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This analysis uses Suburbs and Localities (SAL) boundaries, which can materially differ from Statistical Areas (SA2) even when sharing the same name.
SAL boundaries are defined by Australia Post and the Australian Bureau of Statistics to represent commonly-known suburb names used in postal addresses.
Statistical Areas (SA2) are designed for census data collection and may combine multiple suburbs or use different geographic boundaries. For comprehensive analysis, consider reviewing both boundary types if available.
est. as @ -- *
2021 Census | -- people
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Jamestown has an estimated 1,608 residents, up from 1,549 at the 2021 Census — a change of 59 people, or 3.8%. 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
Based on analysis of ABS population updates for the broader area, and new addresses validated by AreaSearch since the Census the suburb of Jamestown's population is estimated at around 1,608 as of May 2026. This reflects an increase of 59 people (3.8%) since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 1,549 people. The change is inferred from the resident population of 1,608, estimated by AreaSearch following examination of the latest ERP data release by the ABS (June 2025) and an additional 37 validated new addresses since the Census date.
This level of population equates to a density ratio of 9.1 persons per square kilometer, a level providing ample space per person. the suburb of Jamestown's 3.8% growth since the 2021 census exceeded the SA3 area (2.4%), marking it as a growth leader in the region. Population growth for the area was primarily driven by interstate migration, which was essentially the sole driver of population gains during recent periods. Projections for each SA2 region are drawn from ABS and Geoscience Australia releases from 2024 using 2022 as their starting point. Where these figures are unavailable, or for periods past 2032, calculations apply age-group projections released in 2023 by the SA State Government for LGAs and Regions, adjusting these numbers via a weighted aggregation methodology from LGA down to SA2 boundaries. Anticipated future growth suggests a trajectory in line with the lowest quartile of non-metropolitan regions across Australia, with projections indicating the suburb of Jamestown will add 21 residents by 2041, representing a total increase of 1.3% over the 16 years.
Frequently Asked Questions - Population
Detail
Residential building activity is minimal within Jamestown, averaging 3 yearly home approvals, which totals 17 approvals over a five-year timeframe. This quiet construction landscape highlights the rural character of the locality, where building is generally spurred by individual housing requirements rather than broader market forces. Consequently, because approval volumes are so low, solitary construction schemes can heavily sway annual comparisons and growth metrics. In comparison to the Rest of SA, real estate development in Jamestown is naturally much quieter, and it similarly tracks below nationwide medians. Meanwhile, building starts have consisted entirely of stand-alone houses, highlighting a market geared toward families seeking space and a country way of life.
The ratio of roughly 292 people for each home approval underlines the low-density profile of this locality. Long-term forecasts suggest Jamestown will see its resident count rise by 21 people by 2041, measured from the most recent quarterly projections. Under ongoing construction rates, the volume of new housing is expected to comfortably satisfy local requirements, maintaining favorable buying conditions and potentially paving the way for expansion that outpaces current predictions.
Frequently Asked Questions - Development
Development applications around Jamestown
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| Lodged | Address | Description | Type | Distance | Status |
|---|
SOURCE: Planning portals and council registers, compiled by AreaSearch. Distance & bearing measured from the suburb midpoint.
AreaSearch tracks 22 current infrastructure and development projects close to Jamestown, worth an estimated $267 million. 7 are already under construction and 9 are due for completion within three years. The pipeline spans residential development, sports & recreation and tourism. 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
Local infrastructure projects and zoning updates play a major role in regional performance. AreaSearch has identified no new projects expected to influence this locality. Planned regional works include the Mid North South Australia REZ Expansion, Silver to Sea Way, SA Housing Trust Maintenance Contracts Review and Service Program, and the SA Water Capital Work Delivery Contracts 2024-28.
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
Port Pirie Wharf Upgrades
Infrastructure upgrade project involving sealing of 19,350 square metres of previously unsurfaced port area with 6,100 tonnes of asphalt. Removal of 8,800 tonnes of contaminated material and addition of 9,100 tonnes of new material. Focus on Berths 5 and 7 to enhance port capacity and economic benefits to Mid North region.
Port Pirie Riverbank Precinct
The Port Pirie Riverbank Precinct project is a multi-staged renewal of the city's foreshore area. Stage 1 focuses on Solomontown Beach and the creation of a vibrant youth precinct. Key features include a connected promenade, new picnic shelters and BBQs, upgraded toilet facilities, a beach deck with shade structures, a pump track, and a basketball half-court. The project aims to revitalize the waterfront, providing modern recreational facilities for the local community and enhancing the area's appeal to tourists.
Balmoral Park Estate Expansion
Renewal SA selected Graycar Contractors to deliver 10 rental homes for key workers and 42 residential allotments at Balmoral Park Estate. The two-stage expansion is supported by a 1 million AUD grant from the Regional Housing Initiatives Program. Chelsea Homes will construct the homes and civil works within 30 months from August 2025.
Balmoral Park Estate Expansion
A two-stage expansion of an existing estate in Risdon Park, Port Pirie, delivering 10 fit-for-purpose rental homes for key workers and 42 additional serviced housing allotments. The 10 homes will be leased to the Government Employee Housing scheme for a minimum of 10 years to support essential workforce retention, backed by 1 million dollars in funding from Renewal SA's Regional Housing Initiatives Program.
Southfields Rural Estate
A rural acreage estate offering 17 large land allotments (approx. 5,000m2 - 5,232m2) with mains water, electricity, and NBN connection, providing country living opportunities 5km from Port Pirie in the Mid North region of South Australia. The current stage is available for sale.
South-West Drainage Scheme
A stormwater drainage system and outfall proposed to address flood risk on vacant land south of Risdon Park South, unlocking approximately 600 allotments for future residential development in Port Pirie. The scheme follows a 2012 Tonkin Consulting engineering investigation into an outfall alignment through rural land west of the site, incorporating a potential storage area near Port Davis Road. Port Pirie Regional Council has committed initial funding for land acquisition and to advance project requirements, with the initiative listed in the Council's economic development investment program across both the 2024/25 and 2025/26 Annual Business Plans.As of the 2025/26 Business Plan, the project remains in its initial stages, with land negotiations and scheme advancement ongoing ahead of any construction of the drainage infrastructure itself.
Kloeden Reserve Development
Development of two land parcels totaling 4.2 hectares at Kloeden Reserve in Whyalla to unlock up to 70 new homes, including at least 10 houses to be built immediately and leased back to the government for essential workers, supporting the region's growth in green energy and manufacturing.
Whyalla Foreshore Centre Building
Construction of a new Foreshore Centre building incorporating the Whyalla Surf Life Saving Club, public kiosk, cafe, function space and community facilities as part of the Whyalla Foreshore Master Plan. Following completion of detailed design and development approval, construction tenders opened in July 2026. The project is funded by the South Australian Government together with Whyalla City Council and complements the adjacent Splash and Play Plaza.
818 residents of Jamestown are employed, from a labour force of 843. Unemployment sits at 3.0%, with participation at 63.2%. Weighted for its industry mix, the area's sectors are forecast to grow about 5.8% nationally over five years. That reflects industry composition only and makes no allowance for local population growth. The working-day population is estimated at 1,249, about 78% of the resident population, so more people leave the area for work than travel in. 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 local workforce exhibits a balanced mix of professional and industrial roles across varied sectors, featuring a low unemployment rate of 3.0% and an estimated annual job growth of 3.7% based on regional data compilation. Figures from March 2026 show 818 employed residents, with the unemployment rate standing 2.5% below the Regional SA level of 5.5%, while labor participation is typical at 63.2% compared to 58.4% across Regional SA. According to Census data, a modest 7.2% of the workforce operated from home, though this figure reflects historical pandemic-related restrictions. The primary sectors employing local residents are farming, forestry & fishing, health care & social assistance, and school education & training.
The region exhibits a strong concentration in utilities services, with an employment share 3.2 times higher than the regional average. Conversely, industrial manufacturing has a minor footprint, accounting for 6.1% of employment compared to 9.3% across the wider region. There appears to be a mismatch between local jobs and resident workers, suggesting that local employment options within the immediate area are relatively sparse. Analysis of data from the ABS and SALM indicates that over the 12-month period, local employment expanded by 3.7% while the active workforce grew by 4.2%, leading to a rise in the unemployment rate of 0.5 percentage points. By comparison, Regional SA recorded an employment rise of 1.2% and labor force growth of 2.6%, resulting in a 1.4 percentage point increase. National forecasts from Jobs and Skills Australia as of May-25 offer further context regarding prospective workforce demands. These five and ten-year projections have been applied to the local workforce structure to model potential trends. Globally, national employment is projected to rise by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, though these rates vary greatly by sector. Applying these industry projections to the local workforce suggests employment could rise by 5.8% over five years and 12.6% over ten years, representing a simple proportional estimate that does not account for specific local demographic trends.
Frequently Asked Questions - Employment
Median household income in Jamestown is $1,214 a week (about $63,000 a year), with median personal income at $730 a week. ATO records put median taxable income at $54,017 a year against an average of $67,575. 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
Taxpayer data from the ATO compiled for the 2023 financial year indicates that personal earnings in Jamestown align closely with national averages. The median income among tax-paying citizens is $54,017, and the average income is $67,575, which contrasts with Regional SA figures of $48,920 and $58,933 respectively. Factoring in Wage Price Index growth of 10.17% since the 2023 financial year, current estimates would translate to approximately $59,511 for the median and $74,447 for the average by March 2026. The 2021 Census reports that individual earnings place at the 34th percentile ($730 weekly), while household earnings sit at the 14th percentile.
The largest group of households, representing 28.3%, falls into the weekly bracket of $1,500 - 2,999 (comprising 455 residents), matching regional patterns where 27.5% are in this range. Although living costs are moderate with households retaining 90.3% of their earnings, total disposable income sits at the 21st percentile nationwide.
Frequently Asked Questions - Income
Jamestown had 679 occupied dwellings at the 2021 Census, 97% detached houses and 0% apartments. 33% are owned with a mortgage, 20% rented and 47% owned outright. At that Census the median rent was $215 a week and the median mortgage repayment $982 a month. Rent absorbs 17.7% of household income here and mortgage repayments 18.7%. Dwelling stock, tenure and housing costs are 2021 Census measures — the only source that counts dwellings at this boundary size.
Detail
Residential structures in Jamestown at the time of the census consisted of 96.7% detached houses and 3.3% alternative dwelling styles like apartments or townhouses, compared to 88.5% houses and 11.5% other dwellings across Regional SA. Outright home ownership in the locality was high at 47.1%, with the remaining properties being purchased under a mortgage (32.5%) or occupied by tenants (20.4%). The median monthly home loan repayment was lower than the regional average at $982, and the median weekly rent was $215, compared to regional figures of $1,153 and $220. Nationally, local mortgage costs sit well below the Australian average of $1,863, and rent prices are also significantly lower than the national median of $375.
Frequently Asked Questions - Housing
Jamestown counted 679 households at the 2021 Census, averaging 2.1 people each. 22% are couples with children, fewer than in 79% of areas nationally, against 33% couples without children. 35% of households are people living alone, and families average 2.0 children. Household and family composition is measured only by the Census, so these are 2021 figures.
Detail
Families represent the majority of local households at 61.9%, which includes 22.4% couples raising children, 32.8% couples without children at home, and 6.9% single-parent households. Single-person dwellings make up 34.9% of the remaining 38.1% of non-family households, while group housing accounts for 2.2%. The median household occupancy of 2.1 residents is slightly lower than the Regional SA average of 2.3.
Frequently Asked Questions - Households
13.8% of adults in Jamestown hold a university qualification, including 11.0% with a bachelor degree and 1.3% with postgraduate qualifications, lower than 75% of areas nationally. A further 27.5% hold a vocational qualification. 2 schools serve the area, with 308 enrolment places and an average ICSEA of 1,012 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 levels in the area show that university graduation rates stand at 13.8%, which is notably below the national average of 30.4%, pointing to opportunities for targeted study programs. Undergraduates holding a bachelor degree account for 11.0% of the population, followed by graduate diplomas at 1.5% and postgraduate degrees at 1.3%. Conversely, vocational and practical training is common, with 36.7% of residents aged 15+ holding trade credentials, consisting of advanced diplomas at 9.2% and certificate level qualifications at 27.5%. A significant 21.1% of the local population is enrolled in formal study.
This student cohort includes 9.1% attending primary schools, 6.0% in high schools, and 1.6% undertaking higher education.
Frequently Asked Questions - Education
Schools Detail
Getting around Jamestown 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
62.1% of residents in Jamestown report no long-term health condition, a less healthy profile than 75% of areas nationally. 7.7% need daily assistance with core activities, and 53.7% hold private health cover. The standardised death rate runs at 6.0 per 1,000 residents. Health conditions, assistance needs and insurance are 2021 Census measures; the death rate comes from current ABS releases.
Detail
Assessments of mortality statistics and the rate of long-term medical conditions point to notable healthcare challenges in the area, with common health issues affecting both younger and older cohorts, while the proportion of residents with private health insurance is slightly ahead of the typical SA2 average at approximately 54% of the population (~863 people), compared to 48.9% in Regional SA. Joint inflammation and mental health concerns are the most prevalent medical issues, affecting 10.5% and 8.3% of the community respectively, while 62.1% of individuals reported having no chronic medical conditions, compared to 62.5% across Regional SA.
The working-age cohort experiences elevated rates of long-term illnesses, and residents aged 65 and over represent 30.1% of the population (484 people), which is higher than the Regional SA level of 27.1%. Senior health outcomes face some difficulties, with national performance metrics tracking closely to general population trends.
Frequently Asked Questions - Health
Jamestown is largely Australian-born, at 93.7% of residents, with 2.0% speaking a language other than English at home. The largest reported ancestries are Australian (36.1%) and English (34.9%). Ancestry, language and country of birth are counted only by the Census, so these are 2021 figures.
Detail
The locality displays low levels of multicultural representation, with 93.7% of residents born in Australia, 95.7% holding citizenship, and 98.0% speaking only English at home. The predominant religious affiliation is Christianity, followed by 57.7% of the population, which exceeds the Regional SA proportion of 45.2%. Ancestry details show that the primary backgrounds represented are Australian at 36.1%, English at 34.9%, and Irish at 8.0%. Notable differences compared to regional averages include German ancestry representing 6.9% of local residents (compared to 8.2% regionally), Welsh heritage at 0.8% (compared to 0.5%), and Maltese background at 0.3% (compared to 0.2%).
Frequently Asked Questions - Diversity
The median resident of Jamestown is 49, older than 90% of areas nationally. 19.1% 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
Jamestown's median age of 49 is slightly higher than the Regional SA average of 47 and significantly above the national median of 38. The suburb has a higher proportion of residents in the 75 - 84 bracket (11.6%) than Regional SA, but fewer people aged 35 - 44 (9.1%). The concentration of seniors aged 75 - 84 is also higher than the national figure of 6.1%. This elderly demographic expanded from 9.4% to 11.6% of the population since the 2021 Census, while the 45 to 54 group fell from 11.1% to 9.3%, and the 25 to 34 group dropped from 10.6% to 9.5%.
Looking to 2041, projections suggest major changes in the age profile, led by a 112% rise in residents aged 85+ (an increase of 83 people), growing from 73 to 157. This shift is pronounced, with individuals aged 65+ making up 97% of the projected population increase, while both the 25 to 34 and 0 to 4 brackets are expected to decrease in size.
Frequently Asked Questions - Age
Data & MethodBoundaries, Sources & Method for Jamestown
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 Suburb (SAL) 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, Local governments Daily | May 2026 3 months ago all 2 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 — 37 validated new addresses here. The headline figure is therefore a current estimate for May 2026, not a 2021 count (1,549 at the 2021 Census → 1,608 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 (SAL40635). QuickStats reports 2021 only — the figures on this page are more current wherever the ledger shows a later date.