suburb.guide

SA · Mount Barker Council

Meadows, 5201

Current weather

7.6°CModerate drizzle

93% humidity · 31.6 km/h wind · 10.2° / 7° today · 29.5 mm rain

Updated

Desirability score

53.3/100
Average

Top 14% of South Australia's suburbs

85% data confidence

How this score is calculated
  • Heritage
  • Schools
  • Regional town
  • Shops
  • Established
What Meadows is known for: Heritage, Schools, Regional town, Shops, Established

Suburb profile

Meadows anchors everyday life in Mount Barker, a regional smaller community with its own identity and rhythm. The capital is reachable when needed, but everyday life stays firmly rooted in the surrounding region. Residents are mostly families and working professionals, with a strong presence of young families throughout.

The town centre holds its own, with enough local flavour to make staying close to home appealing. Housing carries a premium, but residents tend to feel the lifestyle justifies the commitment.

Active development is adding new homes and refreshed pockets throughout the suburb.

The desirability score is around average, weighed down by weaker local dining and lifestyle amenities and parks and green space against similar regional towns, even with housing affordability and safety holding up better.

Population

Population
1,717
Median age
39
Median household income / week
$1,964
Dwelling vacancy
3.3%
Unoccupied private dwellings
20 of 612
Median monthly mortgage
$1,645
Employment rate
64.8%
Dwelling mix (houses / semi / flats)
28 / 5 / 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 · Period: 2021 · Updated on site · 2021 Census release

    The 2026 Census runs in August 2026; suburb-level updates are expected from mid-2027.

Housing

Houses (01/01/26 to 31/03/26)
$600

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

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

Median price, rental yield and vacancy Recent price momentum

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)
16
Against the person
2
Against property
14
Rate per 1,000 residents
9.3
Person-crime prevalence
About 1 in 858 residents
State safety percentile
6.7th (lower crime is better)
Family & domestic abuse offences
2
Decrease (daily rate)
-63.5%

Reported offences decreased compared with the previous period.

Reported offences by period

Most common offence types

  • Obtain Benefit By Deception2
  • Other Offences Against Property2
  • Other Property Damage And Environmental3
  • Other Theft4
  • Theft/Illegal Use Of Mv2

Contributes to desirability score · Safety (18%)

Crime rate and year-on-year trend

Data sources & freshness

  • SAPOL reported crime statistics — South Australia Police — OpenData · Period: 2023-24 → 2024-25; 2024-25 · Updated on site · Financial-year releases

Schools & preschools

Schools & preschools
2 (1 schools, 1 preschools)
Median school ICSEA
1,013
  • Meadows & Districts Kindergarten49 Mawson RoadPreschools
  • Meadows Primary SchoolPrimary · ICSEA 1013

Contributes to desirability score · Education (15%)

School and preschool counts, median school ICSEA

Data sources & freshness

Public transport

5 public transport stops in this suburb

  • Stop Meadows Battunga Rd / Brooks St
  • Stop Meadows Battunga Rd / Mawson Rd
  • Stop Meadows Mawson Rd / Expedition Blvd
  • Stop Meadows Mawson Rd / Kondoparinga Rd
  • Stop Meadows Mawson Rd / Nottage Rd

Contributes to desirability score · Accessibility (15%)

Public transport stop coverage

Data sources & freshness

Roadworks & transport

1 active roadworks / incidents

  • Tree PruningDashwood Gully Road, Brookman Rd05 Jun 2026 – 03 Jul 2026

Data sources & freshness

Planning & development

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

298 planning-related records

2026· 23 proposals

  • June 2026

  • Outbuilding comprises swimming pool with spa, associated safety fencing.
    33 MACCLESFIELD RD MEADOWS SA 5201Under Assessment
  • Fibreglass swimming pool installation and safety fence
    4 DISCOVERY CCT MEADOWS SA 5201Under Assessment
  • Combined fence and retaining wall structures
    4 DISCOVERY CCT MEADOWS SA 5201Under Assessment
  • Outbuildings
    74 PEARSON RD MEADOWS SA 5201Under Assessment
  • Horse Keeping (for a maximum of three (3) horses) and associated infrastructure and outbuilding (stables and storage)
    7 ROWLEY RD MEADOWS SA 5201Under Assessment

  • May 2026

  • Land Division: 1 allotment into 11 residential allotments and the associated provision of infrastructure including extension of a public road (Hurley Court)
    LOT 1003 MAWSON RD MEADOWS SA 5201Under Assessment
  • Variation to Development Application 24034261 comprising additional floor area to the deck, removal of the 1.7m screening, an increase in the height of the existing fence to 2.4m, amended verandah roof height and design, changes to the dwelling addition materials, alterations to the proposed swimming pool safety fencing, and construction of a new outbuilding.
    40 MILL ST MEADOWS SA 5201Under Assessment

  • April 2026

  • To add on a 7x3 shed in the rear of the yard, this would be additional to the residential house that is already on site.
    14 BEALLY PL MEADOWS SA 5201Decision Made
  • Ancillary accommodation associated with verandah and Deck
    20 BEALLY PL MEADOWS SA 5201Under Assessment
  • Alterations and Additions to an Existing Detached Dwelling
    33 BOOMERANG RD MEADOWS SA 5201Under Assessment
  • Change of use from shop to consulting rooms and associated multi-purpose rooms for both individual and group activities and building alterations
    52 MAWSON RD MEADOWS SA 5201Under Assessment
  • Detached dwelling (single storey)
    28 NOTTAGE RD MEADOWS SA 5201Under Assessment
  • Conversion of portion of existing Outbuilding to Ancillary Accommodation and associated Building Alterations
    151 MORRIS RD MEADOWS SA 5201Under Assessment

  • March 2026

  • Outbuilding (shed) and carport
    29 BATTUNGA RD MEADOWS SA 5201Decision Made
  • Fence and Retaining Wall Structure
    10 HAREWOOD GR MEADOWS SA 5201Decision Made
  • Retaining wall
    14 DISCOVERY CCT MEADOWS SA 5201Decision Made

  • February 2026

  • Ancillary accommodation (pool house)
    105 MAWSON RD MEADOWS SA 5201Under Assessment
  • Retaining walls
    13 DISCOVERY CCT MEADOWS SA 5201Decision Made
  • Outbuilding
    99 KONDOPARINGA RD MEADOWS SA 5201Under Assessment
  • Swimming pool and combined safety features, fence and retaining wall structure
    105 MAWSON RD MEADOWS SA 5201Under Assessment

  • January 2026

  • Outbuilding (shade structure)
    81 MAWSON RD MEADOWS SA 5201Decision Made
  • Detached dwelling (Single storey), Outbuilding (domestic), retaining walls and fence and retaining wall structure
    26 DISCOVERY CCT MEADOWS SA 5201Under Assessment
  • Outbuilding (domestic garage/storage)
    6 DISCOVERY CCT MEADOWS SA 5201Decision Made
2025· 17 proposals

  • December 2025

  • Verandah, deck, ancillary accommodation (pool house) and alterations to swimming pool safety features
    25 MACQUARIE PDE MEADOWS SA 5201Decision Made
  • Outbuilding
    14 NINNIS CT MEADOWS SA 5201Decision Made
  • Creation of additional tenancy comprising of photo studio and associated advertising
    59 MAWSON RD MEADOWS SA 5201Under Assessment
  • Outbuilding
    60 AURORA CCT MEADOWS SA 5201Decision Made
  • Outbuilding (domestic storage)
    LOT 204 AURORA CCT MEADOWS SA 5201Decision Made
  • Detached dwelling (single storey), water tank (above ground - 109.5kl) and retaining walls and fencing structure.
    6 DISCOVERY CCT MEADOWS SA 5201Decision Made

  • November 2025

  • Solar photovoltaic panels (ground Mounted)
    129 MALLAWA RD MEADOWS SA 5201Decision Made
  • Decommissioning and relocation of the two (2) northern Light Towers and lighting upgrade to facilitate the enlargement of the existing oval of the Meadows Recreation Ground
    11 KONDOPARINGA RD MEADOWS SA 5201Decision Made
  • Alterations and additions to existing detached dwelling (single storey) and associated verandah
    16 KONDOPARINGA RD MEADOWS SA 5201Under Assessment
  • Outbuilding (shed)
    3 NINNIS CT MEADOWS SA 5201Decision Made

  • October 2025

  • Fibreglass swimming pool installation & associated safety barrier
    25 MACQUARIE PDE MEADOWS SA 5201Decision Made
  • Retaining walls (retrospective) and outbuilding (domestic storage)
    86 AURORA CCT MEADOWS SA 5201Decision Made
  • Outbuilding (shade structure)
    11 KONDOPARINGA RD MEADOWS SA 5201Decision Made
  • Swimming pool (in ground), spa pool (in ground) and associated swimming pool safety features
    7 CATT CT MEADOWS SA 5201Decision Made

  • September 2025

  • Detached dwelling (Single storey) and associated rainwater tanks and fence and retaining wall structure
    12 NINNIS CT MEADOWS SA 5201Decision Made
  • Verandah
    29 MILL ST MEADOWS SA 5201Decision Made
  • Retaining walls and fencing structure
    10 DISCOVERY CCT MEADOWS SA 5201Under Assessment

Contributes to desirability score · Future Growth (7%)

Development and planning activity

Data sources & freshness

Amenities

26 nearby amenities within ~1.5 km

  • Sip n SaveAlcohol
  • PIKAPIEBakery
  • Bench (7)
  • Meadows - Middle DeliBus stop
  • Meadows Country MeatsButcher
  • Meadows Community HallCommunity centre
  • Meadows Mini MartConvenience store
  • Gordo's PizzeriaFast food
  • Meadows CFSFire station

    16 Mill Street, Meadows

  • Meadows Barn Hardware & FodderHardware

Names and addresses from OpenStreetMap. Unnamed venues show as their type (e.g. Cafe).

Contributes to desirability score · Lifestyle (15%)

Food, shopping, recreation and sport (OpenStreetMap)

Data sources & freshness

  • OpenStreetMap amenities — OpenStreetMap contributors · Period: current · Updated on site · Weekly refresh

Socio-economic (SEIFA)

IRSAD decile (2021)
7/10
IRSD decile (2021)
8/10

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

Contributes to desirability score · Community (5%)

Socio-economic advantage (IRSAD decile)

Data sources & freshness

Heritage

38 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

Childcare

1 childcare service from OpenStreetMap

  • Meadows and Districts Kindergartenkindergarten

Contributes to desirability score · Education (15%)

Childcare centre count

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

Green cover

Parks & woodland (OSM)
2
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 features — OpenStreetMap contributors · Period: current · Updated on site · Weekly refresh

Desirability Index

Desirability score
53.3/100 — Average
State standing
Top 14% of South Australia's suburbs
National rank
1395th in Australia
State rank
97th in SA
Peer rank
#6 among Country & regional · Established suburbs
Cohort rank
#10 among Country & regional suburbs
Data confidence
85%

Data sources & freshness

  • Suburb Guide desirability index — Suburb Guide (derived score) · Period: current · Updated on site · Derived from source metrics

Recent changes

  • Obtain Benefit By Deceptioncrime2
  • Other Offences Against Propertycrime2
  • Other Property Damage And Environmentalcrime3
  • Other Theftcrime4
  • Theft/Illegal Use Of Mvcrime2
  • Meadows and Districts Kindergartenchildcarekindergarten
  • Heritage placeheritageState heritage
  • Heritage placeheritageState heritage
  • Heritage placeheritageState heritage
  • Heritage placeheritageState heritage

Data sources & freshness

More in Mount Barker Council

Other suburbs in the same local government area.

Comparable suburbs

Similar population and socio-economic profile in other parts of South Australia.