Peterborough

The typical resident is 54, making the area far older than both the state and the nation. Seniors aged 65 and over make up 30.5% of the population, a figure that rose 6 points since 2011, while children under 15 fell to 12.8%.

Most people here were born in Australia, and only 9.3% were born overseas, which is far below the national and state figures. English and Australian ancestries are the most common.

English is the dominant language, with only 1.6% of people using another language at home. This is among the lowest rates in the country, and very few people speak little or no English.

About 44.7% of residents report no religion, a figure that rose 15 points since 2011. This is well above the national figure, though it sits just below the South Australian average.

Qualifications are lower than most areas, with only 5.7% of adults holding a bachelor degree or higher. Only 23.2% of residents completed Year 12, which is far below the state and national figures.

Incomes are among the lowest at this level, with the typical household earning $717 a week. This is far below the national typical figure of $1,746, and only 3.3% of households earn $3,000 or more weekly.

Health challenges are common, as 40.2% of people have a long-term health condition, far above the national figure. This is reflected in the 9.8% of residents who need help with daily activities.

Volunteering is more common here than in most areas, with 20.4% of people pitching in. There is also a higher rate of former Defence Force members compared to the rest of the state.

First Nations people make up 6.8% of the population, which is well above the national average. This group is noticeably younger, with a typical age of 20, but faces a far lower rate of Year 12 completion.

Many residents live alone, accounting for 45.2% of households, which is far above the national figure. One-parent families are also very common at 24.6%, well above the state average.

Housing is mostly made up of separate houses, and over half of all homes are owned outright. Weekly rent is much lower than average at $158, and typical monthly mortgage payments are also very low.

The area is heavily dependent on cars, with only 0.8% of people commuting by public transport. About 10.3% of homes have no motor vehicle, which is higher than most similar areas.

The population is very stable, with only 22.9% of people moving in the last five years. This is far below the national figure, and recent arrivals from overseas are also much lower than usual.

Job prospects are difficult, with an unemployment rate of 11.3% that is well above the national figure. Many residents work in agriculture, forestry, and fishing, or in retail trade.

The area is ranked among the most disadvantaged at this level, scoring 1 out of 10 for overall advantage. Population growth since 2021 has been slow at 2.0%, well below the state average.

Peterborough is cooler and wetter than much of the state, with an average annual rainfall of 242mm. Its average minimum temperature is far below the South Australian figure.

While residents are’ mostly car-dependent, they have good access to health services within a 15-minute walk. However, fewer people can walk to groceries or public transport compared to the state average.