Goolwa, SA: suburb profile
The population of Goolwa SA is 2,558 according to the 2021 Census. The median personal income in Goolwa is $493 per week ($25,636 per year). Median rent in Goolwa is $250 per week ($1,083 per month). Goolwa has a median age of 67 years, older than the national median of 38. Goolwa has a population density of 147 people per km².
The most common overseas birthplace in Goolwa is England. The most common religion is No religion (44.6% of residents). After English, the most spoken language is German. The median monthly mortgage repayment in Goolwa is $1,000.
There were 61 recorded offences in Goolwa in 2025-26, a rate of 24 offences per 1,000 people. The most common offence category was assault (24 offences).
Valid: Census 2021 · Source: ABS Census of Population and Housing 2021; offences from SA Government Open Data (data.sa.gov.au), 2025-26.
Goolwa vs the typical SA suburb
The median personal income in Goolwa is $493 a week, 35% below the typical SA suburb ($759). That ranks 663rd of 710 SA suburbs with 200 or more residents. Median rent is $250 a week, $50 less than the typical SA suburb. Rent takes 31.6% of the median household income here, against 19.5% in the typical SA suburb. The median resident is 67, 24 years older than in the typical SA suburb (43).
| Measure | Goolwa | Typical SA | Difference | Typical Australia |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Personal income | $493/wk | $759/wk | −35% | $766/wk |
| Household income | $790/wk | $1,494/wk | −47% | $1,637/wk |
| Rent | $250/wk | $300/wk | −17% | $330/wk |
| Mortgage repayment | $1,000/mo | $1,534/mo | −35% | $1,733/mo |
| Median age | 67 | 43 | +24 yrs | 42 |
| Rent share of household income | 31.6% | 19.5% | +12.2 pts | 20.3% |
Goolwa Population
2,558 residents at the 2021 Census.
Goolwa Median Income & Rent
Valid: Census 2021 · Source: ABS Census of Population and Housing.
Goolwa Rent Prices & Affordability
32% of median household income goes on median rent
Marks at 25% and 35%. Band: moderate.
Rent is between 25% and 35% of household income: moderate housing costs.
Median rent in Goolwa against your income
Goolwa Schools
Source: Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority (ACARA), 2025. ICSEA is the Index of Community Socio-Educational Advantage (national average 1000).
All schools near Goolwa, with a mapGoolwa Map
People in Goolwa
Demographics
Gender Split
Population Density
Households
Age Distribution
Source: ABS Census 2021, Suburb and Locality (SAL)
Most common overseas birthplaces
Shares are of all residents. Source: ABS Census 2021, G09 Country of Birth by SAL
Most common languages at home other than English
Shares are of all residents. Source: ABS Census 2021, G13 Language Used at Home by SAL
Ancestry
Shares are of the suburb population. People can report up to two ancestries, so shares add to more than 100%. Source: ABS Census 2021, G08 Ancestry by SAL
Religion
Source: ABS Census 2021, G14 Religion by SAL
Indigenous Population
Source: ABS Census 2021, G07 Indigenous Status by SAL
Marital Status
Source: ABS Census 2021, G05 Marital Status by SAL
Family Structure
Source: ABS Census 2021, G29 Family Composition by SAL
Household Size
Source: ABS Census 2021, G35 Household Size by SAL
Homes in Goolwa
Housing Tenure
Of the 1,239 occupied private dwellings in Goolwa at the 2021 Census, 24.1% were rented, 49.9% owned outright and 16.5% owned with a mortgage.
Source: ABS Census 2021, Suburb and Locality (SAL)
Dwelling Types
Source: ABS Census 2021, G36 Dwelling Structure by SAL
Number of Bedrooms
Source: ABS Census 2021, G41 Number of Bedrooms by SAL
Monthly Mortgage Repayments
Source: ABS Census 2021, G38 Mortgage Repayment by SAL
Car Ownership
Source: ABS Census 2021, G34 Motor Vehicles per Dwelling by SAL
Work, income and education in Goolwa
Employment
Source: ABS Census 2021, G46 Labour Force Status by SAL
Occupation
Source: ABS Census 2021, G51 Industry of Employment by Occupation
Weekly Household Income
Source: ABS Census 2021, G33 Household Income by SAL
Personal Weekly Income Distribution
Source: ABS Census 2021, G17 Personal Income by SAL
How People Get to Work
Source: ABS Census 2021, G62 Method of Travel to Work by SAL
Education Level
Shares are of people whose highest year of school is Year 9 to 12 only. Source: ABS Census 2021, G16 Highest Year of School by SAL
Qualifications
Source: ABS Census 2021, G49 Non-School Qualification by SAL
Field of Study
Source: ABS Census 2021, G51 Field of Study by SAL
School & University Attendance
Source: ABS Census 2021, G15 Type of Educational Institution by SAL
More from the 2021 Census
Need for Assistance
Source: ABS Census 2021, G18 Core Activity Need for Assistance by SAL
Long-term Health Conditions
Source: ABS Census 2021, G19 Long-term Health Conditions by SAL
Unpaid Carers
Source: ABS Census 2021, G25 Unpaid Assistance by SAL
Volunteering
Source: ABS Census 2021, G23 Voluntary Work by SAL
Military Service
Source: ABS Census 2021, G22 ADF Service by SAL
Children Ever Born
Source: ABS Census 2021, G28 Children Ever Born by SAL
When Migrants Arrived
Source: ABS Census 2021, G10 Year of Arrival by SAL
Population Mobility
Source: ABS Census 2021, G43 Summary by SAL
Where Residents Moved From
Source: ABS Census 2021, G44 Address 1 Year Ago by SAL
Unpaid Domestic Work
Source: ABS Census 2021, G24 Unpaid Domestic Work by SAL
Family Blending
Source: ABS Census 2021, G31 Family Blending by SAL
Goolwa Crime Statistics
61 reported offences in 2025-26, by category.
Total offences by year
Source: SA Government Open Data (data.sa.gov.au).
Cheaper alternatives with similar incomes
Suburbs near Goolwa
The closest suburb to Goolwa is Goolwa Beach, 2.9 km away.
Compare Goolwa
Frequently Asked Questions About Goolwa
What is the population of Goolwa SA?
The population of Goolwa SA is 2,558 according to the ABS Census 2021. The suburb has a population density of 147 people per km². Goolwa is ranked #2,684 out of 14,663 suburbs by population.
What is the median income in Goolwa?
The median personal income in Goolwa SA is $493 per week, or $25,636 per year. The median household income is $790 per week. Family income is $1,064 per week. Goolwa is ranked #8,265 by income out of 14,663 Australian suburbs.
How much is rent in Goolwa?
Median rent in Goolwa SA is $250 per week ($1,083 per month). Rent represents 31.6% of household income, which is considered moderate. Goolwa ranks #6,115 out of 14,663 suburbs by rent.
What are mortgage repayments in Goolwa?
The median monthly mortgage repayment in Goolwa SA is $1,000. This data comes from the ABS Census 2021 and reflects mortgage repayments for owner-occupied dwellings.
What is the median age in Goolwa?
The median age in Goolwa SA is 67 years. This is older than the national median age of 38 years.
Is Goolwa a good suburb to live in?
Goolwa is a suburb in South Australia with a population of 2,558. The median income is $493/wk, which is below the typical SA suburb ($759/wk). Rent affordability is rated as moderate (31.6% of household income). See the full suburb profile above for detailed statistics.
Data: Australian Bureau of Statistics, Census of Population and Housing 2021. SA2 area: 40521. All dollar figures in AUD.