Mallala

The typical resident is 43, making the area noticeably older than the national average. Since 2011, the proportion of seniors aged 65 and over has risen by 4.5 points to 18.1%.

This is a community with deep European roots, as 75.3% were born in Australia and others mainly from England. Only 13.3% of residents were born overseas, a figure far below the South Australian and national averages.

English is the primary language for 83.8% of the community. Only 5.8% of people use another language at home, which is far below the national figure.

A striking 49.4% of residents report having no religion, a figure far above the national average. This represents a significant shift, as the number of non-religious people rose 17 points since 2011.

Educational qualifications are among the lowest in the region, with only 7.4% of adults holding a bachelor degree or higher. Just 32.6% of residents completed Year 12, which is far below the state and national figures.

Earnings are much lower than in most areas, with the typical family income at $1,660 a week. Only 11% of households earn $3,000 or more weekly, well below the national figure of 22.6%.

Health challenges are more common here, with 32.3% of people living with a long-term health condition. This is well above the national average, with arthritis and asthma being the most frequent issues.

Volunteerism is much higher here than in most areas, with 18.7% of the community giving their time. This spirit of helping extends to the home, where 14.2% of people provide unpaid care, a rate higher than the national figure.

First Nations residents in Mallala are far older than the state average, with a typical age of 35. While their typical personal income is well above the national figure, 33.3% completed Year 12, which is well below the national average.

Most homes are family-based, with 56.3% consisting of couples with children. About 26.7% of people live alone, which is a little above the national figure.

Housing is dominated by detached houses, making up 95.4% of all homes. The area has a high rate of home ownership, with 37.8% of houses owned outright, and typical rents are well below the national figure.

Cars are essential for most, as 64.3% of workers drive to work and only 3.9% of homes have no vehicle. Public transport options are very limited, with only four stops serving the entire area.

The community is generally stable, with 25.1% of people moving in the last five years, one of the lowest rates in the region. However, there has been a sharp rise in recent overseas arrivals, which jumped from 5.4% in 2011 to 22.8% in 2021.

Agriculture, forestry, and fishing are the most common industries, employing 17% of the workforce. About 57.6% of adults are working or looking for work, which is lower than most other areas.

The area faces significant disadvantage in terms of job skills and overall advantage, ranking in the bottom 20% of all areas. However, it is slightly better off than half of similar areas regarding general access to money and resources.

The climate is characterized by an average annual rainfall of 361mm, which is far above the South Australian average. Minimum temperatures are typically well below the state average.

The area is heavily car-dependent, with a very low walkability score of 1.5. Most residents live far from basic services, with only 21.9% within a 15-minute walk of groceries.