Gawler · Council (LGA)
How well-off the area is, how fast its population is growing, and the businesses and new homes here.
A rapid 8.9% population jump since the last census marks a period of fast growth for Gawler. This expansion is reflected in a high number of new building approvals, though the area generally has fewer financial and educational resources than most other regions.
All council (lga) areas, 2021. The marker is Gawler — lower than 64% of areas.
SEIFA indexes ranking relative advantage and disadvantage.
Gawler has a typical advantage score of 931, which is smaller than about 66% of similar areas. This reflects a trend across the board, with access to money and job skills both ranking lower than about 60% of other areas.
4
Lower than 64% of council (lga) areas.
ABS Index of Relative Socio-economic Advantage and Disadvantage, 2021, as a national decile: 1 = among the 10% most disadvantaged areas in Australia, 10 = among the 10% most advantaged. IRSAD summarises both advantage and disadvantage, so a high score reflects relatively many high-income, well-educated households and few low-income, low-skill ones.
4
Lower than 64% of council (lga) areas.
ABS Index of Relative Socio-economic Disadvantage, 2021, as a national decile: 1 = among the 10% most disadvantaged areas in Australia, 10 = among the least disadvantaged. IRSD focuses on disadvantage alone (low income, low education, unemployment, unskilled occupations), so a higher decile means relatively less disadvantage.
4
Lower than 64% of council (lga) areas.
ABS Index of Economic Resources, 2021, as a national decile: 1 = among the 10% lowest areas for economic resources in Australia, 10 = among the highest. IER reflects the income, housing costs, dwelling size and assets of households, so a higher decile means relatively greater economic resources.
4
Lower than 64% of council (lga) areas.
ABS Index of Education and Occupation, 2021, as a national decile: 1 = among the 10% lowest areas for education and occupation in Australia, 10 = among the highest. IEO reflects residents' qualifications and the skill level of their jobs, so a higher decile means a more highly educated and skilled workforce.
931
Lower than 67% of council (lga) areas.
ABS Index of Relative Socio-economic Advantage and Disadvantage, 2021, as a raw index score (standardised so the Australian average is about 1000). Higher scores indicate relatively greater advantage; lower scores greater disadvantage.
Annual population estimates and change since the census.
The population has climbed to 27,564 people. This 8.9% growth rate is much higher than most areas and sits well above the South Australian figure of 5.6%.
27,564
Higher than 62% of council (lga) areas.
Estimated resident population (ABS), 2025.
8.9%
Higher than 86% of council (lga) areas.
Population growth since the 2021 Census, from ABS annual estimates.
Operating businesses and dwellings approved.
Local activity is strong, with 1,436 businesses operating here. This is supported by 188 approved dwellings, a figure larger than about 70% of similar areas.
1,436
Higher than 50% of council (lga) areas.
Operating businesses (ABS Counts of Australian Businesses), June 2025.
188
Higher than 69% of council (lga) areas.
Dwelling units approved in 2024-25 (ABS Building Approvals).
Australian Bureau of Statistics. (2021). Economy & Advantage in Gawler [Census of Population and Housing]. CensusAtlas, used under CC BY 4.0. https://censusatlas.au/region/lga/LGA42030/gawler/topic/economy-advantage
