suburb.guide

SA · Adelaide Hills Council

Paracombe, 5132

Est. population · Jun 2025

467

Growth (1 yr)

+0.9%

Growth (5 yr)

+3.5%

Median age

47

Median income

$2,092/wk

Employment rate

60.7%

University qualified

20.5%

Work from home

11%

Languages at home

5.7%non-English

Most common: Polish

2021 Census · usual residence

Desirability score

47.7/100
Average

Top 29% of South Australia's suburbs

Verified 97% confidence

How this score is calculated
  • Green suburb
  • Golf
  • Hills
  • Rural living
What Paracombe is known for: Green suburb, Golf, Hills, Rural living

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Suburb Guide, “Paracombe, SA Suburb Guide”, updated 2 October 2026, https://suburb.guide/sa/paracombe

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Suburb profile

Paracombe is a semi-rural locality near Adelaide, in Adelaide Hills Council. Notable landmarks include Paracombe Community Hall & Soldiers’ Memorial Arch.

Local amenities are a relative strength. Local school ICSEA scores sit well above the peer median, well above typical levels for semi-rural and lifestyle localities. Socio-economic advantage sits well above the peer median. Space is a strength, but car dependence is high. The clearer weaknesses are thinner heritage listings and weaker population growth, with heritage listings 67% below the peer median.

Paracombe is a better fit for people who value school quality and socio-economic advantage more than heritage character.

Generated from the official metrics on this page. It can omit nuance or contain errors — check the tables and source notes before relying on it.

Strengths and weaknesses

Semi-rural locality · compared with semi-rural and lifestyle localities in South Australia (227)

Strengths

  • Local school ICSEA scores sit well above the peer median
  • Socio-economic advantage sits well above the peer median
  • Local amenities are a relative strength

Weaknesses

  • Heritage listings are a relative weakness
  • Population has been growing more slowly than in comparable places, or declining

What stands out

  • Paracombe Community Hall & Soldiers’ Memorial Arch
  • Space is a strength, but car dependence is high

Who it suits

  • Families
  • Professionals
  • Retirees
  • Students
  • Budget buyers

Housing, growth and risk

How Paracombe compares

A quick read of housing, growth, livability, and risk

Median house price

—

No data available

Median rent (Census)

$263/wk

2021 Census median weekly rent

Population (ERP)

467

+0.9% annual growth

Dwelling vacancy

7.0%

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

#18

among Country & regional · Mature

Crime rate

19th

percentile in state (higher = more crime)

Pop. growth

68th

percentile in SA

Rented dwellings

6%

2021 Census tenure

Advantage (IRSAD)

9/10

national SEIFA decile

School ICSEA

81st

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
47.7/100 — Average
State standing
Top 29% of South Australia's suburbs
National rank
2490th in Australia
State rank
204th in SA
Peer rank
#18 among Country & regional · Mature suburbs
Cohort rank
#32 among Country & regional suburbs
Data confidence
97%

Data sources & freshness

  • Suburb Guide desirability index — Suburb Guide (derived) · current · Updated

Population

Estimated resident population

467(June 2025)

+0.9% annual · +3.5% over 5 years · 68th percentile in SA

Growth figures & methodology
Annual growth
+0.9%
5-year growth
+3.5%
Change in 1 year
+4
Change in 5 years
+16
Growth rank in SA
68th 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 (~500), extrapolated at +0.4% average annual growth since 2011. It is illustrative only — not an official ABS forecast.

2021 Census figures

2021 Census

Population
435
Median age
47
Median household income / week
$2,092
Dwelling vacancy
7%
Unoccupied private dwellings
11 of 157
Median monthly mortgage
$1,950
Median weekly rent (2021 Census)
$263
Tenure (owned / mortgaged / rented)
52.1% / 41.5% / 6.3%
Employment rate
60.7%
Travel to work (WFH / public transport / car)
11% / 1.8% / 70.6%
Walked or cycled to work
3.2%
Dwelling mix (houses / semi / flats)
147 / 0 / 0

Contributes to desirability score · Community (12%) · Accessibility (12%) · Future Growth (6%)

Employment, household income and owned-outright tenure (2021 Census) Work-from-home and public-transport commute shares (2021 Census) Five-year population change as a healthy-growth band, not a boom bonus

Data sources & freshness

  • 2021 Census — General Community Profile (including method of travel to work and educational attainment) — Australian Bureau of Statistics · Updated

    The 2026 Census was conducted 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

Qualifications

20.5% of adults have a university degree, compared with 22.6% across South Australia. 19.5% have a trade or vocational qualification.

  • University qualified20.5% · 22.6% SA
  • Diploma qualified13.7% · 8.6% SA
  • Trade / vocational19.5% · 17.5% SA
  • Year 12 or below46.3% · 51.2% SA

Highest qualification field

Main field of the highest non-school qualification (2021 Census).

  • Management and commerce22.6%
  • Engineering and related technologies20.7%
  • Health14.7%
  • Society and culture10.6%
  • Education9.7%
  • Creative arts6%
How these groups are defined
MeasureDefinition
University qualifiedBachelor degree or higher
Diploma qualifiedAdvanced Diploma / Diploma
Trade / vocationalCertificate III + IV
Year 12Year 12 as highest attainment
Below Year 12Year 11 / 10 / 9 or below

People aged 15 years and over, 2021 Census. University, diploma and trade shares match ABS highest educational attainment (HEAP). Year 12 and below Year 12 are combined in the chart because the General Community Profile reports school-only attainment as a residual.

Contributes to desirability score · Community (12%)

University qualifications from the 2021 Census

Data sources & freshness

  • 2021 Census — General Community Profile (including method of travel to work and educational attainment) — Australian Bureau of Statistics · Updated

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

Tax & income

Median taxable income (2023–24)
$58,882

71st percentile in SA · 0% vs Australia

Median salary / wages (2023–24)
$63,300

74th percentile in SA · -3% vs Australia

Residents with rental investments
19.0%

97th percentile in SA · +38% vs Australia

Median super balance (2023–24)
$134,581

94th percentile in SA · +113% vs Australia

Residents with business income
11.0%

62nd percentile in SA · +6% vs Australia

Australian Taxation Office Taxation Statistics 2023–24, individuals Table 25. Figures describe taxpayers who live in postcode 5132 — not a suburb-level official statistic. Rental investment is the share of local taxpayers reporting rental income or loss, not the share of local properties owned by investors.

Counts, net rent & state comparison
Taxpayers in this postcode
294
Taxpayers reporting net rent
55
Median net rent
-$540
Taxpayers reporting business income
31
Taxable income vs state median
+8%
Salary / wages vs state median
+10%
Rental investment vs state median
+58%
Super vs state median
+73%
Business income vs state median
0%

Percentiles rank this postcode among unique postcodes in SA, so suburbs that share a postcode are not counted twice. Dollar figures are compared with Australia-wide ATO medians from the same release. Median net rent is among taxpayers who reported the rent label and can be negative.

Data sources & freshness

  • Taxation Statistics 2023–24 — individuals by postcode (Table 25) — Australian Taxation Office · Updated · Annual release; taxpayer residential postcode, not suburb boundary

Community & culture

5.7% speak a language other than English at home; 17.5% born overseas

Language at home
398 English only · 24 other
Non-English at home
5.7%
Born overseas
74 (17.5%)
Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander
6 (1.4%)
Australian citizens
414
Languages spoken at home (other than English)
1

Top languages other than English

Share of residents who speak a language other than English at home (2021 Census).

  • Polish3 · 100%

Religion

51%Most common religion · Christianity

Christianity is the most common response at 51%, while 42.5% reported no religion.

MeasureSuburbState
No religion42.5%45.2%
Christianity51%40%
Other / not stated6.4%14.7%
Christian denominations
DenominationSuburbState
Catholic20.2%15.5%
Uniting Church11.3%4.8%
Anglican4.8%7.2%
Christian (not further defined)3.4%2.6%
Pentecostal3.4%1.1%
Baptist2.3%1.5%
Other Christian2.3%0.2%

2021 Census — languages spoken at home, birthplace, Indigenous status, and religious affiliation (usual residence). Religion is optional on the Census form.

Data sources & freshness

  • 2021 Census — General Community Profile (including method of travel to work and educational attainment) — Australian Bureau of Statistics · Updated

    The 2026 Census was conducted 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 (2025–26)
7
Against the person
3
Against property
4
Rate per 1,000 residents
15
Person-crime prevalence
About 1 in 145 residents
State crime-rate percentile
18.9th (higher = more crime)
Family & domestic abuse offences
2
Increase (daily rate)
+16.7%
Recorded road crashes (in suburb)
86
Crash rate per 1,000 residents (state rank)
184.15

Most common offence types

  • Common Assault2
  • Damage Or Destroy Property3
  • Serious Assault1
  • Theft From A Person1

Contributes to desirability score · Safety (22%)

Crime rate, offences against the person, year-on-year trend and recorded road crash rates

Data sources & freshness

Family & Lifestyle

Schools & preschools

Schools within 2 km
1 (1 schools, 1 preschools)
Median school ICSEA
1,088
Median ICSEA percentile
81th
School list
  • Paracombe Primary and PreschoolPrimary · Government · ICSEA 1088 · 81th percentile · LBOTE 8% · 69 students · Top SEA quarter 32% · 1.9 km awayView on My School →
  • Paracombe Preschool4 Harvey RoadPreschools

Contributes to desirability score · Education (14%)

Median school ICSEA first, then school and catchment counts

Data sources & freshness

Public transport

2 public transport stops in this suburb

  • Paracombe Rd / Gall Rd - North side (Paracombe PO)
  • Paracombe Rd / Gall Rd - South side (Paracombe PO)

Contributes to desirability score · Accessibility (12%)

Public transport stops per 1,000 residents and walkability

Data sources & freshness

Amenities

4 mapped amenities

Local character & venue list

Local character

  • Limited walkable amenities nearby
Walkability proxy
3/100
Cafés per 1,000 residents
0
Food & drink per 1,000 residents
0
Parks per 1,000 residents
0
Sport & outdoors(4)
  • Highercombe Public Golf CourseGolf course
  • Sports field
  • Geological HikeWalking trail
  • Mt Lofty Walking TrailWalking trail

Names and addresses from OpenStreetMap. Unnamed venues show as their type (e.g. Cafe). Transport stops are summarised by type rather than listed individually. Campgrounds, beaches, wineries and local trails are included when they sit inside the suburb boundary.

Contributes to desirability score · Lifestyle (12%)

Food, shopping, recreation and sport per 1,000 residents (OpenStreetMap)

Data sources & freshness

  • Local amenity insights — Suburb Guide (derived) · current · Updated
  • OpenStreetMap amenities — OpenStreetMap contributors · current · Updated

Sporting clubs

1 named sporting club in this suburb

  • Paracombe Pony and Equestrian Club

    Equestrian

Named sporting clubs from OpenStreetMap and the SA Sports Vouchers venue list, assigned to this suburb's boundary. Sporting facilities such as ovals, courts and recreation centres are listed under Amenities.

Data sources & freshness

Green cover

Green cover of suburb area
3.5%
Woodland / forest cover
3.5%
Parks & woodland features (OSM)
9
Parks (OSM)
0
Typical summer maximum
29°C

Green cover is the share of this suburb's boundary overlapping OpenStreetMap parks, woodland and forest polygons — not a satellite tree-canopy product. Summer maximum is the WorldClim / Open-Meteo seasonal normal already collected for Weather.

Contributes to desirability score · Environment (12%)

Tree canopy first, then green-cover area and parks per 1,000

Data sources & freshness

  • OpenStreetMap green cover and tree canopy — OpenStreetMap contributors · current · Updated · Park/woodland polygons intersected with suburb boundaries

Health access

Nearest hospital
Modbury Hospital (6.6 km)
Nearest hospital type
Public Hospital
Nearest hospital emergency
Emergency department
GP clinics in suburb
0

GP clinic counts from OpenStreetMap. Bulk-billing figures only include clinics tagged in OSM (sparse and unofficial — not a Medicare list).

Contributes to desirability score · Accessibility (12%)

Hospitals, GPs and aged care

Data sources & freshness

NDIS participation

NDIS participants (31 March 2026)
13
Participants per 1,000 residents
27.8

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

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 (12%)

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· 10 proposals

  • September 2026

  • Alteration and addition to existing Detached dwelling, Deck and Verandah
    100 CHURCHETT RD PARACOMBE SA 5132Under Assessment
  • Verandah
    326 PARACOMBE RD PARACOMBE SA 5132Decision Made
  • Carport
    431 PARACOMBE RD PARACOMBE SA 5132Under Assessment
  • Patrial demolition of dwelling, construction of dwelling additions and alterations, verandah, swimming pool and associated swimming pool safety features
    430 PARACOMBE RD PARACOMBE SA 5132Under Assessment
  • Retaining walls
    430 PARACOMBE RD PARACOMBE SA 5132Under Assessment

  • July 2026

  • Water tank (above ground)
    181 MURPHY RD PARACOMBE SA 5132Under Assessment

  • June 2026

  • Shed
    162 CHURCHETT RD PARACOMBE SA 5132Decision Made
  • Domestic shed
    2016 NORTH EAST RD PARACOMBE SA 5132Decision Made

  • March 2026

  • Single storey dwelling
    119 MURPHY RD PARACOMBE SA 5132Decision Made

  • February 2026

  • Shed
    167B CHURCHETT RD PARACOMBE SA 5132Decision Made
2025· 9 proposals

  • September 2025

  • Partial demolition of dwelling, dwelling addition and alterations
    584 PARACOMBE RD PARACOMBE SA 5132Under Assessment

  • June 2025

  • Carport
    96 CHURCHETT RD PARACOMBE SA 5132Decision Made
  • Relocation of an existing carport
    97 MURRAY RD PARACOMBE SA 5132Decision Made
  • Water tank (above ground - 328kl)
    169 MURPHY RD PARACOMBE SA 5132Decision Made

  • April 2025

  • Variation to Development Application 23037131- alterations to ancillary accommodation to retain the kitchen and laundry and amend the original condition 7
    97 MURRAY RD PARACOMBE SA 5132Decision Made

  • March 2025

  • Repairs to Local Heritage Place (Paracombe Community Hall)
    383 PARACOMBE RD PARACOMBE SA 5132Decision Made
  • Outbuilding (Shed)
    167B CHURCHETT RD PARACOMBE SA 5132Decision Made

  • February 2025

  • Verandah
    562 PARACOMBE RD PARACOMBE SA 5132Decision Made
  • Outbuilding (shed)
    48 PARACOMBE RD PARACOMBE SA 5132Decision Made
2024· 14 proposals

  • October 2024

  • Swimming Pool and safety features
    162 CHURCHETT RD PARACOMBE SA 5132Decision Made

  • September 2024

  • Dwelling additions and verandah
    326 PARACOMBE RD PARACOMBE SA 5132Under Assessment
  • Demolishing Carport and Construction of Dwelling Addition
    104 CHURCHETT RD PARACOMBE SA 5132Decision Made

  • June 2024

  • Dwelling addition and partial demolition of existing dwelling
    181 MURPHY RD PARACOMBE SA 5132Decision Made
  • Carport
    414 PARACOMBE RD PARACOMBE SA 5132Decision Made

  • May 2024

  • Verandah
    227 PARACOMBE RD PARACOMBE SA 5132Decision Made
  • Alterations and additions to existing dwelling
    614 PARACOMBE RD PARACOMBE SA 5132Decision Made
  • Carport
    149A MURPHY RD PARACOMBE SA 5132Decision Made

  • March 2024

  • Agricultural Building
    95 MURRAY RD PARACOMBE SA 5132Decision Made
  • Dwelling alterations and addition, verandah
    149A MURPHY RD PARACOMBE SA 5132Decision Made
  • Installation of a Swimming pool and associated safety fence
    101 MURRAY RD PARACOMBE SA 5132Decision Made

  • February 2024

  • Erosion control works to stabilise Sixth Creek
    1105 GORGE RD PARACOMBE SA 5132;LOT 42 CHURCHETT RD PARACOMBE SA 5132Decision Made

  • January 2024

  • To build an 8 metre x 2.5 metre shed with a height of 2.7 metres. The shed will contain a concrete slab as the base and will be constructed using stud walls and clad in Colourbond.
    101 MURRAY RD PARACOMBE SA 5132Decision Made
  • Single storey dwelling alterations and additions, deck & outbuilding
    119 MURPHY RD PARACOMBE SA 5132Decision Made
2023· 10 proposals

  • December 2023

  • Single storey detached dwelling, deck, swimming pool & associated safety features, retaining walls & change of use of existing dwelling to ancillary accommodation with associated building alterations & partial demolition of verandah
    97 MURRAY RD PARACOMBE SA 5132Decision Made

  • November 2023

  • Construction of single storey detached dwelling & associated landscaping and change of use of existing dwelling to tourist accommodation
    644 PARACOMBE RD PARACOMBE SA 5132Decision Made
  • Land Division - Boundary realignment (2 into 2)
    26 PITT RD PARACOMBE SA 5132;28 PITT RD PARACOMBE SA 5132Decision Made

  • October 2023

  • Verandah in association with existing agriculture building
    294B PARACOMBE RD PARACOMBE SA 5132Decision Made

  • August 2023

  • Verandah
    22 HURST RD PARACOMBE SA 5132Decision Made

  • June 2023

  • Combined carport and outbuilding
    265 TILMOUTH RD PARACOMBE SA 5132Decision Made
  • Alteration and addition to the existing detached dwelling, Spa Pool and associated safety features, Verandah, Deck and Fencing
    100 CHURCHETT RD PARACOMBE SA 5132Under Assessment

  • May 2023

  • Domestic outbuilding
    1185 GORGE RD PARACOMBE SA 5132Decision Made

  • April 2023

  • Single storey dwelling addition including replacement garage and partial demolition of the existing dwelling.
    26 PITT RD PARACOMBE SA 5132Decision Made

  • February 2023

  • Like for like insurance repairs
    32 HURST RD PARACOMBE SA 5132Decision Made
2022· 3 proposals

  • October 2022

  • Carport
    249 TILMOUTH RD PARACOMBE SA 5132Decision Made

  • July 2022

  • Carport
    95 MURRAY RD PARACOMBE SA 5132Decision Made
  • Verandah
    120 PARACOMBE RD PARACOMBE SA 5132Decision Made

Data sources & freshness

Heritage

1 heritage place

  • Paracombe Community Hall & Soldiers’ Memorial Arch383 Paracombe Road PARACOMBELocal heritage

Contributes to desirability score · Environment (12%)

Heritage listings as established streetscape

Data sources & freshness

Hazards

Bushfire planning zone
Overlay applies
Flood / inundation overlay
100% of suburb boundary

Bushfire overlay checked at suburb centroid against all current SA Planning risk layers (high, medium, general, urban interface, regional, outback). Flood cover is the share of the suburb boundary overlapping current SA Planning flood overlays (flooding and evidence required). Safer places from CFS designated locations.

Contributes to desirability score · Safety (22%)

Bushfire and flood hazard overlays

Data sources & freshness

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 12.9 km away).

Coalition 53.7%Labor 46.3%

8.7 percentage points more Coalition-leaning than the electorate

Estimated swing since 2022: -0.6 pp toward Coalition

Nearest polling places

  • HoughtonLabor 44.8% · Coalition 55.2% TPP (2025)1.9 km away
  • Cudlee CreekLabor 47.7% · Coalition 52.3% TPP (2025)5.7 km away
  • Norton SummitLabor 61.3% · Coalition 38.7% TPP (2025)9.5 km away
  • LenswoodLabor 42.4% · Coalition 57.6% TPP (2025)10.7 km away
  • KersbrookLabor 49.2% · Coalition 50.8% TPP (2025)11.2 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

Socio-economic

IRSAD decile (2021)
9/10
IRSD decile (2021)
10/10

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 (12%)

Socio-economic advantage (IRSAD and IRSD deciles)

Data sources & freshness

Compare with

Similar suburbs to weigh up side by side — scores, safety, schools, and lifestyle.

More in Adelaide Hills Council

Other suburbs in the same local government area.

Comparable suburbs

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