Waikerie is a rural locality in South Australia, in Loxton Waikerie Council. The Murray River is part of the surrounding geography.
Shops and everyday services are easier to access than in most comparable places. School access is exceptionally strong, with school access 50% above the peer median, and open-space access is exceptionally strong, placing it among the highest-ranked rural localities. Rents are relatively affordable, with median rents 17% below the peer median. The main trade-offs are lower socio-economic advantage and higher crime, with reported crime 82% above the peer median.
Overall, Waikerie suits people prioritising school access and open space over socio-economic advantage.
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
Rural locality · compared with rural localities in South Australia (602)
Strengths
School access is exceptionally strong
Open-space access is exceptionally strong
Shops and everyday services are easier to access than in most comparable places
Rents are relatively affordable
Weaknesses
Socio-economic advantage is well below comparable places
Reported crime is somewhat elevated against comparable places
What stands out
Murray River
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 Waikerie compares
A quick read of housing, growth, livability, and risk
Median house price
—
No data available
Median rent
$350/wk
Houses $370 · Units $180
Population (ERP)
2,758
+0.0% annual growth
Dwelling vacancy
11.8%
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
#133
among Country & regional · Mature
Crime rate
65th
percentile in state (higher = more crime)
Pop. growth
47th
percentile in SA
Rented dwellings
31%
2021 Census tenure
Advantage (IRSAD)
1/10
national SEIFA decile
School ICSEA
35th
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
32.5/100 — Below average
National rank
6068th in Australia
State rank
580th in SA
Peer rank
#133 among Country & regional · Mature suburbs
Cohort rank
#208 among Country & regional 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)
$180
Houses (01/01/26 to 31/03/26)
$370
All types (01/01/26 to 31/03/26)
$350
Rental bonds lodged (01/01/26 to 31/03/26)
15
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
2,758(June 2025)
+0.0% annual · 0.0% over 5 years · 47th percentile in SA
Growth figures & methodology
Annual growth
+0.0%
5-year growth
0.0%
Change in 1 year
+1
Change in 5 years
0
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 (~2,800), extrapolated at +0.4% average annual growth since 2011. It is illustrative only — not an official ABS forecast.
2021 Census figures
2021 Census
Population
2,681
Median age
49
Median household income / week
$954
Dwelling vacancy
11.8%
Unoccupied private dwellings
149 of 1,267
Median monthly mortgage
$1,000
Median weekly rent (2021 Census)
$200
Tenure (owned / mortgaged / rented)
42.5% / 26.6% / 31%
Employment rate
48.2%
Travel to work (WFH / public transport / car)
6% / 0.5% / 75.3%
Walked or cycled to work
7%
Dwelling mix (houses / semi / flats)
963 / 150 / 0 (+ 9 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.
9% of adults have a university degree, compared with 22.6% across South Australia. 18.8% have a trade or vocational qualification.
University qualified9% · 22.6% SA
Diploma qualified6.8% · 8.6% SA
Trade / vocational18.8% · 17.5% SA
Year 12 or below65.3% · 51.2% SA
Highest qualification field
Main field of the highest non-school qualification (2021 Census).
Engineering and related technologies17.3%
Society and culture17.2%
Management and commerce16.4%
Health12.6%
Education10.8%
Food, hospitality and personal services8.2%
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)
$48,069
21st percentile in SA · -18% vs Australia
Median salary / wages (2023–24)
$51,313
25th percentile in SA · -21% vs Australia
Residents with rental investments
12.0%
42nd percentile in SA · -13% vs Australia
Median super balance (2023–24)
$64,588
30th percentile in SA · +2% vs Australia
Residents with business income
7.0%
7th percentile in SA · -33% vs Australia
Australian Taxation Office Taxation Statistics 2023–24, individuals Table 25. Figures describe taxpayers who live in postcode 5330 — 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
1,928
Taxpayers reporting net rent
225
Median net rent
$792
Taxpayers reporting business income
136
Taxable income vs state median
-12%
Salary / wages vs state median
-11%
Rental investment vs state median
0%
Super vs state median
-17%
Business income vs state median
-36%
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
18.7% of employed residents work in agriculture, forestry and fishing, 8.1× the Australian share (2.3%) — compared with 3.8% across South Australia.
Agriculture, forestry & fishing
18.7%
64th percentile in SA · +713% vs Australia
Resident workers (2021)
203
WHM specified work
Subclass 417 / 462
Postcode 5330
Occupation mix in this industry
2021 Census G56, residents employed in agriculture, forestry and fishing. Counts below 10 are not shown.
Labourers81
Managers63
Machinery operators and drivers22
Clerical and administrative workers14
Technicians and trades workers13
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 5330 (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: 1,084 · AFF share +392% 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
9.1% speak a language other than English at home; 13.8% born overseas
Language at home
2,279 English only · 227 other
Non-English at home
9.1%
Born overseas
344 (13.8%)
Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander
66 (2.5%)
Australian citizens
2,336
Languages spoken at home (other than English)
8
Top languages other than English
Share of residents who speak a language other than English at home (2021 Census).
Punjabi42 · 62.7%
Serbian5 · 7.5%
Italian4 · 6%
Persian4 · 6%
Greek3 · 4.5%
Gujarati3 · 4.5%
Indonesian3 · 4.5%
Vietnamese3 · 4.5%
Religion
45.3%Most common religion · Christianity
Christianity is the most common response at 45.3%, while 39.9% reported no religion.
Measure
Suburb
State
No religion
39.9%
45.2%
Christianity
45.3%
40%
Other / not stated
14.8%
14.7%
Christian denominations
Denomination
Suburb
State
Lutheran
12.6%
2.4%
Anglican
9.1%
7.2%
Catholic
8.8%
15.5%
Uniting Church
8.7%
4.8%
Christian (not further defined)
2.1%
2.6%
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)
138
Against the person
32
Against property
106
Rate per 1,000 residents
50
Person-crime prevalence
About 1 in 84 residents
State crime-rate percentile
65.2th (higher = more crime)
Family & domestic abuse offences
28
Increase (daily rate)
+27.8%
Recorded road crashes (in suburb)
41
Crash rate per 1,000 residents (state rank)
14.87
Most common offence types
Damage Or Destroy Property26
Other Unlawful Entry With Intent14
Serious Assault21
Theft From A Person24
Theft From Retail Premises11
Contributes to desirability score · Safety (22%)
Crime rate, offences against the person, year-on-year trend and recorded road crash rates
Great for outdoor family life — 11 parks mapped in suburb
Walkability proxy
9/100
Cafés per 1,000 residents
0
Food & drink per 1,000 residents
0
Parks per 1,000 residents
4.1
Wineries & breweries(2)
AM & JL Devito WineryWinery
Growers Wine GroupWinery
Camping & holiday parks(4)
Holder Bend Reserve & Boat RampCampground
Lions Riverfront ParkCampground
Ricciuto CreekCampground
Echo Holiday ParkCaravan park
44 Peake Terrace, Waikerie
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
Hospitals & GP clinics in suburb
1
Nearest hospital
Waikerie Health Service (4.1 km)
Nearest hospital type
Public Hospital
Nearest hospital emergency
Emergency department
Emergency department in suburb
On site
GP clinics in suburb
1
GPs tagged bulk billing (OSM)
0 of 1
Aged-care services
1
Residential aged-care places
42
GP clinic counts from OpenStreetMap. Bulk-billing figures only include clinics tagged in OSM (sparse and unofficial — not a Medicare list).
GPGP
Waikerie Health Service1 Lawrie TerracePublic Hospital
Waikerie Multi-Purpose ServiceWAIKERIEMulti-Purpose Service
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
32° / 15°
Rainfall
57 mm · ~7 rainy days
Autumn (Mar–May)
Usual max / min
25° / 10°
Rainfall
57 mm · ~7 rainy days
Winter (Jun–Aug)
Usual max / min
17° / 5°
Rainfall
74 mm · ~9 rainy days
Spring (Sep–Nov)
Usual max / min
25° / 9°
Rainfall
85 mm · ~11 rainy days
Contributes to desirability score · Lifestyle (12%)
Development applications from PlanSA register and EPA licensed activities.
2026· 49 proposals
September 2026
Single storey dwelling with associated carport
49 PEAKE TCE WAIKERIE SA 5330Under Assessment
Single storey dwelling with associated carport
49 PEAKE TCE WAIKERIE SA 5330Under Assessment
Construction of a freestanding verandah
18 -22 MCCOY ST WAIKERIE SA 5330Under Assessment
Land Division (1 into 2 Allotments)
127 VASEY RD WAIKERIE SA 5330Under Assessment
August 2026
Build a shed 9m x 6m x 2.7m high in colorbond steel
11 BENLOW RD WAIKERIE SA 5330Decision Made
Minor internal alterations to existing Woolworths Supermarket
1 WHITE ST WAIKERIE SA 5330Decision Made
Land Division (1 into 3 Allotments)
86 POPE RD WAIKERIE SA 5330Decision Made
Construction of an Outbuilding
37 MARY STARR DR WAIKERIE SA 5330Decision Made
Attached Verandah
3 BLIGHT ST WAIKERIE SA 5330Under Assessment
July 2026
Single storey dwelling with associated carport & deck
LOT 46 RAMCO RD WAIKERIE SA 5330Under Assessment
Single storey dwelling with associated carport
LOT 46 RAMCO RD WAIKERIE SA 5330Under Assessment
Single storey dwelling with associated carport
LOT 46 RAMCO RD WAIKERIE SA 5330Under Assessment
Single storey dwelling with associated carport
LOT 46 RAMCO RD WAIKERIE SA 5330Under Assessment
June 2026
Single storey dwelling with associated carport
LOT 46 RAMCO RD WAIKERIE SA 5330Decision Made
Single storey dwelling with associated carport
LOT 46 RAMCO RD WAIKERIE SA 5330Decision Made
Single storey dwelling with associated carport
LOT 46 RAMCO RD WAIKERIE SA 5330Decision Made
Single storey dwelling with associated carport
LOT 46 RAMCO RD WAIKERIE SA 5330Decision Made
Single storey dwelling with associated carport
LOT 46 RAMCO RD WAIKERIE SA 5330Decision Made
Single storey dwelling with associated carport
LOT 46 RAMCO RD WAIKERIE SA 5330Decision Made
Single storey dwelling with associated carport
LOT 46 RAMCO RD WAIKERIE SA 5330Decision Made
Single storey dwelling with associated carport
LOT 46 RAMCO RD WAIKERIE SA 5330Under Assessment
Variation to DA 24008700 (Construction of storage shed - community facility) - comprising the addition of a storage container for community use and amendment to storage shed location
LOT 100 CLIFF ST WAIKERIE SA 5330Decision Made
Additions and Alterations to an existing service trade premise comprising replacement of damaged structural frame and cladding (retrospective approval)
2 RAILWAY TCE WAIKERIE SA 5330Under Assessment
Construction of a single storey detached dwelling with UMR garage and verandah
LOT 122 POPE RD WAIKERIE SA 5330Decision Made
Land Division - 1 into 2 allotments
44 PEAKE TCE WAIKERIE SA 5330Under Assessment
Construction of an outbuilding (garge)
150 IAN OLIVER DR WAIKERIE SA 5330Decision Made
May 2026
Outback Verandah
12 HARDEN ST WAIKERIE SA 5330Decision Made
Land Division (1 into 2 allotments)
7 HEMING ST WAIKERIE SA 5330Under Assessment
Extension to existing existing shed
31 MATTNER RD WAIKERIE SA 5330Decision Made
Construction of an outbuilding (garage/domestic storage)
12 HENDERSON ST WAIKERIE SA 5330Decision Made
Construction of a domestic outbuilding
131 OLD BLANCHETOWN RD WAIKERIE SA 5330Decision Made
April 2026
Modifications to existing parking area (relocation of Woolworths Direct-to-Boot (DTB) service) including five (5) post mounted directional signs
1 WHITE ST WAIKERIE SA 5330Decision Made
Construction of a carport
3 BLIGHT ST WAIKERIE SA 5330Decision Made
March 2026
Construction of a single storey detached dwelling with UMR verandah
LOT 38 VIRGO RD WAIKERIE SA 5330Decision Made
Site 132 Lot 46 Ramco Road Waikerie
LOT 46 RAMCO RD WAIKERIE SA 5330Decision Made
Site 149 Lot 46 Ramco Road Waikerie
LOT 46 RAMCO RD WAIKERIE SA 5330Decision Made
Construction of an outbuilding (domestic storage) and relocation of an existing carport
20 OLD BLANCHETOWN RD WAIKERIE SA 5330Decision Made
Construction of a detached single storey dwelling with attached verandah and construction of a freestanding carport
LOT 44 SEGNERI RD WAIKERIE SA 5330Decision Made
Construction of an agricultural shed
LOT 38 VIRGO RD WAIKERIE SA 5330Decision Made
Carport
19 PEAKE TCE WAIKERIE SA 5330Decision Made
2025· 4 proposals
December 2025
Construction of an attached verandah
93 CHECKER RD WAIKERIE SA 5330Decision Made
Ground-mounted solar array associated with an existing irrigation pump
LOT 1 DUNSTAN RD WAIKERIE SA 5330Decision Made
Construction of a single storey detached dwelling with UMR garage attached verandah, and boundary fencing and retaining walls
LOT 310 MARY STARR DR WAIKERIE SA 5330Under Assessment
Riverbank remediation works comprising installation of Geotextile sand container (GSC) and rock beach revetment along the toe of the bank and replacement of turf – Waikerie Stage 5 - Constraints Project
LOT 1 EDGAR BARTLETT DR WAIKERIE SA 5330Under Assessment
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 46.9 km away).
Coalition 69.8%Labor 30.2%
6.8 percentage points more Coalition-leaning than the electorate
Estimated swing since 2022: +3.8 pp toward Labor
Nearest polling places
WaikerieLabor 31.6% · Coalition 68.4% TPP (2025)3.7 km away
RamcoLabor 26.2% · Coalition 73.8% TPP (2025)5.8 km away
CadellLabor 28.7% · Coalition 71.3% TPP (2025)27.1 km away
MorganLabor 43.7% · Coalition 56.3% TPP (2025)34.5 km away
BlanchetownLabor 36.6% · Coalition 63.4% TPP (2025)35.9 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%)