Median house price
—
No data available
SA · Elliston Council
Lock, 5633
Est. population · Jun 2025
261
Growth (1 yr)
+0.4%
Growth (5 yr)
+0.4%
Median age
38
Median income
$1,125/wk
Employment rate
61.5%
Languages at home
1.7%non-English
Mostly English at home
2021 Census · usual residence
Desirability score
- Green suburb
- Education hub
- High desirability
Suburb profile
In Elliston Council, Lock keeps a rural calm, a smaller community with room to breathe and a strong local rhythm. Residents are mostly families and working professionals, with family life visible on every street. Life here is grounded in local routine rather than big-city choice.
Green space punches above what many regional towns offer, with parks and playgrounds woven through the suburb. A car helps for most daily errands, with fewer amenities clustered within an easy walk. Homes are relatively cheap compared with the wider market, which keeps entry costs lower.
Reported crime has been rising recently. The streetscape feels settled and established, with older homes giving the area a familiar, lived-in look.
Versus similar regional towns, the suburb reads below average on desirability, chiefly because growth momentum, plus local dining and lifestyle amenities trail behind. Limited access to some essential local services also trimmed the result.
At a glance
Lock snapshot
A quick read of housing, growth, livability, and risk
Median rent
$230/wk
Population (ERP)
261
+0.4% annual growth
Dwelling vacancy
32.1%
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
#44
among Country & regional · Established
Safety
51st
percentile in state (higher = safer)
Pop. growth
51st
percentile in SA
Advantage (IRSAD)
5/10
national SEIFA decile
School ICSEA
29th
percentile among schools with ICSEA
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
- 23.4/100 — Below average
- National rank
- 6459th in Australia
- State rank
- 639th in SA
- Peer rank
- #44 among Country & regional · Established suburbs
- Cohort rank
- #224 among Country & regional suburbs
- Data confidence
- 77%
Data sources & freshness
- Suburb Guide desirability index — Suburb Guide (derived) · current · Updated
Housing
- Flats / units (01/01/26 to 31/03/26)
- $230
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
261(June 2025)
+0.4% annual · +0.4% over 5 years · 51th percentile in SA
Growth figures & methodology
- Annual growth
- +0.4%
- 5-year growth
- +0.4%
- Change in 1 year
- +1
- Change in 5 years
- +1
- Growth rank in SA
- 51th 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 (~250), extrapolated at -0.3% average annual growth since 2011. It is illustrative only — not an official ABS forecast.
2021 Census figures
2021 Census
- Population
- 253
- Median age
- 38
- Median household income / week
- $1,125
- Dwelling vacancy
- 32.1%
- Unoccupied private dwellings
- 43 of 134
- Median monthly mortgage
- $512
- Employment rate
- 61.5%
- Dwelling mix (houses / semi / flats)
- 91 / 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 increased compared with the previous period.
Offence counts & rates
- Total offences (2024–25)
- 9
- Against the person
- 1
- Against property
- 8
- Rate per 1,000 residents
- 34.5
- Person-crime prevalence
- About 1 in 253 residents
- State safety percentile
- 51.2th (lower crime is better)
- Family & domestic abuse offences
- 1
- Increase (daily rate)
- +351.2%
Most common offence types
- Other Theft3
- Other Unlawful Entry With Intent2
- Sct - Non Residence1
- Sct - Residence1
- 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 → 2024-25; 2024-25 · Updated · Financial-year releases
Family & Lifestyle
Schools & preschools
- Schools within 2 km
- 1 (1 schools, 1 preschools)
- Median school ICSEA
- 960
- Median ICSEA percentile
- 29th
School list
- Lock Area SchoolCombined · Government · ICSEA 960 · 29th percentile · LBOTE 0% · 43 students · Top SEA quarter 4%View on My School →
- Lock Early Learning CentreWest TerracePreschools
Contributes to desirability score · Education (15%)
School and preschool counts, median school ICSEA
Data sources & freshness
- Government education sites register — Government of South Australia · current · Updated
- School ICSEA (ACARA) — Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority · 2025 · Updated · Annual release
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)
- 398
- Parks (OSM)
- 1
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
- Wudinna Hospital (64.8 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)
- 7
- Participants per 1,000 residents
- 26.8
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
- 28° / 15°
- Rainfall
- 50 mm · ~6 rainy days
Autumn (Mar–May)
- Usual max / min
- 23° / 11°
- Rainfall
- 77 mm · ~10 rainy days
Winter (Jun–Aug)
- Usual max / min
- 16° / 7°
- Rainfall
- 154 mm · ~19 rainy days
Spring (Sep–Nov)
- Usual max / min
- 22° / 10°
- Rainfall
- 93 mm · ~12 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· 1 proposal
May 2026
- Change of use to a retail fuel outlet including building alterations, the construction of a canopy, advertisement signage and above ground fuel tanks.14 RAILWAY TCE LOCK SA 5633Under Assessment
2025· 3 proposals
November 2025
- Construction of a verandahLOT 66 BIRDSEYE HWY LOCK SA 5633Decision Made
July 2025
- Variation of Development Application 25012121 – Reduction in the floor area of the fencing compound5 -9 STARKE ST LOCK SA 5633Decision Made
May 2025
- Telecommunications Facility including 40m high monopole, nine panel antennas, associated equipment shelter and fencing5 -9 STARKE ST LOCK SA 5633Under Assessment
2024· 3 proposals
November 2024
- Construction of three worker's accommodation unitsLOT 1 HERON ST LOCK SA 5633Decision Made
October 2024
- Construction of an agricultural building (grain and fertiliser storage shed)11715 BIRDSEYE HWY LOCK SA 5633Decision Made
July 2024
- Boundary realignment (3 into 3)12245 TOD HWY LOCK SA 5633;5 HITCHCOCK ST LOCK SA 5633;7 HITCHCOCK ST LOCK SA 5633Decision Made
2023· 2 proposals
July 2023
- Construction of an agricultural building and the construction of an outbuilding (shed)12979 TOD HWY LOCK SA 5633Decision Made
February 2023
- Construction of an agricultural building (implement shed)3498 HUNDRED LINE RD LOCK SA 5633Decision Made
2022· 2 proposals
October 2022
- Construction of an Agricultural building (shearing shed) (retrospective)12884 TOD HWY LOCK SA 5633Decision Made
February 2022
- Demolition of existing buildings and ancillary structures and the construction of a new multi purpose complex (indoor recreation facility)2 HITCHCOCK ST LOCK SA 5633Decision Made
2021· 6 proposals
September 2021
- Outbuilding1-3 NORTH TCE LOCK SA 5633Decision Made
August 2021
- Tourist Accommodation (comprising 1 two bedroom cabin and 4 one bedroom studio apartments), camp kitchen and ancillary works.2 RAILWAY TCE LOCK SA 5633Decision Made
- Outbuilding17 BIRDSEYE HWY LOCK SA 5633Decision Made
- Outbuilding, dwelling addition (attached garage) and water tanks.LOT 52 HERON ST LOCK SA 5633Decision Made
May 2021
- Alterations and additions to existing telecommunications facility16 RAILWAY TCE LOCK SA 5633Decision Made
January 2021
- Agricultural building58 RYAN RD LOCK SA 5633Under Assessment
2020· 5 proposals
December 2020
- Horse shelterLOT 299 HERON ST LOCK SA 5633Decision Made
October 2020
- Alterations and additions to existing dwelling. New concrete slab with timber frame walls and roof. All new materials to match existing. New kitchen, laundry, bedroom and living.10147 BIRDSEYE HWY LOCK SA 5633Decision Made
September 2020
- Ancillary building to existing bulk handling facility10853 BIRDSEYE HWY LOCK SA 5633Decision Made
- Stock Slaughter Works (Revival of previous use)11047 TOD HWY LOCK SA 5633Decision Made
- Outbuilding (in the form of a garage)17 BIRDSEYE HWY LOCK SA 5633Decision Made
Other· 2 proposals
- DISTRICT COUNCIL OF ELLISTONResource Recovery Waste Disposal and RelatedEPA licence
- L.H. PERRY & SONS PTY. LTD.Hydrocarbon and ChemicalEPA licence
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
Hazards
- Bushfire planning zone
- Overlay applies
- Bushfire safer places
- 1
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
- Grey
- Member of Parliament
- Tom VENNING (Liberal)
- Results from
- 2025 federal election
- Electorate enrolment (2025)
- 128,707
- Turnout (2025)
- 89.4%
- Swing since 2022 (2025)
- +5.4 pp toward Labor
Two-party preferred (2025)
Coalition 54.6%Labor 45.4%
Estimated suburb voting profile
Estimated from 8 nearby ordinary polling places (up to 82.3 km away).
Coalition 85.4%Labor 14.6%
30.8 percentage points more Coalition-leaning than the electorate
Estimated swing since 2022: -6.3 pp toward Coalition
Nearest polling places
- LockLabor 14.4% · Coalition 85.6% TPP (2025)5.1 km away
- WudinnaLabor 18.7% · Coalition 81.3% TPP (2025)66.9 km away
- UngarraLabor 13.8% · Coalition 86.2% TPP (2025)70.2 km away
- CleveLabor 24.2% · Coalition 75.8% TPP (2025)71.3 km away
- CumminsLabor 21.2% · Coalition 78.8% TPP (2025)73.1 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)
- 5/10
- IRSD decile (2021)
- 3/10
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 Elliston Council
Other suburbs in the same local government area.
Comparable suburbs
Similar population and socio-economic profile in other parts of South Australia.