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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.
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Sales Activity
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Sales Detail
Population
Roxby Downs has shown very soft population growth performance across periods assessed by AreaSearch
Roxby Downs' population was approximately 4,094 as of November 2025, according to AreaSearch's analysis. This figure reflects an increase of 118 people since the 2021 Census, which recorded a population of 3,976. The growth is inferred from the estimated resident population of 4,089 in June 2024 and two validated new addresses added after the census date. This results in a population density ratio of 14.2 persons per square kilometer. Roxby Downs' 3.0% growth since the census places it within 1.2 percentage points of its SA3 area's 4.2% growth, indicating strong fundamentals for population growth. Natural growth contributed approximately 60.7% 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, the SA State Government's Regional/LGA projections are adopted, adjusted using a weighted aggregation method from LGA to SA2 levels. Population projections indicate an overall decline in population over time, with an expected decrease of 252 persons by 2041. However, specific age cohorts are anticipated to grow, notably the 45 to 54 age group, which is projected to expand by 37 people.
Frequently Asked Questions - Population
Development
The level of residential development activity in Roxby Downs is very low in comparison to the average area assessed nationally by AreaSearch
Roxby Downs has seen minimal construction activity with fewer than one new dwelling approved annually on average over the period from 2015 to 2019, with a total of three approvals during this time. This low level of development reflects the rural nature of the area, where housing developments are typically driven by specific local needs rather than broader market demand. It is important to note that with such low approval numbers, yearly growth figures and relativities can vary considerably based on individual projects.
Roxby Downs has substantially lower development levels compared to the rest of South Australia, and these levels are also below national averages. Given stable or declining population forecasts for Roxby Downs, there may be less housing pressure in the area, potentially creating favourable conditions for buyers.
Given stable or declining population forecasts, Roxby Downs may experience less housing pressure, creating favourable conditions for buyers.
Frequently Asked Questions - Development
Infrastructure
Roxby Downs has limited levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the 15thth percentile nationally
Area's performance is significantly influenced by local infrastructure changes. Three projects identified by AreaSearch are expected to impact the area: Roxby Downs Area School Refurbishment, Olympic Dam Underground Growth Projects, Olympic Dam Smelter Refinery Expansion Project, and Woomera Redevelopment Program. The following list details those likely to be most relevant.
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INFRASTRUCTURE SEARCH
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Frequently Asked Questions - Infrastructure
Olympic Dam Smelter Refinery Expansion Project
Proposed expansion of the existing smelter and refinery at Olympic Dam to increase copper cathode production capacity from the current ~200,000 tpa to a potential 650,000 tpa of copper plus associated products (gold, silver, uranium, and acid). This includes a phased strategy involving two-stage smelting with a new primary Flash Smelting Furnace, conversion of the existing Direct Blast Furnace, a new electro-refinery, and supporting infrastructure like water supply linkages (Northern Water Project) and electricity transmission upgrades. A final investment decision is expected in the first half of FY27 (mid-2026 to end-2026). The project is an 'impact assessed development' under assessment by the SA Government and is separate from a concurrent A$840M investment in underground mining and processing improvements.
Northern Water
Northern Water is an extensive water infrastructure and supply project aimed at securing an alternate, sustainable, climate-independent water source for eastern Eyre Peninsula, Upper Spencer Gulf, and the Far North of South Australia. The project supports current and future growth in the region and reduces reliance on River Murray, Great Artesian Basin, and local groundwater resources, servicing users such as mining operations, industry (including hydrogen), Department of Defence, remote communities, pastoralists, and SA Water. Key features include a 130-260 ML/day seawater reverse osmosis desalination plant, water intake and outlet pipes, a ~600km main trunk pipeline, lateral connections, six pump stations, six water storage areas, electricity transmission infrastructure, communications towers, and ancillary services.
Enabling Infrastructure for Hydrogen Production
Australia has completed the National Hydrogen Infrastructure Assessment (NHIA) to 2050 and refreshed its National Hydrogen Strategy (2024). The programmatic focus has shifted to planning and enabling infrastructure through measures such as ARENA's Hydrogen Headstart and the Hydrogen Production Tax Incentive (from April 2025). Round 2 of Hydrogen Headstart consultation occurred in 2025. Collectively these actions aim to coordinate investment in transport, storage, water and electricity inputs linked to Renewable Energy Zones and priority hubs, supporting large-scale renewable hydrogen production and future export supply chains.
Enabling Digital Health Services for Regional and Remote Australia
National initiative to expand and improve digital health access for people in regional and remote Australia. Focus areas include enabling telehealth and virtual care, upgrading clinical systems and connectivity, supporting secure information exchange, and building workforce capability in digital health, aligned with the Australian Government's Digital Health Blueprint and Action Plan 2023-2033.
Olympic Dam Underground Growth Projects
A series of growth-enabling underground mining and processing projects with an A$840 million investment. Key elements include: a new underground access tunnel (decline) into the Southern Mine Area; a new backfill system using underground pipes for mine stabilisation; expansion of ore pass capacity with new locomotives and an extended electric rail network; and installation of a new oxygen plant to support smelter debottlenecking, aiming to increase copper concentrate smelting rates from 80 to 85 tonnes per hour. The projects are designed to strengthen underground mining productivity and lay foundations for future growth, creating around 200 construction jobs.
Bulk Water Supply Security
Nationwide program led by the National Water Grid Authority to improve bulk water security and reliability for non-potable and productive uses. Activities include strategic planning, science and business cases, and funding of state and territory projects such as storages, pipelines, dam upgrades, recycled water and efficiency upgrades to build drought resilience and support regional communities, industry and the environment.
National EV Charging Network (Highway Fast Charging)
Partnership between the Australian Government and NRMA to deliver a backbone EV fast charging network on national highways. Program funds and co-funds 117 DC fast charging sites at roughly 150 km intervals to connect all capital cities and regional routes, reducing range anxiety and supporting EV uptake.
Network Optimisation Program - Roads
A national program concept focused on improving congestion and reliability on urban road networks by using low-cost operational measures and technology (e.g., signal timing, intersection treatments, incident management) to optimise existing capacity across major city corridors.
Employment
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. The unemployment rate was 1.1% as of September 2025.
Employment grew by 3.0% over the past year. There were 2,721 residents employed while the unemployment rate was 4.3% lower than Rest of SA's rate of 5.3%. Workforce participation was higher at 78.0% compared to Rest of SA's 54.1%. Key industries for employment among residents are mining, construction, and accommodation & food services.
Mining had particularly high concentration with employment levels at 17.6 times the regional average. Agriculture, forestry & fishing showed lower representation at 0.2% versus the regional average of 14.5%. There were 1.6 workers for every resident as per the Census data. Employment increased by 3.0% while labour force grew by 3.5% over a 12-month period, leading to an unemployment rate rise of 0.5 percentage points. This contrasts with Rest of SA where employment rose by 0.3%, labour force grew by 2.3%, and unemployment rose by 1.9 percentage points. National employment forecasts from Jobs and Skills Australia indicate a growth of 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Roxby Downs's employment mix suggests local employment should increase by 4.1% over five years and 10.3% over ten years, based on simple weighting extrapolation for illustrative purposes.
Frequently Asked Questions - Employment
Income
The economic profile demonstrates exceptional strength, placing the area among the top 10% nationally based on comprehensive AreaSearch income analysis
Roxby Downs SA2 had exceptionally high national income levels according to latest ATO data aggregated by AreaSearch for financial year 2022. Its median taxpayer income was $100,806 and average income stood at $108,719, compared to Rest of SA's figures of $46,889 and $56,582 respectively. Based on a 12.83% Wage Price Index growth since financial year 2022, estimated incomes as of September 2025 would be approximately $113,739 (median) and $122,668 (average). Census 2021 income data shows Roxby Downs' household, family, and personal incomes rank highly nationally, between the 97th and 99th percentiles. The $1,500 - 2,999 earnings band captures 35.1% of the community (1,436 individuals), consistent with surrounding region trends at 27.5%. High earners comprise 54.3%, indicating strong economic capacity. After housing costs, residents retain 91.6% of income, reflecting strong purchasing power and the area's SEIFA income ranking in the 5th decile.
Frequently Asked Questions - Income
Housing
Roxby Downs is characterized by a predominantly suburban housing profile, with a higher proportion of rental properties than the broader region
In Roxby Downs, as per the latest Census evaluation, 96.7% of dwellings were houses with the remaining 3.4% comprising semi-detached homes, apartments, and other dwelling types. This contrasts with Non-Metro SA's figures of 85.7% houses and 14.3% other dwellings. Home ownership in Roxby Downs stood at 6.8%, with mortgaged dwellings at 23.0% and rented ones at 70.2%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $1,517, higher than Non-Metro SA's average of $1,138. The median weekly rent in Roxby Downs was recorded as $260, compared to Non-Metro SA's $187. Nationally, Roxby Downs' mortgage repayments were lower at $1,517 versus the Australian average of $1,863, while rents were substantially below the national figure of $375.
Frequently Asked Questions - Housing
Household Composition
Roxby Downs features high concentrations of group households, with a higher-than-average median household size
Family households constitute 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 account for 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.
Frequently Asked Questions - Households
Local Schools & Education
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 17.2%, significantly lower than the Australian average of 30.4%. Bachelor degrees are most common at 12.3%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (3.3%) and graduate diplomas (1.6%). Vocational credentials are prevalent, with 48.0% of residents aged 15+ holding them - advanced diplomas at 7.8% and certificates at 40.2%. Educational participation is high, with 34.7% currently enrolled in formal education: 17.6% in primary, 7.9% in secondary, and 2.7% in tertiary education.
Educational participation is notably high, with 34.7% of residents currently enrolled in formal education. This includes 17.6% in primary education, 7.9% in secondary education, and 2.7% pursuing tertiary education.
Frequently Asked Questions - Education
Schools Detail
Nearby Services & Amenities
Transport
No public transport data available for this catchment area.
Frequently Asked Questions - Transport
Transport Stops Detail
Health
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 across all age groups, with very low prevalence of common health conditions. Private health cover is exceptionally high at approximately 75% of the total population (3,082 people), compared to 53.1% in Rest of SA and a national average of 55.3%. The most prevalent medical conditions are asthma (6.9%) and mental health issues (5.8%).
A majority, 81.6%, report being completely clear of medical ailments, higher than the 68.2% in Rest of SA. Roxby Downs has a lower proportion of residents aged 65 and over at 2.3% (92 people), compared to 16.3% in Rest of SA. Health outcomes among seniors align with those of the general population.
Frequently Asked Questions - Health
Cultural Diversity
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 showed low cultural diversity, with 80.3% citizens, 84.5% born in Australia, and 90.0% speaking English only at home. Christianity dominated at 35.1%. Buddhism was overrepresented at 1.5%, compared to 0.9% regionally.
Top ancestral groups were Australian (32.4%), English (28.8%), Scottish (6.5%). Filipino, Maori, and Welsh were notably more prevalent in Roxby Downs than the regional average.
Frequently Asked Questions - Diversity
Age
Roxby Downs hosts a very young demographic, ranking in the bottom 10% of areas nationwide
Roxby Downs has a median age of 31, which is significantly lower than the Rest of SA average of 47 and the Australian median of 38. The 25-34 cohort is notably over-represented in Roxby Downs at 21.6%, compared to the Rest of SA average, while the 65-74 age group is under-represented at 1.9%. This concentration of the 25-34 age group is well above the national average of 14.5%. Following the Census in 2021, the population aged 35 to 44 grew from 18.7% to 20.8%, while the 45 to 54 cohort declined from 12.8% to 11.5% and the 15 to 24 group dropped from 11.0% to 9.9%. Demographic modeling suggests that Roxby Downs' age profile will change significantly by 2041, with the 45 to 54 cohort projected to grow the strongest at 12%, adding 55 residents to reach 525. Conversely, both the 65 to 74 and 0 to 4 age groups are expected to decrease in numbers.