SA · Alexandrina Council

Willyaroo, 5255

Est. population · Jun 2025

405

Growth (1 yr)

+1.8%

Growth (5 yr)

+10.7%

Median age

47

Median income

$1,390/wk

Employment rate

56.9%

University qualified

14.2%

Work from home

12.6%

Languages at home

1.4%non-English

Mostly English at home

2021 Census · usual residence

Desirability score

37.3/100
Below average

463rd in SA

Verified 81% confidence

How this score is calculated
  • Agricultural
  • Rural living
What Willyaroo is known for: Agricultural, Rural living

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Willyaroo, SA suburb snapshot — Suburb Guide

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Suburb Guide, “Willyaroo, SA Suburb Guide”, updated 1 October 2026, https://suburb.guide/sa/willyaroo

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Suburb profile

Willyaroo is a rural locality in South Australia, in Alexandrina Council. It is close to the River Angas.

Population growth is an exceptional strength, placing it among the highest-ranked rural localities, and university qualifications are a relative strength, with university qualifications 69% above the peer median, and recorded road crashes are a relative strength, with recorded road crashes 69% below the peer median. Space is a strength, but car dependence is high. Local amenity access is relatively limited, with local amenities 100% below the peer median.

Overall, the suburb suits people prioritising university qualifications over local amenities.

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

  • Population growth is a relative strength
  • University qualifications are a relative strength
  • Recorded road crashes are a relative strength

Weaknesses

  • Local amenity access is relatively limited

What stands out

  • River Angas
  • Space is a strength, but car dependence is high

Who it suits

  • Families
  • Professionals
  • Retirees
  • Students
  • Budget buyers

Housing, growth and risk

How Willyaroo compares

A quick read of housing, growth, livability, and risk

Median house price

—

No data available

Median rent (Census)

$375/wk

2021 Census median weekly rent

Population (ERP)

405

+1.8% annual growth

Dwelling vacancy

3.0%

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

#100

among Country & regional · Mature

Crime rate

1st

percentile in state (higher = more crime)

Pop. growth

90th

percentile in SA

Rented dwellings

2%

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
37.3/100 — Below average
National rank
5119th in Australia
State rank
463rd in SA
Peer rank
#100 among Country & regional · Mature suburbs
Cohort rank
#152 among Country & regional suburbs
Data confidence
81%

Data sources & freshness

  • Suburb Guide desirability index — Suburb Guide (derived) · current · Updated

Population

Estimated resident population

405(June 2025)

+1.8% annual · +10.7% over 5 years · 90th percentile in SA

Growth figures & methodology
Annual growth
+1.8%
5-year growth
+10.7%
Change in 1 year
+7
Change in 5 years
+39
Growth rank in SA
90th 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 (~450), extrapolated at +2.0% average annual growth since 2011. It is illustrative only — not an official ABS forecast.

2021 Census figures

2021 Census

Population
376
Median age
47
Median household income / week
$1,390
Dwelling vacancy
3%
Unoccupied private dwellings
4 of 132
Median monthly mortgage
$1,509
Median weekly rent (2021 Census)
$375
Tenure (owned / mortgaged / rented)
46.8% / 50.8% / 2.4%
Employment rate
56.9%
Travel to work (WFH / public transport / car)
12.6% / 0% / 68.7%
Walked or cycled to work
2.7%
Dwelling mix (houses / semi / flats)
125 / 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.

  • Estimated Resident Population — Australian Bureau of Statistics · 2025 · Updated · SA2 ERP allocated to suburb boundaries

Qualifications

14.2% of adults have a university degree, compared with 22.6% across South Australia. 24.5% have a trade or vocational qualification.

  • University qualified14.2% · 22.6% SA
  • Diploma qualified10.4% · 8.6% SA
  • Trade / vocational24.5% · 17.5% SA
  • Year 12 or below50.9% · 51.2% SA

Highest qualification field

Main field of the highest non-school qualification (2021 Census).

  • Engineering and related technologies24.4%
  • Society and culture17.3%
  • Health15.4%
  • Management and commerce14.1%
  • Education8.3%
  • Agriculture and environment6.4%
How these groups are defined
MeasureDefinition
University qualifiedBachelor degree or higher
Diploma qualifiedAdvanced Diploma / Diploma
Trade / vocationalCertificate III + IV
Year 12Year 12 as highest attainment
Below Year 12Year 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)
$52,614

41st percentile in SA · -10% vs Australia

Median salary / wages (2023–24)
$57,652

51st percentile in SA · -11% vs Australia

Residents with rental investments
12.0%

43rd percentile in SA · -13% vs Australia

Median super balance (2023–24)
$90,931

65th percentile in SA · +44% vs Australia

Residents with business income
11.0%

50th percentile in SA · +6% vs Australia

Australian Taxation Office Taxation Statistics 2023–24, individuals Table 25. Figures describe taxpayers who live in postcode 5255 — 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
6,458
Taxpayers reporting net rent
776
Median net rent
$473
Taxpayers reporting business income
732
Taxable income vs state median
-3%
Salary / wages vs state median
0%
Rental investment vs state median
0%
Super vs state median
+17%
Business income vs state median
0%

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

7.7% of employed residents work in agriculture, forestry and fishing, 3.3× the Australian share (2.3%) — compared with 3.8% across South Australia.

Agriculture, forestry & fishing
7.7%

47th percentile in SA · +235% vs Australia

Resident workers (2021)
14
WHM specified work
Subclass 417 / 462

Postcode 5255

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 5255 (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: 182 · AFF share +103% 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

1.4% speak a language other than English at home; 12.6% born overseas

Language at home
354 English only · 5 other
Non-English at home
1.4%
Born overseas
45 (12.6%)
Australian citizens
349

Religion

50.8%No religion

No religion is the most common response at 50.8%, while Christianity accounts for 41.8%.

MeasureSuburbState
No religion50.8%45.2%
Christianity41.8%40%
Other / not stated7.4%14.7%
Christian denominations
DenominationSuburbState
Catholic12.5%15.5%
Uniting Church8.5%4.8%
Anglican8.2%7.2%
Lutheran4.8%2.4%
Christian (not further defined)4.3%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 are unchanged compared with the previous period.

Offence counts & rates
Total offences (2025–26)
2
Against the person
1
Against property
1
Rate per 1,000 residents
4.9
Person-crime prevalence
About 1 in 376 residents
State crime-rate percentile
1.4th (higher = more crime)
Family & domestic abuse offences
53
No change (daily rate)
0%
Recorded road crashes (in suburb)
4
Crash rate per 1,000 residents (state rank)
9.88

Most common offence types

  • Sct - Residence1
  • Serious Assault1

Contributes to desirability score · Safety (22%)

Crime rate, offences against the person, year-on-year trend and recorded road crash rates

Data sources & freshness

Family & Lifestyle

Public transport

1 public transport stops in this suburb

  • Donnithorne Rd / Roper Rd - East side (Strathalbyn)

Contributes to desirability score · Accessibility (12%)

Public transport stops per 1,000 residents and walkability

Data sources & freshness

Amenities

No OpenStreetMap amenities mapped for this suburb yet.

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
  • OpenStreetMap amenities — OpenStreetMap contributors · current · Updated

Green cover

Green cover of suburb area
0%
Woodland / forest cover
0%
Parks & woodland features (OSM)
0
Parks (OSM)
0
Typical summer maximum
29°C

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
Strathalbyn and District Health Service (3.5 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%)

Hospitals, GPs and aged care

Data sources & freshness

NDIS participation

NDIS participants (31 March 2026)
19
Participants per 1,000 residents
46.9

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

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
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%)

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· 7 proposals
  • September 2026

  • Construction of ancillary accommodation including associated earthworks and infrastructure
    41 ROPER RD WILLYAROO SA 5255Under Assessment
  • August 2026

  • Carport
    30 WILLYAROO RD WILLYAROO SA 5255Decision Made
  • Partial demolition, building alterations and construction of a dwelling addition consisting of single and double storey components
    199 LINES RD WILLYAROO SA 5255Under Assessment
  • June 2026

  • Excavate land and install fibre glass swimming pool with all associated safety features
    119 LINES RD WILLYAROO SA 5255Decision Made
  • May 2026

  • Construction of an outbuilding (domestic storage)
    69 LOCKABA DR WILLYAROO SA 5255Decision Made
  • Verandah
    7 DONNITHORNE RD WILLYAROO SA 5255Decision Made
  • February 2026

  • Construction of a verandah
    45 ROPER RD WILLYAROO SA 5255Decision Made
2025· 13 proposals
  • December 2025

  • Construction of a verandah and carport
    17 DONNITHORNE RD WILLYAROO SA 5255Decision Made
  • Construction of ancillary accommodation
    82 LOCKABA DR WILLYAROO SA 5255Decision Made
  • Dwelling additions - bathroom
    19 JACOB RD WILLYAROO SA 5255Decision Made
  • Construction of a shed (outbuilding)
    162 LINES RD WILLYAROO SA 5255Decision Made
  • November 2025

  • Dwelling additions
    94 LOCKABA DR WILLYAROO SA 5255Decision Made
  • October 2025

  • Verandah
    LOT 123 JOHNSTON RD WILLYAROO SA 5255Under Assessment
  • Contruction of an outbuilding (Shed)
    169 LINES RD WILLYAROO SA 5255Decision Made
  • Construction of shed (outbuilding) and verandah
    80 LOCKABA DR WILLYAROO SA 5255Decision Made
  • August 2025

  • Construction of two (2) freestanding outbuildings, carport and verandah
    193 NINE MILE RD WILLYAROO SA 5255Decision Made
  • Construction of a deck and associated ramp
    17 DONNITHORNE RD WILLYAROO SA 5255Decision Made
  • July 2025

  • Construction of a verandah, carport and swimming pool together with associated safety barrier.
    163 LINES RD WILLYAROO SA 5255Decision Made
  • January 2025

  • Construction of ancillary accommodation
    17 DONNITHORNE RD WILLYAROO SA 5255Decision Made
  • Construction of an outbuilding
    45 ROPER RD WILLYAROO SA 5255Decision Made
2024· 11 proposals
  • December 2024

  • Construction of two (2) Verandas
    119A LINES RD WILLYAROO SA 5255Decision Made
  • Construction of dwelling alterations and additions, two verandas and a carport
    35 ROPER RD WILLYAROO SA 5255Decision Made
  • Construction of freestanding carport
    89A WILLYAROO RD WILLYAROO SA 5255Decision Made
  • November 2024

  • Construction of an outbuilding (shed)
    22 RICHARDSON RD WILLYAROO SA 5255Decision Made
  • October 2024

  • Ancillary Accommodation
    139 NINE MILE RD WILLYAROO SA 5255Under Assessment
  • Construction of an outbuilding (domestic storage)
    33 HAMBURG RD WILLYAROO SA 5255Decision Made
  • September 2024

  • Construction of an outbuilding (hobby space)
    13 COLLETT RD WILLYAROO SA 5255Under Assessment
  • August 2024

  • Domestic Outbuilding, Carport and Verandah x 2
    51 LOCKABA DR WILLYAROO SA 5255Decision Made
  • February 2024

  • Dwelling Addition and Attached Carport.
    77 LINES RD WILLYAROO SA 5255Decision Made
  • Pool
    74 LOCKABA DR WILLYAROO SA 5255Decision Made
  • January 2024

  • Construction of an outbuilding to support domestic activities.
    35 ROPER RD WILLYAROO SA 5255Decision Made
2023· 3 proposals
  • December 2023

  • Single storey dwelling with shed, swimming pool and associated fencing, shed and 5 water storage tanks
    LOT 1 TALINGA RD WILLYAROO SA 5255Under Assessment
  • November 2023

  • Freestanding Gable Carport.
    119A LINES RD WILLYAROO SA 5255Decision Made
  • February 2023

  • Dwelling Additions & Alterations and new Carport.
    175 NINE MILE RD WILLYAROO SA 5255Decision Made
2022· 9 proposals
  • November 2022

  • Construction of an outbuilding
    42 LOCKABA DR WILLYAROO SA 5255Decision Made
  • August 2022

  • Dwelling additions and alterations
    21 JACOB RD WILLYAROO SA 5255Decision Made
  • June 2022

  • Construction of an Outbuilding
    181A LINES RD WILLYAROO SA 5255Decision Made
  • Construction of an Outbuilding
    20B ROPER RD WILLYAROO SA 5255Decision Made
  • May 2022

  • Domestic Outbuilding (Shed)
    119A LINES RD WILLYAROO SA 5255Decision Made
  • Domestic Outbuilding (Shed)
    20 JACOB RD WILLYAROO SA 5255Decision Made
  • Outbuilding (shed)
    153 NINE MILE RD WILLYAROO SA 5255Decision Made
  • Verandah attached to rear of existing dwelling
    38 ROPER RD WILLYAROO SA 5255Decision Made
  • April 2022

  • single storey detached dwelling with front and rear decks
    119A LINES RD WILLYAROO SA 5255Decision Made

Data sources & freshness

Hazards

Bushfire planning zone
Overlay applies
Flood / inundation overlay
100% of suburb boundary

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.

Contributes to desirability score · Safety (22%)

Bushfire and flood hazard overlays

Data sources & freshness

Politics & representation

Federal electorate
Mayo
Member of Parliament
Rebekha SHARKIE (Centre Alliance)
Results from
2025 federal election
Electorate enrolment (2025)
137,818
Turnout (2025)
94.2%
Swing since 2022 (2025)
+3.4 pp toward Labor

Two-party preferred (2025)

Coalition 45.0%Labor 55.0%

Estimated suburb voting profile

Estimated from 8 nearby ordinary polling places (up to 21.6 km away).

Coalition 50.5%Labor 49.5%

5.5 percentage points more Coalition-leaning than the electorate

Estimated swing since 2022: +0.6 pp toward Labor

Nearest polling places

  • StrathalbynLabor 50.9% · Coalition 49.1% TPP (2025)3.3 km away
  • WoodchesterLabor 45.5% · Coalition 54.5% TPP (2025)9.7 km away
  • Langhorne CreekLabor 36.5% · Coalition 63.5% TPP (2025)10.6 km away
  • AshbourneLabor 43.1% · Coalition 56.9% TPP (2025)13.7 km away
  • MacclesfieldLabor 60.8% · Coalition 39.2% TPP (2025)14.5 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

Socio-economic

IRSAD decile (2021)
5/10
IRSD decile (2021)
6/10

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 (12%)

Socio-economic advantage (IRSAD and IRSD deciles)

Data sources & freshness

Compare with

Similar suburbs to weigh up side by side — scores, safety, schools, and lifestyle.

More in Alexandrina Council

Other suburbs in the same local government area.

Comparable suburbs

Similar population and socio-economic profile in other parts of South Australia.