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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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Roxby Downs has an estimated 3,781 residents, up from 3,671 at the 2021 Census — a change of 110 people, or 3.0%. That puts 987 residents on each square kilometre. Population is estimated from ABS Estimated Resident Population releases and GNAF address data, re-based from the 2021 Census and updated annually.
Detail
In the suburb of Roxby Downs, current estimates by AreaSearch place the population at roughly 3,781 as of Aug 2026, synthesized from ABS regional demographic revisions and post-census address verifications. Compared to the 3,671 people recorded in the 2021 Census, this marks an expansion of 110 people (3.0%). The updated resident count of 3,781 incorporates recent ABS ERP releases through June 2025 alongside 11 validated new addresses identified post-census. Demographically, this yields a population density of 987 persons per square kilometer, aligning closely with benchmarks across comparable territories analyzed by AreaSearch.
Furthermore, the 3.0% expansion recorded since the census trails the broader SA3 area (3.9%) by only 0.9 percentage points, highlighting sound growth dynamics. Natural increase served as the primary growth engine locally, accounting for approximately 61.0% of all recent population additions. Population modelling utilizes 2024 ABS/Geoscience Australia projections pegged to a 2022 baseline for local SA2 regions. For horizons past 2032 or areas omitted from that release, projections draw upon 2023 South Australian Government LGA and regional age-cohort models based on 2021 numbers, calibrated to the SA2 scale using a weighted growth aggregation approach. Under this framework, demographic forecasts indicate an overall population reduction of 175 persons by 2041 for the suburb of Roxby Downs. In contrast to this aggregate contraction, individual demographics are set to expand, most notably residents aged 45 to 54, who are forecast to add 62 people.
Frequently Asked Questions - Population
Detail
Residential construction across the locality remains exceptionally subdued, registering less than 1 new dwellings approved annually and resulting in minimal dwellings over the five-year period. These modest building volumes reflect typical regional dynamics where localized housing demand remains constrained and existing infrastructure limits construction momentum. Given such sparse approval tallies, annual percentage movements and comparisons can shift sharply due to single projects. Dwelling construction volumes in the area fall significantly short of levels recorded throughout Rest of SA. This subdued pace of building is likewise lower when contrasted with broader Australian benchmarks.
With demographic forecasts pointing toward flat or decreasing resident numbers, the local residential market could see eased accommodation demand, potentially yielding beneficial conditions for prospective purchasers.
Frequently Asked Questions - Development
Development applications around Roxby Downs
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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 one current infrastructure or development project inside Roxby Downs, worth an estimated $7 million. A further 34 sit in the immediately surrounding suburbs, taking the tracked pipeline within reach of the area to $310 million. 12 are already under construction and 10 are due for completion within three years. The pipeline spans residential development, education & training and ports, marinas, fisheries & aquaculture. 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
Strategic investments and major regional initiatives play a pivotal role in driving local economic and social progress. AreaSearch has identified 1 a single project anticipated to significantly influence the region. Notable major undertakings include the Roxby Downs Area School Refurbishment, Olympic Dam Underground Growth Projects, Olympic Dam Smelter Refinery Expansion Project, and Northern Water Supply Project.
Professional plan users can use the search below to filter and access additional projects.
INFRASTRUCTURE SEARCH
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Frequently Asked Questions - Infrastructure
Roxby Downs Area School Refurbishment
$7 million facility upgrade including refurbishment of four buildings with general learning areas, teacher preparation and breakout spaces, refreshed food technology areas, soundproofed music and drama studios, a new amphitheatre for open-air performances, broader landscaped outdoor learning areas, and a nature playground integrated with the desert landscape. The project reached completion in December 2021 and was officially opened in June 2024.
Joy Baluch AM Bridge Duplication
Duplication of the Joy Baluch AM Bridge to improve road safety and efficiency for all users, improve freight productivity, and improve the resilience of this critical road link. It will also address the current bridge speed restrictions and safety for people walking or cycling across the bridge. The project is part of the Port Wakefield to Port Augusta (PW2PA) Regional Projects Alliance. The duplication of the bridge is an important link in the National Land Transport Network at Port Augusta.
Cleary Street Residential Subdivision
A development opportunity in Port Augusta West comprising a 1.4 hectare R-Residential zoned site at 3-5 Cleary Street. A preliminary development plan exists to subdivide the land into 18 allotments, subject to council approval. The land is listed for sale at $499,000-$548,000.
Regional Key Worker Housing Scheme - Port Augusta
Construction of 35 new homes as part of the Regional Key Worker Housing Scheme to address the critical need for purpose-built government worker housing. Four two-and-three-bedroom homes are being built in Port Augusta west of the Joy Baluch AM Bridge. The program will deliver 35 new regional homes across several locations in SA to address the critical need for purpose-built government worker housing.
St Eyre Estate
A residential estate development located in Port Augusta West, offering vacant allotments allowing for custom home builds set against the scenic Baxter Ranges. Infrastructure for Stages 4 & 5A is already in place, including sealed roads, curbing, power, and water, with 60 spacious allotments each approximately 1200 square meters.
McKinnon Court Residential Development
A 3,100 sqm residential infill development site being marketed for residential subdivision or a small housing development, subject to council consent. As of 2026 the land remains listed for sale and there is no evidence of a lodged development application or construction commencing.
McIntosh Crescent Road Resealing
Sections of roadway on McIntosh Crescent in Port Augusta West require resealing due to deterioration and wear. The project will use a two-coat bitumen spray seal with a crumbed rubber binder.
Bunnings Warehouse Port Augusta
The new Bunnings store in Port Augusta has officially opened, featuring a 5000 square meter space with a nursery, landscaping area, two-lane trade drive-through timber yard, and an outdoor living and barbecue area. The store was staffed almost entirely by Spencer Gulf locals.
2,339 residents of Roxby Downs are employed, from a labour force of 2,380. Unemployment sits at 1.7%, with participation at 85.9%. Weighted for its industry mix, the area's sectors are forecast to grow about 4.1% nationally over five years. That reflects industry composition only and makes no allowance for local population growth. The working-day population is estimated at 2,700, about 71% 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 labour profile presents a healthy mix of managerial, professional, trades, and industrial occupations, highlighted by robust manufacturing activity and an exceptionally low unemployment rate of 1.7%, derived from AreaSearch statistical consolidations. As of March 2026, employed residents stand at 2,339, with local joblessness tracking 3.7% below Regional SA's benchmark of 5.5%. Concurrently, workforce involvement is notably elevated at 85.9%, compared with 58.3% across Regional SA. Remote work uptake remains minor, with Census figures showing just 3.4% of workers operating from home, though historical pandemic measures should be kept in mind.
Key pillars of resident employment are centered in mining, construction, and education & training. The community displays an extraordinary concentration in mining, where resident participation is 17.4 times the regional proportion. On the other hand, agriculture, forestry & fishing accounts for only 0.2% of workers, well below the 14.5% seen regionally. Furthermore, comparisons between working-population counts and resident tallies from the Census suggest localized employment options within the predominantly residential community are somewhat limited. According to combined ABS and SALM analyses compiled by AreaSearch, the year leading into March 2026 saw local workforce numbers decline by 2.2% alongside a 3.2% reduction in employed workers, lifting the unemployment rate by 1.0 percentage points. By comparison, Regional SA registered a 1.2% gain in employment, a 2.6% increase in the labour pool, and a 1.4 percentage points rise in unemployment. Long-term industry expectations from Jobs and Skills Australia as of Mar-26 provide additional context on future workforce needs. Overall national employment is projected to expand by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, with performance varying widely across different industries. Calibrated against the local occupational footprint, these projections indicate employment growth of 4.1% over five years and 10.3% over ten years (representing an illustrative weighting model that excludes localized demographic projections).
Frequently Asked Questions - Employment
Median household income in Roxby Downs is $3,142 a week (about $163,000 a year), with median personal income at $1,747 a week. ATO records put median taxable income at $98,549 a year against an average of $106,285. 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
Aggregated ATO data from AreaSearch for financial year 2023 indicates a median taxpayer income of $98,549 and a mean of $106,285. These figures place the community within the upper tier across Australia, outperforming Regional SA where median and average figures stand at $48,920 and $58,933 respectively. Factoring in a 10.17% rise in the Wage Price Index since financial year 2023, modelled values reach approximately $108,571 (median) and $117,094 (average) as of March 2026. During the 2021 Census, household, family, and individual incomes all ranked between the 97th and 99th percentiles nationally.
The largest earnings band comprises 35.0% of local earners (1,323 people) bringing in $1,500 - 2,999, compared to 27.5% regionally. Robust earning capacity is further evidenced by 54.5% of households earning more than $3,000 weekly, fostering solid retail spending. Residents keep 91.6% of earnings after housing outlays, while the community's SEIFA income metric sits in the 6th decile.
Frequently Asked Questions - Income
Roxby Downs had 1,195 occupied dwellings at the 2021 Census, 97% detached houses and 3% apartments. 23% are owned with a mortgage, 70% rented and 7% owned outright. At that Census the median rent was $260 a week and the median mortgage repayment $1,517 a month. Rent absorbs 8.3% of household income here and mortgage repayments 11.1%. Dwelling stock, tenure and housing costs are 2021 Census measures — the only source that counts dwellings at this boundary size.
Detail
According to the latest Census, separate houses made up 96.7% of all residences, while semi-detached dwellings, units, and other formats accounted for 3.4%. By comparison, Regional SA recorded 88.5% houses and 11.5% other dwellings. Outright homeownership was comparatively low at 6.7%, with 23.0% of properties carrying a mortgage and 70.3% occupied by tenants. Typical monthly home loan repayments were $1,517, higher than the Regional SA median of $1,153, while weekly rental outlays averaged $260, above the regional benchmark of $220. Compared to Australian figures, local mortgage obligations sit well below the nationwide median of $1,863, and rents remain substantially beneath the national average of $375.
Frequently Asked Questions - Housing
Roxby Downs counted 1,195 households at the 2021 Census, averaging 2.7 people each. 40% are couples with children, more than in 79% of areas nationally, against 23% couples without children. 24% of households are people living alone, and families average 1.6 children. Household and family composition is measured only by the Census, so these are 2021 figures.
Detail
Family living arrangements constitute 70.9% of local dwellings, led by couples with children at 40.0%, childless couples at 22.6%, and single parent families at 7.4%. Non-family accommodations comprise the remaining 29.1%, made up of lone person households (24.1%) and group households (4.9%). The typical household comprises 2.7 people, exceeding the 2.3 person average observed across Regional SA.
Frequently Asked Questions - Households
16.2% of adults in Roxby Downs hold a university qualification, including 11.5% with a bachelor degree and 3.1% with postgraduate qualifications, lower than 76% of areas nationally. A further 39.0% hold a vocational qualification. 2 schools serve the area, with 697 enrolment places and an average ICSEA of 951 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
Higher education qualifications present an area for potential growth, as 16.2% of residents hold university degrees compared to the 30.4% national average. Among tertiary completions, bachelor degrees constitute 11.5%, postgraduate awards account for 3.1%, and graduate diplomas represent 1.6%. In contrast, vocational and technical credentials are widespread, with 46.7% of individuals aged 15+ holding trade training, consisting of advanced diplomas (7.7%) and certificates (39.0%). Community participation in learning is elevated, with 34.4% of all residents actively engaged in formal courses. This cohort comprises 17.6% attending primary school, 7.9% enrolled in secondary school, and 2.5% undertaking tertiary studies.
Frequently Asked Questions - Education
Schools Detail
Getting around Roxby Downs means driving: households keep an average of 1.8 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
81.6% of residents in Roxby Downs report no long-term health condition. 1.2% need daily assistance with core activities, and 68.9% hold private health cover. The standardised death rate runs at 5.8 per 1,000 residents. Health conditions, assistance needs and insurance are 2021 Census measures; the death rate comes from current ABS releases.
Detail
Health indicators across the area are favorable, with AreaSearch evaluations of mortality and chronic illnesses showing limited incidence across both younger and older cohorts. In addition, private health insurance uptake is notably high at approximately 69% of the population (2,604 people), compared to 48.9% throughout Regional SA and a national level of 55.7%. Asthma and mental health conditions are the most prevalent ailments locally, diagnosed in 6.8 and 6.0% of the population respectively. Conversely, 81.6% of residents reported having no long-term medical conditions, well above the 62.5% recorded across Regional SA.
Residents aged 65 and over make up 2.8% of the community (105 people), compared with 27.1% regionally, with older locals exhibiting exceptionally strong health outcomes relative to national standards.
Frequently Asked Questions - Health
Roxby Downs is largely Australian-born, at 85.6% of residents, with 9.2% speaking a language other than English at home. The largest reported ancestries are Australian (33.1%) and English (28.8%). 3.7% of residents identify as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander. Ancestry, language and country of birth are counted only by the Census, so these are 2021 figures.
Detail
Measures of cultural diversity remain below broader averages, with 82.2% holding citizenship, 85.6% born in Australia, and 90.8% communicating only in English at home. Christianity represents the leading faith, adhered to by 35.0% of residents. Meanwhile, Buddhism demonstrates a noticeable local concentration at 1.3% of the community, compared to 0.6% across Regional SA. The primary reported ancestries among residents are Australian at 33.1%, English at 28.8%, and Scottish at 6.6%. Distinct demographic concentrations are also present among other communities, with Filipino heritage accounting for 2.6% (compared to 0.7% regionally), Maori representing 1.0% (versus 0.2%), and Welsh comprising 0.7% (against 0.5%).
Frequently Asked Questions - Diversity
The median resident of Roxby Downs is 30, younger than 96% of areas nationally. 29.3% 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
Demographically, the suburb of Roxby Downs is heavily oriented toward family-building life stages. As of August 2026, adults aged 25 - 44 account for 40.1% of the population, compared to 21.4% regionally, while seniors aged 65+ make up only 2.8%, well below the 27.1% regional benchmark. AreaSearch estimates the median age at 30 as at August 2026, matching the figure from the 2021 Census and sitting 17 years younger than Regional SA's 47, as well as below the national median of 38 at that Census. The proportion of residents aged 0 - 24 has moved from 38.6% at the census to an estimated 36.7%.
Looking ahead to 2041, the senior age bracket is projected to see the largest expansion, increasing by 40 residents (38%) to 146, while younger and early-to-mid career age cohorts are expected to decrease.
Frequently Asked Questions - Age
Data & MethodBoundaries, Sources & Method for Roxby Downs
9 of 14 data sections on this page were updated within the last 12 months — the newest current to Oct 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) | Aug 2026 2 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 Aug 2026, with the 2021 Census supplying the small-area baseline. | ||
| Age profile | ABS, Geoscience Australia, State governments Annual | Aug 2026 2 months ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Age cohorts are re-based to the latest ABS population estimates and state projections, current to Aug 2026. Each cohort is held as a Census baseline and a current estimate. | ||
| Development & approvals | ABS, GNAF Monthly (ABS approvals) | Aug 2026 2 months ago headline measures · Jul 2026 baseline |
| Property sales & rents | Valuer General, Rental Board, ABS Weekly sales, quarterly rents | Oct 2026 this month headline measures · Sep 2026 baseline |
| 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 Oct 2026. | ||
| Infrastructure projects | Infrastructure Australia, State agencies, Local governments Daily | Oct 2025 about a year ago all 1 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 Oct 2025. | ||
| Employment | ABS, DEWR, JSA Quarterly (ABS SALM) | Mar 2026 7 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) | Sep 2026 last month headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Transport | ABS, State Transport Departments Each timetable release | Jul 2026 3 months ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Services & amenities | Provider directories, ACECQA Continuous | Sep 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 — 11 validated new addresses here. The headline figure is therefore a current estimate for Aug 2026, not a 2021 count (3,671 at the 2021 Census → 3,781 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 Aug 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 (SAL41281). QuickStats reports 2021 only — the figures on this page are more current wherever the ledger shows a later date.