Outback
Statistical Area - sa2

Outback has shown very soft population growth performance across periods assessed by AreaSearch

As of August 2025, Outback's population is approximately 2,000, a decrease of 30 people from the 2021 Census figure of 2,030. This decline was inferred from ABS estimates showing an estimated resident population of 1,978 as of June 2024 and an additional 31 validated new addresses since the Census date. The current population results in a density ratio of 0.00 persons per square kilometer. Overseas migration contributed approximately 62.5% of overall population gains during recent periods. 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, SA State Government's Regional/LGA projections by age category are adopted, released in 2023 based on 2021 data. According to these projections, Outback's population is expected to decrease by 25 persons by 2041. However, the 75 to 84 age group is projected to increase by 66 people during this period.

The level of residential development activity in Outback is very low in comparison to the average area assessed nationally by AreaSearch

Outback has seen minimal construction activity since 2017 with only one new dwelling approved annually. In total, eight dwellings have been approved over the past five years. This low level of development is typical in rural areas where housing needs are modest and construction activity is limited by local demand and infrastructure capacity.

It should be noted that yearly growth figures and relativities can vary significantly based on individual projects due to such low approval numbers. Outback's development activity is considerably lower compared to Rest of SA, both regionally and nationally. All approved constructions have been detached houses, aligning with rural living preferences for space and privacy. The area has an estimated population of 1974 people per dwelling approval, indicating its quiet, low activity development environment.

Population projections suggest stability or decline, which should reduce housing demand pressures in Outback, potentially benefiting buyers.

Outback has strong levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the top 40% nationally

Changes to local infrastructure significantly impact an area's performance. AreaSearch identified 113 projects that could affect the region. Notable ones include Olympic Dam Underground Growth Projects, Olympic Dam Smelter Refinery Expansion Project, Oak Dam Underground Access Project, and Roxby Downs Area School Refurbishment. The following list details those most likely to be relevant.

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

Employment performance in Outback has been below expectations when compared to most other areas nationally

Outback's workforce comprises both white and blue-collar jobs with significant representation from manufacturing and industrial sectors. The unemployment rate in Outback was 6.2% as of the past year.

Employment growth during this period was estimated at 2.7%. As of June 2025, there were 1,245 residents employed while the unemployment rate was 1.6% higher than Rest of SA's rate of 4.6%. Workforce participation in Outback was 62.2%, compared to Rest of SA's 54.1%. Dominant employment sectors include agriculture, forestry & fishing, mining, and accommodation & food.

Agriculture, forestry & fishing had particularly notable concentration with employment levels at 2.3 times the regional average. Health care & social assistance had limited presence with 3.6% employment compared to 13.9% regionally. There were 1.6 workers for every resident as per Census data, indicating Outback functions as an employment hub hosting more jobs than residents and attracting workers from surrounding areas. Between June 2024 and June 2025, employment increased by 2.7%, labour force by 4.9%, causing the unemployment rate to rise by 2.0 percentage points. 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. National employment forecasts from Jobs and Skills Australia (May 2025) project national employment growth at 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Outback's employment mix suggests local growth of approximately 4.2% over five years and 10.0% over ten years, based on a simple weighting extrapolation for illustrative purposes.

The area's income levels rank in the lower 15% nationally based on AreaSearch comparative data

AreaSearch's latest postcode level ATO data released for financial year 2022 indicates Outback's median income among taxpayers is $45,330, with an average of $53,859. This is lower than the national average, with Rest of SA having a median of $46,889 and average of $56,582. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 10.83% since financial year 2022, estimates for March 2025 are approximately $50,239 (median) and $59,692 (average). According to the 2021 Census figures, household incomes rank at the 14th percentile while personal income is at the 65th percentile. Distribution data shows that 30.7% of locals (614 people) fall into the $1,500 - 2,999 income category. Housing costs are modest with 95.4% of income retained, however total disposable income ranks at just the 27th percentile nationally.

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

Dwelling structure in Outback, as evaluated at the latest Census, comprised 89.5% houses and 10.6% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings), compared to Non-Metro SA's 85.7% houses and 14.3% other dwellings. Home ownership in Outback was at 48.0%, with mortgaged dwellings at 10.8% and rented ones at 41.2%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $659, below Non-Metro SA's average of $1,138. The median weekly rent figure in Outback was $95, compared to Non-Metro SA's $187. Nationally, Outback's mortgage repayments were significantly lower than the Australian average of $1,863, while rents were substantially below the national figure of $375.

Outback features high concentrations of lone person households, with a lower-than-average median household size

Family households constitute 49.1% of all households, including 17.0% couples with children, 25.3% couples without children, and 6.6% single parent families. Non-family households account for the remaining 50.9%, with lone person households at 46.8% and group households comprising 3.7%. The median household size is 2.0 people, which is smaller than the Rest of SA average of 2.4.

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

The area has lower university qualification rates at 12.9% compared to the Australian average of 30.4%. This represents both a challenge and an opportunity for targeted educational initiatives. Bachelor degrees are the most common at 9.9%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (1.7%) and graduate diplomas (1.3%). Trade and technical skills are prominent, with 47.7% of residents aged 15+ holding vocational credentials - advanced diplomas (11.0%) and certificates (36.7%).

Educational participation is high at 27.9%, including 14.3% in primary education, 5.1% in secondary education, and 2.1% pursuing tertiary education. There are six schools operating within Outback, educating approximately 116 students. The educational mix includes two primary schools and four K-12 schools. Local school capacity is limited at 5.8 places per 100 residents compared to the regional average of 15.4, leading many families to travel to nearby areas for schooling.

No public transport data available for this catchment area.

Outback's residents are relatively healthy in comparison to broader Australia with a fairly standard level of common health conditions seen across both young and old age cohorts

Outback's health metrics closely match national benchmarks. Common health conditions are seen equally across young and old age groups. Private health cover is low at approximately 47% (940 people), compared to 53.1% across Rest of SA, and the national average of 55.3%.

The most prevalent medical conditions are arthritis (8.4%) and asthma (8.0%). 69.9% of residents report no medical ailments, slightly higher than Rest of SA's 68.2%. Residents aged 65 and over comprise 18.4% (369 people), exceeding Rest of SA's 16.3%. Senior health outcomes are above average, outperforming the general population in health metrics.

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

Outback demonstrated lower cultural diversity, with 79.8% being citizens, 87.8% born in Australia, and 89.7% speaking English only at home. Christianity was the dominant religion at 40.3%. The 'Other' category showed a similar percentage to Rest of SA, at 1.9%.

In terms of ancestry, Australian (28.5%), English (26.8%), and Australian Aboriginal (12.3%) were the top groups. Some ethnic groups had notable differences: Hungarian was overrepresented at 0.6% (vs regional 0.2%), German at 5.2% (vs 4.8%), and Scottish at 8.3% (vs 5.5%).

Outback hosts an older demographic, ranking in the top quartile nationwide

Outback's median age is 43 years, significantly below the Rest of SA average of 47 but substantially exceeding the national average of 38. The age profile shows that those aged 25-34 are particularly prominent at 17.9%, while the 75-84 group is comparatively smaller at 4.8% than in Rest of SA. Between January 2021 and present, the population aged 65 to 74 has grown from 10.6% to 12.9%, while the 25 to 34 cohort increased from 16.2% to 17.9%. Conversely, the 15 to 24 cohort declined from 11.9% to 8.4%, and the 45 to 54 group dropped from 15.4% to 13.4%. By 2041, Outback is expected to see significant shifts in its age composition. Leading this demographic shift, the 75 to 84 group will grow by 62%, reaching 156 people from a starting point of 96. The aging population dynamic is clear, with those aged 65 and above comprising 95% of projected growth. Conversely, population declines are projected for the 25-34 and 35-44 cohorts.