase of 17.8% in total over the 17 years.

AreaSearch assessment of residential development activity positions Light among the top 25% of areas assessed nationwide

Light averaged approximately 61 new dwelling approvals annually. The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) produces development approval data on a financial year basis. Between the financial years 2020-21 (FY-21) and 2025-26 (FY-25), 307 dwellings were approved, with 6 approvals recorded in FY-26 so far. On average, each dwelling attracted approximately 2.8 new residents annually over the past five financial years.

This suggests steady demand supporting property values, with new homes constructed at an average cost of $365,000. In the current financial year, $29.0 million in commercial approvals have been registered, indicating robust commercial development activity. Compared to the Rest of South Australia (SA), Light has similar development levels per capita, maintaining market balance with neighboring areas.

However, recent development activity has somewhat slowed down. All new developments in recent periods have consisted solely of detached houses, preserving Light's low-density character and catering to space-seeking buyers. With approximately 262 people per dwelling approval, Light indicates a developing housing market. Projections suggest Light will grow by about 1,890 residents by 2041. Development is keeping pace with projected growth, but increasing competition among buyers may arise as the population expands.

Light has emerging levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the 30thth percentile nationally

Changes to local infrastructure significantly influence an area's performance. AreaSearch has identified 18 projects potentially impacting the area. Notable ones are Freeling West Code Amendment, Barossa Lifestyle (Barossa Co-op Redevelopment), Barossa Growth and Infrastructure Investment Strategy, and Sovereign Estate. The following list details those most relevant.

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

The employment environment in Light shows above-average strength when compared nationally

Light has a balanced workforce with representation from both white and blue collar jobs. Manufacturing and industrial sectors are prominent, with an unemployment rate of 2.8%.

As of June 2025, there are 5,274 employed residents, which is 1.8% lower than Rest of SA's rate of 4.6%. Workforce participation in Light stands at 62.6%, surpassing the Rest of SA average of 54.1%. Key employment sectors include manufacturing, health care & social assistance, and agriculture, forestry & fishing. Manufacturing is particularly specialized with an employment share of 1.6 times the regional level.

However, agriculture, forestry & fishing is under-represented at 11.0% compared to Rest of SA's 14.5%. Local employment opportunities appear limited based on Census data comparison. In the year leading up to June 2025, Light's labour force grew by 0.2%, while employment decreased by 0.6%, resulting in a rise in unemployment rate by 0.8 percentage points. This contrasts with Rest of SA where employment contracted by 1.2% and unemployment rose by 1.2 percentage points. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May 2025 project a 6.6% expansion over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Light's employment mix suggests local growth of approximately 5.1%% over five years and 11.7% over ten years, though this is a simple extrapolation for illustrative purposes and does not account for localized population projections.

Income levels sit below national averages according to AreaSearch assessment

AreaSearch's latest postcode level ATO data for financial year 2022 shows that Light has lower incomes than the national average. The median income is $51,282 and the average income is $59,125. In contrast, Rest of SA has a median income of $46,889 and an average income of $56,582. Using Wage Price Index growth of 10.83% since financial year 2022, current estimates for Light are approximately $56,836 (median) and $65,528 (average) as of March 2025. The 2021 Census data ranks incomes in Light modestly, between the 34th and 38th percentiles for household, family, and personal incomes. In terms of income distribution, 35.7% of individuals in Light earn between $1,500 - 2,999, similar to the surrounding region at 27.5%. Housing costs allow for 87.9% retention, but disposable income is below average at the 43rd percentile.

Light is characterized by a predominantly suburban housing profile, with ownership patterns similar to the broader region

The dwelling structure in Light, as per the latest Census, consisted of 97.3% houses and 2.8% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings). In comparison, Non-Metro SA had 94.6% houses and 5.4% other dwellings. Home ownership in Light was at 36.8%, with the rest being mortgaged (48.9%) or rented (14.3%). The median monthly mortgage repayment was $1,328, lower than Non-Metro SA's average of $1,400 and significantly below the national average of $1,863. The median weekly rent in Light was $260, compared to Non-Metro SA's $285 and substantially below the national figure of $375.

Light has a typical household mix, with a higher-than-average median household size

Family households constitute 75.2% of all households, including 32.8% couples with children, 31.6% couples without children, and 10.3% single parent families. Non-family households comprise the remaining 24.8%, with lone person households at 22.7% and group households making up 2.0%. The median household size is 2.6 people, higher than the Rest of SA average of 2.5.

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

The area's university qualification rate stands at 15.7%, significantly lower than the Australian average of 30.4%. This disparity presents both a challenge and an opportunity for targeted educational initiatives. Bachelor degrees are the most prevalent qualification type at 12.2%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (1.9%) and graduate diplomas (1.6%). Vocational credentials are prominent, with 41.0% of residents aged 15+ holding such qualifications – advanced diplomas account for 9.4% while certificates make up 31.6%.

Educational participation is high, with 29.5% of residents currently enrolled in formal education. This includes 12.6% in primary education, 7.5% in secondary education, and 4.4% pursuing tertiary education. Light's five schools have a combined enrollment of 1,273 students, serving distinct age groups with balanced educational opportunities, typical of Australian school conditions (ICSEA: 987).

No public transport data available for this catchment area.

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

Light faces significant health challenges with common health conditions prevalent across both younger and older age cohorts. The rate of private health cover is relatively low at approximately 49% of the total population (around 5,215 people), compared to the national average of 55.3%.

The most common medical conditions in the area are asthma and mental health issues, affecting 9.8 and 9.5% of residents respectively, while 64.8% declare themselves completely clear of medical ailments, similar to the 64.6% across Rest of SA. The area has 19.7% of residents aged 65 and over (2,093 people), which is lower than the 22.8% in Rest of SA.

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

Light's cultural diversity was found to be below average. It had 88.8% of its population born in Australia, with 91.9% being citizens, and 97.8% speaking English only at home. Christianity was the dominant religion in Light, comprising 45.1% of people, compared to 47.1% across Rest of SA.

The top three ancestry groups were English (32.5%), Australian (32.3%), and German (12.2%). Notably, Welsh and Dutch ethnicities had higher representation in Light than regionally: Welsh at 0.5% vs 0.5%, and Dutch at 1.2% vs 1.3%.

Light's population is slightly older than the national pattern

The median age in Light is 40 years, which is significantly below the Rest of South Africa's median age of 47 and slightly above the national average of 38 years. Compared to Rest of SA, Light has a higher proportion of residents aged 15-24 (12.4%) but fewer residents aged 75-84 (5.9%). According to the 2021 Census, the population aged 65-74 grew from 11.0% to 12.0%, while the proportion of those aged 45-54 declined from 12.9% to 11.7%, and the age group 55-64 decreased from 14.9% to 13.8%. By the year 2041, Light's population is expected to experience notable shifts in its age composition. Notably, the 75-84 age group is projected to grow by 82%, adding 516 people and reaching a total of 1,143 from the previous figure of 626. The 55-64 age group is expected to see more modest growth of 2%, with an increase of just 29 residents.