Mannum

Population growth drivers in Mannum are strong compared to national averages based on AreaSearch's ranking of recent, and medium to long-term trends

Analysis of ABS demographic updates and newly validated address details compiled by AreaSearch since the Census points to an estimated headcount of approximately 3,139 for the suburb of Mannum as of May 2026. This marks an expansion of 220 residents, or 7.5%, from the 2,919 individuals recorded in the 2021 Census. AreaSearch calculated this shift by starting with a resident population of 3,131 derived from the June 2025 ABS ERP figures, then factoring in 49 new addresses validated since the Census. With this total, the suburb of Mannum registers a density of 12.2 persons per square kilometer, indicating a spacious residential environment. The 7.5% growth rate observed since the 2021 census outpaces both the wider SA3 territory's 5.9% expansion and the Rest of SA region, positioning the locality as a leading growth hub. The majority of these population increases, accounting for roughly 82.0% of recent growth, were fueled by interstate moves.

To project local demographics, AreaSearch uses ABS and Geoscience Australia forecasts issued in 2024, taking 2022 as the baseline. For regions lacking coverage or projections past 2032, regional and municipal projections by age bracket from the SA State Government, published in 2023 using 2021 inputs, are utilized through a custom process of merging growth estimates from municipal to local levels. According to these combined projections, the suburb of Mannum is anticipated to see growth slightly under the median for regional Australian territories, with an expected gain of 151 residents by 2041, translating to a total growth of 4.6% across the 16 years.

Recent residential development output has been above average within Mannum when compared nationally

According to AreaSearch's evaluation of ABS building approval records, Mannum registers roughly 35 new residential building approvals annually. Over the last 5 financial years from FY-21 to FY-25, approximately 178 homes were approved, supplemented by 46 approvals during the current FY-26 period. Local demand matches supply closely, with an average of 1.1 new residents arriving per approved dwelling annually over the 5 financial years spanning FY-21 to FY-25. The typical expected construction cost for these new builds is $415,000, illustrating that builders are targeting high-end housing designs. Meanwhile, business construction remains low, with only $292,000 in commercial approvals logged so far this financial year.

When adjusted per capita, construction activity in Mannum is 102.0% higher than in the Rest of SA, offering a broader range of options for purchasers. This level of building is significantly elevated on a national scale, showing high builder optimism for the local market. The mix of new construction is heavily weighted toward separate houses at 97.0%, with multi-unit projects representing just 3.0% of approvals, which preserves the suburban feel and space suitable for families. With 56 residents for every new permit, the community demonstrates typical growth characteristics.

Projections show the resident population expanding by 143 people by 2041. Judging by recent building trends, the delivery of new houses is set to comfortably accommodate this influx, maintaining favorable purchasing conditions and potentially opening the door to even faster growth than currently anticipated.

Mannum has emerging levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the 31stth percentile nationally

Local infrastructure upgrades and planning schemes are critical drivers of regional development. AreaSearch has tracked 2 developments that are expected to influence the community. Major initiatives include the Mannum Waters Residential Marina - Mannum SA, the Regional North-South Freight Route Upgrade, SA Water Capital Work Delivery Contracts 2024-28, and the SA Housing Trust Maintenance Contracts Review and Service Program, with key details provided below.

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

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AreaSearch analysis reveals Mannum recording weaker employment conditions than most comparable areas nationwide

Mannum features a mix of white and blue collar jobs, with essential services playing a strong role, an unemployment rate of 5.6%, and an estimated employment growth of 3.3% over the past year, according to AreaSearch aggregation of statistical area data. As of March 2026, 1,173 residents are employed, while the unemployment rate sits 0.2% higher than the Regional SA rate of 5.5%. Workforce participation is notably lower at 45.5% compared to the Regional SA figure of 58.4%. Census data indicates that only 7.4% of residents worked from home, though the effects of Covid-19 lockdowns should be taken into account.

Most working residents are engaged in health care and social assistance, retail, and building services. Health care and social assistance represents a key specialty, employing 1.3 times the proportion seen across the wider region. Conversely, primary industries like farming, logging, and fishing employ only 8.0% of the workforce, which is lower than the 14.5% average for Regional SA. Comparing the local working cohort to the total number of residents suggests that local job vacancies are relatively scarce.

Looking at SALM and ABS figures over the year ending March 2026, total employment expanded by 3.3% while the active labor pool grew by 4.4%, leading to a 1.0 percentage point increase in joblessness. By comparison, Regional SA experienced a 1.2% rise in employment, a 2.6% increase in the labor supply, and a 1.4 percentage point rise in unemployment. Long-term occupational forecasts issued by Jobs and Skills Australia in May-25 suggest future workforce requirements. Nationally, job growth is projected at 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, though individual sectors will perform differently. Applying these industry projections to the local work profile suggests employment in the area could rise by 6.0% over five years and 12.8% over ten years.

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

ATO records for the 2023 financial year show local earnings are below the country-wide average. The median taxable income in the community is $38,007, and the average is $46,205, compared to regional benchmarks of $48,920 and $58,933. Adjusted for a 10.17% increase in the Wage Price Index since 2023, estimated figures reach $41,872 for the median and $50,904 for the average as of March 2026. At the 2021 Census, all key income metrics ranked between the 0th and 2nd percentiles across Australia. A weekly wage of $400 - 799 is the most common, held by 38.3% of individuals (1,202 people), whereas the leading bracket regionally is $1,500 - 2,999 at 27.5%. Around 48.6% of residents earn less than $800 weekly, indicating tight family budgets. Mortgage and rent costs present a significant burden, leaving just 84.8% of household income, which puts the area in the 3rd percentile.

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

Census profiles indicate that separate houses make up 92.2% of the housing inventory, with multi-unit styles representing 7.8%, compared to regional shares of 88.5% and 11.5%. Residents own their homes outright at a rate of 47.3%, which is higher than the regional average, while mortgaged properties sit at 26.2% and rented properties account for 26.5%. The typical monthly home loan payment is $1,100, which is below the regional median of $1,153, and the typical weekly rent matches the regional standard of $220. These housing costs are low compared to national figures of $1,863 for home loans and $375 for weekly rent.

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

Families represent 62.8% of all households, with 14.7% consisting of couples with kids, 36.2% of couples without children, and 10.9% of single parent arrangements. Other households comprise 37.2% of the local total, with single-person occupancies at 35.6% and group sharing at 1.7%. The typical household size is 2.1 occupants, slightly below the regional benchmark of 2.3.

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

Higher education completion is relatively low locally, with 8.9% of residents holding a university degree, compared to the national average of 30.4%. Bachelor qualifications are the most common at 6.4%, with postgraduate degrees at 1.3% and graduate diplomas at 1.2%. Instead, practical and trade qualifications are widespread, as 41.9% of residents aged 15+ have completed vocational training, including 9.0% with advanced diplomas and 32.9% with certificates.

Around 23.7% of the local population is enrolled in formal studies. This enrollment consists of 10.3% attending primary school, 6.2% attending secondary school, and 2.1% enrolled in higher education programs.

No public transport data available for this catchment area.

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

Assessment of local mortality and illness patterns indicates significant public health pressures across different age groups. Furthermore, the rate of residents holding private health insurance is low at roughly 45% of the community, or about 1,422 individuals, compared to 48.9% regionally and a nationwide average of 55.7%.

Joint inflammation and psychological disorders are the most prevalent health issues, affecting 13.0 and 10.1% of the population, respectively. About 55.2% of residents reported having no chronic illnesses, compared to 62.5% in the broader region. Health issues are also common among working-age individuals. Seniors aged 65 and older represent 39.7% of the population, which equals 1,246 people, above the regional average of 27.1%.

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

The community exhibits low levels of multicultural variety, with 88.4% holding citizenship, 87.8% born locally, and 98.4% using only English in domestic settings. The primary religious affiliation is Christianity, accounting for 46.4% of residents. Conversely, the most distinct concentration occurs in Judaism at 0.2% of the population, whereas none was recorded across Regional SA.

Regarding ancestral heritage, the three most common backgrounds are English at 34.6%, Australian at 31.6%, and German at 11.0%. Some smaller heritage groups show higher representation than typical, with Dutch residents at 1.4% (compared to 1.3% in the region), Welsh at 0.5% (compared to 0.5% regionally), and Polish at 0.6% (compared to 0.4% regionally).

Mannum ranks among the oldest 10% of areas nationwide

A typical resident is 56 years old, which is older than the Regional SA benchmark of 47 and the national average of 38. Those aged 65 - 74 represent a large segment at 20.0%, whereas the 35 - 44 bracket is small at 7.4% compared to the rest of the region. This 65 - 74 group is larger than the 9.4% national average. Since 2021, the cohort aged 75 to 84 has risen from 12.1% to 14.7%, and residents aged 85+ went from 3.9% to 5.0%. However, the group aged 45 to 54 dropped from 11.6% to 9.3%. Projections for 2041 suggest further changes, with the 85+ cohort expected to rise by 193 people (123%), growing from 156 to 350. Residents aged 65+ will account for 100% of population increases, showing the aging trend. Meanwhile, numbers for the 45 to 54 and 0 to 4 brackets are expected to fall.