suburb.guide

SA · Kangaroo Island Council

Island Beach, 5222

Est. population · Jun 2025

76

Growth (1 yr)

0.0%

Growth (5 yr)

+5.6%

Median age

60

Median income

$725/wk

Employment rate

40.6%

Languages at home

Mostly English at home

2021 Census · usual residence

  • Excellent transport
What Island Beach is known for: Excellent transport

Suburb profile

Island Beach offers a slower smaller community life in Kangaroo Island Council, with open surrounds and a close-knit community feel. Far from Adelaide, it rewards people who want real remove from the city rather than a long-commute suburb. Retirees and empty-nesters are well represented here, with families and grandchildren still a visible part of community life.

With limited local amenities, residents regularly travel to a neighbouring town for shops, appointments and a wider choice. Local green pockets are modest, with bigger outdoor outings usually found in neighbouring areas. A car helps for most daily errands, though buses still link the suburb further afield.

The local market is more attainable than many surrounding suburbs. This is a mature, settled pocket where the existing streetscape still defines the local character.

At a glance

Island Beach snapshot

A quick read of housing, growth, livability, and risk

Median house price

—

No data available

Median rent

$415/wk

Population (ERP)

76

0.0% annual growth

Dwelling vacancy

76.0%

Census unoccupied dwellings

How it compares

Relative standing using percentiles, ranks, and national deciles

Safety

14th

percentile in state (higher = safer)

Pop. growth

21st

percentile in SA

Advantage (IRSAD)

5/10

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

Housing

Houses (01/01/26 to 31/03/26)
$415

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

Median house sale prices cover metropolitan Adelaide and selected fringe councils (19 LGAs, including Adelaide Hills and Gawler), not all of regional South Australia.

Contributes to desirability score · Housing (15%) · Future Growth (7%)

Median price, rental yield and vacancy Recent price momentum

Data sources & freshness

  • SA rent report & metro median house sales — Government of South Australia · 1 January - 31 March 2026 · Updated · Quarterly; metro-fringe sales only

Population

Estimated resident population

76(June 2025)

0.0% annual · +5.6% over 5 years · 21th percentile in SA

Growth figures & methodology
Annual growth
0.0%
5-year growth
+5.6%
Change in 1 year
0
Change in 5 years
+4
Growth rank in SA
21th 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 +1.0% average annual growth since 2011. It is illustrative only — not an official ABS forecast.

2021 Census figures

2021 Census

Population
71
Median age
60
Median household income / week
$725
Dwelling vacancy
76%
Unoccupied private dwellings
117 of 154
Median monthly mortgage
$1,142
Employment rate
40.6%
Dwelling mix (houses / semi / flats)
34 / 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
0
Against property
1
Rate per 1,000 residents
13.2
State safety percentile
14.1th (lower crime is better)
Family & domestic abuse offences
2

Most common offence types

  • Other Property Damage And Environmental1

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

1 public transport stops in this suburb

  • Hog Bay Rd / Island Beach Rd - North side (Island Beach Clearing)

Contributes to desirability score · Accessibility (15%)

Public transport stop coverage

Data sources & freshness

Amenities

1 nearby amenities within ~1.5 km

1 swimming pools

Local character & venue list

Local character

  • Limited walkable amenities nearby
Walkability proxy
2/100
Cafés per 1,000 residents
0
Food & drink per 1,000 residents
0
Parks per 1,000 residents
0
Sport & outdoors(1)
  • Swimming pool

Names and addresses from OpenStreetMap. Unnamed venues show as their type (e.g. Cafe). Transport stops are summarised by type rather than listed individually.

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
Kangaroo Island Health Service (21.9 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)
2
Participants per 1,000 residents
26.3

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

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· 9 proposals

  • July 2026

  • Construction of a two storey detached dwelling and outbuilding and associated earthworks and retaining walls
    3 SEAL ST ISLAND BEACH SA 5222Under Assessment

  • June 2026

  • Construction of outbuilding (shed)
    42 PENNINGTON RD ISLAND BEACH SA 5222Under Assessment

  • May 2026

  • Construction of a single storey detached dwelling including decking and associated earthworks
    59 -61 PENNINGTON RD ISLAND BEACH SA 5222Under Assessment
  • Single storey detached dwelling and deck (tiny home) and associated earthworks
    LOT 12 DU COUEDIC DR ISLAND BEACH SA 5222Under Assessment

  • April 2026

  • Variation to DA 24009441 - Single Storey Detached Dwelling, Deck, Verandah, and 2 x 30,000 L Water Tanks (Above Ground) - change to building footprint including removal of garage
    40 PENNINGTON RD ISLAND BEACH SA 5222Under Assessment

  • March 2026

  • Construction of three (3) terraced rock retaining walls
    12 PENGUIN ST ISLAND BEACH SA 5222Decision Made
  • Construction of outbuilding (shed) and associated earthworks and retaining walls
    10 CYGNET ST ISLAND BEACH SA 5222;73 -75 BORDA RD ISLAND BEACH SA 5222Decision Made

  • February 2026

  • Construction of a single storey detached dwelling with suspended floor and associated earthworks and driveway access
    53 -55 BORDA RD ISLAND BEACH SA 5222Under Assessment
  • Single storey detached dwelling with suspended floor and deck, Outbuilding (shed) and associated earthworks and driveway access
    122 -124 ISLAND BEACH RD ISLAND BEACH SA 5222Under Assessment
2025· 12 proposals

  • November 2025

  • Additions and alterations to existing dwelling comprising expansion of upper level and new garage under main roof and associated earthworks and retaining
    77 DU COUEDIC DR ISLAND BEACH SA 5222Under Assessment

  • September 2025

  • Construction of a storage shed (outbuilding)
    188 ISLAND BEACH RD ISLAND BEACH SA 5222Decision Made
  • Concrete swimming pool and associated earthworks and retaining walls
    26 FLINDERS GR ISLAND BEACH SA 5222Decision Made

  • July 2025

  • Replacement garage
    22 BORDA RD ISLAND BEACH SA 5222Decision Made
  • Additions and alterations to existing dwelling
    51 NEPEAN DR ISLAND BEACH SA 5222Decision Made

  • June 2025

  • Single storey detached dwelling, outbuilding (shed) and 2 x 22,000 litre water tanks
    16 CORAL CR ISLAND BEACH SA 5222Under Assessment
  • Attached Verandah
    12 FLINDERS GR ISLAND BEACH SA 5222Decision Made

  • May 2025

  • Construction of a detached dwelling, outbuilding (shed) and associated earthworks and rainwater tanks
    27 FLINDERS GR ISLAND BEACH SA 5222Under Assessment

  • April 2025

  • Single storey detached dwelling, deck and 22,500 litre water tank
    2 -4 WILLOUGHBY RD ISLAND BEACH SA 5222Decision Made
  • Dwelling addition comprising a home office
    44 ARAFURA AV ISLAND BEACH SA 5222Decision Made

  • March 2025

  • Construction of a detached dwelling (two-levels) with undercroft carport, an outbuilding (shed), above-ground rainwater tanks (domestic supply and fire-fighting) and associated earthworks and landscaping - Staged Development (Stage 1 - Shed, and Stage 2 -Dwelling)
    LOT 21 BORDA RD ISLAND BEACH SA 5222Decision Made

  • February 2025

  • Alterations to an existing house comprising the addition of a small living area, two bedrooms and a bathroom in the existing undercroft space. The addition of an external stair and the enclosure of an existing covered first floor deck.
    4 BORDA RD ISLAND BEACH SA 5222Decision Made
2024· 12 proposals

  • December 2024

  • Dwelling addition and deck.
    39 NEPEAN DR ISLAND BEACH SA 5222Decision Made
  • Variation to Development Application 23033634 - amendment to roof form, floor layout and windows and removal of retaining wall
    3 FLINDERS GR ISLAND BEACH SA 5222Under Assessment
  • Construction of a domestic outbuilding
    12 CORAL CR ISLAND BEACH SA 5222Decision Made

  • November 2024

  • Construction of a single storey dwelling and outbuilding (garage) and associated rainwater tank (61100L)
    29 -31 BORDA RD ISLAND BEACH SA 5222Decision Made

  • September 2024

  • Change of use to tourist accommodation in the form of a transportable 'tiny house', deck and water tanks
    11-13 PENNINGTON RD ISLAND BEACH SA 5222Decision Made
  • Tourist accommodation development comprising six (6) accommodation cabins (2 x Couple Pods and 4 x Family Pods), a shed (services and storage), rainwater tanks (domestic supply and fire-fighting) and associated earthworks for driveway access - Staged Development (Stage 1 - shed, and Stage 2 - accommodation cabins)
    LOT 249 ISLAND BEACH RD ISLAND BEACH SA 5222Decision Made

  • July 2024

  • Single storey detached dwelling, carport, deck, verandah and 2 x 30,000 litre water tanks
    40 PENNINGTON RD ISLAND BEACH SA 5222Under Assessment

  • June 2024

  • Construction of a detached dwelling and domestic outbuilding
    97-99 DU COUEDIC DR ISLAND BEACH SA 5222Under Assessment

  • April 2024

  • Two storey detached dwelling with three detached pavilions, deck, swimming pool and carport.
    LOT 12 DU COUEDIC DR ISLAND BEACH SA 5222Under Assessment

  • March 2024

  • Construction of domestic outbuilding designed to support residential use at Lot 233 Du Couedic Drive and associated retaining wall up to a maximum height of 2m
    2 SEAL ST ISLAND BEACH SA 5222;4 DU COUEDIC DR ISLAND BEACH SA 5222Decision Made

  • January 2024

  • Construction of single storey additions and alterations to existing dwelling, including a linked deck/verandah and garage
    22 BORDA RD ISLAND BEACH SA 5222Decision Made
  • New tiny home (movable dwelling) and associated deck and verandah/carport
    191 ISLAND BEACH RD ISLAND BEACH SA 5222Decision Made
2023· 7 proposals

  • November 2023

  • Double storey additions to existing residence, including a garage and associated retaining walls upto a maximum height 3.3m
    3 FLINDERS GR ISLAND BEACH SA 5222Under Assessment
  • Construction of a two-storey detached dwelling and convert existing dwelling to ancillary building (garage and study) and associated rainwater tanks
    69-71 BORDA RD ISLAND BEACH SA 5222Decision Made

  • October 2023

  • Extension and Alterations to Existing Dwelling
    5 FLINDERS GR ISLAND BEACH SA 5222Decision Made

  • September 2023

  • Construction of deck and verandah extension to front of dwelling
    7 FLINDERS GR ISLAND BEACH SA 5222Under Assessment

  • August 2023

  • Construction of extensions to existing dwelling, with a timber deck, and a carport
    2-4 CASSINI RD ISLAND BEACH SA 5222Decision Made

  • June 2023

  • Construction of a garage and carport
    42 ARAFURA AV ISLAND BEACH SA 5222Decision Made

  • May 2023

  • Single storey detached dwelling and 48KL rainwater tank
    80-84 ISLAND BEACH RD ISLAND BEACH SA 5222Under Assessment

Contributes to desirability score · Future Growth (7%)

Development and planning activity

Data sources & freshness

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

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 61.6 km away).

Coalition 57.4%Labor 42.6%

12.4 percentage points more Coalition-leaning than the electorate

Estimated swing since 2022: -6.0 pp toward Coalition

Nearest polling places

  • American RiverLabor 42.5% · Coalition 57.5% TPP (2025)3.2 km away
  • PenneshawLabor 50.6% · Coalition 49.4% TPP (2025)14.7 km away
  • Special Hospital Team 5Labor 25.0% · Coalition 75.0% TPP (2025)21.6 km away
  • KingscoteLabor 44.9% · Coalition 55.1% TPP (2025)22.0 km away
  • DelamereLabor 46.0% · Coalition 54.0% TPP (2025)43.7 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

Socio-economic

IRSAD decile (2021)
5/10
IRSD decile (2021)
5/10

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

More in Kangaroo Island Council

Other suburbs in the same local government area.