Murray Bridge

Population growth drivers in Murray Bridge are slightly above average based on AreaSearch's ranking of recent, and medium term trends

Murray Bridge's population was around 20,476 as of November 2025. This figure reflects an increase of 2,233 people since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 18,243. The change is inferred from the estimated resident population of 19,710 in June 2024 and an additional 574 validated new addresses since the Census date. This results in a population density ratio of 209 persons per square kilometer. Murray Bridge's growth rate of 12.2% since the 2021 census exceeded that of its SA3 area (7.2%) and the Rest of SA, indicating it as a growth leader in the region. Overseas migration contributed approximately 90.2% of overall population gains during recent periods.

AreaSearch adopted 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 were used, based on 2021 data and adjusted employing a method of weighted aggregation from LGA to SA2 levels. Demographic trends forecast a significant population increase in Murray Bridge, with an expected expansion of 4,922 persons by 2041, reflecting an overall increase of 20.3% over the 17-year period.

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

Murray Bridge has received approximately 134 dwelling approvals annually over the past five financial years, totalling 674 homes. As of FY26151 approvals have been recorded. On average, each new dwelling constructed between FY21 and FY25 attracted 1.6 new residents per year. This indicates a balanced supply and demand market, supporting stable conditions, with an average construction cost value of $265,000 per dwelling.

In FY26, commercial approvals reached $361.8 million, reflecting high levels of local commercial activity. Compared to the rest of South Australia, 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 an average of around 150 people per dwelling approval.

Murray Bridge is projected to grow by 4,156 residents by 2041, with building activity keeping pace with growth projections, potentially increasing competition among buyers as the population expands.

Murray Bridge has limited levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the 5thth percentile nationally

Changes to local infrastructure significantly affect an area's performance. AreaSearch has identified 12 projects that could impact the area. Notable ones are Sturt Reserve Master Plan, Murray Bridge Residential Growth Areas, Pathways Estate in Murray Bridge, and Murray Bridge South Primary School Infrastructure Upgrade. The following list details those most likely to be 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 balanced workforce with both white and blue collar jobs, with strong representation in manufacturing and industrial sectors. The unemployment rate was 5.9% as of September 2025. Compared to the Rest of SA, Murray Bridge had an unemployment rate 0.6% higher at 5.3%, and workforce participation was lower at 53.9%.

According to Census responses, only 5.1% of residents worked from home. Employment is concentrated in health care & social assistance, retail trade, and manufacturing, with a particular specialisation in manufacturing at 1.3 times the regional level. Agriculture, forestry & fishing has limited presence at 8.4%, compared to the regional figure of 14.5%. The area may offer limited local employment opportunities, indicated by the difference between Census working population and resident population figures.

Between September 2024 and September 2025, labour force levels increased by 1.9% while employment decreased by 0.5%, resulting in a rise of 2.2 percentage points in unemployment rate. In comparison, Rest of SA saw employment grow by 0.3%, labour force expand by 2.3%, and unemployment rise by 1.9 percentage points. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May-25 suggest that Murray Bridge's employment should increase by 5.6% over five years and 12.3% over ten years, based on a simple weighting extrapolation of industry-specific projections against the local employment profile.

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

The Murray Bridge SA2's median income among taxpayers was $46,070 in financial year 2023. The average income stood at $51,630 during the same period. This compares to figures for Rest of SA which were $48,920 and $58,933 respectively. Based on a Wage Price Index growth rate of 8.8% since financial year 2023, current estimates would be approximately $50,124 (median) and $56,173 (average) as of September 2025. According to the 2021 Census, household, family and personal incomes in Murray Bridge all fell within the 6th to 11th percentiles nationally. The income band of $800 - 1,499 captured 29.5% of the community (6,040 individuals), differing from regional levels where the $1,500 - 2,999 category predominated at 27.5%. Housing affordability pressures were severe, with only 84.5% of income remaining after housing costs, 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 housing structure, as per the latest Census, consisted of 87.6% houses and 12.4% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings). This compares to Non-Metro SA's 88.5% houses and 11.5% 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, lower than Non-Metro SA's average of $1,153. Median weekly rent in Murray Bridge was $240, higher than Non-Metro SA's figure of $220. Nationally, Murray Bridge's mortgage repayments were significantly lower at $1,863, and rents were substantially below the national average 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's university qualification rate is 10.2%, significantly lower than the Australian average of 30.4%. Bachelor degrees are 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 such qualifications - 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.

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

Public transport analysis indicates two active stops operating within Murray Bridge. These stops are served by three individual routes, collectively offering 27 weekly passenger trips. Transport accessibility is rated as limited, with residents typically located 2027 meters from the nearest stop. As a primarily residential area, most residents commute outward. Car remains the dominant mode of transport at 94%. Vehicle ownership averages 1.4 per dwelling.

According to the 2021 Census, a relatively low 5.1% of residents work from home, which may reflect COVID-19 conditions. Service frequency averages three trips per day across all routes, equating to approximately 13 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, as indicated by AreaSearch's assessment. Mortality rates and chronic condition prevalence are substantial across both younger and older age cohorts. Private health cover is extremely low, at approximately 46% of the total population (around 9,439 people), compared to 48.9% in the rest of South Australia and a national average of 55.7%.

The most prevalent medical conditions are arthritis and mental health issues, affecting 10.5% and 10.1% of residents respectively. Conversely, 60.4% of residents claim to be completely free from medical ailments, compared to 62.5% in the rest of South Australia. The working-age population faces notable health challenges due to elevated chronic condition rates. Murray Bridge has 23.8% of its residents aged 65 and over (4,875 people), lower than the 26.5% in the rest of South Australia. Health outcomes among seniors present some challenges, with national rankings generally aligned with those of the overall 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's cultural diversity was found to be below average, with 86.1% of its population being citizens, 85.6% born in Australia, and 90.1% speaking English only at home. Christianity was the main religion, comprising 44.1% of people in Murray Bridge. Judaism, however, was overrepresented at 0.1%, compared to 0.0% across Rest of SA.

The top three ancestry groups were English (31.2%), Australian (29.1%), and German (9.9%). Notably, Filipino (2.3%) and Australian Aboriginal (4.2%) were overrepresented in Murray Bridge compared to regional averages of 0.7% and 3.3%, respectively. Maori was also slightly overrepresented at 0.4%.

Murray Bridge's median age exceeds the national pattern

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 comprises 14.1%, compared to Rest of SA, while the 65-74 cohort makes up 11.9%. Post-2021 Census data shows the 25 to 34 age group grew from 12.7% to 14.1%. Conversely, the 45 to 54 cohort declined from 12.0% to 10.7%. By 2041, Murray Bridge is expected to see notable shifts in its age composition. The 75 to 84 group is projected to grow by 46%, reaching 2,584 from 1,775. Meanwhile, the 15 to 24 cohort grows by a modest 3%.