Tanunda

An assessment of population growth drivers in Tanunda reveals an overall ranking slightly below national averages considering recent, and medium term trends

According to investigations of ABS population estimates for the wider region, alongside recent addresses verified by AreaSearch since the Census, the suburb of Tanunda has a population of approximately 4,857 as of May 2026. This represents a gain of 147 people (3.1%) from the 2021 Census, which counted 4,710 people. The estimation is based on a resident population of 4,801, calculated by AreaSearch using the ABS June 2025 ERP release, combined with 145 validated new addresses added since the Census. This population level means there are 192 persons per square kilometer, which offers ample room per resident and potential for future expansion. The suburb of Tanunda's post-census growth of 3.1% is 2.8 percentage points lower than the Rest of SA (5.9%), displaying solid growth characteristics. The main driver of population growth during recent times was overseas migration, which accounted for roughly 64.0% of the total population increase.

Projections from the ABS and Geoscience Australia, issued in 2024 with a base year of 2022, are utilized by AreaSearch for each SA2 region. For locations lacking this data and for timeframes after 2032, regional and LGA projections by age bracket published by the SA State Government in 2023 (utilizing 2021 data) are applied, adjusted via weighted aggregation of population growth from LGA to SA2 scale. Looking ahead, population growth for regions outside capital cities is expected to exceed the median, with the suburb of Tanunda projected to increase by 738 persons by 2041 under aggregated SA2 forecasts, representing a 14.0% total rise over the 16 years.

Residential development activity is lower than average in Tanunda according to AreaSearch's national comparison of local real estate markets

According to AreaSearch's evaluation of ABS building approvals assigned from regional statistics, the suburb of Tanunda averages approximately 31 approved residential dwellings annually. A total of 159 homes received approvals over the past 5 financial years (from FY-21 to FY-25), with 63 registered in FY-26 so far. Because the population has decreased in recent times, new housing has likely kept pace with demand to provide buyers with good options, while newly built properties carry an average value of $427,000, showing that developers are targeting the high-end market with premium housing. Additionally, commercial approvals worth $8.5 million were recorded during this financial year, showing a modest focus on commercial building projects.

Compared to the Rest of SA, building activity in the suburb of Tanunda is slightly higher, running 10.0% above the regional average per capita over the 5 year period, which maintains choice for buyers and helps protect current property values. Furthermore, all recent construction projects consisted of detached dwellings, preserving the low density character of the locality through a focus on standalone houses that appeal to buyers wanting space. With approximately 125 people for each approval, the suburb of Tanunda is classified as a low density area.

Demographic projections indicate the suburb of Tanunda will add 682 residents by 2041, based on the latest quarterly estimate from AreaSearch. Current building volumes suggest that housing supply is on track to meet local demand, setting up favorable conditions for purchasers and potentially paving the way for growth to outpace current projections.

Tanunda has emerging levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the 30thth percentile nationally

Changes to local infrastructure, planning guidelines, and major projects represent key influences on regional performance. AreaSearch has identified a total of 8 projects that are expected to impact the local area. Principal developments include the Barossa Growth and Infrastructure Investment Strategy, La Vida Homes - Gembrook Estate Tanunda, New Water Infrastructure to Barossa (Barossa New Water), and Sovereign Estate, with details on the most relevant initiatives listed below.

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

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.

Employment performance in Tanunda ranks among the strongest 15% of areas evaluated nationally

The suburb of Tanunda has a skilled workforce with notable representation in industrial and manufacturing fields, an unemployment rate of only 1.6%, and an estimated job growth rate of 3.6% over the past year, according to AreaSearch regional data. In March 2026, there were 2,386 employed residents, with an unemployment rate 3.8% lower than the 5.5% recorded in Regional SA, while workforce participation aligned closely with the Regional SA level of 58.4%. Census records show that a modest 10.5% of the workforce worked from home, although this figure should be viewed in light of Covid-19 restrictions.

The primary employment sectors for local workers are manufacturing, health care & social assistance, and retail trade. The workforce shows a strong specialization in manufacturing, with its employment share reaching 2.5 times the regional average. On the other hand, agriculture, forestry & fishing is less common at 5.1% compared to the regional average of 14.5%. Although the area offers local jobs, comparison of Census worker counts to the local population indicates a significant portion of residents travel outside the area for work.

According to AreaSearch analysis of SALM and ABS statistics for the broader region, the year ending March 2026 saw employment levels rise by 3.6% and the labor force expand by 3.5%, keeping unemployment essentially unchanged. Conversely, Regional SA registered a 1.2% rise in employment and a 2.6% increase in the labor force, corresponding to a 1.4 percentage point uptick. National employment forecasts from Jobs and Skills Australia released in May-25 provide additional context regarding future demand in the suburb of Tanunda. These five and ten-year forecasts have been compared against the local industry profile to project future employment trends. While nationwide employment is projected to grow by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, trends vary widely across different sectors. Applying these industry projections to the employment composition of the suburb of Tanunda suggests local employment could grow by 4.9% over five years and 11.5% over ten years, using a basic weighted extrapolation for illustrative purposes that excludes localized population projections.

Income levels sit below national averages according to AreaSearch assessment

Based on the latest postcode-level ATO data released by AreaSearch for financial year 2023, the suburb of Tanunda has a median taxpayer income of $53,293 and an average taxpayer income of $64,559. These figures sit below national benchmarks, comparing to a median of $48,920 and an average of $58,933 in Regional SA. Factoring in Wage Price Index growth of 10.17% since financial year 2023, current estimates correspond to approximately $58,713 (median) and $71,125 (average) as of March 2026. Census findings indicate that household, family, and individual incomes in the suburb of Tanunda are moderate, placing between the 32nd and 44th percentiles. In terms of distribution, the $1,500 - 2,999 weekly earnings bracket accounts for 30.3% of the local population (1,471 individuals), matching the broader region where this group accounts for 27.5%. Housing expenses are manageable with residents retaining 87.4% of income, though disposable income is below average at the 36th percentile, and the SEIFA index places the area in the 5th decile for income.

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

At the time of the latest Census, the housing mix in the suburb of Tanunda consisted of 90.3% houses and 9.7% other property types like townhouses, apartments, or alternative dwellings, compared to 88.5% houses and 11.5% other dwellings across Regional SA. Home ownership in the suburb of Tanunda matched the Regional SA rate of 43.0%, with the remaining properties being mortgaged (35.2%) or rented (21.7%). The median monthly mortgage payment of $1,452 was notably higher than the Regional SA average of $1,153, while the median weekly rent stood at $300 compared to the Regional SA median of $220. On a national level, mortgage repayments in the suburb of Tanunda are much lower than the Australian average of $1,863, and rents are also significantly below the national median of $375.

Tanunda has a typical household mix, with a fairly typical median household size

Families make up the majority of households in the suburb of Tanunda at 69.5%, consisting of couples with children at 25.9%, couples without children at 34.8%, and single parent households at 8.2%. Non-family households account for the remaining 30.5%, with single-person households representing 28.8% and group households making up 1.6%. The median household size is 2.3 individuals, which matches the Regional SA average.

Tanunda performs slightly above the national average for education, showing competitive qualification levels and steady academic outcomes

Educational attainment in the suburb of Tanunda is lower than regional averages, with 21.5% of residents aged 15+ holding a tertiary degree compared to 30.4% across Australia. This difference suggests opportunities for future educational growth and training. Bachelor degrees are the most common higher qualification at 14.8%, followed by postgraduate degrees (3.9%) and graduate diplomas (2.8%). Vocational and technical training is common, with 36.8% of residents aged 15+ holding vocational qualifications, split between advanced diplomas (11.9%) and certificates (24.9%).

A total of 23.9% of residents are enrolled in formal education, which includes 9.9% in primary schools, 6.1% in secondary schools, and 3.0% in higher education institutions.

No public transport data available for this catchment area.

Tanunda's residents are healthier than average in comparison to broader Australia with a fairly standard level of common health conditions seen across both young and old age cohorts

Health indicators show favorable conditions for residents of the suburb of Tanunda, with AreaSearch analysis of mortality rates and medical conditions showing outcomes aligned with national figures. Standard rates of common health conditions are observed across both younger and older cohorts, while the private health insurance rate is slightly higher than the average SA2 area at approximately 53% of the population (~2,550 people), compared to 48.9% in Regional SA.

The most prevalent health conditions recorded locally are arthritis and mental health challenges, affecting 10.8% and 8.3% of residents respectively. Meanwhile, 63.2% of residents reported having no chronic medical conditions, compared to 62.5% across Regional SA. Working-age individuals exhibit higher than average rates of chronic health issues. Residents aged 65 and older make up 30.6% of the population (1,486 people), exceeding the Regional SA share of 27.1%. Senior health outcomes are above average, with national health rankings matching the general population.

Tanunda is considerably less culturally diverse than average when assessed alongside AreaSearch's national rankings for language and cultural background related metrics

The suburb of Tanunda has lower levels of cultural diversity than average, with 88.2% of residents born in Australia, 93.0% holding citizenship, and 96.5% speaking only English at home. Christianity is the dominant religion, practiced by 56.7% of the population in the suburb of Tanunda, compared to 45.2% in Regional SA.

Regarding ancestral backgrounds based on parents' birthplaces, the three largest groups in the suburb of Tanunda are Australian at 28.9%, English at 28.1%, and German at 21.0% of the population, with the German cohort being notably higher than the regional average of 8.2%. Other ethnic groups also show differences, with Welsh represented at 0.6% in the suburb of Tanunda (compared to 0.5% regionally), Dutch at 1.4% (compared to 1.3%), and Serbian at 0.2% (compared to 0.1%).

Tanunda hosts an older demographic, ranking in the top quartile nationwide

The median age in the suburb of Tanunda is 48 years, which is close to the Regional SA average of 47 years and well above the national median of 38 years. Compared to Regional SA, the 35 - 44 age bracket has a higher representation at 12.9%, while the 25 - 34 bracket is lower at 6.5%. Since 2021, the 75 to 84 age cohort increased from 8.8% to 10.6% of the population, and the 15 to 24 cohort rose from 8.2% to 9.8%, while the 25 to 34 group dropped from 9.2% to 6.5%. Population projections for 2041 indicate notable demographic shifts for the suburb of Tanunda, with the 85+ cohort expected to grow the fastest at 115%, adding 261 residents to total 490. Older residents aged 65 and over will account for 72% of the population increase, highlighting regional aging trends, while the 15 to 24 cohort is projected to decrease by 22 residents.