suburb.guide

SA · Northern Areas Council

Spalding, 5454

Current weather

9.6°CLight drizzle

91% humidity · 26.3 km/h wind · 12.1° / 7.4° today · 5.4 mm rain

Updated

Desirability score

26/100
Below average

589th in SA

85% data confidence

How this score is calculated
  • Affordable
  • Schools
  • Regional town
  • Shops
  • Established
What Spalding is known for: Affordable, Schools, Regional town, Shops, Established

Suburb profile

Spalding anchors everyday life in Northern Areas, a regional smaller community with its own identity and rhythm. Distance from the capital is noticeable, but the trade-off is space, calm and a community that knows its neighbours. Established families and long-term residents give the suburb a settled feel, with plenty of young families in the mix.

Local shops, markets and community spots keep everyday life grounded in the town itself. The area offers approachable housing costs alongside a lifestyle that still feels complete.

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

The desirability score is below average, pulled down chiefly by weaker growth momentum and housing affordability relative to similar regional towns.

Population

Population
260
Median age
46
Median household income / week
$969
Dwelling vacancy
19.2%
Unoccupied private dwellings
25 of 130
Median monthly mortgage
$704
Employment rate
52.6%
Dwelling mix (houses / semi / flats)
11 / 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)
$280

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
3
Against property
8
Rate per 1,000 residents
42.3
Person-crime prevalence
About 1 in 87 residents
State safety percentile
58.1th (lower crime is better)
Family & domestic abuse offences
4
Increase (daily rate)
+267.7%

Reported offences increased compared with the previous period.

Reported offences by period

Most common offence types

  • Graffiti1
  • Other Property Damage And Environmental4
  • Sct - Residence2
  • Serious Assault Not Resulting In Injury1
  • Serious Assault 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
2 (1 schools, 1 preschools)
Median school ICSEA
1,057
  • Spalding PlaycentreEdgeware AvenuePlaycentres
  • Spalding Primary SchoolPrimary · ICSEA 1057

Contributes to desirability score · Education (15%)

School and preschool counts, median school ICSEA

Data sources & freshness

Public transport

2 public transport stops in this suburb

  • Goyder Hwy / Munduney St - East side (Spalding Bowling Club)
  • Goyder Hwy / Munduney St - West side (Spalding Town Hall)

Contributes to desirability score · Accessibility (15%)

Public transport stop coverage

Data sources & freshness

Roadworks & transport

2 active roadworks / incidents

  • Shoulder SealingGoyder Highway, Entrance Trk11 May 2026 – 16 Jul 2026
  • Shoulder SealingGoyder Highway, R M Williams Way11 May 2026 – 16 Jul 2026

Data sources & freshness

Planning & development

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

29 planning-related records

2026· 1 proposal

  • March 2026

  • Addition of three verandah areas to existing dwelling
    9 DAVIES TCE SPALDING SA 5454Decision Made
2025· 8 proposals

  • December 2025

  • Renovation of former church building and land in two stages: STAGE 1. (a) layout of car parking spaces as indicated in the attached architectural drawings; (b) construction of disability access ramp beside side wall of the former church building; (c) Installation of two fire doors between the former church building housing the proposed shop/cafe and the main residence, in order to meet Australian fire standards regulations; (d) converting the inner zone of the former church building into a shop/
    12 EDWIN ST SPALDING SA 5454Under Assessment

  • November 2025

  • Install a new carport to the backyard to put cars & a caravan under when not in use
    14 MUNDUNEY ST SPALDING SA 5454Decision Made
  • Steel framed shed/carport cladded with monument colour bond iron to match the roof of the house.
    17 -19 MUNDUNEY ST SPALDING SA 5454Decision Made
  • Single storey dwelling
    17 -19 MUNDUNEY ST SPALDING SA 5454Under Assessment
  • Change of Use - Hall to Dwelling, installation of Kitchenette, shower, toilet internal to the main building
    4 MAIN ST SPALDING SA 5454Decision Made

  • July 2025

  • CB 16m X 6.4m X 3m (h) GARAPORT
    3 WANDA TCE SPALDING SA 5454Decision Made

  • March 2025

  • Olympic Shed 12.2m 7.77m x 3.6m high.
    7 BANK ST SPALDING SA 5454Decision Made

  • February 2025

  • 5 tanks and plumbing to connect water to the Spalding Oval irrigation system
    11 MAIN ST SPALDING SA 5454Decision Made
2024· 5 proposals

  • December 2024

  • Demolition of Existing Stone Residential Building. Bench site to similar level of existing adjacent building (to remain). Construction of new Articulated Hebel Veneer Dwelling (Single Storey) in similar location to Existing Dwelling. Utilise Existing Driveway (Spans across Lots 537 & 9). Connect new services to existing Aerobic Tank (As per previous Dwelling). Existing Shed on Lot 537 used as Storage only.
    3 LITTLE BOURKE ST SPALDING SA 5454Decision Made

  • October 2024

  • Addition to side of dwelling
    15 RAILWAY TCE SPALDING SA 5454Decision Made

  • September 2024

  • Convert post office to dwelling , construct carport
    39 GOVERNMENT RD SPALDING SA 5454Decision Made

  • July 2024

  • To construct a pergola on back of house approx 6m long x 4m wide x 2.6m high (highest point). Also inclose remaining 4m of veranda into a laundry. Please refer to drawings (basic) for materials and more detail.
    3 RAILWAY TCE SPALDING SA 5454Decision Made

  • May 2024

  • Construction of a 25m x 39.5m x 8.95m farm shed for machinery storage
    LOT 282 R M WILLIAMS WAY SPALDING SA 5454Decision Made
2023· 1 proposal

  • August 2023

  • Land Division 1 into 2
    3724 R M WILLIAMS WAY SPALDING SA 5454Decision Made
2022· 4 proposals

  • November 2022

  • Extend existing Verandah as per original building Construct a 6 X 6 meter double car garage
    12 MUNDUNEY ST SPALDING SA 5454Decision Made
  • Verandah
    2748 BELALIE EAST RD SPALDING SA 5454Decision Made

  • August 2022

  • Proposed dwelling with storage and car parking space 14.0m 16.0m 4.3m
    LOT 1 WANDA TCE SPALDING SA 5454Decision Made

  • May 2022

  • place 2 carports up in the back corner to cover new caravan and trailer
    36 GOVERNMENT RD SPALDING SA 5454Decision Made
2021· 6 proposals

  • June 2021

  • Front deck and verandah Rear deck and verandah
    3 DAVIES TCE SPALDING SA 5454Decision Made
  • Agricultural building - 640 bale hay shed 12mx27mx6m
    210 HACKLINS CORNER RD SPALDING SA 5454Decision Made
  • Domestic outbuilding 8.0m x 6.0m x 3.0mht
    3874 R M WILLIAMS WAY SPALDING SA 5454Decision Made

  • May 2021

  • Stratco Gable Roof Shed 12.2 x 9.1 x 3.6
    2974 BELALIE EAST RD SPALDING SA 5454Decision Made

  • April 2021

  • Upgrade current courts and increase court area to include netball, basketball and tennis all in the same area. New lights to be installed on courts and 2 small sheds
    57A GOVERNMENT RD SPALDING SA 5454Decision Made

  • January 2021

  • Replace existing 20 sq metre shed with new Colorbond 54sq metre shed
    7 LORNA ST SPALDING SA 5454Decision Made
2020· 2 proposals

  • October 2020

  • Stratco Pavillion
    185 WENEDI RD SPALDING SA 5454Decision Made

  • August 2020

  • Farm shed
    4133 R M WILLIAMS WAY SPALDING SA 5454Decision Made
Other· 2 proposals
  • FISHBOWL GENERAL STORE & FUEL STOP PTY LTD
    Hydrocarbon and ChemicalEPA licence
  • NORTHERN AREAS COUNCIL
    Resource Recovery Waste Disposal and RelatedEPA licence

Contributes to desirability score · Future Growth (7%)

Development and planning activity

Data sources & freshness

Amenities

15 nearby amenities within ~1.5 km

  • Antiques
  • Spalding General StoreCafe

    15 Main Street, Spalding

  • Spalding BrigadeFire station
  • Spalding PlaycentreKindergarten

    1 Edgeware Avenue, Spalding

  • Flinders Mobile Library stops hereLibrary
  • Hunts FuelPetrol station

    15 Main Street, Spalding

  • Playground
  • Australia PostPost Box
  • Spalding CPAPost office

    15 Main Street, Spalding

  • Spalding LPOPost office

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)
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

Heritage

5 state heritage places

  • Heritage placeState heritage
  • Heritage placeState heritage
  • Heritage placeState heritage
  • Heritage placeState heritage
  • Heritage placeState heritage

Data sources & freshness

Childcare

1 childcare service from OpenStreetMap

  • Spalding PlaycentreEdgeware Avenuekindergarten

Contributes to desirability score · Education (15%)

Childcare centre count

Data sources & freshness

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

Green cover

Parks & woodland (OSM)
4
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
26.0/100 — Below average
National rank
5882nd in Australia
State rank
589th in SA
Peer rank
#113 among Country & regional · Mature suburbs
Cohort rank
#194 among Country & regional suburbs
Data confidence
85%

Data sources & freshness

  • Suburb Guide desirability index — Suburb Guide (derived score) · Period: current · Updated on site · Derived from source metrics

Recent changes

  • Graffiticrime1
  • Other Property Damage And Environmentalcrime4
  • Sct - Residencecrime2
  • Serious Assault Not Resulting In Injurycrime1
  • Serious Assault Resulting In Injurycrime2
  • Spalding PlaycentrechildcareEdgeware Avenuekindergarten
  • Heritage placeheritageState heritage
  • Heritage placeheritageState heritage
  • Heritage placeheritageState heritage
  • Heritage placeheritageState heritage

Data sources & freshness

More in Northern Areas Council

Other suburbs in the same local government area.

Comparable suburbs

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