🔍

Roxby Downs

SA 5725 • Rest of SA

3,671
Population (2021)
$90,844
Median Income
110.48 km²
Area
$260/wk
Median Rent
Mining TownRemoteFIFO CommunityOutbackCompany Town

About Roxby Downs

Roxby Downs is a planned mining township in outback South Australia, located approximately 511 kilometres north of Adelaide on the edge of the Gawler Craton. The town exists almost entirely to support operations at the Olympic Dam mine, one of the world's largest known deposits of uranium, copper, gold, and silver, owned and operated by BHP. The 2021 census recorded a population of 3,671 — a predominantly young and transient workforce community with nearly a third of residents under 15 years of age.

Despite its remote setting, Roxby Downs is well-equipped for a town of its size, offering a swimming centre, cinema, supermarket, schools, and a range of sporting clubs and community facilities. Many mine workers operate on a fly-in fly-out (FIFO) roster, lending the town a constantly shifting demographic. Those who choose to settle long-term find a tight-knit community, affordable housing by South Australian standards, and a lifestyle shaped by the vast red outback landscape that surrounds it.

Roxby Downs falls under postcode 5725 and is governed by Roxby Downs Council (LGA). For state elections, residents vote in the Stuart electorate.

📍 Location

State
South Australia
Postcode
5725
Urban Area
Roxby Downs
LGA / Council
Roxby Downs
Federal Electorate
Grey
State Electorate
Stuart
Type
Urban
Timezone
Adelaide (UTC+9:30)
Coordinates
-30.55°, 136.88°
Statistical Area
Rest of SA
Area
110.48 km²
Elevation
103m

🚌 Transport & Commute

Bus Services

  • Charter/Shuttle — Adelaide (BHP employee shuttles) approx. 5.5 hr by road

Commute to Adelaide CBD

Distance
511 km
By Train
No rail service
By Bus
No scheduled public bus; BHP operates charter coaches
By Car (Peak)
approx. 5 hr 30 min
By Car (Off-Peak)
approx. 5 hr 15 min

🛣️ Roxby Downs Airport (RXD) has regular charter and commercial flights connecting to Adelaide (approx. 1 hr). The Stuart Highway provides road access.

Walkability Car Dependent

Within the town itself, key facilities such as the supermarket, schools, and recreation centre are within cycling or walking distance. Travel beyond Roxby Downs requires a vehicle or flight.

🛒 Supermarkets Nearby

  • Woolworths
    12 - 28 Richardson Pl Roxby Downs 5725 SA

🎓 Schools

🏠 Housing 2021 Census

Median Rent (weekly)
$260
Median Mortgage (monthly)
$1,517
Avg Household Size
2.7 people
Median Age
30 years
Social Housing (% of dwellings)
1.8%

18 state housing + 3 community housing dwellings (ABS 2021 Census)

🎓 Educational Institution Attending 2021 Census

School Sector Breakdown

👥 Demographics

Census 2016
3,884
Census 2021
3,671
▼ 5.5% decline

Population Growth

Gender Distribution (Census 2021)

Income 2016
$80,444
Income 2021
$90,844
▲ 12.9% increase

Income Comparison

📊 Population: ABS Census 2021
💰 Income: ABS Census 2021

🌍 Country of Birth 2021 Census

Born in Australia 2,812
Born Overseas 474

Top Countries of Birth (excl. Australia)

  • 1. New Zealand 102
  • 2. Philippines 92
  • 3. England 59
  • 4. South Africa 19
  • 5. India 18
  • 6. Sri Lanka 18
  • 7. Thailand 11
  • 8. Brazil 10
  • 9. Scotland 9
  • 10. Wales 8

🧬 Ancestry 2021 Census

Top ancestries reported (people may report up to two)

Australian 1,551
English 1,347
Scottish 307
Irish 274
German 212
Australian Aboriginal 171
Filipino 121
Italian 80
Dutch 62
Maori 49

👨‍👩‍👧 Parents' Birthplace 2021 Census

2,288
Both parents born in Australia
633
Both parents born overseas
368
One parent AU, one overseas

🛐 Religion 2021 Census

No Religion
54.2%
Christianity
30.7%
Buddhism
1.1%
Islam
0.8%
Hinduism
0.6%

📊 Age Distribution 2021 Census

0-4 years
365 (9.9%)
5-14 years
655 (17.8%)
15-19 years
188 (5.1%)
20-24 years
213 (5.8%)
25-34 years
759 (20.7%)
35-44 years
674 (18.4%)
45-54 years
457 (12.4%)
55-64 years
311 (8.5%)
65-74 years
50 (1.4%)
75-84 years
14 (0.4%)
85+ years
3 (0.1%)

Nearby Suburbs