Overall score
Goolwa
33.6/100
Hindmarsh Island
23.8/100
Goolwa vs Hindmarsh Island, SA suburb comparison
Goolwa for investment and value; Hindmarsh Island for retirees and families.
See which suburb leads on livability, safety, schools, and lifestyle.
Head to head
Visual comparison
GoolwaHindmarsh Island
Crime rate
Goolwa
42.0 / 1k
Hindmarsh Island
18.7 / 1k
Nearby amenities
Goolwa
25
Hindmarsh Island
0
Population
Goolwa
2,558
Hindmarsh Island
1,846
Metric leadGoolwa 5Hindmarsh Island 3across 8 compared metrics
Livability profile
Desirability pillars scored 0–100 vs comparable suburbs
Quick verdicts
Clearer edge on lifestyle fit (score gap ≥ 3)
- Best for retireesHindmarsh Island
- Best for familiesHindmarsh Island
- Best for investmentGoolwa
- Best for best valueGoolwa
- Best for best schoolsGoolwa
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 | Goolwa | Hindmarsh Island |
|---|---|---|
| Overall score | 33.6/100 | 23.8/100 |
| Housing (desirability) | 29.1/100 | 2.6/100 |
| Crime rate | 42.0 / 1k | 18.7 / 1k |
| Schools & preschools | 3 | — |
| Public transport stops | 5 | — |
| Walkability | 7.5/100 | 0.0/100 |
| Nearby amenities | 25 | 0 |
| Planning activity | 108 | 105 |
| Population | 2,558 | 1,846 |
| SEIFA (IRSAD decile) | 1/10 | 3/10 |
Comparison summary
Put side by side, Goolwa is a hillside mid-sized suburb with greener streets and a quieter pace, and Hindmarsh Island is a slower-paced smaller community with open surrounds. Goolwa sits among greener hillside streets, while Hindmarsh Island keeps a flatter suburban layout.
Goolwa tends to lead on housing affordability and walkability, while Hindmarsh Island stands out for a quieter safety profile and stronger socioeconomic advantage.
On balance, families and investors are more likely to prefer Goolwa, while Hindmarsh Island remains a solid alternative depending on what matters most day to day.