Urban Centre · Area profile
Meningie
6 km²
A far older population than the state average defines Meningie, where the typical resident is now 55. This community of 860 people has seen a sharp increase in seniors, with over a third of residents aged 65 and over. It is a place where many people live alone and a high proportion of homes are owned outright. This shift toward an older demographic is mirrored by a decline in children and a rise in the number of people needing help with daily activities.
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The area has a strong Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander presence at 9.9%, which is well above the national figure of 3.2%. This is alongside a significant aging trend, as the typical age rose 19 years since 2011.
Most residents were born in Australia (78.6%), and the proportion of people born overseas is far below the state and national figures. English and Australian are the most common ancestries.
English is the primary language for 84.4% of the community. Only 3% of people use another language at home, a figure far below the national average of 22.3%.
A bit over 42% of people report having no religion, which is well above the national figure. Christianity is also common at 40.2%.
Educational qualifications are much lower than in most areas, with only 8.4% of adults holding a bachelor degree or higher. Only 27.8% of residents completed Year 12, far below the national figure of 58.8%.
Typical incomes are much lower than the national average, with the usual household earning $962 a week. Only 4.6% of households earn $3,000 or more weekly.
Long-term health conditions are more common here than in most areas, affecting 35.5% of people. This is consistent with the older population, as 8.6% of residents need help with daily activities.
Volunteering is very high at 30.8%, far above the national figure of 14.1%. However, fewer people are providing unpaid childcare compared to the state average.
Homes are smaller than usual, with just 2.0 people per household. This is driven by a high number of people living alone, who make up 38.9% of the community.
The community consists almost entirely of separate houses, 44.7% of which are owned outright. Weekly rent is much lower than the national average at just $200.
Cars are the primary way to get to work for 66% of people, and no one commutes by public transport. About 7.4% of homes have no motor vehicle.
The population is relatively stable, as 29.2% of people moved in the last five years, which is far below the national figure of 40.7%.
Agriculture, forestry and fishing is the largest employer at 21.7%. Only 45.2% of adults are working or looking for work, far below the national figure of 61.1%.
Meningie is somewhat walkable, with many residents living within a 15-minute walk of health services and groceries, though it is far below the state average for access to parks and schools.