Penola, SA: suburb profile
The population of Penola SA is 1,622 according to the 2021 Census. The median personal income in Penola is $804 per week ($41,808 per year). Median rent in Penola is $198 per week ($858 per month). Penola has a median age of 47 years, older than the national median of 38. Penola has a population density of 6.4 people per km².
The most common overseas birthplace in Penola is England. The most common religion is No religion (46.9% of residents). After English, the most spoken language is Mandarin. The median monthly mortgage repayment in Penola is $1,050.
There were 6 recorded offences in Penola in 2025-26, a rate of 4 offences per 1,000 people. The most common offence category was theft (3 offences).
Valid: Census 2021 · Source: ABS Census of Population and Housing 2021; offences from SA Government Open Data (data.sa.gov.au), 2025-26.
Penola vs the typical SA suburb
The median personal income in Penola is $804 a week, 6% above the typical SA suburb ($759). That ranks 269th of 710 SA suburbs with 200 or more residents. Median rent is $198 a week, $102 less than the typical SA suburb. Rent takes 14.5% of the median household income here, against 19.5% in the typical SA suburb. The median resident is 47, 4 years older than in the typical SA suburb (43).
| Measure | Penola | Typical SA | Difference | Typical Australia |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Personal income | $804/wk | $759/wk | +6% | $766/wk |
| Household income | $1,369/wk | $1,494/wk | −8% | $1,637/wk |
| Rent | $198/wk | $300/wk | −34% | $330/wk |
| Mortgage repayment | $1,050/mo | $1,534/mo | −32% | $1,733/mo |
| Median age | 47 | 43 | +4 yrs | 42 |
| Rent share of household income | 14.5% | 19.5% | −5.0 pts | 20.3% |
Penola Population
1,622 residents at the 2021 Census.
Penola Median Income & Rent
Valid: Census 2021 · Source: ABS Census of Population and Housing.
Penola Rent Prices & Affordability
14% of median household income goes on median rent
Marks at 25% and 35%. Band: affordable.
Rent is under 25% of household income, generally considered affordable.
Median rent in Penola against your income
Penola Map
People in Penola
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 Penola
Housing Tenure
Of the 642 occupied private dwellings in Penola at the 2021 Census, 22.4% were rented, 40.0% owned outright and 32.6% 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 Penola
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
Penola Crime Statistics
6 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
Compare Penola
Frequently Asked Questions About Penola
What is the population of Penola SA?
The population of Penola SA is 1,622 according to the ABS Census 2021. The suburb has a population density of 6.4 people per km². Penola is ranked #3,296 out of 14,663 suburbs by population.
What is the median income in Penola?
The median personal income in Penola SA is $804 per week, or $41,808 per year. The median household income is $1,369 per week. Family income is $1,865 per week. Penola is ranked #3,564 by income out of 14,663 Australian suburbs.
How much is rent in Penola?
Median rent in Penola SA is $198 per week ($858 per month). Rent represents 14.5% of household income, which is considered affordable. Penola ranks #7,719 out of 14,663 suburbs by rent.
What are mortgage repayments in Penola?
The median monthly mortgage repayment in Penola SA is $1,050. This data comes from the ABS Census 2021 and reflects mortgage repayments for owner-occupied dwellings.
What is the median age in Penola?
The median age in Penola SA is 47 years. This is older than the national median age of 38 years.
Is Penola a good suburb to live in?
Penola is a suburb in South Australia with a population of 1,622. The median income is $804/wk, which is above the typical SA suburb ($759/wk). Rent affordability is rated as affordable (14.5% 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: 41137. All dollar figures in AUD.