Outback

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

Outback's population, as of November 2025, is approximately 2,004 people. This figure reflects a decrease from the 2021 Census count of 2,030 people, a change inferred from ABS estimated resident population data and validated new addresses since June 2024. The population density ratio stands at 0.00 persons per square kilometer. Overseas migration contributed around 62.5% of recent population gains in the area. AreaSearch uses projections based on ABS/Geoscience Australia data released in 2024, with a base year of 2022 for each SA2 area.

For areas not covered by this data and years post-2032, it adopts SA State Government's Regional/LGA projections by age category, released in 2023 using 2021 data, with adjustments made employing a method of weighted aggregation. By 2041, the area's population is projected to decrease by 25 persons according to this methodology. However, specific age cohorts are expected to grow, notably the 75 to 84 age group, which is projected to increase by 66 people.

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

Outback approved 1 dwelling annually over the past five years, totalling 8. This low development level is typical of rural areas with modest housing needs and limited construction activity due to local demand and infrastructure capacity. Yearly growth figures may vary significantly based on individual projects.

Outback has lower development activity compared to Rest of SA and national patterns. All approved dwellings were detached houses, aligning with rural living preferences for space and privacy. The area had an estimated 1974 people per dwelling approval, reflecting its quiet development environment. Population projections indicate stability or decline, suggesting reduced housing demand pressures and benefiting potential buyers.

With population projections showing stability or decline, Outback should see reduced housing demand pressures, benefiting potential buyers.

Outback has limited levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the 14thth percentile nationally

Changes to local infrastructure significantly influence an area's performance. AreaSearch identified 116 projects that could impact this region. Notable projects 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 relevant.

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

Denotes AI-based impression for illustrative purposes only, not to be taken as definitive under any circumstances. Please follow links and conduct other investigations from the project's source for actual imagery. Developers and project owners wishing us to use original imagery please Contact Us and we will do so.

Employment drivers in Outback are experiencing difficulties, placing it among the bottom 20% of areas assessed across Australia

Outback has a diverse workforce with both white and blue-collar jobs, prominent manufacturing and industrial sectors, and an unemployment rate of 8.3% as of September 2025. The area has 1,196 employed residents, with an unemployment rate 2.9% higher than the Rest of SA's rate of 5.4%, and a workforce participation rate of 62.2%, compared to the regional average of 54.1%.

Key employment industries for residents include agriculture, forestry & fishing, mining, and accommodation & food. Outback specializes in agriculture, forestry & fishing with an employment share 2.3 times the regional level, while health care & social assistance has a limited presence at 3.6% compared to the regional average of 13.9%. As of the Census, there are 1.6 workers per resident, indicating Outback functions as an employment hub attracting workers from nearby areas. Between September 2024 and September 2025, Outback's labour force increased by 3.1% while employment decreased by 1.5%, leading to a rise in unemployment rate of 4.3 percentage points.

In contrast, the Rest of SA saw employment grow by 0.3%, labour force expand by 2.3%, and unemployment rise by 1.9 percentage points during the same period. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May-25 project overall employment growth of 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, with varying rates across industry sectors. Applying these projections to Outback's employment mix suggests local employment should increase by 4.2% over five years and 10.0% over ten years.

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

The median taxpayer income in Outback SA2 was $45,330 according to postcode level ATO data aggregated by AreaSearch for the financial year 2022. This figure is lower than the national average. The average income for this area during the same period was $53,859. In contrast, Rest of SA had a median income of $46,889 and an average income of $56,582. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 12.83% since financial year 2022, estimated median income in Outback SA2 as of September 2025 would be approximately $51,146, with the average being around $60,769. According to Census 2021 data, household incomes in this area were at the 14th percentile, while personal incomes performed better at the 65th percentile. Income distribution showed that 30.7% of locals (615 people) fell into the $1,500 - 2,999 category, which is consistent with broader trends across regional levels showing 27.5% in the same category. Despite having modest housing costs with 95.4% of income retained, the total disposable income ranked at just the 27th percentile nationally.

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

Outback's dwelling structure, as per the latest Census, consisted of 89.5% houses and 10.6% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings). In comparison, Non-Metro SA had 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, lower than Non-Metro SA's average of $1,138. The median weekly rent figure in Outback was recorded as $95, significantly lower than Non-Metro SA's $187 and the national average of $375. Nationally, Outback's mortgage repayments were substantially below the Australian average of $1,863.

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% of the total. 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's university qualification rate is 12.9%, significantly lower than Australia's average of 30.4%. This disparity presents both challenges and opportunities for targeted educational initiatives. Bachelor degrees are the most common at 9.9%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (1.7%) and graduate diplomas (1.3%). Vocational credentials are prevalent, with 47.7% of residents aged 15 and above holding them - advanced diplomas comprise 11.0% and certificates make up 36.7%.

Educational participation is notably high at 27.9%, including 14.3% in primary education, 5.1% in secondary education, and 2.1% pursuing tertiary education.

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 across both young and old age cohorts at a standard level. Private health cover is low, with approximately 47% (~941 people) having it, compared to Rest of SA's 53.1%.

Nationally, the average is 55.3%. The most common medical conditions are arthritis (8.4%) and asthma (8.0%). 69.9% of residents declare no medical ailments, compared to Rest of SA's 68.2%. Outback has 18.4% (369 people) aged 65 and over, higher than Rest of SA's 16.3%. Health outcomes among seniors 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's cultural diversity was found to be below average, with 79.8% of its population being citizens, 87.8% born in Australia, and 89.7% speaking English only at home. Christianity was the main religion, comprising 40.3% of Outback's population. The category 'Other' showed overrepresentation at 1.9%, compared to the Rest of SA's 1.9%.

Ancestry-wise, Australian (28.5%), English (26.8%), and Australian Aboriginal (12.3%) were the top three groups in Outback. Hungarian was notably overrepresented at 0.6% compared to the regional average of 0.2%, German at 5.2% versus 4.8%, and Scottish at 8.3% versus 5.5%.

Outback's median age exceeds the national pattern

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 2021 and present, the 65 to 74 age group has grown from 10.6% to 12.9% of the population, while the 25 to 34 cohort increased from 16.2% to 17.9%. Conversely, the 15 to 24 cohort has 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 notable shifts in its age composition. The 75 to 84 group will grow by 62%, reaching 156 from 96, and those aged 65+ will comprise 95% of projected growth. Conversely, population declines are projected for the 25 to 34 and 35 to 44 cohorts.