Encounter Bay, SA: suburb profile
The population of Encounter Bay SA is 5,305 according to the 2021 Census. The median personal income in Encounter Bay is $514 per week ($26,728 per year). Median rent in Encounter Bay is $305 per week ($1,322 per month). Encounter Bay has a median age of 66 years, older than the national median of 38. Encounter Bay has a population density of 1,235 people per km².
The most common overseas birthplace in Encounter Bay is England. The most common religion is No religion (42.5% of residents). After English, the most spoken language is German. The median monthly mortgage repayment in Encounter Bay is $1,170.
There were 37 recorded offences in Encounter Bay in 2025-26, a rate of 7 offences per 1,000 people. The most common offence category was break & enter (12 offences).
Source: ABS Census of Population and Housing 2021; offences from SA Government Open Data (data.sa.gov.au), 2025-26.
Encounter Bay Map
Encounter Bay Population
5,305 residents at the 2021 Census.
Encounter Bay Median Income & Rent
Encounter Bay Demographics
Gender Split
Population Density
Households
Encounter Bay Age Distribution
Source: ABS Census 2021, Suburb and Locality (SAL)
Encounter Bay Home Ownership
Of owner-occupied homes in Encounter Bay, 77.2% are owned outright and 22.8% have a mortgage.
Rented homes are not included in this breakdown.
Source: ABS Census 2021, Suburb and Locality (SAL)
Most common overseas birthplaces
- England
- Germany
- India
- Canada
- Indonesia
- Croatia
- France
- Egypt
Source: ABS Census 2021, G09 Country of Birth by SAL
Encounter Bay Religion
Source: ABS Census 2021, G14 Religion by SAL
Encounter Bay Education Level
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
- German
- Punjabi
- Afrikaans
- French
- Italian
- Vietnamese
Source: ABS Census 2021, G13 Language Spoken at Home by SAL
Encounter Bay Employment
Source: ABS Census 2021, G46 Labour Force Status by SAL
Encounter Bay Qualifications
Source: ABS Census 2021, G49 Non-School Qualification by SAL
Encounter Bay Occupation
Source: ABS Census 2021, G51 Industry of Employment by Occupation
Encounter Bay Field of Study
Source: ABS Census 2021, G51 Field of Study by SAL
Encounter Bay Dwelling Types
Source: ABS Census 2021, G36 Dwelling Structure by SAL
Encounter Bay Weekly Household Income
Source: ABS Census 2021, G33 Household Income by SAL
Encounter Bay Marital Status
Source: ABS Census 2021, G05 Marital Status by SAL
Encounter Bay Ancestry
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
Encounter Bay School & University Attendance
Source: ABS Census 2021, G15 Type of Educational Institution by SAL
Encounter Bay Need for Assistance
Source: ABS Census 2021, G18 Core Activity Need for Assistance by SAL
Encounter Bay Volunteering
Source: ABS Census 2021, G23 Voluntary Work by SAL
Encounter Bay Monthly Mortgage Repayments
Source: ABS Census 2021, G38 Mortgage Repayment by SAL
Encounter Bay How People Get to Work
Source: ABS Census 2021, G62 Method of Travel to Work by SAL
Encounter Bay Car Ownership
Source: ABS Census 2021, G34 Motor Vehicles per Dwelling by SAL
Encounter Bay Number of Bedrooms
Source: ABS Census 2021, G41 Number of Bedrooms by SAL
Encounter Bay Population Mobility
Source: ABS Census 2021, G43 Summary by SAL
Encounter Bay Indigenous Population
Source: ABS Census 2021, G07 Indigenous Status by SAL
Encounter Bay Long-term Health Conditions
Source: ABS Census 2021, G19 Long-term Health Conditions by SAL
Encounter Bay Personal Weekly Income Distribution
Source: ABS Census 2021, G17 Personal Income by SAL
Encounter Bay Family Structure
Source: ABS Census 2021, G29 Family Composition by SAL
Encounter Bay Military Service
Source: ABS Census 2021, G22 ADF Service by SAL
Encounter Bay Unpaid Carers
Source: ABS Census 2021, G25 Unpaid Assistance by SAL
Encounter Bay Children Ever Born
Source: ABS Census 2021, G28 Children Ever Born by SAL
Encounter Bay When Migrants Arrived
Source: ABS Census 2021, G10 Year of Arrival by SAL
Encounter Bay Unpaid Domestic Work
Source: ABS Census 2021, G24 Unpaid Domestic Work by SAL
Encounter Bay Household Size
Source: ABS Census 2021, G35 Household Size by SAL
Encounter Bay Where Residents Moved From
Source: ABS Census 2021, G44 Address 1 Year Ago by SAL
Encounter Bay Family Blending
Source: ABS Census 2021, G31 Family Blending by SAL
Encounter Bay Crime Statistics
37 reported offences in 2025-26, by category.
Total offences by year
Source: SA Government Open Data (data.sa.gov.au).
Encounter Bay Schools
Source: Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority (ACARA), 2025. ICSEA is the Index of Community Socio-Educational Advantage (national average 1000).
All schools near Encounter Bay, with a mapEncounter Bay Rent Prices & Affordability
33% of median household income goes on median rent
Marks at 25% and 35%. Band: moderate.
Rent is between 25% and 35% of household income: moderate housing costs.
Median rent in Encounter Bay against your income
Cheaper alternatives with similar incomes
Encounter Bay vs the typical SA suburb
The median personal income in Encounter Bay is $514 a week, 32% below the typical SA suburb ($759). That ranks 642nd of 710 SA suburbs with 200 or more residents. Median rent is $305 a week, $5 more than the typical SA suburb. Rent takes 32.8% of the median household income here, against 19.5% in the typical SA suburb. The median resident is 66, 23 years older than in the typical SA suburb (43).
| Measure | Encounter Bay | Typical SA | Typical Australia |
|---|---|---|---|
| Personal income | $514/wk | $759/wk | $766/wk |
| Household income | $929/wk | $1,494/wk | $1,637/wk |
| Rent | $305/wk | $300/wk | $330/wk |
| Mortgage repayment | $1,170/mo | $1,534/mo | $1,733/mo |
| Median age | 66 | 43 | 42 |
| Rent share of household income | 32.8% | 19.5% | 20.3% |
Suburbs near Encounter Bay
The closest suburb to Encounter Bay is Victor Harbor, 2.9 km away.
Compare Encounter Bay
Frequently Asked Questions About Encounter Bay
What is the population of Encounter Bay SA?
The population of Encounter Bay SA is 5,305 according to the ABS Census 2021.The suburb has a population density of 1,235 people per km².Encounter Bay is ranked #1,485 out of 14,663 suburbs by population.
What is the median income in Encounter Bay?
The median personal income in Encounter Bay SA is $514 per week, or $26,728 per year.The median household income is $929 per week.Family income is $1,150 per week.Encounter Bay is ranked #8,070 by income out of 14,663 Australian suburbs.
How much is rent in Encounter Bay?
Median rent in Encounter Bay SA is $305 per week ($1,322 per month).Rent represents 32.8% of household income, which is considered moderate.Encounter Bay ranks #4,469 out of 14,663 suburbs by rent.
What are mortgage repayments in Encounter Bay?
The median monthly mortgage repayment in Encounter Bay SA is $1,170. This data comes from the ABS Census 2021 and reflects mortgage repayments for owner-occupied dwellings.
What is the median age in Encounter Bay?
The median age in Encounter Bay SA is 66 years.This is older than the national median age of 38 years.
Is Encounter Bay a good suburb to live in?
Encounter Bay is a suburb in South Australia with a population of 5,305.The median income is $514/wk, which is below the typical SA suburb ($759/wk).Rent affordability is rated as moderate (32.8% of household income). See the full suburb profile above for detailed statistics.
Data: Australian Bureau of Statistics, Census of Population and Housing 2021. SA2 area: 40410. All dollar figures in AUD.