Median house price
—
No data available
SA · Mid Murray Council
Palmer, 5237
Est. population · Jun 2025
207
Growth (1 yr)
+1.5%
Growth (5 yr)
+5.6%
Median age
50
Median income
$1,263/wk
Employment rate
58.2%
Languages at home
2%non-English
Mostly English at home
2021 Census · usual residence
Desirability score
- Heritage area
- Education hub
- High desirability
Suburb profile
Palmer offers a slower smaller community life in Mid Murray Council, with open surrounds and a close-knit community feel. Retirees and empty-nesters are well represented here, with families and grandchildren still a visible part of community life. Everyday life leans local, with a handful of trusted shops, a familiar main street and neighbours who know your name.
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, with fewer amenities clustered within an easy walk.
Homes are relatively cheap compared with the wider market, which keeps entry costs lower. Older homes and historic streetscapes give the suburb a character that is hard to manufacture anew.
Versus similar regional towns, the suburb reads below average on desirability, chiefly because local dining and lifestyle amenities, plus growth momentum trail behind. Limited access to some essential local services also trimmed the result.
At a glance
Palmer snapshot
A quick read of housing, growth, livability, and risk
Median rent
—
No data available
Population (ERP)
207
+1.5% annual growth
Dwelling vacancy
10.6%
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
#62
among Country & regional · Mature
Safety
55th
percentile in state (higher = safer)
Pop. growth
84th
percentile in SA
Advantage (IRSAD)
3/10
national SEIFA decile
School ICSEA
41st
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
- 35.8/100 — Below average
- National rank
- 4524th in Australia
- State rank
- 474th in SA
- Peer rank
- #62 among Country & regional · Mature suburbs
- Cohort rank
- #116 among Country & regional suburbs
- Data confidence
- 60%
Data sources & freshness
- Suburb Guide desirability index — Suburb Guide (derived) · current · Updated
Population
Estimated resident population
207(June 2025)
+1.5% annual · +5.6% over 5 years · 84th percentile in SA
Growth figures & methodology
- Annual growth
- +1.5%
- 5-year growth
- +5.6%
- Change in 1 year
- +3
- Change in 5 years
- +11
- Growth rank in SA
- 84th 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 (~200), extrapolated at +1.3% average annual growth since 2011. It is illustrative only — not an official ABS forecast.
2021 Census figures
2021 Census
- Population
- 215
- Median age
- 50
- Median household income / week
- $1,263
- Dwelling vacancy
- 10.6%
- Unoccupied private dwellings
- 10 of 94
- Median monthly mortgage
- $1,280
- Employment rate
- 58.2%
- Dwelling mix (houses / semi / flats)
- 80 / 0 / 0 (+ 4 other)
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 decreased compared with the previous period.
Offence counts & rates
- Total offences (2024–25)
- 8
- Against the person
- 1
- Against property
- 7
- Rate per 1,000 residents
- 38.6
- Person-crime prevalence
- About 1 in 215 residents
- State safety percentile
- 54.9th (lower crime is better)
- Family & domestic abuse offences
- 1
- Decrease (daily rate)
- -10.9%
Most common offence types
- Obtain Benefit By Deception1
- Other Property Damage And Environmental2
- Other Theft1
- Property Damage By Fire Or Explosion1
- Theft/Illegal Use Of Mv1
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
- Median school ICSEA
- 987
- Median ICSEA percentile
- 41th
School list
- Palmer Primary SchoolPrimary · Government · ICSEA 987 · 41th percentile · LBOTE 4% · 28 students · Top SEA quarter 13%View on My School →
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
Health access
- Nearest hospital
- Mount Pleasant District Hospital (14.6 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)
- 6
- Participants per 1,000 residents
- 29.0
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
- 29° / 14°
- Rainfall
- 67 mm · ~8 rainy days
Autumn (Mar–May)
- Usual max / min
- 23° / 10°
- Rainfall
- 97 mm · ~12 rainy days
Winter (Jun–Aug)
- Usual max / min
- 16° / 6°
- Rainfall
- 148 mm · ~18 rainy days
Spring (Sep–Nov)
- Usual max / min
- 22° / 9°
- Rainfall
- 119 mm · ~15 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· 2 proposals
June 2026
- Construction of a domestic outbuilding16 LINDNER AV PALMER SA 5237Under Assessment
January 2026
- Construction of a verandah20 ADELAIDE RD PALMER SA 5237Decision Made
2025· 9 proposals
November 2025
- Construction of a sports storage shed (outbuilding) in association with an existing cricket clubLOT 32 RANDELL RD PALMER SA 5237Decision Made
July 2025
- Outbuilding (garage) replacing like for like6 ADELAIDE RD PALMER SA 5237Under Assessment
- Agricultural Building136 HARTMANS RD PALMER SA 5237Decision Made
June 2025
- Establishment of a studio (domestic outbuilding)16 LINDNER AV PALMER SA 5237Decision Made
- Boundary Realignment - 2 into 2 allotments.211 RATHJEN RD PALMER SA 5237;LOT 1 MILENDELLA RD PALMER SA 5237Decision Made
- Verandah6 LINDNER AV PALMER SA 5237Decision Made
April 2025
- Boundary Realignment - 2 into 2 allotments136 HARTMANS RD PALMER SA 5237;162 HARTMANS RD PALMER SA 5237Decision Made
- Residential outbuilding and partial demolition of existing dwelling1778 RANDELL RD PALMER SA 5237Decision Made
February 2025
- Residential Outbuilding (Shed)16 LINDNER AV PALMER SA 5237Decision Made
2024· 4 proposals
October 2024
- Verandah24 ADELAIDE RD PALMER SA 5237Decision Made
July 2024
- Shop (take away and food items)15 ADELAIDE RD PALMER SA 5237Decision Made
- Variation to Development Plan Consent (711/072/14) – Palmer Wind Farm – reduced wind turbines (103 to 40), reduced maximum energy generation (340 megawatts to 288 megawatts); reduced site area (approximately 11, 733ha to approximately 6,057ha); relocated wind turbines and associated infrastructure and facilities within the site for the storage and transmission of electricity; relocated associated earthworks, hardstand, access, and car parking within the site; relocated temporary concrete batchin115 BORTHWICK BRAE RD TUNGKILLO SA 5236;127 JOHN ROLLOND RD TUNGKILLO SA 5236;171 JOHN ROLLOND RD TUNGKILLO SA 5236;221 DAVENPORT RD PALMER SA 5237;256 AYRES RD TUNGKILLO SA 5236;297 AYRES RD TUNGKILLO SA 5236;297 CAMEL HUMP RD PALMER SA 5237;33 AYRES RD TUNGKILLO SA 5236;459 BRINKWORTH RD TUNGKILLO SA 5236;55 ELECTRONET RD TUNGKILLO SA 5236;575 DAVENPORT RD MOUNT PLEASANT SA 5235;604 BRINKWORTH RD TUNGKILLO SA 5236;62 BOTTROFF HILL RD PALMER SA 5237;651 BRINKWORTH RD TUNGKILLO SA 5236;94 AYRES RD TUNGKILLO SA 5236;976 RANDELL RD TUNGKILLO SA 5236;LOT 1 STONEY BANKS RD MOUNT PLEASANT SA 5235;LOT 124 RANDELL RD PALMER SA 5237;LOT 135 BORTHWICK BRAE RD PALMER SA 5237;LOT 137 DAVENPORT RD MOUNT PLEASANT SA 5235;LOT 142 BORTHWICK BRAE RD TUNGKILLO SA 5236;LOT 17 RANDELL RD TUNGKILLO SA 5236;LOT 21 RANDELL RD TUNGKILLO SA 5236;LOT 23 BOTTROFF HILL RD PALMER SA 5237;LOT 234 AYRES RD TUNGKILLO SA 5236;LOT 344 DAVENPORT RD MOUNT PLEASANT SA 5235;LOT 481 CAMEL HUMP RD TUNGKILLO SA 5236;LOT 485 BOTTROFF HILL RD TUNGKILLO SA 5236;LOT 488 BOTTROFF HILL RD PALMER SA 5237;LOT 513 DAVENPORT RD MOUNT PLEASANT SA 5235;LOT 62 G AYRES RD TUNGKILLO SA 5236;LOT 72 BRINKWORTH RANGE RD TUNGKILLO SA 5236;LOT 74 BORTHWICK BRAE RD PALMER SA 5237Under Assessment
April 2024
- Construction of a verandah and deck attached to an existing dwelling14 LINDNER AV PALMER SA 5237Decision Made
2023· 5 proposals
July 2023
- Domestic Outbuilding (Carport)22 CHURCH CR PALMER SA 5237Decision Made
- Domestic outbuilding (carport)14 CHURCH CR PALMER SA 5237Decision Made
May 2023
- Verandah (freestanding)561 ABRAHAM RD PALMER SA 5237Decision Made
March 2023
- Bore holes for shed posts Erect shed and concrete in place Fit water tank to shed273 MINE RD PALMER SA 5237Decision Made
- Construction of a freestanding carport8-10 ADELAIDE RD PALMER SA 5237Decision Made
2022· 4 proposals
December 2022
- Construction of an inground swimming pool13 ADELAIDE RD PALMER SA 5237Decision Made
November 2022
- Construction of a verandah attached to an existing dwelling2829 REEDY CREEK RD PALMER SA 5237Decision Made
June 2022
- Deck and Verandah to Existing Dwelling and Carport to Existing Outbuilding7 CHURCH CR PALMER SA 5237Decision Made
March 2022
- Construction of an implement shed (Agricultural Building)2571 REEDY CREEK RD PALMER SA 5237Decision Made
2021· 5 proposals
October 2021
- Domestic Outbuilding (Shed)97 DAVENPORT RD PALMER SA 5237Decision Made
- Steel frame skillion carport to replace existing timber carport and a steel framed gable verandah to replace an existing pergola9 ADELAIDE RD PALMER SA 5237Decision Made
June 2021
- Agricultural Building19 RATHJEN RD PALMER SA 5237Decision Made
May 2021
- Domestic Outbuilding14 CHURCH CR PALMER SA 5237Decision Made
March 2021
- Addition and alteration to an existing dwelling6 LINDNER AV PALMER SA 5237Decision 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
Roadworks & transport
1 active roadworks / incidents
- Truck HaulAdelaide Road, Parking Bay13 Jul 2026 – 27 Aug 2026
Data sources & freshness
- Traffic SA road events — Department for Infrastructure and Transport (SA) · current · Updated
Heritage
18 heritage places
- Attached Houses19-21 Adelaide Rd PALMERLocal heritage
- Cottage11 Adelaide Rd PALMERLocal heritage
- Former Police Station Cells & Shop3-5 Adelaide Rd PALMERLocal heritage
- Former Reedy Creek Road Bridge2571 Reedy Creek Rd PALMERLocal heritage
- Former Shop15 Adelaide Rd PALMERLocal heritage
- Hillydale2571 Reedy Creek Rd PALMERLocal heritage
- Homestead Complex, including main house, two cottages, shearing shed, stable and piggery.Palmer Road PALMERState heritage
- House13 Adelaide Rd PALMERLocal heritage
- House, Outbuildings, Fence & Water Tank9 Adelaide Rd PALMERLocal heritage
- Palmer General Store, Attached Residence & Post Office16-18 Adelaide Rd PALMERLocal 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
- Barker
- Member of Parliament
- Tony PASIN (Liberal)
- Results from
- 2025 federal election
- Electorate enrolment (2025)
- 127,045
- Turnout (2025)
- 92.6%
- Swing since 2022 (2025)
- +3.6 pp toward Labor
Two-party preferred (2025)
Coalition 63.0%Labor 37.0%
Estimated suburb voting profile
Estimated from 8 nearby ordinary polling places (up to 28.7 km away).
Coalition 58.5%Labor 41.5%
4.5 percentage points more Labor-leaning than the electorate
Estimated swing since 2022: +0.1 pp toward Labor
Nearest polling places
- PalmerLabor 41.4% · Coalition 58.6% TPP (2025)2.4 km away
- MannumLabor 43.8% · Coalition 56.2% TPP (2025)14.2 km away
- Mount PleasantLabor 46.2% · Coalition 53.8% TPP (2025)14.8 km away
- PondeLabor 38.1% · Coalition 61.9% TPP (2025)16.1 km away
- MypolongaLabor 37.4% · Coalition 62.6% TPP (2025)25.5 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)
- 3/10
- 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 Mid Murray Council
Other suburbs in the same local government area.
Comparable suburbs
Similar population and socio-economic profile in other parts of South Australia.