Median house price
—
No data available
SA · Kangaroo Island Council
Penneshaw, 5222
Est. population · Jun 2025
286
Growth (1 yr)
+0.7%
Growth (5 yr)
+5.9%
Median age
54
Median income
$961/wk
Employment rate
52.5%
Languages at home
4.9%non-English
Mostly English at home
2021 Census · usual residence
Desirability score
- Excellent transport
- Coastal
- National parks
- Heritage area
- Green suburb
Suburb profile
Well away from Adelaide, Penneshaw is a coastal smaller community built around sand, sea and space. Retirees and empty-nesters are well represented here. For coastal suburbs, the café and dining scene is notably rich, with locals returning to favourite spots.
Parks and open space are a real strength relative to many coastal suburbs, easy for walks, sport and weekend downtime. Reasonably walkable — many errands reachable on foot or by bus, with buses and ferries linking the suburb to surrounding areas. Homes cost more here than in most comparable suburbs.
Local crime has been trending higher of late. The built character feels settled, with heritage streetscapes lending the area a sense of history.
The desirability picture is below average, weighed down by softer community and employment relative to similar coastal suburbs.
At a glance
Penneshaw snapshot
A quick read of housing, growth, livability, and risk
Median rent
$550/wk
Population (ERP)
286
+0.7% annual growth
Dwelling vacancy
56.2%
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
#27
among Coastal & beach · Mature
Safety
59th
percentile in state (higher = safer)
Pop. growth
61st
percentile in SA
Advantage (IRSAD)
4/10
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
Desirability
Ranks & confidence
- Desirability score
- 37.5/100 — Below average
- National rank
- 4207th in Australia
- State rank
- 446th in SA
- Peer rank
- #27 among Coastal & beach · Mature suburbs
- Cohort rank
- #43 among Coastal & beach suburbs
- Data confidence
- 85%
Data sources & freshness
- Suburb Guide desirability index — Suburb Guide (derived) · current · Updated
Housing
- Houses (01/01/26 to 31/03/26)
- $550
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
286(June 2025)
+0.7% annual · +5.9% over 5 years · 61th percentile in SA
Growth figures & methodology
- Annual growth
- +0.7%
- 5-year growth
- +5.9%
- Change in 1 year
- +2
- Change in 5 years
- +16
- Growth rank in SA
- 61th 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 (~300), extrapolated at +1.0% average annual growth since 2011. It is illustrative only — not an official ABS forecast.
2021 Census figures
2021 Census
- Population
- 269
- Median age
- 54
- Median household income / week
- $961
- Dwelling vacancy
- 56.2%
- Unoccupied private dwellings
- 149 of 265
- Median monthly mortgage
- $1,400
- Employment rate
- 52.5%
- Dwelling mix (houses / semi / flats)
- 112 / 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)
- 12
- Against the person
- 0
- Against property
- 12
- Rate per 1,000 residents
- 42
- State safety percentile
- 58.5th (lower crime is better)
- Family & domestic abuse offences
- 2
- Increase (daily rate)
- +200.8%
Most common offence types
- Other Theft5
- Other Unlawful Entry With Intent1
- Sct - Non Residence1
- Theft From Motor Vehicle3
- Theft From Shop2
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)
School list
- Penneshaw CampusHoward DrivePrimary/Secondary Combined
- Penneshaw KindergartenHoward DrivePreschools
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
Public transport
4 public transport stops in this suburb
- Middle Tce / Bay Tce - North side (Penneshaw Beach Stay)
- North Tce - North side (Kangaroo Island Seafront Hotel Penneshaw)
- North Tce - South side (Kangaroo Island Seafront Hotel Penneshaw)
- Penneshaw Ferry Terminal
Contributes to desirability score · Accessibility (15%)
Public transport stop coverage
Data sources & freshness
- Adelaide Metro GTFS stops — Department for Infrastructure and Transport (SA) · current · Updated
Amenities
72 nearby amenities within ~1.5 km
1 restaurants · 2 cafes · 1 pubs · 1 supermarkets · 1 pharmacies · 1 places of worship · 3 swimming pools · 2 ev charging
Local character & venue list
Local character
- Reasonably walkable — many errands reachable on foot or by bus
- Great for outdoor family life — 3 parks mapped in suburb
- Walkability proxy
- 54/100
- Cafés per 1,000 residents
- 7.43
- Food & drink per 1,000 residents
- 14.87
- Parks per 1,000 residents
- 11.15
Food & drink(4)
- Fat BeagleCafe
- Millie Mae's PantryCafe
- Penneshaw HotelPub
- Fire and SmokeRestaurant
Shopping(2)
- IGASupermarket
Community(1)
- Community centre
Health & services(1)
- chemistPharmacy
Sport & outdoors(8)
- Penneshaw Golf CourseGolf course
- Kangaroo Island Sculpture TrailPark
- Lloyd Collins ReservePark
- Park
- Sports field
- Swimming pool (3)
Entertainment(1)
- Penneshaw Maritime And Folk National Trust MuseumMuseum
Hog Bay Road, Penneshaw
Transport(2)
2 ferry terminals
Other(36)
- Penneshaw Hotel BottleshopAlcohol
- Bathed in HistoryArtwork
- EllipsisArtwork
- Foot Prints Across KIArtwork
- HumpyArtwork
- NestArtwork
- Nowhere Else But HereArtwork
- ProgressionArtwork
- Red Eyed Wattle SeedArtwork
- ResilienceArtwork
- The Grounded GuardianArtwork
- The Orchid GardenArtwork
- The WatcherArtwork
- WaveArtwork
- WindriderArtwork
- Penneshaw Penguin CentreAttraction
Middle Terrace
- Bbq (6)
- Bench (2)
- Bicycle Parking
- Kangaroo Island Seafront Holiday ParkCamp Site
- BudgetCar Rental
- Talinga on the BayChalet
- Penneshaw Fuel and HardwareDoityourself
- ChargePointEV charging
- EV charging
- CFSFire station
- Kangaroo Island Gateway Visitor CentreInformation
- Kangaroo Island Seafront ResortMotel
49 North Terrace
- Parking (12)
- BPPetrol station
- Place of worship
- Australia PostPost office
- Public toilets
- Shelter (2)
- Slipway
- Waste Basket
Names and addresses from OpenStreetMap. Unnamed venues show as their type (e.g. Cafe). Transport stops are summarised by type rather than listed individually.
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
Parks & reserves
1 parks and public open space in this suburb
- Baudin Conservation Park
Data sources & freshness
- National parks & reserves (SA) — Department for Environment and Water (SA) · current · Updated
Green cover
- Parks & woodland (OSM)
- 8
- Parks (OSM)
- 3
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
Places of worship
1 places of worship within ~1.5 km
- Place of worship
From OpenStreetMap within ~1.5 km of the suburb centre.
Data sources & freshness
- OpenStreetMap amenities — OpenStreetMap contributors · current · Updated
Health access
- Nearest hospital
- Kangaroo Island Health Service (28.5 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
- 24.5
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
- 23° / 15°
- Rainfall
- 55 mm · ~7 rainy days
Autumn (Mar–May)
- Usual max / min
- 19° / 13°
- Rainfall
- 129 mm · ~16 rainy days
Winter (Jun–Aug)
- Usual max / min
- 14° / 9°
- Rainfall
- 260 mm · ~32 rainy days
Spring (Sep–Nov)
- Usual max / min
- 18° / 11°
- Rainfall
- 135 mm · ~17 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· 9 proposals
July 2026
- Construction of a single level detached dwelling with a suspended floor and associated earthworks and retaining18 VERNON CT PENNESHAW SA 5222Under Assessment
June 2026
- Agricultural Building (Shed)LOT 25 CAPE WILLOUGHBY RD PENNESHAW SA 5222Decision Made
- Construction of a single storey detached dwelling and outbuilding (garage/carport) and associated earthworks175 BINNEYS TRK PENNESHAW SA 5222Under Assessment
May 2026
- Installation of sculpture measuring 2.3m x 500mm wide and constructed of steel, granite and glass.LOT 2 FRENCHMANS TCE PENNESHAW SA 5222Under Assessment
- Construction of an elevated detached dwelling including garage and associated landscaping1 TRETHEWEY TCE PENNESHAW SA 5222Under Assessment
- Construction of a detached dwelling with undercroft garage22 KARATTA TCE PENNESHAW SA 5222Under Assessment
- Construction of an elevated detached dwelling and outbuilding (garage)5 TRETHEWEY TCE PENNESHAW SA 5222Under Assessment
- Construction of a two storey detached dwelling with attached carport and verandah/balcony and associated earthworks and retaining walls16 VERNON CT PENNESHAW SA 5222Under Assessment
- Construction of storage shedLOT 21 CURRAWONG AV PENNESHAW SA 5222Decision Made
2025· 14 proposals
November 2025
- Single storey detached dwelling, storage shed and retaining walls and fencing up to a maximum height of 2.5m37 FREYCINET WAY PENNESHAW SA 5222Under Assessment
October 2025
- Additions and alterations to existing dwelling (short stay holiday let) comprising a new tourist accommodation unit5 CHEOPIS ST PENNESHAW SA 5222Under Assessment
- Construction of a single storey detached dwelling with suspended floor, ancillary accommodation, outbuilding (garage) and associated earthworks and retaining walls11 FERNANDE CT PENNESHAW SA 5222Under Assessment
August 2025
- Replacement freestanding signLOT 91 HOG BAY RD PENNESHAW SA 5222Decision Made
- Construction of single level detached dwelling and associated earthworks and retaining walls8 WRIGHT RD PENNESHAW SA 5222Decision Made
- Variation to Development Application 25003423 - Vary Condition 8 – inclusion of live and amplified music for licensed premises comprising wine bar/café.18 NORTH TCE PENNESHAW SA 5222Under Assessment
- Dwelling addition, alterations, replacement shed and deck located forward of dwelling48 FRENCHMANS TCE PENNESHAW SA 5222Decision Made
July 2025
- Single storey detached dwelling, outbuilding (shed) and outbuilding (workshop).53 DOLPHIN WAY PENNESHAW SA 5222Under Assessment
May 2025
- Outbuilding (shed)25 DOLPHIN WAY PENNESHAW SA 5222Decision Made
- Single storey detached dwelling, freestanding carport, deck, verandah and 2 x 27,000 litre water tanksLOT 17 BATES WAY PENNESHAW SA 5222Under Assessment
- Additions and alterations to existing dwelling including new garage, verandahs and deck14 CAPE WILLOUGHBY RD PENNESHAW SA 5222Decision Made
April 2025
- Construction of free-standing toilet facility adjacent to existing clubrooms. Please see negotiated development application fee waiver negotiation correspondence.43 HOWARD DR PENNESHAW SA 5222Decision Made
February 2025
- Change of land use from restaurant/cafe (with former temporary residential tenancy) to a licensed premises in the form of a wine bar with ancillary cafe / light food offering, including internal alterations and new roof awning18 NORTH TCE PENNESHAW SA 5222Decision Made
- Single storey Detached dwelling with undercroft garage, associated deck and retaining walls up to a maximum of 1200mm.20 WARRAWEE TCE PENNESHAW SA 5222Under Assessment
2024· 15 proposals
November 2024
- Replace fence, define the parking area12 WILLIAM WALKER WAY PENNESHAW SA 5222Under Assessment
October 2024
- Construction of single storey detached dwelling on poles with deck, verandah and outbuilding (shed)1 FERNANDE CT PENNESHAW SA 5222Decision Made
September 2024
- Construction of a domestic outbuilding.11 WARRAWEE TCE PENNESHAW SA 5222Decision Made
- Change of use to short term workers accommodation and tourist accommodation27 MIDDLE TCE PENNESHAW SA 5222Decision Made
August 2024
- Variation to DA 23014354 - Detached dwelling, carport, garage, deck, verandah and retaining wall.2 WRIGHT RD PENNESHAW SA 5222Decision Made
- Tourist accommodation and deck7 TRETHEWEY TCE PENNESHAW SA 5222Under Assessment
July 2024
- Demolition of existing dwelling, and construction of a detached dwelling with a carport, and associated retaining walls, with landscaping.48 FRENCHMANS TCE PENNESHAW SA 5222Under Assessment
- 70,000 litre Water tank50 WRIGHT RD PENNESHAW SA 5222Decision Made
June 2024
- Proposed two storey detached dwelling, shed with storage loft, retaining walls, verandah and shed.68 DOLPHIN WAY PENNESHAW SA 5222Decision Made
May 2024
- Demolition of existing public bathrooms and construction of new bathrooms (replacement building)15 FRENCHMANS TCE PENNESHAW SA 5222Decision Made
April 2024
- Part demolition of existing fire damaged building2-8 THOMAS WILLSON ST PENNESHAW SA 5222Decision Made
February 2024
- Single Storey Detached Dwelling, deck and verandah24 SOUTH TCE PENNESHAW SA 5222Decision Made
January 2024
- Installation of Electrical Vehicle Charging Facility15 FRENCHMANS TCE PENNESHAW SA 5222Decision Made
- Single storey detached dwelling with garage under main roof, and associated earthworks (variation to DA 23027114)12 FLINDERS TCE PENNESHAW SA 5222Decision Made
- Single storey detached dwelling, deck and verandah221 BINNEYS TRK PENNESHAW SA 5222Decision Made
2023· 3 proposals
December 2023
- Infrastructure works comprising, replacement of existing berthing guide piles, new vehicular ramp for ferry access, new air bridge arrangement on existing concrete block piers, additions and alterations to existing terminal building including new external windows, a new deck and upgrades to associated car park and loading bays, including earthworks and retaining wallsLOT 1 BAY TCE PENNESHAW SA 5222;LOT 89 BRICKWORK RD PENNESHAW SA 5222;LOT 89 NORTH TCE PENNESHAW SA 5222;LOT 91 HOG BAY RD PENNESHAW SA 5222Decision Made
November 2023
- Electrical Vehicle Charging Facility8-10 NORTH TCE PENNESHAW SA 5222Decision Made
- Electrical Vehicle Charging Facility8 FRENCHMANS TCE PENNESHAW SA 5222Decision 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
Heritage
18 heritage places
- Dwelling (former Council Chambers, former hospital)Howard Drive PENNESHAWLocal heritage
- Former Methodist ChurchHoward Drive PENNESHAWLocal heritage
- Former School (National Trust Museum)Howard Drive PENNESHAWLocal heritage
- Former Shop (Valentine Store)Howard Drive PENNESHAWLocal heritage
- HouseSouth Terrace PENNESHAWLocal heritage
- HouseSouth Terrace (cnr Rapide Drive) PENNESHAWLocal heritage
- HouseWarawee Terrace PENNESHAWLocal heritage
- House (Christmas Cove Cottage)Howard Drive PENNESHAWLocal heritage
- House (Johnston's Cottage)North Terrace PENNESHAWLocal heritage
- House (Rock Cottage)Frenchmans Terrace (cnr Cheopis Street) PENNESHAWLocal heritage
Data sources & freshness
- SA Heritage Places database — Department for Environment and Water (SA) · current · 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
- 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 60.1 km away).
Coalition 49.5%Labor 50.5%
4.5 percentage points more Coalition-leaning than the electorate
Estimated swing since 2022: -4.5 pp toward Coalition
Nearest polling places
- PenneshawLabor 50.6% · Coalition 49.4% TPP (2025)1.4 km away
- American RiverLabor 42.5% · Coalition 57.5% TPP (2025)15.6 km away
- DelamereLabor 46.0% · Coalition 54.0% TPP (2025)28.6 km away
- Special Hospital Team 5Labor 25.0% · Coalition 75.0% TPP (2025)28.7 km away
- KingscoteLabor 44.9% · Coalition 55.1% TPP (2025)29.3 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)
- 4/10
- IRSD decile (2021)
- 5/10
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
Compare with
Similar suburbs to weigh up side by side — scores, safety, schools, and lifestyle.
More in Kangaroo Island Council
Other suburbs in the same local government area.
Comparable suburbs
Similar population and socio-economic profile in other parts of South Australia.