Tatiara
Statistical Area - sa2

An assessment of population growth drivers in Tatiara reveals an overall ranking slightly below national averages considering recent, and medium term trends

As of Aug 2025, Tatiara's population is estimated to be around 7,104, reflecting an increase of 213 people since the 2021 Census which reported a population of 6,891. This growth is inferred from ABS data showing an estimated resident population of 7,073 as of June 2024 and an additional 53 validated new addresses since the Census date. The population density ratio is approximately 1.1 persons per square kilometer. Tatiara's population growth rate of 3.1% since census places it within 2.3 percentage points of the SA3 area (5.4%). Overseas migration contributed approximately 77.2% of overall population gains during recent periods. AreaSearch adopts 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 by age category are adopted, based on 2021 data and released in 2023, with adjustments made using weighted aggregation methods from LGA to SA2 levels. Projected demographic shifts suggest lower quartile growth for Australia's non-metropolitan areas, with Tatiara expected to expand by 244 persons to 2041 based on the latest population numbers, resulting in a total increase of approximately 3.0% over the 17-year period.

AreaSearch assessment of residential development drivers sees a low level of activity in Tatiara, placing the area among the bottom 25% of areas assessed nationally

Tatiara has averaged approximately 18 new dwelling approvals per year. Development approval data is provided by the ABS on a financial year basis, totalling 94 approvals across the past five financial years from FY-21 to FY-25, with an additional three recorded so far in FY-26. This averages out to about 1.1 new residents per year per dwelling constructed over these five financial years. The average construction cost value of new homes is $477,000, which is higher than regional norms but reflects quality-focused development.

In this financial year, $19.4 million in commercial approvals have been registered, indicating balanced commercial development activity. Compared to the Rest of SA, Tatiara has roughly half the rate of new dwelling approvals per person and ranks among the 35th percentile of areas assessed nationally, offering limited choices for buyers and supporting demand for existing properties. This lower level also suggests market maturity and possible development constraints. All new construction in the area comprises standalone homes, preserving its low density nature and attracting space-seeking buyers, with an estimated 471 people per dwelling approval.

Population forecasts indicate Tatiara will gain approximately 211 residents by 2041. Given current development patterns, new housing supply should meet demand readily, offering good conditions for buyers and potentially facilitating population growth beyond current projections.

Tatiara has emerging levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the 26thth percentile nationally

Changes to local infrastructure significantly influence an area's performance. AreaSearch has identified two projects likely impacting the area. Key projects are Bordertown West Residential Development - Stage 1, Riddoch Highway Overtaking Lane, Princes Highway Upgrades (South East SA), and Lower Limestone Coast Water Allocation Plan. The following list details those most relevant.

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

AreaSearch analysis of employment trends sees Tatiara performing better than 85% of local markets assessed across Australia

Tatiara has a balanced workforce across white and blue collar jobs, with manufacturing and industrial sectors well-represented. As of June 2025, the unemployment rate is 1.2%.

In comparison to Rest of SA's rate of 4.6%, Tatiara's rate is 3.4% lower. Workforce participation in Tatiara is high at 66.2%, exceeding Rest of SA's 54.1%. Major industries employing residents are agriculture, forestry & fishing, manufacturing, and retail trade. Notably, employment in agriculture, forestry & fishing is double the regional level.

Conversely, health care & social assistance has lower representation than the regional average. Many residents commute outside Tatiara for work based on census data. Between June 2024 and June 2025, labour force levels decreased by 2.3% while employment fell by 2.8%, causing unemployment to rise by 0.5 percentage points. In contrast, Rest of SA saw a 1.2% employment decline with a slight labour force growth and a 1.2 percentage point unemployment rate increase. Jobs and Skills Australia forecasts national employment growth at 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Tatiara's job mix suggests local growth of approximately 4.1% over five years and 10.1% over ten years, though this is a simplified extrapolation for illustrative purposes only.

Income levels sit below national averages according to AreaSearch assessment

Tatiara's median income among taxpayers was $47,625 in financial year 2022. The average income stood at $54,969 during the same period. This compares to figures for Rest of SA which were $46,889 and $56,582 respectively. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 10.83% since financial year 2022, current estimates would be approximately $52,783 (median) and $60,922 (average) as of March 2025. Census data reveals personal income ranks at the 52nd percentile with a weekly income of $817, while household income sits at the 34th percentile. Income analysis shows that 34.7% of Tatiara's community earn between $1,500 and $2,999 (2,465 individuals), which mirrors the broader area where 27.5% occupy this bracket. Housing costs are manageable with 91.9% retained, but disposable income sits below average at the 43rd percentile.

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

In Tatiara, as per the latest Census evaluation, 96.1% of dwellings were houses with the remaining 4.0% being semi-detached homes, apartments, and other types of dwellings. This differs from Non-Metro SA where 87.6% of dwellings are houses and 12.5% are other types. Home ownership in Tatiara stood at 40.5%, similar to Non-Metro SA, with mortgaged dwellings making up 35.6% and rented ones 23.9%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $867, lower than the Non-Metro SA average of $1,083. Median weekly rent in Tatiara was $200 compared to Non-Metro SA's $205. Nationally, Tatiara's mortgage repayments are significantly lower at $867 versus Australia's average of $1,863, and rents are substantially below the national figure of $375.

Tatiara has a typical household mix, with a higher-than-average median household size

Family households account for 69.1% of all households, consisting of 28.4% couples with children, 32.6% couples without children, and 7.3% single parent families. Non-family households comprise the remaining 30.9%, with lone person households at 27.3% and group households making up 3.4% of the total. The median household size is 2.4 people, which is larger than the Rest of South Africa average of 2.3.

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

The area has educational challenges, with university qualification rates at 13.8%, significantly below the Australian average of 30.4%. This presents both a challenge and an opportunity for targeted educational initiatives. Bachelor degrees are the most common, at 11.3%, followed by graduate diplomas at 1.3% and postgraduate qualifications at 1.2%. Trade and technical skills are prominent, with 38.6% of residents aged 15+ holding vocational credentials - advanced diplomas at 9.0% and certificates at 29.6%.

Educational participation is high, with 27.5% of residents currently enrolled in formal education, including 13.2% in primary, 7.3% in secondary, and 1.8% pursuing tertiary education. Tatiara's five schools have a combined enrollment of 1,011 students, operating under typical Australian school conditions (ICSEA: 972) with balanced educational opportunities. The educational mix includes three primary, one secondary, and one K-12 school.

Transport servicing is very low compared to other areas nationally based on assessment of service frequency, route connectivity and accessibility

Transport analysis indicates three operational public transport stops in Tatiara. These include a mix of train and bus services. Five distinct routes service these stops, offering 25 weekly passenger trips collectively.

Transport accessibility is assessed as limited, with residents located an average of 2852 meters from the nearest stop. Across all routes, service frequency averages three trips daily, equating to roughly eight weekly trips per individual stop.

Tatiara's residents are healthier than average in comparison to broader Australia with prevalence of common health conditions quite low across both younger and older age cohorts

Health data shows positive outcomes for Tatiara residents with low prevalence of common health conditions across both younger and older age groups. Private health cover is very low at approximately 47% of the total population (~3,353 people), compared to 49.4% across Rest of SA and a national average of 55.3%. The most common medical conditions are arthritis (8.5%) and asthma (7.0%), with 71.4% of residents reporting no medical ailments, compared to 65.5% in Rest of SA.

There are 20.6% of residents aged 65 and over (1,463 people), lower than the 23.3% in Rest of SA. Health outcomes among seniors are strong, even better than the general population in health metrics.

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

Tatiara's cultural diversity was found to be below average, with 84.4% of its population being citizens, born in Australia on 85.8%, speaking English only at home on 90.5%. Christianity was the main religion, comprising 46.8% of people in Tatiara. Islam's representation appeared overstated at 3.6%, compared to Rest of SA's 1.1%.

In terms of ancestry, Australian parents comprised 34.0%, English 30.4%, and German 9.4% of the population. Notably, Filipino (1.6% vs regional 0.8%), Maori (0.5% vs 0.4%), and Korean (0.2% vs 0.0%) were overrepresented in Tatiara.

Tatiara's median age exceeds the national pattern

Tatiara's median age is 41 years, which is lower than the Rest of SA's median age of 47 but slightly higher than the national norm of 38. Compared to the Rest of SA average, Tatiara has a notably higher proportion of people aged 25-34 (14.1% locally compared to the average) and a lower proportion of people aged 65-74 (11.3%). Between 2021 and the present day, the proportion of people aged 25 to 34 has increased from 12.5% to 14.1%, while the proportions for those aged 45 to 54 have decreased from 13.7% to 11.5% and for those aged 5 to 14 have dropped from 12.6% to 11.2%. Demographic modeling suggests significant changes in Tatiara's age profile by 2041. The 75 to 84 age cohort is projected to expand by 171 people (36%) from 483 to 655. Notably, the combined age groups of 65 and above are expected to account for 72% of total population growth, reflecting Tatiara's aging demographic profile. Conversely, population declines are projected for the 45 to 54 and 5 to 14 cohorts.