Urban Centre · Area profile
Gladstone
3 km²
Tucked away in the northern areas of South Australia, Gladstone is a small town with a population of 623 people. It is a notably older community, where the typical resident is 51 and over a quarter of the population are seniors. This aging trend is reflected in a high number of people living alone and a large proportion of homes owned outright. While it is a quiet settlement, it is highly walkable for everyday needs like groceries and parks.
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The community is far older than the national figure, with 27.8% of people aged 65 and over. This senior population is much higher than in most similar areas and has risen by 6.9 percentage points since 2011.
Most residents were born in Australia, and only 7.1% were born overseas, which is far below the national figure of 27.7%. English and Australian are the most common ancestries.
English is the primary language for 84.1% of the community. Very few people speak little or no English, and the proportion of people using another language at home is far below the state and national figures.
A large number of residents report having no religion (43.8%), a figure that has risen by 19 percentage points since 2011. This is well above the national figure.
Educational qualifications are lower than in most areas, with only 31.6% of residents having completed Year 12, which is far below the state average of 54.6%.
Typical weekly incomes are much lower than in most areas, with the usual household earning $872. This is far below the national figure of $1,746.
Health challenges are more common here than in most areas, with 37.9% of people living with a long-term health condition. Mental health conditions are also much more frequent than the national average.
Volunteering is very common, with 25.8% of people helping out, far above the national figure. This is consistent with a population that has more time for unpaid housework than most areas.
Living alone is very common here, with 40.2% of people in single-person households. This is far above the national figure of 25.6% and helps explain why there are fewer people per home than usual.
The town consists almost entirely of separate houses, with 43.2% owned outright. Rent is much lower than in most areas, with a typical weekly cost of $160.
The town is heavily reliant on cars, as no one commutes by public transport. Most homes have one or two vehicles, and very few people work from home.
The population is quite stable, with fewer people moving in the last five years compared to most areas. However, recent arrivals from overseas have increased since 2011.
Far fewer adults are working or looking for work compared to the state average. The unemployment rate of 7.1% is a little above the national figure.
Most homes are within a 15-minute walk of groceries, parks, and schools, which is far above the state average. However, there are no health services within a 15-minute walk.