Overall score
American River
33.9/100
Penneshaw
37.5/100
American River vs Penneshaw, SA suburb comparison
American River for retirees and families; Penneshaw for beach lifestyle and schools.
See which suburb leads on livability, safety, schools, and lifestyle.
Head to head
Visual comparison
American RiverPenneshaw
Crime rate
American River
6.7 / 1k
Penneshaw
42.0 / 1k
Nearby amenities
American River
26
Penneshaw
72
Population
American River
280
Penneshaw
269
Metric leadAmerican River 4Penneshaw 41 tiedacross 9 compared metrics
Livability profile
Desirability pillars scored 0–100 vs comparable suburbs
Quick verdicts
Clearer edge on lifestyle fit (score gap ≥ 3)
- Best for retireesAmerican River
- Best for familiesAmerican River
- Best for beach lifestylePenneshaw
- Best for best schoolsPenneshaw
Audience fit
Who each suburb suits — composite scores out of 100
All metrics
Side-by-side scores for every compared metric.
Full comparison table
Exact figures for every metric — winner highlighted in bold.
| Category | American River | Penneshaw |
|---|---|---|
| Overall score | 33.9/100 | 37.5/100 |
| Housing (desirability) | 10.6/100 | 10.6/100 |
| Crime rate | 6.7 / 1k | 42.0 / 1k |
| Schools & preschools | — | 2 |
| Parks & reserves | — | 1 |
| Public transport stops | 12 | 4 |
| Walkability | 24.0/100 | 54.0/100 |
| Nearby amenities | 26 | 72 |
| Planning activity | 8 | 9 |
| Population | 280 | 269 |
| SEIFA (IRSAD decile) | 1/10 | 4/10 |
Comparison summary
American River is a coastal smaller community with an easy, sea-led rhythm, while Penneshaw is a coastal smaller community with an easy, sea-led rhythm.
On the data, American River is stronger for a quieter safety profile and public transport access; Penneshaw answers with walkability and nearby cafés and amenities. American River generally means more approachable housing costs, while Penneshaw leans toward more sought-after housing.
Retirees and families may find American River the better fit, while people chasing a beach lifestyle and households prioritising schools are more likely to prefer Penneshaw.