suburb.guide

SA · Victor Harbor Council

Encounter Bay, SA, 5211

Current weather

11.6°CModerate drizzle

87% humidity · 30.5 km/h wind · 14.2° / 11.2° today · 20.8 mm rain

Desirability index

53/100

#72 among Coastal & beach suburbs

How this score is calculated

Suburb snapshot

Encounter Bay is a smaller suburban community in the Victor Harbor area, home to around 5,305 residents (2021 Census). Recent indicators show reported crime totals of around 36 offences in 2024–25 (Jul–Jun), roughly 6.8 offences per 1,000 residents, median weekly rent around $580 (flats $425, houses $580), 8 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
5,305
Median age
66
Median household income / week
$929
Dwelling vacancy
27.1%
Unoccupied private dwellings
923 of 3,407
Median monthly mortgage
$1,170
Employment rate
29.5%
Dwelling mix (houses / semi / flats)
137 / 58 / 9

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.

Housing

Flats / units (01/01/26 to 31/03/26)
$425
Houses (01/01/26 to 31/03/26)
$580
All types (01/01/26 to 31/03/26)
$580
Rental bonds lodged (01/01/26 to 31/03/26)
25

Median weekly rent from SA Housing Authority rental bond data. Figures can be unreliable where few bonds were lodged in the quarter.

Data sources & freshness

  • SA Housing Authority rent & sales reports — Government of South Australia · Period: 1 January - 31 March 2026 · Updated on site · Quarterly releases

Crime & safety

Total offences (2024–25)
36
Against the person
14
Against property
22
Rate per 1,000 residents
6.8
Person-crime prevalence
About 1 in 379 residents
State safety percentile
3.8th (lower crime is better)
Family & domestic abuse offences
74
Year-on-year change
0%

Most common offence types

  • Common Assault3
  • Other Property Damage And Environmental5
  • Other Theft6
  • Sct - Residence2
  • Serious Assault Not Resulting In Injury9

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

8 public transport stops in this suburb

  • Bartel Blvd / Nicholas Baudin Dr - South West side (Encounter Bay)
  • Mill Rd - South East side (Encounter Bay)
  • Stop 4 Maude St / Bay Rd - West side (Victor Harbor)
  • Tabernacle Rd - North East side (Estia Health Encounter Bay)
  • Whalers Rd / White Cres - South West side (Encounter Bay)

Data sources & freshness

Planning & development

Development applications from PlanSA register (lodged 2020–2026) and EPA licensed activities.

654 planning-related records

2026· 49 proposals

  • June 2026

  • Elevated Single Storey Detached Dwelling
    18 BOLGER WAY ENCOUNTER BAY SA 5211Under Assessment
  • Single Storey Dwelling Addition
    2 POLLARD CT ENCOUNTER BAY SA 5211Under Assessment
  • Verandah
    4 GRIBBLE CT ENCOUNTER BAY SA 5211Decision Made
  • Verandah
    7 EAGLE WAY ENCOUNTER BAY SA 5211Under Assessment
  • Verandah and Alfresco
    38 AINSLIE ROBERTS DR ENCOUNTER BAY SA 5211Under Assessment
  • Single Storey Dwelling Addition and Alterations, Carport and Verandah
    5 OAKHAM ST ENCOUNTER BAY SA 5211Under Assessment
  • Single Storey Dwelling Addition
    12 CAKEBREAD RD ENCOUNTER BAY SA 5211Under Assessment
  • Land Division 1 into 2 (Torrens Title)
    7 RIDGEWAY ST ENCOUNTER BAY SA 5211Under Assessment
  • Shed
    1 THOMPSON CT ENCOUNTER BAY SA 5211Under Assessment
  • SHED / DOM. STORAGE
    15 POLTONG CR ENCOUNTER BAY SA 5211Decision Made

  • May 2026

  • new veranda
    10 HARWOOD CL ENCOUNTER BAY SA 5211Decision Made
  • Carport - Hard Copy Application - Unit 345
    1 -27 MAUDE ST ENCOUNTER BAY SA 5211Under Assessment
  • Replacement Dwelling (demolition of existing Dwelling), Alterations and Addition to Dwelling and Deck
    101 FRANKLIN PDE ENCOUNTER BAY SA 5211Under Assessment
  • 2 x Freestanding Carports
    19 HIGGINS ST ENCOUNTER BAY SA 5211Under Assessment
  • Shed Extension
    17 RUSSELL ST ENCOUNTER BAY SA 5211Under Assessment
  • Two storey detached dwelling
    48 WISHART CR ENCOUNTER BAY SA 5211Under Assessment
  • Verandah
    4 SMITH ST ENCOUNTER BAY SA 5211Decision Made
  • Verandah
    4 SMITH ST ENCOUNTER BAY SA 5211Decision Made
  • Variation to existing application number 24019454. Two Storey Detached Dwelling and Carport with associated retaining walls
    16 LAURIE AV ENCOUNTER BAY SA 5211Under Assessment
  • Two Storey Detached Dwelling
    1 THOMPSON CT ENCOUNTER BAY SA 5211Under Assessment
  • Verandah
    36 KOOKABURRA BVD ENCOUNTER BAY SA 5211Decision Made
  • Two Storey Detached Dwelling and Associated Retaining Walls
    61 BATTYE RD ENCOUNTER BAY SA 5211Under Assessment

  • April 2026

  • new veranda
    6 HUMP BACK RD ENCOUNTER BAY SA 5211Decision Made
  • Land division to create lease sites associated with a residential park
    LOT 10 WAITPINGA RD ENCOUNTER BAY SA 5211Under Assessment
  • Outbuilding (shed)
    39 DODSON RD ENCOUNTER BAY SA 5211Under Assessment
  • Erection of a single carport
    33 CUTTER CCT ENCOUNTER BAY SA 5211Decision Made
  • Construction of a Verandah
    8 -10 HARPOON AV ENCOUNTER BAY SA 5211Decision Made
  • Split Level Detached Dwelling
    4 FLUKE CT ENCOUNTER BAY SA 5211Under Assessment
  • Retaining Wall and Fence
    20 CYGNET CT ENCOUNTER BAY SA 5211Decision Made

  • March 2026

  • Supply and construction of 7.668m x 4m x 2.4m high Gable Shed
    18 CYGNET CT ENCOUNTER BAY SA 5211Decision Made
  • Land Division 1 into 2
    1 MARLIN TCE ENCOUNTER BAY SA 5211Decision Made
  • Garage and Carport
    2 NORMA CR ENCOUNTER BAY SA 5211Decision Made
  • Verandah
    6 OAKHAM ST ENCOUNTER BAY SA 5211Decision Made
  • Two single storey detached dwellings and one two-storey detached dwelling
    42 SOUTHERN RIGHT CR ENCOUNTER BAY SA 5211;44 SOUTHERN RIGHT CR ENCOUNTER BAY SA 5211;46 SOUTHERN RIGHT CR ENCOUNTER BAY SA 5211Under Assessment
  • Carport
    55 DODSON RD ENCOUNTER BAY SA 5211Under Assessment
  • Freestanding Shed and Carport
    33 WRIGHT TCE ENCOUNTER BAY SA 5211Decision Made
  • Verandah
    11 MINKE WHALE DR ENCOUNTER BAY SA 5211Under Assessment
  • Staged land division creating 5 Torrens allotments in stage 1 and 11 Community lots in stage 2.
    LOT 51 BEVERLEY GR ENCOUNTER BAY SA 5211Under Assessment

  • February 2026

  • 1 into 6 Torrens titles land division
    146 -148 BAY RD ENCOUNTER BAY SA 5211Decision Made
  • Land Division 1 into 2 (Torrens Title)
    15 TABERNACLE RD ENCOUNTER BAY SA 5211Decision Made
2025· 112 proposals

112 proposals lodged in 2025. Individual listings are kept for the most recent proposals.

2024· 125 proposals

125 proposals lodged in 2024. Individual listings are kept for the most recent proposals.

2023· 123 proposals

123 proposals lodged in 2023. Individual listings are kept for the most recent proposals.

2022· 124 proposals

124 proposals lodged in 2022. Individual listings are kept for the most recent proposals.

2021· 121 proposals

121 proposals lodged in 2021. Individual listings are kept for the most recent proposals.

Data sources & freshness

Amenities

6 nearby amenities within ~1.5 km

  • Bbq
  • Stop 4 Maude Street - West sideBus stop
  • The Boulevard Cafe On The LakeCafe
  • Public toilets
  • Shelter
  • Slipway

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)
3/10
IRSD decile (2021)
3/10

SEIFA indexes from ABS 2021. Decile 10 = most advantaged / least disadvantaged in Australia.

Data sources & freshness

Heritage

12 state heritage places

  • Heritage placeState heritage
  • Heritage placeState heritage
  • Heritage placeState heritage
  • Heritage placeState heritage
  • Heritage placeState heritage
  • Heritage placeState heritage
  • Heritage placeState heritage
  • Heritage placeState heritage
  • Heritage placeState heritage
  • Heritage placeState heritage

Data sources & freshness

Hazards

Bushfire planning zone
No overlay at centroid
Bushfire safer places
1

Bushfire overlay checked at suburb centroid via SA Planning geohub. Safer places from CFS designated locations.

Data sources & freshness

Green cover

Parks & woodland (OSM)
9
Parks (OSM)
9

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
53.0/100
Cohort rank
#72 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

  • Heritage placeheritageState heritage
  • Heritage placeheritageState heritage
  • Heritage placeheritageState heritage
  • Heritage placeheritageState heritage
  • Heritage placeheritageState heritage
  • Heritage placeheritageState heritage
  • Heritage placeheritageState heritage
  • Heritage placeheritageState heritage
  • Heritage placeheritageState heritage
  • Heritage placeheritageState heritage

Data sources & freshness

Similar suburbs

Suburbs with a comparable population profile, socio-economic decile, and location.