Sub-region (SA3) · Area profile
Yorke Peninsula
6,741 km²
A growing population of seniors has shifted the feel of the Yorke Peninsula, where the typical resident is now 55. This rural area is far older than the national average and is mostly made up of people born in Australia. It is a place of modest incomes and high home ownership, with a strong leaning toward detached houses. The community is largely traditional and car-dependent, with a small but growing First Nations presence.
Yorke Peninsula is well supplied with schools for its relatively small share of children.
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The area is far older than most of Australia, with 34% of people aged 65 and over. Children under 15 make up only 13.8%, which is well below the national figure.
Most residents were born in Australia, and the area has a much lower proportion of overseas-born people than the state or nation. English and Australian are the most common ancestries.
Language diversity is very low, with only 2% of people using a language other than English at home. This is far below the national figure of 22.3%.
A large number of people report no religion, accounting for 46.2% of the population. This figure has risen by 20 percentage points since 2011.
Educational qualifications are much lower than the state and national averages, with only 8.2% of adults holding a bachelor degree or higher.
Incomes are among the lowest for similar areas, with the typical weekly family income at $1,308. This is far below the national figure of $2,120.
Long-term health conditions are far more common here than elsewhere in Australia, affecting 39.9% of people. About 8.4% of residents need help with daily activities.
Volunteerism is very high at 23.5%, well above the national figure. Unpaid care for others is also common, while fewer people provide unpaid childcare compared to most areas.
About 3.6% of the population is Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander. This group faces higher unemployment at 18.9% and has lower typical incomes than the wider community.
Single-person households are common, with 32.8% of people living alone. This is well above the national figure, and homes typically hold only 2.1 people.
Housing is dominated by separate houses, and nearly half of all homes are owned outright. Rents are much lower than the national typical of $375, sitting at $230 a week.
The area is heavily reliant on cars, with only 0.4% of people commuting by public transport. Most homes have at least one vehicle, and the drive time to the city is very long at 96 minutes.
Residents tend to stay put, as the proportion of people who moved in the last five years is well below the national figure. Recent overseas arrivals are also very rare.
The local workforce is smaller than in most areas, with only 44.2% of adults working or looking for work. Major industries include healthcare and agriculture.
The population has grown by 6.2% since 2021, which is about the same as the state average.
The region is relatively dry, with an average annual rainfall of 399mm. Temperatures are generally lower than the state average.
The area is mostly car-dependent, with a walkability score far below the state average. Only 33% of homes are within a 15-minute walk of groceries.
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