Chart Color Schemes
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
Curious about local property values? Filter the chart to assess the volume and appreciation (including resales) trends and regional comparisons, or scroll to the map below view this information at an individual property level.
Find a Recent Sale
Sales Detail
Waikerie has an estimated 2,695 residents. Density is about 38 people per 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
According to ABS demographic updates for the wider region and new addresses verified by AreaSearch since the Census, the suburb of Waikerie has an estimated population of 2,695 as of May 2026. This represents a growth of 14 people (0.5%) relative to the 2021 Census, which counted 2,681 people. The figure is calculated from a resident population of 2,685, which was estimated by AreaSearch using the ABS June 2025 ERP release, combined with 21 validated new addresses added since the Census. With this population level, the density stands at 38 persons per square kilometer, offering residents plenty of space.
The primary driver of these recent population gains was overseas migration, which served as the sole contributor to growth. AreaSearch utilizes ABS and Geoscience Australia projections published in 2024 with a 2022 baseline for each SA2. For SA2 regions lacking this coverage, and for the period following 2032, regional and LGA projections by age bracket from the SA State Government (issued in 2023 using 2021 data) are applied via a weighted aggregation of population growth from LGA to SA2 tiers. Looking at upcoming demographic shifts, population growth is projected to run slightly below the median for national regional zones, with the suburb of Waikerie expected to add 102 persons by 2041 based on compiled SA2-level forecasts, representing a total expansion of 3.4% across the 16 years.
Frequently Asked Questions - Population
49 new dwellings have been approved in Waikerie over the past five years, an average of 9 a year. That is 3.6 approvals per 1,000 residents. Approvals are currently running at an annualised 10, broadly in line with that longer-run average. Figures come from ABS building approvals aggregated to this Suburb (SAL) boundary and are updated monthly as the ABS releases them.
Detail
AreaSearch's evaluation of ABS building approvals assigned from statistical data indicates that Waikerie averages roughly 9 dwellings approved annually. A total of 49 homes were approved during the last 5 financial years (from FY-21 to FY-25), with 10 approved so far in FY-26. As the population has been shrinking recently, this fresh supply has likely matched demand, providing buyers with suitable options, while the average construction value of new builds sits at $380,000, indicating that developers are focusing on upmarket, premium properties. Waikerie has a per-capita rate of new home approvals that is approximately two-thirds of the rate seen in the Rest of SA.
While this positions it in the 81st percentile of all regions evaluated nationwide, building activity has recently scaled up. The entirety of this recent development has consisted of detached houses, maintaining the low-density character of the neighborhood and appealing to buyers seeking extra space. The ratio of approximately 138 people per dwelling approval highlights the low-density profile of the locality. Projections indicate that Waikerie will add 92 residents by 2041, starting from the most recent quarterly estimate by AreaSearch. If building activity maintains its current pace, the supply of housing is expected to satisfy demand, resulting in favorable purchasing conditions and potentially paving the way for growth that outpaces current predictions.
Frequently Asked Questions - Development
Development applications around Waikerie
Loading development applications…
| Lodged | Address | Description | Type | Distance | Status |
|---|
SOURCE: Planning portals and council registers, compiled by AreaSearch. Distance & bearing measured from the suburb midpoint.
AreaSearch tracks 26 current infrastructure and development projects close to Waikerie, worth an estimated $915 million. 3 are already under construction and 5 are due for completion within three years. The pipeline spans residential development, communities, precincts & urban renewal and transport & logistics. 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
Local infrastructure projects, major developments, and urban planning decisions can significantly affect regional performance. In total, AreaSearch has identified no projects likely to influence this locality. The main initiatives in the wider region include Project EnergyConnect, SA Housing Trust Maintenance Contracts Review and Service Program, SA Water Capital Work Delivery Contracts 2024-28, and the Mid North South Australia REZ Expansion, with the details of the most relevant projects listed below.
Professional plan users can use the search below to filter and access additional projects.
INFRASTRUCTURE SEARCH
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.
Frequently Asked Questions - Infrastructure
McLean Street Residential Estate
Sale of a significant 3.06ha development site (Lot 45 McLean St) in the Riverland town of Berri, which was advertised with two professionally drafted concept plans for a low-density residential estate of up to 34 new homes to address the critical local housing shortage. The site was sold on October 9, 2025.
Riverview Drive Reconstruction (Flood Recovery)
The reconstruction of Riverview Drive in Berri, following significant damage caused by the earth levee bank constructed during the 2022/23 River Murray flood. The project involved a like-for-like road renewal over an expanded scope, delivered $416,000 under budget, marking a major flood recovery milestone for the Berri Barmera Council. The section reconstructed measured 2,860m (2.86km).
Berri Energy Project
Australia's first fully operational utility-scale DC-coupled solar and battery energy storage system. The project, built on a former racecourse, features a 5.8 MWp solar farm (9,800 solar panels) coupled with a 6.7 MWh battery. It commenced full commercial operations in early 2023, generating 11,500 MWh annually, and provides Frequency Control Ancillary Services (FCAS) and voltage control services to the grid. It also has a community fund donating over $190,000 over its lifetime.
Pocket Galleries in Loxton
A pilot initiative to establish small-scale pocket galleries throughout Loxton, creating accessible community exhibition spaces for local artists and cultural activities. The project is being developed in partnership with founder Di Caught and aims to enhance arts and culture engagement across the district. Community consultation was conducted in August 2025, with the pilot launch expected to roll out following feedback from residents, artists, and businesses.
William Street Staircase Repair
Repair works on the William Street Staircase following significant structural damage from the 2022/23 Murray River floods. The project includes installation of screw piles to landing supports, replacement of missing handrails, and reinstatement of the retaining wall. This important pedestrian access point connects Loxton's main shopping area to the riverfront. Works commenced June 2025 with targeted completion October 2025.
Loxton Institute
The Loxton Institute is a new library, visitor information and cultural centre developed at the historic former Loxton Council Chamber. The facility features a dedicated local history section, visitor information area with local products and Loxton merchandise, bookable meeting rooms, extensive library services, children's activity room, modern amenities, and an outdoor deck area with breezeway. The building retains part of the original heritage-listed Loxton Institute facade. Construction commenced in June 2023 and was completed in November 2024.The project was delivered by Michael Kregar Building with support from local subcontractors.
Loxton Swimming Pool Upgrade
The District Council of Loxton Waikerie has undertaken concept planning and design work for the potential redevelopment and upgrade of the Loxton Swimming Pool. The pool's ageing infrastructure requires upgrading to meet current compliance standards and community expectations. Consultants DesignInc and insideEDGE Sport and Leisure Planning worked with Council and the community to develop options for revitalization of the 50-metre outdoor pool complex, which includes intermediate and toddler pools. Community consultation surveys closed 10 March 2025, with drop-in sessions held in early March to inform the concept design phase.At its meeting on 16 July 2025, Council received the completed concept designs and cost estimates; the information was noted for consideration in future budget discussions, with no funding or construction timeline yet confirmed.
Loxton District Children's Centre Expansion (Woodleigh)
Construction of a new fit-for-purpose childcare centre to expand services for the Loxton District Children's Centre 'Woodleigh'. The modern, environmentally friendly multi-use facility will include learning hubs, offices, bathrooms, sleep hubs, kitchens, laundries, staff rooms, consulting and program training rooms, outdoor play spaces and a carpark. Capacity will accommodate 120 full-time places in the first year, growing to 140 places within three years. The construction contract was awarded to Michael Kregar Building. As of mid-2026 the project is in the internal fit-out and external finishing stages, with landscaping remaining, and practical completion and handover is estimated for August 2026.The project is funded by a 9.28 million dollar Australian Government Growing Regions Program grant plus an additional 900,000 dollars from the Community Child Care Fund, with the District Council of Loxton Waikerie providing project management and loan support.
1,216 residents of Waikerie are employed, from a labour force of 1,288. Unemployment sits at 5.6%, with participation at 56.0%. Weighted for its industry mix, the area's sectors are forecast to grow about 5.1% nationally over five years. That reflects industry composition only and makes no allowance for local population growth. The working-day population is estimated at 2,092, about 78% 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
Waikerie is characterized by a balanced labor market featuring a mix of white and blue collar jobs across varied sectors, an unemployment rate of 5.6%, and an estimated job growth rate of 2.1% over the past year, according to aggregated statistical data from AreaSearch. In March 2026, there were 1,216 residents employed, while the local unemployment rate was 0.1% higher than the Regional SA average of 5.5%, and the participation rate was slightly lower than typical, standing at 56.0% compared to 58.4% regionally. Census records show that a minor 6.7% of the workforce operated from home, though this figure may be influenced by pandemic-related lockdowns.
The primary sectors employing local residents are agriculture, forestry & fishing, health care & social assistance, and retail trade. There is a notable concentration in agriculture, forestry & fishing, where the employment share is 1.4 times the regional average. Conversely, mining accounts for only 0.5% of local employment, which is lower than the 2.9% average for Regional SA. A comparison between the number of local jobs held by residents and the total resident workforce suggests that local employment opportunities are somewhat constrained. An analysis of SALM and ABS statistics compiled by AreaSearch for the surrounding statistical zones shows that over the 12-month period, the number of employed individuals rose by 2.1% while the overall labor force grew by 3.5%, leading to a 1.3 percentage point rise in the unemployment rate. In comparison, Regional SA recorded a 1.2% increase in employment, a 2.6% expansion of the labor force, and a 1.4 percentage point rise in unemployment. National employment projections from Jobs and Skills Australia released in May-25 offer additional context on future demand in Waikerie. These five and ten-year forecasts have been applied to the local workforce structure to model potential growth. Nationwide employment is projected to grow by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, though individual industries will experience highly variable growth rates. Applying these sector-specific forecasts to the local job mix indicates that Waikerie's employment could rise by 5.1% in five years and 11.5% in ten years, representing a basic weighted projection for illustration that does not incorporate local population forecasts.
Frequently Asked Questions - Employment
Median household income in Waikerie is $954 a week (about $50,000 a year), with median personal income at $581 a week. ATO records put median taxable income at $43,211 a year against an average of $49,599. 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
According to the most recent postcode-level ATO statistics compiled by AreaSearch for financial year 2023, personal incomes in Waikerie are lower than the national average, with a median of $43,211 and an average of $49,599. This is below the Regional SA median of $48,920 and average of $58,933. Adjusted for a Wage Price Index increase of 10.17% since financial year 2023, the estimated figures for March 2026 would be roughly $47,606 for the median and $54,643 for the average. The 2021 Census reports that household, family, and individual incomes in Waikerie rank between the 2nd and 9th percentiles nationwide.
The largest income bracket contains 34.3% of the population, earning between $400 - 799 per week (representing 924 residents), which differs from the broader region where 27.5% of earners fall into the $1,500 - 2,999 bracket. Financial strain is common, with 42.5% of households managing on modest weekly budgets under $800. Although housing costs are low, leaving residents with 87.1% of their income, total disposable income is positioned at the 4th percentile nationally.
Frequently Asked Questions - Income
Waikerie had 1,121 occupied dwellings at the 2021 Census, 86% detached houses and 0% apartments. 27% are owned with a mortgage, 31% rented and 42% owned outright. At that Census the median rent was $200 a week and the median mortgage repayment $1,000 a month. Rent absorbs 21.0% of household income here and mortgage repayments 24.2%. Dwelling stock, tenure and housing costs are 2021 Census measures — the only source that counts dwellings at this boundary size.
Detail
Residential structures in Waikerie at the time of the last Census consisted of 85.8% detached houses and 14.2% alternative housing types, such as apartments, semi-detached properties, and other styles, compared to 88.5% houses and 11.5% other dwellings in Regional SA. Home ownership rates in Waikerie matched the Regional SA level at 42.3%, while the remaining properties were either mortgaged (26.8%) or occupied by renters (30.9%). The median mortgage repayment of $1,000 per month was notably lower than the Regional SA average, while the median weekly rent was $200, compared to regional figures of $1,153 and $220.
Locally, mortgage repayments are far below the Australian median of $1,863, and rent is also significantly lower than the national median of $375.
Frequently Asked Questions - Housing
Waikerie counted 1,121 households at the 2021 Census, averaging 2.2 people each. 19% are couples with children, fewer than in 89% of areas nationally, against 33% couples without children. 34% of households are people living alone, and families average 2.0 children. Household and family composition is measured only by the Census, so these are 2021 figures.
Detail
Families make up the majority of households at 63.0%, consisting of couples without children at 32.8%, couples with children at 19.2%, and single parents at 9.6%. The remaining 37.0% are non-family households, with single-person households accounting for 34.4% and group living situations representing 3.0%. The median household size of 2.2 individuals is slightly below the Regional SA average of 2.3.
Frequently Asked Questions - Households
11.4% of adults in Waikerie hold a university qualification, including 8.0% with a bachelor degree and 1.7% with postgraduate qualifications, lower than 86% of areas nationally. A further 27.6% hold a vocational qualification. 3 schools serve the area, with 571 enrolment places and an average ICSEA of 972 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
The region experiences some educational disparities, with university graduation rates at 11.4%, which is far below the national average of 30.4%. This highlights a clear opportunity for targeted educational support. Among university graduates, bachelor degrees are the most common at 8.0%, followed by postgraduate degrees (1.7%) and graduate diplomas (1.7%). Vocational and technical training is highly prevalent, with 36.3% of residents aged 15+ holding qualifications, consisting of advanced diplomas (8.7%) and certificates (27.6%). A significant 23.9% of the local population is enrolled in formal study. This cohort is made up of 10.6% in primary school, 7.3% in secondary school, and 1.4% in tertiary institutions.
Frequently Asked Questions - Education
Schools Detail
Getting around Waikerie means driving: households keep an average of 1.4 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
62.2% of residents in Waikerie report no long-term health condition. 7.2% need daily assistance with core activities, and 46.7% hold private health cover. The standardised death rate runs at 5.6 per 1,000 residents. Health conditions, assistance needs and insurance are 2021 Census measures; the death rate comes from current ABS releases.
Detail
Waikerie's health profile aligns closely with national averages. Based on mortality and chronic illness data from AreaSearch, typical health conditions are slightly more common than average across both younger and older demographics, while private health insurance rates are very low at roughly 47% of the population (approximately 1,257 people). This is slightly lower than the Regional SA level of 48.9% and below the national average of 55.7%. The most prevalent health issues locally are arthritis and asthma, affecting 11.7% and 7.8% of residents. Meanwhile, 62.2% of the population reported no chronic conditions, compared to 62.5% across Regional SA.
Health profiles among working-age residents are generally standard. People aged 65 and older make up 35.1% of the population (945 individuals), which is higher than the Regional SA average of 27.1%, while overall national health rankings remain consistent with the broader public.
Frequently Asked Questions - Health
Waikerie is largely Australian-born, at 86.2% of residents, with 9.1% speaking a language other than English at home. The largest reported ancestries are Australian (31.4%) and English (29.5%). Ancestry, language and country of birth are counted only by the Census, so these are 2021 figures.
Detail
Waikerie displays lower levels of cultural diversity than average, with citizens making up 87.1% of the population, 86.2% of residents born in Australia, and 90.9% speaking only English at home. Christianity is the dominant religion, practiced by 49.7% of the community. The most distinct variance is in the Other category, which represents 3.7% of the population compared to 0.8% across Regional SA. Regarding ancestral backgrounds based on parent country of birth, the three largest groups in Waikerie are Australian at 31.4%, English at 29.5%, and German at 13.0%. There are also distinct concentrations of other backgrounds, with Sri Lankan residents making up 0.2% of Waikerie (compared to a regional average of none), Welsh at 0.5% (compared to 0.5% regionally), and Hungarian at 0.2% (compared to 0.1% regionally).
Frequently Asked Questions - Diversity
The median resident of Waikerie is 49, older than 90% of areas nationally. 18.9% 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
With a median age of 49, Waikerie's population is slightly older than the Regional SA median of 47 and significantly older than the national median of 38. Compared to Regional SA, Waikerie has a higher proportion of residents aged 65 - 74 (17.5%) but a smaller share of those aged 55 - 64 (11.8%). The concentration of 65 - 74 year-olds is notably higher than the national figure of 9.4%. Since the 2021 Census, the 75 to 84 age cohort has increased from 9.8% to 12.3% of the population, while the 25 to 34 age bracket has contracted from 10.6% to 9.1%.
Looking forward to 2041, population projections indicate notable changes in Waikerie's age distribution. The 75 to 84 cohort is projected to expand by 40% (representing 131 people), rising from 331 to 463. The trend towards an older demographic is clear, with individuals aged 65 and older accounting for 96% of the projected population growth, while both the 0 to 4 and 15 to 24 age groups are expected to contract.
Frequently Asked Questions - Age
Data & MethodBoundaries, Sources & Method for Waikerie
9 of 14 data sections on this page were updated within the last 12 months — the newest current to Aug 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) | May 2026 3 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 May 2026, with the 2021 Census supplying the small-area baseline. | ||
| Age profile | ABS, Geoscience Australia, State governments Annual | May 2026 3 months ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Age cohorts are re-based to the latest ABS population estimates and state projections, current to May 2026. Each cohort is held as a Census baseline and a current estimate. | ||
| Development & approvals | ABS, GNAF Monthly (ABS approvals) | Jun 2026 2 months ago headline measures · May 2026 baseline |
| Property sales & rents | Valuer General, Rental Board, ABS Weekly sales, quarterly rents | Aug 2026 this month all 21 measures |
| 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 Aug 2026. | ||
| Infrastructure projects | Infrastructure Australia, Local governments Daily | May 2026 3 months ago all 2 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 May 2026. | ||
| Employment | ABS, DEWR, JSA Quarterly (ABS SALM) | Mar 2026 5 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) | Jul 2026 last month headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Transport | ABS, State Transport Departments Each timetable release | Jul 2026 last month headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Services & amenities | Provider directories, ACECQA Continuous | Jul 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 — 21 validated new addresses here. The headline figure is therefore a current estimate for May 2026, not a 2021 count (2,681 at the 2021 Census → 2,695 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 May 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 (SAL41511). QuickStats reports 2021 only — the figures on this page are more current wherever the ledger shows a later date.