Roxby Downs

Roxby Downs has shown very soft population growth performance across periods assessed by AreaSearch

As per ABS population updates and AreaSearch validation for the broader area, the estimated population of the suburb of Roxby Downs is around 3,810 as of February 2026. This figure reflects a growth of 139 people (3.8%) since the 2021 Census which reported a population of 3,671. The change was inferred from AreaSearch's estimated resident population of 3,781 in June 2024 and an additional 13 validated new addresses since the Census date. This results in a population density ratio of approximately 994 persons per square kilometer, comparable to averages seen across locations assessed by AreaSearch. Roxby Downs' growth rate of 3.8% since the census is within 0.9 percentage points of the SA3 area's 4.7%, indicating competitive growth fundamentals. Natural growth contributed around 61.0% of overall population gains during recent periods.

Population projections for the suburb are based on ABS/Geoscience Australia data released in 2024 with a base year of 2022, and SA State Government's Regional/LGA projections for years post-2032, adjusted using a method of weighted aggregation from LGA to SA2 levels. According to these projections, the suburb's population is expected to decline by 232 persons by 2041. However, specific age cohorts are anticipated to grow, notably the 45 to 54 age group which is projected to expand by 33 people over this period.

The level of residential development activity in Roxby Downs is very low in comparison to the average area assessed nationally by AreaSearch

Roxby Downs has seen minimal construction activity over five years, with only one new dwelling approved annually. This low level of development is typical in rural areas due to modest housing needs and limited construction activity driven by local demand and infrastructure capacity. It's important to note that yearly growth figures can fluctuate significantly with such low approval numbers.

Compared to the Rest of SA and national averages, Roxby Downs has notably lower development activity. With a stable or declining population projected, housing pressure in Roxby Downs is expected to remain low, potentially presenting buying opportunities.

With population expected to remain stable or decline, Roxby Downs should see reduced pressure on housing, potentially creating opportunities for buyers.

Roxby Downs has limited levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the 9thth percentile nationally

Area infrastructure significantly impacts local performance. One major project is identified by AreaSearch as potentially affecting the area. Key projects include Roxby Downs Area School Refurbishment, Olympic Dam Underground Growth Projects, Olympic Dam Smelter Refinery Expansion Project, and Northern Water Supply Project. Most relevant projects are detailed below.

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

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Employment conditions in Roxby Downs rank among the top 10% of areas assessed nationally

Roxby Downs has a balanced workforce comprising white and blue collar jobs, with manufacturing and industrial sectors prominently featured. The unemployment rate is 1.2%, and there was an estimated 2.9% employment growth in the past year, according to AreaSearch's aggregation of statistical area data. As of September 2025, 2408 residents are employed while the unemployment rate stands at 4.2%, below Rest of SA's rate of 5.3%.

Workforce participation is high at 88.4% compared to Rest of SA's 58.5%. Census responses indicate that only 3.4% of residents work from home, though Covid-19 lockdown impacts should be considered. Dominant employment sectors include mining, construction, and education & training. Mining employs 17.4 times the regional average in Roxby Downs, while agriculture, forestry & fishing employs just 0.2%, below Rest of SA's 14.5%.

Limited local employment opportunities are suggested by the count of Census working population versus resident population. Over a 12-month period ending September 2025, employment increased by 2.9% while labour force grew by 3.5%, leading to an unemployment rate rise of 0.6 percentage points. This contrasts with Rest of SA, where employment rose by 0.3%, the labour force grew by 2.3%, and unemployment rose by 1.9 percentage points. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May-25 project a 6.6% increase over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Roxby Downs' employment mix suggests local employment should increase by 4.1% over five years and 10.3% over ten years, though this is a simplified extrapolation for illustrative purposes only.

The economic profile demonstrates exceptional strength, placing the area among the top 10% nationally based on comprehensive AreaSearch income analysis

The median taxpayer income in Roxby Downs is $98,549, with an average of $106,285, according to the latest postcode level ATO data aggregated by AreaSearch for the financial year 2023. This is notably higher than the Rest of SA's median income of $48,920 and average income of $58,933. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 8.8% since financial year 2023, estimated incomes for September 2025 would be approximately $107,221 (median) and $115,638 (average). Census data from 2021 shows household, family, and personal incomes in Roxby Downs rank highly nationally, between the 97th and 99th percentiles. The largest income bracket comprises 35.0% of residents earning between $1,500 and $2,999 weekly (1,333 residents). A substantial proportion, 54.5%, earns above $3,000 per week, indicating strong economic capacity throughout the locality. After housing costs, residents retain 91.6% of their income, reflecting strong purchasing power. The area's SEIFA income ranking places it in the 6th decile.

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

The dwelling structure in Roxby Downs, as per the latest Census, consisted of 96.7% houses and 3.4% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings). This compares to Non-Metro SA's 88.5% houses and 11.5% other dwellings. Home ownership in Roxby Downs was at 6.7%, with the remaining dwellings either mortgaged (23.0%) or rented (70.3%). The median monthly mortgage repayment was $1,517, above Non-Metro SA's average of $1,153. The median weekly rent was $260, compared to Non-Metro SA's $220. Nationally, Roxby Downs' mortgage repayments were lower at $1,863 and rents were substantially below the national figure of $375.

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

Family households account for 70.9% of all households, including 40.0% couples with children, 22.6% couples without children, and 7.4% single parent families. Non-family households constitute the remaining 29.1%, with lone person households at 24.1% and group households making up 4.9%. The median household size is 2.7 people, which is larger than the Rest of SA average of 2.3.

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

The area's university qualification rate is 16.2%, significantly lower than Australia's average of 30.4%. Bachelor degrees are the most common at 11.5%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (3.1%) and graduate diplomas (1.6%). Trade and technical skills are prevalent, with 46.7% of residents aged 15+ holding vocational credentials - advanced diplomas (7.7%) and certificates (39.0%). Educational participation is high at 34.4%, including primary education (17.6%), secondary education (7.9%), and tertiary education (2.5%).

Educational participation is notably high, with 34.4% of residents currently enrolled in formal education. This includes 17.6% in primary education, 7.9% in secondary education, and 2.5% pursuing tertiary education.

No public transport data available for this catchment area.

The level of general health in Roxby Downs is notably higher than the national average with both young and old age cohorts seeing low prevalence of common health conditions

Roxby Downs shows superior health outcomes according to AreaSearch's analysis of mortality rates and chronic condition prevalence. Both young and elderly cohorts exhibit low prevalence of common health conditions. The area has a notably high private health cover rate at approximately 69% (2,624 people), compared to Rest of SA's 48.9%.

Nationally, the average is 55.7%. Asthma and mental health issues are the most prevalent medical conditions, affecting 6.8% and 6.0% respectively. 81.6% of residents report being completely free from medical ailments, compared to Rest of SA's 62.5%. The area has a lower proportion of seniors aged 65 and over at 2.5% (95 people), compared to Rest of SA's 27.1%. Health outcomes among seniors are particularly strong, ranking even higher than the general population nationally.

Roxby Downs ranks below the Australian average when compared to other local markets across a number of language and cultural background related metrics

Roxby Downs, surveyed in June 2016, showed low cultural diversity with 82.2% Australian citizens, 85.6% born in Australia, and 90.8% speaking English only at home. Christianity was the predominant religion, accounting for 35.0%. Buddhism, though small at 1.3%, was higher than the Rest of SA's 0.6%.

Ancestry-wise, Australian (33.1%), English (28.8%), and Scottish (6.6%) were top groups. Notably, Filipino (2.6% vs regional 0.7%), Maori (1.0% vs 0.2%), and Welsh (0.7% vs 0.5%) were overrepresented.

Roxby Downs hosts a very young demographic, ranking in the bottom 10% of areas nationwide

Roxby Downs has a median age of 30, which is significantly lower than the Rest of SA figure of 47 and Australia's national average of 38 years. Compared to the Rest of SA average, the 25-34 cohort is notably over-represented in Roxby Downs at 20.5%, while the 65-74 age group is under-represented at 2.0%. This concentration of the 25-34 age group is well above the national average of 14.4%. Between 2021 and present, the 35 to 44 age group has grown from 18.3% to 20.9% of the population, while the 45 to 54 cohort has declined from 12.4% to 10.9%. Demographic modeling suggests Roxby Downs' age profile will evolve significantly by 2041, with the 45-54 age cohort projected to expand by 52 people (13%) from 415 to 468. Conversely, both the 0-4 and 65-74 age groups are projected to see reduced numbers.