Suburb / Locality · Area profile
Mount Barker
38 km²
Much younger than most similar areas, Mount Barker is a growing community where the typical resident is just 36. It is a large residential hub with a strong presence of families, seen in the high number of children and a high proportion of couples with kids. The area is shifting quickly, with over half of all residents having moved here in the last five years. This rapid growth is reflected in a housing market dominated by large, detached family homes.
A family-heavy area that's short on schools per child.
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The area is noticeably younger than the state average, with 19.8% of the population being children under 15. Many residents are in de facto relationships, a figure higher than both the state and national levels.
While 16.9% of people were born overseas, this is far below the national figure of 27.7%. English and Australian are the most common ancestries, followed by German, Scottish and Irish.
Most residents speak only English at home, with only 7.1% using another language. This is far below the national average, and very few people—just 0.7%—speak little or no English.
A majority of the community reports no religion at 53.0%. This is well above the South Australian figure and far above the national average.
Educational attainment is strong, with 58.6% of residents having completed Year 12. The area also has a high number of adults with bachelor degrees or higher compared to similar areas.
Typical personal income is $815 a week, which is a little above the state and national figures. Most households earn between $650 and $2,999 weekly.
Mental health conditions are more common here than in most areas, affecting 11.4% of residents. Long-term health conditions are also more frequent than the national average.
A high number of people provide unpaid childcare—31.0%—which is well above the national figure. This aligns with the high proportion of children in the area. Volunteers also make up 19.6% of the population.
First Nations residents are noticeably younger than those in the state and nation, with a typical age of 20. Year 12 completion is far above the national average at 49.7%.
Families with children are common, making up 56.7% of households. Single-parent families are also much more common here than in most similar areas.
Large homes are the norm, with 86.9% of dwellings having three or more bedrooms. While separate houses are far more common than the national average, fewer people own their homes outright compared to other areas.
Most people drive to work, though the area has a higher rate of public transport use than similar areas. It is very accessible by bus, with many residents living just a one-minute walk from a stop.
The community is highly mobile, with 51.5% of people moving here in the last five years. This is far above the national figure of 40.7%.
More adults are working or looking for work here than in most areas. The most common industries for local workers are health care, social assistance and retail.
The area has a very low rate of burglary and motor vehicle theft compared to similar places. However, the theft rate is higher than in most other areas.
The area is considered somewhat walkable, though it is well below the state average. While most homes are near a park, fewer are within a 15-minute walk of schools or health services.