Kingscote

Population growth drivers in Kingscote are above average based on AreaSearch's ranking of recent, and medium to long-term trends

As of Nov 2025, the Kingscote statistical area's population is estimated at around 2,154. This reflects an increase of 192 people since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 1,962. The change was inferred from AreaSearch's resident population estimate of 2,039 following examination of ABS's latest ERP data release in June 2024 and an additional 42 validated new addresses since the Census date. This level of population equates to a density ratio of 122 persons per square kilometer. Kingscote's growth rate of 9.8% since the 2021 census exceeded the non-metro area's growth rate of 7.3%. Overseas migration contributed approximately 43.0% of overall population gains during recent periods, with all drivers including interstate migration and natural growth being positive factors.

AreaSearch adopts 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 with adjustments made using weighted aggregation methods from LGA to SA2 levels. Future population trends project an above median growth for Australia's non-metropolitan areas, with Kingscote expected to increase by 335 persons to 2041, reflecting a total increase of 13.3% over the 17 years.

AreaSearch analysis of residential development drivers sees Kingscote recording a relatively average level of approval activity when compared to local markets analysed countrywide

Kingscote has seen approximately 16 new homes approved annually based on AreaSearch analysis of ABS building approval numbers. Around 83 homes have been approved in the past five financial years, from FY-21 to FY-25, with an additional 8 approved so far in FY-26. On average, 1.6 new residents arrive per year for each new home over these five years, indicating a balanced supply and demand market that supports stable conditions.

The average construction cost value of new homes is $431,000, suggesting a focus on the premium segment with upmarket properties. This financial year has seen $3.3 million in commercial approvals, reflecting the area's residential character. Compared to the rest of South Australia (SA), Kingscote records about 63% of building activity per person and ranks among the 80th percentile nationally for areas assessed.

All new construction consists of standalone homes, maintaining the area's traditional low-density character with a focus on family homes appealing to those seeking space. The location has approximately 139 people per dwelling approval, indicating an expanding market. Population forecasts suggest Kingscote will gain 286 residents by 2041 based on the latest AreaSearch quarterly estimate. At current development rates, new housing supply should comfortably meet demand, providing good conditions for buyers and potentially supporting growth beyond current population projections.

Kingscote has limited levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the 16thth percentile nationally

Five projects identified by AreaSearch are expected to impact the area significantly. These include Seaview Motel Renovation and Expansion, Kingscote Town Centre Project, Kangaroo Island Wool Mill Retail and Commercial Buildings, and Cajetan Amadio Mixed Use Development (Dauncey Street, Kingscote).

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Employment conditions in Kingscote demonstrate exceptional strength compared to most Australian markets

Kingscote has a skilled workforce with diverse sector representation. Its unemployment rate was 1.4% in the past year.

Employment growth was estimated at 1.2%. As of September 2025, 1,052 residents are employed, with an unemployment rate of 3.9%, below Rest of SA's 5.3%. Workforce participation is on par with Rest of SA's 54.1%. The dominant employment sectors include health care & social assistance, retail trade, and agriculture, forestry & fishing.

Professional & technical services have notable concentration, at 2.1 times the regional average. Manufacturing employs only 3.7% of local workers, below Rest of SA's 9.3%. Limited local employment opportunities are indicated by Census data comparing working population to resident population. Between September 2024 and September 2025, employment increased by 1.2%, while labour force grew by 1.7%, raising the unemployment rate by 0.5 percentage points. In contrast, Rest of SA saw employment rise by 0.3%, labour force grow by 2.3%, and unemployment increase by 1.9 percentage points. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May-25 project overall growth of 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Kingscote's employment mix suggests local employment should increase by 6.1% over five years and 12.8% over ten years, based on a simple weighting extrapolation for illustrative purposes.

Income metrics place the area in the bottom 10% of locations nationally according to AreaSearch analysis

The latest postcode level ATO data for Kingscote, released for financial year 2023, shows a median income among taxpayers of $41,804 and an average of $50,365. This is lower than the national average. The median income in Rest of SA was $48,920 with an average of $58,933 during the same period. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 8.8% since financial year 2023, current estimates for Kingscote would be approximately $45,483 (median) and $54,797 (average) as of September 2025. According to Census 2021 income data, personal income ranks at the 23rd percentile ($673 weekly), while household income is at the 7th percentile. The $400 - 799 income bracket dominates in Kingscote with 29.8% of residents (641 people). This differs from surrounding regions where the $1,500 - 2,999 bracket dominates with 27.5%. Housing costs are modest, with 87.6% of income retained. However, total disposable income ranks at just the 11th percentile nationally.

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

In Kingscote, as per the latest Census evaluation, 92.0% of dwellings were houses, with the remaining 8.0% being semi-detached, apartments, or other types. This is similar to Non-Metro SA's figures of 92.1% houses and 7.9% other dwellings. Home ownership in Kingscote stood at 40.8%, with mortgaged dwellings at 27.7% and rented ones at 31.5%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $1,083, lower than Non-Metro SA's average of $1,300. The median weekly rent in Kingscote was $214, compared to Non-Metro SA's $280. Nationally, Kingscote's mortgage repayments were significantly lower at $1,083 versus Australia's average of $1,863, and rents were substantially below the national figure of $375.

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

Family households account for 59.2% of all households, including 17.6% couples with children, 33.7% couples without children, and 6.8% single parent families. Non-family households constitute the remaining 40.8%, with lone person households at 37.5% and group households at 3.3%. The median household size is 2.1 people, which is smaller than the Rest of SA average of 2.2.

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

The area's university qualification rate of 19.5%, as of a specific year or period, is substantially below the Australian average of 30.4%. Bachelor degrees are the most common at 14.2%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (3.5%) and graduate diplomas (1.8%). Trade and technical skills are prominent, with 39.2% of residents aged 15+ holding vocational credentials – advanced diplomas at 10.1% and certificates at 29.1%. Educational participation is high, with 25.4% of residents currently enrolled in formal education, including 11.7% in primary education, 6.6% in secondary education, and 1.5% pursuing tertiary education.

Educational participation is notably high, with 25.4% of residents currently enrolled in formal education. This includes 11.7% in primary education, 6.6% in secondary education, and 1.5% pursuing tertiary education.

No public transport data available for this catchment area.

Health performance in Kingscote is lower than average with common health conditions somewhat prevalent across both younger and older age cohorts

Kingscote faces significant health challenges with common health conditions prevalent across both younger and older age cohorts. The rate of private health cover is very low at approximately 47% of the total population (~1,011 people), compared to the national average of 55.7%.

The most common medical conditions in the area are arthritis and mental health issues, impacting 9.8 and 8.2% of residents respectively. 63.7% of residents declared themselves completely clear of medical ailments, compared to 58.3% across Rest of SA. The area has 32.2% of residents aged 65 and over (693 people), which is lower than the 37.0% in Rest of SA. Health outcomes among seniors are particularly strong, performing better than the general population in health metrics.

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

Kingscote's cultural diversity was found to be below average, with 86.5% of its population being citizens, 84.9% born in Australia, and 95.2% speaking English only at home. Christianity was the main religion in Kingscote, comprising 36.8% of people. There was no representation of Judaism in Kingscote, mirroring the regional figure of 0%.

The top three ancestry groups were English (35.1%), Australian (30.9%), and Scottish (7.5%). Notably, German ancestry was overrepresented at 7.1%, compared to 6.7% regionally, Maori at 0.8% versus 0.2%, and Dutch at 1.4% versus 1.6%.

Kingscote ranks among the oldest 10% of areas nationwide

Kingscote's median age is 51 years, which is higher than the Rest of SA average of 47 years and significantly older than the national norm of 38 years. The age profile shows that those aged 75-84 are particularly prominent, making up 11.9% of the population, compared to a national figure of 6%. This is higher than the Rest of SA's concentration of this age group. Those aged 15-24 make up only 7.6% of Kingscote's population, smaller than the Rest of SA average. Since 2021, the 75-84 age group has grown from 10.1% to 11.9%, while the 55-64 cohort has declined from 16.8% to 14.1%. The 45-54 age group has also decreased, from 10.9% to 9.4%. By 2041, demographic projections indicate significant shifts in Kingscote's age structure. The 85+ cohort is projected to grow by 155 people (168%), from 92 to 248. Those aged 65 and older are expected to represent 78% of the population growth. Conversely, population declines are projected for those aged 5-14 and 35-44 years old.