Median house price
—
No data available
SA · Kangaroo Island Council
Karatta, 5223
Est. population · Jun 2025
40
Growth (1 yr)
+2.6%
Growth (5 yr)
+8.1%
Median age
53
Median income
$1,125/wk
Employment rate
63.9%
Languages at home
9.1%non-English
Mostly English at home
2021 Census · usual residence
- Green suburb
- National parks
- Heritage area
Suburb profile
In Kangaroo Island Council, Karatta keeps a rural calm, a smaller community with room to breathe and a strong local rhythm. 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 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. Parks and open space are a real strength relative to many comparable suburbs, easy for walks, sport and weekend downtime. Day-to-day life is more car-oriented here than in denser, more walkable pockets.
Homes are neither a bargain nor a premium buy against the wider market. This is a mature, settled pocket where the existing streetscape still defines the local character.
At a glance
Karatta snapshot
A quick read of housing, growth, livability, and risk
Median rent
—
No data available
Population (ERP)
40
+2.6% annual growth
Dwelling vacancy
43.3%
Census unoccupied dwellings
How it compares
Relative standing using percentiles, ranks, and national deciles
Safety
38th
percentile in state (higher = safer)
Pop. growth
96th
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
40(June 2025)
+2.6% annual · +8.1% over 5 years · 96th percentile in SA
Growth figures & methodology
- Annual growth
- +2.6%
- 5-year growth
- +8.1%
- Change in 1 year
- +1
- Change in 5 years
- +3
- Growth rank in SA
- 96th 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 (~50), extrapolated at +1.2% average annual growth since 2011. It is illustrative only — not an official ABS forecast.
2021 Census figures
2021 Census
- Population
- 37
- Median age
- 53
- Median household income / week
- $1,125
- Dwelling vacancy
- 43.3%
- Unoccupied private dwellings
- 13 of 30
- Median monthly mortgage
- $1,134
- Employment rate
- 63.9%
- Dwelling mix (houses / semi / flats)
- 11 / 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 (2024–25)
- 1
- Against the person
- 0
- Against property
- 1
- Rate per 1,000 residents
- 25
- State safety percentile
- 37.8th (lower crime is better)
- Family & domestic abuse offences
- 17
Most common offence types
- Other Theft1
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
Parks & reserves
1 parks and public open space in this suburb
- Kelly Hill Conservation Park
Data sources & freshness
- National parks & reserves (SA) — Department for Environment and Water (SA) · current · Updated
Green cover
- Parks & woodland (OSM)
- 36
- 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 (74.2 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)
- 1
- Participants per 1,000 residents
- 25.0
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
- 24° / 14°
- Rainfall
- 55 mm · ~7 rainy days
Autumn (Mar–May)
- Usual max / min
- 20° / 12°
- Rainfall
- 144 mm · ~18 rainy days
Winter (Jun–Aug)
- Usual max / min
- 15° / 9°
- Rainfall
- 278 mm · ~35 rainy days
Spring (Sep–Nov)
- Usual max / min
- 19° / 10°
- Rainfall
- 131 mm · ~16 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· 3 proposals
July 2026
- Single storey dwelling and associated carport469 HANSON BAY RD KARATTA SA 5223Under Assessment
May 2026
- Four single storey worker accommodation units (replacement units)390 HANSON BAY RD KARATTA SA 5223Under Assessment
April 2026
- Construction of a 35.3ML irrigation dam with associated earthworks757 BAXTERS RD KARATTA SA 5223Decision Made
2025· 1 proposal
September 2025
- Construction of an agricultural building821 CHURCH RD KARATTA SA 5223Decision Made
2024· 3 proposals
September 2024
- Construction of an agricultural building7834 SOUTH COAST RD KARATTA SA 5223Under Assessment
April 2024
- Construction of an agricultural building6528 SOUTH COAST RD KARATTA SA 5223Decision Made
January 2024
- Construction of an agricultural buildingLOT 257 GOSSE RITCHIE RD KARATTA SA 5223Decision Made
2023· 1 proposal
November 2023
- Construction of a detached dwelling1942 GOSSE RITCHIE RD KARATTA SA 5223Decision Made
2022· 8 proposals
August 2022
- Temporary workers' accommodation units7928 SOUTH COAST RD KARATTA SA 5223Decision Made
July 2022
- 2 additional single-bedroom transportable cabins in association with the existing caravan park7928 SOUTH COAST RD KARATTA SA 5223Decision Made
May 2022
- Construction of an agricultural building for farm equipment storage.7810 SOUTH COAST RD KARATTA SA 5223Decision Made
March 2022
- Telecommunications Facility - comprising a slim line lattice tower supported by 3 anchored guy wires, 2.3 metre high security fenced compound and 2x equipment cabinets, ground-mounted solar array and protective barriers245 WALSH TRK KARATTA SA 5223Decision Made
- Telecommunications Facility - comprising a slim-line lattice tower supported by 3 anchored guy wires, 2.3 metre high security fenced compound and 2x equipment cabinets, ground-mounted solar array and protective barriers1929B WEST END HWY KARATTA SA 5223Decision Made
January 2022
- Temporary accommodation in an area affected by bushfire507 CHURCH RD KARATTA SA 5223Decision Made
- Temporary accommodation in an area affected by bushfire7797 SOUTH COAST RD KARATTA SA 5223Decision Made
- Temporary accommodation in an area affected by bushfire837 CHURCH RD KARATTA SA 5223Decision Made
2021· 5 proposals
December 2021
- Construction of a verandah attached to existing dwelling6 CHURCH RD KARATTA SA 5223Decision Made
September 2021
- Construction of a single storey detached dwelling including carport, water storage tank and associated earthworks837 CHURCH RD KARATTA SA 5223Decision Made
June 2021
- Construction of a remote petrol filling station comprising the Installation of underground 20,000L fuel tank, stormwater infrastructure and advertising sign (priceboard) including associated site works7928 SOUTH COAST RD KARATTA SA 5223Decision Made
May 2021
- Farm machinery and implement shedLOT 6 WEST END HWY KARATTA SA 5223Decision Made
April 2021
- Detached Dwelling, retaining walls and deck507 CHURCH RD KARATTA 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
- Grassdale Homestead (also known as Edwards' Cottage) and Sealers' Sites, Kelly Hill Conservation ParkOff South West River Road KARATTAState 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 140.4 km away).
Coalition 67.5%Labor 32.5%
22.5 percentage points more Coalition-leaning than the electorate
Estimated swing since 2022: -10.0 pp toward Coalition
Nearest polling places
- ParndanaLabor 21.6% · Coalition 78.4% TPP (2025)37.1 km away
- KingscoteLabor 44.9% · Coalition 55.1% TPP (2025)74.0 km away
- Special Hospital Team 5Labor 25.0% · Coalition 75.0% TPP (2025)74.4 km away
- American RiverLabor 42.5% · Coalition 57.5% TPP (2025)81.1 km away
- PenneshawLabor 50.6% · Coalition 49.4% TPP (2025)95.8 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)
- 6/10
- IRSD decile (2021)
- 6/10
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.