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 is 20,144 as of Aug 2025. This shows an increase of 1,901 people since the 2021 Census, which recorded a population of 18,243. The growth is inferred from ABS data: Murray Bridge had an estimated resident population of 19,710 in June 2024 and there were 430 new addresses validated after the Census date. This results in a density ratio of 206 persons per square kilometer. Murray Bridge's growth rate of 10.4% since the 2021 census exceeds the SA3 area (5.7%) and the non-metro area, indicating it is a growth leader in the region. Overseas migration contributed approximately 90.2% to 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, adjusted using weighted aggregation from LGA to SA2 levels based on 2021 data released in 2023. By 2041, Murray Bridge is forecasted to have a population increase of 4,922 persons, reflecting a 22.3% total increase over the 17 years.

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

Murray Bridge has annually received around 134 dwelling approvals. The Australian Bureau of Statistics provides development approval data on a financial year basis. From FY21 to FY25, approximately 674 dwellings were approved, with 34 more approved in FY26 so far. On average, each new dwelling constructed over these five years attracted around 1.6 new residents annually.

This indicates a balanced supply and demand market, supporting stable conditions. The average construction cost value of new dwellings was $367,000. In the current financial year, commercial approvals totaled $361.8 million, indicating high local commercial activity.

Compared to the Rest of SA, Murray Bridge shows moderately higher development activity, being 22.0% above the regional average per person over the past five years. This balance supports buyer choice while maintaining current property values. Detached dwellings made up 93.0% of new building activity, with attached dwellings comprising the remaining 7.0%, preserving the area's low-density nature and attracting space-seeking buyers. Murray Bridge has around 150 people per dwelling approval, indicating growth area characteristics. Future projections expect Murray Bridge to grow by 4,488 residents by 2041. Building activity is keeping pace with these growth projections, though increased competition among buyers may occur as the population grows.

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

Infrastructure changes significantly influence an area's performance. AreaSearch has identified 12 projects likely impacting the area. Key projects 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.

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

Murray Bridge has a balanced 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, with the unemployment rate at 0.6% above Rest of SA's 4.6%.

Workforce participation is lower at 50.0%, compared to Rest of SA's 54.1%. Key employment sectors include health care & social assistance, retail trade, and manufacturing. The area specializes in manufacturing with an employment share of 1.3 times the regional level, while agriculture, forestry & fishing has limited presence at 8.4% compared to 14.5% regionally. Over June 2024 to June 2025, labour force levels decreased by 2.2%, employment fell by 3.8%, and unemployment rose by 1.6 percentage points in Murray Bridge.

In comparison, Rest of SA saw employment fall by 1.2%, labour force expand by 0.1%, and unemployment rise by 1.2 percentage points. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May 2025 project overall 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.

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. The average income stood at $49,033 during the same period. In comparison, Rest of SA had a median income of $46,889 and an average income of $56,582. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 10.83% since financial year 2022, estimates for March 2025 would be approximately $48,955 (median) and $54,343 (average). According to the 2021 Census, 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 (5,942 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

Murray Bridge's dwelling structure, as per the latest Census, consisted of 87.6% houses and 12.4% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings). 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 was $1,100, higher than Non-Metro SA's average of $1,083. The median weekly rent was $240, compared to Non-Metro SA's $220. Nationally, Murray Bridge's mortgage repayments were significantly lower at $1,100 versus the Australian average of $1,863, and 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 comprise 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 account for 35.8%, with lone person households at 32.6% and group households making up 3.1%. The median household size is 2.3 people, which is the same as the average in the Rest of South Africa.

Murray Bridge faces educational challenges, with performance metrics placing it in the bottom quartile of areas assessed nationally

The area has lower university qualification rates at 10.2%, compared to Australia's 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 (1.5%) and graduate diplomas (1.4%). Vocational credentials are prevalent, with 37.4% of residents aged 15+ holding them - advanced diplomas at 7.4% and certificates at 30.0%.

Educational participation is high at 28.0%, including 12.0% in primary, 7.6% in secondary, and 2.4% pursuing tertiary education. Murray Bridge has a robust network of 8 schools educating approximately 3,496 students. The educational mix includes 4 primary, 1 secondary, and 3 K-12 schools. School capacity exceeds typical residential needs at 17.4 places per 100 residents compared to the regional average of 13.6, indicating Murray Bridge 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 indicates two operational public transport stops in Murray Bridge. These offer a combination of train and bus services, with eight distinct routes operating in total. Weekly, these routes facilitate 45 passenger trips.

Transport accessibility is considered limited, as residents are typically situated 2027 meters from the nearest stop. Service frequency averages six trips daily across all routes, resulting in approximately 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 rates for common conditions across both younger and older age groups. As of 31 December 2020, approximately 46% (~9,246 people) had private health cover, significantly lower than the national average of 55.3%.

The most prevalent medical conditions were arthritis (10.5%) and mental health issues (10.1%), while 60.4% reported having no medical ailments, compared to 61.8% in Rest of SA. As of 30 June 2021, Murray Bridge had 23.8% (4,796 people) aged 65 and over, lower than the state average of 26.2%. Despite this, health outcomes among seniors were better than those for 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, surveyed in the period from 2016 to 2021, had a culturally diverse population that was below average. Specifically, 86.1% of its residents were citizens, 85.6% were born in Australia, and 90.1% spoke English at home exclusively. Christianity was the predominant religion, with 44.1% of Murray Bridge's population identifying as Christian.

Notably, Judaism, though small in numbers (0.1%), was proportionally equal to that of the rest of South Australia. The top three ancestry groups, based on country of birth of parents, were English (31.2%), Australian (29.1%), and German (9.9%). Some ethnic groups showed significant disparities: Filipino residents were overrepresented at 2.3% compared to 1.0% regionally, Australian Aboriginal individuals constituted 4.2% versus the regional average of 3.0%, and Vietnamese residents made up 0.4% against a regional figure of 0.2%.

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's 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's age composition is expected to shift notably. The 75-84 group is projected to grow by 48%, adding 837 people and reaching 2,584 from 1,746. Meanwhile, the 15-24 cohort grows by a modest 5%, adding 110 people.