Cowell, SA: suburb profile

The population of Cowell SA is 1,124 according to the 2021 Census. The median personal income in Cowell is $669 per week ($34,788 per year). Median rent in Cowell is $200 per week ($867 per month). Cowell has a median age of 53 years, older than the national median of 38. Cowell has a population density of 1.8 people per km².

The most common overseas birthplace in Cowell is England. The most common religion is No religion (43.7% of residents). After English, the most spoken language is Afrikaans. The median monthly mortgage repayment in Cowell is $1,040.

There were 14 recorded offences in Cowell in 2025-26, a rate of 12 offences per 1,000 people. The most common offence category was assault (4 offences).

Source: ABS Census of Population and Housing 2021; offences from SA Government Open Data (data.sa.gov.au), 2025-26.

Cowell Map

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Cowell Population

1,124 residents at the 2021 Census.

Cowell Median Income & Rent

Median Income

$669/wk

$34,788 per year

Ranked 6,006 of 14,663

Median Rent

$200/wk

$867 per month

Ranked 7,374 of 14,663

Median Age

53years

15 years older than the national median

Mortgage

$1,040/mo

Avg household size: 2.2 · 0.7 per bedroom

Cowell Demographics

Gender Split

Male 51.9% (584) Female 48.1% (542)

Population Density

1.8

people per km²

1,124 people · 634.5 km²

Households

2.2

Avg household size

0.7

Persons per bedroom

$1,449

Family income/wk

Cowell Age Distribution

0-4

5-9

10-14

15-19

20-24

25-29

30-34

35-39

40-44

45-49

50-54

55-59

60-64

65-69

70-74

75-79

80-84

85+

Male Female

Source: ABS Census 2021, Suburb and Locality (SAL)

Cowell Home Ownership

Of owner-occupied homes in Cowell, 65.3% are owned outright and 34.7% have a mortgage.

Owned outright

65.3%

Owned with mortgage

34.7%

Rented homes are not included in this breakdown.

Source: ABS Census 2021, Suburb and Locality (SAL)

Most common overseas birthplaces

England

Source: ABS Census 2021, G09 Country of Birth by SAL

Cowell Religion

No religion

43.7%

Not stated

12.5%

Uniting Church

10.8%

Catholic

9.5%

Anglican

8.3%

Lutheran

6.1%

Christian (other)

3.4%

Baptist

1.3%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G14 Religion by SAL

Cowell Education Level

Year 12 or equivalent

37.9%

Year 11 or equivalent

28.1%

Year 10 or equivalent

25.6%

Year 9 or equivalent

8.4%

Shares are of people whose highest year of school is Year 9 to 12 only. Source: ABS Census 2021, G16 Highest Year of School by SAL

Most common languages at home other than English

Afrikaans

Source: ABS Census 2021, G13 Language Spoken at Home by SAL

Cowell Employment

Employed full-time

29.4% 241 people

Employed part-time

21.6% 177 people

Unemployed

2.4% 20 people

Not in labour force

46.6% 382 people

Source: ABS Census 2021, G46 Labour Force Status by SAL

Cowell Qualifications

Certificate III/IV

58.5%

Bachelor Degree

18.0%

Advanced Diploma/Diploma

15.9%

Certificate I/II

4.2%

Graduate Diploma/Certificate

1.9%

Postgraduate Degree

1.6%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G49 Non-School Qualification by SAL

Cowell Occupation

Managers

20.7%

Technicians & Trade Workers

19.3%

Professionals

16.7%

Community & Personal Service

16.3%

Machinery Operators & Drivers

9.6%

Labourers

7.8%

Clerical & Administrative

5.9%

Sales Workers

3.7%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G51 Industry of Employment by Occupation

Cowell Field of Study

Engineering

25.9%

Health

14.2%

Society & Culture

14.2%

Education

10.1%

Food, Hospitality & Personal Services

9.7%

Management & Commerce

9.3%

Architecture & Building

7.7%

Agriculture & Environment

6.1%

Natural & Physical Sciences

1.6%

Creative Arts

1.2%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G51 Field of Study by SAL

Cowell Dwelling Types

Separate house

84.0%

Semi-detached (1 storey)

16.0%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G36 Dwelling Structure by SAL

Cowell Weekly Household Income

Nil/Negative/wk

2.6%

$1-$149/wk

1.0%

$300-$399/wk

2.6%

$400-$499/wk

12.5%

$500-$649/wk

6.5%

$650-$799/wk

10.2%

$800-$999/wk

9.4%

$1,000-$1,249/wk

8.9%

$1,250-$1,499/wk

11.2%

$1,500-$1,749/wk

4.4%

$1,750-$1,999/wk

4.4%

$2,000-$2,499/wk

9.1%

$2,500-$2,999/wk

5.7%

$3,000-$3,499/wk

4.9%

$3,500-$3,999/wk

2.1%

$4,000+/wk

4.4%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G33 Household Income by SAL

Cowell Marital Status

Married

55.6% 537

Separated

2.5% 24

Divorced

8.0% 77

Widowed

7.4% 71

Never married

26.5% 256

Source: ABS Census 2021, G05 Marital Status by SAL

Cowell Ancestry

English

42.8%

Australian

42.5%

German

11.7%

Irish

6.2%

Scottish

6.0%

Dutch

2.7%

Australian Aboriginal

2.2%

Welsh

0.9%

South African

0.6%

Filipino

0.4%

Hungarian

0.4%

Shares are of the suburb population. People can report up to two ancestries, so shares add to more than 100%. Source: ABS Census 2021, G08 Ancestry by SAL

Cowell School & University Attendance

Primary — Government

56.3%

Secondary — Government

28.5%

Pre-school

7.6%

Vocational Education

4.2%

Primary — Other Non-Govt

3.5%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G15 Type of Educational Institution by SAL

Cowell Need for Assistance

Needs assistance

8.7%

No need for assistance

91.3%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G18 Core Activity Need for Assistance by SAL

Cowell Volunteering

Volunteer

32.8% 281

Not a volunteer

67.2% 575

Source: ABS Census 2021, G23 Voluntary Work by SAL

Cowell Monthly Mortgage Repayments

$0-$299/mo

9.5%

$300-$449/mo

3.2%

$450-$599/mo

5.3%

$600-$799/mo

9.5%

$800-$999/mo

22.1%

$1,000-$1,399/mo

35.8%

$1,400-$1,799/mo

8.4%

$1,800-$2,399/mo

6.3%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G38 Mortgage Repayment by SAL

Cowell How People Get to Work

Car (driver)

63.5%

Did not go to work

19.5%

Walked only

7.8%

Car (passenger)

4.0%

Bus

2.8%

Bicycle

0.9%

Other

0.7%

Truck

0.7%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G62 Method of Travel to Work by SAL

Cowell Car Ownership

0 vehicles

3.9%

1 vehicle

32.3%

2 vehicles

36.9%

3 vehicles

17.6%

4+ vehicles

9.4%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G34 Motor Vehicles per Dwelling by SAL

Cowell Number of Bedrooms

1 bedroom

4.1%

2 bedrooms

14.5%

3 bedrooms

55.4%

4 bedrooms

22.9%

5 bedrooms

3.1%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G41 Number of Bedrooms by SAL

Cowell Population Mobility

14.7%

moved in the last year

33.2%

moved in the last 5 years

3.3%

unemployment rate (Census)

49.7%

labour force participation

Source: ABS Census 2021, G43 Summary by SAL

Cowell Indigenous Population

3.1%

Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander

Source: ABS Census 2021, G07 Indigenous Status by SAL

Cowell Long-term Health Conditions

Mental health

Arthritis

Asthma

Diabetes

Heart disease

Cancer

Lung condition

Dementia

Kidney disease

Stroke

Source: ABS Census 2021, G19 Long-term Health Conditions by SAL

Cowell Personal Weekly Income Distribution

$0 or less/wk

8.9%

$1-$149/wk

4.0%

$150-$299/wk

6.8%

$300-$399/wk

7.3%

$400-$499/wk

4.9%

$500-$649/wk

4.0%

$650-$799/wk

11.6%

$800-$999/wk

13.1%

$1,000-$1,249/wk

11.9%

$1,250-$1,499/wk

8.3%

$1,500-$1,749/wk

6.5%

$1,750-$1,999/wk

2.8%

$2,000-$2,999/wk

6.4%

$3,000-$3,499/wk

1.9%

$3,500+/wk

1.6%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G17 Personal Income by SAL

Cowell Family Structure

Couple — no children

47.2%

Couple — children under 15

31.0%

Couple — no children under 15

11.7%

One parent — children under 15

7.4%

One parent — no children under 15

2.7%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G29 Family Composition by SAL

Cowell Military Service

Previously served

4.3% 37

Never served

95.7% 817

Source: ABS Census 2021, G22 ADF Service by SAL

Cowell Unpaid Carers

Provided unpaid assistance

13.7% 118

Did not provide

86.3% 743

Source: ABS Census 2021, G25 Unpaid Assistance by SAL

Cowell Children Ever Born

No children

19.0%

1 child

8.9%

2 children

34.8%

3 children

25.9%

4 children

11.4%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G28 Children Ever Born by SAL

Cowell When Migrants Arrived

1951–1960

1961–1970

1971–1980

1981–1990

1991–2000

2001–2010

2011–2015

2017

Source: ABS Census 2021, G10 Year of Arrival by SAL

Cowell Unpaid Domestic Work

Less than 5 hours

19.2%

5–14 hours

27.6%

15–29 hours

16.1%

30+ hours

14.4%

Did not do domestic work

22.7%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G24 Unpaid Domestic Work by SAL

Cowell Household Size

1 person

29.4%

2 persons

44.2%

3 persons

11.1%

4 persons

9.0%

5 persons

4.4%

6+ persons

1.9%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G35 Household Size by SAL

Cowell Where Residents Moved From

Same address

849

Moved — same area (SA2)

Moved from SA

Moved from QLD

Moved from WA

Moved from NSW

Moved from VIC

Source: ABS Census 2021, G44 Address 1 Year Ago by SAL

Cowell Family Blending

Intact family — no other children

81.0%

Step family — no other children

14.3%

Blended family — no other children

4.8%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G31 Family Blending by SAL

Cowell Crime Statistics

14 reported offences in 2025-26, by category.

Assault

Break & Enter

Theft

Property Damage

Fraud

Total offences by year

2021

2022

2023

2024

2025

Source: SA Government Open Data (data.sa.gov.au).

Cowell Rent Prices & Affordability

17% of median household income goes on median rent

Marks at 25% and 35%. Band: affordable.

Household income $1,161/wk

Median rent $200/wk

Rent to income 17.2%

Rent is under 25% of household income, generally considered affordable.

Median rent in Cowell against your income

Your weekly income

About $5,031 a month

Median rent $200/wk

Left after rent $961/wk

Rent share 17.2%

Cheaper alternatives with similar incomes

Burra (SA)

Income: $539/wk Rent: $180/wk $20/wk less rent

Crystal Brook (SA)

Income: $557/wk Rent: $189/wk $11/wk less rent

Keith

Income: $746/wk Rent: $180/wk $20/wk less rent

Risdon Park South

Income: $713/wk Rent: $185/wk $15/wk less rent

Millicent

Income: $556/wk Rent: $175/wk $25/wk less rent

Novar Gardens

Income: $630/wk Rent: $165/wk $35/wk less rent

Risdon Park

Income: $577/wk Rent: $180/wk $20/wk less rent

Whyalla Norrie

Income: $596/wk Rent: $180/wk $20/wk less rent

Cowell vs the typical SA suburb

The median personal income in Cowell is $669 a week, 12% below the typical SA suburb ($759). That ranks 482nd of 710 SA suburbs with 200 or more residents. Median rent is $200 a week, $100 less than the typical SA suburb. Rent takes 17.2% of the median household income here, against 19.5% in the typical SA suburb. The median resident is 53, 10 years older than in the typical SA suburb (43).

The typical suburb is the median across suburbs with 200 or more residents. ABS Census 2021, calculated by GDP.com.au.
Measure	Cowell	Typical SA	Typical Australia
Personal income	$669/wk	$759/wk	$766/wk
Household income	$1,161/wk	$1,494/wk	$1,637/wk
Rent	$200/wk	$300/wk	$330/wk
Mortgage repayment	$1,040/mo	$1,534/mo	$1,733/mo
Median age	53	43	42
Rent share of household income	17.2%	19.5%	20.3%

Compare Cowell

Frequently Asked Questions About Cowell

What is the population of Cowell SA?

The population of Cowell SA is 1,124 according to the ABS Census 2021.The suburb has a population density of 1.8 people per km².Cowell is ranked #3,799 out of 14,663 suburbs by population.

What is the median income in Cowell?

The median personal income in Cowell SA is $669 per week, or $34,788 per year.The median household income is $1,161 per week.Family income is $1,449 per week.Cowell is ranked #6,006 by income out of 14,663 Australian suburbs.

How much is rent in Cowell?

Median rent in Cowell SA is $200 per week ($867 per month).Rent represents 17.2% of household income, which is considered affordable.Cowell ranks #7,374 out of 14,663 suburbs by rent.

What are mortgage repayments in Cowell?

The median monthly mortgage repayment in Cowell SA is $1,040. This data comes from the ABS Census 2021 and reflects mortgage repayments for owner-occupied dwellings.

What is the median age in Cowell?

The median age in Cowell SA is 53 years.This is older than the national median age of 38 years.

Is Cowell a good suburb to live in?

Cowell is a suburb in South Australia with a population of 1,124.The median income is $669/wk, which is below the typical SA suburb ($759/wk).Rent affordability is rated as affordable (17.2% of household income). See the full suburb profile above for detailed statistics.

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Australian Average Salary Australian House Prices Adelaide Cost of Living

Data: Australian Bureau of Statistics, Census of Population and Housing 2021. SA2 area: 40319. All dollar figures in AUD.