Council (LGA) · Area profile
Barunga West
1,590 km²
Seniors make up a significant part of the population in Barunga West, where the typical resident is 57 years old. This is a predominantly older community in South Australia, with 35.5% of people aged 65 and over—a figure far above the national average. Most residents are born in Australia and speak only English, living in a rural setting where separate houses are the norm. The area has grown slightly since 2011, adding about 163 people to its total population.
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The community is far older than most areas, with the typical age rising by 6 years since 2011 to 57. Children under 15 make up only 14.4% of the population, which is well below the national figure.
People born overseas make up only 8.0% of the population, which is far below the South Australian and national figures. Most residents claim English or Australian ancestry.
English is the sole language for 91.3% of the community. Only 1.5% of people use another language at home, among the lowest rates for its level.
About 41.8% of residents report no religion, a figure that rose 19 points since 2011. Christianity remains the most common affiliation at 48.0%.
Educational attainment is much lower than most areas, with only 33.5% of people completing Year 12. Just 8.7% of adults hold a bachelor degree or higher, far below the national average.
Typical incomes are among the lowest at this level, with the usual household earning $975 a week. Only 9.8% of households earn $3,000 or more per week, which is well below the state figure.
Health challenges are common, with 40.9% of people reporting a long-term health condition. About 10.5% of residents need help with daily activities, which is well above the national average.
Volunteering is very high at 30.0%, far above the national figure. There is also a strong history of service, with 5.7% of people having served in the Defence Force.
There are 57 First Nations people in the area. The typical personal income for this group is $378, which is well below the national figure of $540.
Homes tend to be small, with just 2.1 people per home. A large proportion of the community—34.6%—lives alone, which is well above the state average.
Housing is dominated by separate houses, and 55.4% of homes are owned outright, far above the national figure. Typical weekly rent is $208, well below the state average of $300.
The area is highly car-dependent, with no one commuting by public transport. It takes nearly two hours to drive to the city, and 57.2% of workers travel by car.
The population is very stable, with only 28.3% of people moving in the last five years. There were no recent arrivals from overseas reported in 2021.
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing is the main industry for 27.9% of workers. Only 43.1% of adults are working or looking for work, far below the national figure.
Overall advantage is low, with a score of 932, which is below the national average of 1,000. Population growth has been very slow at 0.5% since 2021.
The area receives an average annual rainfall of 339mm, which is far above the South Australian average. Minimum temperatures are lower than most areas.
Walkability is very low, and the area is considered car-dependent. Only 23.3% of homes have basic amenities within a 15-minute walk, far below the state average.