Median house price
—
No data available
SA · Unincorporated SA Council
Penong, 5690
Est. population · Jun 2025
289
Growth (1 yr)
+0.7%
Growth (5 yr)
+4.0%
Median age
49
Median income
$1,100/wk
Employment rate
55.9%
Languages at home
9.8%non-English
Most common: Australian Indigenous languages
2021 Census · usual residence
Desirability score
- Green suburb
- Education hub
- High desirability
Suburb profile
Penong is a quieter smaller community in Unincorporated SA, where peace, space and a country-town pace still dominate. Retirees and empty-nesters are well represented here, with families and grandchildren still a visible part of community life. Life here is grounded in local routine rather than big-city choice.
Green space punches above what many regional towns offer, with parks and playgrounds woven through the suburb. Day-to-day life is more car-oriented here than in denser, more walkable pockets. Housing is more affordable than in many parts of the state.
Crime trends have improved of late compared with the previous period. This is a mature, settled pocket where the existing streetscape still defines the local character.
The desirability picture is below average, weighed down by softer growth momentum, plus local dining and lifestyle amenities relative to similar regional towns. Limited access to some essential local services also trimmed the result.
At a glance
Penong snapshot
A quick read of housing, growth, livability, and risk
Median rent
—
No data available
Population (ERP)
289
+0.7% annual growth
Dwelling vacancy
37.1%
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
#135
among Country & regional · Mature
Safety
37th
percentile in state (higher = safer)
Pop. growth
61st
percentile in SA
Advantage (IRSAD)
2/10
national SEIFA decile
School ICSEA
6th
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
- 22.9/100 — Below average
- National rank
- 6511th in Australia
- State rank
- 646th in SA
- Peer rank
- #135 among Country & regional · Mature suburbs
- Cohort rank
- #226 among Country & regional suburbs
- Data confidence
- 77%
Data sources & freshness
- Suburb Guide desirability index — Suburb Guide (derived) · current · Updated
Population
Estimated resident population
289(June 2025)
+0.7% annual · +4.0% over 5 years · 61th percentile in SA
Growth figures & methodology
- Annual growth
- +0.7%
- 5-year growth
- +4.0%
- Change in 1 year
- +2
- Change in 5 years
- +11
- 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 +0.4% average annual growth since 2011. It is illustrative only — not an official ABS forecast.
2021 Census figures
2021 Census
- Population
- 280
- Median age
- 49
- Median household income / week
- $1,100
- Dwelling vacancy
- 37.1%
- Unoccupied private dwellings
- 69 of 186
- Median monthly mortgage
- $835
- Employment rate
- 55.9%
- Dwelling mix (houses / semi / flats)
- 113 / 0 / 0 (+ 3 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)
- 7
- Against the person
- 1
- Against property
- 6
- Rate per 1,000 residents
- 24.2
- Person-crime prevalence
- About 1 in 280 residents
- State safety percentile
- 36.5th (lower crime is better)
- Family & domestic abuse offences
- 289
- Decrease (daily rate)
- -12.3%
Most common offence types
- Obtain Benefit By Deception1
- Other Property Damage And Environmental1
- Other Theft3
- Receive Or Handle Proceeds Of Crime1
- Serious Assault Not Resulting In Injury1
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)
- Median school ICSEA
- 870
- Median ICSEA percentile
- 6th
School list
- Penong PreschoolEyre HighwayPreschools
- Penong Primary SchoolPrimary · Government · ICSEA 870 · 6th percentile · LBOTE 39% · 36 students · Top SEA quarter 2%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
Green cover
- Parks & woodland (OSM)
- 9
- Parks (OSM)
- 1
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
- Ceduna District Health Service (75.7 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)
- 4
- Participants per 1,000 residents
- 13.8
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
- 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° / 16°
- Rainfall
- 43 mm · ~5 rainy days
Autumn (Mar–May)
- Usual max / min
- 24° / 12°
- Rainfall
- 60 mm · ~8 rainy days
Winter (Jun–Aug)
- Usual max / min
- 18° / 7°
- Rainfall
- 103 mm · ~13 rainy days
Spring (Sep–Nov)
- Usual max / min
- 24° / 11°
- Rainfall
- 71 mm · ~9 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· 1 proposal
March 2026
- Land division (1 allotment into 3)LOT 55 STIGGANTS RD PENONG SA 5690Decision Made
2025· 1 proposal
July 2025
- Single storey dwelling with an associated verandah and deck (retrospective), and shedLOT 59 NORTH TCE PENONG SA 5690Decision Made
2024· 4 proposals
December 2024
- Two storey detached dwelling, swimming pool and associated fencingLOT 11 MILLER ST SEACOMBE GARDENS SA 5047Under Assessment
July 2024
- Retrospective shed and carportLOT 52 ROBERTS RD PENONG SA 5690Decision Made
- Construct a single level dwelling with attached deck and verandahLOT 52 ROBERTS RD PENONG SA 5690Decision Made
May 2024
- Detached dwelling with septic system, uncovered carpark area, 1 of 22,500L and 1 of 30,000L rainwater tank, shed with roof mounted solar, decking and pergola.LOT 1 GYPSUM MINE RD PENONG SA 5690Under Assessment
2023· 4 proposals
December 2023
- Land division - 1 into 10 allotmentsLOT 62 STIGGANTS RD PENONG SA 5690Decision Made
August 2023
- Land division 1 (existing) into 2 (proposed)LOT 24 POINT SINCLAIR RD PENONG SA 5690;LOT 25 POINT SINCLAIR RD PENONG SA 5690;LOT 26 POINT SINCLAIR RD PENONG SA 5690Decision Made
July 2023
- Alterations and additions to existing dwelling (including an attached deck and verandah)864 FREDRICKSTAD RD PENONG SA 5690Decision Made
April 2023
- Alterations and additions to existing dwelling including verandah and alfresco1 GYPSUM MINE RD PENONG SA 5690Decision Made
2020· 4 proposals
November 2020
- CONSTRUCTION OF A SHED (OUTBUILDING)LOT 85 EYRE HWY PENONG SA 5690Decision Made
- Single-storey detached dwelling including verandahLOT 2 EYRE HWY PENONG SA 5690Decision Made
October 2020
- Construction of shed for storage/workshop and installation of a 22,500L rainwater tank.LOT 70 GYPSUM MINE RD PENONG SA 5690Decision Made
September 2020
- Construction of 5m x 5m x 3m treated pine frame shed with 100mm concrete floor to be plumbed into a 11,500L rainwater tankLOT 70 GYPSUM MINE RD PENONG SA 5690Decision Made
Other· 2 proposals
- AMPOL AUSTRALIA PETROLEUM PTY LTDHydrocarbon and ChemicalEPA licence
- CHEETHAM SALT LIMITEDHydrocarbon and ChemicalEPA licence
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
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
- Grey
- Member of Parliament
- Tom VENNING (Liberal)
- Results from
- 2025 federal election
- Electorate enrolment (2025)
- 128,707
- Turnout (2025)
- 89.4%
- Swing since 2022 (2025)
- +5.4 pp toward Labor
Two-party preferred (2025)
Coalition 54.6%Labor 45.4%
Estimated suburb voting profile
Estimated from 8 nearby ordinary polling places (up to 254.9 km away).
Coalition 68.6%Labor 31.4%
14.0 percentage points more Coalition-leaning than the electorate
Estimated swing since 2022: +2.3 pp toward Labor
Nearest polling places
- CedunaLabor 40.0% · Coalition 60.0% TPP (2025)64.0 km away
- Smoky BayLabor 23.7% · Coalition 76.3% TPP (2025)96.9 km away
- Streaky BayLabor 30.9% · Coalition 69.1% TPP (2025)144.3 km away
- WirrullaLabor 21.8% · Coalition 78.2% TPP (2025)150.3 km away
- PoocheraLabor 14.9% · Coalition 85.1% TPP (2025)189.8 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)
- 2/10
- IRSD decile (2021)
- 2/10
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 Unincorporated SA Council
Other suburbs in the same local government area.
Comparable suburbs
Similar population and socio-economic profile in other parts of South Australia.