Clare (SA)

Clare is positioned among the lower quartile of areas assessed nationally for population growth based on AreaSearch's assessment of recent, and medium term trends

Based on analysis of ABS population updates for the broader area, and new addresses validated by AreaSearch since the Census, Clare's population is estimated at around 3,310 as of May 2026. This reflects an increase of 72 people (2.2%) since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 3,238 people. The change is inferred from the resident population of 3,296, estimated by AreaSearch following examination of the latest ERP data release by the ABS in June 2025 and an additional 41 validated new addresses since the Census date. This level of population equates to a density ratio of 280 persons per square kilometer. Clare's 2.2% growth since census positions it within 0.9 percentage points of the SA3 area (3.1%), demonstrating competitive growth fundamentals. Population growth for the suburb was primarily driven by overseas migration, contributing approximately 82.0% of overall population gains during recent periods.

AreaSearch is adopting ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area, as released in 2024 with 2022 as the base year. For any SA2 areas not covered by this data, and for years post-2032, the SA State Government's Regional/LGA projections by age category, released in 2023 and based on 2021 data, are adopted with adjustments made employing a method of weighted aggregation of population growth from LGA to SA2 levels. Moving forward with demographic trends, lower quartile growth of national regional areas is anticipated. The suburb is expected to expand by 49 persons to 2041 based on aggregated SA2-level projections, reflecting a gain of 1.1% in total over the 16 years.

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

Clare has averaged approximately 8 new dwelling approvals annually over the past 5 financial years, totalling an estimated 44 homes. As of FY26, 4 approvals have been recorded. On average, 0.3 people per year have moved to the area for each dwelling built between FY21 and FY25. This suggests new construction is meeting or exceeding demand, offering buyers more options while potentially driving population growth.

The average expected construction cost of new properties is $360,000, indicating developers are targeting the premium market segment. In FY26, there have been $9.9 million in commercial approvals, suggesting balanced commercial development activity. Compared to Rest of SA, Clare shows around 75% of the construction activity per person. Nationally, it places among the 40th percentile of areas assessed, indicating somewhat limited buyer options but strengthening demand for established properties.

This activity is below the national average, suggesting the area's established nature and potential planning limitations. Recent building activity consists entirely of standalone homes, preserving Clare's low density nature with an emphasis on detached housing attracting space-seeking buyers. The estimated population per dwelling approval is 414 people, reflecting its quiet, low activity development environment. According to AreaSearch's latest quarterly estimate, Clare is forecasted to gain 35 residents by 2041. With current construction levels, housing supply should adequately meet demand, creating favourable conditions for buyers while potentially enabling growth that exceeds current forecasts.

Clare has emerging levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the 20thth percentile nationally

No changes can significantly affect a region's performance like alterations to local infrastructure, major projects, and planning initiatives. AreaSearch has identified zero projects expected to impact this area. Notable projects include Barrier Highway Safety Upgrades, Robertstown Solar Project, Mid North South Australia REZ Expansion, and SA Housing Trust Maintenance Contracts Review and Service Program, with the following list detailing those most relevant.

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

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Employment performance in Clare exceeds national averages across key labour market indicators

Clare has a skilled workforce with strong representation in manufacturing and industrial sectors. The unemployment rate is 3.3%. Employment growth over the past year is estimated at 2.3%.

As of December 2025, 1,615 residents are employed, with an unemployment rate of 2.4%, lower than Regional SA's 5.7%. Workforce participation is 60.7%, close to Regional SA's 58.3%. Census data shows that 5.9% of residents work from home, potentially impacted by Covid-19 lockdowns. Employment is concentrated in health care & social assistance, retail trade, and accommodation & food, with a particular specialization in the latter (1.6 times the regional level).

Agriculture, forestry & fishing employs only 6.8% of local workers, below Regional SA's 14.5%. The area may have limited local employment opportunities, indicated by the working population versus resident population count. Between December 2024 and December 2025, employment increased by 2.3%, while labour force grew by 3.1%, raising the unemployment rate by 0.8 percentage points. In contrast, Regional SA saw employment rise by 0.7% and unemployment increase by 2.2 percentage points over the same period. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May-25 suggest that Clare's employment should increase by 5.8% over five years and 12.6% over ten years, based on industry-specific projections applied to Clare's employment mix.

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

According to AreaSearch's aggregation of the latest postcode level ATO data released for financial year 2023, the suburb of Clare had a median income among taxpayers of $47,856. The average income stood at $60,753. This is below the national average and compares to levels of $48,920 and $58,933 across Regional SA respectively. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 10.17% since financial year 2023, current estimates would be approximately $52,723 (median) and $66,932 (average) as of March 2026. Census data reveals household, family and personal incomes all rank modestly in Clare, between the 20th and 33rd percentiles. Distribution data shows the $1,500 - 2,999 earnings band captures 30.6% of the community (1,012 individuals), consistent with broader trends across the region showing 27.5% in the same category. While housing costs are modest with 87.0% of income retained, the total disposable income ranks at just the 24th percentile nationally.

Clare is characterized by a predominantly suburban housing profile, with a higher proportion of rental properties than the broader region

Clare's dwelling structures, as per the latest Census, consisted of 92.0% houses and 8.0% other dwellings. Regionally in SA, this was 88.5% houses and 11.5% other dwellings. Home ownership in Clare stood at 37.4%, with mortgaged dwellings at 32.2% and rented ones at 30.4%. The median monthly mortgage repayment in Clare was $1,256, above Regional SA's average of $1,153. Weekly rent figures in Clare were recorded at $250, compared to Regional SA's $220. Nationally, Clare's mortgage repayments were lower than the Australian average of $1,863, and rents were below the national figure of $375.

Clare features high concentrations of lone person households, with a lower-than-average median household size

Family households compose 63.1% of all households, including 20.4% couples with children, 32.6% couples without children, and 9.6% single parent families. Non-family households account for 36.9%, with lone person households at 34.1% and group households comprising 2.3% of the total. The median household size is 2.2 people, which is smaller than the Regional SA average of 2.3.

Educational outcomes in Clare fall within the lower quartile nationally, indicating opportunities for improvement in qualification attainment

The area has university qualification rates of 19.8%, significantly lower than the Australian average of 30.4%. Bachelor degrees are the most common at 14.6%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (3.0%) and graduate diplomas (2.2%). Vocational credentials are prevalent, with 36.0% of residents aged 15+ holding them, including advanced diplomas (9.5%) and certificates (26.5%). A total of 24.2% of the population is actively engaged in formal education, comprising 9.2% in primary, 7.9% in secondary, and 2.0% in tertiary education.

A substantial 24.2% of the population actively pursues formal education. This includes 9.2% in primary education, 7.9% in secondary education, and 2.0% pursuing tertiary education.

No public transport data available for this catchment area.

Health performance in Clare is well below average with prevalence of common health conditions notable across both younger and older age cohorts

Clare faces significant health challenges, according to AreaSearch's assessment. Mortality rates and chronic condition prevalence are substantial across both younger and older age groups.

Private health cover is relatively low at approximately 51% of Clare's total population (~1,689 people), compared to 48.9% in Regional SA. The most common medical conditions are arthritis and mental health issues, affecting 10.4% and 10.2% of residents respectively. However, 61.9% of residents declare themselves completely clear of medical ailments, similar to the 62.5% figure across Regional SA. Working-age population health is notably challenging due to elevated chronic condition rates. Clare has 26.2% of its residents aged 65 and over (867 people). Senior health outcomes present some challenges but align broadly with national rankings.

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

Clare's cultural diversity was found to be below average, with 90.3% of its population born in Australia, 91.8% being citizens, and 95.4% speaking English only at home. Christianity was the main religion in Clare, comprising 52.0% of people. However, there was an overrepresentation in Other religions, which made up 1.3% of Clare's population compared to Regional SA's 0.8%.

In terms of ancestry, the top three groups were English (33.4%), Australian (31.4%), and German (8.4%). There were notable differences in the representation of certain ethnic groups: Scottish was overrepresented at 7.9% in Clare versus 7.1% regionally, Samoan was present at 0.1% compared to no regional presence, and Polish was represented at 0.6% versus 0.4%.

Clare hosts a notably older demographic compared to the national average

Clare has a median age of 45, which is slightly below the Regional SA figure of 47 but higher than Australia's median age of 38. Compared to the Regional SA average, Clare has a notably higher proportion of individuals aged 25-34 (12.9%) and a lower proportion of those aged 65-74 (12.6%). Between 2021 and present, the population aged 35-44 has grown from 10.4% to 12.3%, while the 75-84 age group has increased from 8.6% to 10.0%. Conversely, the 45-54 age cohort has decreased from 11.7% to 10.2%. Looking ahead to 2041, demographic projections indicate a significant increase in Clare's 85+ age cohort, with an expansion of 111 people (94%), from 119 to 231. The senior residents aged 65 and above will drive 80% of the population growth, highlighting the trend towards demographic aging. In contrast, population declines are projected for the 0-4 and 5-14 age cohorts.