Jamestown
With a median age of 49, Jamestown skews 9 years older than the national average, making it one of the more aged rural communities in South Australia. The town covers 176 square kilometres at just 8.8 persons per km2, and 96.7% of dwellings are separate houses, a proportion well above typical suburban averages. SEIFA scores place the area in decile 3 to 4 nationally across all four indexes, indicating below-average socioeconomic advantage. Yet the local workforce sustains a remarkably low unemployment rate of 1.8%, and 46.8% of households own their home outright, well above national norms.
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
29
Median house price data is not available for Jamestown in the current dataset, but the housing market reflects a low-cost rural profile consistent with household incomes at the 26.1st percentile nationally. Monthly mortgage repayments average $982, substantially lower than state capital benchmarks, and mortgage-to-income sits at 18.7%, below the 30% stress threshold. Almost all dwellings are separate houses at 96.7%, with 3-bedroom homes dominant at 53.7% and 4-plus bedroom properties at 28.4%. Outright ownership at 46.8% far exceeds the national owner-occupied average, suggesting long-established residents rather than an active buyer market. Rent averages just $215 per week.
For Buyers
Median house price data is not available for Jamestown in the current dataset, but the housing market reflects a low-cost rural profile consistent with household incomes at the 26.1st percentile nationally. Monthly mortgage repayments average $982, substantially lower than state capital benchmarks, and mortgage-to-income sits at 18.7%, below the 30% stress threshold. Almost all dwellings are separate houses at 96.7%, with 3-bedroom homes dominant at 53.7% and 4-plus bedroom properties at 28.4%. Outright ownership at 46.8% far exceeds the national owner-occupied average, suggesting long-established residents rather than an active buyer market. Rent averages just $215 per week.
For Investors
Jamestown's 14.6% vacancy rate is the most significant caution for investors, sitting well above healthy market levels and indicating limited rental demand relative to supply. Weekly rent of $215 is low compared to most South Australian markets, which constrains yield potential. Development activity is modest at 27 applications in the past 12 months, primarily sheds and minor dwelling extensions rather than new residential supply. Population growth over 10 years was just 0.8%, and annual growth is forecast at near zero per cent. Net internal migration averages 15 arrivals per year and overseas migration is effectively zero, so demand pressure remains minimal. The investment case is primarily affordability-driven rather than growth-oriented.
Development Activity
Total DAs
250
Last 12 Months
29
YoY ChangeiYear-over-year change in DA lodgements
-37.0%
Avg DA CostiAverage estimated cost per DA in the past year
N/A
Monthly DA Lodgements
DA Categories
Schools in Jamestown iICSEA: school advantage index. 1000 = national avg, higher = more advantaged
St James School
R-6 · 73 students
Jamestown Community School
R-12 · 251 students
Demographics
The median age of 49 is 9 years above the national figure, the most defining characteristic of Jamestown's population. The senior share rose 5.5 points over the decade while the working-age share fell 4.5 points, confirming a consistent aging trajectory. Overseas-born residents represent just 6.3% of the population, which is 15.3 percentage points below the national rate, indicating a very Anglo-Celtic settled community. Ancestry is led by English (724), Irish (165) and German (144), with Scottish (138) also prominent. Average household size of 2.1 is 0.4 below the national figure, consistent with older couples and smaller families. University qualifications at 20.9% are 9.2 points below the national average.
Age Distribution
Bedrooms
Dwelling Structure
96.7%
Houses
2.7%
Townhouse
N/A
Apartment
Tenure
The housing stock is almost entirely separate houses at 96.7%, with semi-detached dwellings at 2.7% and apartments effectively absent. Three-bedroom homes are the norm at 53.7%, followed by 4-plus bedroom properties at 28.4%. Outright ownership at 46.8% is high relative to national averages, while mortgage holders make up 33.3% and renters 19.9%. The mortgage-to-income ratio is 18.7% and rent-to-income is 17.7%, both comfortably below stress thresholds, which reflects the low cost of housing rather than high incomes. Household incomes are at the 26.1st percentile nationally, meaning housing remains affordable despite below-average earnings. The 14.6% vacancy rate points to structural undersupply of demand rather than pricing barriers.
Mortgage / mo
$982
Rent / wk
$215
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
39.0%
Couples, no children
1,134
Total families
Economy & Employment
Healthcare is the dominant employer at 20% of the local workforce (86 workers), followed by Education at 14.2% (61) and Agriculture at 10.7% (46). Construction and Retail account for 8.6% and 6.3% respectively, giving the economy a service-and-farming character typical of regional South Australian towns. By occupation, Managers lead at 142 workers, followed by Professionals at 121 and Labourers at 81. The unemployment rate is just 1.8%, lower than most metro areas, because the small labour force of around 722 workers is tightly matched to local demand. Full-time employment accounts for 62.3% of employed residents. SEIFA IRSD sits at decile 4, below average nationally, and IRSAD at decile 3, reflecting constrained incomes rather than high unemployment. Real incomes grew 13.1% over the decade.
Unemployment
4.9%
Labour Force
2,313
Unemployed
114
Quarterly Trend
Source: SALM Dec-25
Socio-Economic Indexes (SEIFA)iABS index ranking suburbs from 1 (most disadvantaged) to 10 (most advantaged)
Full-time
62.3%
Part-time
35.9%
Participation
56.0%
Employed
709
Occupations
Top Industries
University
20.9%
Postgraduate
2.1%
Born Overseas
6.3%
Dwellings
670
Transport to Work
Car dependence is strong at 89.2% of commuters driving, which is typical for regional South Australia where public transport coverage is limited and null public transport data reflects the absence of formal routes. Walking and cycling account for 6.9% of trips, above what you would expect for a low-density area, likely because local distances within town are short. The crime rate is 17.4 incidents per 1,000 residents, which is low compared to most metropolitan benchmarks. Volunteering runs at 36.8%, substantially above national averages, indicating strong community participation consistent with rural town norms. About 8% of residents need daily assistance (120 people), above average nationally, which aligns with the older median age of 49. IRSAD sits at decile 3, below average nationally.
Drive
89.2%
Public Transport
N/A
Walk / Cycle
6.9%
Work from Home
N/A
Population Forecast
+0.02%/yr
(+1 people/yr)
EstablishedPopulation growth over the past decade was just 0.8%, and the forecast trend is 0.02% annual growth, essentially flat. The medium scenario projects the SA2 population holding around 4,700 through 2031 with negligible change year to year. Net internal migration averages 15 arrivals per year and overseas migration is zero, so natural increase is the only positive driver. The gentrification score is zero, with no signals of demographic uplift. The senior share rising 5.5 points while the working-age cohort shrank 4.5 points over the decade defines the trajectory as aging rather than renewal. Affordability has been stable, moving from 30.4% in 2011 to 30.0% in 2021, which gives little impetus for price-driven gentrification.
Historical + Forecast
Hamilton-Perry + Holt smoothing on ERP 2001-2025
Age Cohort Forecast
Primary Driver
Balanced
Net Overseas / yr
0
Net Internal / yr
+15
Gentrification Signal
Not gentrifying
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 suits those seeking a quiet regional lifestyle with very low housing costs and minimal financial stress. Mortgage-to-income sits at 18.7% and rent is just $215 a week. Volunteering runs at 36.8%, indicating a strong community. The trade-offs are limited services, below-average incomes at the 26.1st percentile nationally, and a 14.6% vacancy rate reflecting low demand.
What is the median house price in Jamestown?
Median house price data is not available for Jamestown in the current dataset. However, monthly mortgage repayments average $982, which implies low-cost ownership consistent with a rural SA town. Weekly rent averages $215 and mortgage-to-income is 18.7%, both well below financial stress thresholds.
What schools are in Jamestown?
No schools are recorded in the Jamestown suburb boundary in the current dataset. The town is the main service centre for the Jamestown council area, and local families typically access schools in the township. University qualifications locally are 20.9%, which is 9.2 percentage points below the national average.
Is Jamestown safe?
The crime rate in Jamestown is 17.4 incidents per 1,000 residents, based on 27 recorded incidents, which is low relative to most urban and metropolitan comparisons. SEIFA IRSD decile 4 places it below average nationally in terms of advantage, but the crime data itself points to a low-activity crime environment.
Is Jamestown good for property investment?
The 14.6% vacancy rate is the main concern, sitting well above healthy market levels and signalling limited rental demand. Weekly rent of $215 is low compared to South Australian metro suburbs. Population growth over 10 years was just 0.8% and annual growth is near zero per cent, so capital growth prospects are modest. The case for investment is affordability rather than yield or growth.
How is Jamestown's population changing?
Population growth over the past decade was 0.8%, and the annual growth rate is forecast at just 0.02%, effectively flat. The SA2 population of around 4,724 is projected to hold near 4,700 through 2031. The most significant shift is aging: the senior share rose 5.5 points while the working-age cohort fell 4.5 points over the decade.
How much development is happening in Jamestown?
There were 27 development applications lodged in Jamestown over the past 12 months, mostly sheds, minor dwelling extensions and carports rather than new residential builds. This is consistent with an established, stable rural town with flat population growth of 0.02% annually and no gentrification signals.
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 Valuer-General (house prices), Department of Jobs SALM (unemployment), ACARA (school ICSEA), state Crime Statistics agencies (offences), council DA portals (development applications). Population forecasts use a Hamilton-Perry cohort model calibrated to ABS ERP.
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