Median house price
—
No data available
SA · Wattle Range Council
Penola, 5277
Est. population · Jun 2025
1,659
Growth (1 yr)
-0.4%
Growth (5 yr)
+1.3%
Median age
47
Median income
$1,369/wk
Employment rate
61.5%
Languages at home
3.8%non-English
Most common: Mandarin, Nepali, Punjabi
2021 Census · usual residence
Desirability score
- Heritage area
- Education hub
- Excellent transport
- High desirability
Suburb profile
Penola is a quieter smaller community in Wattle Range Council, where peace, space and a country-town pace still dominate. The area suits established families and long-term locals, with a strong presence of young families throughout. Life here is grounded in local routine rather than big-city choice.
With limited local amenities, residents regularly travel to a neighbouring town for shops, appointments and a wider choice. Open space is thinner than in many regional towns, so residents often travel a little further for a longer park day. Day-to-day life is more car-oriented here, with buses covering longer trips across the wider area.
Purchase and rent costs sit on the more affordable side of the local range. Recognised heritage character runs through the streets, with older fabric still defining local identity.
Versus similar regional towns, the suburb reads below average on desirability, chiefly because local dining and lifestyle amenities, plus community and employment trail behind. Limited access to some essential local services also trimmed the result.
At a glance
Penola snapshot
A quick read of housing, growth, livability, and risk
Median rent
$350/wk
Houses $350 · Units $220
Population (ERP)
1,659
-0.4% annual growth
Dwelling vacancy
17.0%
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
#108
among Country & regional · Mature
Safety
24th
percentile in state (higher = safer)
Pop. growth
4th
percentile in SA
Advantage (IRSAD)
3/10
national SEIFA decile
School ICSEA
36th
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
- 28.0/100 — Below average
- National rank
- 5889th in Australia
- State rank
- 587th in SA
- Peer rank
- #108 among Country & regional · Mature suburbs
- Cohort rank
- #187 among Country & regional suburbs
- Data confidence
- 89%
Data sources & freshness
- Suburb Guide desirability index — Suburb Guide (derived) · current · Updated
Housing
- Flats / units (01/01/26 to 31/03/26)
- $220
- Houses (01/01/26 to 31/03/26)
- $350
- All types (01/01/26 to 31/03/26)
- $350
- Rental bonds lodged (01/01/26 to 31/03/26)
- 10
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
1,659(June 2025)
-0.4% annual · +1.3% over 5 years · 4th percentile in SA
Growth figures & methodology
- Annual growth
- -0.4%
- 5-year growth
- +1.3%
- Change in 1 year
- -7
- Change in 5 years
- +21
- Growth rank in SA
- 4th 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 (~1,650), extrapolated at +0.1% average annual growth since 2011. It is illustrative only — not an official ABS forecast.
2021 Census figures
2021 Census
- Population
- 1,622
- Median age
- 47
- Median household income / week
- $1,369
- Dwelling vacancy
- 17%
- Unoccupied private dwellings
- 132 of 776
- Median monthly mortgage
- $1,050
- Employment rate
- 61.5%
- Dwelling mix (houses / semi / flats)
- 574 / 43 / 8 (+ 10 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)
- 29
- Against the person
- 9
- Against property
- 20
- Rate per 1,000 residents
- 17.5
- Person-crime prevalence
- About 1 in 180 residents
- State safety percentile
- 23.7th (lower crime is better)
- Family & domestic abuse offences
- 25
- Decrease (daily rate)
- -11.9%
Most common offence types
- Obtain Benefit By Deception3
- Other Property Damage And Environmental3
- Other Theft5
- Other Unlawful Entry With Intent3
- Serious Assault Not Resulting In Injury8
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
- 2 (2 schools, 1 preschools)
- Median school ICSEA (3 schools)
- 977
- Median ICSEA percentile
- 36th
School list
- Mary MacKillop Memorial SchoolPrimary · Catholic · ICSEA 1029 · 60th percentile · LBOTE 0% · 57 students · Top SEA quarter 19%View on My School →
- McKay Children's Centre7 Scott StreetIntegrated Centres
- Penola High SchoolSecondary · Government · ICSEA 933 · 19th percentile · LBOTE 2% · 113 students · Top SEA quarter 4%View on My School →
- Penola Primary SchoolPrimary · Government · ICSEA 977 · 36th percentile · LBOTE 2% · 133 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
Public transport
1 public transport stops in this suburb
- Arthur St / Portland St - North side (Penola Tourist Info Centre)
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
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)
- 2
- 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
- Hospitals & GP clinics in suburb
- 1
- Nearest hospital
- Penola War Memorial Hospital (4.3 km)
- Nearest hospital type
- Public Hospital
- Nearest hospital emergency
- Emergency department
- Emergency department in suburb
- On site
- Penola War Memorial Hospital18 Church StreetPublic Hospital
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)
- 39
- Participants per 1,000 residents
- 23.5
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
- 27° / 11°
- Rainfall
- 80 mm · ~10 rainy days
Autumn (Mar–May)
- Usual max / min
- 21° / 9°
- Rainfall
- 131 mm · ~16 rainy days
Winter (Jun–Aug)
- Usual max / min
- 14° / 5°
- Rainfall
- 241 mm · ~30 rainy days
Spring (Sep–Nov)
- Usual max / min
- 19° / 7°
- Rainfall
- 171 mm · ~21 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· 23 proposals
August 2026
- verandah20D CLARKE ST PENOLA SA 5277Under Assessment
July 2026
- Verandah16D CHURCH ST PENOLA SA 5277Under Assessment
- Verandah (Sheltered Spectator Area)LOT 30 CAMERON ST PENOLA SA 5277Under Assessment
- 4m x 12.2m Outbuilding 6.6m x 3.2m enclosed carport (Outbuilding)12 CLARKE ST PENOLA SA 5277Under Assessment
- Three Group Dwellings and Three Carports55 ARTHUR ST PENOLA SA 5277Under Assessment
- Domestic shed17 LIZZIE ST PENOLA SA 5277Under Assessment
- Detached dwelling, retaining wall and fence18B RIDDOCH ST PENOLA SA 5277Under Assessment
- Hay shedLOT 1 HAINES RD PENOLA SA 5277Decision Made
- Construct a domestic storage shed.18 GORDON ST PENOLA SA 5277Decision Made
June 2026
- Land Division 1 into 22280 V&A LANE PENOLA SA 5277Decision Made
- Variation of Approved Development 25009685 Annex area was approved to replace weather boards, replace warped and damaged roof timber’s. Original plan was to replace original floor boards with structafloor on existing joists, replace weather boards onto original wall frames. On demolition, I discovered the wall frames and floor joists were damaged/ Rotten and need replacing. I proposed to the client, Will Colley that we concrete the annex area with a 250mm x 250mm edge beam with rebate to hold si35 ARTHUR ST PENOLA SA 5277Under Assessment
- Variation of Development Application 25032774 - Construction a separate change room and alterations and additions to existing community facilityLOT 30 CAMERON ST PENOLA SA 5277Under Assessment
May 2026
- Outbuilding (garage)LOT 3 OLD PORTLAND RD PENOLA SA 5277Decision Made
- 1 into 5 land division91 MAAOUPE RD PENOLA SA 5277Decision Made
- Construction of a domestic outbuilding, and verandah attached tot he side of dwelling.29 QUEEN ST PENOLA SA 5277Decision Made
- Building Alterations and Additions to Incorporate a New Shrine and Entry PorchLOT 121 PORTLAND ST PENOLA SA 5277Under Assessment
March 2026
- Outbuilding associated with Detached Dwelling DA 25036677.40 CAMERON ST PENOLA SA 5277Decision Made
- Detached dwelling, Verandah, carport and outbuilding19 JULIAN ST PENOLA SA 5277Decision Made
- Proposed 4m x 13.59m enclosed carport Colorbond - Classic Cream8A DAVIS CR PENOLA SA 5277Decision Made
February 2026
- Dwelling Addition and Building Alteration1 CLAYFIELD ST PENOLA SA 5277;3 CLAYFIELD ST PENOLA SA 5277Decision Made
January 2026
- Replacement Building in association with the race course. (Vet Building)121B RACECOURSE RD PENOLA SA 5277Decision Made
- Outbuilding17 MCARTHUR ST PENOLA SA 5277Decision Made
- Detached Dwelling.40 CAMERON ST PENOLA SA 5277Decision Made
2025· 23 proposals
December 2025
- Horse Keeping , Horse Arena, and associated yards, Agricultural building, Water Tanks.LOT 329 HINZE LANE PENOLA SA 5277Under Assessment
- Agricultural BuildingLOT 50 OLD COMAUM RD PENOLA SA 5277Decision Made
- Store (1 New Structure & 8 Containers as Retrospective)LOT 28 ELLEN ST PENOLA SA 5277Decision Made
- Agricultural buildingLOT 11 MOUNT BURR RD PENOLA SA 5277Decision Made
November 2025
- Establish a Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) facility in the north-east corner of the site.16789 RIDDOCH HWY PENOLA SA 5277Decision Made
October 2025
- Agricultural Building.209 MARKS RD PENOLA SA 5277Decision Made
- Alterations and Additions to a Community Facility, Water TankLOT 30 CAMERON ST PENOLA SA 5277Under Assessment
- Land Division (1 into 2)LOT 100 DERGHOLM RD PENOLA SA 5277Decision Made
- Dwelling Addition & Building Alteration.59 CHINAMANS LANE PENOLA SA 5277Decision Made
August 2025
- Outbuilding20 -22 GORDON ST PENOLA SA 5277Decision Made
- Building Alterations, Deck and Verandah18 CHURCH ST PENOLA SA 5277Decision Made
- Carport, Verandah15 RIDDOCH ST PENOLA SA 5277Decision Made
- Verandah8 PORTLAND ST PENOLA SA 5277Decision Made
July 2025
- Outbuilding53 ARTHUR ST PENOLA SA 5277Decision Made
- Building alteration (Repair and like for like restoration)35 ARTHUR ST PENOLA SA 5277Decision Made
June 2025
- Verandah & Carport20 ROBE RD PENOLA SA 5277Decision Made
- Dwelling.313 DERGHOLM RD PENOLA SA 5277Decision Made
- Dwelling addition and Verandah1 DAVIS CR PENOLA SA 5277Under Assessment
May 2025
- Detached dwelling.LOT 4 ARTHUR ST PENOLA SA 5277Decision Made
- Outbuilding9A RIDDOCH ST PENOLA SA 5277Decision Made
- Partial change of use to workers and tourist accommodation.2280 V&A LANE PENOLA SA 5277Decision Made
- Outbuilding121B RACECOURSE RD PENOLA SA 5277Decision Made
April 2025
- Carport16C CHURCH ST PENOLA SA 5277Decision 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
5 active roadworks / incidents
- Telecommunications Network ConnectionsChurch Street, Jessie St27 Jul 2026 – 31 Aug 2026
- Telecommunications Network ConnectionsChurch Street, Riddoch Hwy27 Jul 2026 – 31 Aug 2026
- Telecommunications Network ConnectionsChurch Street, South Tce27 Jul 2026 – 31 Aug 2026
- Telecommunications Network ConnectionsRobe Road, Hetherington Av27 Jul 2026 – 31 Aug 2026
- Telecommunications Network ConnectionsRobe Road, Hotel Paddock Rd27 Jul 2026 – 31 Aug 2026
Data sources & freshness
- Traffic SA road events — Department for Infrastructure and Transport (SA) · current · Updated
Heritage
98 heritage places
- Airs Cottage House (c1861)22 Arthur Street PENOLALocal heritage
- Bushman's Inn Restaurant (former Bushman's Inn)118 Church Street PENOLAState heritage
- CWA Club Rooms (1960)46 Young Street PENOLALocal heritage
- Church hall (1889)8 Arthur Street PENOLALocal heritage
- Dwelling & Shop - Sharam's Cottage (First)136 Wilson Street (Petticoat Lane) PENOLAState heritage
- Dwelling ('Ulva Cottage')Bowden Street PENOLAState heritage
- Dwelling (former Bank of South Australia Penola Branch)28 Church Street PENOLAState heritage
- Dwelling (former Penola Railway Station)Clarke Street PENOLAState heritage
- Dwelling - John Shaw Neilson's former cottageOff Penola Road PENOLAState heritage
- Former Church (c1908)54 Riddoch Street PENOLALocal 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
- 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 45.1 km away).
Coalition 68.6%Labor 31.4%
5.6 percentage points more Coalition-leaning than the electorate
Estimated swing since 2022: +1.4 pp toward Labor
Nearest polling places
- PenolaLabor 32.0% · Coalition 68.0% TPP (2025)5.0 km away
- CoonawarraLabor 19.4% · Coalition 80.6% TPP (2025)13.1 km away
- NangwarryLabor 41.6% · Coalition 58.4% TPP (2025)16.3 km away
- KalangadooLabor 30.2% · Coalition 69.8% TPP (2025)24.7 km away
- GlencoeLabor 32.9% · Coalition 67.1% TPP (2025)39.2 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
- Federal election results — Australian Electoral Commission · Updated · 2025 election with by-election overlays
Socio-economic
- IRSAD decile (2021)
- 3/10
- IRSD decile (2021)
- 4/10
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 Wattle Range Council
Other suburbs in the same local government area.
Comparable suburbs
Similar population and socio-economic profile in other parts of South Australia.