Median house price
—
No data available
SA · Mount Barker Council
Wistow, 5251
Est. population · Jun 2025
320
Growth (1 yr)
+1.9%
Growth (5 yr)
+10.7%
Median age
50
Median income
$1,524/wk
Employment rate
55.7%
Languages at home
3.3%non-English
Mostly English at home
2021 Census · usual residence
Desirability score
- Heritage area
- Excellent transport
- High desirability
Suburb profile
Wistow is a quieter smaller community in Mount Barker Council, where peace, space and a country-town pace still dominate. Retirees and empty-nesters are well represented here. Life here is grounded in local routine rather than big-city choice.
Open space is thinner than in many regional towns, so residents often travel a little further for a longer park day. Day-to-day life is more car-oriented here, with buses covering longer trips across the wider area. Property prices run toward the upper end of the local market.
Local crime has been trending higher of late. Older homes and historic streetscapes give the suburb a character that is hard to manufacture anew.
Versus similar regional towns, the suburb reads below average on desirability, chiefly because local dining and lifestyle amenities trail behind. Limited access to some essential local services also trimmed the result.
At a glance
Wistow snapshot
A quick read of housing, growth, livability, and risk
Median rent
—
No data available
Population (ERP)
320
+1.9% annual growth
Dwelling vacancy
9.6%
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
#96
among Country & regional · Mature
Safety
48th
percentile in state (higher = safer)
Pop. growth
93rd
percentile in SA
Advantage (IRSAD)
7/10
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
- 29.7/100 — Below average
- National rank
- 5648th in Australia
- State rank
- 567th in SA
- Peer rank
- #96 among Country & regional · Mature suburbs
- Cohort rank
- #171 among Country & regional suburbs
- Data confidence
- 60%
Data sources & freshness
- Suburb Guide desirability index — Suburb Guide (derived) · current · Updated
Population
Estimated resident population
320(June 2025)
+1.9% annual · +10.7% over 5 years · 93th percentile in SA
Growth figures & methodology
- Annual growth
- +1.9%
- 5-year growth
- +10.7%
- Change in 1 year
- +6
- Change in 5 years
- +31
- Growth rank in SA
- 93th 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 (~350), extrapolated at +1.5% average annual growth since 2011. It is illustrative only — not an official ABS forecast.
2021 Census figures
2021 Census
- Population
- 285
- Median age
- 50
- Median household income / week
- $1,524
- Dwelling vacancy
- 9.6%
- Unoccupied private dwellings
- 11 of 115
- Median monthly mortgage
- $2,015
- Employment rate
- 55.7%
- Dwelling mix (houses / semi / flats)
- 106 / 0 / 0
Contributes to desirability score · Community (5%)
Employment, household income and age diversity (2021 Census)
Data sources & freshness
- 2021 Census — General Community Profile — Australian Bureau of Statistics · Updated
The 2026 Census runs 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
Community & culture
No 2021 Census cultural diversity data for this suburb yet.
Data sources & freshness
- 2021 Census — General Community Profile — Australian Bureau of Statistics · Updated
The 2026 Census runs 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 (2024–25)
- 10
- Against the person
- 4
- Against property
- 6
- Rate per 1,000 residents
- 31.2
- Person-crime prevalence
- About 1 in 71 residents
- State safety percentile
- 47.6th (lower crime is better)
- Family & domestic abuse offences
- 115
- Increase (daily rate)
- +67.1%
Most common offence types
- Other Property Damage And Environmental2
- Other Theft2
- Other Unlawful Entry With Intent1
- Serious Assault Not Resulting In Injury1
- Serious Assault Resulting In Injury3
Contributes to desirability score · Safety (18%)
Crime rate and year-on-year trend
Data sources & freshness
- SAPOL reported crime statistics — South Australia Police — OpenData · 2023-24 → 2024-25; 2024-25 · Updated · Financial-year releases
Family & Lifestyle
Public transport
2 public transport stops in this suburb
- Stop Wistow Wellington Rd - North side
- Stop Wistow Wellington Rd - South side
Contributes to desirability score · Accessibility (15%)
Public transport stop coverage
Data sources & freshness
- Adelaide Metro GTFS stops — Department for Infrastructure and Transport (SA) · current · Updated
Amenities
No OpenStreetMap amenities mapped for this suburb yet.
Contributes to desirability score · Lifestyle (15%)
Food, shopping, recreation and sport (OpenStreetMap)
Data sources & freshness
- Local amenity insights — Suburb Guide (derived) · current · Updated
- OpenStreetMap amenities — OpenStreetMap contributors · current · Updated
Health access
- Nearest hospital
- Mount Barker District Soldiers' Memorial Hospital (5.5 km)
- Nearest hospital type
- Public Hospital
- Nearest hospital emergency
- Emergency department
Contributes to desirability score · Accessibility (15%)
Hospitals and GP clinics
Data sources & freshness
- Hospitals & GP Plus clinics (SA) — SA Health · current · Updated
NDIS participation
- NDIS participants (31 March 2026)
- 11
- Participants per 1,000 residents
- 34.4
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
- NDIS participants by SA2 — National Disability Insurance Agency · 2026-Q1 · Updated · Quarterly SA2 counts allocated to suburb boundaries
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 (15%)
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· 12 proposals
July 2026
- Agricultural building (hay shed)2 DANIEL RD WISTOW SA 5251Decision Made
- Deck58 GLEN BRAE RD WISTOW SA 5251Decision Made
June 2026
- Detached dwelling (Single storey) with associated Retaining wall; Retaining wall and fence structure3 SPRINGVALE CR WISTOW SA 5251Under Assessment
- Ancillary Accommodation467 NATIVE AV WISTOW SA 5251Under Assessment
- Swimming pool and Deck209 WILES FTRK WISTOW SA 5251Decision Made
May 2026
- Alterations and additions to existing detached dwelling, verandah, deck and free-standing outbuilding (Carport) and associated earthworks and infrastructure664 WELLINGTON RD WISTOW SA 5251Under Assessment
April 2026
- Retaining Wall15 SPRINGVALE CR WISTOW SA 5251Decision Made
March 2026
- Four (4) brick pillars with a maximum height of 2.0 metres with vertical tubular/slat fence infill (two (2) pillars located on 1 and 2 Springvale Cresent, Wistow)1 SPRINGVALE CR WISTOW SA 5251;2 SPRINGVALE CR WISTOW SA 5251Under Assessment
- Change of use of existing outbuilding to function venue and the associated carpark, outdoor dining and ceremony area and amenity facilities; and a retrospective outbuilding6 MORNING STAR RD WISTOW SA 5251Under Assessment
February 2026
- water tank (Above ground).17 FRAMPTON RD WISTOW SA 5251Decision Made
- Single storey detached dwelling and above ground 116kL rainwater tank.LOT 4 WILES FTRK WISTOW SA 5251Decision Made
- Outbuilding (domestic storage)1 SPRINGVALE CR WISTOW SA 5251Decision Made
2025· 16 proposals
November 2025
- Detached dwelling (Single storey)4 SPRINGVALE CR WISTOW SA 5251Decision Made
October 2025
- Detached dwelling (Single storey)18 SPRINGVALE CR WISTOW SA 5251Decision Made
August 2025
- Detached dwelling (Single storey)20 SPRINGVALE CR WISTOW SA 5251Decision Made
- Land Division (1 into 102, for the staged creation of 102 residential allotments) and associated public reserves, roads, infrastructure and tree removal67 PAECH RD WISTOW SA 5251Under Assessment
July 2025
- Single Storey Detached Dwelling5 NELSON RD WISTOW SA 5251Decision Made
- Land Division (1 into 2 allotments)14 NELSON RD WISTOW SA 5251Decision Made
June 2025
- Detached dwelling (Single storey), outbuildings (Domestic storage and Agricultural implements), internal access driveway and associated culvert crossing52 HARROP RD WISTOW SA 5251Under Assessment
- Detached dwelling (Single storey) and associated retaining walls and fencingLOT 74 POTTS RD WISTOW SA 5251Decision Made
May 2025
- Detached dwelling (single storey)LOT 75 POTTS RD WISTOW SA 5251Decision Made
- OutbuildingLOT 82 SPRINGVALE CR WISTOW SA 5251Decision Made
- Retaining walls and fencing structureLOT 82 SPRINGVALE CR WISTOW SA 5251Decision Made
- Detached dwelling (Single storey)LOT 71 SPRINGVALE CR WISTOW SA 5251Decision Made
April 2025
- Retaining Walls (Springvale Development - Lot 65, 66, 72, 73 & 82 in Stage 1)LOT 65 SPRINGVALE CR WISTOW SA 5251;LOT 66 SPRINGVALE CR WISTOW SA 5251;LOT 72 SPRINGVALE CR WISTOW SA 5251;LOT 73 SPRINGVALE CR WISTOW SA 5251;LOT 82 SPRINGVALE CR WISTOW SA 5251Decision Made
March 2025
- Detached dwelling (single storey)5 NELSON RD WISTOW SA 5251Decision Made
February 2025
- Detached Dwelling (Single Storey)5 NELSON RD WISTOW SA 5251Decision Made
January 2025
- Ancillary Accomodation953 WELLINGTON RD WISTOW SA 5251Decision Made
2024· 11 proposals
November 2024
- Proposed Outbuilding37 LONG VALLEY RD WISTOW SA 5251Decision Made
October 2024
- Bulk earthworks and associated Retaining Walls (Springvale Development - Stage 1)5 NELSON RD WISTOW SA 5251Decision Made
September 2024
- detached dwelling5 NELSON RD WISTOW SA 5251Decision Made
- Detached dwelling with associated Retaining Walls and Fencing5 NELSON RD WISTOW SA 5251Decision Made
- Single storey dwelling with double garage5 NELSON RD WISTOW SA 5251Decision Made
August 2024
- Detached Dwelling5 NELSON RD WISTOW SA 5251Decision Made
July 2024
- Alterations and additions to existing detached dwelling and verandah and deck38 MORNING STAR RD WISTOW SA 5251Under Assessment
- Ancillary Accommodation (Retrospective) and Deck115 FRAMPTON RD WISTOW SA 5251Decision Made
February 2024
- Swimming pool and safety fence86 TAVERNER RD WISTOW SA 5251Decision Made
January 2024
- Outbuilding (Domestic Shed)86 TAVERNER RD WISTOW SA 5251Decision Made
- Land Division (boundary realignment 2 into 2)5 FARMER RD WISTOW SA 5251;LOT 12 HENDER RD WISTOW SA 5251Decision Made
2023· 2 proposals
September 2023
- Horse Keeping (not exceeding 2 horses) including associated infrastructure87 LONG VALLEY RD WISTOW SA 5251Decision Made
June 2023
- Outbuilding, Water storage tank (150kL) and associated earthworks128 GLEN BRAE RD WISTOW SA 5251Decision Made
Contributes to desirability score · Future Growth (7%)
Development and planning activity
Data sources & freshness
- PlanSA development applications & EPA licences — Government of South Australia — PlanSA · 2026 · Updated
Heritage
12 heritage places
- CottageFidler Lane WISTOWLocal heritage
- CottageFidler Lane WISTOWLocal heritage
- Cottage, (Stokes)Wellington Road WISTOWLocal heritage
- Cottage, former Police StationLot 42 Morning Star Road WISTOWLocal heritage
- Eden Park - outbuilding, school & residenceYunkunga Road WISTOWLocal heritage
- Greenbank Monument (Sundial)Wellington Road WISTOWLocal heritage
- House (c1870's stone)Longvalley Road WISTOWLocal heritage
- Seventh Day Adventist Church, fr Primitive MethodistLot 23 Wellington Road WISTOWLocal heritage
- Stone Barns, fr Eden ParkWellington-Paech Road WISTOWLocal heritage
- fr Morning Star Hotel & stone walls6 Morning Star Road WISTOWLocal heritage
Data sources & freshness
- SA Heritage Places database — Department for Environment and Water (SA) · current · Updated
Hazards
- Bushfire planning zone
- Overlay applies
Bushfire overlay checked at suburb centroid against all current SA Planning risk layers (high, medium, general, urban interface, regional, outback). Safer places from CFS designated locations.
Contributes to desirability score · Safety (18%)
Bushfire hazard overlays
Data sources & freshness
- Bushfire & hazard overlays (SA) — Government of South Australia · current · Updated
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 9.9 km away).
Coalition 40.8%Labor 59.2%
4.2 percentage points more Labor-leaning than the electorate
Estimated swing since 2022: +4.8 pp toward Labor
Nearest polling places
- Mount Barker SouthLabor 66.8% · Coalition 33.2% TPP (2025)7.5 km away
- Mount Barker EastLabor 55.2% · Coalition 44.8% TPP (2025)8.0 km away
- Mount BarkerLabor 60.5% · Coalition 39.5% TPP (2025)8.1 km away
- Mount Barker CentralLabor 58.3% · Coalition 41.7% TPP (2025)8.6 km away
- MacclesfieldLabor 60.8% · Coalition 39.2% TPP (2025)9.5 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
- Federal election results — Australian Electoral Commission · Updated · 2025 election with by-election overlays
Socio-economic
- IRSAD decile (2021)
- 7/10
- IRSD decile (2021)
- 8/10
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 (5%)
Socio-economic advantage (IRSAD decile)
Data sources & freshness
- SEIFA 2021 (IRSAD / IRSD) — Australian Bureau of Statistics · Updated
Compare with
Similar suburbs to weigh up side by side — scores, safety, schools, and lifestyle.
More in Mount Barker Council
Other suburbs in the same local government area.
Comparable suburbs
Similar population and socio-economic profile in other parts of South Australia.