Penola

Penola has shown very soft population growth performance across periods assessed by AreaSearch

Penola's population, as of February 2026, is approximately 3,231. This figure represents a growth of 124 people, a 4.0% increase since the 2021 Census which recorded a population of 3,107. This change is inferred from the estimated resident population of 3,192 in June 2024 and an additional 24 validated new addresses since the Census date. The population density ratio is 2.1 persons per square kilometer. Penola's growth rate of 4.0% since the census is within 2.9 percentage points of the SA3 area's growth rate of 6.9%, indicating competitive growth fundamentals. Natural growth contributed approximately 57.1% of overall population gains during recent periods.

AreaSearch uses ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area, released in 2024 with a base year of 2022. For areas not covered by this data and years post-2032, the SA State Government's Regional/LGA projections by age category are adopted, based on 2021 data and released in 2023, with adjustments made using weighted aggregation methods from LGA to SA2 levels. Future demographic trends suggest lower quartile growth for Australia's regional areas, with Penola expected to increase by 68 persons to 2041, reflecting an overall increase of 0.9% over the 17-year period based on the latest annual ERP population numbers.

AreaSearch assessment of residential development drivers sees a low level of activity in Penola, placing the area among the bottom 25% of areas assessed nationally

Penola has averaged approximately six new dwelling approvals per year over the past five financial years, totalling 33 homes. As of FY-26, four approvals have been recorded. The area has seen an average of 1.1 people moving in for each dwelling built annually between FY-21 and FY-25, indicating a balanced supply and demand market with stable conditions. New homes are being constructed at an average expected cost of $285,000.

This year, $5.4 million in commercial development approvals have been recorded, reflecting the area's residential character. Compared to the rest of South Australia, Penola has significantly less development activity, 58.0% below the regional average per person. This constrained new construction typically reinforces demand and pricing for existing properties, which is also under the national average, suggesting an established nature with potential planning limitations. All new construction in the area has been detached dwellings, preserving its low density nature and attracting space-seeking buyers. The estimated population per dwelling approval is 583 people.

Future projections indicate Penola adding 29 residents by 2041, with current development rates comfortably meeting demand and potentially supporting growth beyond current population projections.

Penola has limited levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the 10thth percentile nationally

Changes to local infrastructure significantly influence an area's performance. AreaSearch has identified a single project likely to impact the region: Lower Limestone Coast Water Allocation Plan, Limestone Coast Energy Park, Wattle Range Council General Code Amendment, and Melbourne To Adelaide Freight Rail Improvements are key projects, with the following list detailing those most relevant.

Professional plan users can use the search below to filter and access additional projects.

Denotes AI-based impression for illustrative purposes only, not to be taken as definitive under any circumstances. Please follow links and conduct other investigations from the project's source for actual imagery. Developers and project owners wishing us to use original imagery please Contact Us and we will do so.

AreaSearch assessment positions Penola ahead of most Australian regions for employment performance

Penola has a balanced workforce comprising both white and blue collar jobs. Manufacturing and industrial sectors are prominent. The unemployment rate was 2.9% in the past year, with an estimated employment growth of 0.6%.

As of September 2025, 1,733 residents were employed, with an unemployment rate of 2.4%, below Rest of SA's 5.3%. Workforce participation was 65.9%, higher than Rest of SA's 58.5%. Census data showed that 12.8% of residents worked from home. Employment is concentrated in agriculture, forestry & fishing, manufacturing, and health care & social assistance.

Agriculture, forestry & fishing employs 2.2 times the regional level, while health care & social assistance employs 8.1%, below Rest of SA's 13.9%. Many residents commute elsewhere for work. Between September 2024 and September 2025, employment levels increased by 0.6% and labour force by 1.5%, raising the unemployment rate by 0.9 percentage points. In contrast, Rest of SA saw employment grow by 0.3%, labour force expand by 2.3%, and unemployment rise by 1.9 percentage points. National employment forecasts from May-25 project growth of 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Penola's employment mix suggests local employment should increase by 4.0% over five years and 10.0% over ten years, though this is a simplified extrapolation for illustrative purposes only.

Income figures position the area below 75% of locations analysed nationally by AreaSearch

AreaSearch's latest postcode level ATO data for financial year 2023 shows Penola SA2's median income among taxpayers is $49,259. The average income in this area is $57,877. Nationally, incomes are higher than those in Penola. Rest of SA has a median income of $48,920 and an average of $58,933. Based on Wage Price Index growth since financial year 2023, estimated median and average incomes for September 2025 would be approximately $53,594 and $62,970 respectively. Census data indicates that household, family, and personal incomes in Penola rank modestly, between the 21st and 35th percentiles. Income analysis reveals that 30.1% of locals (972 people) fall into the $1,500 - 2,999 income category, which is consistent with broader regional trends showing 27.5% in the same category. Housing costs are manageable, with 91.6% retained. However, disposable income ranks below average at the 31st percentile.

Penola is characterized by a predominantly suburban housing profile, with above-average rates of outright home ownership

The dwelling structure in Penola, as evaluated at the 2016 Census, consisted of 94.8% houses and 5.2% other dwellings. In comparison, Non-Metro SA had 88.5% houses and 11.5% other dwellings. Home ownership in Penola was 44.0%, with mortgaged dwellings at 33.5% and rented dwellings at 22.5%. The median monthly mortgage repayment in Penola was $896, below Non-Metro SA's average of $1,153. The median weekly rent figure in Penola was $181, compared to Non-Metro SA's $220. Nationally, Penola's mortgage repayments were significantly lower than the Australian average of $1,863, and rents were substantially below the national figure of $375.

Penola features high concentrations of lone person households, with a fairly typical median household size

Family households account for 66.2% of all households, including 24.1% couples with children, 32.5% couples without children, and 9.4% single parent families. Non-family households make up the remaining 33.8%, with lone person households at 31.3% and group households comprising 2.3% of the total. The median household size is 2.3 people, which matches the average for the Rest of South Africa.

Penola faces educational challenges, with performance metrics placing it in the bottom quartile of areas assessed nationally

The area's university qualification rate is 15.4%, significantly lower than Australia's average of 30.4%. Bachelor degrees are the most common at 11.2%, followed by graduate diplomas (2.3%) and postgraduate qualifications (1.9%). Vocational credentials are prevalent, with 34.9% of residents aged 15+ holding them, including advanced diplomas (8.0%) and certificates (26.9%). Educational participation is high, with 27.1% of residents currently enrolled in formal education, including 13.8% in primary, 6.7% in secondary, and 1.9% in tertiary education.

Educational participation is notably high, with 27.1% of residents currently enrolled in formal education. This includes 13.8% in primary education, 6.7% in secondary education, and 1.9% pursuing tertiary education.

No public transport data available for this catchment area.

Penola's residents are healthier than average in comparison to broader Australia with a fairly standard level of common health conditions seen across both young and old age cohorts

Penola's health data shows positive outcomes, aligning closely with national benchmarks for mortality rates and health conditions. Both young and old age cohorts experience common health issues at a standard level.

Private health cover is low in Penola, with 48% of residents (~1,557 people) having it compared to the national average of 55.7%. The most prevalent medical conditions are arthritis (affecting 10.1%) and mental health issues (8.5%), while 64.7% report no medical ailments, slightly higher than Rest of SA's 62.5%. Working-age residents face significant chronic condition challenges. Penola has a lower proportion of seniors aged 65 and over at 25.6% (825 people) compared to Rest of SA's 27.1%. Despite this, health outcomes for seniors are above average nationally.

Penola is considerably less culturally diverse than average when assessed alongside AreaSearch's national rankings for language and cultural background related metrics

Penola's cultural diversity was below average. Its population was predominantly Australian-born citizens who spoke English at home: 88.8%, 90.2%, and 96.7% respectively. Christianity was the dominant religion in Penola, with 44.7% of residents identifying as Christian, compared to 45.2% across the rest of South Australia.

The top three ancestry groups were Australian (34.5%), English (31.3%), and Scottish (9.6%). Notably, German ancestry was overrepresented in Penola at 6.1%, compared to 8.2% regionally, while Dutch ancestry remained consistent at 1.3%.

Penola hosts an older demographic, ranking in the top quartile nationwide

The median age in Penola is 48 years, similar to Rest of SA's average of 47 years but higher than the national norm of 38 years. Compared to the Rest of SA average, the 55-64 cohort is notably over-represented at 16.5% locally, while the 25-34 year-olds are under-represented at 8.4%. The 55-64 concentration in Penola is well above the national average of 11.2%. Between 2021 and the present, the 75 to 84 age group has grown from 6.9% to 8.7% of the population, while the 15 to 24 cohort increased from 9.2% to 10.3%. Conversely, the 5 to 14 cohort declined from 13.0% to 10.8%, and the 45 to 54 group dropped from 14.5% to 13.2%. Population forecasts for 2041 indicate substantial demographic changes in Penola. The 85+ cohort is projected to grow by 105%, adding 80 residents to reach 157. Senior residents aged 65 and above will drive 99% of population growth, highlighting demographic aging trends. Conversely, both the 35 to 44 and 25 to 34 age groups are expected to see reduced numbers.