Mount Barker Surrounds

Population growth drivers in Mount Barker Surrounds are above average based on AreaSearch's ranking of recent, and medium to long-term trends

Mount Barker Surrounds' population is approximately 7,312 as of February 2026. This figure shows an increase of 487 people, representing a 7.1% rise from the 2021 Census total of 6,825 inhabitants. The growth is inferred from the estimated resident population of 7,232 in June 2024 and an additional 99 validated new addresses since the Census date. The population density stands at 18.5 persons per square kilometer. Over the past decade, Mount Barker Surrounds has exhibited a compound annual growth rate of 1.6%, outperforming its SA4 region. Natural growth contributed approximately 48.2% to overall population gains during recent periods, with interstate and overseas migration also being positive factors.

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 post-2032, the SA State Government's Regional/LGA projections by age category are adopted, based on 2021 data and adjusted using a weighted aggregation method from LGA to SA2 levels. Based on projected demographic shifts, Mount Barker Surrounds is expected to experience above median population growth. By 2041, the area's population is projected to increase by 1,072 persons, reflecting an overall rise of 13.6% over the 17-year period, according to the latest annual ERP population numbers.

AreaSearch assessment of residential development activity positions Mount Barker Surrounds among the top 25% of areas assessed nationwide

Mount Barker Surrounds averaged approximately 48 new dwelling approvals per year over the past five financial years, totalling 240 homes. As of FY-26 so far, 21 approvals have been recorded. On average, each dwelling has resulted in around 2.7 new residents annually between FY-21 and FY-25. The average construction cost value for new homes is approximately $254,000.

In FY-26, there have been $4.0 million in commercial approvals, indicating limited focus on commercial development. Compared to Greater Adelaide, Mount Barker Surrounds records about 66% of the building activity per person and ranks among the 75th percentile nationally in terms of assessed areas. All recent building activity consists of detached houses, preserving the area's low density nature and attracting space-seeking buyers with an average of around 159 people per approval.

According to the latest AreaSearch quarterly estimate, Mount Barker Surrounds is expected to grow by approximately 992 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.

Mount Barker Surrounds has emerging levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the 31stth percentile nationally

Changes to local infrastructure significantly influence an area's performance. AreaSearch identified 31 potential impact projects. Key initiatives include Glenlea Mount Barker Estate, River Road Junction Improvements, New Mount Barker Hospital, and Cedar Woods Mount Barker Masterplanned Community (SA). The following list details those likely most relevant.

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

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Employment performance in Mount Barker Surrounds has been broadly consistent with national averages

Mount Barker Surrounds has a skilled workforce with an unemployment rate of 4.0% as of September 2025. Employment growth over the past year was estimated at 2.2%. The area's unemployment rate aligns with Greater Adelaide's rate of 3.9%, while workforce participation is higher at 72.8%.

According to Census responses, 14.3% of residents work from home. Employment is concentrated in health care & social assistance, construction, and education & training sectors. The area has a notably high concentration in agriculture, forestry & fishing, with employment levels at 6.1 times the regional average. Health care & social assistance has limited presence with 14.7% employment compared to 17.7% regionally.

Employment opportunities appear limited locally based on Census data comparison of working population vs resident population. In the 12-month period ending September 2025, employment increased by 2.2%, labour force by 3.3%, leading to a rise in unemployment rate by 1.1 percentage points. Greater Adelaide recorded employment growth of 3.0% and a fall in unemployment by 0.1 percentage points during the same period. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May-25 project overall employment expansion by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Mount Barker Surrounds' employment mix suggests local employment should increase by 6.1% over five years and 12.9% over ten years, though this is a simple weighting extrapolation for illustrative purposes only and does not account for localised population projections.

Income levels align closely with national averages, indicating typical economic conditions for Australian communities according to AreaSearch analysis

According to AreaSearch's aggregation of the latest postcode level ATO data released for financial year 2023, Mount Barker Surrounds SA2 had a median income among taxpayers of $53,659. The average level stood at $66,836. This was in line with national averages and compared to levels of $54,808 and $66,852 across Greater Adelaide respectively. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 8.8% since financial year 2023, current estimates would be approximately $58,381 (median) and $72,718 (average) as of September 2025. According to 2021 Census figures, household, family and personal incomes in Mount Barker Surrounds cluster around the 52nd percentile nationally. Distribution data shows that the predominant cohort spans 37.3% of locals (2,727 people) in the $1,500 - 2,999 income category. This reflects patterns seen in the surrounding region where 31.8% similarly occupy this range. After housing costs, residents retain 87.7% of their income, reflecting strong purchasing power. The area's SEIFA income ranking places it in the 6th decile.

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

Dwelling structure in Mount Barker Surrounds, as evaluated at the latest Census held on 28 August 2016, comprised 99.3% houses and 0.7% other dwellings such as semi-detached homes, apartments, and 'other' dwellings. This is compared to Adelaide metro's structure of 75.2% houses and 24.9% other dwellings. In Mount Barker Surrounds, the level of home ownership was at 36.3%, with mortgaged dwellings accounting for 53.6% and rented dwellings making up 10.1%. The median monthly mortgage repayment in the area was $1,522, recorded as of June 2021, which is below the Adelaide metro average of $1,562. The median weekly rent figure for Mount Barker Surrounds was $305, compared to Adelaide metro's $320. Nationally, mortgage repayments in Mount Barker Surrounds were significantly lower than the Australian average of $1,863, as of June 2021, while rents were substantially below the national figure of $375.

Mount Barker Surrounds features high concentrations of family households, with a higher-than-average median household size

Family households account for 79.0% of all households, including 35.5% couples with children, 34.1% couples without children, and 8.4% single parent families. Non-family households constitute the remaining 21.0%, with lone person households at 19.8% and group households comprising 1.6%. The median household size is 2.6 people, larger than the Greater Adelaide average of 2.5.

Educational attainment in Mount Barker Surrounds aligns closely with national averages, showing typical qualification patterns and performance metrics

The area's university qualification rate is 22.4%, significantly lower than the SA4 region average of 42.2%. Bachelor degrees are most prevalent at 15.5%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (3.8%) and graduate diplomas (3.1%). Vocational credentials are held by 41.6% of residents aged 15+, with advanced diplomas at 11.4% and certificates at 30.2%. Educational participation is high, with 27.4% of residents currently enrolled in formal education: 11.5% in primary, 7.6% in secondary, and 3.5% in tertiary education.

Educational participation is notably high, with 27.4% of residents currently enrolled in formal education. This includes 11.5% in primary education, 7.6% in secondary education, and 3.5% pursuing tertiary education.

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

Mount Barker Surrounds has eight active public transport stops operating, all of which are bus stops. These stops are serviced by three different routes that collectively provide 45 weekly passenger trips. The accessibility of these transport services is limited, with residents typically located 4147 meters from the nearest stop. As a primarily residential area, most residents commute outward to other locations. The car remains the dominant mode of transportation, used by 93% of residents. On average, there are 2.1 vehicles per dwelling in Mount Barker Surrounds, which is higher than the regional average.

According to the 2021 Census, 14.3% of residents work from home, a figure that may reflect COVID-19 conditions. The service frequency averages six trips per day across all routes, equating to approximately five weekly trips per individual stop.

Mount Barker Surrounds's residents are extremely healthy with very low prevalence of common health conditions across all age groups

Analysis of health metrics shows strong performance throughout Mount Barker Surrounds.

AreaSearch's assessment indicates very low prevalence of common health conditions across all age groups. The rate of private health cover is approximately 52% of the total population (~3,809 people), slightly lagging behind the average SA2 area. The most common medical conditions in the area are mental health issues and arthritis, impacting 8.9 and 8.3% of residents respectively. A total of 68.6% of residents declare themselves completely clear of medical ailments, compared to 67.9% across Greater Adelaide. Health outcomes among the working-age population are broadly typical. The area has 20.3% of residents aged 65 and over (1,481 people). Health outcomes among seniors are particularly strong, with national rankings broadly in line with the general population.

Mount Barker Surrounds is considerably less culturally diverse than average when assessed alongside AreaSearch's national rankings for language and cultural background related metrics

Mount Barker Surrounds had a cultural diversity index below average, with 87.1% of its population born in Australia, 92.1% being citizens, and 97.4% speaking English only at home. Christianity was the predominant religion, comprising 35.6% of people in Mount Barker Surrounds. However, Judaism showed an overrepresentation with 0.1%, compared to Greater Adelaide's 0.1%.

In terms of ancestry, the top three groups were English (34.9%), Australian (31.5%), and Scottish (8.0%). Notably, German (7.6%), Welsh (0.8%), and Dutch (1.9%) ethnicities were also overrepresented compared to regional averages.

Mount Barker Surrounds's median age exceeds the national pattern

The median age in Mount Barker Surrounds is 43 years, which is significantly higher than Greater Adelaide's average of 39 years and Australia's median age of 38 years. Compared to Greater Adelaide, Mount Barker Surrounds has a higher proportion of residents aged 55-64 (15.8%) but fewer residents aged 25-34 (8.9%). According to the 2021 Census, the population aged 75-84 grew from 4.2% to 6.1%, while the 35-44 age group increased from 12.2% to 13.6%. Conversely, the 45-54 age group declined from 15.3% to 13.3%, and the 25-34 age group decreased from 10.2% to 8.9%. By 2041, demographic projections show significant shifts in Mount Barker Surrounds' age structure. The 75-84 age group is projected to grow by 51%, reaching 675 people from the current 446. Notably, the combined age groups of 65 and above will account for 52% of total population growth, reflecting the area's aging demographic profile. In contrast, the 0-4 age group is projected to decrease by 5 residents.