Freeling

Freeling lies within the top quartile of areas nationally for population growth performance according to AreaSearch analysis of recent, and medium to long-term trends

According to research conducted by AreaSearch on ABS demographic updates for the surrounding region alongside new addresses verified by AreaSearch subsequent to the Census, the suburb of Freeling has an estimated population of approximately 2,843 as of May 2026. This indicates an expansion of 155 people (5.8%) from the 2021 Census, which documented a population of 2,688 residents. The shift is calculated using a resident population of 2,839, which was estimated by AreaSearch after analyzing the June 2025 ABS ERP data release, combined with an additional 43 validated new addresses registered since the Census. This population size results in a density of 32 persons per square kilometer, indicating a setting with substantial personal space. Throughout the previous decade, the suburb of Freeling has shown consistent growth with a 2.7% compound annual growth rate, exceeding the SA3 region. Population growth within the area was chiefly driven by interstate migration, which accounted for roughly 75.0% of total population increases recently, though all components including overseas migration and natural growth made positive contributions.

Projections from the ABS and Geoscience Australia released in 2024 with a 2022 baseline are utilized by AreaSearch for each SA2 region. For any SA2 regions lacking this information, or for any periods after 2032, regional and LGA projections by age group released by the SA State Government in 2023 based on 2021 data are used, with adjustments made via a weighted aggregation method of population growth from LGA to SA2 levels. Looking at future demographic trends, population growth is projected to exceed the median for non-metropolitan areas of Australia, with the suburb of Freeling anticipated to add 448 persons by 2041 based on compiled SA2 projections, representing a total rise of 15.6% over the 16 years.

AreaSearch analysis of residential development drivers sees Freeling recording a relatively average level of approval activity when compared to local markets analysed countrywide

Based on AreaSearch assessments of ABS building approvals allocated from statistical areas, the suburb of Freeling has averaged approximately 8 residential approvals annually, amounting to an estimated 41 dwellings over the preceding 5 financial years. Thus far in FY-26, 4 approvals have been documented. With an average of 4.3 new residents per year for each home constructed over the past 5 financial years (between FY-21 and FY-25), demand is outstripping supply by a wide margin, which generally drives up prices and intensifies competition among buyers, while new homes are built at an average value of $365,000, indicating that developers are focusing on upmarket, premium properties. Furthermore, commercial approvals worth $689,000 have been registered in the current financial year, highlighting the residential focus of the locality.

In comparison to the Rest of SA, the suburb of Freeling exhibits much lower construction activity, sitting 51.0% below the regional average per capita. This undersupply of new housing generally supports demand and valuations for pre-existing homes. This volume is also below the national average, pointing to the established status of the locality and hinting at possible planning constraints. Furthermore, new building activity has consisted entirely of detached houses, maintaining the low-density character of the area with a focus on detached homes that appeal to buyers seeking space. Showing about 334 people per dwelling approval, the suburb of Freeling display qualities typical of a low-density locality.

Looking forward, the suburb of Freeling is projected to add 444 residents by 2041, according to the most recent quarterly estimate from AreaSearch. Construction activity is matching these growth projections, although buyers could face increased competition as the population expands.

Freeling has emerging levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the 24thth percentile nationally

Local performance is heavily shaped by developments in local infrastructure, major construction works, and planning policies. A total of a single project has been identified by AreaSearch as having a probable influence on the locality. Notable projects include the Freeling West Code Amendment, the Barossa Growth and Infrastructure Investment Strategy, the SA Housing Trust Maintenance Contracts Review and Service Program, and the SA Water Capital Work Delivery Contracts 2024-28, with the list below detailing the items that are 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.

AreaSearch analysis places Freeling well above average for employment performance across multiple indicators

The suburb of Freeling possesses a balanced labor force that includes both white and blue-collar occupations, with a strong presence in essential services, an unemployment rate of only 3.0%, and an estimated employment growth rate of 2.8% over the previous year, according to AreaSearch aggregations of statistical area data. As of March 2026, there are 1,376 working residents, and the unemployment rate is 2.5% below the Regional SA level of 5.5%, while workforce participation is exceptionally high at 64.9% compared to 58.4% in Regional SA. Census data indicates that a modest 6.8% of residents worked from home, although this should be viewed in light of Covid-19 lockdown restrictions.

Resident employment is primarily centered in health care & social assistance, manufacturing, and construction. The locality exhibits a strong concentration in manufacturing, with its employment share reaching 1.4 times the regional average. Conversely, agriculture, forestry & fishing is underrepresented, employing just 6.3% of the workforce in the suburb of Freeling compared to 14.5% in Regional SA. The area appears to provide limited local job opportunities, as shown by comparing the Census working population against the resident population.

Based on AreaSearch research of SALM and ABS statistics compiled from broader statistical divisions, the 12-month period experienced a 2.8% rise in employment alongside a 2.7% expansion of the labor force, resulting in a 0.2 percentage point decline in the unemployment rate. This stands in contrast to Regional SA, where employment expanded by 1.2%, the labor force grew by 2.6%, and unemployment increased by 1.4 percentage points. National employment projections from Jobs and Skills Australia dated May-25 can supply additional context on future demand in the suburb of Freeling. These projections, spanning five and ten-year intervals, have been compared to the local employment profile to project growth trends. While national employment is projected to grow by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, growth rates vary widely by industry. Applying these industry projections to the employment profile of the suburb of Freeling suggests local employment would rise by 5.6% over five years and 12.4% over ten years, though this is a basic weighted extrapolation for demonstration purposes and does not incorporate local population projections.

Income levels align closely with national averages, indicating typical economic conditions for Australian communities according to AreaSearch analysis

The income level in the suburb of Freeling is below the national average based on the latest ATO statistics compiled by AreaSearch for financial year 2023. The median income for taxpayers in the suburb of Freeling is $55,573 and the average income is $64,072, compared to $48,920 and $58,933 respectively in Regional SA. Adjusting for a Wage Price Index increase of 10.17% since financial year 2023, contemporary estimates would be approximately $61,225 for the median and $70,588 for the average as of March 2026. Data from the 2021 Census indicates that household, family, and individual incomes are all moderate in the suburb of Freeling, falling between the 47th and 50th percentiles. The income profile is dominated by the $1,500 - 2,999 range, which accounts for 41.5% of residents (1,179 people), matching regional patterns where this group constitutes 27.5%. After housing costs, 85.9% of income is available for other disbursements.

Freeling is characterized by a predominantly suburban housing profile, with ownership patterns similar to the broader region

The mix of housing in the suburb of Freeling at the time of the last Census consisted of 98.2% houses and 1.8% other options such as semi-detached homes, apartments, or alternative dwellings, compared to 88.5% houses and 11.5% other dwellings across Regional SA. Home ownership rates in the suburb of Freeling were below the Regional SA benchmark at 23.9%, with the remaining properties occupied by residents with a mortgage (61.9%) or renters (14.1%). The median monthly mortgage payment was significantly above the Regional SA average at $1,400, while the median weekly rent was $330, compared to regional figures of $1,153 and $220. On a national scale, mortgage payments in the suburb of Freeling are much lower than the Australian average of $1,863, and rents are also well below the national median of $375.

Freeling features high concentrations of family households, with a higher-than-average median household size

Family households represent the vast majority of homes at 81.5%, which is split into couples with children at 38.2%, couples without children at 29.5%, and single parent households at 12.7%. Non-family households account for the remaining 18.5%, with single-person households at 16.0% and group housing making up 1.8%. The median household size of 2.9 individuals is larger than the Regional SA average of 2.3.

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

The locality presents educational vulnerabilities, with university attainment levels at 12.0%, which is well below the Australian average of 30.4%. This represents both a difficulty and a chance for targeted educational programs. Bachelor degrees are the most common tertiary qualification at 9.3%, followed by graduate diplomas at 1.4% and postgraduate degrees at 1.3%. Vocational and trade skills are prominent, with 42.2% of residents aged 15+ holding technical qualifications, split between advanced diplomas at 8.0% and certificates at 34.2%.

Enrollment in education is remarkably strong, with 30.3% of residents currently undertaking formal studies. This total includes 14.8% in primary schools, 7.7% in secondary schools, and 2.5% in tertiary institutions.

No public transport data available for this catchment area.

Health performance in Freeling is well below average with a range of health conditions having marked impacts on both younger and older age cohorts

Health assessments indicate that the suburb of Freeling faces notable challenges, according to AreaSearch analyses of mortality statistics and the prevalence of chronic illnesses, which impact both younger and older demographics, while the rate of private health insurance is slightly ahead of the average SA2 region at approximately 52% of the population, representing about 1,487 people. This compares to 48.9% in Regional SA.

Asthma and mental health issues were identified as the most frequent medical conditions, affecting 10.7 and 10.1% of residents respectively, whereas 65.6% of the population reported no chronic medical conditions compared to 62.5% in Regional SA. The working-age cohort faces notable health difficulties, with high rates of chronic illness. Residents aged 65 and older make up 16.0% of the population (454 people), which is lower than the Regional SA proportion of 27.1%. Senior health profiles present challenges, with national percentiles generally mirroring the broader population.

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

The suburb of Freeling exhibits low cultural diversity, with 90.0% of residents born in Australia, 94.0% holding citizenship, and 97.9% speaking only English at home. Christianity is the dominant religion, practiced by 39.7% of the population. However, the most visible overrepresentation was in Judaism, which recorded no members of the population, matching the regional rate of no members across Regional SA.

In terms of parent country of birth, the three largest ancestral cohorts in the suburb of Freeling are Australian at 34.5%, English at 34.0%, and German at 9.5%. In addition, there are minor variations in the concentration of other backgrounds, with Welsh overrepresented at 0.7% compared to 0.5% regionally, Maltese at 0.4% compared to 0.2% regionally, and Dutch matching the regional rate at 1.3% compared to 1.3% regionally.

Freeling's young demographic places it in the bottom 15% of areas nationwide

The median age in the suburb of Freeling is 33 years, which is much lower than the Regional SA median of 47 and also below the national average of 38 years. Looking at the age distribution, children aged 5 - 14 are highly represented at 16.4%, whereas the 75 - 84 cohort is smaller at 4.5% than is typical for Regional SA. Since 2021, the 75 to 84 cohort has expanded from 3.0% to 4.5% of the population, and the 65 to 74 group rose from 8.7% to 10.1%. Meanwhile, the 45 to 54 demographic fell from 11.6% to 10.0%. Moving towards 2041, age projections indicate notable transitions in the demographic layout of the suburb of Freeling. The 25 to 34 age bracket is expected to grow strongly, increasing by 125 people (29%) from 426 to 552. Conversely, the 55 to 64 group is projected to grow by a modest 3% (8 people).