Jamestown
A 14.6% vacancy rate is one of Jamestown's most distinctive features, alongside a median age of 49 that sits 9 years above the national figure. With 1,549 residents spread across 176.35 sq km, the town has a low density of 8.8 people per sq km. Housing is strongly detached, with 96.7% of homes separate houses, while 45.7% are owned outright. This settled, low-density profile reflects an aging resident base and high car reliance, with 82.5% driving to work. Nearby Booleroo Centre and Spalding provide useful regional comparisons for buyers considering services, employment and housing choice.
Local council: Northern Areas
Population
1,549
Median Age
49.0
Household IncomeiMedian weekly household income (ABS Census)
$1,214/wk
DAs (12 months)iDevelopment Applications lodged in the past year
35
Jamestown may suit buyers seeking a detached home, lower ongoing housing costs and a quieter regional setting. The typical monthly mortgage figure is $982, while median weekly rent is $215, and mortgage repayments equal 18.7% of household income. Stock is practical rather than apartment-led: 96.7% of dwellings are separate houses, 53.7% have 3 bedrooms and 28.4% have 4 or more. Buyers should compare recent like-for-like sales because a single suburb median is not available, particularly when assessing older homes, acreage and properties near the town centre. The 45.7% outright ownership rate also points to a settled market below the turnover of larger regional centres.
For Buyers
Jamestown may suit buyers seeking a detached home, lower ongoing housing costs and a quieter regional setting. The typical monthly mortgage figure is $982, while median weekly rent is $215, and mortgage repayments equal 18.7% of household income. Stock is practical rather than apartment-led: 96.7% of dwellings are separate houses, 53.7% have 3 bedrooms and 28.4% have 4 or more. Buyers should compare recent like-for-like sales because a single suburb median is not available, particularly when assessing older homes, acreage and properties near the town centre. The 45.7% outright ownership rate also points to a settled market below the turnover of larger regional centres.
For Investors
Jamestown presents a cautious regional investment case. The 19.5% renting share is lower than the 78.3% combined outright and mortgage ownership share, which can limit the depth of the tenant pool. Vacancy is 14.6%, so investors should compare current local conditions with tighter rental markets before assuming strong leasing speed. Weekly rent is $215 and rent growth is recorded at 37.1%, but the high vacancy rate may reflect uneven demand and limited tenant turnover. There were 32 development applications over 12 months, including a detached dwelling, which may gradually add competition. Balanced migration makes the outlook less dependent on one population source.
Development Activity
Total DAs
264
Last 12 Months
35
YoY ChangeiYear-over-year change in DA lodgements
-20.5%
Avg DA CostiAverage estimated cost per DA in the past year
N/A
Monthly DA Lodgements
DA Categories
Schools in Jamestown
Open-register school locations for education access. This is not a school-quality ranking.
Jamestown Community School
Demographics
Jamestown has an older and more locally established population than Australia overall. The median age is 49, or 9 years above the national comparison, while university attainment is 20.9%, 9.2 percentage points below the national figure. Only 6.3% of residents were born overseas, 15.3 points below the national comparison, and average household size is 2.1, which is 0.4 below the national figure. Population stability is strong, with 84.3% of residents staying at the same address over the measured period. English ancestry is reported by 724 people, followed by Irish at 165, German at 144 and Scottish at 138. Christianity accounts for 856 people and no religion for 604, supporting the picture of a long-established community.
Age Distribution
Bedrooms
Dwelling Structure
96.7%
Houses
2.7%
Townhouse
0.0%
Apartment
Tenure
Jamestown's housing stock is more detached than compact regional or urban markets. Separate houses account for 96.7% of dwellings, compared with 2.7% semi-detached homes, while 3-bedroom properties make up 53.7% and 4-bedroom-plus homes 28.4%. Ownership is substantial: 45.7% own outright and 32.6% have a mortgage, compared with 19.5% renting. The mortgage-to-income ratio is 18.7% and rent-to-income is 17.7%, indicating housing costs below common stress levels for many households. Vacancy is 14.6%, higher than a tightly supplied market, so buyers and landlords should compare individual streets, condition and local demand rather than treat all homes as equivalent.
Mortgage / mo
$982
Rent / wkiABS Census 2021 median across all dwelling types. Current market rents are typically higher.
$215
Census 2021
HH Size
2.1
Personal Income / wk
$730
Vacancy Ratei% of dwellings unoccupied on Census night (ABS 2021)
14.6%
Unoccupied
115
Rent / IncomeiMedian rent as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
17.7%
Mortgage / IncomeiMedian mortgage as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
18.7%
Community Profile
Ancestry
Household Composition
35.0%
Couples with children
52.8%
Couples, no children
10.3%
Single parent
426
Total families
Economy & Employment
Healthcare is Jamestown's largest industry at 20.0%, employing 86 people, followed by education at 14.2% with 61, agriculture at 10.7% with 46, construction at 8.6% with 37 and retail at 6.3% with 27. The occupational mix is led by managers at 142, professionals at 121 and trades workers at 118, showing a combination of service, public-sector and practical roles. Unemployment is 1.7%, participation is 59.0% and full-time employment is 59.1%, although 467 people are outside the labour force. Socioeconomic results are mixed: IEO and IER are both decile 4, while IRSAD is decile 3, below those education and economic-resource measures. Household income sits at the 26.1 percentile, consistent with a modest-income regional economy.
Unemployment
1.7%
Labour Force
761
Unemployed
13
Source: ABS Census 2021
Socio-Economic Indexes (SEIFA)iABS index ranking suburbs from 1 (most disadvantaged) to 10 (most advantaged)
Full-time
59.1%
Part-time
35.7%
Participation
59.0%
Employed
748
Full-time and part-time are shares of the employed. Source: ABS Census 2021
Occupations
Top Industries
University
20.9%
Postgraduate
2.1%
Born Overseas
6.3%
Dwellings
670
Transport to Work
Jamestown's lifestyle is shaped by distance and car dependence. A total of 82.5% of workers drive, compared with 6.4% who walk or cycle and 7.4% who work from home, because services and employment are spread across a large 176.35 sq km area. One local Government school, Jamestown Community School, provides a combined primary and secondary setting, so families should check enrolment zones and transport needs against the exact address. Crime is recorded at 17.4 incidents per 1,000 residents, with 27 total incidents, supporting a relatively low-crime profile. Volunteering is high at 36.8%, while 8.0% need assistance. The IRSAD decile of 3 is below the broader socioeconomic position of many higher-resource locations, so access to services matters when comparing Jamestown with larger regional towns.
Drive
82.5%
Public Transport
N/A
Walk / Cycle
6.4%
Work from Home
7.4%
Growth Outlook
Jamestown is on a slow-growth and aging trajectory. The annual trend is 0.02%, while population change across the wider area is 0.8% over 10 years, below the pace associated with expanding regional centres. Migration is classified as Balanced, so growth is not being driven by one dominant source. The senior share has increased by 5.5 percentage points and the working-age share has fallen by 4.5 points, which is likely to increase demand for health, accessible housing and local support services. Gentrification is not currently indicated, with a forecast score of 0 and a stage of Not gentrifying. Compared with faster-growing markets, Jamestown's main opportunity is steady service demand rather than rapid population expansion.
Population trend: Northern Areas council area
Jamestown sits in the Northern Areas council area. These are the council area's residents, not Jamestown's.
Residents 2025
4,688
Growth, 5 yr average
+0.3%/yr
2020 to 2025
Growth, last year
+0.2%
2024 to 2025
ABS Estimated Resident Population by LGA, 30 June each year; council area, not this suburb
Safety & Crime
Total Offences
27
Year ending June 2024
Rate per 1,000 People
17.4
Source: Crime Statistics Agency Victoria / SA Police
National Ranking iPercentile rank among ~15,000 AU suburbs. 90% = higher than 90% of suburbs
How Jamestown compares to ~15,000 Australian suburbs
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Jamestown a good suburb to live in?
Jamestown can suit people seeking a quiet regional town, detached housing and strong local participation. The median age is 49, volunteering is 36.8% and 82.5% of workers drive, so it is better suited to residents comfortable with car-based living than those seeking frequent public transport.
What is the median house price in Jamestown?
A dependable suburb median should not be assumed for Jamestown. Buyers should compare recent like-for-like sales and obtain local appraisals, especially because 96.7% of homes are separate houses, 53.7% have 3 bedrooms and weekly rent is $215.
What schools are in Jamestown?
Jamestown Community School is the local Government primary and secondary combined school. Families should confirm enrolment zones, year-level availability and transport arrangements for the exact address, particularly across the town's 176.35 sq km area.
Is Jamestown safe?
Jamestown records 27 incidents and a crime rate of 17.4 per 1,000 residents. That supports a relatively low-crime profile, but safety can vary by street and circumstance. Buyers and renters should compare recent local conditions and inspect properties at different times of day.
Is Jamestown good for property investment?
Jamestown requires a selective investment approach. Weekly rent is $215, but vacancy is 14.6% and only 19.5% of households rent. Rent growth of 37.1% and 32 development applications are positives, while Balanced migration means demand should be tested property by property.
How is Jamestown's population changing?
Population change is slow and the trajectory is Aging. The annual growth trend is 0.02% and wider-area change is 0.8% over 10 years, while the senior share rose 5.5 percentage points and the working share fell 4.5 points. Migration is classified as Balanced.
How to read these comparisons
Phrases like "above the national average" reference the unweighted median across Australian suburbs with more than 1,000 residents, not population-weighted national figures. Suburb-level medians are more useful for ranking suburbs against each other; ABS census headlines are population-weighted (so dominated by Sydney and Melbourne) and can read very differently.
Current baseline (refreshed 2026-05-10): median age 40, university-educated 30.1%, born overseas 21.6%, average household size 2.5 people.
Data sources: ABS 2021 Census (demographics, income, tenure), state education open registers (school locations), state Crime Statistics agencies (offences), council DA portals (development applications).
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