SA · Onkaparinga Council
McLaren Flat, SA, 5171
Current weather
11°CThunderstorm
87% humidity · 32.6 km/h wind · 12.6° / 10.5° today · 28.4 mm rain
Desirability score
Suburb snapshot
McLaren Flat is a small locality in the Onkaparinga area, home to around 1,625 residents (2021 Census). Available data shows 18 offences in 2024–25 (Jul–Jun) with rising year-on-year trends (+13%), roughly 11.1 offences per 1,000 residents, median weekly rent around $600, median house prices near $1,112,000 (up 11% recently), 1 school and preschool site in the area, 6 public transport stops within the suburb, fewer mapped amenities than nearby suburbs, and notable planning and development activity on record. See the sections below for population, safety, schools and local activity.
Population
- Population
- 1,625
- Median age
- 40
- Median household income / week
- $2,129
- Dwelling vacancy
- 5.2%
- Unoccupied private dwellings
- 28 of 543
- Median monthly mortgage
- $1,786
- Employment rate
- 68.9%
- Dwelling mix (houses / semi / flats)
- 27 / 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)
- $600
- Median house price (Q1 2026)
- $1,112,000
- Median price change
- +11.2%
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; 1Q 2026 · Updated on site · Quarterly releases
Crime & safety
- Total offences (2024–25)
- 18
- Against the person
- 4
- Against property
- 14
- Rate per 1,000 residents
- 11.1
- Person-crime prevalence
- About 1 in 406 residents
- State safety percentile
- 10th (lower crime is better)
- Family & domestic abuse offences
- 26
- Increase (daily rate)
- +12.8%
Reported offences increased compared with the previous period.
Reported offences by period
Most common offence types
- Other Property Damage And Environmental3
- Other Theft3
- Property Damage By Fire Or Explosion1
- Sct - Non Residence2
- Serious Assault Not Resulting In Injury2
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
- 1
- Median school ICSEA
- 1,030
- McLaren Flat Primary SchoolPrimary · ICSEA 1030
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
Public transport
6 public transport stops in this suburb
- Stop 93A Kangarilla Rd - South side
- Stop 95 Main Rd - South side
- Stop 96 Main Rd - South side
- Stop 97 Oakley Rd - West side
- Stop 98 Oakley Rd - West side
Contributes to desirability score · Accessibility (15%)
Public transport stop coverage
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.
214 planning-related records
2026· 25 proposals
June 2026
- Partial change in use from viticulture to residential by removing some vines to establish a dwelling, ancillary accommodation, carport, water tanks, deck and swimming pool in association with remaining viticulture use15 BLEWITT SPRINGS RD MCLAREN FLAT SA 5171Under Assessment
- Carport and outbuilding (shed)4 BLEWITT SPRINGS RD MCLAREN FLAT SA 5171Decision Made
- Installation of Fibreglass swimming pool and safety features3 SPRING CR MCLAREN FLAT SA 5171Decision Made
- Construction of a domestic outbuilding - garage (measuring 9.0m x 7.0m x 3.0m)52 TROTTS RD MCLAREN FLAT SA 5171Decision Made
May 2026
- Alterations to the existing McLaren Flat Community Club, including installation of four (4) 3.5-metre-high light poles, construction of an accessible ramp, and installation of a shade sail to the non-heritage building entrance41 -47 MAIN RD MCLAREN FLAT SA 5171Under Assessment
- Single storey detached dwelling with associated carport86 MAIN RD MCLAREN FLAT SA 5171Under Assessment
- addition to granny flat28 KANGARILLA RD MCLAREN FLAT SA 5171Under Assessment
- Retrospective application for canopy structure (marquee)215 DOUGLAS GULLY RD MCLAREN FLAT SA 5171Under Assessment
- Swimming pool and safety barrier2 BLEWITT SPRINGS RD MCLAREN FLAT SA 5171Decision Made
- Ancillary Accommodation built in conjunction with 2601363086 MAIN RD MCLAREN FLAT SA 5171Under Assessment
- In-ground swimming pool with safety barrier16 SUMMER ST MCLAREN FLAT SA 5171Decision Made
April 2026
- Verandah10 WILKINSON CT MCLAREN FLAT SA 5171Decision Made
- CARPORT41 ROSE CR MCLAREN FLAT SA 5171Under Assessment
- 2 bedrooms and ensuite2 WILKINSON CT MCLAREN FLAT SA 5171Decision Made
- Installation of Stratco gable shed75 OAKLEY RD MCLAREN FLAT SA 5171Decision Made
March 2026
- Carport97 OAKLEY RD MCLAREN FLAT SA 5171Decision Made
- Outbuilding- Shed139 BLEWITT SPRINGS RD MCLAREN FLAT SA 5171Decision Made
- Installation of Fibreglass swimming Pool & associated safety barrier45 ROSE CR MCLAREN FLAT SA 5171Decision Made
- Outbuilding (shed)50 MAIN RD MCLAREN FLAT SA 5171Under Assessment
- Outbuilding17 DOM ST MCLAREN FLAT SA 5171Decision Made
- Retrospective approval for four (4) shipping containers (outbuildings)LOT 31 BLEWITT SPRINGS RD MCLAREN FLAT SA 5171Under Assessment
- Tourist accommodation consisting of two cabins with associated retaining walls42 WHITINGS RD MCLAREN FLAT SA 5171Under Assessment
February 2026
- Alteration and Renovation326 KANGARILLA RD MCLAREN FLAT SA 5171Decision Made
- Two (2) into Two (2) Land Division167 ELLIOTT RD MCLAREN FLAT SA 5171Under Assessment
January 2026
- Outbuilding (garage)19 HUNT RD MCLAREN FLAT SA 5171Decision Made
2025· 15 proposals
December 2025
- In-ground swimming pool with safety barrier18 SWIFT GR MCLAREN FLAT SA 5171Decision Made
- Single storey dwelling addition with associated decking, verandah (2) and above ground water tank18 WHITINGS RD MCLAREN FLAT SA 5171Under Assessment
- Carport and Verandah10 SWIFT GR MCLAREN FLAT SA 5171Decision Made
- Single storey dwelling addition20 MCLAREN FLAT RD MCLAREN FLAT SA 5171Under Assessment
- Ancillary accommodation (tiny house on wheels).265 SAND RD MCLAREN FLAT SA 5171Under Assessment
November 2025
- Swimming Pool & Safety Fences14 SPRING CR MCLAREN FLAT SA 5171Decision Made
- Land division - boundary realignment58 SETTLEMENT RD MCLAREN FLAT SA 5171;65 WHITINGS RD MCLAREN FLAT SA 5171Decision Made
- Single storey dwelling addition, verandah and building alterations8 -10 MAIN RD MCLAREN FLAT SA 5171Decision Made
- Single storey detached dwelling51 WHITINGS RD MCLAREN FLAT SA 5171Decision Made
October 2025
- Single Storey detached dwelling and agricultural shedLOT 31 BLEWITT SPRINGS RD MCLAREN FLAT SA 5171Under Assessment
- Ancillary accommodation58 CHALK HILL RD MCLAREN FLAT SA 5171Decision Made
September 2025
- Extension of the existing cellar door (shop), building alterations and additions, associated car parking, and the construction of a deck.72 INGOLDBY RD MCLAREN FLAT SA 5171Under Assessment
- Swimming Pool and Safety Barrier9A KOOKABURRA CT MCLAREN FLAT SA 5171Decision Made
- Outbuilding (Shed)18 WHITINGS RD MCLAREN FLAT SA 5171Decision Made
August 2025
- Carport (forward)19 GILLIGAN GR MCLAREN FLAT SA 5171Decision 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
3 nearby amenities within ~1.5 km
- Gem Tree Wet Lands BBQBbq
- DogRidge WineryWine
129 Bagshaws Road, McLaren Flat
- Pruners Hut WineryWine
Names and addresses from OpenStreetMap. Unnamed venues show as their type (e.g. Cafe).
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
Socio-economic (SEIFA)
- IRSAD decile (2021)
- 8/10
- IRSD decile (2021)
- 9/10
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
6 state heritage places
- 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
Hazards
- Bushfire planning zone
- Overlay applies
- 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)
- 7
- Parks (OSM)
- 1
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
- 40.7/100
- National rank
- 3131st in Australia
- State rank
- 305th in SA
- Peer rank
- #2 among Country & regional · Emerging suburbs
- Cohort rank
- #55 among Country & regional suburbs
- Data confidence
- 89%
Data sources & freshness
- Suburb Guide desirability index — Suburb Guide (derived score) · Period: current · Updated on site · Derived from source metrics
Recent changes
- Other Property Damage And Environmentalcrime3
- Other Theftcrime3
- Property Damage By Fire Or Explosioncrime1
- Sct - Non Residencecrime2
- Serious Assault Not Resulting In Injurycrime2
- 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
- SAPOL reported crime statistics — South Australia Police — OpenData · Updated on site · Financial-year releases
Similar suburbs
Suburbs with a similar population, SEIFA decile and location.