Outback · Statistical Area 2 (SA2)
How well-off the area is, how fast its population is growing, and the businesses and new homes here.
A shrinking population defines the current economic landscape in Outback, where the number of people fell by 7.5% since the last census. This decline comes alongside a level of overall advantage that is lower than about 70% of similar areas across the country.
All statistical area 2 (sa2) areas, 2021. The marker is Outback — lower than 71% of areas.
| Outback | 3 |
|---|---|
| 5733, SA | 4 |
SEIFA indexes ranking relative advantage and disadvantage.
Residents face significant challenges, with an overall advantage score of 926 that is lower than about 80% of other areas. This is reflected in low scores for both job skills and access to money, both of which are smaller than about 80% to 90% of similar places.
3
Lower than 71% of statistical area 2 (sa2) areas.
ABS Index of Relative Socio-economic Advantage and Disadvantage, 2021, as a national decile: 1 = among the 10% most disadvantaged areas in Australia, 10 = among the 10% most advantaged. IRSAD summarises both advantage and disadvantage, so a high score reflects relatively many high-income, well-educated households and few low-income, low-skill ones.
2
Lower than 86% of statistical area 2 (sa2) areas.
ABS Index of Relative Socio-economic Disadvantage, 2021, as a national decile: 1 = among the 10% most disadvantaged areas in Australia, 10 = among the least disadvantaged. IRSD focuses on disadvantage alone (low income, low education, unemployment, unskilled occupations), so a higher decile means relatively less disadvantage.
1
Lower than 99% of statistical area 2 (sa2) areas.
ABS Index of Economic Resources, 2021, as a national decile: 1 = among the 10% lowest areas for economic resources in Australia, 10 = among the highest. IER reflects the income, housing costs, dwelling size and assets of households, so a higher decile means relatively greater economic resources.
2
Lower than 86% of statistical area 2 (sa2) areas.
ABS Index of Education and Occupation, 2021, as a national decile: 1 = among the 10% lowest areas for education and occupation in Australia, 10 = among the highest. IEO reflects residents' qualifications and the skill level of their jobs, so a higher decile means a more highly educated and skilled workforce.
926
Lower than 80% of statistical area 2 (sa2) areas.
ABS Index of Relative Socio-economic Advantage and Disadvantage, 2021, as a raw index score (standardised so the Australian average is about 1000). Higher scores indicate relatively greater advantage; lower scores greater disadvantage.
Annual population estimates and change since the census.
The population has dropped to 1,939 people, a fall of 7.5% that is among the lowest for this type of area and far below the South Australian growth rate of 5.6%.
1,939
Lower than 93% of statistical area 2 (sa2) areas.
Estimated resident population (ABS), 2025.
-7.5%
Lower than 99% of statistical area 2 (sa2) areas.
Population growth since the 2021 Census, from ABS annual estimates.
Operating businesses and dwellings approved.
Commercial activity is limited, with 219 businesses operating in the area, which is smaller than about 90% of similar regions.
219
Lower than 90% of statistical area 2 (sa2) areas.
Operating businesses (ABS Counts of Australian Businesses), June 2025.
Australian Bureau of Statistics. (2021). Economy & Advantage in Outback [Census of Population and Housing]. CensusAtlas, used under CC BY 4.0. https://censusatlas.au/region/sa2/406021141/outback/topic/economy-advantage
