SA · Kangaroo Island Council
American River, SA, 5221
Current weather
11.3°CModerate drizzle
93% humidity · 29.4 km/h wind · 14.5° / 11.1° today · 15.5 mm rain
Desirability index
85.2/100
How this score is calculated#22 among Coastal & beach suburbs
Suburb snapshot
American River is a small locality in the Kangaroo Island area, home to around 280 residents (2021 Census). Recent indicators show reported crime totals of around 2 offences in 2024–25 (Jul–Jun), roughly 7.1 offences per 1,000 residents, 12 public transport stops within the suburb, a quieter amenity profile than busier neighbouring suburbs, and notable planning and development activity on record. Use the sections below for detailed population, safety, schools, and local activity data.
Population
- Population
- 280
- Median age
- 63
- Median household income / week
- $831
- Dwelling vacancy
- 43.2%
- Unoccupied private dwellings
- 105 of 243
- Median monthly mortgage
- $696
- Employment rate
- 36.2%
- Dwelling mix (houses / semi / flats)
- 16 / 3 / 0
Data sources & freshness
- 2021 Census — General Community Profile — Australian Bureau of Statistics · Period: 2021 · Updated on site · 2021 Census release
The 2026 Census runs in August 2026; suburb-level updates are expected from mid-2027.
Crime & safety
- Total offences (2024–25)
- 2
- Against the person
- 2
- Against property
- 0
- Rate per 1,000 residents
- 7.1
- Person-crime prevalence
- About 1 in 140 residents
- State safety percentile
- 4.1th (lower crime is better)
- Year-on-year change
- 0%
Most common offence types
- Common Assault2
Data sources & freshness
- SAPOL reported crime statistics — South Australia Police — OpenData · Period: 2024-25; 2024-25 → 2024-25 · Updated on site · Financial-year releases
Public transport
12 public transport stops in this suburb
- Casuarina Coastal Units (American River)
- Cooinda Lodge (American River)
- Mercure Kangaroo Island Lodge (American River)
- The Kings Bed and Breakfast (American River)
- Ulonga Seaviews (American River)
Data sources & freshness
- Adelaide Metro GTFS stops — Department for Infrastructure and Transport (SA) · Period: current · Updated on site · GTFS static feed
Planning & development
Development applications from PlanSA register (lodged 2020–2026) and EPA licensed activities.
100 planning-related records
2026· 5 proposals
May 2026
- Single storey detached dwelling with verandahs and decks16 KESTREL CL AMERICAN RIVER SA 5221Under Assessment
- Single storey detached dwelling (tiny home) and new driveway access18 LONGVIEW RD AMERICAN RIVER SA 5221Under Assessment
March 2026
- Outbuilding (shed)37 RYBERG RD AMERICAN RIVER SA 5221Decision Made
- Construction of outbuilding (shed) and associated earthworks5 OLD SCHOOL HOUSE ST AMERICAN RIVER SA 5221Decision Made
February 2026
- Construction of an outbuilding (shed)21 ARCHIBALD ST AMERICAN RIVER SA 5221Decision Made
2025· 35 proposals
December 2025
- Single storey detached dwelling18 TANGARA DR AMERICAN RIVER SA 5221Decision Made
- Construction of 12.2m x 6.1m x 3.0m shed and 16.0m x 6.0m x 3.0m free-standing verandah.5 IBIS WALK AMERICAN RIVER SA 5221Decision Made
- Torrens Title Land Division (Boundary Realignment) - 3 Allotments into 2LOT 24 TANGARA DR AMERICAN RIVER SA 5221Decision Made
November 2025
- domestic outbuilding9 WARAWEE RD AMERICAN RIVER SA 5221Decision Made
October 2025
- Change of use to include new cafe/shop (‘pop-up style - farmgate) and licensed outdoor area in association with existing oyster production, processing and sales45 TANGARA DR AMERICAN RIVER SA 5221Decision Made
September 2025
- Variation of Development Application 24011466 - additional freestanding carport fronting Plover Place2 PLOVER PL AMERICAN RIVER SA 5221Under Assessment
- Construction of a single storey detached dwelling and outbuilding (garage)LOT 25 TANGARA DR AMERICAN RIVER SA 5221Decision Made
- Single level detached dwelling with raised deck and associated earthworks and retaining52 BAYVIEW RD AMERICAN RIVER SA 5221Decision Made
August 2025
- Change of land use to a mixed use development comprising Australia Post outlet (office), licensed café (shop) incorporating local microbrewery cellar door with outdoor seating, building additions and alterations and new toilet / cool room (keg store) building with associated car parking (2 on-site spaces) Staged Development - Stage 1: Commencement of Australia Post operations within portion of the existing building and retail sales (takeaway only) of Destination Brewery products including Liquor46 TANGARA DR AMERICAN RIVER SA 5221Decision Made
July 2025
- Variation to DA 23001800 (Single storey detached dwelling with attached carport and verandahs and associated outbuilding (shed) - changes to design and layout of dwelling and relocation of outbuilding10 BENNETT CT AMERICAN RIVER SA 5221Decision Made
- Verandah33 BAYVIEW RD AMERICAN RIVER SA 5221Decision Made
- Single storey detached dwelling14 PLOVER PL AMERICAN RIVER SA 5221Decision Made
June 2025
- Single storey detached dwelling and shed6 BENNETT CT AMERICAN RIVER SA 5221Under Assessment
- Construction of deck and non-climbable spa and pool fence13 -15 FALIE CT AMERICAN RIVER SA 5221Decision Made
- Outbuilding (shed)28 SEA EAGLE WAY AMERICAN RIVER SA 5221Decision Made
- Two-storey additions and alterations to existing dwelling52 TANGARA DR AMERICAN RIVER SA 5221Under Assessment
May 2025
- Replace existing shed with 9m x 9m shed and relocation of 22000L water storage tank565 THOMAS RD AMERICAN RIVER SA 5221Decision Made
- Extension to existing dwelling9 WARAWEE RD AMERICAN RIVER SA 5221Decision Made
- Construction of a single level dwelling with a suspended floor and a new outbuilding (garage) with associated earthworks and retaining walls48 BAYVIEW RD AMERICAN RIVER SA 5221Decision Made
April 2025
- Single storey detached dwelling (tiny home) for use on an ad-hoc basis for accommodation during construction of main dwelling on the site for a maximum period of two (2) years up until 20 September 2027559 THOMAS RD AMERICAN RIVER SA 5221Decision Made
- Retaining wall up to maximum 1.2 metres in height along common boundary between 1462 and 1464 Redbanks Road1462 REDBANKS RD AMERICAN RIVER SA 5221;1464 REDBANKS RD AMERICAN RIVER SA 5221Decision Made
- Demolition of three outbuildings, relocation of one water tank, Construction of a domestic outbuilding containing double garage, workshop/storage area and pet shelter/verandah1478 -1480 REDBANKS RD AMERICAN RIVER SA 5221Decision Made
- Stand-alone ‘Store’ Shed – Intended to support future residential development, as an ancillary domestic outbuilding associated with a dwelling.10 BUICK DR AMERICAN RIVER SA 5221Decision Made
March 2025
- Garage, hobby shed and ancillary accommodation (rumpus room) partially retrospective.23 -25 BUICK DR AMERICAN RIVER SA 5221Under Assessment
- Construction of free-standing carport11 PLOVER PL AMERICAN RIVER SA 5221Decision Made
- Variation of Development Application 24020549 Construction of an additional deck element to the south of building563 THOMAS RD AMERICAN RIVER SA 5221Under Assessment
February 2025
- Construction of a freestanding sign8 TANGARA DR AMERICAN RIVER SA 5221Decision Made
- Variation to Development Application 22034243 - changes to vehicle access, car parking and stormwater management73 SCENIC DR AMERICAN RIVER SA 5221Decision Made
- Construction of a detached dwelling, attached deck and carport9 KESTREL CL AMERICAN RIVER SA 5221Decision Made
January 2025
- Amenities building (ablution block)90 TANGARA DR AMERICAN RIVER SA 5221Decision Made
- Reinstatement of retaining wall to rear boundary of affected properties up to 2m in height with a 1.8m colorbond sheet metal fence erected on top up to a maximum combined height of 3.8m1 ISLAND CT AMERICAN RIVER SA 5221;1462 REDBANKS RD AMERICAN RIVER SA 5221;3 ISLAND CT AMERICAN RIVER SA 5221Decision Made
- Additions and alterations to existing dwelling including new raised decking10 BAYVIEW RD AMERICAN RIVER SA 5221Decision Made
- Alterations and additions to existing dwelling including decks, associated verandahs, shed extension, and detached ancillary accommodation2 SCENIC DR AMERICAN RIVER SA 5221Under Assessment
- Deck and verandah adjacent studio and outbuilding (shed)23 ARCHIBALD ST AMERICAN RIVER SA 5221Decision Made
- Construction of a single storey detached dwelling11 PLOVER PL AMERICAN RIVER SA 5221Decision Made
2024· 27 proposals
27 proposals lodged in 2024. Individual listings are kept for the most recent proposals.
2023· 16 proposals
16 proposals lodged in 2023. Individual listings are kept for the most recent proposals.
2022· 9 proposals
9 proposals lodged in 2022. Individual listings are kept for the most recent proposals.
2021· 8 proposals
8 proposals lodged in 2021. Individual listings are kept for the most recent proposals.
Data sources & freshness
- PlanSA development applications & EPA licences — Government of South Australia — PlanSA · Period: 2020–2026; 2021; 2022… · Updated on site
Amenities
11 nearby amenities within ~1.5 km
- Bbq
- Bench
- Boat Rental
- EV charging
- Parking (2)
- ReflectionsRestaurant
73 Scenic Drive, American River
- The Oyster Farm ShopRestaurant
Tangara Drive
- The ShedRestaurant
- Smoking Area
- Waste Basket
Names and addresses from OpenStreetMap. Unnamed venues show as their type (e.g. Cafe).
Data sources & freshness
- OpenStreetMap amenities — OpenStreetMap contributors · Period: current · Updated on site · Weekly refresh
Socio-economic (SEIFA)
- IRSAD decile (2021)
- 1/10
- IRSD decile (2021)
- 2/10
SEIFA indexes from ABS 2021. Decile 10 = most advantaged / least disadvantaged in Australia.
Data sources & freshness
- SEIFA 2021 (IRSAD / IRSD) — Australian Bureau of Statistics · Period: 2021 · Updated on site · 2021 SEIFA release
Heritage
7 state heritage places
- Heritage placeState heritage
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- Heritage placeState heritage
- Heritage placeState heritage
Data sources & freshness
- SA Heritage Places database — Department for Environment and Water (SA) · Period: current · Updated on site
Green cover
- Parks & woodland (OSM)
- 4
- Parks (OSM)
- 0
OpenStreetMap parks and natural woodland features mapped within the suburb boundary.
Data sources & freshness
- OpenStreetMap green cover features — OpenStreetMap contributors · Period: current · Updated on site · Weekly refresh
Desirability index
- Desirability score
- 85.2/100
- Cohort rank
- #22 among Coastal & beach suburbs
Data sources & freshness
- Suburb Guide desirability index — Suburb Guide (derived score) · Period: current · Updated on site · Derived from source metrics
Recent changes
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- Additions and alterations to existing dwelling including new raised deckingplanning10 BAYVIEW RD AMERICAN RIVER SA 5221Lodged 15 Jan 2025 · Decision Made
- Alterations and additions to existing dwelling including decks, associated verandahs, shed extension, and detached ancillary accommodationplanning2 SCENIC DR AMERICAN RIVER SA 5221Lodged 13 Jan 2025 · Under Assessment
- Amenities building (ablution block)planning90 TANGARA DR AMERICAN RIVER SA 5221Lodged 30 Jan 2025 · Decision Made
Data sources & freshness
- SA Heritage Places database — Department for Environment and Water (SA) · Updated on site
- PlanSA development applications & EPA licences — Government of South Australia — PlanSA · Updated on site
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