Wakefield - Barunga West
Statistical Area - sa2

Wakefield - Barunga West is positioned among the lower quartile of areas assessed nationally for population growth based on AreaSearch's assessment of recent, and medium term trends

Wakefield - Barunga West's population was 9,500 according to the 2021 Census. By Aug 2025, this had increased to around 9,855 people, a rise of 355 (3.7%). This growth is inferred from ABS estimated resident population figures: 9,784 in June 2024 and an additional 68 validated new addresses since the Census date. The population density is 1.9 persons per square kilometer. Wakefield - Barunga West's growth rate of 3.7% since the Census is close to the SA3 area's rate of 4.1%, indicating strong fundamentals. Interstate migration contributed approximately 51.5% of recent population gains in the area.

AreaSearch uses ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area, released in 2024 with a base year of 2022. For areas not covered and years post-2032, SA State Government's Regional/LGA projections are adopted, adjusted using weighted aggregation methods from LGA to SA2 levels. Future trends suggest the area will increase by around 943 persons to 2041, reflecting an 8.6% total rise over the 17 years.

Residential development activity is lower than average in Wakefield - Barunga West according to AreaSearch's national comparison of local real estate markets

Wakefield - Barunga West has averaged approximately 35 new dwelling approvals annually. The Australian Bureau of Statistics produces development approval data on a financial year basis, with 175 dwellings approved over the past five financial years (between FY-21 and FY-25), and an additional 5 approved in FY-26 to date. Over these five years, an average of 0.6 new residents per new home has arrived annually, indicating that new supply is meeting or exceeding demand. The average construction cost value for new dwellings is $359,000.

In the current financial year, commercial approvals total $25.9 million, demonstrating moderate levels of commercial development. Comparing construction rates per person with the Rest of SA, Wakefield - Barunga West maintains similar market balance consistent with the broader area. However, these rates are below the national average, suggesting established nature and potential planning limitations. All new constructions have been detached houses, maintaining the area's traditional low density character focused on family homes.

With approximately 257 people per approval, Wakefield - Barunga West reflects a low-density area. Population forecasts indicate an increase of 844 residents by 2041. At current development rates, new housing supply should comfortably meet demand, providing favourable conditions for buyers and potentially supporting growth beyond current population projections.

Wakefield - Barunga West has emerging levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the 26thth percentile nationally

Changes to local infrastructure significantly impact an area's performance. AreaSearch identified 17 projects that could affect this region. Notable ones include Blyth Battery, Kulpara Quarry Operations, Kadina Northeastern Fringe Rezoning (Daddow Court / Abbott Drive), and Kadina Central. The following list details those most likely to be relevant:.

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

AreaSearch assessment indicates Wakefield - Barunga West faces employment challenges relative to the majority of Australian markets

Wakefield - Barunga West has a balanced workforce with diverse sector representation as of June 2025. The unemployment rate is 6.5%.

There are 4,064 residents employed while the unemployment rate is 1.9% higher than Rest of SA's rate of 4.6%. Workforce participation is lower at 51.7%, compared to Rest of SA's 54.1%. Dominant employment sectors include agriculture, forestry & fishing, health care & social assistance, and education & training. The area specializes in agriculture, forestry & fishing, with an employment share 1.8 times the regional level.

Retail trade is under-represented at 7.3%, compared to Rest of SA's 9.9%. Labour force levels increased by 0.1% over the 12 months to June 2025 while employment declined by 2.0%, resulting in a 2.0 percentage point rise in unemployment rate. Jobs and Skills Australia forecasts national employment growth of 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, with local growth estimated at approximately 5.0%% over five years and 11.4% over ten years based on industry-specific projections.

The area's income levels rank in the lower 15% nationally based on AreaSearch comparative data

Wakefield - Barunga West had a median taxpayer income of $45,338 and an average income of $54,772 in the financial year 2022. This was lower than national averages of $46,889 and $56,582 respectively for Rest of SA. By March 2025, based on a 10.83% Wage Price Index growth since FY2022, estimated incomes would be approximately $50,248 (median) and $60,704 (average). According to Census 2021 data, income levels in Wakefield - Barunga West fall between the 7th and 12th percentiles nationally for households, families, and individuals. The largest income bracket consists of 28.7% earning $400-$799 weekly (2,828 residents), differing from broader area patterns where $1,500-$2,999 dominates at 27.5%. Despite modest housing costs allowing for 89.4% income retention, total disposable income ranks at the 12th percentile nationally.

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

Wakefield - Barunga West's dwelling structure, as per the latest Census, consisted of 93.3% houses and 6.7% other dwellings. In comparison, Non-Metro SA had 94.2% houses and 5.8% other dwellings. Home ownership in Wakefield - Barunga West was 47.8%, with mortgaged dwellings at 30.6% and rented ones at 21.6%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $965, lower than Non-Metro SA's average of $1,081. Weekly rent in the area was $220, matching Non-Metro SA's figure. Nationally, Wakefield - Barunga West had significantly lower mortgage repayments at $965 compared to Australia's average of $1,863, and substantially lower rents at $220 versus the national figure of $375.

Wakefield - Barunga West features high concentrations of lone person households, with a fairly typical median household size

Family households account for 65.7% of all households, including 23.5% couples with children, 32.2% couples without children, and 9.4% single parent families. Non-family households constitute the remaining 34.3%, with lone person households at 31.8% and group households making up 2.4% of the total. The median household size is 2.3 people, which aligns with the Rest of SA average.

Wakefield - Barunga West faces educational challenges, with performance metrics placing it in the bottom quartile of areas assessed nationally

The area's university qualification rate is 11.6%, significantly lower than the Australian average of 30.4%. This presents both a challenge and an opportunity for targeted educational initiatives. Bachelor degrees are most common at 8.8%, followed by graduate diplomas (1.5%) and postgraduate qualifications (1.3%). Vocational credentials are prominent, with 36.8% of residents aged 15+ holding them - advanced diplomas account for 8.0% and certificates for 28.8%.

Educational participation is high at 25.2%, including 12.0% in primary, 7.4% in secondary, and 1.8% in tertiary education. Eleven schools serve 1,564 students, with Wakefield - Barunga West having typical Australian school conditions (ICSEA: 970) and balanced educational opportunities. The educational mix includes eight primary, one secondary, and two K-12 schools.

No public transport data available for this catchment area.

Health performance in Wakefield - Barunga West is a key challenge with a range of health conditions having marked impacts on both younger and older age cohorts

Wakefield - Barunga West faces significant health challenges, with various conditions affecting both younger and older age groups. Private health cover is low, at approximately 47% of the total population (~4,651 people), compared to the national average of 55.3%.

The most prevalent medical conditions are arthritis (affecting 11.8% of residents) and mental health issues (9.5%). Conversely, 59.3% of residents report having no medical ailments, slightly lower than the Rest of SA's 60.9%. In this area, 27.6% of residents are aged 65 and over (2,716 people). Health outcomes among seniors in Wakefield - Barunga West are challenging but generally better than those of the general population.

Wakefield - Barunga West is considerably less culturally diverse than average when assessed alongside AreaSearch's national rankings for language and cultural background related metrics

Wakefield-Barunga West has a low cultural diversity, with 91.3% citizens, 89.7% born in Australia, and 96.6% speaking English only at home. Christianity is the predominant religion at 50.1%, slightly below the Rest of SA's 51.3%. Top ancestral groups are Australian (34.9%), English (34.4%), and German (7.8%).

Notably, Filipino representation is higher at 1.3% compared to the regional 0.8%, while Australian Aboriginal is 1.9% versus 1.7% regionally.

Wakefield - Barunga West hosts an older demographic, ranking in the top quartile nationwide

The median age in Wakefield-Barunga West is 48 years, similar to the Rest of South Australia's average of 47, and well above the national norm of 38. Compared to the Rest of SA average, the 65-74 cohort is notably over-represented at 15.9% locally, while the 25-34 year-olds are under-represented at 8.2%. This 65-74 concentration is well above the national average of 9.4%. Between 2021 and present, the 65-74 age group has grown from 14.9% to 15.9% of the population. Conversely, the 45-54 cohort has declined from 12.4% to 11.1%. Population forecasts for 2041 indicate substantial demographic changes for Wakefield-Barunga West. The 75-84 cohort shows the strongest projected growth at 38%, adding 328 residents to reach 1,194. Senior residents aged 65 and above will drive 67% of population growth, underscoring demographic aging trends. Conversely, both the 5-14 and 55-64 age groups are projected to see reduced numbers.