Tailem Bend

Tailem Bend is positioned among the lower quartile of areas assessed nationally for population growth based on AreaSearch's assessment of recent, and medium term trends

As of November 2025, the estimated population of Tailem Bend is around 1,764 people. This represents an increase of 59 individuals since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 1,705 people. The current resident population estimate of 1,752 by AreaSearch, based on the latest ERP data release from the ABS in June 2024 and six validated new addresses since the Census date, reflects this growth. This results in a population density ratio of 7.5 persons per square kilometer. Overseas migration contributed approximately 67.0% to overall population gains during recent periods.

AreaSearch uses ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area, released in 2024 with a base year of 2022. For areas not covered by this data and years post-2032, the SA State Government's Regional/LGA projections by age category are adopted, based on 2021 data and released in 2023. These projections indicate a decline in overall population for Tailem Bend over time. By 2041, the suburb's population is expected to decrease by 14 persons according to this methodology. However, specific age cohorts are anticipated to grow, notably the 85 and over age group, which is projected to increase by 69 people.

AreaSearch assessment of residential development drivers sees a low level of activity in Tailem Bend, placing the area among the bottom 25% of areas assessed nationally

AreaSearch analysis of ABS building approval numbers in Tailem Bend shows approximately 5 residential properties granted approval per year over the past 5 financial years, totalling an estimated 28 homes. In FY-26 so far, 1 approval has been recorded. This results in around 1 person moving to the area for each dwelling built annually between FY-21 and FY-25, indicating a balanced supply and demand creating stable market conditions.

The average construction cost value of new homes is $312,000, below the regional average, suggesting more affordable housing options for buyers compared to Rest of SA. Tailem Bend records roughly half the building activity per person nationally, placing it in the 39th percentile, reflecting limited buyer options and strengthening demand for established dwellings. Recent development has been entirely comprised of detached houses, preserving the area's low density nature with an estimated 439 people per dwelling approval. Population projections indicate stability or decline, suggesting reduced housing demand pressures benefiting potential buyers in Tailem Bend.

With population projections showing stability or decline, Tailem Bend should see reduced housing demand pressures, benefiting potential buyers.

Tailem Bend has emerging levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the 35thth percentile nationally

No factors influence a region's performance more than changes to local infrastructure, major projects, and planning initiatives. AreaSearch has identified zero projects that could significantly impact this area. Notable projects include Summerfield Battery, Regional North-South Freight Route Upgrade, SA Water Capital Work Delivery Contracts, and SA Public Housing Maintenance and Services Contracts. The following list details those most likely to be relevant.

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

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Employment conditions in Tailem Bend face significant challenges, ranking among the bottom 10% of areas assessed nationally

Tailem Bend's workforce is balanced across white and blue-collar jobs, with notable presence in lifestyle and retail sectors. The unemployment rate stands at 7.1%, according to AreaSearch's aggregation of statistical area data.

As of June 2025721 residents are employed while the unemployment rate is 2.5% higher than Rest of SA's rate of 4.6%. Workforce participation in Tailem Bend lags at 44.9%, compared to Rest of SA's 54.1%. Key industries for employment among residents are retail trade, health care & social assistance, and agriculture, forestry & fishing. Retail trade is particularly concentrated, with employment levels at 1.8 times the regional average.

Conversely, agriculture, forestry & fishing is under-represented, comprising only 11.6% of Tailem Bend's workforce compared to 14.5% in Rest of SA. The area appears to offer limited local employment opportunities, as indicated by the count of Census working population versus resident population. Over a 12-month period ending Sep-22, labour force decreased by 2.5% and employment declined by 4.6%, resulting in an unemployment rate rise of 2.1 percentage points. In contrast, Rest of SA experienced an employment decline of 1.2% and labour force growth of 0.1%, with a 1.2 percentage point rise in unemployment rate. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from Sep-22 suggest potential future demand within Tailem Bend. These projections estimate national employment growth at 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, but growth rates vary significantly between industry sectors. Applying these industry-specific projections to Tailem Bend's employment mix suggests local employment should increase by 5.4% over five years and 11.8% over ten years.

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

AreaSearch's latest postcode level ATO data for financial year 2022 shows Tailem Bend's median income among taxpayers is $35,345. The average income in Tailem Bend is $44,645. These figures are lower than the national averages. In comparison, Rest of SA has a median income of $46,889 and an average income of $56,582. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 12.83% since financial year 2022, current estimates for Tailem Bend would be approximately $39,880 (median) and $50,373 (average) as of September 2025. Census data indicates that household, family, and personal incomes in Tailem Bend all fall within the 1st to 4th percentiles nationally. The earnings profile reveals that 34.4% of the community (606 individuals) earn between $400 and $799 per week, differing from the surrounding region where the $1,500 - $2,999 category is predominant at 27.5%. The concentration of 43.2% in sub-$800 weekly brackets highlights economic challenges faced by a significant portion of Tailem Bend's community. While housing costs are modest with 86.7% of income retained, the total disposable income ranks at just the 4th percentile nationally.

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

Tailem Bend's dwelling structure, as per the latest Census, consisted of 94.1% houses and 5.9% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings). This compares to Non-Metro SA's figures of 89.9% houses and 10.1% other dwellings. Home ownership in Tailem Bend was at 42.7%, with mortgaged dwellings at 33.7% and rented ones at 23.5%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $867, lower than Non-Metro SA's average of $1,083. The median weekly rent in Tailem Bend was $225, similar to Non-Metro SA's figure of $220. Nationally, Tailem Bend's mortgage repayments were significantly lower at $867 compared to the Australian average of $1,863, while rents were substantially below the national figure of $375.

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

Family households constitute 59.9% of all households, including 16.6% couples with children, 28.7% couples without children, and 13.6% single parent families. Non-family households account for the remaining 40.1%, with lone person households at 36.3% and group households comprising 3.6%. The median household size is 2.1 people, which is smaller than the Rest of SA average of 2.3.

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

The area's university qualification rate is 5.9%, significantly lower than the Australian average of 30.4%. This presents both a challenge and an opportunity for targeted educational initiatives. Bachelor degrees are the most common at 4.7%, followed by graduate diplomas (0.7%) and postgraduate qualifications (0.5%). Vocational credentials are prominent, with 42.0% of residents aged 15+ holding them - advanced diplomas (7.6%) and certificates (34.4%).

Educational participation is high at 28.2%, including 12.5% in primary, 8.1% in secondary, and 2.7% in tertiary education. Tailem Bend Primary School serves the area with an enrollment of 148 students, operating under varied educational conditions (ICSEA: 910). It focuses exclusively on primary education, with secondary options available nearby. The school places per 100 residents (8.4) are below the regional average (13.5), indicating some students may attend schools in adjacent areas.

Transport servicing is very low compared to other areas nationally based on assessment of service frequency, route connectivity and accessibility

Transport analysis indicates one active public transport stop operating within Tailem Bend. This stop offers mixed bus services, with six individual routes collectively providing forty weekly passenger trips. Transport accessibility is rated as limited, with residents typically located 852 meters from the nearest transport stop.

Service frequency averages five trips per day across all routes, equating to approximately forty weekly trips per individual stop.

Health performance in Tailem Bend is a key challenge with a range of health conditions having marked impacts on both younger and older age cohorts

Tailem Bend faces significant health challenges, with various conditions affecting both younger and older residents. Approximately 45% (~788 people) have private health cover, lower than the national average of 55.3%.

The most prevalent medical conditions are arthritis (13.0%) and mental health issues (11.5%), while 53.8% report no medical ailments, compared to 61.8% in Rest of SA. Residents aged 65 and over comprise 30.1% (530 people), higher than the 26.2% in Rest of SA. Health outcomes among seniors are challenging, generally aligning with overall population health profiles.

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

Tailem Bend's cultural diversity was found to be below average, with 86.5% of its population being citizens, 92.4% born in Australia, and 98.0% speaking English only at home. Christianity was the main religion in Tailem Bend, comprising 41.9% of people. The most apparent overrepresentation was in Other, which comprised 1.2% of the population compared to 1.5% across Rest of SA.

In terms of ancestry, the top three represented groups were Australian at 33.3%, English at 32.5%, and German at 9.3%. Notably, Hungarian was overrepresented at 0.5% (vs 0.2% regionally), Dutch at 1.4% (vs 1.1%), and Australian Aboriginal at 3.1% (vs 3.0%).

Tailem Bend hosts an older demographic, ranking in the top quartile nationwide

Tailem Bend's median age is 49, slightly higher than the Rest of SA figure of 47 and substantially exceeding the national norm of 38. Compared to Rest of SA, Tailem Bend has a higher concentration of residents aged 75-84 (12.0%), but fewer residents aged 35-44 (9.0%). This 75-84 concentration is well above the national figure of 6.0%. Between the 2021 Census and present, the 75 to 84 age group has grown from 10.1% to 12.0% of the population, while the 55 to 64 cohort has declined from 15.4% to 14.1%. By 2041, demographic projections indicate significant shifts in Tailem Bend's age structure. The 85+ group is projected to grow by 105%, reaching 130 from 63. The aging population trend is clear, with those aged 65 and above comprising all of the projected growth. Conversely, both the 35-44 and 45-54 age groups are expected to decrease in number.