Median house price
—
No data available
SA · Kangaroo Island Council
Middle River, 5223
Est. population · Jun 2025
25
Growth (1 yr)
+4.2%
Growth (5 yr)
+8.7%
Median age
45
Median income
$1,124/wk
Employment rate
60%
Languages at home
Mostly English at home
2021 Census · usual residence
- Green suburb
- River access
Suburb profile
Middle River is a quieter smaller community in Kangaroo Island Council, where peace, space and a country-town pace still dominate. Far from Adelaide, it rewards people who want real remove from the city rather than a long-commute suburb. Established families and long-term residents give the suburb a settled feel.
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. A car helps for most daily errands, with fewer amenities clustered within an easy walk.
Property prices are middling for the area: fair relative to what is nearby. A trickle of new development is refreshing selected pockets without changing the overall feel.
At a glance
Middle River snapshot
A quick read of housing, growth, livability, and risk
Median rent
—
No data available
Population (ERP)
25
+4.2% annual growth
Dwelling vacancy
69.8%
Census unoccupied dwellings
How it compares
Relative standing using percentiles, ranks, and national deciles
Pop. growth
98th
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
25(June 2025)
+4.2% annual · +8.7% over 5 years · 98th percentile in SA
Growth figures & methodology
- Annual growth
- +4.2%
- 5-year growth
- +8.7%
- Change in 1 year
- +1
- Change in 5 years
- +2
- Growth rank in SA
- 98th 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 +1.3% average annual growth since 2011. It is illustrative only — not an official ABS forecast.
2021 Census figures
2021 Census
- Population
- 23
- Median age
- 45
- Median household income / week
- $1,124
- Dwelling vacancy
- 69.8%
- Unoccupied private dwellings
- 30 of 43
- Median monthly mortgage
- $0
- Employment rate
- 60%
- Dwelling mix (houses / semi / flats)
- 12 / 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.
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
Green cover
- Parks & woodland (OSM)
- 43
- 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 (50.9 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)
- 1
- Participants per 1,000 residents
- 40.0
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 (lodged 2020–2026) and EPA licensed activities.
15 planning-related records
2025· 3 proposals
October 2025
- Tourist accommodation and wellness complex comprising 60 accommodation modules, a restaurant, day spa and reception building, services outbuildings, ancillary tourism experience structures, footpaths and decking, 33 geothermal bathing pools, 26 staff accommodation units, landscaping, carpark, new internal roads and access, and on-site infrastructure including solar PV, water storage dams and waste treatment facilities.6538 NORTH COAST RD MIDDLE RIVER SA 5223Decision Made
May 2025
- Boundary Realignment - 2 Allotments into 26025 NORTH COAST RD MIDDLE RIVER SA 5223;6203 NORTH COAST RD MIDDLE RIVER SA 5223Decision Made
April 2025
- Construction of 18.0m x 7.8m x 3.6m shed5280 NORTH COAST RD MIDDLE RIVER SA 5223Decision Made
2024· 3 proposals
October 2024
- Construction of a single storey dwelling and associated earthworks and rainwater tanksLOT 106 NORTH COAST RD MIDDLE RIVER SA 5223Decision Made
September 2024
- Construction of a single storey dwelling and rainwater tank (residential use for a temporary period not exceeding 1 December 2027 or until such time as a certificate of completion/occupancy has been issued for the principal dwelling, which ever comes first)5753 NORTH COAST RD MIDDLE RIVER SA 5223Under Assessment
March 2024
- Agricultural building (shed) and 109,000 litre water tankLOT 106 NORTH COAST RD MIDDLE RIVER SA 5223Decision Made
2022· 3 proposals
August 2022
- Proposed dwelling replaces existing6203 NORTH COAST RD MIDDLE RIVER SA 5223Decision Made
April 2022
- Construction of an agricultural building for storage of machinery and equipment.LOT 501 NORTH COAST RD MIDDLE RIVER SA 5223Decision Made
January 2022
- Temporary accommodation in an area affected by bushfireLOT 52 NORTH COAST RD MIDDLE RIVER SA 5223Decision Made
2021· 6 proposals
December 2021
- Temporary accommodation in an area affected by bushfire5753 NORTH COAST RD MIDDLE RIVER SA 5223Decision Made
November 2021
- Construction of a single storey detached dwelling including water storage tank and associated earthworks185A BARKER RD MIDDLE RIVER SA 5223Decision Made
September 2021
- Temporary placement of a transportable kitchen facility (in the form of a shipping container) associated with existing restaurant/cafe venue5997 NORTH COAST RD MIDDLE RIVER SA 5223;Lot 200 North Coast Road Middle River CT6224/140Decision Made
July 2021
- Retrospective application Proposed bedroom and attic storage (internal alterations)6362 NORTH COAST RD MIDDLE RIVER SA 5223Decision Made
June 2021
- Amendment to Approved Development 520/L002/19 - to include an additional 2 accommodation units, new 200KL holding tank, reconfiguring to internal roadway and other minor works6208 NORTH COAST RD MIDDLE RIVER SA 5223Decision Made
April 2021
- Construction of one (1) replacement dwelling with modifications - Bushfire impacted156A KING GEORGES RD MIDDLE RIVER 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 · 2020–2026 · 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 116.8 km away).
Coalition 71.3%Labor 28.7%
26.3 percentage points more Coalition-leaning than the electorate
Estimated swing since 2022: -10.4 pp toward Coalition
Nearest polling places
- ParndanaLabor 21.6% · Coalition 78.4% TPP (2025)20.0 km away
- KingscoteLabor 44.9% · Coalition 55.1% TPP (2025)50.8 km away
- Special Hospital Team 5Labor 25.0% · Coalition 75.0% TPP (2025)51.3 km away
- American RiverLabor 42.5% · Coalition 57.5% TPP (2025)64.4 km away
- PenneshawLabor 50.6% · Coalition 49.4% TPP (2025)77.4 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.