Waikerie

Waikerie 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 May 2026, the population of the suburb of Waikerie is estimated to be around 2,695. This figure reflects an increase of 14 people since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 2,681. The change is inferred from AreaSearch's estimation of the resident population at 2,685 following examination of the latest ERP data release by the ABS in June 2025 and an additional 21 validated new addresses since the Census date. This equates to a density ratio of 38 persons per square kilometer. Population growth was primarily driven by overseas migration during recent periods.

AreaSearch adopts ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area, released in 2024 with 2022 as the base year. For areas not covered and years post-2032, SA State Government's Regional/LGA projections are adopted with adjustments made employing a method of weighted aggregation of population growth from LGA to SA2 levels. Future trends indicate an expected increase just below the median of national regional areas by 2041, with Waikerie expected to increase by 102 persons, reflecting a total increase of 3.4% over the 16 years.

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

AreaSearch analysis of ABS building approval numbers for Waikerie shows around 5 new homes approved annually. Between FY21 and FY25, approximately 28 homes were approved, with 6 more in FY26 to date.

The population decline suggests supply has kept pace with demand, offering buyers good choice. New dwellings average $380,000, indicating a focus on premium properties. Compared to Rest of SA, Waikerie has significantly less development activity (64.0% below regional average per person). This limited new supply generally supports stronger demand and values for established dwellings, though recent construction activity has increased. The area's detached house focus preserves its low density nature, attracting space-seeking buyers with approximately 332 people per dwelling approval.

By 2041, Waikerie is projected to grow by 92 residents. At current development rates, new housing supply should meet demand comfortably, providing good conditions for buyers and potentially supporting population growth beyond projections.

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

No factors influence an area's performance more than changes to local infrastructure, major projects, and planning initiatives. AreaSearch has identified zero projects likely to impact this area. Key projects include Project EnergyConnect, SA Housing Trust Maintenance Contracts Review and Service Program, SA Water Capital Work Delivery Contracts 2024-28, and Mid North South Australia REZ Expansion. Below is a list of those most relevant.

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.

AreaSearch assessment indicates Waikerie faces employment challenges relative to the majority of Australian markets

Waikerie has a balanced workforce with white and blue collar jobs, diverse sector representation, an unemployment rate of 5.8% as of December 2025, and estimated employment growth of 0.5% in the past year. The town's unemployment rate aligns with Regional SA's at 5.7%, but workforce participation is lower at 54.9%. Only 6.7% of residents work from home, considering Covid-19 lockdown impacts.

Dominant sectors include agriculture, forestry & fishing, health care & social assistance, and retail trade. Agriculture, forestry & fishing has an employment share 1.4 times the regional level, while mining representation is lower at 0.5% compared to the regional average of 2.9%. Employment opportunities appear limited locally based on Census data. Between December 2024 and December 2025, employment levels increased by 0.5%, labour force grew by 2.6%, resulting in a 2.0 percentage point rise in unemployment.

Regional SA recorded employment growth of 0.7% and unemployment rising by 2.2 percentage points during the same period. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May-25 project national employment growth of 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, with varying rates across sectors. Applying these projections to Waikerie's employment mix suggests local employment should increase by 5.1% over five years and 11.5% over ten years, though these are simple weighted extrapolations for illustrative purposes only and do not account for localised population projections.

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

AreaSearch's aggregation of ATO data released for financial year 2023 shows Waikerie had a median taxpayer income of $43,211 and an average of $49,599. Nationally, the averages were $48,920 and $58,933 in Regional SA. By March 2026, estimates based on 10.17% Wage Price Index growth would be approximately $47,606 (median) and $54,643 (average). According to the 2021 Census, Waikerie's incomes fall between the 2nd and 9th percentiles nationally. The largest income bracket in Waikerie is $400 - $799 weekly, with 924 residents, contrasting with regional levels where the $1,500 - $2,999 bracket leads at 27.5%. Forty-two point five percent of Waikerie residents earn under $800 weekly, indicating constrained household budgets. Despite modest housing costs retaining 87.1% of income, total disposable income ranks at the 4th percentile nationally.

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

Waikerie's dwelling structure, as per the latest Census, consisted of 85.8% houses and 14.2% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings). This compares to Regional SA's 88.5% houses and 11.5% other dwellings. Home ownership in Waikerie was 42.3%, similar to Regional SA, with the rest being mortgaged (26.8%) or rented (30.9%). The median monthly mortgage repayment in Waikerie was $1,000, lower than Regional SA's average of $1,153. The median weekly rent figure in Waikerie was recorded at $200, compared to Regional SA's $220. Nationally, Waikerie's mortgage repayments were significantly lower than the Australian average of $1,863, and rents were substantially below the national figure of $375.

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

Family households account for 63.0% of all households, including 19.2% composed of couples with children, 32.8% consisting of couples without children, and 9.6% being single parent families. Non-family households constitute the remaining 37.0%, with lone person households making up 34.4% and group households comprising 3.0%. The median household size is 2.2 people, which is smaller than the Regional SA average of 2.3.

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

The area's university qualification rate is 11.4%, significantly lower than the Australian average of 30.4%. This disparity presents both a challenge and an opportunity for targeted education initiatives in the region. Bachelor degrees are most prevalent at 8.0%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (1.7%) and graduate diplomas (1.7%). Vocational credentials are also common, with 36.3% of residents aged 15 and above holding them – advanced diplomas account for 8.7% while certificates make up 27.6%.

A substantial 23.9% of the population is actively engaged in formal education, including 10.6% in primary education, 7.3% in secondary education, and 1.4% pursuing tertiary education.

No public transport data available for this catchment area.

Waikerie's residents are relatively healthy in comparison to broader Australia with common health conditions slightly more prevalent than average across both younger and older age cohorts

Waikerie's health metrics closely align with national benchmarks, based on AreaSearch's assessment. Common health conditions are slightly more prevalent than average across both younger and older age cohorts. Private health cover is extremely low at approximately 47% of the total population (~1,257 people), compared to 48.9% in Regional SA and the national average of 55.7%.

The most common medical conditions are arthritis (11.7%) and asthma (7.8%), while 62.2% of residents report being completely clear of medical ailments, similar to the 62.5% across Regional SA. Health outcomes among the working-age population are typical. Waikerie has 35.1% of residents aged 65 and over (945 people), higher than the 27.1% in Regional SA, with national rankings broadly in line with the general population.

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

Waikerie's cultural diversity was found to be below average, with 87.1% of its population being citizens, 86.2% born in Australia, and 90.9% speaking English only at home. Christianity was the predominant religion, accounting for 49.7% of Waikerie's population. Notably, the 'Other' category comprised 3.7%, compared to 0.8% across Regional SA.

In terms of ancestry, Australian was the most represented group (31.4%), followed by English (29.5%) and German (13.0%). Some ethnic groups showed notable differences: Sri Lankan was overrepresented at 0.2% in Waikerie compared to 0.0% regionally, Welsh was equally represented at 0.5%, and Hungarian was slightly higher at 0.2% vs 0.1%.

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

Waikerie has a median age of 49, which is higher than the Regional SA figure of 47 and substantially exceeds the national norm of 38. Compared to Regional SA, Waikerie has a higher concentration of residents aged 65-74 (17.5%) but fewer residents aged 55-64 (11.8%). This 65-74 concentration is well above the national figure of 9.4%. Between the 2021 Census and the present, the 75 to 84 age group has grown from 9.8% to 12.3% of Waikerie's population. Conversely, the 25 to 34 cohort has declined from 10.6% to 9.1%. Looking ahead to 2041, demographic projections indicate significant shifts in Waikerie's age structure. The 75 to 84 group is projected to grow by 40%, reaching 463 people from the current 331. Those aged 65 and above will comprise 96% of this growth. Conversely, both the 0 to 4 and 15 to 24 age groups are projected to decrease in number.