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This analysis uses ABS Statistical Areas Level 2 (SA2) boundaries, which can materially differ from Suburbs and Localities (SAL) even when sharing similar names.
SA2 boundaries are defined by the Australian Bureau of Statistics and are designed to represent communities for statistical reporting (e.g., census and ERP).
Suburbs and Localities (SAL) represent commonly-used suburb/locality names (postal-style areas) and may use different geographic boundaries. For comprehensive analysis, consider reviewing both boundary types if available.
est. as @ -- *
ABS ERP | -- people | --
2021 Census | -- people
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Renmark Surrounds has an estimated 5,566 residents, up from 5,080 at the 2021 Census — a change of 486 people, or 9.6%. Growth has averaged 1.4% a year over five years. Overseas migration accounts for 75.6% of that increase. Fewer than ten people live on each square kilometre, across a boundary that takes in surrounding rural land. Population is estimated from ABS Estimated Resident Population releases and GNAF address data, re-based from the 2021 Census and updated annually.
Detail
According to research by AreaSearch, the resident count in Renmark Surrounds stands at approximately 5,566 as of Aug 2026. This represents an addition of 486 residents (9.6%) following the 2021 Census, when 5,080 people were recorded. This adjustment is based on an ABS estimated resident population figure of 5,541 as of June 2025 alongside 89 validated new addresses registered following the Census. Consequently, population density is estimated at 6.2 persons per square kilometer, ensuring considerable room for locals. The district outpaced both the broader SA3 region (6.0%) and the Rest of SA with its 9.6% rate of expansion since the 2021 census, establishing itself as a regional growth frontrunner.
International arrivals served as the primary growth catalyst, generating roughly 75.6% of recent net additions, though natural increase and interstate migration likewise posted positive contributions. Projections published by ABS/Geoscience Australia in 2024 (using 2022 as a base year) serve as AreaSearch's primary modeling foundation for SA2 regions. In locations without coverage or for periods extending beyond 2032, models integrate 2023 SA State Government Regional/LGA age-cohort forecasts grounded in 2021 numbers, using a weighted growth aggregation framework to scale LGA trajectories to SA2 boundaries. Future demographic trajectories point to growth tracking slightly below the non-metropolitan median, with current annual ERP figures indicating the community will add 434 persons leading up to 2041, representing a cumulative rise of 7.3% across the 16-year timeframe.
Frequently Asked Questions - Population
89 new dwellings have been approved in Renmark Surrounds over the past five years, an average of 17 a year. That places the area in the 66th percentile for residential development activity nationally, about 3 approvals per 1,000 residents a year. Figures come from ABS building approvals aggregated to this SA2 boundary and are updated monthly as the ABS releases them.
Detail
Residential planning permissions across Renmark Surrounds have averaged roughly 17 dwellings each year, totaling 89 homes over the recent 5 financial years (between FY-22 and FY-26). Inflow patterns reveal an average intake of 4.2 people per year per finished residence over the last 5 financial years (between FY-22 and FY-26), creating a demand profile that substantially outstrips fresh building volume, a trend typically spurring value appreciation and competitive buying. Approved residential projects carry an average expected construction cost of $464,000, which sits higher than typical regional benchmarks and points to higher-end builds.
Alongside this, non-residential building approvals reached $13.4 million in the current financial year, demonstrating steady commercial building momentum. On an individual resident basis, building activity in Renmark Surrounds tracks at roughly half the rate recorded across Rest of SA, though national evaluations place the district within the 64th percentile amid recent building acceleration. Output nevertheless trails broader national averages, reflecting established market dynamics and potential development bottlenecks. Recent building works have focused exclusively on standalone houses, safeguarding a low-density environment tailored to buyers seeking spacious detached living. With approximately 215 people per approval, the district exhibits the hallmarks of an evolving market. Based on the most recent AreaSearch quarterly update, population projections anticipate an influx of 409 residents through to 2041 across Renmark Surrounds. At prevailing rates of building activity, future residential output appears well-positioned to satisfy incoming demand, offering advantageous buying conditions while potentially enabling expansion above current baseline expectations.
Frequently Asked Questions - Development
Development applications around Renmark Surrounds
Loading development applications…
| Lodged | Address | Description | Type | Distance | Status |
|---|
SOURCE: Planning portals and council registers, compiled by AreaSearch. Distance & bearing measured from the suburb midpoint.
AreaSearch tracks 2 current infrastructure and development projects inside Renmark Surrounds, worth an estimated $4 million. A further 47 sit in the immediately surrounding suburbs, taking the tracked pipeline within reach of the area to $932 million. 13 are already under construction and 14 are due for completion within three years. The pipeline spans communities, precincts & urban renewal, residential development and transport & logistics. Records are compiled from Infrastructure Australia, state agencies, council planning portals and public announcements, reviewed and updated daily, then ranked by proximity, construction stage, completion horizon and project scale.
Detail
Local economic momentum is heavily shaped by major developments, regional initiatives, and infrastructure upgrades. AreaSearch has identified 6 significant projects with the potential to influence the area. Key works include the Jane Eliza Waterfront Estate, Big Orange Redevelopment, Barmera Jetty Redevelopment, and the Berri Energy Project, with primary projects detailed below.
Professional plan users can use the search below to filter and access additional projects.
INFRASTRUCTURE SEARCH
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Frequently Asked Questions - Infrastructure
Paringa Town Centre Revitalisation
Beautification and upgrade of the main street in Paringa, including new public toilets with improved accessibility, lighting, and security measures. Aims to create a welcoming and inclusive space for residents and visitors.
Taylor Riverfront Precinct
Transformation of Renmark's riverfront open space to create a high-quality regional destination. Includes a new visitor information centre, 'eat street' on Murray Avenue, feature lighting, water play, BBQs, and family recreation areas.
Revive Renmark
A continuation of the Urban Design Framework, which includes upgrades to Murray Avenue and the Murray Avenue, Renmark Avenue and Ral Ral intersection. Aims to bring life and activity to the town centre and revive its economy.
Renmark High School Redevelopment
A multi-stage redevelopment project including a new administration building, library and student services upgrade, FLO creative teaching refurbishment, and Home Economics area upgrade. Also included major services and air conditioning and lighting upgrades to all buildings.
Jane Eliza Waterfront Estate
A river-based master-planned development on the banks of the River Murray in Renmark, featuring about 780 homes, townhouses and apartments, an expanded marina with 100 moorings, restaurants, shops, cafes, commercial tenancies, and residential and commercial precincts. It aims to boost Renmark's reputation as the State's most popular and iconic houseboat destination.
Renmark Riverfront Wharf Upgrade
The project involved a major upgrade of the Renmark Riverfront Wharf, including a new 3-metre wide walkway, improved access for houseboats, revitalised wharf area with improved lighting and accessible ramps. The new wharf is designed to withstand high river flow and flooding. It aims to revitalize and enhance the amenity and liveability by repairing damage, ensuring flood resilience, accessibility, and asset longevity for 30-50 years.
Twentyfirst Street Bridge Replacement
Replacement of the Twentyfirst Street Bridge to improve connectivity, road safety and ensure flood resilience. The project includes demolition of the old bridge, new bridge abutments, installation of five bridge girders, wingwalls and culvert works, and road formation.
Barmera Jetty Redevelopment
Redevelopment of the Barmera foreshore jetty at Lake Bonney, focused on creating a safe, accessible and durable jetty reflecting the unique character of the lake. Following two rounds of community consultation in 2023 and concept design refinement, Council resolved in February 2026 to proceed with detailed design of the preferred U-shape design, which received 52.61% of community votes. Detailed design is 100% externally funded through a $175,000 grant from the South Australia Constraints Measures project (part of the Australian Government Basin Plan).Construction is subject to securing further external funding, with no confirmed timeline.
3,159 residents of Renmark Surrounds are employed, from a labour force of 3,235. Unemployment sits at 2.3%, with participation at 69.0%. Weighted for its industry mix, the area's sectors are forecast to grow about 5.0% nationally over five years. That reflects industry composition only and makes no allowance for local population growth. The working-day population is estimated at 4,946, about 89% of the resident population, so more people leave the area for work than travel in. Unemployment and labour force come from ABS Small Area Labour Markets, updated quarterly; the industry and occupation profile is from the 2021 Census.
Detail
Renmark Surrounds features a mixed labor force that includes both white collar and blue collar roles, with varied industry representation, a current unemployment rate of 2.3%, and an estimated employment growth of 3.3% during the previous year. By March 2026, there are 3,159 residents employed, and the local unemployment rate stands at 3.1%, which is 5.5% lower than the rate for Regional SA. The workforce participation rate reaches 69.0%, significantly exceeding the 58.3% rate observed in Regional SA. Census data indicates that only 9.0% of residents worked from home, although the lingering effects of Covid-19 lockdowns should be taken into account when interpreting these figures.
Locals are primarily employed across agriculture, forestry & fishing, health care & social assistance, alongside retail trade. The local labour market is heavily concentrated in agriculture, forestry & fishing, where the proportion of workers is 1.7 times the regional benchmark. In contrast, health care & social assistance represents 11.1% of local workers compared to 13.9% regionally. Comparisons between resident workers and local workplace headcounts suggest limited employment self-containment within the immediate area. AreaSearch evaluations of ABS and SALM releases indicate that over the 12 months leading to March 2026, local headcount grew by 3.3% as the overall labour pool expanded by 3.7%, resulting in a 0.3 percentage point uptick in the jobless rate. Over the same timeframe, Regional SA experienced a 1.2% rise in employment, a 2.6% increase in labour supply, and a 1.4 percentage point climb in unemployment. Future workplace requirements can be evaluated using national industry projections issued by Jobs and Skills Australia as of Mar-26, mapped against local sector shares. Nationwide employment is projected to expand by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, with performance varying widely by sector. Weighting these projections against the area's specific job composition indicates an anticipated employment rise of 5.0% over five years and 11.3% over ten years (note that this illustrative model applies simple sector weighting without adjusting for localized demographic shifts).
Frequently Asked Questions - Employment
Median household income in Renmark Surrounds is $1,459 a week (about $76,000 a year), with median personal income at $749 a week. ATO records put median taxable income at $47,545 a year against an average of $53,213. Household income is from the 2021 Census; taxable income is from ATO Taxation Statistics for the latest financial year available, indexed forward using the ABS Wage Price Index.
Detail
According to ATO postcode figures for financial year 2023 assessed by AreaSearch, earnings across the Renmark Surrounds SA2 trail nationwide benchmarks, recording a median of $47,545 and an average of $53,213. For comparison, Regional SA registered a median income of $48,920 and an average of $58,933. Accounting for a 10.17% increase in the Wage Price Index since financial year 2023, updated estimates reach approximately $52,380 for median earnings and $58,625 for average earnings as of March 2026. Data from the 2021 Census positions local household, family, and individual incomes in the lower middle range, ranking between the 33rd and 38th percentiles.
The primary earning bracket captures 35.1% of workers earning $1,500 - 2,999 weekly (1,953 residents), tracking regional distributions where 27.5% fall into this tier. Residents retain 90.2% of their income after housing obligations, though overall discretionary funds remain comparatively low at the 40th percentile.
Frequently Asked Questions - Income
Renmark Surrounds had 1,846 occupied dwellings at the 2021 Census, 93% detached houses and 1% apartments. 41% are owned with a mortgage, 16% rented and 43% owned outright. At that Census the median rent was $200 a week and the median mortgage repayment $1,178 a month. Rent absorbs 13.7% of household income here and mortgage repayments 18.6%. Dwelling stock, tenure and housing costs are 2021 Census measures — the only source that counts dwellings at this boundary size.
Detail
Data from the latest Census shows the housing stock in Renmark Surrounds is overwhelmingly made up of separate houses at 92.6%, with semi-detached dwellings, units, and other formats accounting for 7.5%, compared to 88.5% houses and 11.5% other dwellings across Regional SA. Full home ownership stands at 42.8%, matching broader regional rates, while remaining properties carry a mortgage (41.0%) or are occupied by tenants (16.1%). Monthly mortgage payments show a median of $1,178, above the Regional SA benchmark of $1,153, while weekly rent carries a median of $200 against $220 across Regional SA.
When viewed against national figures, local monthly repayments sit well underneath the Australian average of $1,863, and weekly rents track considerably lower than the national benchmark of $375.
Frequently Asked Questions - Housing
Renmark Surrounds counted 1,846 households at the 2021 Census, an estimated 2,023 today, averaging 2.5 people each. 31% are couples with children, against 34% couples without children. 23% of households are people living alone, and families average 1.9 children. Household and family composition is measured only by the Census, so these are 2021 figures.
Detail
Families constitute the vast majority of local living arrangements at 74.8%, comprising couples with children at 31.1%, couples without children at 34.3%, and single parent households at 8.3%. Non-family residences make up the remaining 25.2% of dwellings, including single-person homes at 23.1% and share houses representing 2.3%. Typical household occupancy is 2.5 persons, exceeding the Regional SA figure of 2.3.
Frequently Asked Questions - Households
10.9% of adults in Renmark Surrounds hold a university qualification, including 8.5% with a bachelor degree and 1.1% with postgraduate qualifications, lower than 93% of areas nationally. A further 31.5% hold a vocational qualification. 2 schools serve the area, with 259 enrolment places and an average ICSEA of 949 against a national benchmark of 1,000. Qualifications come from the 2021 Census; school enrolments, ICSEA and results come from ACARA's current release.
Detail
Educational attainment levels show notable room for growth, as higher education attainment of 10.9% remains substantially beneath the nationwide rate of 30.4%, highlighting a clear focus area for skill development programs. Bachelor-level awards account for the largest share of higher degrees at 8.5%, followed by graduate diplomas at 1.3% and postgraduate degrees at 1.1%. Applied and technical training is strongly represented, with 40.1% of residents aged 15 and over possessing vocational certificates or diplomas, comprising 8.6% with advanced diplomas and 31.5% with certificates. Student engagement remains substantial, with 25.8% of the local population engaged in study.
Within this enrolled cohort, 12.0% attend primary school, 7.9% are in secondary school, and 1.7% are enrolled in higher education programs.
Frequently Asked Questions - Education
Schools Detail
Getting around Renmark Surrounds means driving: households keep an average of 2.0 vehicles, and scheduled services reach only a handful of stops. Service data is built from operators' published GTFS timetables; vehicle ownership is from the 2021 Census.
Detail
Public transit infrastructure within Renmark Surrounds includes 3 active passenger stops across 3 dedicated routes, generating a combined total of 14 weekly passenger trips. Access to public transit is constrained, with residents living an average of 992 meters from their closest boarding location. The region operates largely as an outward-commuting residential area, with private vehicles accounting for 90% of journeys to work and walking representing 5%. Households average 2.0 motor vehicles, exceeding broader regional levels. Only 9.0% of workers reported working from home at the 2021 Census, a figure potentially shaped by pandemic conditions.
Transit services provide an average of 2 trips per day over the local network, representing approximately 4 weekly trips per stop.
Frequently Asked Questions - Transport
Transport Stops Detail
68.2% of residents in Renmark Surrounds report no long-term health condition. 5.3% need daily assistance with core activities, and 46.3% hold private health cover. The standardised death rate runs at 3.7 per 1,000 residents. Health conditions, assistance needs and insurance are 2021 Census measures; the death rate comes from current ABS releases.
Detail
Health indicators across Renmark Surrounds remain positive according to AreaSearch mortality and chronic illness data, showing limited occurrence of major health issues across both younger and older cohorts. Private health insurance participation is notably constrained at approximately 46% of residents (~2,577 people), sitting beneath the Regional SA rate of 48.9% and the national benchmark of 55.7%. Arthritis (9.2%) and asthma (7.4%) represent the most prevalent chronic illnesses recorded locally, while 68.2% of residents reported having no diagnosed long-term health conditions, outpacing the 62.5% share in Regional SA. Working-age locals show elevated rates of long-term medical conditions.
Seniors aged 65 and over make up 21.9% of the community (1,217 people), below the Regional SA proportion of 27.1%. Health outcomes for local older residents remain robust, aligning closely with broader Australian standards.
Frequently Asked Questions - Health
Renmark Surrounds is largely Australian-born, at 88.1% of residents, with 12.4% speaking a language other than English at home. The largest reported ancestries are Australian (32.2%) and English (29.0%). Ancestry, language and country of birth are counted only by the Census, so these are 2021 figures.
Detail
Cultural metrics show Renmark Surrounds possesses a relatively homogenous population, with 88.9% holding Australian citizenship, 88.1% born within Australia, and 87.6% speaking only English in domestic settings. Christianity represents the primary religious affiliation at 45.2%. A noticeable divergence appears in the Other religious category, which accounts for 1.4% of residents locally compared to 0.8% across Regional SA. Parental heritage figures show Australian (32.2%), English (29.0%), and German (10.1%) represent the leading ancestry groups in Renmark Surrounds. Several distinct cultural groups show pronounced local representation compared to the wider region, including Greek heritage at 4.2% (against 0.6% regionally), Croatian at 0.9% (against 0.3%), and Vietnamese at 0.7% (against 0.1%).
Frequently Asked Questions - Diversity
The median resident of Renmark Surrounds is 43. That is 1 year younger than at the 2021 Census. 26.1% of residents are aged 15 to 34. Age cohorts are not raw Census counts: the Census split is re-based to the latest ABS population estimates and state projections.
Detail
The demographic profile of Renmark Surrounds is comparatively youthful relative to broader Regional SA. Adults aged 25 to 44 make up 25.3% of the community as at August 2026 versus 21.4% regionally, while residents aged 65 and over represent 21.9% compared to 27.1% regionally. As at August 2026, the estimated median age is 43, down from 44 at the 2021 Census and 4 years below the Regional SA Census median of 47 (with the national Census median sitting at 38). Those aged 45 to 64 have reduced their share from 29.8% at the Census to an estimated 24.9%.
By 2041, senior cohorts are projected to experience the strongest expansion, adding 297 individuals (24%) to total 1,514, whereas mature working-age groups are projected to contract.
Frequently Asked Questions - Age
Data & MethodBoundaries, Sources & Method for Renmark Surrounds
9 of 14 data sections on this page were updated within the last 12 months — the newest current to Sep 2026.
Everything is aggregated to the SA2 boundary shown above, on a 2021 Census baseline. Only 3 sections — housing, households and cultural diversity — still wait on the 2026 Census.
The ledger — source, cycle and currency by section
| Section | Source & update cycle | Currency |
|---|---|---|
| Updated within the last 12 months 9 sections | ||
| Population | ABS, GNAF, Geoscience Australia Annual (ABS ERP) | Aug 2026 last month headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Re-based to the ABS Estimated Resident Population (June 2025 release) and updated with new dwellings from GNAF address data. Current to Aug 2026, with the 2021 Census supplying the small-area baseline. | ||
| Age profile | ABS, Geoscience Australia, State governments Annual | Aug 2026 last month headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Age cohorts are re-based to the latest ABS population estimates and state projections, current to Aug 2026. Each cohort is held as a Census baseline and a current estimate. | ||
| Development & approvals | ABS, GNAF Monthly (ABS approvals) | Aug 2026 last month headline measures · Jul 2026 baseline |
| Property sales & rents | Valuer General, Rental Board, ABS Weekly sales, quarterly rents | Sep 2026 this month all 21 measures |
| Sales from the state Valuer General register, refreshed weekly, and rents from quarterly rental bond lodgements. Both are read live each time this page loads, current to Sep 2026. | ||
| Infrastructure projects | Infrastructure Australia, State agencies, Local governments Daily | Jun 2026 3 months ago all 2 projects tracked here |
| Project pipeline maintained continuously from Infrastructure Australia, state agencies, local government and public announcements. Records are added and revised daily; this area was last updated Jun 2026. | ||
| Employment | ABS, DEWR, JSA Quarterly (ABS SALM) | Mar 2026 6 months ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Unemployment and labour force from ABS Small Area Labour Markets, current to Mar 2026. The growth outlook applies Department of Employment (now Jobs and Skills Australia) forecasts for all 19 industry divisions to the local industry mix, so it measures sector composition rather than local expansion and makes no allowance for population growth. Job demand comes from the same agency via its Internet Vacancy Index; industry and occupation structure from the 2021 Census. | ||
| Education | ABS, ACARA Annual (ACARA) | Aug 2026 last month headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Transport | ABS, State Transport Departments Each timetable release | Jul 2026 2 months ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Services & amenities | Provider directories, ACECQA Continuous | Jul 2026 2 months ago all 14 measures |
| Annual and financial-year sources 2 sections | ||
| Income | ABS, ATO Annual (ATO) | FY 2023 3 years ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| ATO taxable income statistics for FY 2023, indexed forward using the Wage Price Index. Census household income provides the distribution detail. | ||
| Health | ABS, ATO Annual | 2024 2 years ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Census-measured — next update: 2026 Census 3 sections No more current small-area source exists for these, so they are labelled as Census-measured rather than implied to be current. | ||
| Housing | ABS 5-yearly (Census) | 2021 Census next update 2026 all 30 measures |
| Households | ABS 5-yearly (Census) | 2021 Census next update 2026 all 18 measures |
| Cultural diversity | ABS, Geoscience Australia 5-yearly (Census) | 2021 Census next update 2026 all 44 measures |
"Currency" is the most recent release feeding that section. Where the Census supplies the structural baseline underneath a current headline figure, the row says so.
How the numbers are built
Population
The Census provides the small-area baseline, aggregated from mesh blocks to this boundary. It is then re-based to the ABS Estimated Resident Population (June 2025 release), and new dwellings built since Census night are counted from address data — 89 validated new addresses here. The headline figure is therefore a current estimate for Aug 2026, not a 2021 count (5,080 at the 2021 Census → 5,566 now). Annual growth rates are compound (CAGR), not simple averages.
Age profile
Cohort shares are not raw Census counts. Every cohort is held as a pair — the Census baseline and a current estimate — and the split is re-based using ERP and state population projections, current to Aug 2026. Median age is the Census median plus modelled change since. Charts that show both are labelled "2021 Census vs Current Estimate".
Property sales
Sourced from the state valuation authority's sales register — current, not Census, and refreshed weekly. Medians are calculated from settled transactions in the period shown; periods with very low transaction counts are flagged or suppressed, because a handful of sales can move a median substantially.
Rents
Derived from state rental bond lodgement data, by dwelling type and bedroom count. Bonds are lodged at the start of a new tenancy, so this reflects new lettings, not the whole rented stock.
Development & infrastructure
Building approvals come from current ABS releases; development applications are collected from council and state planning portals; the infrastructure pipeline is compiled from Infrastructure Australia and local government sources. Applications are matched to this boundary by address or coordinates, so very recent lodgements may not yet appear.
Employment & income
Industry and occupation structure comes from the Census, but the headline labour-market indicators do not. Unemployment and labour force are derived from ABS Small Area Labour Markets (quarterly). The employment outlook applies Department of Employment forecasts for all 19 industry divisions to this area's own industry mix (the agency is now Jobs and Skills Australia), as does the Internet Vacancy Index used for job demand. Because it is weighted on industry composition alone, that outlook carries no allowance for local population growth — in fast-growing areas the real rise in local jobs will typically be higher. Income combines Census household income with ATO taxable-income statistics for FY 2023, indexed forward using the Wage Price Index.
Education, transport & amenities
School enrolments, ICSEA and performance come from ACARA's current release, not the Census. Public transport stops and service frequency are derived from GTFS timetable feeds published by state transport departments. Services and amenities are proximity and count scores built from provider directories, refreshed on their own cycle. The Census contributes only the travel-to-work and qualification measures.
Rankings and benchmarks. Where we rank this area, the comparison set is every area of the same boundary type — suburbs against suburbs, SA2s against SA2s. Benchmarks compare this area against its greater capital city region and the national figure for the same measure and period.
Limits worth knowing. Small areas carry larger error margins, and the ABS introduces small random adjustments to Census counts to protect confidentiality — so totals may not sum exactly. Estimates re-based from regional data describe the area's expected trajectory, not a direct count of it. Figures are indicative for research and are not financial, planning or valuation advice.
Cross-check us. The Census baseline for this boundary is at ABS 2021 Census QuickStats (407031168). QuickStats reports 2021 only — the figures on this page are more current wherever the ledger shows a later date.