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This analysis uses Suburbs and Localities (SAL) boundaries, which can materially differ from Statistical Areas (SA2) even when sharing the same name.
SAL boundaries are defined by Australia Post and the Australian Bureau of Statistics to represent commonly-known suburb names used in postal addresses.
Statistical Areas (SA2) are designed for census data collection and may combine multiple suburbs or use different geographic boundaries. For comprehensive analysis, consider reviewing both boundary types if available.
est. as @ -- *
2021 Census | -- people
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Kingscote has an estimated 2,051 residents, up from 1,962 at the 2021 Census — a change of 89 people, or 4.5%. Growth has averaged 0.8% a year over five years. That puts 116 residents on each square kilometre. Population is estimated from ABS Estimated Resident Population releases and GNAF address data, re-based from the 2021 Census and updated annually.
Detail
As of Aug 2026, the estimated population for the suburb of Kingscote stands at approximately 2,051, according to AreaSearch assessment of wider regional ABS demographic updates alongside 43 validated new addresses registered following the Census. This represents an expansion of 89 people (4.5%) compared to the 1,962 people recorded at the 2021 Census. The updated count stems from an estimated resident population of 2,047 determined by AreaSearch after reviewing the ABS June 2025 ERP figures. With a density of 116 persons per square kilometer, the suburb provides ample living area and capacity for future expansion.
Over the prior ten years, the suburb of Kingscote sustained solid upward momentum with a 0.9% compound annual growth rate that exceeded the broader SA4 region. Net overseas migration served as the primary growth engine, generating around 43.0% of recent population additions, while natural increase and interstate migration also contributed positively. Population projections utilized by AreaSearch incorporate the 2024 ABS/Geoscience Australia dataset benchmarked to 2022 across SA2 zones. For periods beyond 2032 or locations outside that scope, population models integrate the 2023 SA State Government Regional/LGA age-cohort forecasts based on 2021 data, adjusted via weighted growth aggregation from LGA to SA2 divisions. These forward estimates indicate that the suburb of Kingscote is on track to outpace the median expansion rate of regional Australian areas, with aggregated SA2-level figures projecting a gain of 311 persons to 2041, representing a cumulative increase of 15.0% across the 16 years.
Frequently Asked Questions - Population
76 new dwellings have been approved in Kingscote over the past five years, an average of 15 a year. That is 6.7 approvals per 1,000 residents. Approvals are currently running at an annualised 16, broadly in line with that longer-run average. Figures come from ABS building approvals aggregated to this Suburb (SAL) boundary and are updated monthly as the ABS releases them.
Detail
Building activity monitored by AreaSearch via ABS approval figures shows that Kingscote has averaged approximately 15 residential approvals annually, accumulating 76 homes across the prior 5 financial years. In FY-25 to date, 16 dwellings have been approved. Between FY-21 and FY-25, the ratio of population inflow to construction stood at 1.2 people per year for every dwelling completed, pointing to balanced market conditions, with recent metrics moderating further to 0.4 people per dwelling over the last 2 financial years to reinforce steady supply. Typical expected construction cost for new dwellings averages $381,000.
In terms of non-residential planning, commercial approvals have totalled $3.3 million during this financial year, reflecting a modest commercial development footprint. Residential building approval volume per capita in Kingscote is roughly half the level observed across Rest of SA, placing it within the 80th percentile among nationally evaluated regions, even as construction has recently gathered pace. Recent building approvals have centered exclusively on detached houses, maintaining the low-density profile of the locality and accommodating buyers seeking larger allotments. With approximately 124 people per approval, the district continues to exhibit low-density characteristics. According to the latest quarterly projections from AreaSearch, Kingscote is expected to add 307 residents by 2041. Should current construction volumes persist, newly added residential stock appears well positioned to satisfy demand, fostering favorable buying environments and potentially enabling population increases above baseline expectations.
Frequently Asked Questions - Development
Development applications around Kingscote
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| Lodged | Address | Description | Type | Distance | Status |
|---|
SOURCE: Planning portals and council registers, compiled by AreaSearch. Distance & bearing measured from the suburb midpoint.
AreaSearch tracks 5 current infrastructure and development projects inside Kingscote. A further 24 sit in the immediately surrounding suburbs, taking the tracked pipeline within reach of the area to $2.96 billion. 10 are already under construction and 9 are due for completion within three years. The pipeline spans communities, precincts & urban renewal, residential development and tourism. Records are compiled from Infrastructure Australia, state agencies, council planning portals and public announcements, reviewed and updated daily, then ranked by proximity, construction stage, completion horizon and project scale.
Detail
Major infrastructure developments and local planning projects play a pivotal role in shaping regional performance. AreaSearch has identified 5 key initiatives expected to influence the locality. Prominent projects include the Seaview Motel Renovation and Expansion, the Kingscote Town Centre Project, the Kangaroo Island Wool Mill Retail and Commercial Buildings, and the Cajetan Amadio Mixed Use Development (Dauncey Street, Kingscote).
Professional plan users can use the search below to filter and access additional projects.
INFRASTRUCTURE SEARCH
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Frequently Asked Questions - Infrastructure
Seaview Motel Renovation and Expansion
Renovation and expansion of the heritage-listed Seaview Motel, which includes reinstating the 100-seat restaurant and adding 28 premium and 14 standard suites, new reception, back-of-house facilities, carparks, and landscaping. This project follows damage from a fire.
Kangaroo Island Wool Mill Retail and Commercial Buildings
Design and construction of new onsite retail and commercial buildings adjoining the Kangaroo Island Wool Mill. This project aims to centralise manufacturing and production operations with a mill, factory, and retail facilities all on one site.
Kingscote Town Centre Project
A revitalisation project for the Kingscote town centre, aimed at enhancing town spirit, increasing community engagement, and driving economic growth. Phase 1 works, which commenced in March 2022, include improved pedestrian access, widened and resurfaced footpaths, street planting, and new street furniture.
Cajetan Amadio Mixed Use Development (Dauncey Street, Kingscote)
A development-approved mixed-use project comprising a 110-room hotel with a private conference room and gym, two restaurants, a retail tenancy (cellar door), and a consulting tenancy. The design integrates an existing two-storey Local Heritage building with a new five-storey modern building.
Kingscote Jetty Upgrade
Upgrades and refurbishments to the Kingscote main jetty and nearby Fisherman's Wharf and Screw Pile jetties. This project ensured the long-term structural integrity of the jetties and delivered a safe and reliable amenity for the local community, extending the jetty's design life by 30 years. Works included the removal of infrastructure no longer required, such as the steel wharf, slipway, and redundant 'Ro-Ro' ramp.
Aspen Normanville Lifestyle and Tourism Park
Proposed mixed-use development on a 10.6-hectare site combining a residential land lease community and a tourism park. The proposal includes 125 land lease lifestyle sites, 4 tourist cabins, and 79 camping sites, accompanied by communal facilities, an outdoor pool, bowling green, and the potential refurbishment of the historic Fergusons Flour Mill. The application is currently under formal assessment with PlanSA (Ref: 24007713).
Normanville Foreshore and Jetty Caravan Park Masterplan
A comprehensive masterplan to revitalise the Normanville Foreshore and Jetty Caravan Park. The project includes a combined new rebuild of the Surf Life Saving Club and Kiosk, new carparking, expanded green spaces and nature play areas, dune restoration, improved beach interface, Jetty upgrades, and Caravan Park improvements. It aims to enhance community facilities, recreational opportunities, and attract tourism.
Sellicks Hill Quarry Operations
261-hectare quarry producing limestone, shale, marble and dolomite. Ongoing air quality monitoring and dust management due to community concerns affecting nearby residential areas and future developments.
1,066 residents of Kingscote are employed, from a labour force of 1,084. Unemployment sits at 1.7%, with participation at 61.9%. Weighted for its industry mix, the area's sectors are forecast to grow about 6.1% nationally over five years. That reflects industry composition only and makes no allowance for local population growth. The working-day population is estimated at 1,541, about 75% of the resident population, so more people leave the area for work than travel in. Unemployment and labour force come from ABS Small Area Labour Markets, updated quarterly; the industry and occupation profile is from the 2021 Census.
Detail
Kingscote supports a qualified labor force across various industries, recording an unemployment rate of 1.7% alongside a 3.3% rise in employment over the preceding year, as compiled by AreaSearch from regional statistics. By March 2026, employed residents numbered 1,066, with local joblessness tracking 3.8% below the 5.5% recorded across Regional SA. Labor force participation reached 61.9%, slightly ahead of the 58.3% regional benchmark. Census records show that 6.6% of workers worked from home, a metric that may have been shaped by Covid-19 restrictions. Leading fields of employment among residents comprise health care & social assistance, retail trade, as well as agriculture, forestry & fishing.
Specialization is particularly elevated in professional & technical services, where the local employment concentration is 2.1 times the wider regional benchmark. Conversely, manufacturing accounts for a modest 3.7% of local employment, compared to 9.3% across the broader region. Based on Census comparisons between local resident workers and place-of-work tallies, Kingscote remains primarily residential with comparatively few internal employment opportunities. According to AreaSearch examination of ABS and SALM statistics, the 12 months to March 2026 saw local employment rise by 3.3% while the labor force expanded by 3.8%, lifting the unemployment rate by 0.5 percentage points. By comparison, Regional SA registered a 1.2% employment gain alongside a 2.6% increase in the labor pool, resulting in a 1.4 percentage point uptick in unemployment. Further context regarding long-term staffing requirements in Kingscote is provided by Jobs and Skills Australia projections released in Mar-26. Nationally, total employment is projected to grow by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, with distinct variation across sectors. Applying these industry growth rates to Kingscote's current workforce distribution yields projected employment increases of 6.1% over five years and 12.8% over ten years, representing an illustrative weighted projection that does not factor in localized population changes.
Frequently Asked Questions - Employment
Median household income in Kingscote is $1,103 a week (about $57,000 a year), with median personal income at $673 a week. ATO records put median taxable income at $41,804 a year against an average of $50,365. Household income is from the 2021 Census; taxable income is from ATO Taxation Statistics for the latest financial year available, indexed forward using the ABS Wage Price Index.
Detail
Analysis of ATO postcode data aggregated by AreaSearch for financial year 2023 indicates that the suburb of Kingscote recorded a median taxpayer earnings figure of $41,804 and an average of $50,365, trailing Regional SA benchmarks of $48,920 (median) and $58,933 (average). Factoring in a 10.17% increase in the Wage Price Index since financial year 2023, modelled values reach approximately $46,055 for median income and $55,487 for average income as of March 2026. Data from the Census 2021 places personal income in the 23rd percentile ($673 weekly) and household earnings in the 7th percentile.
A substantial 29.8% of the local population (611 individuals) falls within the $400 - 799 weekly income bracket, differing from the wider region where 27.5% earn between $1,500 - 2,999. Although housing costs consume a comparatively minor share of earnings with 87.6% of income retained, overall disposable income sits at the 11th percentile nationally.
Frequently Asked Questions - Income
Kingscote had 819 occupied dwellings at the 2021 Census, 92% detached houses and 2% apartments. 28% are owned with a mortgage, 32% rented and 41% owned outright. At that Census the median rent was $214 a week and the median mortgage repayment $1,083 a month. Rent absorbs 19.4% of household income here and mortgage repayments 22.7%. Dwelling stock, tenure and housing costs are 2021 Census measures — the only source that counts dwellings at this boundary size.
Detail
Census findings indicate that the housing landscape in Kingscote is composed of 92.0% separate houses and 8.0% alternative dwelling types (comprising apartments, semi-detached properties, and other structures), compared to 88.5% houses and 11.5% other formats throughout Regional SA. Outright home ownership matches the Regional SA rate at 40.8%, while remaining properties are mortgaged (27.7%) or occupied by tenants (31.5%). Typical monthly mortgage repayments were $1,083, lower than the Regional SA average of $1,153 and substantially below the national average of $1,863. Median weekly rent was $214, tracking beneath the regional figure of $220 and well below the Australian benchmark of $375.
Frequently Asked Questions - Housing
Kingscote counted 819 households at the 2021 Census, averaging 2.1 people each. 18% are couples with children, fewer than in 92% of areas nationally, against 34% couples without children. 38% of households are people living alone, and families average 1.9 children. Household and family composition is measured only by the Census, so these are 2021 figures.
Detail
Family units constitute 59.2% of local households, featuring couples without children (33.7%), couples with children (17.6%), and single parent families (6.8%). Non-family living arrangements account for the remaining 40.8%, led by single-person households at 37.5% and group arrangements at 3.3%. Average household occupancy sits at 2.1 people, below the Regional SA standard of 2.3.
Frequently Asked Questions - Households
19.5% of adults in Kingscote hold a university qualification, including 14.2% with a bachelor degree and 3.5% with postgraduate qualifications. A further 29.1% hold a vocational qualification. 2 schools serve the area, with 713 enrolment places and an average ICSEA of 993 against a national benchmark of 1,000. Qualifications come from the 2021 Census; school enrolments, ICSEA and results come from ACARA's current release.
Detail
Tertiary educational attainment in the district remains below nationwide levels, with 19.5% of residents possessing a university qualification compared to 30.4% across Australia. Within higher education, bachelor degrees represent 14.2%, postgraduate qualifications account for 3.5%, and graduate diplomas make up 1.8%. Vocational qualifications are prominent, with 39.2% of individuals aged 15+ holding technical credentials, comprising certificates (29.1%) and advanced diplomas (10.1%). Formal study engagement is substantial, with 25.4% of the population participating in education. This proportion includes 11.7% enrolled at the primary school level, 6.6% attending secondary school, and 1.5% enrolled in tertiary courses.
Frequently Asked Questions - Education
Schools Detail
Getting around Kingscote means driving: households keep an average of 1.2 vehicles, and scheduled services reach only a handful of stops. Service data is built from operators' published GTFS timetables; vehicle ownership is from the 2021 Census.
Detail
Public transport facilities in Kingscote comprise 8 active stops served by 1 individual routes that together provide 35 weekly passenger trips. Network convenience is moderate, with residents living an average of 479 meters from their closest stop. Private vehicles represent the primary mode of travel, utilized by 84% of commuters, while 13% travel on foot. Vehicle availability averages 1.2 per household, trailing regional benchmarks. A total of 6.6% of workers worked from home according to the 2021 Census, a figure potentially influenced by COVID-19 conditions. Public transport services run at an average frequency of 5 trips per day across the network, translating to approximately 4 weekly trips for each individual stop.
Frequently Asked Questions - Transport
Transport Stops Detail
63.7% of residents in Kingscote report no long-term health condition. 5.4% need daily assistance with core activities, and 47.0% hold private health cover. The standardised death rate runs at 4.9 per 1,000 residents. Health conditions, assistance needs and insurance are 2021 Census measures; the death rate comes from current ABS releases.
Detail
Health assessments compiled by AreaSearch reflect favorable outcomes among Kingscote residents, with mortality metrics and general illness indicators largely aligning with national standards. Rates of common chronic conditions remain comparatively low across both younger and senior age brackets. Private health insurance coverage is limited, with roughly 47% of residents (~963 people) holding coverage, compared to the 55.7% national benchmark. Arthritis and mental health conditions represent the most prevalent diagnoses locally, affecting 9.8 and 8.2% of the population, respectively, while 63.7% of residents reported no long-term medical conditions, slightly higher than the 62.5% recorded across Regional SA.
Chronic health issues show higher prevalence among working-age individuals. Seniors aged 65 and over constitute 33.0% of the community (676 people), surpassing the 27.1% share across Regional SA, with older cohorts registering particularly strong health ratings relative to national averages.
Frequently Asked Questions - Health
Kingscote is largely Australian-born, at 84.9% of residents, with 4.8% speaking a language other than English at home. The largest reported ancestries are English (35.1%) and Australian (30.9%). Ancestry, language and country of birth are counted only by the Census, so these are 2021 figures.
Detail
Kingscote exhibits relatively low cultural diversity, with 86.5% of residents holding Australian citizenship, 84.9% born domestically, and 95.2% speaking only English at home. Christianity is the predominant religious faith, accounting for 36.8% of the community. In contrast, Judaism accounts for no recorded share of the local population, mirroring the absence of adherents observed across Regional SA. Ancestry data based on parents' country of birth reveals that English heritage is the most common in Kingscote at 35.1%, followed by Australian at 30.9% and Scottish at 7.5%. Other backgrounds show distinct proportional representation, including German ancestry at 7.1% (compared to 8.2% across the wider region), Dutch at 1.4% (vs 1.3% regionally), and Maori at 0.8% (vs 0.2% regionally).
Frequently Asked Questions - Diversity
The median resident of Kingscote is 51, older than 93% of areas nationally. 19.7% of residents are aged 15 to 34. Age cohorts are not raw Census counts: the Census split is re-based to the latest ABS population estimates and state projections.
Detail
The demographic profile of Kingscote skews older, with seniors and retirees aged 65+ making up 33.0% of the population as at August 2026, relative to 27.1% in Regional SA. Children and young adults aged 0 - 24 represent 23.8%, compared with 26.4% across the broader region. The median age is estimated at 51 as at August 2026, matching the figure from the 2021 Census, which sat 4 years above the Regional SA median of 47 and well above the national median of 38 at that Census. Since that time, the 45 - 64 age bracket has decreased from 27.7% of the community to an estimated 23.1%.
Looking ahead to 2041, the largest numerical gain is anticipated among the 65+ cohort, projected to increase by 239 residents (35%) to reach 916, while middle-aged and mature pre-retirement groups are expected to contract.
Frequently Asked Questions - Age
Data & MethodBoundaries, Sources & Method for Kingscote
8 of 14 data sections on this page were updated within the last 12 months — the newest current to Oct 2026.
Everything is aggregated to the Suburb (SAL) boundary shown above, on a 2021 Census baseline. Only 3 sections — housing, households and cultural diversity — still wait on the 2026 Census.
The ledger — source, cycle and currency by section
| Section | Source & update cycle | Currency |
|---|---|---|
| Updated within the last 12 months 8 sections | ||
| Population | ABS, GNAF, Geoscience Australia Annual (ABS ERP) | Aug 2026 2 months ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Re-based to the ABS Estimated Resident Population (June 2025 release) and updated with new dwellings from GNAF address data. Current to Aug 2026, with the 2021 Census supplying the small-area baseline. | ||
| Age profile | ABS, Geoscience Australia, State governments Annual | Aug 2026 2 months ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Age cohorts are re-based to the latest ABS population estimates and state projections, current to Aug 2026. Each cohort is held as a Census baseline and a current estimate. | ||
| Development & approvals | ABS, GNAF Monthly (ABS approvals) | Aug 2026 2 months ago headline measures · Jul 2026 baseline |
| Property sales & rents | Valuer General, Rental Board, ABS Weekly sales, quarterly rents | Oct 2026 this month headline measures · Sep 2026 baseline |
| Sales from the state Valuer General register, refreshed weekly, and rents from quarterly rental bond lodgements. Both are read live each time this page loads, current to Oct 2026. | ||
| Employment | ABS, DEWR, JSA Quarterly (ABS SALM) | Mar 2026 7 months ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Unemployment and labour force from ABS Small Area Labour Markets, current to Mar 2026. The growth outlook applies Department of Employment (now Jobs and Skills Australia) forecasts for all 19 industry divisions to the local industry mix, so it measures sector composition rather than local expansion and makes no allowance for population growth. Job demand comes from the same agency via its Internet Vacancy Index; industry and occupation structure from the 2021 Census. | ||
| Education | ABS, ACARA Annual (ACARA) | Sep 2026 last month headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Transport | ABS, State Transport Departments Each timetable release | Jul 2026 3 months ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Services & amenities | Provider directories, ACECQA Continuous | Sep 2026 last month all 14 measures |
| Annual and financial-year sources 3 sections | ||
| Infrastructure projects | Infrastructure Australia, State agencies, Local governments Daily | Jul 2025 about a year ago all 5 projects tracked here |
| Project pipeline maintained continuously from Infrastructure Australia, state agencies, local government and public announcements. Records are added and revised daily; this area was last updated Jul 2025. | ||
| Income | ABS, ATO Annual (ATO) | FY 2023 3 years ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| ATO taxable income statistics for FY 2023, indexed forward using the Wage Price Index. Census household income provides the distribution detail. | ||
| Health | ABS, ATO Annual | 2024 2 years ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Census-measured — next update: 2026 Census 3 sections No more current small-area source exists for these, so they are labelled as Census-measured rather than implied to be current. | ||
| Housing | ABS 5-yearly (Census) | 2021 Census next update 2026 all 30 measures |
| Households | ABS 5-yearly (Census) | 2021 Census next update 2026 all 18 measures |
| Cultural diversity | ABS, Geoscience Australia 5-yearly (Census) | 2021 Census next update 2026 all 44 measures |
"Currency" is the most recent release feeding that section. Where the Census supplies the structural baseline underneath a current headline figure, the row says so.
How the numbers are built
Population
The Census provides the small-area baseline, aggregated from mesh blocks to this boundary. It is then re-based to the ABS Estimated Resident Population (June 2025 release), and new dwellings built since Census night are counted from address data — 43 validated new addresses here. The headline figure is therefore a current estimate for Aug 2026, not a 2021 count (1,962 at the 2021 Census → 2,051 now). Annual growth rates are compound (CAGR), not simple averages.
Age profile
Cohort shares are not raw Census counts. Every cohort is held as a pair — the Census baseline and a current estimate — and the split is re-based using ERP and state population projections, current to Aug 2026. Median age is the Census median plus modelled change since. Charts that show both are labelled "2021 Census vs Current Estimate".
Property sales
Sourced from the state valuation authority's sales register — current, not Census, and refreshed weekly. Medians are calculated from settled transactions in the period shown; periods with very low transaction counts are flagged or suppressed, because a handful of sales can move a median substantially.
Rents
Derived from state rental bond lodgement data, by dwelling type and bedroom count. Bonds are lodged at the start of a new tenancy, so this reflects new lettings, not the whole rented stock.
Development & infrastructure
Building approvals come from current ABS releases; development applications are collected from council and state planning portals; the infrastructure pipeline is compiled from Infrastructure Australia and local government sources. Applications are matched to this boundary by address or coordinates, so very recent lodgements may not yet appear.
Employment & income
Industry and occupation structure comes from the Census, but the headline labour-market indicators do not. Unemployment and labour force are derived from ABS Small Area Labour Markets (quarterly). The employment outlook applies Department of Employment forecasts for all 19 industry divisions to this area's own industry mix (the agency is now Jobs and Skills Australia), as does the Internet Vacancy Index used for job demand. Because it is weighted on industry composition alone, that outlook carries no allowance for local population growth — in fast-growing areas the real rise in local jobs will typically be higher. Income combines Census household income with ATO taxable-income statistics for FY 2023, indexed forward using the Wage Price Index.
Education, transport & amenities
School enrolments, ICSEA and performance come from ACARA's current release, not the Census. Public transport stops and service frequency are derived from GTFS timetable feeds published by state transport departments. Services and amenities are proximity and count scores built from provider directories, refreshed on their own cycle. The Census contributes only the travel-to-work and qualification measures.
Rankings and benchmarks. Where we rank this area, the comparison set is every area of the same boundary type — suburbs against suburbs, SA2s against SA2s. Benchmarks compare this area against its greater capital city region and the national figure for the same measure and period.
Limits worth knowing. Small areas carry larger error margins, and the ABS introduces small random adjustments to Census counts to protect confidentiality — so totals may not sum exactly. Estimates re-based from regional data describe the area's expected trajectory, not a direct count of it. Figures are indicative for research and are not financial, planning or valuation advice.
Cross-check us. The Census baseline for this boundary is at ABS 2021 Census QuickStats (SAL40697). QuickStats reports 2021 only — the figures on this page are more current wherever the ledger shows a later date.