Wallaroo

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

Wallaroo's population, as of May 2026, stands at approximately 5,019 people. This figure represents a growth of 593 individuals (13.4%) since the 2021 Census, which recorded a population of 4,426. The increase is inferred from the estimated resident population of 4,971 as of June 2025 and an additional 89 validated new addresses since the Census date. This results in a population density ratio of 34 persons per square kilometer. Wallaroo's growth rate exceeded that of both Rest of SA (5.9%) and the SA4 region, indicating its status as a growth leader in the area. Interstate migration accounted for approximately 95.0% of overall population gains during recent periods.

AreaSearch uses ABS/Geoscience Australia projections released in 2024 with a base year of 2022 for each SA2 area. 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 adjusted using a method of weighted aggregation of population growth from LGA to SA2 levels. Based on projected demographic shifts, Wallaroo is expected to increase by approximately 406 persons to reach 2041, reflecting an overall gain of 7.1% over the 16-year period.

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

Wallaroo has recorded approximately 69 residential properties granted approval annually over the past five financial years, totalling 345 homes. In FY26 so far, 63 approvals have been recorded. On average, 1.6 people moved to the area per dwelling built each year between FY21 and FY25. The average construction value of new properties was $290,000.

This financial year, $3.3 million in commercial approvals have been registered. Compared to the rest of South Australia, Wallaroo's construction levels were 39.0% higher per person over the five-year period. New construction comprised solely of standalone homes, preserving Wallaroo's low-density nature. With around 88 people per dwelling approval, Wallaroo exhibits characteristics of a growth area.

According to AreaSearch's latest quarterly estimate, Wallaroo is forecasted to gain 358 residents by 2041. Given current development patterns, new housing supply should meet demand, offering favourable conditions for buyers and potentially facilitating further population growth.

Wallaroo has emerging levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the 29thth percentile nationally

Changes in local infrastructure significantly impact an area's performance. AreaSearch has identified 16 projects likely affecting the region. Notable projects include Wallaroo Roads Rehabilitation, Copper Cove Marina Wallaroo, Wallaroo Shores Masterplanned Community (Aspen Group Stages), and Wallaroo Grain Export Facility (Port Narungga). The following list details those most relevant.

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's workforce is balanced across white and blue-collar jobs with significant representation in essential services. The unemployment rate was 7.9% as of an unspecified date, with estimated employment growth of 1.7% over the past year. As of December 2025, Wallaroo had 1,745 residents employed with an unemployment rate of 2.1%, which is higher than Regional SA's rate of 5.7%.

Workforce participation in Wallaroo was significantly lower at 43.4% compared to Regional SA's 58.3%. According to Census responses, only 9.5% of residents worked from home. The dominant employment sectors were health care & social assistance, accommodation & food services, and construction. Wallaroo had a particular specialization in health care & social assistance with an employment share 1.4 times the regional level, but agriculture, forestry & fishing showed lower representation at 7.0% compared to the regional average of 14.5%.

The area appeared to offer limited local employment opportunities based on Census data. Between December 2024 and December 2025, employment in Wallaroo increased by 1.7%, while the labour force grew by 3.3%, leading to a rise in unemployment rate of 1.4 percentage points. In contrast, Regional SA saw employment rise by 0.7%, labour force growth of 3.1%, and an increase in unemployment of 2.2 percentage points. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May-25 suggest that Wallaroo's local employment should increase by 6.4% over five years and 13.5% over ten years, based on a simple weighting extrapolation of industry-specific projections against Wallaroo's employment mix.

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

In AreaSearch's latest postcode level ATO data for financial year ended June 2023, Wallaroo SA2 had a median income of $43,672 and an average income of $56,886 among taxpayers. This is lower than the national averages. In comparison, Regional SA had a median income of $48,920 and an average income of $58,933 during the same period. Based on Wage Price Index growth from financial year 2023 to March 2026, estimated incomes for Wallaroo would be approximately $48,113 (median) and $62,671 (average). According to the 2021 Census, income levels in Wallaroo fall between the 1st and 4th percentiles nationally. The largest segment of residents, comprising 34.6%, earn between $400 and $799 weekly, with a total of 1,736 residents. This differs from metropolitan regions where the highest earning category is $1,500 to $2,999 per week at 27.5%. The prevalence of lower-income residents (43.4% earn under $800 weekly) suggests constrained household budgets across much of Wallaroo. Housing affordability pressures are severe, with only 84.2% of income remaining after housing costs, ranking at the 3rd percentile nationally.

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

Wallaroo's dwelling structure, as per the latest Census, consisted of 91.9% houses and 8.2% other dwellings. In comparison, Regional SA had 88.5% houses and 11.5% other dwellings. Home ownership in Wallaroo was at 44.9%, with mortgaged dwellings at 23.9% and rented ones at 31.2%. The median monthly mortgage repayment in Wallaroo was $1,213, higher than Regional SA's average of $1,153. The median weekly rent figure for Wallaroo was $250, compared to Regional SA's $220. Nationally, Wallaroo's mortgage repayments were lower at $1,213 versus Australia's average of $1,863, and rents were substantially lower at $250 compared to the national figure of $375.

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

Family households constitute 64.6% of all households, including 15.2% couples with children, 37.8% couples without children, and 10.8% single parent families. Non-family households account for the remaining 35.4%, with lone person households at 32.6% and group households comprising 2.5%. The median household size is 2.1 people, 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's university qualification rate is 9.5%, significantly lower than Australia's average of 30.4%. Bachelor degrees are the most common at 7.2%, followed by graduate diplomas (1.2%) and postgraduate qualifications (1.1%). Vocational credentials are prevalent, with 39.8% of residents aged 15+ holding them - advanced diplomas at 8.9% and certificates at 30.9%. Currently, 20.7% of the population is actively engaged in formal education, including 10.0% in primary, 5.6% in secondary, and 1.7% in tertiary education.

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

Wallaroo faces significant health challenges based on AreaSearch's assessment. Mortality rates and chronic condition prevalence are notable across both younger and older age cohorts.

Private health cover is very low at approximately 48% of Wallaroo's total population (~2,389 people), compared to the national average of 55.7%. The most common medical conditions are arthritis (14.1%) and mental health issues (9.8%). Conversely, 53.3% of residents declare themselves completely clear of medical ailments, compared to 62.5% across Regional SA. Working-age population faces notable health challenges with elevated chronic condition rates. Wallaroo has 37.2% of residents aged 65 and over (1,867 people), 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's population showed lower cultural diversity, with 91.1% being citizens, 89.8% born in Australia, and 97.1% speaking English only at home. Christianity was the dominant religion, comprising 46.8%, slightly higher than Regional SA's 45.2%. The top three ancestry groups were English (35.6%), Australian (35.0%), and Scottish (6.5%).

Notably, German ancestry was overrepresented in Wallaroo at 5.6% compared to the regional average of 8.2%, while Dutch ancestry remained unchanged at 1.3%. Spanish ancestry was present at 0.4%, slightly higher than the regional average of 0.2%.

Wallaroo ranks among the oldest 10% of areas nationwide

Wallaroo's median age is 56 years, which exceeds Regional SA's median age of 47 years and is also higher than the Australian median age of 38 years. The age profile shows that individuals aged 65-74 years make up 20.2% of Wallaroo's population, a figure notably higher than Regional SA's concentration of this age group. Meanwhile, the proportion of individuals aged 25-34 years is smaller at 6.1%, compared to Regional SA. Nationally, the percentage of individuals aged 65-74 years is 9.4%. Between 2021 and present, the proportion of individuals aged 75-84 years has increased from 11.2% to 13.2%. Conversely, the proportion of individuals aged 55-64 years has decreased from 18.4% to 17.2%. Looking ahead to 2041, demographic projections indicate significant shifts in Wallaroo's age structure. The number of individuals aged 85 and above is projected to grow by 233 people (120%), increasing from 193 to 427. Senior residents aged 65 years and above will contribute to 77% of population growth, highlighting demographic aging trends. In contrast, population declines are projected for individuals aged 15-24 years and those aged 0-4 years.