Capital City · Area profile
Rest of SA
980,972 km²
Daily life in Rest of SA revolves around a slower pace and a strong connection to the land. This is a noticeably older community, where the typical resident is 47 and one in four is a senior. It is a place of stability and home ownership, with far fewer people moving in or out compared to the rest of the country. While incomes are generally lower than the national figure, there is a high level of community spirit seen in the large number of volunteers.
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The population is far older than the national figure, with a typical age of 47 and a very high proportion of seniors at 25%. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people make up 4.7% of the community, which is a little above the state and national figures.
People born overseas make up only 11.6% of the population, which is far below the national figure of 27.7%. English and Australian are the most common ancestries, accounting for 42.0% and 40.5% respectively.
English is the dominant language, with only 5.3% of people using another language at home. This is far below the national figure of 22.3%, and very few people report speaking little or no English.
A high proportion of residents report having no religion at 48.0%, which is well above the national figure. This trend has grown significantly, rising 13 points since 2016.
Educational qualifications are lower than in most other areas, with only 11.3% of adults holding a bachelor degree or higher. This is far below the national figure of 26.3%.
Typical weekly household incomes are well below the national figure, sitting at $1,190. High earners are rare here, as only 10.5% of households earn $3,000 or more per week.
Long-term health issues are more common here than elsewhere, with 34.0% of people reporting a condition. This is well above the national figure and is reflected in the high 7.0% of people who need help with daily activities.
Volunteerism is exceptionally high at 22.0%, which is well above the national figure of 14.1%. People also spend more time on unpaid housework and care than those in most other areas.
First Nations people in this area are more likely to speak a traditional language, at 19.8%, which is well above the national figure. However, they face higher unemployment at 17.5% and lower Year 12 completion rates.
Living arrangements are often smaller, with 31.3% of people living alone. This is well above the national figure, while the typical home holds 2.3 people.
Detached houses are the norm here, making up 88.1% of dwellings. Home ownership is strong, with 39.4% of homes owned outright, and typical weekly rents are much lower than the national figure.
The area is heavily reliant on cars, as only 0.7% of people commute by public transport. Most homes have at least one vehicle, and public transport stops are much fewer than in other areas.
The population is very stable, with only 32.8% of people moving in the last five years, which is well below the national figure of 40.7%.
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing are major employers at 14.0%, alongside health care and social assistance. About 54.1% of adults are working or looking for work, which is well below the national figure.
Population growth since 2021 has been 2.7%, which is much lower than other similar areas and below the state growth rate of 5.6%.
The climate is hot and dry, with an average maximum temperature of 29.4°C. Annual rainfall is among the lowest at 145mm, which is about the same as the state average.
Most residents are car-dependent, with a walkability score of 3.2, far below the state figure of 5.5. Many homes are far from basic needs, with only 37.8% within a 15-minute walk of groceries.