Goolwa, SA: suburb profile

The population of Goolwa SA is 2,558 according to the 2021 Census. The median personal income in Goolwa is $493 per week ($25,636 per year). Median rent in Goolwa is $250 per week ($1,083 per month). Goolwa has a median age of 67 years, older than the national median of 38. Goolwa has a population density of 147 people per km².

The most common overseas birthplace in Goolwa is England. The most common religion is No religion (44.6% of residents). After English, the most spoken language is German. The median monthly mortgage repayment in Goolwa is $1,000.

There were 61 recorded offences in Goolwa in 2025-26, a rate of 24 offences per 1,000 people. The most common offence category was assault (24 offences).

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

Goolwa Map

Loading map…

Goolwa Population

2,558 residents at the 2021 Census.

Goolwa Median Income & Rent

Median Income

$493/wk

$25,636 per year

Ranked 8,265 of 14,663

Median Rent

$250/wk

$1,083 per month

Ranked 6,115 of 14,663

Median Age

67years

29 years older than the national median

Mortgage

$1,000/mo

Avg household size: 1.8 · 0.7 per bedroom

Goolwa Demographics

Gender Split

Male 45.3% (1,158) Female 54.7% (1,399)

Population Density

147

people per km²

2,558 people · 17.3 km²

Households

1.8

Avg household size

0.7

Persons per bedroom

$1,064

Family income/wk

Goolwa 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)

Goolwa Home Ownership

Of owner-occupied homes in Goolwa, 75.1% are owned outright and 24.9% have a mortgage.

Owned outright

75.1%

Owned with mortgage

24.9%

Rented homes are not included in this breakdown.

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

Most common overseas birthplaces

England
Germany
India

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

Goolwa Religion

No religion

44.6%

Anglican

14.0%

Uniting Church

9.9%

Catholic

9.1%

Not stated

9.1%

Lutheran

2.8%

Christian (other)

2.0%

Presbyterian and Reformed

1.7%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G14 Religion by SAL

Goolwa Education Level

Year 12 or equivalent

39.7%

Year 10 or equivalent

27.1%

Year 11 or equivalent

24.4%

Year 9 or equivalent

8.8%

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
Italian
Spanish
Australian Indigenous languages

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

Goolwa Employment

Employed full-time

12.1% 264 people

Employed part-time

14.5% 317 people

Unemployed

1.9% 42 people

Not in labour force

71.4% 1,558 people

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

Goolwa Qualifications

Certificate III/IV

45.5%

Bachelor Degree

21.7%

Advanced Diploma/Diploma

19.8%

Postgraduate Degree

5.3%

Graduate Diploma/Certificate

4.2%

Certificate I/II

3.6%

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

Goolwa Occupation

Professionals

20.7%

Community & Personal Service

20.2%

Technicians & Trade Workers

17.4%

Managers

12.8%

Clerical & Administrative

10.1%

Labourers

9.3%

Sales Workers

5.4%

Machinery Operators & Drivers

4.1%

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

Goolwa Field of Study

Society & Culture

17.6%

Health

15.9%

Engineering

14.8%

Management & Commerce

13.9%

Education

9.9%

Architecture & Building

8.8%

Food, Hospitality & Personal Services

8.2%

Agriculture & Environment

4.5%

Natural & Physical Sciences

2.8%

Information Technology

2.0%

Creative Arts

1.4%

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

Goolwa Dwelling Types

Separate house

90.2%

Semi-detached (1 storey)

9.2%

Semi-detached (2+ storey)

0.6%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G36 Dwelling Structure by SAL

Goolwa Weekly Household Income

Nil/Negative/wk

1.3%

$1-$149/wk

1.0%

$150-$299/wk

1.6%

$300-$399/wk

4.8%

$400-$499/wk

13.2%

$500-$649/wk

14.3%

$650-$799/wk

14.3%

$800-$999/wk

12.6%

$1,000-$1,249/wk

10.8%

$1,250-$1,499/wk

7.6%

$1,500-$1,749/wk

3.9%

$1,750-$1,999/wk

3.1%

$2,000-$2,499/wk

4.6%

$2,500-$2,999/wk

2.3%

$3,000-$3,499/wk

1.6%

$3,500-$3,999/wk

0.9%

$4,000+/wk

2.3%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G33 Household Income by SAL

Goolwa Marital Status

Married

45.8% 1,080

Separated

3.5% 83

Divorced

16.5% 390

Widowed

13.8% 325

Never married

20.4% 480

Source: ABS Census 2021, G05 Marital Status by SAL

Goolwa Ancestry

English

52.5%

Australian

31.9%

Scottish

11.5%

Irish

9.9%

German

9.0%

Australian Aboriginal

2.2%

Dutch

2.1%

Italian

1.7%

Polish

1.0%

Welsh

0.9%

Greek

0.8%

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

Goolwa School & University Attendance

Primary — Government

30.8%

Secondary — Government

19.9%

Secondary — Other Non-Govt

15.6%

Pre-school

12.3%

Primary — Other Non-Govt

10.0%

Vocational Education

9.0%

Secondary — Catholic

2.4%

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

Goolwa Need for Assistance

Needs assistance

15.5%

No need for assistance

84.5%

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

Goolwa Volunteering

Volunteer

22.0% 487

Not a volunteer

78.0% 1,731

Source: ABS Census 2021, G23 Voluntary Work by SAL

Goolwa Monthly Mortgage Repayments

$0-$299/mo

12.8%

$300-$449/mo

5.3%

$450-$599/mo

5.3%

$600-$799/mo

14.4%

$800-$999/mo

12.3%

$1,000-$1,399/mo

27.8%

$1,400-$1,799/mo

9.6%

$1,800-$2,399/mo

10.2%

$2,400-$2,999/mo

2.1%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G38 Mortgage Repayment by SAL

Goolwa How People Get to Work

Car (driver)

71.9%

Did not go to work

17.4%

Walked only

5.0%

Other

2.0%

Car (passenger)

1.8%

Truck

0.9%

Bicycle

0.5%

Bus

0.5%

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

Goolwa Car Ownership

0 vehicles

10.0%

1 vehicle

51.9%

2 vehicles

26.6%

3 vehicles

6.8%

4+ vehicles

4.7%

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

Goolwa Number of Bedrooms

1 bedroom

7.1%

2 bedrooms

34.7%

3 bedrooms

46.3%

4 bedrooms

9.9%

5 bedrooms

1.7%

6+ bedrooms

0.3%

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

Goolwa Population Mobility

14.1%

moved in the last year

43.2%

moved in the last 5 years

6.8%

unemployment rate (Census)

28.5%

labour force participation

Source: ABS Census 2021, G43 Summary by SAL

Goolwa Indigenous Population

2.1%

Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander

Source: ABS Census 2021, G07 Indigenous Status by SAL

Goolwa Long-term Health Conditions

Mental health

351

Arthritis

215

Heart disease

181

Lung condition

132

Diabetes

124

Stroke

Asthma

Cancer

Kidney disease

Dementia

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

Goolwa Personal Weekly Income Distribution

$0 or less/wk

6.2%

$1-$149/wk

4.1%

$150-$299/wk

9.4%

$300-$399/wk

13.1%

$400-$499/wk

10.6%

$500-$649/wk

8.9%

$650-$799/wk

12.8%

$800-$999/wk

9.7%

$1,000-$1,249/wk

9.6%

$1,250-$1,499/wk

5.2%

$1,500-$1,749/wk

3.1%

$1,750-$1,999/wk

2.3%

$2,000-$2,999/wk

3.5%

$3,000-$3,499/wk

0.5%

$3,500+/wk

0.9%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G17 Personal Income by SAL

Goolwa Family Structure

Couple — no children

59.5%

Couple — children under 15

17.0%

Couple — no children under 15

8.8%

One parent — no children under 15

7.8%

One parent — children under 15

6.9%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G29 Family Composition by SAL

Goolwa Military Service

Previously served

6.3% 139

Never served

93.7% 2,056

Source: ABS Census 2021, G22 ADF Service by SAL

Goolwa Unpaid Carers

Provided unpaid assistance

15.2% 338

Did not provide

84.8% 1,882

Source: ABS Census 2021, G25 Unpaid Assistance by SAL

Goolwa Children Ever Born

No children

25.0%

1 child

11.9%

2 children

33.1%

3 children

21.6%

4 children

6.9%

5+ children

1.5%

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

Goolwa When Migrants Arrived

Before 1951

1951–1960

1961–1970

181

1971–1980

112

1981–1990

1991–2000

2001–2010

2011–2015

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

Goolwa Unpaid Domestic Work

Less than 5 hours

15.6%

5–14 hours

26.8%

15–29 hours

16.4%

30+ hours

11.1%

Did not do domestic work

30.2%

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

Goolwa Household Size

1 person

44.8%

2 persons

42.4%

3 persons

6.2%

4 persons

3.7%

5 persons

1.4%

6+ persons

1.4%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G35 Household Size by SAL

Goolwa Where Residents Moved From

Same address

2,054

Moved from SA

154

Moved — same area (SA2)

120

Moved from VIC

Moved from NSW

Moved from overseas

Moved from NT

Moved from QLD

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

Goolwa Family Blending

Intact family — no other children

83.7%

Step family — no other children

13.5%

Blended family — no other children

2.9%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G31 Family Blending by SAL

Goolwa Crime Statistics

61 reported offences in 2025-26, by category.

Assault

Theft

Property Damage

Break & Enter

Fraud

Other Against Person

Total offences by year

2021

2022

2023

2024

2025

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

Goolwa Schools

schools nearby

government

965

avg ICSEA score

566

total students

Goolwa Primary School Government

Primary · R-6 · 281 students

972

ICSEA

Goolwa Secondary College Government

Secondary · 7-12 · 285 students

957

ICSEA

Source: Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority (ACARA), 2025. ICSEA is the Index of Community Socio-Educational Advantage (national average 1000).

All schools near Goolwa, with a map

Goolwa Rent Prices & Affordability

32% of median household income goes on median rent

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

Household income $790/wk

Median rent $250/wk

Rent to income 31.6%

Rent is between 25% and 35% of household income: moderate housing costs.

Median rent in Goolwa against your income

Your weekly income

About $3,423 a month

Median rent $250/wk

Left after rent $540/wk

Rent share 31.6%

Cheaper alternatives with similar incomes

Port Broughton

Income: $507/wk Rent: $235/wk $15/wk less rent

Ardrossan

Income: $495/wk Rent: $228/wk $22/wk less rent

Waterloo Corner

Income: $486/wk Rent: $225/wk $25/wk less rent

Riverton (SA)

Income: $536/wk Rent: $230/wk $20/wk less rent

Wallaroo (SA)

Income: $506/wk Rent: $245/wk $5/wk less rent

Minlaton

Income: $580/wk Rent: $200/wk $50/wk less rent

Mannum

Income: $487/wk Rent: $220/wk $30/wk less rent

Peterborough (SA)

Income: $456/wk Rent: $160/wk $90/wk less rent

Goolwa vs the typical SA suburb

The median personal income in Goolwa is $493 a week, 35% below the typical SA suburb ($759). That ranks 663rd of 710 SA suburbs with 200 or more residents. Median rent is $250 a week, $50 less than the typical SA suburb. Rent takes 31.6% of the median household income here, against 19.5% in the typical SA suburb. The median resident is 67, 24 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	Goolwa	Typical SA	Typical Australia
Personal income	$493/wk	$759/wk	$766/wk
Household income	$790/wk	$1,494/wk	$1,637/wk
Rent	$250/wk	$300/wk	$330/wk
Mortgage repayment	$1,000/mo	$1,534/mo	$1,733/mo
Median age	67	43	42
Rent share of household income	31.6%	19.5%	20.3%

Suburbs near Goolwa

The closest suburb to Goolwa is Goolwa Beach, 2.9 km away.

Goolwa Beach

2.9 km away · income $525/wk · rent $275/wk

Goolwa North

3.6 km away · income $520/wk · rent $270/wk

Middleton (SA)

5.8 km away · income $708/wk · rent $283/wk

Goolwa South

7.4 km away · income $556/wk · rent $280/wk

Port Elliot

8.7 km away · income $592/wk · rent $280/wk

Hindmarsh Island

10.6 km away · income $581/wk · rent $330/wk

Compare Goolwa

Frequently Asked Questions About Goolwa

What is the population of Goolwa SA?

The population of Goolwa SA is 2,558 according to the ABS Census 2021.The suburb has a population density of 147 people per km².Goolwa is ranked #2,684 out of 14,663 suburbs by population.

What is the median income in Goolwa?

The median personal income in Goolwa SA is $493 per week, or $25,636 per year.The median household income is $790 per week.Family income is $1,064 per week.Goolwa is ranked #8,265 by income out of 14,663 Australian suburbs.

How much is rent in Goolwa?

Median rent in Goolwa SA is $250 per week ($1,083 per month).Rent represents 31.6% of household income, which is considered moderate.Goolwa ranks #6,115 out of 14,663 suburbs by rent.

What are mortgage repayments in Goolwa?

The median monthly mortgage repayment in Goolwa SA is $1,000. This data comes from the ABS Census 2021 and reflects mortgage repayments for owner-occupied dwellings.

What is the median age in Goolwa?

The median age in Goolwa SA is 67 years.This is older than the national median age of 38 years.

Is Goolwa a good suburb to live in?

Goolwa is a suburb in South Australia with a population of 2,558.The median income is $493/wk, which is below the typical SA suburb ($759/wk).Rent affordability is rated as moderate (31.6% of household income). See the full suburb profile above for detailed statistics.

Explore More

Australian Average Salary Australian House Prices Adelaide Cost of Living

Data: Australian Bureau of Statistics, Census of Population and Housing 2021. SA2 area: 40521. All dollar figures in AUD.