Median house price
—
No data available
SA · Kangaroo Island Council
Emu Bay, 5223
Est. population · Jun 2025
102
Growth (1 yr)
+1.0%
Growth (5 yr)
+6.3%
Median age
57
Median income
$1,333/wk
Employment rate
50.7%
Languages at home
Mostly English at home
2021 Census · usual residence
- Green suburb
- Heritage area
Suburb profile
Emu Bay is a quieter smaller community in Kangaroo Island Council, where peace, space and a country-town pace still dominate. Genuine distance from the metro area around Adelaide is part of the character: quiet streets, big skies and a town that looks after itself. A mature community gives the area a calm, settled social fabric, with multiple generations sharing the same neighbourhood.
Everyday basics may be close by, but bigger shopping and services typically require a trip to a nearby centre. Local parks and tree cover add a welcome outdoor dimension to suburban life. A car helps for most daily errands, with fewer amenities clustered within an easy walk.
Housing sits in the middle of the local market: neither cheap nor premium. Tree-lined streets and established homes set the tone, with little pressure to reinvent the neighbourhood.
At a glance
Emu Bay snapshot
A quick read of housing, growth, livability, and risk
Median rent
—
No data available
Population (ERP)
102
+1.0% annual growth
Dwelling vacancy
55.9%
Census unoccupied dwellings
How it compares
Relative standing using percentiles, ranks, and national deciles
Safety
29th
percentile in state (higher = safer)
Pop. growth
73rd
percentile in SA
Advantage (IRSAD)
6/10
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
Population
Estimated resident population
102(June 2025)
+1.0% annual · +6.3% over 5 years · 73th percentile in SA
Growth figures & methodology
- Annual growth
- +1.0%
- 5-year growth
- +6.3%
- Change in 1 year
- +1
- Change in 5 years
- +6
- Growth rank in SA
- 73th 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 (~100), extrapolated at +1.1% average annual growth since 2011. It is illustrative only — not an official ABS forecast.
2021 Census figures
2021 Census
- Population
- 95
- Median age
- 57
- Median household income / week
- $1,333
- Dwelling vacancy
- 55.9%
- Unoccupied private dwellings
- 38 of 68
- Median monthly mortgage
- $1,400
- Employment rate
- 50.7%
- Dwelling mix (houses / semi / flats)
- 33 / 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
Reported offences are unchanged compared with the previous period.
Offence counts & rates
- Total offences (2024–25)
- 2
- Against the person
- 0
- Against property
- 2
- Rate per 1,000 residents
- 19.6
- State safety percentile
- 28.5th (lower crime is better)
- Family & domestic abuse offences
- 17
- Increase (daily rate)
- +0.3%
Most common offence types
- Other Theft1
- Theft/Illegal Use Of Mv1
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 → 2024-25; 2024-25 · Updated · Financial-year releases
Family & Lifestyle
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
Green cover
- Parks & woodland (OSM)
- 9
- Parks (OSM)
- 0
OpenStreetMap parks and natural woodland features mapped within the suburb boundary.
Contributes to desirability score · Environment (10%)
Parks and green cover (OpenStreetMap)
Data sources & freshness
- OpenStreetMap green cover — OpenStreetMap contributors · current · Updated
Health access
- Nearest hospital
- Kangaroo Island Health Service (11.8 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)
- 3
- Participants per 1,000 residents
- 29.4
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
- 23° / 15°
- Rainfall
- 55 mm · ~7 rainy days
Autumn (Mar–May)
- Usual max / min
- 19° / 13°
- Rainfall
- 129 mm · ~16 rainy days
Winter (Jun–Aug)
- Usual max / min
- 14° / 9°
- Rainfall
- 260 mm · ~32 rainy days
Spring (Sep–Nov)
- Usual max / min
- 18° / 11°
- Rainfall
- 135 mm · ~17 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
July 2026
- Construction of a detached dwelling (two levels) with undercroft garage and associated earthworks and landscaping2 MAXWELL TCE EMU BAY SA 5223Under Assessment
June 2026
- Construction of single storey detached dwelling with attached carport and verandahLOT 46 SALTY AIR CCT EMU BAY SA 5223Under Assessment
March 2026
- Construction of an outbuilding (shed)16 DUNE RD EMU BAY SA 5223Decision Made
January 2026
- Single storey detached dwelling20 MAXWELL TCE EMU BAY SA 5223Decision Made
- Construction colorbond outbuilding (shed)LOT 192 WEST GEORGE RD EMU BAY SA 5223Decision Made
2025· 9 proposals
November 2025
- Construction of an outbuilding (shed) and rainwater tank52 KEITH RD EMU BAY SA 5223Decision Made
- Construction of a single storey detached dwelling and associated earthworks, retaining walls and fencing18 MAXWELL TCE EMU BAY SA 5223Decision Made
September 2025
- Staged development – detached dwelling and two (2) associated habitable family units/cabins and outbuilding (shed/garage)13 GAP RD EMU BAY SA 5223Decision Made
- Construction of attached two storey additions comprising a lower level home theatre room and upper bedroom, ensuite and balcony23 HAMILTON DR EMU BAY SA 5223Decision Made
August 2025
- Land Division to create 12 additional allotments, realignment of boundaries and extension to public road infrastructure34 GAP RD EMU BAY SA 5223;LOT 103 PORTER RD EMU BAY SA 5223;LOT 104 BATES RD EMU BAY SA 5223;LOT 200 BATES RD EMU BAY SA 5223Decision Made
- Variation to DA 25007779 - changes to size and siting of outbuilding3 ROOKERY RD EMU BAY SA 5223Decision Made
July 2025
- Variation to Development Approval 22034857 - change of location of retaining wall (on boundary) and new internal retaining walls to a maximum height of one (1) metreLOT 45 SALTY AIR CCT EMU BAY SA 5223Decision Made
June 2025
- Construction of habitable building (ancillary accommodation) in association with the existing dwelling and above-ground rainwater tank65 BAYVIEW RD EMU BAY SA 5223Under Assessment
January 2025
- Construction of second storey additions to existing dwelling including front and rear deck and verandah25 HAWTHORN AV EMU BAY SA 5223Decision Made
2024· 3 proposals
December 2024
- Ancillary accommodation19 BAYVIEW RD EMU BAY SA 5223Decision Made
July 2024
- Single storey detached Dwelling, deck two verandahs and 61,000 litre water tank9 HAWTHORN AV EMU BAY SA 5223Decision Made
May 2024
- Construction of additional deck and verandah26 MAXWELL TCE EMU BAY SA 5223Decision Made
2023· 11 proposals
December 2023
- Dwelling addition, alterations, carport, deck and new wastewater system.6 HAWTHORN AV EMU BAY SA 5223Decision Made
November 2023
- Construction of a single storey detached dwelling with associated deck, an outbuilding, solar panels and ancillary water storage tank.LOT 18 BATES RD EMU BAY SA 5223Decision Made
October 2023
- Construction of two storey semi detached buildings for use as tourist accommodation57 HAMILTON DR EMU BAY SA 5223Decision Made
August 2023
- Construction of single storey detached dwelling with carport under main roof, two (2) x 30 000L water storage tanks and associated earthworks and retaining wallsLOT 392 SALTY AIR CCT EMU BAY SA 5223Decision Made
July 2023
- new shed, rainwater tank and retaining wall up to 1.6m in height9 HAMILTON DR EMU BAY SA 5223Decision Made
June 2023
- Single storey detached dwelling with carport, garage and rainwater tanks (4 x 22,500L)LOT 47 SALTY AIR CCT EMU BAY SA 5223Decision Made
- Construction of dwelling additions45 HAMILTON DR EMU BAY SA 5223Under Assessment
- Variation to DA 520/067/2019 for construction of a two storey dwelling with associated store - removal of bedroom 2 and 3 from ground floor and conversion to additional store floor area, and redesign of upper level addition52 KEITH RD EMU BAY SA 5223Decision Made
May 2023
- Installation of new fixed glass window and glass sliding door to the existing dwelling, new external stairs and construction of an attached deck and associated balustrade41 BAYVIEW RD EMU BAY SA 5223Decision Made
April 2023
- Two storey detached dwelling with deck and carport29 HAWTHORN AV EMU BAY SA 5223Decision Made
January 2023
- Dwelling alteration and addition and deck forward of the dwelling27 HAWTHORN AV EMU BAY SA 5223Decision Made
2022· 8 proposals
December 2022
- Construction of new public toilet facility with associated water tankLOT 384 BATES RD EMU BAY SA 5223Decision Made
- Shed35 KEITH RD EMU BAY SA 5223Decision Made
November 2022
- Construction of a 214,7000 litre freestanding watertank for firefighting water supply purposes.LOT 202 EMU BAY RD EMU BAY SA 5223Decision Made
September 2022
- Change of land use from existing health tourism retreat and accommodation to new tourist accommodation pods, converted staff accommodation, distilling academy, internal building works and above ground 76.5 KL water tank, and upgrade to existing road105 BATES RD EMU BAY SA 5223Under Assessment
August 2022
- New Outbuilding - shed for trailer boat storage15 HAWTHORN AV EMU BAY SA 5223Decision Made
July 2022
- Single-storey detached dwelling, deck (maximum height 300 mm), water storage tanks (one (1) x 95,000 litres and one (1) x 5,000 litres) and associated earthworksLOT 192 WEST GEORGE RD EMU BAY SA 5223Decision Made
June 2022
- Retaining walls and fencing15 HAMILTON DR EMU BAY SA 5223Decision Made
April 2022
- Construction of a domestic outbuilding - garage27 HAWTHORN AV EMU BAY SA 5223Decision Made
2021· 4 proposals
November 2021
- Construction of a domestic outbuilding62 PORTER RD EMU BAY SA 5223Under Assessment
October 2021
- Construction of a shed (store) including demolition of existing shed (store)118 BATES RD EMU BAY SA 5223Decision Made
May 2021
- Dwelling52 KEITH RD EMU BAY SA 5223Decision Made
- Construction of a two-storey detached dwelling11 HAWTHORN AV EMU BAY SA 5223Decision 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
1 heritage place
- Cape D'Estaing to Emu Bay (west) and Emu Bay (east) to Boxing Bay Coastline [Designated as a place of palaeontological significance]EMU BAYState 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 72.0 km away).
Coalition 63.6%Labor 36.4%
18.6 percentage points more Coalition-leaning than the electorate
Estimated swing since 2022: -17.5 pp toward Coalition
Nearest polling places
- KingscoteLabor 44.9% · Coalition 55.1% TPP (2025)10.1 km away
- Special Hospital Team 5Labor 25.0% · Coalition 75.0% TPP (2025)10.6 km away
- American RiverLabor 42.5% · Coalition 57.5% TPP (2025)29.0 km away
- ParndanaLabor 21.6% · Coalition 78.4% TPP (2025)34.6 km away
- PenneshawLabor 50.6% · Coalition 49.4% TPP (2025)37.1 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)
- 6/10
- IRSD decile (2021)
- 8/10
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
More in Kangaroo Island Council
Other suburbs in the same local government area.
Comparable suburbs
Similar population and socio-economic profile in other parts of South Australia.