suburb.guide

SA · Mid Murray Council

Palmer, 5237

Current weather

9.2°CLight drizzle

90% humidity · 29.3 km/h wind · 11.7° / 8.5° today · 11 mm rain

Updated

Desirability score

35.6/100
Below average

419th in SA

60% data confidence

How this score is calculated
  • Heritage
  • Affordable
  • Rural
  • Established
  • Residential
What Palmer is known for: Heritage, Affordable, Rural, Established, Residential

Suburb profile

Palmer offers a slower smaller community life in Mid Murray, with open surrounds and a close-knit community feel. Life revolves around the local community, with the wider region offering trips and services when needed. Wide horizons and a country quiet give the area a restorative, unhurried atmosphere.

Retirees and empty-nesters are well represented here, with families and grandchildren still a visible part of community life. Everyday life leans local, with a handful of trusted shops, a familiar main street and neighbours who know your name. Homes are relatively affordable, which helps families and first-time residents put down roots.

Renewal is happening in measured doses, with new development complementing what is already there.

The desirability score is below average, weighed down by weaker local dining and lifestyle amenities and growth momentum against similar regional towns, even with transport and access holding up better. Limited access to some essential local services also trimmed the result.

Population

Population
215
Median age
50
Median household income / week
$1,263
Dwelling vacancy
10.6%
Unoccupied private dwellings
10 of 94
Median monthly mortgage
$1,280
Employment rate
58.2%
Dwelling mix (houses / semi / flats)
9 / 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.

Crime & safety

Total offences (2024–25)
8
Against the person
1
Against property
7
Rate per 1,000 residents
37.2
Person-crime prevalence
About 1 in 215 residents
State safety percentile
53.2th (lower crime is better)
Family & domestic abuse offences
1
Decrease (daily rate)
-10.9%

Reported offences decreased compared with the previous period.

Reported offences by period

Most common offence types

  • Obtain Benefit By Deception1
  • Other Property Damage And Environmental2
  • Other Theft1
  • Property Damage By Fire Or Explosion1
  • Theft/Illegal Use Of Mv1

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
987
  • Palmer Primary SchoolPrimary · ICSEA 987

Contributes to desirability score · Education (15%)

School and preschool counts, median school ICSEA

Data sources & freshness

Planning & development

Development applications from PlanSA register (lodged 2020–2026) and EPA licensed activities.

29 planning-related records

2026· 2 proposals

  • June 2026

  • Construction of a domestic outbuilding
    16 LINDNER AV PALMER SA 5237Under Assessment

  • January 2026

  • Construction of a verandah
    20 ADELAIDE RD PALMER SA 5237Decision Made
2025· 9 proposals

  • November 2025

  • Construction of a sports storage shed (outbuilding) in association with an existing cricket club
    LOT 32 RANDELL RD PALMER SA 5237Decision Made

  • July 2025

  • Outbuilding (garage) replacing like for like
    6 ADELAIDE RD PALMER SA 5237Under Assessment
  • Agricultural Building
    136 HARTMANS RD PALMER SA 5237Decision Made

  • June 2025

  • Establishment of a studio (domestic outbuilding)
    16 LINDNER AV PALMER SA 5237Decision Made
  • Boundary Realignment - 2 into 2 allotments.
    211 RATHJEN RD PALMER SA 5237;LOT 1 MILENDELLA RD PALMER SA 5237Decision Made
  • Verandah
    6 LINDNER AV PALMER SA 5237Decision Made

  • April 2025

  • Boundary Realignment - 2 into 2 allotments
    136 HARTMANS RD PALMER SA 5237;162 HARTMANS RD PALMER SA 5237Decision Made
  • Residential outbuilding and partial demolition of existing dwelling
    1778 RANDELL RD PALMER SA 5237Decision Made

  • February 2025

  • Residential Outbuilding (Shed)
    16 LINDNER AV PALMER SA 5237Decision Made
2024· 4 proposals

  • October 2024

  • Verandah
    24 ADELAIDE RD PALMER SA 5237Decision Made

  • July 2024

  • Shop (take away and food items)
    15 ADELAIDE RD PALMER SA 5237Decision Made
  • Variation to Development Plan Consent (711/072/14) – Palmer Wind Farm – reduced wind turbines (103 to 40), reduced maximum energy generation (340 megawatts to 288 megawatts); reduced site area (approximately 11, 733ha to approximately 6,057ha); relocated wind turbines and associated infrastructure and facilities within the site for the storage and transmission of electricity; relocated associated earthworks, hardstand, access, and car parking within the site; relocated temporary concrete batchin
    115 BORTHWICK BRAE RD TUNGKILLO SA 5236;127 JOHN ROLLOND RD TUNGKILLO SA 5236;171 JOHN ROLLOND RD TUNGKILLO SA 5236;221 DAVENPORT RD PALMER SA 5237;256 AYRES RD TUNGKILLO SA 5236;297 AYRES RD TUNGKILLO SA 5236;297 CAMEL HUMP RD PALMER SA 5237;33 AYRES RD TUNGKILLO SA 5236;459 BRINKWORTH RD TUNGKILLO SA 5236;55 ELECTRONET RD TUNGKILLO SA 5236;575 DAVENPORT RD MOUNT PLEASANT SA 5235;604 BRINKWORTH RD TUNGKILLO SA 5236;62 BOTTROFF HILL RD PALMER SA 5237;651 BRINKWORTH RD TUNGKILLO SA 5236;94 AYRES RD TUNGKILLO SA 5236;976 RANDELL RD TUNGKILLO SA 5236;LOT 1 STONEY BANKS RD MOUNT PLEASANT SA 5235;LOT 124 RANDELL RD PALMER SA 5237;LOT 135 BORTHWICK BRAE RD PALMER SA 5237;LOT 137 DAVENPORT RD MOUNT PLEASANT SA 5235;LOT 142 BORTHWICK BRAE RD TUNGKILLO SA 5236;LOT 17 RANDELL RD TUNGKILLO SA 5236;LOT 21 RANDELL RD TUNGKILLO SA 5236;LOT 23 BOTTROFF HILL RD PALMER SA 5237;LOT 234 AYRES RD TUNGKILLO SA 5236;LOT 344 DAVENPORT RD MOUNT PLEASANT SA 5235;LOT 481 CAMEL HUMP RD TUNGKILLO SA 5236;LOT 485 BOTTROFF HILL RD TUNGKILLO SA 5236;LOT 488 BOTTROFF HILL RD PALMER SA 5237;LOT 513 DAVENPORT RD MOUNT PLEASANT SA 5235;LOT 62 G AYRES RD TUNGKILLO SA 5236;LOT 72 BRINKWORTH RANGE RD TUNGKILLO SA 5236;LOT 74 BORTHWICK BRAE RD PALMER SA 5237Under Assessment

  • April 2024

  • Construction of a verandah and deck attached to an existing dwelling
    14 LINDNER AV PALMER SA 5237Decision Made
2023· 5 proposals

  • July 2023

  • Domestic Outbuilding (Carport)
    22 CHURCH CR PALMER SA 5237Decision Made
  • Domestic outbuilding (carport)
    14 CHURCH CR PALMER SA 5237Decision Made

  • May 2023

  • Verandah (freestanding)
    561 ABRAHAM RD PALMER SA 5237Decision Made

  • March 2023

  • Bore holes for shed posts Erect shed and concrete in place Fit water tank to shed
    273 MINE RD PALMER SA 5237Decision Made
  • Construction of a freestanding carport
    8-10 ADELAIDE RD PALMER SA 5237Decision Made
2022· 4 proposals

  • December 2022

  • Construction of an inground swimming pool
    13 ADELAIDE RD PALMER SA 5237Decision Made

  • November 2022

  • Construction of a verandah attached to an existing dwelling
    2829 REEDY CREEK RD PALMER SA 5237Decision Made

  • June 2022

  • Deck and Verandah to Existing Dwelling and Carport to Existing Outbuilding
    7 CHURCH CR PALMER SA 5237Decision Made

  • March 2022

  • Construction of an implement shed (Agricultural Building)
    2571 REEDY CREEK RD PALMER SA 5237Decision Made
2021· 5 proposals

  • October 2021

  • Domestic Outbuilding (Shed)
    97 DAVENPORT RD PALMER SA 5237Decision Made
  • Steel frame skillion carport to replace existing timber carport and a steel framed gable verandah to replace an existing pergola
    9 ADELAIDE RD PALMER SA 5237Decision Made

  • June 2021

  • Agricultural Building
    19 RATHJEN RD PALMER SA 5237Decision Made

  • May 2021

  • Domestic Outbuilding
    14 CHURCH CR PALMER SA 5237Decision Made

  • March 2021

  • Addition and alteration to an existing dwelling
    6 LINDNER AV PALMER SA 5237Decision Made

Contributes to desirability score · Future Growth (7%)

Development and planning activity

Data sources & freshness

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

Socio-economic (SEIFA)

IRSAD decile (2021)
3/10
IRSD decile (2021)
3/10

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

Heritage

27 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

Hazards

Bushfire planning zone
Overlay applies

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

Desirability Index

Desirability score
35.6/100 — Below average
National rank
4147th in Australia
State rank
419th in SA
Peer rank
#52 among Country & regional · Mature suburbs
Cohort rank
#102 among Country & regional suburbs
Data confidence
60%

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 Environmentalcrime2
  • Other Theftcrime1
  • Property Damage By Fire Or Explosioncrime1
  • Theft/Illegal Use Of Mvcrime1
  • Heritage placeheritageState heritage
  • Heritage placeheritageState heritage
  • Heritage placeheritageState heritage
  • Heritage placeheritageState heritage
  • Heritage placeheritageState heritage

Data sources & freshness

More in Mid Murray Council

Other suburbs in the same local government area.

Comparable suburbs

Similar population and socio-economic profile in other parts of South Australia.