Murray Bridge
Statistical Area - sa2

Population growth drivers in Murray Bridge are strong compared to national averages based on AreaSearch's ranking of recent, and medium to long-term trends

Murray Bridge's population was around 20,475 as of November 2025. This showed an increase of 2,232 people, a 12.2% rise from the 2021 Census figure of 18,243. The growth was inferred from ABS's estimated resident population of 19,710 in June 2024 and additional validated new addresses since then. This results in a density ratio of 209 persons per square kilometer. Murray Bridge's growth exceeded the SA3 area's 6.5% and the non-metro area, indicating it as a regional growth leader. Overseas migration contributed approximately 90.2% of recent population gains.

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 are adopted, based on 2021 data and adjusted using weighted aggregation methods. Future demographic trends forecast significant population increase in the top quartile of Australian non-metropolitan areas. Murray Bridge is expected to expand by 4,922 persons to 2041, reflecting a total increase of 20.3% over the 17 years.

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

Murray Bridge has experienced approximately 134 dwelling approvals annually over the past five financial years, totalling 674 homes. As of FY26, 76 approvals have been recorded. On average, 1.6 new residents per year per dwelling constructed were noted between FY21 and FY25. This indicates a balanced supply and demand market, supporting stable conditions with an average dwelling construction value of $265,000.

In FY26, $361.8 million in commercial approvals have been registered, demonstrating high local commercial activity. Compared to the Rest of SA, Murray Bridge shows moderately higher development activity, 22.0% above the regional average per person over the five-year period. New building activity comprises 93.0% detached dwellings and 7.0% attached dwellings, preserving the area's low density nature and attracting space-seeking buyers with around 150 people per dwelling approval.

Murray Bridge is projected to grow by 4,157 residents through to 2041, with building activity keeping pace with growth projections. However, heightened competition among buyers may occur as the population grows.

Murray Bridge has emerging levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the 23rdth percentile nationally

Changes to local infrastructure significantly impact an area's performance. AreaSearch identified 12 projects likely affecting the area. Notable ones are Sturt Reserve Master Plan, Murray Bridge South Primary School Infrastructure Upgrade, Murray Bridge Residential Growth Areas, and Pathways Estate, Murray Bridge. The following list details those most relevant.

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

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The labour market performance in Murray Bridge lags significantly behind most other regions nationally

Murray Bridge has a diverse workforce with both white and blue collar jobs, prominent manufacturing and industrial sectors, and an unemployment rate of 5.2% as of June 2025. There are 8,143 employed residents, which is 0.6% higher than the Rest of SA's rate of 4.6%.

Workforce participation stands at 50.0%, below the Rest of SA's 54.1%. Key employment sectors include health care & social assistance, retail trade, and manufacturing. Manufacturing accounts for 1.3 times the regional level of employment, while agriculture, forestry & fishing has a lower presence at 8.4% compared to the regional 14.5%. The area may have limited local employment opportunities as indicated by Census data comparisons.

Between June 2024 and June 2025, labour force levels decreased by 2.2%, with employment down by 3.8%, leading to a 1.6 percentage point rise in unemployment rate. In contrast, Rest of SA saw employment fall by 1.2%, labour force expand by 0.1%, and unemployment rise by 1.2%. Jobs and Skills Australia forecasts national employment growth of 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Murray Bridge's employment mix suggests local growth of approximately 5.6% over five years and 12.3% over ten years, based on simple weighting extrapolation for illustrative purposes only.

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

Murray Bridge's median income among taxpayers was $44,171 in financial year 2022, according to ATO data aggregated by AreaSearch. The average income stood at $49,033 during the same period. These figures compare with Rest of SA's median and average incomes of $46,889 and $56,582 respectively. Based on a Wage Price Index growth rate of 12.83% since financial year 2022, estimated current incomes would be approximately $49,838 (median) and $55,324 (average) as of September 2025. From the 2021 Census data, household, family and personal incomes in Murray Bridge fell between the 6th and 11th percentiles nationally. The $800 - $1,499 earnings band captured 29.5% of Murray Bridge's community (6,040 individuals), differing from regional levels where the $1,500 - $2,999 category predominated at 27.5%. Housing affordability pressures were severe in Murray Bridge, with only 84.5% of income remaining, ranking at the 8th percentile nationally.

Murray Bridge is characterized by a predominantly suburban housing profile, with a higher proportion of rental properties than the broader region

In Murray Bridge, as per the most recent Census evaluation, 87.6% of dwellings were houses, with the remaining 12.4% comprising semi-detached homes, apartments, and other dwelling types. In comparison, Non-Metro SA had 89.9% houses and 10.1% other dwellings. Home ownership in Murray Bridge stood at 32.3%, with mortgaged dwellings at 30.9% and rented ones at 36.8%. The median monthly mortgage repayment in the area was $1,100, higher than Non-Metro SA's average of $1,083. Weekly rent in Murray Bridge was recorded at $240, compared to Non-Metro SA's $220. Nationally, Murray Bridge's median monthly mortgage repayment was significantly lower than the Australian average of $1,863, and weekly rents were substantially below the national figure of $375.

Murray Bridge features high concentrations of lone person households, with a fairly typical median household size

Family households account for 64.2% of all households, including 22.1% couples with children, 28.0% couples without children, and 13.0% single parent families. Non-family households constitute the remaining 35.8%, with lone person households at 32.6% and group households comprising 3.1%. The median household size is 2.3 people, which aligns with the Rest of SA average.

Murray Bridge 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 10.2%, significantly lower than the Australian average of 30.4%. This presents both a challenge and an opportunity for targeted educational initiatives. Bachelor degrees are the most common at 7.3%, followed by postgraduate qualifications at 1.5% and graduate diplomas at 1.4%. Trade and technical skills are prominent, with 37.4% of residents aged 15+ holding vocational credentials - advanced diplomas at 7.4% and certificates at 30.0%.

Educational participation is high, with 28.0% of residents currently enrolled in formal education. This includes 12.0% in primary education, 7.6% in secondary education, and 2.4% pursuing tertiary education. A robust network of 8 schools operates within Murray Bridge, educating approximately 3,496 students as of the latest available data. The area demonstrates varied educational conditions across Murray Bridge, with a mix of 4 primary, 1 secondary, and 3 K-12 schools. School capacity exceeds typical residential needs, with 17.4 places per 100 residents compared to the regional average of 13.6, indicating that the area serves as an educational center for the broader region.

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

Transport analysis shows two active stops in Murray Bridge offering a mix of train and bus services. These stops are served by eight routes combined, resulting in 45 weekly passenger trips. Residents have limited access to public transport, with an average distance of 2027 meters to the nearest stop.

Services run approximately six times daily across all routes, equating to about 22 weekly trips per individual stop.

Health performance in Murray Bridge is well below average with prevalence of common health conditions notable across both younger and older age cohorts

Murray Bridge faces significant health challenges, with high prevalence of common conditions across both younger and older age groups. Private health cover is low at approximately 46%, covering around 9,398 people, compared to the national average of 55.3%.

The most prevalent medical conditions are arthritis (10.5%) and mental health issues (10.1%). About 60.4% of residents report no medical ailments, slightly lower than the Rest of SA's 61.8%. Murray Bridge has 23.8% of residents aged 65 and over, totaling approximately 4,875 people, which is lower than the Rest of SA's 26.2%. Despite this, health outcomes among seniors in Murray Bridge are better than those of the general population.

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

Murray Bridge, as per data from the 2016 Census, had a population with 86.1% being citizens, 85.6% born in Australia, and 90.1% speaking English only at home. Christianity was the predominant religion, comprising 44.1%. Judaism, at 0.1%, was slightly overrepresented compared to the Rest of SA's 0.1%.

The top three ancestry groups were English (31.2%), Australian (29.1%), and German (9.9%). Notably, Filipino (2.3% vs regional 1.0%), Australian Aboriginal (4.2% vs 3.0%), and Vietnamese (0.4% vs 0.2%) populations were overrepresented in Murray Bridge compared to the broader region.

Murray Bridge hosts an older demographic, ranking in the top quartile nationwide

Murray Bridge has a median age of 42, which is younger than the Rest of SA figure of 47 and higher than the national norm of 38. The 25-34 age group makes up 14.1% of Murray Bridge's population, compared to Rest of SA, while the 65-74 cohort is less prevalent at 11.9%. According to post-2021 Census data, the 25-34 age group has grown from 12.7% to 14.1%, and the 45-54 cohort has declined from 12.0% to 10.7%. By 2041, Murray Bridge is expected to experience notable shifts in its age composition. The 75-84 group is projected to grow by 46% (808 people), reaching 2,584 from 1,775. Meanwhile, the 15-24 cohort is expected to grow by a modest 3% (73 people).