Region (SA4) · Area profile
South East
23,822 km²
A growing population has seen the South East age significantly since 2011, with a 17% increase in residents. It is now an older community where the typical resident is 48, far older than the national figure. This shift is reflected in the high proportion of seniors and a low number of children. The area is largely rural and residential, marked by a strong preference for detached housing and a high rate of home ownership.
Plenty of schools here relative to how few children live in the area.
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The community is noticeably older than the state and national averages, with 24.1% of people aged 65 and over. There is also a significant First Nations presence, at 7.7%, which is well above the national figure and has risen since 2011.
Most residents were born in Australia, and the area has a far lower percentage of overseas-born people (13.0%) than the national average. English and Australian are the most common ancestries.
Language diversity is very low, with only 3.7% of people using a language other than English at home. This is far below the national figure, and very few residents speak little or no English.
A majority of residents (50.7%) report having no religion, a figure that has risen 21 points since 2011 and is far above the national average.
Schooling levels are lower than most areas, with 42.0% of residents completing Year 12, which is far below the national figure. However, the number of adults with a bachelor degree or higher has risen since 2011 to 17.2%.
Typical incomes are among the lowest at this level, with a typical household earning $1,186 a week. This is well below the national figure of $1,746.
Health challenges are common here, with 34.8% of people reporting a long-term health condition, which is well above the national average. Arthritis and mental health are the most frequent conditions reported.
Volunteerism is high at 19.0%, well above the national figure, though this has fallen slightly since 2011. Unpaid care is also common, with 13.5% of people providing unpaid care.
First Nations residents are noticeably older than those in the rest of the state and nation. The unemployment rate for this group is 7.0%, which is well below the national figure.
Homes tend to be smaller, with 2.3 people per home, which is a little below the national average. About 28.0% of people live alone, a rate higher than most areas.
The area is dominated by separate houses, which make up 96.7% of homes. Home ownership is very strong, with 46.1% of homes owned outright, far above the national figure.
The region is heavily car-reliant, with only 0.6% of people commuting by public transport. Very few homes (2.6%) have no motor vehicle, which is well below the national figure.
The population is relatively stable, with a lower percentage of people moving in the last five years (33.6%) compared to the national average. Recent overseas arrivals are also far below the national figure.
Working rates are lower than most areas, with 52.4% of adults working or looking for work. Common industries include agriculture, forestry, and fishing, alongside health care and social assistance.
The population is among the smallest at this level, though it has grown by 4.1% since 2021, which is a little above the state growth rate.
The area is warmer than the state average, with an average maximum temperature of 15.6 degrees. Rainfall is also a little below the state figure.
The region is mostly car-dependent, with a walkability score far below the state average. Very few homes are within a 15-minute walk of groceries, schools, or health services.