Roxby Downs
Statistical Area - sa2

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

Roxby Downs' population is approximately 4,091 as of August 2025. This figure represents an increase of 115 people since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 3,976. The growth is inferred from ABS data: an estimated resident population of 4,089 in June 2024 and one validated new address post-Census. This results in a density ratio of 14.2 persons per square kilometer. Roxby Downs' 2.9% growth since the Census compares favorably with its SA3 area's 4.1%. Natural growth contributed approximately 60.7% of overall population gains recently.

AreaSearch uses ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area, released in 2024 and based on 2022 data. For areas not covered by this data or years post-2032, the SA State Government's Regional/LGA projections are adopted with adjustments made via weighted aggregation from LGA to SA2 levels. Future projections indicate a decline in overall population to 3,839 by 2041, a decrease of 252 persons. However, specific age cohorts like the 45-54 group are projected to grow by 37 people during this period.

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

Roxby Downs had less than one new dwelling approved annually over five years, from 2016 to 2020 inclusive. This resulted in a total of one approval during this period. The low development levels reflect the rural nature of the area, where housing needs are typically specific and locally driven rather than influenced by broad market demand.

Due to the low approval numbers, yearly growth figures and relativities can vary significantly based on individual projects. Roxby Downs has substantially lower development levels compared to the Rest of South Australia and also under national averages.

Given stable or declining population forecasts for Roxby Downs, housing pressure may be less intense, potentially creating favourable conditions for property buyers.

Roxby Downs has emerging levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the 22ndth percentile nationally

Three projects identified by AreaSearch are expected to impact the local area: Roxby Downs Area School Refurbishment, Olympic Dam Underground Growth Projects, Olympic Dam Smelter Refinery Expansion Project, and Woomera Redevelopment Program.

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

The exceptional employment performance in Roxby Downs places it among Australia's strongest labour markets

Roxby Downs has a skilled workforce with strong representation in manufacturing and industrial sectors. Its unemployment rate is 0.8%, with an estimated employment growth of 5.0% over the past year as of June 2025.

There are 2,759 residents employed, with an unemployment rate of 3.8%, lower than Rest of SA's rate of 4.6%. Workforce participation is high at 78.0%, compared to Rest of SA's 54.1%. Key industries include mining, construction, and accommodation & food services, with mining employment levels at 17.6 times the regional average. Conversely, agriculture, forestry & fishing show lower representation at 0.2% versus the regional average of 14.5%.

There are 1.6 workers per resident, indicating an employment hub status. In the past year, employment increased by 5.0%, and labour force grew by 5.2%, causing a slight rise in unemployment rate to 3.8%. This contrasts with Rest of SA where employment contracted by 1.2% and unemployment rose by 1.2 percentage points. National employment forecasts from Jobs and Skills Australia, published May 2025, project national growth of 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Roxby Downs' employment mix suggests local growth of approximately 4.1% over five years and 10.3% over ten years.

The economic profile demonstrates exceptional strength, placing the area among the top 10% nationally based on comprehensive AreaSearch income analysis

Roxby Downs' median income among taxpayers was $100,806 and average income was $108,719 in the financial year 2022, according to AreaSearch's aggregation of ATO data. These figures are notably higher than those for Rest of SA, which were $46,889 and $56,582 respectively. Based on a 10.83% growth in wages from FY2022 to March 2025, estimated median income would be approximately $111,723 and average income around $120,493 by that date. Census 2021 data places Roxby Downs' incomes at the 98th to 99th percentiles nationally for households, families, and individuals. The earnings band of $1,500 - 2,999 captures 35.1% of residents (1,435 individuals), higher than the surrounding region's 27.5%. A significant proportion (54.3%) earns above $3,000 per week, indicating strong economic capacity in the area. After housing costs, residents retain 91.6% of their income, reflecting robust purchasing power. The area's SEIFA income ranking places it in the 5th decile.

Roxby Downs is characterized by a predominantly suburban housing profile, with a higher proportion of rental properties than the broader region

Roxby Downs dwellings, as per the latest Census, were 96.7% houses and 3.4% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings). This compares to Non-Metro SA's 85.7% houses and 14.3% other dwellings. Home ownership in Roxby Downs was at 6.8%, with mortgaged dwellings at 23.0% and rented ones at 70.2%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $1,517, above Non-Metro SA's average of $1,138. Median weekly rent in Roxby Downs was $260, compared to Non-Metro SA's $187. Nationally, Roxby Downs' mortgage repayments were lower at $1,517 vs Australia's $1,863, and rents were lower at $260 vs the national figure of $375.

Roxby Downs features high concentrations of group households, with a higher-than-average median household size

Family households account for 70.9% of all households, including 39.9% couples with children, 22.5% couples without children, and 7.4% single parent families. Non-family households make up the remaining 29.1%, with lone person households at 24.3% and group households comprising 4.8%. The median household size is 2.7 people, larger than the Rest of SA average of 2.4.

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

The area's university qualification rate is significantly lower than the Australian average. As of 2016, only 17.2% of residents held a university degree compared to the national average of 30.4%. This discrepancy presents both challenges and opportunities for targeted educational initiatives. Bachelor degrees are most common at 12.3%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (3.3%) and graduate diplomas (1.6%).

Vocational credentials are also prevalent, with 48.0% of residents aged 15+ holding such qualifications - advanced diplomas at 7.8% and certificates at 40.2%. Educational participation is high, with 34.7% of residents currently enrolled in formal education as of 2016. This includes primary (17.6%), secondary (7.9%), and tertiary (2.7%) levels. The area's educational provision includes Roxby Downs Area School and St Barbara's Parish School, serving a total of 697 students. Both schools offer integrated K-12 education for academic continuity.

No public transport data available for this catchment area.

Roxby Downs's residents boast exceedingly positive health performance metrics with very low prevalence of common health conditions across all age groups

Roxby Downs shows excellent health outcomes with low prevalence of common conditions across all ages. Private health cover stands at approximately 75% (3,080 people), higher than Rest of SA's 53.1%. Nationally, it is 55.3%.

Common medical conditions are asthma and mental health issues, affecting 6.9% and 5.8% respectively. 81.6% report no medical ailments, compared to 68.2% in Rest of SA. Only 2.3% of residents are aged 65 or over (92 people), lower than Rest of SA's 16.3%. Seniors' health outcomes align with the general population's profile.

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

Roxby Downs, as per the census conducted on 28 August 2016, showed a lower than average cultural diversity with 80.3% of its population being Australian citizens, 84.5% born in Australia, and 90.0% speaking English at home. Christianity was the predominant religion, comprising 35.1% of the population. Buddhism, however, was overrepresented compared to the Rest of SA, with 1.5% of Roxby Downs' population identifying as Buddhists, versus 0.9% regionally.

In terms of ancestry, Australian (32.4%), English (28.8%), and Scottish (6.5%) were the most represented groups. Notably, Filipino (2.7%), Maori (1.1%), and Welsh (0.7%) ethnicities had higher representation in Roxby Downs compared to regional averages of 0.9%, 0.3%, and 0.4% respectively.

Roxby Downs hosts a very young demographic, ranking in the bottom 10% of areas nationwide

Roxby Downs has a median age of 31 years, which is significantly below the Rest of SA average of 47 years and also younger than the Australian median of 38 years. The 25-34 cohort is notably over-represented in Roxby Downs at 21.6%, compared to the Rest of SA average, while those aged 65-74 are under-represented at 1.9%. This concentration of young adults is well above the national average of 14.5%. Following the Census conducted on 28 August 2021, the age group of 35 to 44 years has grown from 18.7% to 20.8% of the population. Conversely, those aged 45 to 54 have declined from 12.8% to 11.5%, and the 15 to 24 age group has dropped from 11.0% to 9.9%. Demographic modeling suggests that Roxby Downs' age profile will evolve significantly by 2041. The 45-54 age cohort is projected to grow strongly at a rate of 12%, adding 56 residents to reach a total of 525. However, both the 65-74 and 0-4 age groups are expected to see reduced numbers.