🔍

Tailem Bend

SA 5260 • Rest of SA

1,705
Population (2021)
$26,312
Median Income
233.81 km²
Area
$225/wk
Median Rent
RuralAffordableRiversideAgriculturalHistoric

About Tailem Bend

Tailem Bend is a regional town on the banks of the Murray River in South Australia's Murraylands, approximately 100 kilometres south-east of Adelaide within the Coorong District Council area. The town has a population of 1,705 and covers a substantial 234 square kilometres, reflecting its spread across the broader rural area. With a median age of 49 and median household incomes below state averages, Tailem Bend is an affordable working-class community with strong English, Australian, and German heritage — a legacy of the region's agricultural and railway history.

Tailem Bend has reinvented itself as a motorsport destination with The Bend Motorsport Park, a world-class racing facility on the town's outskirts that hosts major national and international events and draws visitors from across Australia. The town itself offers basic amenities including a supermarket, schools, and riverside recreation along the Murray, while the Coorong National Park — a UNESCO Ramsar wetland of international importance — is accessible a short drive to the south. Retirees, families, and those seeking affordable rural living are the primary residents, and the Princes Highway provides a direct link to Adelaide.

Tailem Bend falls under postcode 5260 and is governed by The Coorong Council (LGA). For state elections, residents vote in the MacKillop electorate.

📍 Location

State
South Australia
Postcode
5260
Urban Area
Murray Mallee
LGA / Council
The Coorong
Federal Electorate
Barker
State Electorate
MacKillop
Type
Urban
Timezone
Adelaide (UTC+9:30)
Coordinates
-35.28°, 139.49°
Statistical Area
Rest of SA
Area
233.81 km²
Elevation
21m

🚌 Transport & Commute

Bus Services

  • FlexiLink Murray Mallee — Murray Bridge / Adelaide 30 min to Murray Bridge; ~1.5 hr to Adelaide

Commute to Adelaide CBD

Distance
100 km
By Train
No direct train service; drive to Murray Bridge for limited services
By Car (Peak)
75-90 min
By Car (Off-Peak)
65-75 min

🛣️ Princes Highway (A1) provides the direct route to Adelaide; car is essential

Walkability Car-Dependent

The town centre has some walkable amenities but most errands and services require a car

🛒 Supermarkets Nearby

No major supermarkets listed for this suburb.

🎓 Schools

🏠 Housing 2021 Census

Median Rent (weekly)
$225
Median Mortgage (monthly)
$867
Avg Household Size
2.1 people
Median Age
49 years
Social Housing (% of dwellings)
1.9%

6 state housing + 7 community housing dwellings (ABS 2021 Census)

🎓 Educational Institution Attending 2021 Census

School Sector Breakdown

👥 Demographics

Census 2016
1,665
Census 2021
1,705
▲ 2.4% growth

Population Growth

Gender Distribution (Census 2021)

Income 2016
$24,492
Income 2021
$26,312
▲ 7.4% increase

Income Comparison

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

🌍 Country of Birth 2021 Census

Born in Australia 1,393
Born Overseas 115

Top Countries of Birth (excl. Australia)

  • 1. England 42
  • 2. Germany 12
  • 3. Netherlands 12
  • 4. New Zealand 9
  • 5. India 7
  • 6. Vietnam 7
  • 7. China 6
  • 8. Sri Lanka 4
  • 9. Philippines 3
  • 10. Scotland 3

🧬 Ancestry 2021 Census

Top ancestries reported (people may report up to two)

Australian 701
English 686
German 195
Scottish 140
Irish 135
Australian Aboriginal 65
Dutch 30
Italian 19
Filipino 15
Polish 13

👨‍👩‍👧 Parents' Birthplace 2021 Census

1,205
Both parents born in Australia
164
Both parents born overseas
135
One parent AU, one overseas

🛐 Religion 2021 Census

No Religion
49.0%
Christianity
36.1%
Buddhism
0.3%
Sikhism
0.2%

📊 Age Distribution 2021 Census

0-4 years
63 (3.7%)
5-14 years
179 (10.5%)
15-19 years
102 (6.0%)
20-24 years
102 (6.0%)
25-34 years
165 (9.7%)
35-44 years
154 (9.0%)
45-54 years
213 (12.5%)
55-64 years
264 (15.5%)
65-74 years
244 (14.3%)
75-84 years
174 (10.2%)
85+ years
57 (3.3%)

Nearby Suburbs

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Tailem Bend known for? +

Tailem Bend is best known for The Bend Motorsport Park, a world-class racing venue that hosts major national events, and its location on the Murray River as a gateway to the Coorong National Park.

How far is Tailem Bend from Adelaide? +

Tailem Bend is approximately 100 kilometres south-east of Adelaide, a 65–90 minute drive via the Princes Highway (A1).

Does Tailem Bend have public transport? +

Public transport is limited in Tailem Bend. There is no train station; the FlexiLink Murray Mallee bus service connects the town to Murray Bridge and Adelaide. A car is the most practical option.

What is the population of Tailem Bend? +

According to the 2021 Census, Tailem Bend has a population of approximately 1,705 residents, with a relatively older age profile (median age 49).

Is Tailem Bend a good place to live? +

Tailem Bend offers very affordable living in a regional setting with a strong community atmosphere. It suits retirees, families, and motorsport enthusiasts, though limited employment and services mean many residents commute or travel to Murray Bridge or Adelaide.

What is the postcode for Tailem Bend? +

The postcode for Tailem Bend, SA is 5260.