Urban Centre · Area profile
Mount Barker
7 km²
Lower typical incomes and a high number of renters mark the community of Mount Barker. It is a small town that has aged significantly, with a typical resident now 45 and a large rise in seniors since 2011. This shift is reflected in the housing, where a high percentage of people now own their homes outright. While the population has grown to 1,898 people, the area remains a quiet regional hub with a strong spirit of volunteering.
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The population has aged noticeably, with the typical resident now 45 and seniors making up 24.7% of the community. This is well above the national figure of 17.2%. The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander population is 5.2%, which is a little above the state average.
People born overseas make up 19.3% of the community, which is much higher than most similar areas, though still well below the state average. English and Australian are the most common ancestries, accounting for 43.7% and 36.7% respectively.
About 9.9% of people use a language other than English at home, a figure that is much higher than most similar areas but well below the national average. Around 3.0% of residents speak little or no English.
A large number of residents have no religion at 43.3%, which is about the same as the state average. This figure has risen by 11 points since 2011.
Education levels are lower than most areas, with only 7.9% of adults holding a bachelor degree or higher. This is far below the national figure of 26.3%. Just 32.7% of residents completed Year 12.
Household incomes are far below the state and national figures, with the typical family earning $1,311 a week. This reflects a sharp drop since 2011, and only 7.4% of households now earn $3,000 or more per week.
Health needs are higher than in most areas, with 8.0% of people needing help with daily activities. This is well above the state figure of 4.6%. Long-term health conditions are also more common here than across the state.
Volunteering is very common, with 22.4% of people helping out, which is well above the national figure. Unpaid care for others is also a little above the state average.
One-parent families make up 18.9% of the community, which is well above the national average. People living alone are also more common here than in most areas, accounting for 33.1% of households.
Separate houses are the main dwelling type at 93.3%. While renting is more common than in most similar areas at 31.9%, 37.8% of homes are owned outright, which is well above the national figure.
The community relies heavily on cars, with 69.1% of people driving to work. Very few people use public transport to commute, at just 0.6%.
Recent overseas arrivals are much higher than most similar areas at 13.7%. However, the proportion of people who moved in the last five years has fallen since 2011.
Fewer adults are working or looking for work compared to most areas, at 47.6%. Common industries include agriculture, health care, and retail, with labourers being the most common occupation.
The area is somewhat walkable, with most people living within a 15-minute walk of health services and groceries. However, it is very poorly connected to public transport, with only 23.1% of homes within a 10-minute walk of a stop.