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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
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Wakefield - Barunga West has an estimated 9,812 residents, up from 9,500 at the 2021 Census — a change of 312 people, or 3.3%. 152 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 the analysis by AreaSearch, the population of Wakefield - Barunga West is approximately 9,812 as of May 2026. This represents a growth of 312 people (3.3%) from the 2021 Census, which recorded 9,500 people. This shift is calculated using the ABS estimated resident population of 9,786 in June 2025 and 152 validated new addresses identified after the Census. This population level translates to a density of 1.9 persons per square kilometer, indicating a low-density environment with significant space per resident. The 3.3% growth rate of Wakefield - Barunga West since the 2021 census outperformed the broader SA3 area (3.1%), establishing it as a leader in regional growth.
The primary contributor to this population expansion was migration from other states, which accounted for roughly 57.7% of the total demographic gains in recent times. Projections compiled by ABS and Geoscience Australia released in 2024, utilising 2022 as a baseline, are used by AreaSearch for each SA2 region. For any SA2 regions lacking this data, and for all years after 2032, regional and LGA projections compiled by age category by the SA State Government in 2023 using 2021 data are applied, with adjustments made via a weighted aggregation methodology to scale growth from LGA to SA2 levels. Looking at future demographic trajectories, population growth is projected to run slightly below the median of regional areas nationwide, with the local population expected to grow by 927 persons by 2041 compared to the most recent annual ERP data, representing a total increase of 9.2% over the 16 years.
Frequently Asked Questions - Population
175 new dwellings have been approved in Wakefield - Barunga West over the past five years, an average of 35 a year. That is 3.6 approvals per 1,000 residents. Of the 29 dwellings approved in the latest reporting year, 100% were detached houses and the rest townhouses or apartments. Approvals are currently running at an annualised 36, 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
Wakefield - Barunga West records approximately 35 residential development approvals annually, totaling 175 approvals over the previous 5 financial years (between FY-21 and FY-25) alongside 33 approvals registered during FY-26 so far. With an average of 1 new residents per year arriving for each new home built over the past 5 financial years (between FY-21 and FY-25), local demand aligns closely with supply, fostering balanced market conditions, with new homes constructed at an average cost of $252,000. Additionally, commercial development has progressed at a moderate pace, with $25.9 million in commercial approvals recorded during the current financial year.
In comparison to the Rest of SA, construction rates per person in Wakefield - Barunga West are closely matched, keeping market conditions balanced in line with the broader region. This rate of building remains below the national benchmark, highlighting the mature nature of the region and indicating possible planning restrictions. Furthermore, all recent residential construction has consisted of detached houses, preserving the classic low-density aesthetic of the area and focusing on family-oriented dwellings that attract buyers desiring spacious living. With approximately 257 people per approval, Wakefield - Barunga West exhibits characteristics of a low density area. Demographic projections indicate that Wakefield - Barunga West will add 901 residents by 2041, based on the latest quarterly calculations from AreaSearch. Current levels of construction appear appropriate to meet this future demand, encouraging balanced market dynamics without creating intense pressure on pricing.
Frequently Asked Questions - Development
Development applications around Wakefield - Barunga West
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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 3 current infrastructure and development projects inside Wakefield - Barunga West, worth an estimated $5.32 billion. A further 75 sit in the immediately surrounding suburbs, taking the tracked pipeline within reach of the area to $25.5 billion. 28 are already under construction and 27 are due for completion within three years. The pipeline spans communities, precincts & urban renewal, residential development and energy. 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
An area's growth is heavily shaped by developments in local infrastructure, major construction projects, and planning policies. AreaSearch has identified a total of 16 projects that are expected to influence this region. Notable developments include Blyth Battery, Kulpara Quarry Operations, Kadina Northeastern Fringe Rezoning (Daddow Court / Abbott Drive), and Daddow Court and Abbott Drive Residential Development, with the list below highlighting the most significant undertakings.
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
Blyth Battery
Grid-scale battery energy storage system sized at 238.5 MW / 477 MWh. Equipped with grid-forming inverter capability to provide system strength and stability services. Connected to ElectraNet's transmission network via the existing 275 kV Blyth West substation. Supports Neoen's 70 MW renewable energy baseload contract with BHP to help power Olympic Dam by firming output from Goyder South Stage 1 wind farm. Commissioned and operating from April 2025.
Kulpara Quarry Operations
Operational hard rock quarry supplying aggregates, sands and road base across Yorke Peninsula, Northern Adelaide and the Mid North. The site operates under Extractive Minerals Leases EML 6074, EML 6179 and EML 6180, with extended operating hours approved in 2022 to meet major project demand. Products service civil, construction and domestic markets via Hallett Group/Hallett Resources.
Myponie Point Port Facility (Hawsons Iron Project)
Proposed bulk commodity export port facility at Myponie Point for the Hawsons Iron Project, including a deep-water jetty of about 2.2 km, ship loading wharf, ore dewatering plant, stockpiling areas, and buried slurry and return-water pipelines from the mine area near Broken Hill. The South Australian port proposal remains an impact assessed development with EIS requirements still pending. Hawsons completed a PFS in December 2025, declared a 2.3 Bt probable ore reserve and is progressing early works toward a full Feasibility Study, with environmental and permitting work to align with the development timeline.
Kadina Northeastern Fringe Rezoning (Daddow Court / Abbott Drive)
Rezoning of approximately 28 hectares of farming land at Lot 300 Daddow Court and Abbott Drive on Kadina's north eastern fringe from Deferred Urban to Neighbourhood (General Neighbourhood Zone) to enable around 227 low density residential allotments with associated internal roads, open space and infrastructure. Minimum allotment size is 450 square metres. The code amendment has been adopted by Minister for Planning Nick Champion, allowing proponent Lasopail Pty Ltd to progress the next stage of planning and prepare a development application.The rezoning extends existing residential streets on the site and has support from the local member and Copper Coast Council.
Daddow Court and Abbott Drive Residential Development
Rezoning of 28 hectares of land to accommodate at least 227 new low-density residential allotments. This privately-led rezoning aims to support the growing population and demand for housing in the Yorke Peninsula.
Walter Road Swale Drain
Creation of a new swale drain to capture stormwater runoff from the road and improve the intersection of Walter and Downer Road. The project involved the installation of rocks and delineator posts.
Kadina Town Hall Restoration
Restoration of the heritage-listed Kadina Town Hall to address structural and safety issues, including roof and interior works. The hall officially reopened to the public in June 2019 and is now back in regular community use and hosts Council meetings.
Kadina Central Expansion
Major mixed-use masterplanned community on the eastern side of Kadina comprising more than 115 residential allotments, a 14-home retirement village, supported disability housing, a 1000sqm medical centre, a 112-place childcare centre, commercial land and a smart park with public Wi-Fi and smart city infrastructure. Construction is progressing in stages with residential land actively being marketed.
4,171 residents of Wakefield - Barunga West are employed, from a labour force of 4,450. Unemployment sits at 6.3%, with participation at 55.2%. Weighted for its industry mix, the area's sectors are forecast to grow about 5.0% 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 of Wakefield - Barunga West presents a balanced mix of professional and manual occupations across diverse industries, registering an unemployment rate of 6.3% and an estimated employment growth rate of 3.6% over the preceding year. As of March 2026, 4,171 residents are employed, which is an unemployment rate 0.8% higher than the Regional SA average of 5.5%, while the participation rate is slightly below average at 55.2% compared to 58.4% for Regional SA. Census data indicates that a modest 13.8% of the working population operated from home, though this figure may be influenced by lockdowns related to Covid-19.
The primary employment sectors for local residents are agriculture, forestry & fishing, health care & social assistance, and education & training. The region displays a strong concentration of jobs in agriculture, forestry & fishing, with a workforce share that is 1.8 times the regional average. Conversely, the retail trade sector accounts for only 7.3% of local employment, falling short of the Regional SA figure of 9.9%. Comparing the Census count of the working population to the resident population suggests that the local area provides relatively few employment opportunities within its borders. According to AreaSearch's analysis of SALM and ABS statistics, during the 12 months leading to March 2026, the number of employed persons rose by 3.6% and the total workforce expanded by 3.3%, leading to a 0.2 percentage point decline in the unemployment rate. Over the same period, Regional SA recorded employment growth of 1.2% and labor force growth of 2.6%, accompanied by a 1.4 percentage point increase in unemployment. National employment projections from Jobs and Skills Australia dated May-25 offer additional perspective on prospective labor demand in Wakefield - Barunga West. These five and ten-year forecasts have been applied to the local workforce structure to model potential growth. Nationally, employment is projected to rise by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, though these rates vary widely by industry. Applying these sectoral trends to the specific employment profile of Wakefield - Barunga West indicates that local employment would expand by 5.0% over five years and 11.4% over ten years, representing a simple weighted extrapolation for demonstration that does not incorporate local population forecasts.
Frequently Asked Questions - Employment
Median household income in Wakefield - Barunga West is $1,092 a week (about $57,000 a year), with median personal income at $599 a week. ATO records put median taxable income at $48,675 a year against an average of $62,593. 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
Based on the most recent postcode ATO data released for the financial year 2023, taxpaying residents in the Wakefield - Barunga West SA2 earn a median income of $48,675 and an average income of $62,593. These figures are below the national benchmarks, and compare with a median of $48,920 and an average of $58,933 for Regional SA. Factoring in Wage Price Index growth of 10.17% since the financial year 2023, current projections estimate these figures to be roughly $53,625 for the median and $68,959 for the average as of March 2026.
Data from the 2021 Census shows that household, family, and individual incomes in Wakefield - Barunga West all place between the 6th and 11th percentiles on a national scale. This assessment shows that 28.7% of the population (2,816 individuals) earn within the $400 - 799 range, which differs from the regional trend where 27.5% of incomes fall in the $1,500 - 2,999 bracket. Although housing expenses are low with residents retaining 89.4% of their income, the total disposable income for the area sits at the 12th percentile nationally.
Frequently Asked Questions - Income
Wakefield - Barunga West had 3,819 occupied dwellings at the 2021 Census, 93% detached houses and 1% apartments. 31% are owned with a mortgage, 22% rented and 48% owned outright. At that Census the median rent was $220 a week and the median mortgage repayment $965 a month. Rent absorbs 20.1% of household income here and mortgage repayments 20.4%. Dwelling stock, tenure and housing costs are 2021 Census measures — the only source that counts dwellings at this boundary size.
Detail
Residential property types in Wakefield - Barunga West at the time of the latest Census consisted of 93.3% separate houses and 6.7% alternative housing options like semi-detached homes, apartments, or other dwellings, compared to Regional SA where separate houses made up 88.5% and alternative options accounted for 11.5%. Home ownership in Wakefield - Barunga West was significantly higher than the regional average at 47.8%, while the remaining homes were either owned with a mortgage (30.6%) or rented (21.6%). The median monthly cost for home loans was $965, which is well below the Regional SA median, whereas the median weekly rent was $220, compared to regional figures of $1,153 and $220 respectively.
On a national level, mortgage costs in Wakefield - Barunga West are far lower than the Australian median of $1,863, and rental costs are also significantly below the national median of $375.
Frequently Asked Questions - Housing
Wakefield - Barunga West counted 3,819 households at the 2021 Census, averaging 2.3 people each. 24% are couples with children, fewer than in 75% of areas nationally, against 32% couples without children. 32% 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
Families make up the majority of households at 65.7%, which includes 23.5% couples with children, 32.2% couples without children, and 9.4% single-parent households. Non-family living arrangements account for the remaining 34.3%, with single-person households at 31.8% and group households representing 2.4% of the total. The median size of households is 2.3 people, which is identical to the average across Regional SA.
Frequently Asked Questions - Households
11.6% of adults in Wakefield - Barunga West hold a university qualification, including 8.8% with a bachelor degree and 1.3% with postgraduate qualifications, lower than 89% of areas nationally. A further 28.8% hold a vocational qualification. 11 schools serve the area, with 1,564 enrolment places and an average ICSEA of 970 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
Educational attainment in the region is relatively low, with the rate of university qualifications sitting at 11.6%, well below the national rate of 30.4%. This highlights both a challenge and an opportunity for focused educational programs. Among university graduates, bachelor degrees are the most common qualification at 8.8%, followed by graduate diplomas at 1.5% and postgraduate degrees at 1.3%. Practical and vocational skills are common, with 36.8% of residents aged 15+ holding a vocational qualification, consisting of advanced diplomas at 8.0% and certificates at 28.8%. Enrolment in education is quite strong, with 25.2% of the local population currently engaged in study.
This group includes 12.0% attending primary school, 7.4% in high school, and 1.8% enrolled in tertiary studies.
Frequently Asked Questions - Education
Schools Detail
Getting around Wakefield - Barunga West 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
59.3% of residents in Wakefield - Barunga West report no long-term health condition, a less healthy profile than 90% of areas nationally. 9.0% need daily assistance with core activities, and 50.4% hold private health cover. The standardised death rate runs at 6.9 per 1,000 residents. Health conditions, assistance needs and insurance are 2021 Census measures; the death rate comes from current ABS releases.
Detail
Evaluations of mortality statistics and the prevalence of chronic illnesses by AreaSearch reveal notable health challenges in Wakefield - Barunga West, with common medical conditions visible across youth and elderly demographics alike. Furthermore, the proportion of residents with private health insurance is low at approximately 50% of the population (~4,945 people), compared to the national average of 55.7%. The most prevalent health issues reported locally were arthritis and mental health challenges, affecting 11.8% and 9.5% of the population respectively, whereas 59.3% of residents reported having no chronic medical conditions, compared to 62.5% across Regional SA.
Chronic health conditions are also prominent among the working-age population. Residents aged 65 and over make up 28.1% of the population (2,759 people). Senior health outcomes present notable difficulties, with national rankings for this age group even higher than the general population.
Frequently Asked Questions - Health
Wakefield - Barunga West is largely Australian-born, at 89.7% of residents, with 3.4% speaking a language other than English at home. The largest reported ancestries are Australian (34.9%) and English (34.4%). Ancestry, language and country of birth are counted only by the Census, so these are 2021 figures.
Detail
Cultural diversity in Wakefield - Barunga West is below average, with citizenship at 91.3%, Australian-born residents at 89.7%, and English-only speakers at home at 96.6%. The predominant religion is Christianity, accounting for 50.1% of the population, compared to 45.2% in Regional SA. Looking at ancestral backgrounds based on parents' birthplaces, the three most common ancestries in Wakefield - Barunga West are Australian at 34.9%, English at 34.4%, and German at 7.8%. There are also notable differences in other ethnic communities, with Filipino residents representing 1.3% of the population (compared to 0.7% regionally) and Australian Aboriginal residents at 1.9% (compared to 3.3% regionally).
Frequently Asked Questions - Diversity
The median resident of Wakefield - Barunga West is 48, older than 86% of areas nationally. 18.2% 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 in Wakefield - Barunga West is 48 years, which is close to the Regional SA average of 47 and significantly higher than the national median of 38. Compared to the Regional SA average, children aged 5 - 14 are over-represented at 12.7% locally, while young adults aged 25 - 34 are under-represented at 8.1%. Since 2021, the cohort aged 75 to 84 has increased from 8.1% to 9.2% of the population, whereas the cohort aged 45 to 54 has decreased from 12.4% to 10.9%. Population forecasts for 2041 suggest major shifts in local demographics.
The oldest cohort aged 85+ is projected to grow the fastest at 103%, adding 314 residents to reach 620. Older residents aged 65+ are expected to account for 63% of overall population growth, highlighting the aging trend of the area. Conversely, the cohorts aged 5 to 14 and 55 to 64 are projected to shrink in size.
Frequently Asked Questions - Age
Data & MethodBoundaries, Sources & Method for Wakefield - Barunga West
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, State agencies, Local governments Daily | May 2026 3 months ago all 3 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 — 152 validated new addresses here. The headline figure is therefore a current estimate for May 2026, not a 2021 count (9,500 at the 2021 Census → 9,812 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 (405021119). QuickStats reports 2021 only — the figures on this page are more current wherever the ledger shows a later date.