Bordertown

Bordertown has seen population growth performance typically on par with national averages when looking at short and medium term trends

Based on analysis of ABS population updates for the broader area, and new addresses validated by AreaSearch since May 2026, the suburb of Bordertown's population is estimated at around 3,166. This reflects an increase of 71 people (2.3%) since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 3,095 people. The change is inferred from the resident population of 3,159, estimated by AreaSearch following examination of the latest ERP data release by the ABS in June 2025 and an additional 20 validated new addresses since the Census date. This level of population equates to a density ratio of 22 persons per square kilometer. Bordertown's 2.3% growth since census positions it within 2.6 percentage points of the SA3 area (4.9%), demonstrating competitive growth fundamentals. Population growth for the area was primarily driven by overseas migration that contributed approximately 77.0% of overall population gains during recent periods.

AreaSearch is adopting 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. Looking at population projections moving forward, a population increase just below the median of Australian non-metropolitan areas is expected, with the suburb of Bordertown expected to expand by 192 persons to 2041 based on aggregated SA2-level projections, reflecting a gain of 5.8% in total over the 16 years.

AreaSearch assessment of residential development drivers sees a low level of activity in Bordertown, placing the area among the bottom 25% of areas assessed nationally

AreaSearch analysis of ABS building approval numbers shows Bordertown recorded approximately 9 residential properties approved annually over the past five financial years, totalling about 45 homes. As of FY-26, 4 approvals have been granted. On average, 1.3 people moved to the area per dwelling built between FY-21 and FY-25, indicating balanced supply and demand with stable market conditions. New homes are constructed at an average value of $477,000, targeting the premium segment.

This financial year has seen $8.6 million in commercial approvals, reflecting the area's residential character. Compared to Rest of SA, Bordertown has around two-thirds the rate of new dwelling approvals per person and ranks among the 40th percentile nationally, suggesting limited choices for buyers and supporting demand for existing properties. This level is also below the national average, implying an established nature with potential planning limitations. Recent building activity consists solely of standalone homes, preserving low density with detached housing attracting space-seeking buyers.

The estimated population per dwelling approval is 422 people, indicating a quiet development environment. Future projections estimate Bordertown will add 185 residents by 2041 based on current AreaSearch quarterly estimates. Given current development patterns, new housing supply should meet demand, offering favourable conditions for buyers and potentially facilitating population growth beyond projections.

Bordertown has emerging levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the 28thth percentile nationally

AreaSearch has identified a single project that may impact the area: Bordertown West Residential Development - Stage 1. Other key projects include Lower Limestone Coast Water Allocation Plan, SA Water Capital Work Delivery Contracts 2024-28, and SA Housing Trust Maintenance Contracts Review and Service Program.

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AreaSearch analysis of employment trends sees Bordertown performing better than 90% of local markets assessed across Australia

Bordertown's workforce is balanced across white and blue-collar jobs. Manufacturing and industrial sectors are prominent. The unemployment rate was 1.6% in December 2025.

Employment grew by 2.7% over the previous year, according to AreaSearch data aggregation. In December 2025, 1,814 residents were employed, with an unemployment rate of 4.2%, below Regional SA's 5.7%. Workforce participation was high at 68.7%. Census responses showed 4.9% worked from home.

Key industries included manufacturing, agriculture, forestry & fishing, and retail trade. Manufacturing had a particularly strong presence, with an employment share 3.2 times the regional level. Conversely, health care & social assistance had lower representation at 7.9%, compared to Regional SA's 13.9%. Employment opportunities locally might be limited, as indicated by Census data comparing working population and resident population. Over the year to December 2025, employment increased by 2.7% while labour force grew by 3.4%, raising unemployment by 0.7 percentage points. In contrast, Regional SA had employment growth of 0.7% and a larger rise in unemployment. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May-25 suggest future demand patterns for Bordertown. National employment is projected to expand by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, but growth rates vary significantly between industries. Applying these projections to Bordertown's employment mix suggests local employment should increase by 3.9% over five years and 10.0% over ten years.

Income figures position the area below 75% of locations analysed nationally by AreaSearch

AreaSearch's aggregation of ATO data for financial year 2023 shows Bordertown had a median taxpayer income of $47,741 and an average of $55,103. This is below the national averages of $48,920 (median) and $58,933 (average) for Regional SA. Considering a 10.17% increase based on Wage Price Index growth since financial year 2023, estimated incomes as of March 2026 would be approximately $52,596 (median) and $60,707 (average). The 2021 Census data ranks personal income at the 52nd percentile ($819 weekly) and household income at the 31st percentile. Incomes between $1,500 - 2,999 dominate with 33.1% of residents (1,047 people), similar to metropolitan regions where 27.5% fall into this bracket. Housing costs allow for 90.6% retention, but disposable income is below average at the 39th percentile.

Bordertown is characterized by a predominantly suburban housing profile, with a higher proportion of rental properties than the broader region

Bordertown's dwelling structure, as per the latest Census, consisted of 92.6% houses and 7.4% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings). This compares to Regional SA's 88.5% houses and 11.5% other dwellings. Home ownership in Bordertown was at 35.6%, with mortgaged dwellings at 37.5% and rented ones at 26.9%. The median monthly mortgage repayment in the area was $884, below Regional SA's average of $1,153. The median weekly rent figure was $220, matching Regional SA's figure. Nationally, Bordertown's mortgage repayments were significantly lower than the Australian average of $1,863, while rents were substantially below the national figure of $375.

Bordertown features high concentrations of group households, with a higher-than-average median household size

Family households account for 66.2% of all households, including 25.6% couples with children, 31.4% couples without children, and 8.5% single parent families. Non-family households constitute the remaining 33.8%, with lone person households at 28.8% and group households comprising 4.7% of the total. The median household size is 2.4 people, which is larger than the Regional SA average of 2.3.

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

The area's university qualification rate is 12.6%, significantly lower than Australia's average of 30.4%. Bachelor degrees are the most common at 10.1%, followed by postgraduate qualifications at 1.4% and graduate diplomas at 1.1%. Vocational credentials are prominent, with 38.5% of residents aged 15+ holding them, including advanced diplomas at 8.6% and certificates at 29.9%. A total of 24.7% of the population is engaged in formal education, comprising 11.6% in primary, 6.2% in secondary, and 1.3% in tertiary education.

A substantial 24.7% of the population actively pursues formal education. This includes 11.6% in primary education, 6.2% in secondary education, and 1.3% pursuing tertiary education.

Transport servicing is very low compared to other areas nationally based on assessment of service frequency, route connectivity and accessibility

Bordertown has two active public transport stops, served by two separate routes offering a total of 14 weekly passenger trips. Residents have limited access to transport, with an average distance of 1005 meters to the nearest stop. In this predominantly residential area, most commuters travel outward by car, which is used by 93% of residents. Walking accounts for 5%. On average, there are 1.5 vehicles per dwelling. According to the 2021 Census, 4.9% of residents work from home, potentially influenced by COVID-19 conditions.

Each route has an average service frequency of two trips per day, resulting in approximately seven weekly trips per stop.

Bordertown's residents are relatively healthy in comparison to broader Australia with a fairly standard level of common health conditions seen across both young and old age cohorts

Bordertown's health metrics are near national benchmarks, as assessed by AreaSearch using mortality rates and chronic condition prevalence. Common health conditions are seen at a standard level across both young and old age cohorts.

Private health cover is found to be very low, at approximately 49% of the total population (around 1,545 people), compared to the national average of 55.7%. The most prevalent medical conditions in the area are arthritis and asthma, affecting 8.4 and 6.8% of residents respectively. Meanwhile, 70.8% of residents report being completely clear of medical ailments, compared to 62.5% across Regional SA. Health outcomes for the under-65 population are better than average. The area has 23.6% of residents aged 65 and over (747 people), which is lower than the 27.1% in Regional SA. National rankings are broadly in line with the general population.

The level of cultural diversity witnessed in Bordertown was found to be slightly above average when compared nationally for a number of language and cultural background related metrics

Bordertown's cultural diversity was found to be above average, with 21.5% of its population born overseas and 17.5% speaking a language other than English at home. Christianity was the main religion in Bordertown, comprising 44.4% of people. However, Islam was substantially overrepresented at 7.1%, compared to the Regional SA average of 0.5%.

In terms of ancestry, the top three groups were Australian (31.6%), English (28.5%), and Other (10.7%), which was significantly higher than the regional average of 3.5%. Notably, German ethnicity was overrepresented at 7.3% in Bordertown compared to the regional average of 8.2%, while Filipino ethnicity was at 3.1% versus a regional average of 0.7%, and Maori ethnicity was at 0.9% compared to a regional average of 0.2%.

Bordertown's population is slightly older than the national pattern

Bordertown's median age is 40 years, which is significantly below Regional SA's median age of 47 but slightly above the national average of 38 years. Compared to Regional SA, Bordertown has a higher percentage of residents aged 25-34 (15.7%) but fewer residents aged 65-74 (10.5%). Between the 2021 Census and the present day, the proportion of residents aged 25-34 has increased from 14.1% to 15.7%. Conversely, the proportion of residents aged 45-54 has decreased from 11.6% to 9.5%, and the proportion of residents aged 5-14 has dropped from 11.4% to 10.0%. By the year 2041, Bordertown's age composition is expected to see notable shifts. The number of residents aged 85 and above will grow by 89%, reaching 251 from a previous count of 132. This growth will be led by demographic aging, with residents aged 65 and older representing 76% of the anticipated growth. Conversely, both the age groups of 45-54 and 5-14 are expected to see reduced numbers.