Freeling (SA)

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According to research conducted by Districts on ABS demographic updates for the surrounding region alongside new addresses verified by Districts subsequent to the Census, the suburb of Freeling has an estimated population of approximately 2,843 as of May 2026. This indicates an expansion of 155 people (5.8%) from the 2021 Census, which documented a population of 2,688 residents. The shift is calculated using a resident population of 2,839, which was estimated by Districts after analyzing the June 2025 ABS ERP data release, combined with an additional 43 validated new addresses registered since the Census. This population size results in a density of 32 persons per square kilometer, indicating a setting with substantial personal space. Throughout the previous decade, the suburb of Freeling has shown consistent growth with a 2.7% compound annual growth rate, exceeding the SA3 region. Population growth within the area was chiefly driven by interstate migration, which accounted for roughly 75.0% of total population increases recently, though all components including overseas migration and natural growth made positive contributions.

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The suburb of Freeling possesses a balanced labor force that includes both white and blue-collar occupations, with a strong presence in essential services, an unemployment rate of only 3.0%, and an estimated employment growth rate of 2.8% over the previous year, according to Districts aggregations of statistical area data. As of March 2026, there are 1,376 working residents, and the unemployment rate is 2.5% below the Regional SA level of 5.5%, while workforce participation is exceptionally high at 64.9% compared to 58.4% in Regional SA. Census data indicates that a modest 6.8% of residents worked from home, although this should be viewed in light of Covid-19 lockdown restrictions.

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The income level in the suburb of Freeling is below the national average based on the latest ATO statistics compiled by Districts for financial year 2023. The median income for taxpayers in the suburb of Freeling is $55,573 and the average income is $64,072, compared to $48,920 and $58,933 respectively in Regional SA. Adjusting for a Wage Price Index increase of 10.17% since financial year 2023, contemporary estimates would be approximately $61,225 for the median and $70,588 for the average as of March 2026. Data from the 2021 Census indicates that household, family, and individual incomes are all moderate in the suburb of Freeling, falling between the 47th and 50th percentiles. The income profile is dominated by the $1,500 - 2,999 range, which accounts for 41.5% of residents ( people), matching regional patterns where this group constitutes . After housing costs, of income is available for other disbursements.

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The mix of housing in the suburb of Freeling at the time of the last Census consisted of 98.2% houses and 1.8% other options such as semi-detached homes, apartments, or alternative dwellings, compared to 88.5% houses and 11.5% other dwellings across Regional SA. Home ownership rates in the suburb of Freeling were below the Regional SA benchmark at 23.9%, with the remaining properties occupied by residents with a mortgage (61.9%) or renters (14.1%). The median monthly mortgage payment was significantly above the Regional SA average at $1,400, while the median weekly rent was $330, compared to regional figures of $1,153 and $220. On a national scale, mortgage payments in the suburb of Freeling are much lower than the Australian average of $1,863, and rents are also well below the national median of $375.

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Family households represent the vast majority of homes at 81.5%, which is split into couples with children at 38.2%, couples without children at 29.5%, and single parent households at 12.7%. Non-family households account for the remaining 18.5%, with single-person households at 16.0% and group housing making up 1.8%. The median household size of 2.9 individuals is larger than the Regional SA average of 2.3.

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The locality presents educational vulnerabilities, with university attainment levels at 12.0%, which is well below the Australian average of 30.4%. This represents both a difficulty and a chance for targeted educational programs. Bachelor degrees are the most common tertiary qualification at 9.3%, followed by graduate diplomas at 1.4% and postgraduate degrees at 1.3%. Vocational and trade skills are prominent, with 42.2% of residents aged 15+ holding technical qualifications, split between advanced diplomas at 8.0% and certificates at 34.2%.

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Health assessments indicate that the suburb of Freeling faces notable challenges, according to Districts analyses of mortality statistics and the prevalence of chronic illnesses, which impact both younger and older demographics, while the rate of private health insurance is slightly ahead of the average SA2 region at approximately 52% of the population, representing about 1,487 people. This compares to 48.9% in Regional SA.

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The suburb of Freeling exhibits low cultural diversity, with 90.0% of residents born in Australia, 94.0% holding citizenship, and 97.9% speaking only English at home. Christianity is the dominant religion, practiced by 39.7% of the population. However, the most visible overrepresentation was in Judaism, which recorded no members of the population, matching the regional rate of no members across Regional SA.

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The median age in the suburb of Freeling is 33 years, which is much lower than the Regional SA median of 47 and also below the national average of 38 years. Looking at the age distribution, children aged 5 - 14 are highly represented at 16.4%, whereas the 75 - 84 cohort is smaller at 4.5% than is typical for Regional SA. Since 2021, the 75 to 84 cohort has expanded from 3.0% to 4.5% of the population, and the 65 to 74 group rose from 8.7% to 10.1%. Meanwhile, the 45 to 54 demographic fell from 11.6% to 10.0%. Moving towards age projections indicate notable transitions in the demographic layout of the suburb of Freeling. The to age bracket is expected to grow strongly, increasing by people () from to . Conversely, the to group is projected to grow by a modest ( people).

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Freeling currently has an estimated 204 children under 5 years old, comprising approximately 90 children aged 0-2 and 59 children aged 3-4. This cohort grew by an estimated 3% since the previous census. while population forecasts indicate future growth, with an anticipated increase of 14% by 2041 (to approximately 232 children). Meanwhile the 5-12 cohort currently amounts to 293. While growth has been positive birth rates observed in the area have been moderate, with approximately 9.6 births per 1,000 residents recorded over the latest two-year period analysed which ranks the area within the middle tier nationally. This rate has slowed down slightly in recent years however.