suburb.guide

SA · Clare and Gilbert Valleys Council

Watervale, SA, 5452

Current weather

11°CLight drizzle

73% humidity · 28.5 km/h wind · 12.4° / 9.4° today · 9.7 mm rain

Desirability index

69.8/100

#66 among Country & regional suburbs

How this score is calculated

Suburb snapshot

Watervale is a small locality in the Clare and Gilbert Valleys area, home to around 338 residents (2021 Census). Recent indicators show reported crime totals of around 2 offences in 2024–25 (Jul–Jun), roughly 5.9 offences per 1,000 residents, median weekly rent around $540, 1 school and preschool site in the area, limited but present public transport access, a quieter amenity profile than busier neighbouring suburbs, and notable planning and development activity on record. Use the sections below for detailed population, safety, schools, and local activity data.

Population

Population
338
Median age
43
Median household income / week
$1,437
Dwelling vacancy
16.1%
Unoccupied private dwellings
23 of 143
Median monthly mortgage
$1,231
Employment rate
67.7%
Dwelling mix (houses / semi / flats)
10 / 3 / 0

Data sources & freshness

  • 2021 Census — General Community Profile — Australian Bureau of Statistics · Period: 2021 · Updated on site · 2021 Census release

    The 2026 Census runs in August 2026; suburb-level updates are expected from mid-2027.

Housing

Houses (01/01/26 to 31/03/26)
$540

Median weekly rent from SA Housing Authority rental bond data. Figures can be unreliable where few bonds were lodged in the quarter.

Data sources & freshness

  • SA Housing Authority rent & sales reports — Government of South Australia · Period: 1 January - 31 March 2026 · Updated on site · Quarterly releases

Crime & safety

Total offences (2024–25)
2
Against the person
0
Against property
2
Rate per 1,000 residents
5.9
State safety percentile
2.3th (lower crime is better)
Family & domestic abuse offences
1
Year-on-year change
0%

Most common offence types

  • Obtain Benefit By Deception1
  • Other Theft1

Data sources & freshness

  • SAPOL reported crime statistics — South Australia Police — OpenData · Period: 2024-25; 2024-25 → 2024-25 · Updated on site · Financial-year releases

Schools & preschools

Schools & preschools
1
Median school ICSEA
1,033
  • Watervale Primary SchoolPrimary · ICSEA 1033

Data sources & freshness

Public transport

2 public transport stops in this suburb

  • Main North Rd - East side (Watervale General Store)
  • Main North Rd - West side (Watervale General Store)

Data sources & freshness

Planning & development

Development applications from PlanSA register (lodged 2020–2026) and EPA licensed activities.

72 planning-related records

2026· 4 proposals

  • June 2026

  • Agricultural building (implement storage) and retaining walls
    LOT 1 UPPER SKILLY RD WATERVALE SA 5452Under Assessment

  • April 2026

  • Land Division (Torrens Title - 1 into 2)
    50 QUELLTALER RD WATERVALE SA 5452Under Assessment

  • March 2026

  • Alterations and additions to an existing agricultural building (implement storage) and decking
    7303 HORROCKS HWY WATERVALE SA 5452Decision Made

  • February 2026

  • Single story detached dwelling and retaining wall
    7 NORTH TCE WATERVALE SA 5452Under Assessment
2025· 14 proposals

  • December 2025

  • Verandah addition to dwelling and outbuilding (domestic storage shed)
    35 WEST RD WATERVALE SA 5452Decision Made
  • Change of use from a store (implement storage) to a function venue, alterations and additions to the existing building including restoration works and additions including commercial kitchen and amenities with associated relocation of an existing above-ground rainwater tank, carparking and landscaping
    7303 HORROCKS HWY WATERVALE SA 5452Under Assessment

  • August 2025

  • Decking with associated screening
    11 NORTH TCE WATERVALE SA 5452Decision Made

  • July 2025

  • Deck
    6 COMMERCIAL RD WATERVALE SA 5452Under Assessment
  • Shade sail (over existing playground)
    7420 HORROCKS HWY WATERVALE SA 5452Decision Made
  • Carport
    60 SOLLYS HILL RD WATERVALE SA 5452Decision Made
  • Outbuilding (garage) and associated landscaping
    29 -31 WEST RD WATERVALE SA 5452Decision Made

  • June 2025

  • Spa and associated safety features
    8 COMMERCIAL RD WATERVALE SA 5452Decision Made
  • Installation of two (2) Frost fans (FrostBoss C49) associated with existing vineyards
    170 BLENHEIM RD WATERVALE SA 5452Decision Made
  • Land Division (Torrens Title - 1 into 11) over two stages
    LOT 383 SHEOAK RD WATERVALE SA 5452Decision Made

  • April 2025

  • Single storey detached dwelling and retaining walls
    26 WEST RD WATERVALE SA 5452Under Assessment
  • Carport
    8 SOUTH TCE WATERVALE SA 5452Decision Made
  • Outbuilding (shed) and carport
    11 NORTH TCE WATERVALE SA 5452Decision Made

  • February 2025

  • Single storey detached dwelling and installation of bathroom and laundry facilities within the existing shed
    8 COMMERCIAL RD WATERVALE SA 5452Decision Made
2024· 10 proposals

  • August 2024

  • Single storey detached dwelling
    4 ADELAIDE NORTH RD WATERVALE SA 5452Decision Made

  • July 2024

  • Installation of one (1) frost fan (FrostBoss C59) associated with existing vineyards
    LOT 2 CEMETERY RD WATERVALE SA 5452Decision Made

  • June 2024

  • Change of use from office to dwelling
    19 MAIN NORTH RD WATERVALE SA 5452Decision Made
  • Demolition of existing non-heritage listed dwelling additions and outbuilding (shed) and construction of new dwelling additions to an existing State Heritage Place (SHP - I.D 14492) including minor internal works to the SHP, under main roof garage and carports, verandah and associated landscaping
    9 SOUTH TCE WATERVALE SA 5452Under Assessment

  • May 2024

  • Outbuilding (shed)
    19-21 ST VINCENT RD WATERVALE SA 5452Decision Made

  • April 2024

  • Single storey detached dwelling with outbuilding (shed) and retaining walls
    LOT 2 NORTH TCE WATERVALE SA 5452Decision Made
  • Agricultural building (horticulture shed and implement storage)
    4-18 NORTH TCE WATERVALE SA 5452Decision Made

  • February 2024

  • Alterations and additions to an existing dwelling and verandah
    65 SOLLYS HILL RD WATERVALE SA 5452Decision Made

  • January 2024

  • Outbuilding (garage)
    6 SOUTH TCE WATERVALE SA 5452Decision Made
  • Shed (for domestic storage purposes)
    8 COMMERCIAL RD WATERVALE SA 5452Decision Made
2023· 10 proposals

  • December 2023

  • Alterations and additions to the existing building to create four tourist accommodation units with shared facilities, associated decking and new amenities block ancillary to the cellar door
    45 OLD RD WATERVALE SA 5452;LOT 2 CEMETERY RD WATERVALE SA 5452Under Assessment
  • Swimming pool with associated safety features
    24-26 WEST RD WATERVALE SA 5452Decision Made

  • August 2023

  • Single storey detached dwelling
    LOT 1 NORTH TCE WATERVALE SA 5452Decision Made

  • July 2023

  • Verandah (replacing existing verandah)
    12 ST VINCENT RD WATERVALE SA 5452Decision Made
  • Swimming pool and associated safety barriers
    221 CEMETERY RD WATERVALE SA 5452Decision Made
  • Carport
    11 SHEOAK RD WATERVALE SA 5452Under Assessment

  • June 2023

  • Single storey detached dwelling with associated carport and decking
    12 COMMERCIAL RD WATERVALE SA 5452Decision Made

  • May 2023

  • Shed (for domestic storage purposes)
    10 COMMERCIAL RD WATERVALE SA 5452Decision Made

  • April 2023

  • Conversion of an outbuilding to ancillary accommodation and construction of a deck to the rear of the existing dwelling
    5 COMMERCIAL RD WATERVALE SA 5452Decision Made

  • January 2023

  • 6.1m x 4m skillion roof colourbond shed.
    12 COMMERCIAL RD WATERVALE SA 5452Decision Made
2022· 10 proposals

  • December 2022

  • Tourist accommodation (Bed & Breakfast) with associated carport, verandah and decking
    8 SOUTH TCE WATERVALE SA 5452Decision Made
  • Agricultural building (storage shed for primary production)
    178 SKILLOGALEE CREEK RD WATERVALE SA 5452Decision Made
2021· 22 proposals

22 proposals lodged in 2021. Individual listings are kept for the most recent proposals.

2020· 2 proposals

2 proposals lodged in 2020. Individual listings are kept for the most recent proposals.

Data sources & freshness

Amenities

3 nearby amenities within ~1.5 km

  • Drinking water
  • Public toilets
  • Watervale HotelRestaurant

Names and addresses from OpenStreetMap. Unnamed venues show as their type (e.g. Cafe).

Data sources & freshness

  • OpenStreetMap amenities — OpenStreetMap contributors · Period: current · Updated on site · Weekly refresh

Socio-economic (SEIFA)

IRSAD decile (2021)
6/10
IRSD decile (2021)
7/10

SEIFA indexes from ABS 2021. Decile 10 = most advantaged / least disadvantaged in Australia.

Data sources & freshness

Heritage

23 state heritage places

  • Heritage placeState heritage
  • Heritage placeState heritage
  • Heritage placeState heritage
  • Heritage placeState heritage
  • Heritage placeState heritage
  • Heritage placeState heritage
  • Heritage placeState heritage
  • Heritage placeState heritage
  • Heritage placeState heritage
  • Heritage placeState heritage

Data sources & freshness

Desirability index

Desirability score
69.8/100
Cohort rank
#66 among Country & regional suburbs

Data sources & freshness

  • Suburb Guide desirability index — Suburb Guide (derived score) · Period: current · Updated on site · Derived from source metrics

Recent changes

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Data sources & freshness

Similar suburbs

Suburbs with a comparable population profile, socio-economic decile, and location.