Wallaroo

Population growth drivers in Wallaroo are above average based on AreaSearch's ranking of recent, and medium to long-term trends

Based on AreaSearch's analysis, Wallaroo's population is around 4,987 as of Feb 2026. This reflects an increase of 561 people (12.7%) since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 4,426 people. The change is inferred from the estimated resident population of 4,878 from the ABS as of June 2024 and an additional 88 validated new addresses since the Census date. This population level equates to a density ratio of 34 persons per square kilometer, providing ample space per person. Wallaroo's 12.7% growth since the 2021 census exceeded the SA4 region (7.4%) and the Rest of SA, marking it as a growth leader in the region. Population growth for the area was primarily driven by interstate migration, which contributed approximately 95.4% of overall population gains during recent periods.

AreaSearch adopts ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area, as released in 2024 with 2022 as the base year. For any SA2 areas not covered by this data, and for years post-2032, the SA State Government's Regional/LGA projections by age category, released in 2023 and based on 2021 data, are adopted with adjustments made employing a method of weighted aggregation of population growth from LGA to SA2 levels. Considering the projected demographic shifts, a population increase just below the median of Australia's non-metropolitan areas is expected, with the area expected to increase by 410 persons by 2041 based on the latest annual ERP population numbers, recording a gain of 6.0% in total over the 17 years.

AreaSearch assessment of residential development activity positions Wallaroo among the top 25% of areas assessed nationwide

Wallaroo has recorded around 69 residential properties granted approval annually, totalling 345 homes over the past 5 financial years. So far in FY-26, 48 approvals have been recorded. With an average of 1.6 people per year moving to the area for each dwelling built over the past 5 financial years (between FY-21 and FY-25), supply and demand appear well-balanced, creating stable market conditions, while new properties are constructed at an average value of $290,000. Additionally, $3.3 million in commercial approvals have been registered this financial year, demonstrating the area's primarily residential nature.

Compared to the Rest of SA, Wallaroo records somewhat elevated construction (41.0% above regional average per person over the 5 year period), maintaining good buyer choice while supporting existing property values, though building activity has slowed in recent years. This level is significantly above the national average, indicating robust developer interest in the area. Furthermore, new construction has been comprised entirely of standalone homes, preserving the area's low-density nature with an emphasis on detached housing attracting space-seeking buyers. With around 88 people per dwelling approval, Wallaroo shows characteristics of a growth area.

Population forecasts indicate Wallaroo will gain 301 residents through to 2041 (from the latest AreaSearch quarterly estimate). Based on current development patterns, new housing supply should readily meet demand, offering good conditions for buyers and potentially facilitating population growth beyond current projections.

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

Nothing can influence an area's performance as much as changes to local infrastructure, major projects, and planning initiatives. In total 16 projects have been identified by AreaSearch that are likely to have an impact on the area. Key projects include Wallaroo Roads Rehabilitation, Copper Cove Marina Wallaroo, Wallaroo Shores Masterplanned Community (Aspen Group Stages), and Wallaroo Grain Export Facility (Port Narungga), with the list below detailing those likely to be of most relevance.

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

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.

Employment drivers in Wallaroo are experiencing difficulties, placing it among the bottom 20% of areas assessed across Australia

Wallaroo possesses a balanced workforce spanning white and blue collar employment, with essential services sectors well represented, an unemployment rate of 7.9%, and 1.7% in estimated employment growth over the past year. As of December 2025, 1,745 residents are in work while the unemployment rate is 2.1% above Regional SA's rate of 5.7%, and workforce participation lags significantly (44.3% compared to Regional SA's 58.8%). Based on Census responses, a low 9.5% of residents were found to work from home, though Covid-19 lockdown impacts should be considered.

The dominant employment sectors among residents include health care & social assistance, accommodation & food, and construction. The area has a particular employment specialization in health care & social assistance, with an employment share of 1.4 times the regional level. Conversely, agriculture, forestry & fishing shows lower representation at 7.0% versus the regional average of 14.5%. The area appears to offer limited employment opportunities locally, as indicated by the count of the Census working population versus the resident population.

Based on AreaSearch analysis of SALM and ABS data, over the 12 months to December 2025, employment increased by 1.7% while the labour force increased by 3.3%, causing the unemployment rate to rise by 1.4 percentage points. This contrasts with Regional SA, where employment rose by 0.7%, the labour force grew by 3.1%, and unemployment rose 2.2 percentage points. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May-25 can offer further insight into potential future demand within Wallaroo. These projections, covering five and ten-year periods, have been mapped against the local employment profile to estimate growth patterns. While national employment is forecast to expand by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, growth rates differ significantly between industry sectors. Applying these industry-specific projections to Wallaroo's employment mix suggests local employment should increase by 6.4% over five years and 13.5% over ten years (please note this is a simple weighting extrapolation for illustrative purposes and does not take into account localised population projections).

Income metrics place the area in the bottom 10% of locations nationally according to AreaSearch analysis

As per AreaSearch's latest postcode level ATO data released for FY-23, the Wallaroo SA2's median income among taxpayers is $43,672, with an average of $56,886. This is lower than average on a national basis, and compares to Regional SA's median of $48,920 and average of $58,933. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 8.8% since FY-23, current estimates would be approximately $47,515 (median) and $61,892 (average) as of September 2025. According to 2021 Census figures, household, family and personal incomes in Wallaroo all fall between the 1st and 4th percentiles nationally. The data shows the largest segment comprises 34.6% earning $400 - 799 weekly (1,725 residents), diverging from the metropolitan region where the $1,500 - 2,999 category predominates at 27.5%. The prevalence of lower-income residents (43.4% under $800/week) indicates constrained household budgets across much of the locality. Housing affordability pressures are severe, with only 84.2% of income remaining, ranking at the 3rd percentile.

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

Dwelling structure within Wallaroo, as evaluated at the latest Census, comprised 91.9% houses and 8.2% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings), in comparison to Regional SA's 88.5% houses and 11.5% other dwellings. Meanwhile, the level of home ownership within Wallaroo was higher than that of Regional SA, at 44.9%, with the remainder of dwellings either mortgaged (23.9%) or rented (31.2%). The median monthly mortgage repayment in the area was above the Regional SA average at $1,213, while the median weekly rent figure was recorded at $250, compared to Regional SA's $1,153 and $220. Nationally, Wallaroo's mortgage repayments are significantly lower than the Australian average of $1,863, while rents are substantially below the national figure of $375.

Wallaroo features high concentrations of lone person households, with a lower-than-average median household size

Family households dominate at 64.6% of all households, comprising 15.2% couples with children, 37.8% couples without children, and 10.8% single parent families. Non-family households make up the remaining 35.4%, with lone person households at 32.6% and group households comprising 2.5% of the total. The median household size of 2.1 people is smaller than the Regional SA average of 2.3.

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

The area faces educational challenges, with university qualification rates (9.5%) substantially below the Australian average of 30.4%. This represents both a challenge and an opportunity for targeted educational initiatives. Bachelor degrees lead at 7.2%, followed by graduate diplomas (1.2%) and postgraduate qualifications (1.1%). Trade and technical skills feature prominently, with 39.8% of residents aged 15+ holding vocational credentials, including advanced diplomas (8.9%) and certificates (30.9%).

A substantial 20.7% of the population actively pursues formal education. This includes 10.0% in primary education, 5.6% in secondary education, and 1.7% pursuing tertiary education.

No public transport data available for this catchment area.

Health performance in Wallaroo is well below average with prevalence of common health conditions notable across both younger and older age cohorts

Health data reveals substantial challenges facing Wallaroo, based on AreaSearch's assessment of mortality rates and chronic condition prevalence. The prevalence of common health conditions is notable across both younger and older age cohorts, and the rate of private health cover is very low at approximately 48% of the total population (~2,373 people), compared to the national average of 55.7%.

The most common medical conditions in the area are arthritis and mental health issues, impacting 14.1 and 9.8% of residents, respectively, while 53.3% declared themselves as completely clear of medical ailments compared to 62.5% across Regional SA. The working-age population faces notable health challenges with elevated chronic condition rates. The area has 38.2% of residents aged 65 and over (1,904 people), which is higher than the 27.1% in Regional SA. Health outcomes among seniors present some challenges, with national rankings broadly in line with the general population.

The latest Census data sees Wallaroo placing among the least culturally diverse areas in the country when compared across a range of language and cultural background related metrics

Wallaroo was found to be below average in terms of cultural diversity, with 91.1% of its population being citizens, 89.8% born in Australia, and 97.1% speaking English only at home. The main religion in Wallaroo is Christianity, which makes up 46.8% of the population, compared to 45.2% across Regional SA.

In terms of ancestry (country of birth of parents), the top three represented groups in Wallaroo are English, comprising 35.6% of the population, Australian, comprising 35.0% of the population, and Scottish, comprising 6.5% of the population. Additionally, there are notable divergences in the representation of certain other ethnic groups: German is represented at 5.6% of Wallaroo (vs 8.2% regionally), Dutch at 1.3% (vs 1.3%), and Spanish at 0.4% (vs 0.2%).

Wallaroo ranks among the oldest 10% of areas nationwide

Wallaroo's median age of 56 years notably exceeds Regional SA's 47 and is well above the Australian median of 38. The age profile shows 65 - 74 year-olds are particularly prominent (20.9%), while the 25 - 34 group is comparatively smaller (5.6%) than in Regional SA. This 65 - 74 concentration is well above the national 9.5%. Since 2021, the 75 to 84 age group has grown from 11.2% to 13.4% of the population. Conversely, the 55 to 64 cohort has declined from 18.4% to 16.8% and the 25 to 34 group dropped from 6.7% to 5.6%. Looking ahead to 2041, demographic projections reveal significant shifts in Wallaroo's age structure. The 85+ age cohort is projected to grow exceptionally, expanding by 229 people (117%) from 195 to 425. Senior residents (65+) will drive 78% of population growth, underscoring demographic aging trends. In contrast, population declines are projected for the 25 to 34 and 15 to 24 cohorts.