Chart Color Schemes
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
Curious about local property values? Filter the chart to assess the volume and appreciation (including resales) trends and regional comparisons, or scroll to the map below view this information at an individual property level.
Find a Recent Sale
Sales Detail
McCracken has an estimated 2,102 residents, up from 2,076 at the 2021 Census — a change of 26 people, or 1.3%. That puts 926 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
Drawing from ABS population statistics for the surrounding region alongside address validations from AreaSearch after the Census, the suburb of McCracken is calculated to have approximately 2,102 residents in May 2026. This indicates a growth of 26 people (1.3%) relative to the 2,076 people recorded in the 2021 Census. The updated total is derived from the resident population of 2,080, which AreaSearch estimated using the ABS ERP release from June 2025, combined with 10 validated new addresses added post-Census. With this population level, the density stands at 926 persons per square kilometer, matching typical averages identified across areas analysed by AreaSearch.
The primary driver of recent population increases was interstate migration, which accounted for roughly 86.0% of all population gains. AreaSearch utilises projections for SA2 areas published by the ABS and Geoscience Australia in 2024, using 2022 as the base year. Where SA2 projections are unavailable, or for periods after 2032, regional and LGA projections by age bracket from the SA State Government's 2023 release (using 2021 baseline data) are applied, adjusted via weighted aggregation from LGA to SA2 divisions. Based on these projected demographic trends, population growth is expected to exceed the national median for regional areas, with the suburb of McCracken forecast to add 302 persons by 2041 under these aggregated SA2 projections, representing a 13.3% total increase over the 16 years.
Frequently Asked Questions - Population
57 new dwellings have been approved in McCracken over the past five years, an average of 11 a year. That is 5.4 approvals per 1,000 residents. Approvals are currently running at an annualised 2, well below 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
An evaluation of ABS building approval statistics by AreaSearch, distributed from statistical area boundaries, reveals that the suburb of McCracken averaged roughly 11 new residential approvals annually. This includes an estimated 57 homes approved during the past 5 financial years (spanning FY-21 to FY-25) and 2 during the current FY-26. Amid recent population declines, construction volumes have been relatively sufficient, presenting favorable conditions for purchasers. Newly built dwellings carry an average estimated value of $391,000, indicating that builders are prioritizing upmarket, premium properties. Furthermore, commercial approvals reached $6.9 million during this financial year, confirming that the suburb remains predominantly residential in nature.
Relative to the Rest of SA, building activity in the suburb of McCracken is considerably lower, sitting 58.0% below the regional average per capita. This limited supply of new housing generally provides support to the values and demand for pre-existing properties. Of the construction completed recently, 93.0% consisted of detached houses and 7.0% comprised townhouses or apartments, which preserves the historically low-density layout and emphasizes spacious family dwellings. Reflecting the quiet, low-scale nature of local construction, there are an estimated 595 people in the suburb per single dwelling approval. Demographic projections indicate the suburb of McCracken will add 280 residents by 2041, starting from the most recent quarterly estimate by AreaSearch. The current pace of construction appears well-matched to these future demands, which should preserve balanced market conditions and prevent major price escalation.
Frequently Asked Questions - Development
Development applications around McCracken
Loading development applications…
| Lodged | Address | Description | Type | Distance | Status |
|---|
SOURCE: Planning portals and council registers, compiled by AreaSearch. Distance & bearing measured from the suburb midpoint.
AreaSearch tracks 23 current infrastructure and development projects close to McCracken, worth an estimated $1.52 billion. 7 are already under construction and 8 are due for completion within three years. The pipeline spans communities, precincts & urban renewal, residential development and sports & recreation. 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
Changes to local infrastructure, planning initiatives, and major developments have a significant impact on local performance. In total, no projects have been identified by AreaSearch that are expected to influence the area. Highlighted developments include the Victor Retail Depot, Flinders Parade Townhouse Development, The Precinct Victor Harbor, and Best Life Canterbury Victor Harbor, with details of the most relevant projects provided in the following list.
Professional plan users can use the search below to filter and access additional projects.
INFRASTRUCTURE SEARCH
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.
Frequently Asked Questions - Infrastructure
Victor Retail Depot
Bulky goods retail development featuring two buildings accommodating four retail outlets with flexible tenancies ranging from 700sqm to 3,000sqm. Strategically positioned adjacent to national retailers including Aldi, Bunnings and Coles in Victor Harbor's primary retail corridor along Adelaide Road. The development is designed to accommodate a wide spectrum of commercial uses within South Australia's fastest growing coastal retail precinct on the Fleurieu Peninsula.
Best Life Canterbury Victor Harbor
Over 50s land lease lifestyle community featuring 315 modern homes in a secure gated park. The community includes extensive facilities such as a community centre with function area for 100 plus guests, gym, library, community kitchen, indoor bowls, outdoor petanque, tennis court, BBQ areas, and caravan and boat storage. Located 500 metres from Victor Harbor town centre, minutes from the beach, walking trails, and next to Victor Harbor Golf Course. Residents own their homes outright with no stamp duty, deferred management fees, or exit fees, and retain 100 percent of capital gains.
Flinders Parade Townhouse Development
Approved seafront residential development site on Flinders Parade featuring 849 square meters of prime waterfront land. The project has approval for four townhouses on Torrens titles, with flexibility for luxury residential homes or mixed-use development including retail, cafe, or accommodation options. Located in the heart of Victor Harbor's main waterfront precinct, directly opposite memorial gardens and beach access, within walking distance to the Causeway to Granite Island and town center amenities.
The Precinct Victor Harbor
The Regional Community, Sport and Recreation Precinct (The Precinct) is planned to include an indoor sport and recreation facility with four multi-purpose courts, gymnastics area, meeting rooms, gym, and cafe, as well as childcare, allied health/retail spaces, and hospitality offering. It aims to address the shortage of facilities in the southern Fleurieu region, support population growth, and provide a community hub for sport, recreation, and social activities, with expansion areas for future-proofing.
Oceane Victor Harbor
A master-planned village redefining coastal living with European and Scandinavian architecture. Features include landscaped walkways, local gathering spaces, and elevated streetscapes designed to capture ocean outlooks. The estate offers 700 land lots with amenities intended to enrich community connections.
Victor Harbor Baptist Church Expansion
Expansion of Victor Harbor Baptist Church to deliver a new main auditorium, children's ministry spaces, hospitality and kitchen facilities, upgraded amenities and expanded parking. Development approval was granted in 2021. The project remains approved but construction has been deferred while the church waits for construction costs to improve and fundraising capacity to increase. Church updates continue to describe the project as a live long-term priority.
McKinlay Street Car Parking Precinct
Multi-level car parking precinct planned for Victor Harbor town centre on Council-acquired land at 8-26 McKinlay Street, which currently provides 66 surface car parking spaces. The proposed facility would be at least 3.5 storeys and is tied to the adjoining Anchorage Hotel redevelopment, which requires 89 dedicated spaces under its development approval. Council has engaged JLL and the Alinea Group to run a national expression of interest for private sector partners to deliver a mixed-use facility incorporating car parking.The EOI process has closed and proposals are being considered by Council. A legal agreement outlining the collaboration terms between Council and the Anchorage Hotel developer is currently being finalised. The project was identified as a major community priority in the 2025 Community Satisfaction Survey.
Southern Fleurieu Health Service Redevelopment
The emergency department upgrade includes 20 new treatment spaces, comprising 12 treatment bays, three Emergency Short Stay Unit beds, two emergency resuscitation beds, two consulting rooms, and a low stimulus room. The helipad is being upgraded to increase landing area space and improve pathways to the hospital, along with lighting, beacons, and navigation equipment. The existing renal dialysis unit is being expanded from four chairs to six, enabling an additional eight people to receive treatment.
646 residents of McCracken are employed, from a labour force of 685. Unemployment sits at 5.7%, with participation at 36.0%. Weighted for its industry mix, the area's sectors are forecast to grow about 6.6% nationally over five years. That reflects industry composition only and makes no allowance for local population growth. The working-day population is estimated at 1,817, about 86% 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
The suburb of McCracken supports a balanced labour force divided between white-collar and blue-collar occupations, including solid representation in essential services, with unemployment sitting at 5.7% and estimated job growth at 0.8% over the preceding year based on AreaSearch statistical area aggregations. As of March 2026, employed residents numbered 646, while the local unemployment rate was 0.2% higher than the Regional SA benchmark of 5.5%. However, labour force participation is notably weak, standing at 36.0% compared to 58.4% across Regional SA. Data from the Census indicates that a minor 13.3% of workers operated from home, though this figure may be influenced by lockdowns related to Covid-19.
The major employment sectors for residents are health care & social assistance, retail trade, and accommodation & food. Local workers are heavily concentrated in health care & social assistance, which has a representation share 1.4 times higher than the regional average. In contrast, agriculture, forestry & fishing is underrepresented, employing 2.5% of the workforce compared to the regional figure of 14.5%. Because the suburb is mostly residential, local employment opportunities appear scarce, as shown by the comparison of Census workers to the resident population. According to AreaSearch analysis of SALM and ABS statistics aggregated from wider statistical areas, the 12 months ending March 2026 saw employment rise by 0.8% and the total labour force grow by 1.9%, which elevated the unemployment rate by 1.1 percentage points. Over the same timeframe in Regional SA, employment rose by 1.2%, the labour force grew by 2.6%, and unemployment went up by 1.4 percentage points. National employment projections from Jobs and Skills Australia released in May-25 offer additional indicators of future local demand in the suburb of McCracken. These five and ten-year forecasts have been applied to the local workforce structure to model potential growth. Across the nation, employment is projected to rise by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, though individual industries vary. Applying these sector-specific forecasts to the local employment profile indicates that local jobs could grow by 6.6% over five years and 13.9% over ten years, which is a basic weighted calculation for demonstration purposes and does not incorporate local population forecasts.
Frequently Asked Questions - Employment
Median household income in McCracken is $1,006 a week (about $52,000 a year), with median personal income at $538 a week. ATO records put median taxable income at $38,692 a year against an average of $49,433. 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
Data compiled by AreaSearch from the latest postcode-level ATO records for the financial year 2023 indicates that taxpayer incomes in the suburb of McCracken reached a median of $38,692 and an average of $49,433. These figures trail the national averages and compare to $48,920 (median) and $58,933 (average) across Regional SA. Adjusted for a Wage Price Index rise of 10.17% since the financial year 2023, estimated figures for March 2026 would be roughly $42,627 for the median and $54,460 for the average. In the 2021 Census, incomes for households, families, and individuals in the suburb of McCracken all fell between the 3rd and 6th percentiles nationwide.
The dominant income band is $800 - 1,499, containing 34.1% of residents (716 people), which differs from the broader region where the $1,500 - 2,999 bracket is largest at 27.5%. Although residents retain 86.8% of their income due to modest housing expenses, total disposable income sits at the 6th percentile nationally.
Frequently Asked Questions - Income
McCracken had 935 occupied dwellings at the 2021 Census, 88% detached houses and 0% apartments. 25% are owned with a mortgage, 21% rented and 55% owned outright. At that Census the median rent was $300 a week and the median mortgage repayment $1,250 a month. Rent absorbs 29.8% of household income here and mortgage repayments 28.7%. Dwelling stock, tenure and housing costs are 2021 Census measures — the only source that counts dwellings at this boundary size.
Detail
At the time of the last Census, residential property types in the suburb of McCracken consisted of 87.9% houses and 12.1% alternative dwellings such as semi-detached homes, apartments, or other structures, compared to 88.5% houses and 11.5% other dwellings throughout Regional SA. Outright home ownership in the suburb of McCracken was significantly higher than the Regional SA average, reaching 54.9%, with the remaining residences either under a mortgage (24.5%) or occupied by renters (20.6%). The median monthly payment for home loans in the area was higher than the regional average of $1,153 at $1,250, while the median weekly rent was $300 compared to $220 across Regional SA.
In comparison with national statistics, mortgage costs in the suburb of McCracken are well below the Australian average of $1,863, and weekly rents are much lower than the national benchmark of $375.
Frequently Asked Questions - Housing
McCracken counted 935 households at the 2021 Census, averaging 2.0 people each. 15% are couples with children, fewer than in 94% of areas nationally, against 42% couples without children. 33% 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
Families make up the majority of local households at 65.9%, which includes 15.1% couples with children, 41.9% couples without children, and 8.7% single parent families. The remaining 34.1% consist of non-family households, with single-person households representing 32.6% and group housing comprising 1.4% of the total. The median household size of 2.0 people is smaller than the Regional SA average of 2.3.
Frequently Asked Questions - Households
17.7% of adults in McCracken hold a university qualification, including 11.8% with a bachelor degree and 3.2% with postgraduate qualifications. A further 25.3% hold a vocational qualification. Qualifications come from the 2021 Census.
Detail
The local community experiences lower levels of formal education, as the proportion of residents with university degrees (17.7%) is significantly lower than the national figure of 30.4%. This gap represents a challenge as well as a possibility for targeted learning programs. Bachelor degrees are the most common higher qualification at 11.8%, followed by postgraduate degrees (3.2%) and graduate diplomas (2.7%). Vocational and technical training is highly represented, with 36.7% of residents aged 15+ holding a trade qualification, consisting of advanced diplomas (11.4%) and certificates (25.3%). Approximately 17.9% of the local population is enrolled in school or university.
Within this student cohort, primary school pupils account for 7.9%, secondary school students make up 4.9%, and tertiary students represent 2.3%.
Frequently Asked Questions - Education
Schools Detail
Getting around McCracken means driving: households keep an average of 1.1 vehicles, and no scheduled public transport appears in the current timetable feeds. Service data is built from operators' published GTFS timetables; vehicle ownership is from the 2021 Census.
Frequently Asked Questions - Transport
Transport Stops Detail
51.1% of residents in McCracken report no long-term health condition. 12.2% need daily assistance with core activities, and 46.6% hold private health cover. The standardised death rate runs at 4.2 per 1,000 residents. Health conditions, assistance needs and insurance are 2021 Census measures; the death rate comes from current ABS releases.
Detail
Based on AreaSearch assessments of chronic illness rates and mortality, health profiles in the suburb of McCracken align closely with national baselines, though common medical issues are slightly elevated across both younger and older cohorts. Private health insurance coverage is exceptionally low, held by approximately 47% of the population (~979 people), compared to 48.9% in Regional SA and a national average of 55.7%. Arthritis and mental health conditions are the most prevalent medical issues locally, affecting 15.4% and 8.9% of residents respectively. Conversely, 51.1% of residents reported having no medical conditions, compared to 62.5% in Regional SA.
The working-age cohort faces notable challenges due to higher rates of chronic conditions. The proportion of residents aged 65 and over is 52.2% (1,097 people), which exceeds the Regional SA level of 27.1%, while overall national health rankings match the broader population.
Frequently Asked Questions - Health
McCracken is largely Australian-born, at 80.9% of residents, with 2.8% speaking a language other than English at home. The largest reported ancestries are English (38.2%) and Australian (28.4%). Ancestry, language and country of birth are counted only by the Census, so these are 2021 figures.
Detail
The suburb of McCracken has lower cultural diversity than average, with 80.9% of residents born in Australia, 91.6% holding citizenship, and 97.2% speaking only English at home. Christianity is the primary religion, followed by 53.0% of the local population, compared to 45.2% across Regional SA. Regarding family heritage based on the birthplaces of parents, the three largest ancestry groups are English at 38.2% of the population (well above the regional average of 32.5%), Australian at 28.4%, and Scottish at 8.6%. There are also distinct variations in other backgrounds: German ancestry is represented at 7.0% (compared to 8.2% across the region), Welsh at 0.6% (compared to 0.5%), and Korean at 0.3% (compared to virtually none at 0.0%).
Frequently Asked Questions - Diversity
The median resident of McCracken is 64, older than 99% of areas nationally. 10.8% 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
With a median age of 64, the suburb of McCracken is much older than Regional SA at 47 and well above the Australian median of 38. Residents aged 75 - 84 are highly represented at 22.4%, whereas the 25 - 34 cohort is quite small at 4.2% relative to regional figures. This 75 - 84 age group concentration is far above the national average of 6.1%. Since the 2021 Census, the proportion of residents aged 75 to 84 has risen from 18.3% to 22.4%, while the 65 to 74 group fell from 24.2% to 22.5%.
Long-term forecasts for 2041 project major changes, with the 85+ cohort showing the highest growth rate at 113%, adding 173 residents to total 327. Older residents aged 65+ will account for 88% of population growth, highlighting the aging trend, while population numbers are projected to fall for the 35 to 44 and 5 to 14 brackets.
Frequently Asked Questions - Age
Data & MethodBoundaries, Sources & Method for McCracken
9 of 14 data sections on this page were updated within the last 12 months — the newest current to Aug 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 9 sections | ||
| Population | ABS, GNAF, Geoscience Australia Annual (ABS ERP) | May 2026 3 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 May 2026, with the 2021 Census supplying the small-area baseline. | ||
| Age profile | ABS, Geoscience Australia, State governments Annual | May 2026 3 months ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Age cohorts are re-based to the latest ABS population estimates and state projections, current to May 2026. Each cohort is held as a Census baseline and a current estimate. | ||
| Development & approvals | ABS, GNAF Monthly (ABS approvals) | Jun 2026 2 months ago headline measures · May 2026 baseline |
| Property sales & rents | Valuer General, Rental Board, ABS Weekly sales, quarterly rents | Aug 2026 this month all 21 measures |
| 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 Aug 2026. | ||
| Infrastructure projects | Infrastructure Australia, Local governments Daily | May 2026 3 months ago all 2 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 May 2026. | ||
| Employment | ABS, DEWR, JSA Quarterly (ABS SALM) | Mar 2026 5 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) | Aug 2026 this month headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Transport | ABS, State Transport Departments Each timetable release | Jul 2026 last month headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Services & amenities | Provider directories, ACECQA Continuous | Jul 2026 last month all 14 measures |
| Annual and financial-year sources 2 sections | ||
| 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 — 10 validated new addresses here. The headline figure is therefore a current estimate for May 2026, not a 2021 count (2,076 at the 2021 Census → 2,102 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 May 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 (SAL40849). QuickStats reports 2021 only — the figures on this page are more current wherever the ledger shows a later date.