SA · Mount Barker Council
Echunga, SA, 5153
Current weather
8.6°CLight drizzle
94% humidity · 35.3 km/h wind · 11.6° / 8.5° today · 14.7 mm rain
Desirability index
#16 among Country & regional suburbs
Suburb snapshot
Echunga is a small locality in the Mount Barker area, home to around 1,219 residents (2021 Census). Recent indicators show reported crime totals of around 11 offences in 2024–25 (Jul–Jun), roughly 9.0 offences per 1,000 residents, median weekly rent around $650, 2 school and preschool sites in the area, 12 public transport stops within the suburb, a quieter amenity profile than busier neighbouring suburbs, and notable planning and development activity on record. Use the sections below for detailed population, safety, schools, and local activity data.
Population
- Population
- 1,219
- Median age
- 41
- Median household income / week
- $2,090
- Dwelling vacancy
- 7.3%
- Unoccupied private dwellings
- 33 of 454
- Median monthly mortgage
- $1,761
- Employment rate
- 64.9%
- Dwelling mix (houses / semi / flats)
- 24 / 0 / 0
Data sources & freshness
- 2021 Census — General Community Profile — Australian Bureau of Statistics · Period: 2021 · Updated on site · 2021 Census release
The 2026 Census runs in August 2026; suburb-level updates are expected from mid-2027.
Housing
- Houses (01/01/26 to 31/03/26)
- $650
Median weekly rent from SA Housing Authority rental bond data. Figures can be unreliable where few bonds were lodged in the quarter.
Data sources & freshness
- SA Housing Authority rent & sales reports — Government of South Australia · Period: 1 January - 31 March 2026 · Updated on site · Quarterly releases
Crime & safety
- Total offences (2024–25)
- 11
- Against the person
- 4
- Against property
- 7
- Rate per 1,000 residents
- 9
- Person-crime prevalence
- About 1 in 305 residents
- State safety percentile
- 6.5th (lower crime is better)
- Family & domestic abuse offences
- 23
- Year-on-year change
- 0%
Most common offence types
- Obtain Benefit By Deception1
- Other Offences Against Property1
- Other Property Damage And Environmental3
- Serious Assault Not Resulting In Injury3
- Theft From Motor Vehicle1
Data sources & freshness
- SAPOL reported crime statistics — South Australia Police — OpenData · Period: 2024-25; 2024-25 → 2024-25 · Updated on site · Financial-year releases
Schools & preschools
- Schools & preschools
- 2 (1 schools, 1 preschools)
- Median school ICSEA
- 1,042
- Echunga Preschool802 Echunga RoadPreschools
- Echunga Primary and PreschoolPrimary · ICSEA 1042
- Echunga Primary School802 Echunga RoadPrimary Education
Data sources & freshness
- Government education sites register — Government of South Australia · Period: current · Updated on site · Static register
- School ICSEA (ACARA) — Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority · Period: 2025 · Updated on site · Annual ACARA release
Public transport
12 public transport stops in this suburb
- Stop 55 Strathalbyn Rd - West side
- Stop 56 Strathalbyn Rd - North side
- Stop 58 Adelaide Rd - East side
- Stop 59 Meadows Rd - West side
- Stop 60 Meadows Rd - West side
Data sources & freshness
- Adelaide Metro GTFS stops — Department for Infrastructure and Transport (SA) · Period: current · Updated on site · GTFS static feed
Planning & development
Development applications from PlanSA register (lodged 2020–2026) and EPA licensed activities.
159 planning-related records
2026· 14 proposals
June 2026
- Masonry front fence and gate106 HACK RANGE RD ECHUNGA SA 5153Under Assessment
- Demolish existing carport and replace8 SAND RD ECHUNGA SA 5153Decision Made
- Ancillary accommodation with associated alterations and additions to existing detached dwelling (pool house)126 BATTUNGA RD ECHUNGA SA 5153Under Assessment
May 2026
- Verandah54 GOODES RD ECHUNGA SA 5153Under Assessment
- Outbuilding (shed for car and domestic storage)77 DARBY LANE ECHUNGA SA 5153Under Assessment
- Detached dwelling (single storey) and Deck32 MARIANNA ST ECHUNGA SA 5153Under Assessment
- Horse Keeping (not exceeding 10 horses) and associated horse arena and buildings for horse shelters and storage (all retropsective)64 COBBLEDICK RD ECHUNGA SA 5153Under Assessment
April 2026
- DeckUNIT 3 7 CHURCH HILL RD ECHUNGA SA 5153Under Assessment
- Alterations and additions to the existing detached dwelling, deck and associated earthworks697 ECHUNGA RD ECHUNGA SA 5153Under Assessment
- Variation to Development Authorisation 25014683 (Restaurant) comprising an increase to the hours of operation, hosting of functions and associated playing of music12 CONCANNON RD ECHUNGA SA 5153Under Assessment
March 2026
- Deck33 HACK RANGE RD ECHUNGA SA 5153Decision Made
February 2026
- Outbuilding (shed)65 DOLMAN RD ECHUNGA SA 5153Decision Made
- Demolition of existing dwelling and construction of a single-storey detached dwelling.177 IRONSTONE RD ECHUNGA SA 5153Under Assessment
January 2026
- Variation to DA 24015760 seeking authorisation for the temporary use of the approved shop as a bushfire refuge ('common building') for a period of two (2) years.12 CONCANNON RD ECHUNGA SA 5153Under Assessment
2025· 41 proposals
November 2025
- Outbuilding (shed)248 OLD MOUNT BARKER RD ECHUNGA SA 5153Decision Made
- Alterations and additions to existing detached dwelling, verandah and associated earthworks70 DARBY LANE ECHUNGA SA 5153Decision Made
October 2025
- Outbuilding (domestic garage)432 HAWTHORN RD ECHUNGA SA 5153Decision Made
- Tourist Accommodation (retrospective)56 DARBY RD ECHUNGA SA 5153Under Assessment
- Outbuilding126 BATTUNGA RD ECHUNGA SA 5153Decision Made
September 2025
- Swimming pool and safety barrier85 MARIANNA ST ECHUNGA SA 5153Decision Made
- Removal of one (1) Significant tree (Eucalyptus globulus - Tasmanian Blue Gum)32 MARIANNA ST ECHUNGA SA 5153Decision Made
August 2025
- Carport248 OLD MOUNT BARKER RD ECHUNGA SA 5153Decision Made
- Variation to development authorisation 24002382 comprising the relocation and increase in size of the Agricultural Building (Machinery, Implement & Hay Storage), increase in wall and roof height, addition of a mezzanine and verandah to the Outbuilding (Domestic Use & Storage), Retaining Walls, and Water Tank (Above Ground)73 QUINES RD ECHUNGA SA 5153Decision Made
- Carport15 CHURCH HILL RD ECHUNGA SA 5153Decision Made
- Packaging and storage building (Industrial building) in association with existing intensive animal husbandry (Poultry Farm)547 ECHUNGA RD ECHUNGA SA 5153;LOT 22 SCHMEISS RD ECHUNGA SA 5153Decision Made
July 2025
- Advertisement12 CONCANNON RD ECHUNGA SA 5153Decision Made
- Installation of fire water storage tanks and fire hydrant system for protection of existing public sports club building.794 ECHUNGA RD ECHUNGA SA 5153Decision Made
- Detached dwelling (Single storey), Deck, associated retaining walls and tree-damaging activity32 MARIANNA ST ECHUNGA SA 5153Decision Made
June 2025
- Verandah13 ALDGATE-STRATHALBYN RD ECHUNGA SA 5153Decision Made
- Outbuilding697 ECHUNGA RD ECHUNGA SA 5153Decision Made
- Swimming pool (in ground) and associated swimming pool safety features21 HIGH ST ECHUNGA SA 5153Decision Made
- Cricket Training Facility794 ECHUNGA RD ECHUNGA SA 5153Decision Made
May 2025
- Variation to DA 24015760 comprising an increase in restaurant patron capacity (20 to 100 excluding staff) and replacement of two (2) 22kL rainwater tanks with one (1) 150kL rainwater tank, as well as construction of a verandah for covered outdoor dining.12 CONCANNON RD ECHUNGA SA 5153Decision Made
- Water tank (above ground)794 ECHUNGA RD ECHUNGA SA 5153Decision Made
- Freestanding advertisement12 CONCANNON RD ECHUNGA SA 5153Decision Made
- Verandah144 DARBY RD ECHUNGA SA 5153Decision Made
- Community Title land division (1 into 2 - creation of 1 additional residential allotments and common property).32 MARIANNA ST ECHUNGA SA 5153Decision Made
- Addition and alteration to existing dwelling (two storey addition)LOT 12 ALDGATE-STRATHALBYN RD ECHUNGA SA 5153Under Assessment
- Outbuilding70 DARBY LANE ECHUNGA SA 5153Decision Made
- Variation to Development Authorisation 24002728 - Alterations to Local Heritage Place (General Store - Heritage NR 18715)12 ADELAIDE RD ECHUNGA SA 5153Decision Made
2024· 23 proposals
23 proposals lodged in 2024. Individual listings are kept for the most recent proposals.
2023· 23 proposals
23 proposals lodged in 2023. Individual listings are kept for the most recent proposals.
2022· 31 proposals
31 proposals lodged in 2022. Individual listings are kept for the most recent proposals.
2021· 25 proposals
25 proposals lodged in 2021. Individual listings are kept for the most recent proposals.
Data sources & freshness
- PlanSA development applications & EPA licences — Government of South Australia — PlanSA · Period: 2020–2026; 2021; 2022… · Updated on site
Amenities
14 nearby amenities within ~1.5 km
- Bench
- Stop 56 Strathalbyn Road - North SideBus stop
- Stop 56 Strathalbyn Road - South SideBus stop
- Stop 57 Adelaide Road - East sideBus stop
- Stop 57 Adelaide Road - West sideBus stop
- Stop 58 Adelaide Road - East SideBus stop
- Stop 58 Adelaide Road - West SideBus stop
- Stop 59 Meadows Road - East sideBus stop
- Stop 59 Meadows Road - West sideBus stop
- Stop 60 Meadows Road - East sideBus stop
Names and addresses from OpenStreetMap. Unnamed venues show as their type (e.g. Cafe).
Data sources & freshness
- OpenStreetMap amenities — OpenStreetMap contributors · Period: current · Updated on site · Weekly refresh
Socio-economic (SEIFA)
- IRSAD decile (2021)
- 8/10
- IRSD decile (2021)
- 8/10
SEIFA indexes from ABS 2021. Decile 10 = most advantaged / least disadvantaged in Australia.
Data sources & freshness
- SEIFA 2021 (IRSAD / IRSD) — Australian Bureau of Statistics · Period: 2021 · Updated on site · 2021 SEIFA release
Heritage
24 state heritage places
- Heritage placeState heritage
- Heritage placeState heritage
- Heritage placeState heritage
- Heritage placeState heritage
- Heritage placeState heritage
- Heritage placeState heritage
- Heritage placeState heritage
- Heritage placeState heritage
- Heritage placeState heritage
- Heritage placeState heritage
Data sources & freshness
- SA Heritage Places database — Department for Environment and Water (SA) · Period: current · Updated on site
Green cover
- Parks & woodland (OSM)
- 15
- Parks (OSM)
- 1
OpenStreetMap parks and natural woodland features mapped within the suburb boundary.
Data sources & freshness
- OpenStreetMap green cover features — OpenStreetMap contributors · Period: current · Updated on site · Weekly refresh
Desirability index
- Desirability score
- 92.1/100
- Cohort rank
- #16 among Country & regional suburbs
Data sources & freshness
- Suburb Guide desirability index — Suburb Guide (derived score) · Period: current · Updated on site · Derived from source metrics
Recent changes
- Heritage placeheritageState heritage
- Heritage placeheritageState heritage
- Heritage placeheritageState heritage
- Heritage placeheritageState heritage
- Heritage placeheritageState heritage
- Heritage placeheritageState heritage
- Heritage placeheritageState heritage
- Heritage placeheritageState heritage
- Heritage placeheritageState heritage
- Heritage placeheritageState heritage
Data sources & freshness
- SA Heritage Places database — Department for Environment and Water (SA) · Updated on site
Similar suburbs
Suburbs with a comparable population profile, socio-economic decile, and location.