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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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ABS ERP | -- people | --
2021 Census | -- people
Curious about local property values? Filter the chart to assess the volume and appreciation (including resales) trends and regional comparisons, or scroll to the map below view this information at an individual property level.
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Waikerie has an estimated 6,817 residents, up from 6,646 at the 2021 Census — a change of 171 people, or 2.6%. 121 new addresses have been validated here since Census night. 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 conducted by AreaSearch, the population of Waikerie is estimated at 6,817 in May 2026. This indicates a growth of 171 residents (2.6%) from the 6,646 individuals recorded during the 2021 Census. This adjustment is calculated using the June 2025 ABS estimated resident population of 6,793, combined with 121 validated new addresses registered after the Census. Consequently, the local population density stands at 1.2 persons per square kilometer, indicating low density. The primary driver of this demographic expansion was overseas migration, which accounted for approximately 80.2% of the total population gains in recent times.
Projections from ABS and Geoscience Australia, published in 2024 with a 2022 baseline, are utilized by AreaSearch for each SA2 unit. For areas not represented in that release, or for projections extending past 2032, figures from the SA State Government's 2023 release for Regional and LGA divisions based on 2021 numbers are implemented, using a weighted aggregation method to translate LGA growth to SA2 boundaries. Based on these projected shifts, the region is expected to experience growth in line with the lowest quartile of non-metropolitan Australia. Based on the most recent annual ERP data, the locality is projected to grow by 90 residents by 2041, representing a total increase of 1.0% over the 16 years.
Frequently Asked Questions - Population
224 new dwellings have been approved in Waikerie over the past five years, an average of 44 a year. That places the area in the 51st percentile for residential development activity nationally, about 6 approvals per 1,000 residents a year. Of the 38 dwellings approved in the latest reporting year, 100% were detached houses and the rest townhouses or apartments. Approvals are currently running at an annualised 55, broadly in line with that longer-run average. Figures come from ABS building approvals aggregated to this SA2 boundary and are updated monthly as the ABS releases them.
Detail
Approvals for residential properties in Waikerie average approximately 44 annually, with 224 dwellings approved during the 5 financial years spanning FY-21 to FY-25, and 51 recorded so far in FY-26. Amid recent population declines, the supply of housing has remained sufficient to meet local demand, maintaining a balanced market with diverse options for buyers, while the average expected construction cost for new dwellings sits at $269,000. Additionally, commercial development approvals total $7.8 million for the current financial year, representing a quiet period for commercial construction. In comparison to the Rest of SA, development activity in Waikerie is slightly higher, tracking 14.0% above the regional per capita average over the 5 year period, which supports established property values while ensuring options for buyers remain.
Furthermore, new building activity has consisted entirely of standalone homes, maintaining the low density character of the area through detached dwellings that appeal to buyers wanting space. With approximately 130 individuals for every approved dwelling, Waikerie exhibits the structural attributes of a low density community. Long-term forecasts indicate that Waikerie will add 66 residents by 2041, according to the most recent quarterly estimate from AreaSearch. Considering current building trends, the supply of new housing is expected to easily accommodate this demand, sustaining favorable conditions for buyers and potentially supporting population growth above current forecasts.
Frequently Asked Questions - Development
Development applications around Waikerie
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| Lodged | Address | Description | Type | Distance | Status |
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SOURCE: Planning portals and council registers, compiled by AreaSearch. Distance & bearing measured from the suburb midpoint.
AreaSearch tracks 42 current infrastructure and development projects close to Waikerie, worth an estimated $9.63 billion. 7 are already under construction and 9 are due for completion within three years. The pipeline spans transport & logistics, energy and residential development. 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
Changes to local infrastructure, major developments, and urban planning policies are key factors in regional performance. AreaSearch has identified a total of 5 projects likely to impact the area. The key developments of greatest relevance to the community include the Morgan Whyalla Pipeline Renewal, the Solar River Energy Project, the Robertstown Solar Project, and Project EnergyConnect, which are detailed in the list below.
Professional plan users can use the search below to filter and access additional projects.
INFRASTRUCTURE SEARCH
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.
Frequently Asked Questions - Infrastructure
Billiatt Road Reconstruction - Final Stage
Final stage reconstruction of Billiatt Road involving sealing and widening from 6.2 metres to 7.6 metres to accommodate increased traffic and road trains. As the gateway to Billiatt Conservation Park and the main tourism route in the Riverland region, this project will improve safety for locals, freight, and tourist traffic. Funded through the Australian Government's Special Local Roads Program with $993,000 allocated for this final stage.
Bruno Bay Infrastructure Upgrade
Infrastructure upgrades at Bruno Bay including a new and improved boat ramp, raised access road and carpark, upgraded toilet facilities, barbecue shelters and seating. The project is being delivered through the South Australia Constraints Measures project to improve community resilience and maintain access during River Murray high-flow events while supporting environmental water delivery. Community consultation has been completed and the project remains scheduled for completion by December 2026.
Morgan Whyalla Pipeline Renewal
Replacement of up to 34 kilometres of the Morgan Whyalla Pipeline to ensure long-term water security.
Solar River Energy Project
The Solar River Energy Farm is a hybrid solar and battery project in South Australia with 210 MW solar capacity and battery storage, developed by ZEN Energy. The project is located between Burra and Morgan and will connect to the grid via the Bundey substation.
Robertstown Solar Project
The Robertstown Solar Project in South Australia proposes a 636-MW solar PV farm and 250 MW battery storage, connecting to the National Electricity Market at the Robertstown Substation over 1,800 hectares.
Project EnergyConnect
Project EnergyConnect is a new 900-kilometre electricity interconnector (transmission line) to enhance transfer capacity between South Australia and New South Wales, with a connection to Victoria. It is delivered in two stages: SA Section (Stage One, 206 km, 150 MW capacity) and NSW Section (Stage Two, 700 km, 800 MW capacity), including new substations, transmission lines, and upgrades.
Bundey BESS and Solar Project
A large scale renewable energy project northeast of Robertstown, SA, being progressed by Genaspi Energy Group. Current scope comprises a battery energy storage system of up to 1,200 MW / 3,900 MWh co located with a solar farm of up to 900 MW. The developer indicates the solar component has been lodged for development application while the BESS component proceeds under planning approval exemption pathways under the Planning, Development and Infrastructure Act 2016. The project is intended to improve grid stability and support decarbonisation across South Australia and connected states.
McLean Street Residential Estate
Sale of a significant 3.06ha development site (Lot 45 McLean St) in the Riverland town of Berri, which was advertised with two professionally drafted concept plans for a low-density residential estate of up to 34 new homes to address the critical local housing shortage. The site was sold on October 9, 2025.
3,135 residents of Waikerie are employed, from a labour force of 3,297. Unemployment sits at 4.9%, with participation at 56.4%. Weighted for its industry mix, the area's sectors are forecast to grow about 4.7% nationally over five years. That reflects industry composition only and makes no allowance for local population growth. Unemployment and labour force come from ABS Small Area Labour Markets, updated quarterly; the industry and occupation profile is from the 2021 Census.
Detail
The workforce in Waikerie is balanced between white and blue collar occupations across a range of industries, featuring an unemployment rate of 4.9% and an estimated annual job growth of 2.8%. In March 2026, employed residents numbered 3,135, while the unemployment rate remained 0.5% lower than the 5.5% recorded in Regional SA. The workforce participation rate is slightly low, sitting at 56.4% compared to 58.4% for Regional SA. Census data indicates that only 10.0% of the working population operated from home, though this figure may have been influenced by Covid-19 restrictions.
The primary employment sectors for local residents are agriculture, forestry & fishing, health care & social assistance, and retail trade. The workforce is highly concentrated in agriculture, forestry & fishing, with local employment representation reaching 1.7 times the regional average. Conversely, health care & social assistance is less prominent, employing 9.9% of local workers compared to 13.9% across the region. A comparison of the Census working population against the resident population suggests that local employment opportunities are somewhat limited within the area. According to AreaSearch's evaluation of SALM and ABS statistics, the 12 months leading to March 2026 saw local employment expand by 2.8% and the labor force grow by 3.9%, which led to a 1.0 percentage point increase in the unemployment rate. In contrast, Regional SA experienced a 1.2% rise in employment, a 2.6% increase in the labor force, and a 1.4 percentage point rise in unemployment. National employment projections from Jobs and Skills Australia released in May-25 offer a benchmark for potential future demand in Waikerie. These five-year and ten-year national outlooks have been applied to the local industry mix to model growth. Nationally, employment is projected to grow by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, though individual sector growth rates vary. Applying these industry trends to the local employment structure suggests Waikerie's jobs could increase by 4.7% over five years and 10.8% over ten years, representing a basic weighted extrapolation for comparison rather than a localized population forecast.
Frequently Asked Questions - Employment
Median household income in Waikerie is $1,027 a week (about $53,000 a year), with median personal income at $593 a week. ATO records put median taxable income at $45,316 a year against an average of $51,636. 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
Tax data from the ATO compiled by AreaSearch for financial year 2023 shows that income levels in the Waikerie SA2 are below the national average. Local taxpayers recorded a median income of $45,316 and an average income of $51,636, compared to median and average figures of $48,920 and $58,933 in Regional SA. Adjusting these figures for a Wage Price Index increase of 10.17% since financial year 2023 yields estimated values of approximately $49,925 for median income and $56,887 for average income as of March 2026. The 2021 Census placed household, family, and personal incomes in Waikerie between the 4th and 10th percentiles nationwide.
The local income profile indicates that the largest cohort is the $400 - 799 weekly range, containing 30.5% of the population (2,079 individuals), whereas the regional profile is led by the $1,500 - 2,999 range at 27.5%. Although residents retain 89.1% of their income due to low housing costs, total disposable income sits at the 8th percentile nationally.
Frequently Asked Questions - Income
Waikerie had 2,631 occupied dwellings at the 2021 Census, 92% detached houses and 0% apartments. 30% are owned with a mortgage, 23% rented and 47% owned outright. At that Census the median rent was $200 a week and the median mortgage repayment $953 a month. Rent absorbs 19.5% of household income here and mortgage repayments 21.4%. Dwelling stock, tenure and housing costs are 2021 Census measures — the only source that counts dwellings at this boundary size.
Detail
Census data reveals that standalone houses make up 92.1% of the housing stock in Waikerie, with apartments, semi-detached properties, and other alternative dwellings accounting for 7.8%, compared to 88.5% houses and 11.5% other dwellings in Regional SA. Home ownership is high, with 46.9% of dwellings owned outright, while the remaining properties are mortgaged (30.4%) or rented (22.7%). The median mortgage payment of $953 per month is below the Regional SA average of $1,153, and the median weekly rent of $200 compares to $220 regionally. Compared to national statistics, housing costs in Waikerie are low, with mortgage payments well below the Australian median of $1,863 and rents significantly lower than the national median of $375.
Frequently Asked Questions - Housing
Waikerie counted 2,631 households at the 2021 Census, averaging 2.2 people each. 21% are couples with children, fewer than in 83% of areas nationally, against 34% couples without children. 33% of households are people living alone, and families average 2.1 children. Household and family composition is measured only by the Census, so these are 2021 figures.
Detail
Family households constitute the majority of local living arrangements at 64.7%, divided into couples without children at 33.9%, couples with children at 21.2%, and single parent households at 8.6%. Non-family living situations represent 35.3% of the total, with single person households accounting for 32.7% and group homes making up 2.6%. The typical household size of 2.2 residents is slightly below the Regional SA average of 2.3.
Frequently Asked Questions - Households
9.8% of adults in Waikerie hold a university qualification, including 7.5% with a bachelor degree and 1.1% with postgraduate qualifications, lower than 89% of areas nationally. A further 30.7% hold a vocational qualification. 7 schools serve the area, with 718 enrolment places and an average ICSEA of 964 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
The region presents low levels of higher education, with university qualification rates at 9.8% compared to the Australian median of 30.4%. This highlights a clear area for targeted educational programs. Bachelor degrees account for 7.5% of qualifications, followed by graduate diplomas at 1.2% and postgraduate degrees at 1.1%. Vocational and technical training are highly common, with 39.1% of residents aged 15+ holding a trade qualification, consisting of advanced diplomas at 8.4% and certificates at 30.7%. A significant proportion of the population is engaged in study, with 26.1% of local residents enrolled in an educational institution.
This group is distributed across primary education at 12.3%, secondary schools at 8.3%, and tertiary studies at 1.1%.
Frequently Asked Questions - Education
Schools Detail
Getting around Waikerie means driving: households keep an average of 1.6 vehicles, and no scheduled public transport appears in the current timetable feeds. Service data is built from operators' published GTFS timetables; vehicle ownership is from the 2021 Census.
Frequently Asked Questions - Transport
Transport Stops Detail
62.2% of residents in Waikerie report no long-term health condition, a less healthy profile than 75% of areas nationally. 6.4% need daily assistance with core activities, and 46.1% hold private health cover. The standardised death rate runs at 6.1 per 1,000 residents. Health conditions, assistance needs and insurance are 2021 Census measures; the death rate comes from current ABS releases.
Detail
Health assessments by AreaSearch, focusing on chronic illness rates and mortality, show notable challenges across both younger and older demographics, while the rate of private health insurance is low at approximately 46% of the population (~3,142 people). This compares to a rate of 48.9% in Regional SA and a national average of 55.7%. Arthritis and asthma are the most common medical diagnoses, affecting 11.8% and 8.0% of local residents, respectively, while 62.2% of the population reported no long-term health conditions, close to the Regional SA average of 62.5%. The working-age cohort exhibits elevated rates of chronic illness.
Seniors aged 65 and over make up 30.8% of the local population (2,100 people), exceeding the Regional SA figure of 27.1%. Senior health outcomes are favorable, with national rankings for this age bracket exceeding those of the general local population.
Frequently Asked Questions - Health
Waikerie is largely Australian-born, at 87.9% of residents, with 5.8% speaking a language other than English at home. The largest reported ancestries are Australian (31.6%) and English (30.8%). Ancestry, language and country of birth are counted only by the Census, so these are 2021 figures.
Detail
Cultural diversity in Waikerie is lower than average, with citizens making up 85.2% of the population, 87.9% of residents born in Australia, and 94.2% speaking only English at home. Christianity is the dominant religion, practiced by 49.8% of residents. The most notable religious difference is in the Other category, which represents 1.8% of the population in Waikerie compared to 0.8% across Regional SA. Regarding parent birthplaces, the most common ancestries in Waikerie are Australian at 31.6%, English at 30.8%, and German at 13.6%, which is higher than the regional average of 8.2%.
Other notable demographic variations include Hungarian ancestry at 0.3% (compared to 0.1% regionally), Australian Aboriginal ancestry at 1.9% (compared to 3.3% regionally), and Welsh ancestry at 0.5% (matching the regional rate of 0.5%).
Frequently Asked Questions - Diversity
The median resident of Waikerie is 50, older than 91% of areas nationally. 16.9% 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 median age of 50 years in Waikerie is slightly higher than the Regional SA average of 47 and older than the national median of 38. The 65 - 74 age group is highly represented at 17.7% of the population, compared to the regional average, while 25 - 34 year-olds are under-represented at 7.7%. This 65 - 74 cohort is also well above the national share of 9.4%. Since the 2021 Census, the 75 to 84 age group has expanded from 7.9% to 10.5% of the population, while the 25 to 34 cohort has contracted from 9.4% to 7.7%.
By 2041, significant changes in the age structure are projected, with the 75 to 84 cohort expected to grow by 294 people (41%) from 715 to 1,010. The combined age groups of 65 and over will make up 90% of total population growth, showing the aging trend, while the 0 to 4 and 15 to 24 cohorts are expected to decrease in size.
Frequently Asked Questions - Age
Data & MethodBoundaries, Sources & Method for Waikerie
9 of 14 data sections on this page were updated within the last 12 months — the newest current to Aug 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) | May 2026 3 months ago 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 May 2026, with the 2021 Census supplying the small-area baseline. | ||
| Age profile | ABS, Geoscience Australia, State governments Annual | May 2026 3 months ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Age cohorts are re-based to the latest ABS population estimates and state projections, current to May 2026. Each cohort is held as a Census baseline and a current estimate. | ||
| Development & approvals | ABS, GNAF Monthly (ABS approvals) | Jun 2026 2 months ago headline measures · May 2026 baseline |
| Property sales & rents | Valuer General, Rental Board, ABS Weekly sales, quarterly rents | Aug 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 Aug 2026. | ||
| Infrastructure projects | Infrastructure Australia, Local governments Daily | May 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 May 2026. | ||
| Employment | ABS, DEWR, JSA Quarterly (ABS SALM) | Mar 2026 5 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 this month headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Transport | ABS, State Transport Departments Each timetable release | Jul 2026 last month headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Services & amenities | Provider directories, ACECQA Continuous | Jul 2026 last month 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 — 121 validated new addresses here. The headline figure is therefore a current estimate for May 2026, not a 2021 count (6,646 at the 2021 Census → 6,817 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 May 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 (407031170). QuickStats reports 2021 only — the figures on this page are more current wherever the ledger shows a later date.