THE Riverland’s population continues to grow, but is lagging behind the rest of the state and country, census data has revealed.

Across the three Riverland councils, the population has reached 31,933 – up 1.4 per cent on 2016 and 2.6 per cent on 2011, but behind the statewide growth of nearly 12 per cent over the decade.

The Renmark Paringa district has experienced the highest growth of the three councils at nearly 6 per cent over the past decade, followed by Loxton Waikerie at 3.4 per cent.

Population in the Berri Barmera district continued its decline – down 0.6 per cent from 2016 and almost 1 per cent on 2011 – caused by Barmera’s population decreasing by 70 residents.

The median age in all three council areas has also increased over the past decade, from 40 to 44 in Renmark Paringa, 43 to 48 in Loxton Waikerie and 42 to 46 in Berri Barmera.

Renting in the Riverland is slightly less expensive than elsewhere in the state.

About 62 per cent of Berri Barmera and Renmark Paringa renters, and 63 per cent of Loxton Waikerie renters are paying less than 30 per cent of their household income on rent compared to 60 per cent statewide.

Renmark Paringa has the lowest average rent of $200 per week, with Loxton Waikerie at $204 and Berri Barmera at $210.

Similarly, 79 per cent of mortgage holders in Berri Barmera and Renmark Paringa, and 80 per cent of those in Loxton Waikerie pay less than 30 per cent of income on mortgage repayments, compared to 77 per cent statewide.

Average monthly mortgage repayments remained reasonably steady at $1083 for all three council areas.

One of the areas of greatest change has been religion, with large decreases in the number of respondents listing a religious affiliation.

Berri Barmera has the highest number of residents in the no-religion category at 47.5 per cent, above both the state and national average and up 19.5 per cent from 2011.

Renmark Paringa has 44 per cent of residents without a religious affiliation, an increase of 17.9 per cent over the decade, while Loxton sits at 41.4 per cent, an increase of 18.3 per cent since 2011.

Catholicism is the largest religious denomination in Berri Barmera and Renmark Paringa, while Lutheranism is the largest in Loxton Waikerie.

Riverland population changes: