Urban Centre · Area profile
Murray Bridge
39 km²
Low typical incomes and high unemployment mark the economic landscape of Murray Bridge. The town has grown by 21% since 2011 and has a noticeably older population than the national figure. It is a place where many residents face health challenges, but it also has a strong Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community. This mix of growth and hardship creates a unique regional hub in South Australia.
Explore Murray Bridge by topic
The population has grown to 17,457 people, and the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community is now 6.2%, which is well above the state average. The area is aging, with 23.1% of residents aged 65 and over, a figure that rose 11 points since 2011.
Most residents were born in Australia, and those born overseas make up 13.7% of the population, which is far below the national figure. English and Australian ancestries are the most common.
While English is the main language for 82.2% of people, the share of those using another language at home rose to 9.3% since 2011. This is much higher than in similar areas, though still well below the state average.
People with no religion make up 47.4% of the community, a figure that rose 17 points since 2011 and is well above the national average.
Educational qualifications are much lower than in most areas, with only 8.1% of adults holding a bachelor degree or higher. The proportion of people who completed Year 12 also fell 12 points since 2011.
Weekly incomes are well below the national figure, with the typical family earning $1,358. Very few households earn $3,000 or more a week, and typical personal income has only risen $6 since 2011.
Health struggles are common here, as 35.5% of people have a long-term health condition. This includes a high rate of mental health conditions (12.0%) and a higher-than-average 9.4% of residents who need help with daily activities.
About 16.2% of people volunteer, which is slightly above the national average. However, the proportion of people caring for children unpaid fell 12 points since 2011.
Living arrangements are varied, with a high number of people living alone (33.2%) and one-parent families (20.3%), both of which are well above the national average.
Rental properties are common, with 36.1% of households renting, which is well above the state average. Most people live in separate houses, and typical weekly rent is $240, much lower than the national figure.
Cars are essential, as only 0.3% of people commute by public transport. Very few residents work from home (4.2%), and 8.0% of homes have no motor vehicle.
The area is quite mobile, with 37.7% of people moving in the last five years. Recent arrivals from overseas make up 15.8% of the population.
The workforce is smaller than in most areas, with only 49.5% of adults working or looking for work. The unemployment rate is 7.0%, which is higher than both the state and national figures.
The area is somewhat walkable with a score of 4.6. Most homes are within a 15-minute walk of a park, but fewer have easy access to health services or schools compared to the state average.