Wellington East is a rural locality in South Australia, in Coorong Council. It is close to the Murray River and Lake Alexandrina.
Open-space access is exceptionally strong, placing it among the highest-ranked rural localities. Employment rates sit below those of comparable places, with employment 26% below the peer median.
Overall, Wellington East suits people prioritising open space over employment.
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
Open-space access is exceptionally strong
Weaknesses
Employment rates sit below those of comparable places
What stands out
Murray River
Lake Alexandrina
Who it suits
Stars are audience-fit ratings derived from Suburb.Guide data, not demographic counts or user reviews.
Families★★☆☆☆
Professionals★☆☆☆☆
Retirees★☆☆☆☆
StudentsInsufficient data
Budget buyersInsufficient data
Housing, growth and risk
How Wellington East compares
A quick read of housing, growth, livability, and risk
Median house price
—
No data available
Median rent (Census)
$310/wk
2021 Census median weekly rent
Population (ERP)
300
0.0% annual growth
Dwelling vacancy
45.6%
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
#136
among Country & regional · Mature
Crime rate
46th
percentile in state (higher = more crime)
Pop. growth
44th
percentile in SA
Rented dwellings
16%
2021 Census tenure
Advantage (IRSAD)
5/10
national SEIFA decile
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
32.4/100 — Below average
National rank
6084th in Australia
State rank
583rd in SA
Peer rank
#136 among Country & regional · Mature suburbs
Cohort rank
#211 among Country & regional suburbs
Data confidence
78%
Data sources & freshness
Suburb Guide desirability index — Suburb Guide (derived) · current · Updated
Population
Estimated resident population
300(June 2025)
0.0% annual · +1.0% over 5 years · 44th percentile in SA
Growth figures & methodology
Annual growth
0.0%
5-year growth
+1.0%
Change in 1 year
0
Change in 5 years
+3
Growth rank in SA
44th 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 -0.1% average annual growth since 2011. It is illustrative only — not an official ABS forecast.
2021 Census figures
2021 Census
Population
291
Median age
56
Median household income / week
$1,383
Dwelling vacancy
45.6%
Unoccupied private dwellings
99 of 217
Median monthly mortgage
$1,300
Median weekly rent (2021 Census)
$310
Tenure (owned / mortgaged / rented)
56% / 27.6% / 16.4%
Employment rate
45.3%
Travel to work (WFH / public transport / car)
13.3% / 0% / 61.9%
Walked or cycled to work
0%
Dwelling mix (houses / semi / flats)
121 / 0 / 0
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.
10.2% of adults have a university degree, compared with 22.6% across South Australia. 22.9% have a trade or vocational qualification.
University qualified10.2% · 22.6% SA
Diploma qualified15.9% · 8.6% SA
Trade / vocational22.9% · 17.5% SA
Year 12 or below51% · 51.2% SA
Highest qualification field
Main field of the highest non-school qualification (2021 Census).
Engineering and related technologies20%
Management and commerce19.2%
Health14.4%
Agriculture and environment12.8%
Society and culture12%
Architecture and building9.6%
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)
$45,662
16th percentile in SA · -22% vs Australia
Median salary / wages (2023–24)
$57,492
50th percentile in SA · -12% vs Australia
Residents with rental investments
7.0%
6th percentile in SA · -49% vs Australia
Median super balance (2023–24)
$64,045
29th percentile in SA · +1% vs Australia
Residents with business income
7.0%
12th percentile in SA · -33% vs Australia
Australian Taxation Office Taxation Statistics 2023–24, individuals Table 25. Figures describe taxpayers who live in postcode 5259 — 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
637
Taxpayers reporting net rent
46
Median net rent
-$30
Taxpayers reporting business income
47
Taxable income vs state median
-16%
Salary / wages vs state median
0%
Rental investment vs state median
-42%
Super vs state median
-18%
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
19.5% of employed residents work in agriculture, forestry and fishing, 8.5× the Australian share (2.3%) — compared with 3.8% across South Australia.
Agriculture, forestry & fishing
19.5%
65th percentile in SA · +748% vs Australia
Resident workers (2021)
22
WHM specified work
Subclass 417 / 462
Postcode 5259
Occupation mix in this industry
2021 Census G56, residents employed in agriculture, forestry and fishing. Counts below 10 are not shown.
Managers13
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 5259 (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: 113 · AFF share +413% 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
3.5% speak a language other than English at home; 18.2% born overseas
Language at home
272 English only · 10 other
Non-English at home
3.5%
Born overseas
50 (18.2%)
Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander
11 (3.8%)
Australian citizens
272
Languages spoken at home (other than English)
1
Top languages other than English
Share of residents who speak a language other than English at home (2021 Census).
Greek3 · 100%
Religion
46%Most common religion · Christianity
Christianity is the most common response at 46%, while 44% reported no religion.
Measure
Suburb
State
No religion
44%
45.2%
Christianity
46%
40%
Other / not stated
10%
14.7%
Christian denominations
Denomination
Suburb
State
Catholic
10.3%
15.5%
Uniting Church
10%
4.8%
Anglican
9.6%
7.2%
Lutheran
8.9%
2.4%
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)
9
Against the person
4
Against property
5
Rate per 1,000 residents
30
Person-crime prevalence
About 1 in 73 residents
State crime-rate percentile
46th (higher = more crime)
Family & domestic abuse offences
18
Increase (daily rate)
+12.8%
Recorded road crashes (in suburb)
6
Crash rate per 1,000 residents (state rank)
20
Most common offence types
Damage Or Destroy Property3
Other Unlawful Entry With Intent1
Serious Assault4
Theft From A Person1
Contributes to desirability score · Safety (22%)
Crime rate, offences against the person, year-on-year trend and recorded road crash rates
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
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
Tailem Bend District Hospital (16.7 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
29° / 14°
Rainfall
67 mm · ~8 rainy days
Autumn (Mar–May)
Usual max / min
23° / 10°
Rainfall
97 mm · ~12 rainy days
Winter (Jun–Aug)
Usual max / min
16° / 6°
Rainfall
148 mm · ~18 rainy days
Spring (Sep–Nov)
Usual max / min
22° / 9°
Rainfall
119 mm · ~15 rainy days
Contributes to desirability score · Lifestyle (12%)
Development applications from PlanSA register and EPA licensed activities.
2026· 32 proposals
September 2026
Construction of a Jetty
116 SANDPIPER RD WELLINGTON EAST SA 5259Under Assessment
Construction of a Jetty
126 SANDPIPER RD WELLINGTON EAST SA 5259Under Assessment
July 2026
Shed Made to Order 20.0m x 15.0m x 4.5m high
372 WELLINGTON LODGE RD WELLINGTON EAST SA 5259Decision Made
Proposed free standing Carport
62 SANDPIPER RD WELLINGTON EAST SA 5259Decision Made
SHED and attached verandah
44 TRILBY RD WELLINGTON EAST SA 5259Decision Made
June 2026
Single Storey dwelling
LOT 961 TRILBY RD WELLINGTON EAST SA 5259Under Assessment
Single storey detached dwelling
56 TRILBY RD WELLINGTON EAST SA 5259Decision Made
Variation to DA 25004308 to alter the dwelling and outbuildings plans
25 PANGARINDA DR WELLINGTON EAST SA 5259Decision Made
Proposed Verandah
48 GEORGE MASON ST WELLINGTON EAST SA 5259Decision Made
Variation of Development Application 25006389 This application is a variation of application 25006389 to change the shed to be on the boundary instead of 600mm from the boundary. This cant be a minor variation due to the dwelling and shed being on one application that was referred to the Minister for direction. Please comment on shed boundary placement as there are no other changes.
96 WASHPOOL RD WELLINGTON EAST SA 5259Under Assessment
May 2026
Caravan stored on the land to provide shelter for property maintenance (not for habitation)
66 TRILBY RD WELLINGTON EAST SA 5259Decision Made
Single storey detached dwelling, shed and three rainwater tanks
51 PANGARINDA DR WELLINGTON EAST SA 5259Under Assessment
Permanent shipping container - Location - next to erected 9x6 shed on left boundary fence size - 20 foot colour - painted to match Ironstone shed install doors in front and back of shipping container for access located approx. 35 metres from septic tank (front of property)
57 KELSEY RD WELLINGTON EAST SA 5259Decision Made
Ancillary structures (carport/veranda/lean-to) attached to front, rear and north side of shed
59 KELSEY RD WELLINGTON EAST SA 5259Decision Made
REPLACE PREVIOUS JETTY AND BUILD RETAINING WALL TO STOP RIVER BANK EROSION
64 SANDPIPER RD WELLINGTON EAST SA 5259;66 SANDPIPER RD WELLINGTON EAST SA 5259Decision Made
Outbuilding (shed) for the storage of domestic items
15 REBECCA ST WELLINGTON EAST SA 5259Decision Made
Double storey detached dwelling
30 JEFFERSON CT WELLINGTON EAST SA 5259Under Assessment
Stratco Gable and Flat Outback Cooldek Structure: Size broken up into 3 sections consisting of 24000mm Length x4100mm Width x 3600mm Height / 3400mm Width x 14000mm Length x2700mm Height / 1700mm Width x 20500mm Length x 2700mm Height. Structure will be cladded with Colourbond material, frame is made with high tensile coloured beams, power coated brackets and posts.
LOT 105 KELSEY RD WELLINGTON EAST SA 5259Decision Made
Single storey detached dwelling with attached verandah with associated garage and carport and rainwater tanks
43 RILEY RD WELLINGTON EAST SA 5259Under Assessment
April 2026
Detached dwelling with garage/shed
53 RILEY RD WELLINGTON EAST SA 5259Under Assessment
Single-storey detached dwelling with attached breezeway and single vehicle garage.
53 TRILBY RD WELLINGTON EAST SA 5259Under Assessment
Double storey detached dwelling
100 WASHPOOL RD WELLINGTON EAST SA 5259Under Assessment
Single storey detached dwelling with associated rainwater tanks
42 TRILBY RD WELLINGTON EAST SA 5259Decision Made
The proposed development involves building a new single-storey dwelling. The dwelling will include: one (1) master bedroom with ensuite, one (1) additional bedroom, one (1) bathroom, one (1) study room, and associated living, kitchen and laundry areas, A single garage is proposed and will be integrated into the dwelling design.
55 TRILBY RD WELLINGTON EAST SA 5259Under Assessment
March 2026
Two 40-foot containers and one caravan/registered tiny home on wheels on Lot 934, for temporary storage and habitation while building a new dwelling (separate development application) on Lot 933
56 TRILBY RD WELLINGTON EAST SA 5259Under Assessment
Single storey detached dwelling
77 TRILBY RD WELLINGTON EAST SA 5259Under Assessment
Dwelling addition - sunroom
17 REBECCA ST WELLINGTON EAST SA 5259Decision Made
February 2026
Double storey detached dwelling
44 TRILBY RD WELLINGTON EAST SA 5259Decision Made
Single storey detached dwelling with attached deck/verandah and associated rainwater tanks
20 ALISON CT WELLINGTON EAST SA 5259Decision Made
Single storey detached dwelling
53 KELSEY RD WELLINGTON EAST SA 5259Decision Made
January 2026
The development consists of the installation of solar photovoltaic (PV) panels mounted on an elevated, adjustable tilt frame system above the existing dwelling roof at 89 Pangarinda Drive, Wellington East (Lot 900). The solar panels are mounted using the Clenergy PVezRack® SolarRoof system, which is a proprietary aluminium and stainless-steel mounting system designed for residential rooftop solar installations. The system includes adjustable tilt legs allowing the panels to be installed at an an
89 PANGARINDA DR WELLINGTON EAST SA 5259Decision Made
Stratco Freestanding Gable Carport. Size 5000mm Width x 13064mm Length x 3300mm Height. Roof and walls will be cladded in Colourbond material.
128 SANDPIPER RD WELLINGTON EAST SA 5259Decision Made
2025· 13 proposals
December 2025
Stratco Gable Shed Built to the size of 4500mm Wide x 6151mm Length x 3000mm Height. exterior will be cladded with Colourbond material.
4 REBECCA ST WELLINGTON EAST SA 5259Decision Made
November 2025
Skillion Lean-to addition to existing shed and freestanding Gable Carport
17 REBECCA ST WELLINGTON EAST SA 5259Decision Made
Garage
11 ALISON CT WELLINGTON EAST SA 5259Decision Made
October 2025
Single storey detached dwelling with garage under main rood with associated rainwater tanks
25 JEFFERSON CT WELLINGTON EAST SA 5259Decision Made
Single storey detached dwelling with attached verandah and associated outbuilding for domestic storage and garaging of vehicles
20 RILEY RD WELLINGTON EAST SA 5259Decision Made
proposed verandah to front and rear of dwelling and carport to side of dwelling
72 GEORGE MASON ST WELLINGTON EAST SA 5259Under Assessment
Verandah
17 REBECCA ST WELLINGTON EAST SA 5259Decision Made
September 2025
Erection of 8m x 10m x 3.5m double garage on concrete slab
81 TRILBY RD WELLINGTON EAST SA 5259Decision Made
Proposed colorbond 3 bay barn style shed with poly rainwater tank to rear of Lot 67
70 WASHPOOL RD WELLINGTON EAST SA 5259Decision Made
Variation of Development Application 24042533 for the construction of a single storey detached dwelling with above ground rain water tanks
81 TRILBY RD WELLINGTON EAST SA 5259Decision Made
T-Shaped Jetty with deck walkway ramp
25 JEFFERSON CT WELLINGTON EAST SA 5259Decision Made
Erect an agricultural building - shearing shed
277 ECKERTS RD WELLINGTON EAST SA 5259Decision Made
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.
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%)