Goolwa South, SA: suburb profile

The population of Goolwa South SA is 1,041 according to the 2021 Census. The median personal income in Goolwa South is $556 per week ($28,912 per year). Median rent in Goolwa South is $280 per week ($1,213 per month). Goolwa South has a median age of 62 years, older than the national median of 38. Goolwa South has a population density of 90 people per km².

The most common overseas birthplace in Goolwa South is England. The most common religion is No religion (50.3% of residents). After English, the most spoken language is German. The median monthly mortgage repayment in Goolwa South is $1,134.

There were 9 recorded offences in Goolwa South in 2025-26, a rate of 9 offences per 1,000 people. The most common offence category was break & enter (5 offences).

Population
1,041
Census 2021
Median income
$556/wk
Personal, Census 2021
Median rent
$280/wk
Weekly, Census 2021
Median age
62years
Census 2021

Valid: Census 2021 · Source: ABS Census of Population and Housing 2021; offences from SA Government Open Data (data.sa.gov.au), 2025-26.

Goolwa South vs the typical SA suburb

The median personal income in Goolwa South is $556 a week, 27% below the typical SA suburb ($759). That ranks 604th of 710 SA suburbs with 200 or more residents. Median rent is $280 a week, $20 less than the typical SA suburb. Rent takes 29.1% of the median household income here, against 19.5% in the typical SA suburb. The median resident is 62, 19 years older than in the typical SA suburb (43).

The typical suburb is the median across suburbs with 200 or more residents. ABS Census 2021, calculated by GDP.com.au.
MeasureGoolwa SouthTypical SADifferenceTypical Australia
Personal income$556/wk$759/wk −27%$766/wk
Household income$961/wk$1,494/wk −36%$1,637/wk
Rent$280/wk$300/wk −7%$330/wk
Mortgage repayment$1,134/mo$1,534/mo −26%$1,733/mo
Median age6243 +19 yrs42
Rent share of household income29.1%19.5% +9.7 pts20.3%
Income, rent and mortgage against the typical suburb Valid: Census 2021 · Source: ABS, calculated by GDP.com.au
Bar chart of median income, rent and mortgage repayment in Goolwa South, the typical SA suburb and the typical Australian suburb.

Goolwa South Population

1,041 residents at the 2021 Census.

Goolwa South Median Income & Rent

Median Income
$556/wk
$28,912 per year
Ranked 7,652 of 14,663
Median Rent
$280/wk
$1,213 per month
Ranked 5,374 of 14,663
Median Age
62years
24 years older than the national median
Mortgage
$1,134/mo
Avg household size: 1.9 · 0.7 per bedroom

Valid: Census 2021 · Source: ABS Census of Population and Housing.

Goolwa South Rent Prices & Affordability

29% of median household income goes on median rent

Marks at 25% and 35%. Band: moderate.

Household income $961/wk
Median rent $280/wk
Rent to income 29.1%

Rent is between 25% and 35% of household income: moderate housing costs.

Median rent in Goolwa South against your income

About $4,164 a month
Median rent $280/wk
Left after rent $681/wk
Rent share 29.1%

Goolwa South Map

Goolwa South, South Australia Map data: OpenStreetMap
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People in Goolwa South

Demographics

Gender Split

Male 50.8% (528) Female 49.2% (512)

Population Density

90
people per km²
1,041 people · 11.6 km²

Households

1.9
Avg household size
0.7
Persons per bedroom
$1,213
Family income/wk

Age Distribution

0-4
5-9
10-14
15-19
20-24
25-29
30-34
35-39
40-44
45-49
50-54
55-59
60-64
65-69
70-74
75-79
80-84
85+
Male Female

Source: ABS Census 2021, Suburb and Locality (SAL)

Most common overseas birthplaces

England
10.2%
New Zealand
1.3%
Netherlands
1.0%
Germany
0.8%
United States of America
0.7%
Wales
0.7%
Scotland
0.5%

Shares are of all residents. Source: ABS Census 2021, G09 Country of Birth by SAL

Most common languages at home other than English

German
0.8%
Samoan
0.4%
Spanish
0.4%
Australian Indigenous Languages
0.3%
Italian
0.3%
Afrikaans
0.0%
Arabic
0.0%

Shares are of all residents. Source: ABS Census 2021, G13 Language Used at Home by SAL

Ancestry

English
52.4%
Australian
36.6%
Scottish
12.7%
Irish
10.3%
German
8.1%
Australian Aboriginal
2.0%
Dutch
1.8%
Italian
1.6%
Welsh
1.3%
French
0.9%
Croatian
0.6%

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

No religion
50.3%
Anglican
13.0%
Catholic
10.3%
Uniting Church
8.4%
Not stated
6.7%
Lutheran
2.2%
Christian (other)
1.6%
Presbyterian and Reformed
1.6%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G14 Religion by SAL

Indigenous Population

2.1%
Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander

Source: ABS Census 2021, G07 Indigenous Status by SAL

Marital Status

Married
46.8% 455
Separated
4.1% 40
Divorced
15.0% 146
Widowed
7.8% 76
Never married
26.2% 255

Source: ABS Census 2021, G05 Marital Status by SAL

Family Structure

Couple: no children
57.3%
Couple: children under 15
17.4%
Couple: no children under 15
11.9%
One parent: no children under 15
7.1%
One parent: children under 15
6.4%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G29 Family Composition by SAL

Household Size

1 person
38.1%
2 persons
44.6%
3 persons
10.9%
4 persons
5.0%
5 persons
0.8%
6+ persons
0.6%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G35 Household Size by SAL

Homes in Goolwa South

Housing Tenure

Of the 500 occupied private dwellings in Goolwa South at the 2021 Census, 27.2% were rented, 49.0% owned outright and 20.8% owned with a mortgage.

Other tenure type
0.8% 4 dwellings
Owned outright
49.0% 245 dwellings
Owned with mortgage
20.8% 104 dwellings
Rented
27.2% 136 dwellings
Tenure type not stated
1.8% 9 dwellings

Source: ABS Census 2021, Suburb and Locality (SAL)

Dwelling Types

Separate house
94.9%
Semi-detached (2+ storey)
2.8%
Semi-detached (1 storey)
2.3%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G36 Dwelling Structure by SAL

Number of Bedrooms

1 bedroom
2.1%
2 bedrooms
22.6%
3 bedrooms
57.1%
4 bedrooms
16.6%
5 bedrooms
1.6%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G41 Number of Bedrooms by SAL

Monthly Mortgage Repayments

$0-$299/mo
10.1%
$300-$449/mo
3.0%
$450-$599/mo
7.1%
$600-$799/mo
8.1%
$800-$999/mo
11.1%
$1,000-$1,399/mo
39.4%
$1,400-$1,799/mo
18.2%
$1,800-$2,399/mo
3.0%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G38 Mortgage Repayment by SAL

Car Ownership

0 vehicles
5.7%
1 vehicle
44.0%
2 vehicles
35.7%
3 vehicles
9.7%
4+ vehicles
4.9%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G34 Motor Vehicles per Dwelling by SAL

Work, income and education in Goolwa South

Employment

Employed full-time
17.5% 157 people
Employed part-time
19.1% 172 people
Unemployed
3.1% 28 people
Not in labour force
60.3% 542 people

Source: ABS Census 2021, G46 Labour Force Status by SAL

Occupation

Professionals
22.8%
Community & Personal Service
19.4%
Managers
15.9%
Technicians & Trade Workers
15.1%
Labourers
7.8%
Sales Workers
6.9%
Machinery Operators & Drivers
6.9%
Clerical & Administrative
5.2%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G51 Industry of Employment by Occupation

Weekly Household Income

Nil/Negative/wk
2.0%
$1-$149/wk
0.8%
$150-$299/wk
0.6%
$300-$399/wk
3.5%
$400-$499/wk
12.7%
$500-$649/wk
6.6%
$650-$799/wk
12.9%
$800-$999/wk
12.3%
$1,000-$1,249/wk
13.5%
$1,250-$1,499/wk
8.0%
$1,500-$1,749/wk
5.1%
$1,750-$1,999/wk
4.1%
$2,000-$2,499/wk
6.6%
$2,500-$2,999/wk
4.9%
$3,000-$3,499/wk
2.3%
$3,500-$3,999/wk
1.2%
$4,000+/wk
2.9%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G33 Household Income by SAL

Personal Weekly Income Distribution

$0 or less/wk
7.6%
$1-$149/wk
5.2%
$150-$299/wk
9.2%
$300-$399/wk
9.4%
$400-$499/wk
6.3%
$500-$649/wk
7.2%
$650-$799/wk
14.5%
$800-$999/wk
9.9%
$1,000-$1,249/wk
10.0%
$1,250-$1,499/wk
5.5%
$1,500-$1,749/wk
5.8%
$1,750-$1,999/wk
1.5%
$2,000-$2,999/wk
4.8%
$3,000-$3,499/wk
0.8%
$3,500+/wk
2.3%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G17 Personal Income by SAL

How People Get to Work

Car (driver)
76.9%
Did not go to work
11.0%
Car (passenger)
6.0%
Walked only
3.7%
Truck
1.3%
Bicycle
1.0%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G62 Method of Travel to Work by SAL

Education Level

Year 12 or equivalent
44.7%
Year 11 or equivalent
25.3%
Year 10 or equivalent
22.5%
Year 9 or equivalent
7.5%

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

Certificate III/IV
44.1%
Advanced Diploma/Diploma
21.6%
Bachelor Degree
19.8%
Postgraduate Degree
8.0%
Graduate Diploma/Certificate
3.6%
Certificate I/II
3.0%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G49 Non-School Qualification by SAL

Field of Study

Society & Culture
21.9%
Engineering
15.5%
Management & Commerce
13.3%
Education
10.3%
Architecture & Building
9.9%
Health
9.4%
Food, Hospitality & Personal Services
6.9%
Creative Arts
6.0%
Natural & Physical Sciences
3.9%
Agriculture & Environment
3.0%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G51 Field of Study by SAL

School & University Attendance

Secondary: Government
24.1%
Primary: Government
21.8%
Secondary: Other Non-Govt
18.4%
Vocational Education
18.4%
Primary: Other Non-Govt
13.8%
Pre-school
3.4%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G15 Type of Educational Institution by SAL

More from the 2021 Census

Need for Assistance

Does not have need for assistance
86.4%
Has need for assistance
9.4%
Need for assistance not stated
4.2%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G18 Core Activity Need for Assistance by SAL

Long-term Health Conditions

Mental health
139
Arthritis
75
Heart disease
68
Asthma
50
Diabetes
47
Lung condition
41
Cancer
36
Stroke
19
Kidney disease
17
Dementia
4

Source: ABS Census 2021, G19 Long-term Health Conditions by SAL

Unpaid Carers

Provided unpaid assistance
15.7% 144
Did not provide
84.3% 771

Source: ABS Census 2021, G25 Unpaid Assistance by SAL

Volunteering

Volunteer
23.7% 218
Not a volunteer
76.3% 700

Source: ABS Census 2021, G23 Voluntary Work by SAL

Military Service

Previously served
5.5% 51
Never served
94.5% 870

Source: ABS Census 2021, G22 ADF Service by SAL

Children Ever Born

No children
27.1%
1 child
14.7%
2 children
33.1%
3 children
17.8%
4 children
5.3%
5+ children
2.0%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G28 Children Ever Born by SAL

When Migrants Arrived

Before 1951
3
1951: 1960
30
1961: 1970
61
1971: 1980
33
1981: 1990
20
1991: 2000
9
2001: 2010
11
2011: 2015
8

Source: ABS Census 2021, G10 Year of Arrival by SAL

Population Mobility

14.8%
moved in the last year
40.6%
moved in the last 5 years
6.9%
unemployment rate (Census)
39.1%
labour force participation

Source: ABS Census 2021, G43 Summary by SAL

Where Residents Moved From

Same address
843
Moved from SA
68
Moved: same area (SA2)
61
Moved from QLD
8
Moved from overseas
6
Moved from VIC
5

Source: ABS Census 2021, G44 Address 1 Year Ago by SAL

Unpaid Domestic Work

Less than 5 hours
17.6%
5: 14 hours
32.0%
15: 29 hours
16.6%
30+ hours
12.7%
Did not do domestic work
21.2%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G24 Unpaid Domestic Work by SAL

Family Blending

Intact family: no other children
73.3%
Step family: no other children
16.7%
Blended family: no other children
10.0%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G31 Family Blending by SAL

Goolwa South Crime Statistics

9 reported offences in 2025-26, by category.

Break & Enter
5
Theft
2
Property Damage
1
Assault
1

Total offences by year

2021
2022
2023
2024
2025

Source: SA Government Open Data (data.sa.gov.au).

Cheaper alternatives with similar incomes

Suburbs near Goolwa South

The closest suburb to Goolwa South is Hindmarsh Island, 4.7 km away.

Hindmarsh Island
4.7 km away · income $581/wk · rent $330/wk
Goolwa North
5.8 km away · income $520/wk · rent $270/wk
Goolwa Beach
6.6 km away · income $525/wk · rent $275/wk
Goolwa
7.4 km away · income $493/wk · rent $250/wk
Middleton (SA)
12.5 km away · income $708/wk · rent $283/wk

Frequently Asked Questions About Goolwa South

What is the population of Goolwa South SA?

The population of Goolwa South SA is 1,041 according to the ABS Census 2021. The suburb has a population density of 90 people per km². Goolwa South is ranked #3,915 out of 14,663 suburbs by population.

What is the median income in Goolwa South?

The median personal income in Goolwa South SA is $556 per week, or $28,912 per year. The median household income is $961 per week. Family income is $1,213 per week. Goolwa South is ranked #7,652 by income out of 14,663 Australian suburbs.

How much is rent in Goolwa South?

Median rent in Goolwa South SA is $280 per week ($1,213 per month). Rent represents 29.1% of household income, which is considered moderate. Goolwa South ranks #5,374 out of 14,663 suburbs by rent.

What are mortgage repayments in Goolwa South?

The median monthly mortgage repayment in Goolwa South SA is $1,134. This data comes from the ABS Census 2021 and reflects mortgage repayments for owner-occupied dwellings.

What is the median age in Goolwa South?

The median age in Goolwa South SA is 62 years. This is older than the national median age of 38 years.

Is Goolwa South a good suburb to live in?

Goolwa South is a suburb in South Australia with a population of 1,041. The median income is $556/wk, which is below the typical SA suburb ($759/wk). Rent affordability is rated as moderate (29.1% 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: 40524. All dollar figures in AUD.