Wallaroo (SA)

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Drawing on ABS population revisions for the surrounding region and subsequent address validations conducted by Districts, the suburb of Wallaroo (SA) is calculated to have approximately 4,270 residents as of May 2026. This represents an addition of 571 people (15.4%) relative to the 2021 Census, which registered 3,699 people. The estimation relies on a resident base of 4,235 calculated by Districts using the ABS demographic update from June 2025, combined with 85 validated new addresses identified after the Census. This population level translates to a density of 96 persons per square kilometer, indicating low density and capacity for future construction. The 15.4% expansion rate of the suburb of Wallaroo (SA) since the 2021 census outpaced the Rest of SA (5.9%) as well as the wider SA4 region, positioning it as a leading growth zone. Recent demographic gains were heavily reliant on interstate migration, which accounted for approximately 95.0% of the overall increase.

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The local workforce exhibits a balanced mix of professional and manual occupations, with a notable presence in core service industries, an unemployment rate of 7.2%, and an estimated job growth rate of 4.9% over the preceding year, according to Districts regional data compilations. In March 2026, 1,491 local residents were employed, while the jobless rate stood 1.8% higher than the Regional SA average of 5.5%, and labor participation remained low at 42.9% relative to 58.4% across Regional SA. According to self-reported Census data, a modest 9.7% of the workforce operated from home, though this figure reflects the potential influence of pandemic-related restrictions.

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Based on Districts calculations of individual tax return data from the ATO for financial year 2023, Wallaroo recorded a median taxpayer income of $39,580 and an average income of $50,356. These figures sit below national benchmarks and compare to median and average levels of $48,920 and $58,933 across Regional SA. Factoring in a 10.17% increase in the Wage Price Index since financial year 2023, updated estimates suggest figures of approximately $43,605 for the median and $55,477 for the average by March 2026. Data from the 2021 Census reveals that household, family, and individual incomes in the locality fall within the bottom 1st to 4th percentiles nationwide. The largest single income cohort comprises 36.9% of residents earning between $400 - 799 weekly ( residents), differing from the wider region where weekly earnings of - are most common at . The fact that of earners receive less than weekly highlights the financial difficulties present in the area. Home affordability challenges are notable, with residents retaining only of their income, placing the area in the rd percentile.

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According to the most recent Census, the local housing mix consisted of 91.4% standalone houses and 8.6% alternative housing types such as duplexes, townhouses, and flats, compared to 88.5% houses and 11.5% other dwellings across Regional SA. Home ownership was higher than the Regional SA average at 44.9%, with the remaining properties being purchased with a mortgage (22.8%) or rented (32.4%). The median monthly home loan payment was higher than the regional average at $1,169, while the median weekly rental cost was $245, compared to regional figures of $1,153 and $220. On a national scale, local mortgage payments remain well below the Australian median of $1,863, and rents are also significantly below the national median of $375.

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Families make up the majority of households at 63.2%, consisting of couples with children at 14.6%, couples without children at 36.8%, and single parents at 10.9%. The remaining 36.8% are non-family households, with single-person homes representing 33.4% and group houses accounting for 3.0%. The median household size stands at 2.1 people, which is smaller than the Regional SA average of 2.3.

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Educational attainment is low in the area, with the university graduation rate of 8.4% falling well short of the national benchmark of 30.4%. This highlights a clear opportunity for targeted educational development. Bachelor degrees represent the most common higher qualification at 6.3%, with postgraduate degrees at 1.2% and graduate diplomas at 0.9%. Practical and vocational qualifications are highly represented, with 39.4% of residents aged 15+ possessing vocational credentials, consisting of advanced diplomas (8.6%) and certificates (30.8%).

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Mortality data and chronic illness rates compiled by Districts indicate notable health difficulties within the community, with common illnesses affecting both younger and older demographics, while private health insurance uptake is low, covering approximately 47% of residents (~2,005 people) compared to a national rate of 55.7%.

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The local population features relatively low levels of cultural diversity, with citizens making up 91.3% of the community, 89.8% born in Australia, and 97.1% speaking only English at home. Christianity is the predominant religion, followed by 46.5% of residents, which is comparable to the 45.2% recorded across Regional SA.

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The median age of 57 years in the area is substantially higher than Regional SA's median of 47 years and exceeds the national average of 38 years. Compared to the Regional SA distribution, the 65 - 74 age group is highly represented at 20.6%, whereas the 25 - 34 bracket is underrepresented at 6.0%. This local concentration of 65 - 74 year-olds sits far above the national level of 9.4%. Since the 2021 Census, the proportion of residents aged 75 to 84 has risen from 11.5% to 13.5%, while the 55 to 64 group has decreased from 18.3% to 17.4%. Looking toward demographic models point to substantial changes in the age profile, with the + bracket projected to grow by people (), rising from to . Older residents (+) are expected to account for of all population growth, highlighting the aging trend. In contrast, populations within the to and to age brackets are expected to contract.

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Wallaroo currently has an estimated 145 children under 5 years old, comprising approximately 87 children aged 0-2 and 58 children aged 3-4. This cohort grew by an estimated 1% since the previous census. though population forecasts indicate future decline, with an anticipated decrease of 5% by 2041 (to approximately 138 children). Meanwhile the 5-12 cohort currently amounts to 300. Birth rates in the area have averaged 5.4 per 1,000 residents over the latest two-year period, a low rate (among the bottom 20% of areas assessed nationally). This rate has slowed down slightly in recent years however.