SA · Council TBC
Elliston
Current weather
13.4°CMainly clear
67% humidity · 32.7 km/h wind · 14.8° / 13° today · 8 mm rain
Updated
Desirability score
- Heritage area
- Education hub
- High desirability
- Green suburb
- Café precinct
Suburb profile
In the local area, Elliston keeps a rural calm, a smaller community with room to breathe and a strong local rhythm. A strong local centre anchors daily routines, while the surrounding region adds variety for weekends away. The landscape itself is part of the lifestyle: open paddocks, big skies and room to breathe.
The area suits established families and long-term locals, with a strong presence of young families throughout. Everyday life leans local, with a handful of trusted shops, a familiar main street and neighbours who know your name. The area offers approachable housing costs alongside a lifestyle that still feels complete.
Active development is adding new homes and refreshed pockets throughout the suburb.
On the desirability index, the suburb sits below average overall, with housing affordability and local dining and lifestyle amenities the main drags compared with similar regional towns. Limited access to some essential local services also trimmed the result.
Population
- Population
- 375
- Median age
- 45
- Median household income / week
- $1,166
- Dwelling vacancy
- 34.5%
- Unoccupied private dwellings
- 77 of 223
- Median monthly mortgage
- $1,083
- Employment rate
- 52.7%
- Dwelling mix (houses / semi / flats)
- 15 / 0 / 0
Contributes to desirability score · Community (5%)
Employment, household income and age diversity (2021 Census)
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)
- $350
Median weekly rent from SA Housing Authority rental bond data. Figures can be unreliable where few bonds were lodged in the quarter.
Contributes to desirability score · Housing (15%) · Future Growth (7%)
Median price, rental yield and vacancy Recent price momentum
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
- 29.3
- Person-crime prevalence
- About 1 in 94 residents
- State safety percentile
- 43.4th (lower crime is better)
- Increase (daily rate)
- +37.9%
Reported offences increased compared with the previous period.
Reported offences by period
Most common offence types
- Obtain Benefit By Deception1
- Other Property Damage And Environmental4
- Serious Assault Not Resulting In Injury1
- Serious Assault Resulting In Injury1
- Threatening Behaviour2
Contributes to desirability score · Safety (18%)
Crime rate and year-on-year trend
Data sources & freshness
- SAPOL reported crime statistics — South Australia Police — OpenData · Period: 2023-24 → 2024-25; 2024-25 · Updated on site · Financial-year releases
Schools & preschools
- Schools & preschools
- 2 (1 schools, 1 preschools)
- Median school ICSEA
- 961
- Elliston Area SchoolCombined · ICSEA 961
- Elliston Children's CentreFlinders HighwayPreschools
Contributes to desirability score · Education (15%)
School and preschool counts, median school ICSEA
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
Planning & development
Development applications from PlanSA register (lodged 2020–2026) and EPA licensed activities.
68 planning-related records
2026· 7 proposals
May 2026
- Dwelling alterations and additions to include a carport and laundry14 SIXTH ST ELLISTON SA 5670Under Assessment
- Internal alterations to existing mixed use building and construction of a building used as a pilates studio (indoor recreation facility)8 MEMORIAL DR ELLISTON SA 5670Under Assessment
April 2026
- Commercial forestry (for the planting and retention of native vegetation and commercial use of the carbon absorption capacity of this vegetation).14488 FLINDERS HWY BRAMFIELD SA 5670;16256 FLINDERS HWY ELLISTON SA 5670;19343 BIRDSEYE HWY ELLISTON SA 5670;LOT 200 FLINDERS HWY SHERINGA SA 5607Decision Made
March 2026
- Land division 1 into 2LOT 106 RUPARA CCT ELLISTON SA 5670Decision Made
February 2026
- Construction of an outbuilding (shed) with attached carport8 SIXTH ST ELLISTON SA 5670Under Assessment
- Construction of a retaining wall and handrail at rear of existing residence28 ESPLANADE ELLISTON SA 5670Decision Made
January 2026
- Construction of a single storey detached dwelling17579 FLINDERS HWY ELLISTON SA 5670Under Assessment
2025· 9 proposals
November 2025
- Construction of a single storey detached dwelling and outbuilding (shed)LOT 108 WATERLOO BAY DR ELLISTON SA 5670Under Assessment
- Variation of Development Application 24017595 - Inclusion of verandah attached to outbuilding3 WATERLOO BAY DR ELLISTON SA 5670Decision Made
October 2025
- Dwelling addition, ensuite bathroom44 -46 BEACH TCE ELLISTON SA 5670Decision Made
August 2025
- Conversion of an existing domestic outbuilding (store) into a dwelling and additions and alterations comprising an additional shed bay and verandahLOT 106 RUPARA CCT ELLISTON SA 5670Under Assessment
- Construction of an outbuilding (carport)3 SUNDOWNER DR ELLISTON SA 5670Decision Made
- Commercial forestry in the form of environmental plantings for carbon captureLOT 21 FLINDERS HWY ELLISTON SA 5670Decision Made
June 2025
- New agricultural shedLOT 21 FLINDERS HWY ELLISTON SA 5670Decision Made
February 2025
- Demolition of an existing outbuilding and the construction of a new outbuilding (shed).8 WANDANA RD ELLISTON SA 5670Decision Made
January 2025
- Construction of a single storey detached dwelling with attached covered deck28 ESPLANADE ELLISTON SA 5670Decision Made
2024· 14 proposals
December 2024
- Construction of a single storey detached dwelling with associated deck and the change of use of an existing church to ancillary accommodation.6 LITTLE BAY RD ELLISTON SA 5670Decision Made
November 2024
- Bargain Steel Centre shed in Colorbond .42 Pale Eucalypt 18m x 9.1m x 4m high With Timber facia and Purlins and Girts Cat 2 11 Degree roof pitch 5 x 3.6m bays 2 x side slide doors with bottom wheels 2 x roller doors with motors and remotes 1 in each gable end Openings 3800h x 3500w 1 x Larnec PA Door Gutters and downpipes Will be minimum 2 m from boundary Bushman's 2 x 30,000l tank will catch rain water22 STORMBIRD RD ELLISTON SA 5670Decision Made
October 2024
- Construction of an ancillary outbuilding (pool house) and associated deck16 STORMBIRD RD ELLISTON SA 5670Decision Made
September 2024
- Demolition of an existing dwelling and the construction of a two storey detached dwelling with attached verandah and garage15 ESPLANADE ELLISTON SA 5670Decision Made
- Wanting to add an outdoor swim spa to our property.16 STORMBIRD RD ELLISTON SA 5670Decision Made
- Construction of a single storey detached dwelling and outbuilding (garage) with associated deck, retaining walls and earthworks.8 EAST TCE ELLISTON SA 5670Decision Made
June 2024
- Construction of a single storey detached dwelling and outbuilding (shed)3 WATERLOO BAY DR ELLISTON SA 5670Decision Made
- Construction of a domestic storage shed (outbuilding)22 FLINDERS HWY ELLISTON SA 5670Decision Made
April 2024
- Construction of an outbuilding (storage shed)11 SILO RD ELLISTON SA 5670Decision Made
March 2024
- Construction of a detached dwelling with attached covered deck and carport (UMR), rainwater tanks, earthworks and associated retaining walls10 RUPARA CCT ELLISTON SA 5670Decision Made
February 2024
- Change of use to a dwelling, dwelling addition to construct an attached garage and shed and internal building alterations and the construction of an outbuilding (carport).9 WANDANA RD ELLISTON SA 5670Decision Made
- Construction of outbuilding (shed)36 FLINDERS HWY ELLISTON SA 5670Decision Made
- Change of use from store to a detached dwelling with integrated garage and verandah extension.LOT 107 WATERLOO BAY DR ELLISTON SA 5670Decision Made
January 2024
- Construction of a store for personal storage9 SILO RD ELLISTON SA 5670Under Assessment
2023· 6 proposals
June 2023
- Construction of a double storey detached dwelling with ancillary decks and carport.21 ESPLANADE ELLISTON SA 5670Decision Made
April 2023
- Dwelling addition and extension of existing carport9 RUPARA CCT ELLISTON SA 5670Decision Made
March 2023
- Construction of an outbuilding (shed)9 ESPLANADE ELLISTON SA 5670Decision Made
- Construction of a detached dwelling and outbuilding (shed)LOT 3 SILO RD ELLISTON SA 5670Decision Made
January 2023
- Construction of an outbuilding (20ft shipping container) with attached verandahLOT 1 CLIFFTOP DR ELLISTON SA 5670Decision Made
- Construction of an outbuilding (shed)2 SEVENTH ST ELLISTON SA 5670Decision Made
2022· 4 proposals
December 2022
- Alterations and Additions for an extension to an existing Aged Care Facility at Elliston Hospital.3 SEVENTH ST ELLISTON SA 5670;4-6 MEMORIAL DR ELLISTON SA 5670Decision Made
November 2022
- Construction of an outbuilding (shed)18 FLINDERS HWY ELLISTON SA 5670Decision Made
September 2022
- Construction of a detached dwellingLOT 3 SILO RD ELLISTON SA 5670Under Assessment
- Construction of a carport and verandah (attached to existing dwelling)10 SEVENTH ST ELLISTON SA 5670Decision Made
Contributes to desirability score · Future Growth (7%)
Development and planning activity
Data sources & freshness
- PlanSA development applications & EPA licences — Government of South Australia — PlanSA · Period: 2020–2026 · Updated on site
Amenities
No OpenStreetMap amenities mapped for this suburb yet.
Contributes to desirability score · Lifestyle (15%)
Food, shopping, recreation and sport (OpenStreetMap)
Data sources & freshness
- OpenStreetMap amenities — OpenStreetMap contributors · Period: current · Updated on site · Weekly refresh
Health access
- Hospitals & GP clinics
- 1
- Emergency department
- On site
- Elliston Hospital4-6 Memorial DrivePublic Hospital
Contributes to desirability score · Accessibility (15%)
Hospitals and GP clinics
Data sources & freshness
- Hospitals & GP Plus clinics (SA) — SA Health · Period: current · Updated on site
Socio-economic (SEIFA)
- IRSAD decile (2021)
- 2/10
- IRSD decile (2021)
- 2/10
SEIFA indexes from ABS 2021. Decile 10 = most advantaged / least disadvantaged in Australia.
Contributes to desirability score · Community (5%)
Socio-economic advantage (IRSAD decile)
Data sources & freshness
- SEIFA 2021 (IRSAD / IRSD) — Australian Bureau of Statistics · Period: 2021 · Updated on site · 2021 SEIFA release
Heritage
4 state heritage places
- 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
Hazards
- Bushfire planning zone
- No overlay at centroid
- Bushfire safer places
- 1
Bushfire overlay checked at suburb centroid against all current SA Planning risk layers (high, medium, general, urban interface, regional, outback). Safer places from CFS designated locations.
Contributes to desirability score · Safety (18%)
Bushfire hazard overlays
Data sources & freshness
- Bushfire & hazard overlays (SA) — Government of South Australia · Period: current · Updated on site
Green cover
- Parks & woodland (OSM)
- 1
- Parks (OSM)
- 0
OpenStreetMap parks and natural woodland features mapped within the suburb boundary.
Contributes to desirability score · Environment (10%)
Parks and green cover (OpenStreetMap)
Data sources & freshness
- OpenStreetMap green cover features — OpenStreetMap contributors · Period: current · Updated on site · Weekly refresh
Desirability Index
- Desirability score
- 21.7/100 — Below average
- National rank
- 6396th in Australia
- State rank
- 647th in SA
- Peer rank
- #141 among Country & regional · Mature suburbs
- Cohort rank
- #234 among Country & regional suburbs
- Data confidence
- 82%
Data sources & freshness
- Suburb Guide desirability index — Suburb Guide (derived score) · Period: current · Updated on site · Derived from source metrics
Recent changes
- Obtain Benefit By Deceptioncrime1
- Other Property Damage And Environmentalcrime4
- Serious Assault Not Resulting In Injurycrime1
- Serious Assault Resulting In Injurycrime1
- Threatening Behaviourcrime2
- Heritage placeheritageState heritage
- Heritage placeheritageState heritage
- Heritage placeheritageState heritage
- Heritage placeheritageState heritage
- Elliston Hospitalhealth4-6 Memorial DrivePublic Hospital
Data sources & freshness
- Hospitals & GP Plus clinics (SA) — SA Health · Updated on site
- SA Heritage Places database — Department for Environment and Water (SA) · Updated on site
- SAPOL reported crime statistics — South Australia Police — OpenData · Updated on site · Financial-year releases
Comparable suburbs
Similar population and socio-economic profile in other parts of South Australia.