Suburb / Locality · Area profile
Christie Downs
3 km²
A stark gap in income and health separates Christie Downs from the rest of the state. This larger-than-average community is marked by a high proportion of residents needing daily help and a typical household income that is far below the national figure. While it faces significant social and economic challenges, the area is exceptionally walkable and well-connected by public transport. It is a place where many residents live alone or in one-parent families, contributing to a distinct social landscape in the Onkaparinga region.
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The area has a much higher proportion of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people than most similar areas, at 5.6%. While the typical resident is 41, a higher than usual 22% of the population are seniors aged 65 and over.
English and Australian ancestries are most common, making up 43.7% and 36.0% respectively. While 18.4% of residents were born overseas, this is well below the South Australian and national figures.
English is the main language for 81.8% of the community. The 7% who use another language at home is higher than in most similar areas, though still far below the state average.
A majority of residents—53.4%—report having no religion. This is far above the national figure of 38.9% and well above the state average.
Educational attainment is much lower than in most areas, with only 7.6% of adults holding a bachelor degree or higher. Just 35.3% of residents completed Year 12, which is far below the national figure of 58.8%.
Typical incomes are among the lowest at this level, with a typical household earning $889 a week. This is far below the national figure of $1,746, and only 3.8% of households earn $3,000 or more weekly.
Health challenges are very high here; 41.2% of people have a long-term health condition and 17.2% have a mental health condition. Both figures are far above the state and national averages.
Unpaid care for others is common, with 13.9% of people providing such support. However, only 9.7% of residents volunteer, which is well below the national figure.
Among its 296 First Nations residents, the typical age is a much younger 19. This group faces significant hardship, with a much higher unemployment rate of 19.7% and a typical personal income well below the national average.
One-parent families are very common at 30.3%, far above the national figure of 14.1%. Additionally, 38.7% of people live alone, which is much higher than in most similar areas.
Rental properties are very common, with 46% of households renting, far above the state average. While 79.7% of homes have three or more bedrooms, only 23% are owned outright.
The area is very well served by transit, with 35 stops and 21 routes. This helps explain why 16.8% of homes have no motor vehicle, a figure well above the national average.
About 30% of residents moved house in the last five years, which is well below the national figure of 40.7%. Recent overseas arrivals make up 5% of the population.
Joblessness is a major issue, with an unemployment rate of 11.8% that is well above the national figure. Only 42.9% of adults are working or looking for work, far below the state average.
The area records high levels of crime, with recorded offences per 100,000 being among the highest at this level. This includes much higher than average rates of theft and motor vehicle theft.
The community is very walkable, with a score of 7.1. Almost every home is within a 15-minute walk of public transport, parks, schools, and groceries.