Median house price
—
No data available
SA · Mount Barker Council
Dawesley, 5252
Est. population · Jun 2025
355
Growth (1 yr)
+2.0%
Growth (5 yr)
+10.6%
Median age
43
Median income
$1,949/wk
Employment rate
67.5%
Languages at home
1.3%non-English
Mostly English at home
2021 Census · usual residence
Desirability score
- Heritage area
- Excellent transport
- High desirability
Suburb profile
Dawesley is a quieter smaller community in Mount Barker Council, where peace, space and a country-town pace still dominate. Long-term locals and family households define much of the community, with family life visible on every street. Life here is grounded in local routine rather than big-city choice.
Local shops are sparse, so a fuller set of amenities usually means travelling to a neighbouring town or regional hub. Local green pockets are modest, with bigger outdoor outings usually found in neighbouring areas. Day-to-day life is more car-oriented here, with buses covering longer trips across the wider area.
Buyers typically pay more than the metro middle for a home here. Period homes and older streetscapes are part of the appeal, with heritage detail still visible throughout.
The overall desirability read is around average, pulled by softer local dining and lifestyle amenities, plus growth momentum compared with similar regional towns, though safety, plus community and employment remain brighter spots. Limited access to some essential local services also trimmed the result.
At a glance
Dawesley snapshot
A quick read of housing, growth, livability, and risk
Median rent
—
No data available
Population (ERP)
355
+2.0% annual growth
Dwelling vacancy
5.1%
Census unoccupied dwellings
Livability profile
Desirability pillars vs the peer median (50th percentile)
How it compares
Relative standing using percentiles, ranks, and national deciles
Desirability
#9
among Country & regional · Emerging
Safety
1st
percentile in state (higher = safer)
Pop. growth
93rd
percentile in SA
Advantage (IRSAD)
8/10
national SEIFA decile
Population growth
Recent ERP change over 1 and 5 years
Housing mix
Dwelling types from the 2021 Census
Risks & flags
Quick scan — open a section below for full context
Living here
Desirability
Ranks & confidence
- Desirability score
- 44.5/100 — Average
- State standing
- Top 43% of South Australia's suburbs
- National rank
- 3007th in Australia
- State rank
- 300th in SA
- Peer rank
- #9 among Country & regional · Emerging suburbs
- Cohort rank
- #41 among Country & regional suburbs
- Data confidence
- 60%
Data sources & freshness
- Suburb Guide desirability index — Suburb Guide (derived) · current · Updated
Population
Estimated resident population
355(June 2025)
+2.0% annual · +10.6% over 5 years · 93th percentile in SA
Growth figures & methodology
- Annual growth
- +2.0%
- 5-year growth
- +10.6%
- Change in 1 year
- +7
- Change in 5 years
- +34
- Growth rank in SA
- 93th percentile
ABS Estimated Resident Population allocated to this suburb from SA2-level data. Not an official ABS suburb count.
Methodology
Figures are allocated from ABS Estimated Resident Population at Statistical Area Level 2 (SA2), using 2021 Census share within overlapping SA2 regions. Where Census data is unavailable, area overlap is used instead.
The dashed chart line is a simple growth-trend estimate to June 2030 (~400), extrapolated at +1.5% average annual growth since 2011. It is illustrative only — not an official ABS forecast.
2021 Census figures
2021 Census
- Population
- 316
- Median age
- 43
- Median household income / week
- $1,949
- Dwelling vacancy
- 5.1%
- Unoccupied private dwellings
- 6 of 117
- Median monthly mortgage
- $1,855
- Employment rate
- 67.5%
- Dwelling mix (houses / semi / flats)
- 111 / 0 / 0
Contributes to desirability score · Community (5%)
Employment, household income and age diversity (2021 Census)
Data sources & freshness
- 2021 Census — General Community Profile — Australian Bureau of Statistics · Updated
The 2026 Census runs in August 2026; suburb-level updates are expected from mid-2027.
- Estimated Resident Population — Australian Bureau of Statistics · 2025 · Updated · SA2 ERP allocated to suburb boundaries
Community & culture
No 2021 Census cultural diversity data for this suburb yet.
Data sources & freshness
- 2021 Census — General Community Profile — Australian Bureau of Statistics · Updated
The 2026 Census runs in August 2026; suburb-level updates are expected from mid-2027.
Crime & safety
Offence counts & rates
- Total offences (2023–24)
- 1
- Against the person
- 1
- Against property
- 0
- Rate per 1,000 residents
- 2.8
- Person-crime prevalence
- About 1 in 316 residents
- State safety percentile
- 0.5th (lower crime is better)
- Family & domestic abuse offences
- 28
Most common offence types
- Serious Assault Not Resulting In Injury1
Contributes to desirability score · Safety (18%)
Crime rate and year-on-year trend
Data sources & freshness
- SAPOL reported crime statistics — South Australia Police — OpenData · 2023-24; 2023-24 → 2024-25; 2024-25 · Updated · Financial-year releases
Family & Lifestyle
Public transport
2 public transport stops in this suburb
- Old Princes Hwy / Donald St - North side (Dawesley)
- Old Princes Hwy / Smyth Rd - South side (Dawesley)
Contributes to desirability score · Accessibility (15%)
Public transport stop coverage
Data sources & freshness
- Adelaide Metro GTFS stops — Department for Infrastructure and Transport (SA) · current · Updated
Amenities
No OpenStreetMap amenities mapped for this suburb yet.
Contributes to desirability score · Lifestyle (15%)
Food, shopping, recreation and sport (OpenStreetMap)
Data sources & freshness
- Local amenity insights — Suburb Guide (derived) · current · Updated
- OpenStreetMap amenities — OpenStreetMap contributors · current · Updated
Health access
- Nearest hospital
- Mount Barker District Soldiers' Memorial Hospital (8.8 km)
- Nearest hospital type
- Public Hospital
- Nearest hospital emergency
- Emergency department
Contributes to desirability score · Accessibility (15%)
Hospitals and GP clinics
Data sources & freshness
- Hospitals & GP Plus clinics (SA) — SA Health · current · Updated
NDIS participation
- NDIS participants (31 March 2026)
- 12
- Participants per 1,000 residents
- 33.8
Active NDIS participants allocated from NDIA Statistical Area Level 2 (SA2, ASGS 2016) counts to this suburb boundary. Not an official suburb-level NDIS figure · as at 31 March 2026.
For NDIS spend and service-demand exploration by SA2 or postcode, see the Care Sector Demand Map.
Data sources & freshness
- NDIS participants by SA2 — National Disability Insurance Agency · 2026-Q1 · Updated · Quarterly SA2 counts allocated to suburb boundaries
Weather
Typical conditions by season for suburbs in the same ~44 km climate area. Rainfall totals are summed from monthly WorldClim layers; rainy-day counts are approximate.
Summer (Dec–Feb)
- Usual max / min
- 29° / 14°
- Rainfall
- 67 mm · ~8 rainy days
Autumn (Mar–May)
- Usual max / min
- 23° / 10°
- Rainfall
- 97 mm · ~12 rainy days
Winter (Jun–Aug)
- Usual max / min
- 16° / 6°
- Rainfall
- 148 mm · ~18 rainy days
Spring (Sep–Nov)
- Usual max / min
- 22° / 9°
- Rainfall
- 119 mm · ~15 rainy days
Contributes to desirability score · Lifestyle (15%)
Temperature and humidity comfort
Data sources & freshness
- Seasonal climate normals — WorldClim 2.1 · Updated
Future & Planning
Planning & development
Development applications from PlanSA register and EPA licensed activities.
2026· 5 proposals
August 2026
- Outbuilding (Domestic storage)12 BOWER ST DAWESLEY SA 5252Under Assessment
April 2026
- Outbuilding86 DING DONG RD DAWESLEY SA 5252Decision Made
February 2026
- Alterations and additions to existing Local Heritage Place (ID 18337 - House, former cheese factory) including sunroom, replacement picket fence, re-roofing and installation of skylights.12 DONALD ST DAWESLEY SA 5252Decision Made
January 2026
- Inground pool 8x4 and associated swimming pool safety features7 BOWER ST DAWESLEY SA 5252Decision Made
- Swimming Pool (above ground) with associated swimming pool safety features9 HAWTHORN ST DAWESLEY SA 5252Decision Made
2025· 8 proposals
October 2025
- Building Alterations to existing Dwelling (Local Heritage Place ID - 18342)5 SAWPIT GULLY RD DAWESLEY SA 5252Decision Made
- Swimming pool and safety fence13 HAWTHORN ST DAWESLEY SA 5252Decision Made
August 2025
- Agricultural building (hay store)50 PASTORAL RD DAWESLEY SA 5252Decision Made
- Alterations and additions to existing Detached dwelling (Single storey)8 BOWER ST DAWESLEY SA 5252Decision Made
July 2025
- Alterations and additions to existing Local Heritage Place (ID 18344) and associated change of use from barn (store) to tourist accommodation.18 HAWTHORN ST DAWESLEY SA 5252Decision Made
- Land Division (Boundary Realignment - 2 into 2 allotments)1 SMYTH RD DAWESLEY SA 5252;96 DING DONG RD DAWESLEY SA 5252Decision Made
May 2025
- Alterations and additions to detached dwelling152 SAWPIT GULLY RD DAWESLEY SA 5252Decision Made
January 2025
- Outbuilding (Shed)6 DONALD ST DAWESLEY SA 5252Decision Made
2024· 4 proposals
December 2024
- Carport12 HAWTHORN ST DAWESLEY SA 5252Decision Made
September 2024
- Detached dwelling (single storey)86 DING DONG RD DAWESLEY SA 5252Decision Made
- Variation to Development Application 21016249 (Tourist Accommodation) comprising relocation of the tourist accommodation unit, internal and external changes, and two (2) Decks95 SMYTH RD DAWESLEY SA 5252Decision Made
April 2024
- Alterations and additions to existing dwelling, conversion of existing building to ancillary accommodation and associated retaining walls68 SAWPIT GULLY RD DAWESLEY SA 5252Decision Made
2023· 4 proposals
October 2023
- Animal keeping in the form of a dog kennelling and cattery facility comprising the construction of 8 kennel buildings, establishment of enclosures, exercise yards and shelter, conversion of existing building for cattery, and associated freestanding sign118 POWELL RD DAWESLEY SA 5252Decision Made
- Variation to DA 580/1569/20 - Alterations and Additions to Dwelling (Local Heritage Place, Former Dawesley School - ID: 18336) and Shade Structure2 DONALD ST DAWESLEY SA 5252Under Assessment
March 2023
- Outbuilding (domestic garage)16 DONALD ST DAWESLEY SA 5252Decision Made
January 2023
- Swimming pool and safety fence87 SAWPIT GULLY RD DAWESLEY SA 5252Decision Made
2022· 13 proposals
November 2022
- Alteration and addition to the existing detached dwelling, verandah, deck & carport138 SAWPIT GULLY RD DAWESLEY SA 5252Decision Made
- Verandah and Deck4 DONALD ST DAWESLEY SA 5252Decision Made
October 2022
- Tourist accommodation95 SMYTH RD DAWESLEY SA 5252Decision Made
September 2022
- Deck and verandah87 SAWPIT GULLY RD DAWESLEY SA 5252Decision Made
August 2022
- Carport39 DONALD ST DAWESLEY SA 5252Decision Made
June 2022
- Alteration and additions to existing detached dwelling15 HARROGATE RD DAWESLEY SA 5252Decision Made
- Outbuilding76 MCINTYRE RD DAWESLEY SA 5252Decision Made
May 2022
- Outbuilding71 SMYTH RD DAWESLEY SA 5252Decision Made
April 2022
- Alterations and additions to dwelling (studio), verandah and outbuilding (domestic garage)12 HARROGATE RD DAWESLEY SA 5252Decision Made
- Outbuilding and water storage tank (112kL)1 SMYTH RD DAWESLEY SA 5252Decision Made
February 2022
- This approval is for the Class 10 shed ONLY Is already has an existing planning consent (prior to the portal) DA 580/330/2110 DONALD ST DAWESLEY SA 5252Decision Made
- Outbuilding (storage of tractor, implements, tools, trailer, ute etc)12 HARROGATE RD DAWESLEY SA 5252Decision Made
- Detached Dwelling, Carport, Swimming Pool, Outbuilding, Water Storage Tank and conversion of existing dwelling to a Studio101 SAWPIT GULLY RD DAWESLEY SA 5252Decision Made
2021· 5 proposals
October 2021
- Carport (freestanding)12 DING DONG RD DAWESLEY SA 5252Decision Made
September 2021
- Partial change in land use to Industry for the purposes of manufacturing transportable buildings with associated conversion of existing farm building, storage area and car parking1 SMYTH RD DAWESLEY SA 5252Decision Made
- Variation to Development Application 580/527/20, to delete condition 2, and a Change in Use of the existing dwelling to Tourist Accommodation.1 SMYTH RD DAWESLEY SA 5252Decision Made
June 2021
- Tourist Accommodation comprising of 2 cabins (with a maximum capacity of 2 persons per cabin) with associated decking, ground-mounted solar panels and infrastructure in association with Livestock Grazing1068 OLD PRINCES HWY DAWESLEY SA 5252Decision Made
May 2021
- Alterations and Additions to detached dwelling8 BOWER ST DAWESLEY SA 5252Decision Made
Contributes to desirability score · Future Growth (7%)
Development and planning activity
Data sources & freshness
- PlanSA development applications & EPA licences — Government of South Australia — PlanSA · 2026 · Updated
Heritage
13 heritage places
- Barn, SE of Harrogate RdSawpit Gully Road DAWESLEYLocal heritage
- Cottage4 Hawthorn Street DAWESLEYLocal heritage
- Cottage11 Donald Street DAWESLEYContributory item
- Cottage (rendered, c1850's)26-32 Donald Street DAWESLEYContributory item
- House31 Donald Street DAWESLEYContributory item
- House, fr Bacon Factory4-6 Bower Street DAWESLEYLocal heritage
- House, fr Creamery3-9 Bower Street DAWESLEYLocal heritage
- House, fr Dawesley School2-4 Donald Street DAWESLEYLocal heritage
- House, fr Native Valley Wesleyan ChapelPrinces Highway DAWESLEYLocal heritage
- House, fr cheese factory office12 Donald Street DAWESLEYLocal heritage
Data sources & freshness
- SA Heritage Places database — Department for Environment and Water (SA) · current · Updated
Hazards
- Bushfire planning zone
- Overlay applies
Bushfire overlay checked at suburb centroid against all current SA Planning risk layers (high, medium, general, urban interface, regional, outback). Safer places from CFS designated locations.
Contributes to desirability score · Safety (18%)
Bushfire hazard overlays
Data sources & freshness
- Bushfire & hazard overlays (SA) — Government of South Australia · current · Updated
Politics & representation
- Federal electorate
- Mayo
- Member of Parliament
- Rebekha SHARKIE (Centre Alliance)
- Results from
- 2025 federal election
- Electorate enrolment (2025)
- 137,818
- Turnout (2025)
- 94.2%
- Swing since 2022 (2025)
- +3.4 pp toward Labor
Two-party preferred (2025)
Coalition 45.0%Labor 55.0%
Estimated suburb voting profile
Estimated from 8 nearby ordinary polling places (up to 11.1 km away).
Coalition 40.2%Labor 59.8%
4.9 percentage points more Labor-leaning than the electorate
Estimated swing since 2022: +5.5 pp toward Labor
Nearest polling places
- NairneLabor 65.8% · Coalition 34.2% TPP (2025)4.5 km away
- BrukungaLabor 56.0% · Coalition 44.0% TPP (2025)4.7 km away
- LittlehamptonLabor 57.1% · Coalition 42.9% TPP (2025)7.7 km away
- Mount Barker CentralLabor 58.3% · Coalition 41.7% TPP (2025)8.7 km away
- Mount Barker EastLabor 55.2% · Coalition 44.8% TPP (2025)8.8 km away
Federal electorate from AEC federal division boundaries (2025 redistribution). Division-level results are official AEC figures from the latest general election, with by-election updates where applicable. The estimated suburb profile blends up to eight nearest ordinary polling booths in the same electorate using inverse-distance weighting from the suburb centroid — an approximation, not official AEC data. Nearest polling places are shown for reference.
Data sources & freshness
- Federal election results — Australian Electoral Commission · Updated · 2025 election with by-election overlays
Socio-economic
- IRSAD decile (2021)
- 8/10
- IRSD decile (2021)
- 9/10
ABS Socio-Economic Indexes for Areas (SEIFA), 2021 release — the latest available, derived from the 2021 Census. Deciles rank suburbs nationally from 1 (lowest) to 10 (highest).
What do IRSAD and IRSD measure?
IRSAD — Index of Relative Socio-economic Advantage and Disadvantage. Combines indicators of advantage (e.g. high income, skilled occupations) and disadvantage. Higher decile = more advantaged relative to other Australian areas.
IRSD — Index of Relative Socio-economic Disadvantage. Focuses on disadvantage only (e.g. low income, unemployment, limited education). Higher decile = less disadvantage nationally.
A new SEIFA edition typically follows each census; the ABS has not announced a release date beyond 2021.
Contributes to desirability score · Community (5%)
Socio-economic advantage (IRSAD decile)
Data sources & freshness
- SEIFA 2021 (IRSAD / IRSD) — Australian Bureau of Statistics · Updated
Compare with
Similar suburbs to weigh up side by side — scores, safety, schools, and lifestyle.
More in Mount Barker Council
Other suburbs in the same local government area.
Comparable suburbs
Similar population and socio-economic profile in other parts of South Australia.