Robe is a coastal town in South Australia, in Robe Council, characterised by heritage streetscapes. The Guichen Bay is part of the surrounding geography.
Rents are unusually low against comparable places, with median rents 36% below the peer median. Socio-economic advantage is among the highest in the peer group, placing it among the highest-ranked coastal towns, and the suburb has an unusually high concentration of heritage listings. Space is a strength, but car dependence is high. The main trade-offs are thinner mapped green cover within the suburb boundary and relatively limited childcare access, with green cover 100% below the peer median.
Overall, Robe suits people prioritising lower rents and socio-economic advantage over nearby family services.
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
Coastal town · compared with coastal towns in South Australia (35)
Strengths
Rents are unusually low against comparable places
Socio-economic advantage is among the highest in the peer group
The suburb has an unusually high concentration of heritage listings
Weaknesses
Mapped green cover within the suburb boundary is below comparable suburbs
Childcare access is a relative weakness
What stands out
Robe Beach
Town Beach
Heritage streetscapes
Guichen Bay
Space is a strength, but car dependence is high
Who it suits
Stars are audience-fit ratings derived from Suburb.Guide data, not demographic counts or user reviews.
Families★★☆☆☆
Professionals★☆☆☆☆
Retirees★☆☆☆☆
Students★☆☆☆☆
Budget buyers★☆☆☆☆
Housing, growth and risk
How Robe compares
A quick read of housing, growth, livability, and risk
Median house price
—
No data available
Median rent
$338/wk
Houses $420 · Units $253
Population (ERP)
1,304
+0.1% annual growth
Dwelling vacancy
59.7%
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
#29
among Coastal & beach · Mature
Crime rate
15th
percentile in state (higher = more crime)
Pop. growth
47th
percentile in SA
Rented dwellings
23%
2021 Census tenure
Advantage (IRSAD)
6/10
national SEIFA decile
School ICSEA
44th
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
42.6/100 — Average
State standing
Top 48% of South Australia's suburbs
National rank
3740th in Australia
State rank
334th in SA
Peer rank
#29 among Coastal & beach · Mature suburbs
Cohort rank
#34 among Coastal & beach suburbs
Data confidence
97%
Data sources & freshness
Suburb Guide desirability index — Suburb Guide (derived) · current · Updated
Housing
Flats / units (01/01/26 to 31/03/26)
$252.5
Houses (01/01/26 to 31/03/26)
$420
All types (01/01/26 to 31/03/26)
$337.5
Rental bonds lodged (01/01/26 to 31/03/26)
5
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.
Household crowding and healthy vacancy — not cheapness Modest price change as a healthy-growth band
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
1,304(June 2025)
+0.1% annual · +4.0% over 5 years · 47th percentile in SA
Growth figures & methodology
Annual growth
+0.1%
5-year growth
+4.0%
Change in 1 year
+1
Change in 5 years
+50
Growth rank in SA
47th 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 (~1,350), extrapolated at +0.5% average annual growth since 2011. It is illustrative only — not an official ABS forecast.
2021 Census figures
2021 Census
Population
1,252
Median age
54
Median household income / week
$1,244
Dwelling vacancy
59.7%
Unoccupied private dwellings
785 of 1,316
Median monthly mortgage
$1,232
Median weekly rent (2021 Census)
$250
Tenure (owned / mortgaged / rented)
49.7% / 27.7% / 22.6%
Employment rate
54.9%
Travel to work (WFH / public transport / car)
12.3% / 0% / 67.5%
Walked or cycled to work
6%
Dwelling mix (houses / semi / flats)
507 / 14 / 4 (+ 3 other)
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.
14% of adults have a university degree, compared with 22.6% across South Australia. 21.4% have a trade or vocational qualification.
University qualified14% · 22.6% SA
Diploma qualified8.7% · 8.6% SA
Trade / vocational21.4% · 17.5% SA
Year 12 or below55.8% · 51.2% SA
Highest qualification field
Main field of the highest non-school qualification (2021 Census).
Engineering and related technologies15.3%
Management and commerce14.7%
Health13.2%
Education11.5%
Food, hospitality and personal services11%
Architecture and building10.2%
How these groups are defined
Measure
Definition
University qualified
Bachelor degree or higher
Diploma qualified
Advanced Diploma / Diploma
Trade / vocational
Certificate III + IV
Year 12
Year 12 as highest attainment
Below Year 12
Year 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)
$48,988
26th percentile in SA · -17% vs Australia
Median salary / wages (2023–24)
$48,247
16th percentile in SA · -26% vs Australia
Residents with rental investments
14.0%
68th percentile in SA · +1% vs Australia
Median super balance (2023–24)
$91,699
66th percentile in SA · +45% vs Australia
Residents with business income
14.0%
86th percentile in SA · +35% vs Australia
Australian Taxation Office Taxation Statistics 2023–24, individuals Table 25. Figures describe taxpayers who live in postcode 5276 — 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
968
Taxpayers reporting net rent
138
Median net rent
$2,079
Taxpayers reporting business income
139
Taxable income vs state median
-10%
Salary / wages vs state median
-16%
Rental investment vs state median
+17%
Super vs state median
+18%
Business income vs state median
+27%
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
Seasonal & agricultural work
10.0% of employed residents work in agriculture, forestry and fishing, 4.3× the Australian share (2.3%) — compared with 3.8% across South Australia.
Agriculture, forestry & fishing
10.0%
50th percentile in SA · +335% vs Australia
Resident workers (2021)
60
WHM specified work
Subclass 417 / 462
Postcode 5276
Occupation mix in this industry
2021 Census G56, residents employed in agriculture, forestry and fishing. Counts below 10 are not shown.
Managers33
Labourers19
Australian Bureau of Statistics, 2021 Census General Community Profile tables G54 (industry of employment) and G56 (industry by occupation), Statistical Area Level (suburb), place of usual residence. Figures are residents’ main job in the week before Census night — not jobs located in the suburb. Agriculture, forestry and fishing is the 1-digit ANZSIC division; grape growing and other 3- and 4-digit industries are not in this datapack. The 2026 Census was conducted in August 2026; suburb-level updates are expected from mid-2027.
Plant and animal cultivation in postcode 5276 (Regional Australia) may count as specified work for Working Holiday Maker visas (subclasses 417 and 462). This is a postcode rule from the Home Affairs instruments — not evidence that seasonal jobs exist here, and not a count of WHM residents. Home Affairs specified work · LIN 22/012 · LIN 22/013. Compilation used: 5 April 2025.
Region employment estimates (SA4, not this suburb)
Jobs and Skills Australia NERO modelled estimates for South Australia - South East (SA4 407), 2026-08. These figures describe the broader region, not this suburb, and occupations are not added together.
Livestock Farmers ANZSCO 12134,568
Mixed Crop and Livestock Farmers ANZSCO 12143,627
Livestock Farm Workers ANZSCO 84151,363
Crop Farmers ANZSCO 12121,073
Crop Farm Workers ANZSCO 8412992
Agricultural, Forestry and Horticultural Plant Operators ANZSCO 7211833
Forestry and Logging Workers ANZSCO 8413346
Mixed Crop and Livestock Farm Workers ANZSCO 8416308
Other Farm, Forestry and Garden Workers ANZSCO 8419301
Aquaculture Workers ANZSCO 841110
South Australia - South East is a Statistical Area Level 4. Fruit, nut and vegetable workers are not published separately in NERO (they sit under ANZSCO 8412). Jobs and Skills Australia warns not to sum occupations or geographies. NERO data. Nowcast of Employment by Region and Occupation, Jobs and Skills Australia, Commonwealth of Australia. CC BY 4.0.
Census employed residents counted in G54: 600 · AFF share +163% vs the state.
Data sources & freshness
2021 Census — industry of employment (G54/G56), place of usual residence — Australian Bureau of Statistics · Updated · Resident main job in the week before Census night, not jobs located in the suburb
The 2026 Census was conducted in August 2026; suburb-level updates are expected from mid-2027.
WHM specified work areas (LIN 22/012 and LIN 22/013) — Department of Home Affairs · 2025-04-05 · Updated · Postcode eligibility for plant and animal cultivation; not a count of WHM residents
Nowcast of Employment by Region and Occupation (NERO), SA4 × ANZSCO 4-digit — Jobs and Skills Australia · 2026-08 · Updated · Monthly modelled SA4 estimates; not suburb-level. CC BY 4.0
Community & culture
3.1% speak a language other than English at home; 10.5% born overseas
Language at home
1,152 English only · 37 other
Non-English at home
3.1%
Born overseas
126 (10.5%)
Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander
13 (1%)
Australian citizens
1,149
Languages spoken at home (other than English)
2
Top languages other than English
Share of residents who speak a language other than English at home (2021 Census).
Portuguese5 · 62.5%
Thai3 · 37.5%
Religion
49.7%No religion
No religion is the most common response at 49.7%, while Christianity accounts for 41.3%.
Measure
Suburb
State
No religion
49.7%
45.2%
Christianity
41.3%
40%
Other / not stated
9%
14.7%
Christian denominations
Denomination
Suburb
State
Anglican
17.8%
7.2%
Catholic
12%
15.5%
Uniting Church
6%
4.8%
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 decreased compared with the previous period.
Offence counts & rates
Total offences (2025–26)
17
Against the person
1
Against property
16
Rate per 1,000 residents
13
Person-crime prevalence
About 1 in 1,252 residents
State crime-rate percentile
15.1th (higher = more crime)
Family & domestic abuse offences
3
Decrease (daily rate)
-19%
Recorded road crashes (in suburb)
23
Crash rate per 1,000 residents (state rank)
17.64
Most common offence types
Damage Or Destroy Property4
Motor Vehicle Theft And Related Offences3
Sct - Non Residence2
Serious Assault1
Theft From A Person4
Contributes to desirability score · Safety (22%)
Crime rate, offences against the person, year-on-year trend and recorded road crash rates
The Gums Campground - Little Dip Conservation ParkCampground
Discovery ParksCaravan park
Lakeside Tourist ParkCaravan park
Sea Vu Caravan ParkCaravan park
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
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.
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
Kingston Soldiers' Memorial Hospital (40.9 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%)
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.
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
26° / 13°
Rainfall
65 mm · ~8 rainy days
Autumn (Mar–May)
Usual max / min
21° / 10°
Rainfall
140 mm · ~18 rainy days
Winter (Jun–Aug)
Usual max / min
15° / 7°
Rainfall
282 mm · ~35 rainy days
Spring (Sep–Nov)
Usual max / min
19° / 9°
Rainfall
158 mm · ~20 rainy days
Contributes to desirability score · Lifestyle (12%)
Development applications from PlanSA register and EPA licensed activities.
2026· 70 proposals
September 2026
Change of Use - Cafe to Golf Lounge including in building alterations and a Sign (on the northern elevation)
2 STURT ST ROBE SA 5276Under Assessment
Demolition of existing dwelling and construction of a new two-storey residence, including associated site works, walls and fencing, landscaping and outdoor living areas.
19 WRATTONBULLY RD ROBE SA 5276Under Assessment
Demolition of existing garage and sheds. Proposed Ancillary Accommodation with attached garage and timber decking.
25 STURT ST ROBE SA 5276Under Assessment
Robe Institute – Smillie Street Elevation De-rendering and Stone Conservation
18 MUNDY TCE ROBE SA 5276Under Assessment
4 x Detached (Single Storey) Dwellings on Lot 2, Lot 3, Lot 4 and Lot 5 of the 2-4 Apex Lane, Robe Land Division.
2 -4 APEX LANE ROBE SA 5276Under Assessment
2 storey Dwelling Addition to the existing residence
67 DAVENPORT ST ROBE SA 5276Under Assessment
Re roof the front part of the Local Heritage Cottage - Building Alteration
UNIT 3 10 ELIZABETH ST ROBE SA 5276Under Assessment
Commercial Builders Shed
25 DENTON DR ROBE SA 5276Under Assessment
Building Alteration - Removal of three small windows and install a large window in their place on the north east facing wall. The overall width and height remains the same.
UNIT 1 1 -3 BEACH CT ROBE SA 5276Decision Made
Partial change of use from a service trade premise to a commercial laundromat, store and office, with associated signage.
8 WHITE ST ROBE SA 5276Under Assessment
August 2026
Existing Domestic Shed with addition of mezzanine & WC
3 GERANIUM ST ROBE SA 5276Decision Made
2 Lot Community Title Land Division to create separate allotments for each building with common parking area
1 VICTORIA ST ROBE SA 5276Under Assessment
Torrens Title Land Division (1 into 2 Allotments)
2A HAYES AV ROBE SA 5276Under Assessment
July 2026
Torrens Title Land Division (1 into 9 Allotments)
7 WILDFIELD RD ROBE SA 5276Under Assessment
2 (Two) x Secondhand Detached Dwellings - fitted with new aluminium windows & doors & fully re-cladded with lightweight material along with 2 (Two) x lean-too Carports following relocation
11 MCFARLANE ST ROBE SA 5276Under Assessment
June 2026
Outbuilding (Shed)
3 NUNAN ST ROBE SA 5276Decision Made
Single storey detached dwelling
11 SOUTHERN PORTS HWY ROBE SA 5276Under Assessment
Variation to Land Division Consent Condition 1 and Land Division Consent Condition 2(1) to amend the Stormwater Management Plan to be the Preliminary Stormwater Management Report (“PRMR1”), prepared by Tonkin Consultants Pty Ltd, Ref: 251107R001B, Revision C, dated April 2026.
LOT 204 FAWKS DR ROBE SA 5276Decision Made
Outbuilding (shed)
6 OLIVE CT ROBE SA 5276Decision Made
Single storey detached dwelling
29 BEACON HILL RD ROBE SA 5276Decision Made
Single storey detached dwelling
73 ORCHID DR ROBE SA 5276Decision Made
Building Alterations to Clubrooms (Verandah, Deck & New Windows), Access Stairs & PVC Pickett Fence (1200 mm high)
LOT 1 MUNDY TCE ROBE SA 5276Under Assessment
Verandah and deck
4 ALEXANDER DR ROBE SA 5276Under Assessment
Construction of a Detached Dwelling & associated Outbuilding
51 DOUGLAS DAWSON TRK ROBE SA 5276Under Assessment
To construct a series of retaining walls and fences to allow level play area and water tank location.
28 ADAM LINDSAY GORDON DR ROBE SA 5276Under Assessment
Verandah over an existing timber deck.
55 MAIN RD ROBE SA 5276Decision Made
May 2026
New 110 sqm carport / veranda to rear of premises 5m wide x 22m long.
57 DOUGLAS DAWSON TRK ROBE SA 5276Under Assessment
Detached (Single Storey) Dwelling
41 COBB AND CO WAY ROBE SA 5276Decision Made
Detached (Single Storey) Dwelling
13 LAPWING AV ROBE SA 5276Decision Made
Alterations and additions to existing residence - proposed additional bathroom & new double garage
16 LAKE RD ROBE SA 5276Under Assessment
Outbuilding
6 IVY PL ROBE SA 5276Decision Made
Construction of a 20 m x 12 m x 4.6 m shed
185 SANDY LANE ROBE SA 5276Decision Made
Remove and replace existing back pergola Remove and replace existing deck to front of dwelling
14 BARROWMANS DR ROBE SA 5276Decision Made
Detached (Single Storey) Dwelling
2 -4 APEX LANE ROBE SA 5276Under Assessment
Shed (Outbuilding)
35 ORCHID DR ROBE SA 5276Decision Made
Single storey detached dwelling
28 KELHAM DR ROBE SA 5276Decision Made
Carport (Outbuilding)
9 BACKLER ST ROBE SA 5276Decision Made
April 2026
Variation of Development Application 25021607 - Carport Re-location
8 LAKESIDE TCE ROBE SA 5276Decision Made
Outbuilding Shed (94.5m2) to be used for storage of boat, trailer and recreational fishing equipment ancillary to the residential use of the property (24 and 24a Lord Syleham Street, Robe)
24 LORD SYLEHAM ST ROBE SA 5276;24A LORD SYLEHAM ST ROBE SA 5276Decision Made
Variation to 25020804 - Removal of existing dwelling and shed and construction of a new dwelling by increasing front setback of the dwelling and providing additional balcony privacy screening
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.
Estimated from 8 nearby ordinary polling places (up to 62.2 km away).
Coalition 73.0%Labor 27.0%
10.0 percentage points more Coalition-leaning than the electorate
Estimated swing since 2022: +3.3 pp toward Labor
Nearest polling places
RobeLabor 27.0% · Coalition 73.0% TPP (2025)8.7 km away
BeachportLabor 34.8% · Coalition 65.2% TPP (2025)32.8 km away
Kingston SELabor 25.6% · Coalition 74.5% TPP (2025)42.1 km away
SouthendLabor 25.0% · Coalition 75.0% TPP (2025)47.2 km away
FurnerLabor 12.8% · Coalition 87.2% TPP (2025)49.2 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.
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%)