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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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McCracken has an estimated 2,113 residents, up from 2,076 at the 2021 Census — a change of 37 people, or 1.8%. That puts 931 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
According to AreaSearch's evaluation of broader regional ABS population updates alongside newly validated addresses since the Census, the suburb of McCracken is estimated to have a population of approximately 2,113 as of Aug 2026. This indicates an addition of 37 people (1.8%) compared to the 2,076 people recorded at the 2021 Census. The updated figure is derived from an estimated resident population of 2,083 established by AreaSearch following the latest ABS ERP release in June 2025, together with 12 validated new addresses identified post-Census. Consequently, population density stands at 930 persons per square kilometer, aligning closely with typical benchmarks across AreaSearch assessed localities.
Interstate migration served as the primary contributor to population expansion, accounting for roughly 86.0% of recent population additions. For demographic projections, AreaSearch incorporates ABS/Geoscience Australia SA2-level data released in 2024 (utilizing 2022 as its base year). For SA2 areas lacking coverage or for projections beyond 2032, figures rely on the SA State Government's 2023 Regional/LGA age-cohort projections (built on 2021 data), adjusted via weighted aggregation from LGA to SA2 geographies. In terms of future growth trajectories, the suburb of McCracken is forecast to outpace national regional median growth, expanding by 297 persons by 2041 under aggregated SA2 projections, which represents an overall gain of 12.6% across the 16 years.
Frequently Asked Questions - Population
48 new dwellings have been approved in McCracken over the past five years, an average of 9 a year. That is 4.7 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
ABS building approval statistics compiled by AreaSearch from statistical area figures indicate that McCracken has averaged approximately 9 residential approvals annually, amounting to roughly 48 homes throughout the preceding 5 financial years. In FY-25 to date, 2 approvals have been documented. Given previous population contraction, current residential additions have likely matched local demand and provided sufficient selection for purchasers, with newly built dwellings carrying an average expected construction cost of $384,000. Additionally, commercial development has remained subdued, with $6.9 million in commercial approvals logged during the current financial year. Compared with Rest of SA, residential construction in McCracken is substantially lower, lagging 64.0% below the regional per-person benchmark.
This constrained flow of new dwellings typically underpins stronger pricing and buyer interest across the established housing stock. Furthermore, new building activity has consisted entirely of detached houses, preserving the locality's low-density profile and emphasizing family residences suited to buyers prioritizing space. A ratio of 832 people per dwelling approval underscores the calm, subdued development conditions of the area. Demographic projections indicate that McCracken is set to add 267 residents by 2041 relative to the most recent AreaSearch quarterly estimate. While residential building activity currently aligns with projected expansion, prospective buyers might encounter increased competition as the local population increases.
Frequently Asked Questions - Development
Development applications around McCracken
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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 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
Infrastructure upgrades, major planning initiatives, and civic projects exert substantial influence on local growth and market conditions. AreaSearch has identified no major projects currently expected to impact the locality. Notable developments in the broader area include Victor Retail Depot, Flinders Parade Townhouse Development, The Precinct Victor Harbor, and Best Life Canterbury Victor Harbor, with key details provided below.
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.
645 residents of McCracken are employed, from a labour force of 684. 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 1,829, about 87% 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
McCracken features an evenly distributed workforce across white-collar and blue-collar roles, accompanied by solid representation in essential services, a jobless rate of 5.7%, and an estimated 0.8% annual rise in employment based on statistical area figures aggregated by AreaSearch. In March 2026, employed residents numbered 645, while unemployment stood 0.2% higher than Regional SA's 5.5%, and labor force participation remained notably subdued at 36.0% compared to 58.3% regionally. At the Census, only 13.3% of workers indicated working from home, though this figure was influenced by Covid-19 lockdown restrictions. Key sectors of resident employment are health care & social assistance, retail trade, and accommodation & food.
Concentration is particularly pronounced in health care & social assistance, where local employment reaches 1.4 times the regional norm. Conversely, agriculture, forestry & fishing accounts for only 2.5% of resident employment, trailing the 14.5% observed across Regional SA. The predominantly residential setting provides limited local job opportunities, as reflected in the ratio of working population to resident population at the Census. Data from SALM and the ABS analyzed by AreaSearch across broader statistical areas indicates that in the year leading to March 2026, local employment grew by 0.8% while the workforce expanded by 1.9%, causing a 1.1 percentage point increase in unemployment. Over the same timeframe across Regional SA, employment rose by 1.2%, the workforce increased by 2.6%, and unemployment went up 1.4 percentage points. Prospective labor demand within McCracken can also be gauged using Jobs and Skills Australia national employment projections from Mar-26 across five- and ten-year horizons. Nationally, employment is projected to expand by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, with considerable variation by sector. Applying these industry growth rates to the employment profile of McCracken points to potential local employment gains of 6.6% across five years and 13.9% across ten years (this represents an illustrative weighted extrapolation that excludes localized 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
According to the latest ATO postcode data compiled by AreaSearch for financial year 2023, McCracken recorded a median taxpayer income of $38,692 and an average of $49,433, trailing national benchmarks as well as Regional SA's median of $48,920 and average of $58,933. Applying Wage Price Index growth of 10.17% since financial year 2023 yields updated March 2026 estimates of approximately $42,627 (median) and $54,460 (average). At the 2021 Census, household, family, and individual incomes in McCracken all placed between the 3rd and 6th percentiles nationally. Income distribution shows 34.1% of residents (720 individuals) in the $800 - 1,499 bracket, contrasting with the regional pattern where 27.5% earn between $1,500 - 2,999.
Although housing expenses are manageable, with residents keeping 86.8% of income, overall disposable income sits at the 6th percentile nationwide.
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
Residential housing in McCracken at the latest Census consisted of 87.9% standalone houses and 12.1% alternative dwellings (apartments, semi-detached, and other housing types), compared to 88.5% houses and 11.5% other dwellings in Regional SA. Outright home ownership was substantially higher locally, reaching 54.9%, while remaining properties were either held with a mortgage (24.5%) or rented (20.6%). The median monthly mortgage payment stood at $1,250, exceeding the Regional SA figure of $1,153, while median weekly rent was $300 versus $220 regionally. Compared to Australian national benchmarks, McCracken mortgage repayments sit well below the $1,863 national average, and weekly rents are markedly lower than the $375 national figure.
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
Family dwellings make up 65.9% of all households, consisting of 41.9% couples without children, 15.1% couples with children, and 8.7% single parent households. Non-family households represent the remaining 34.1%, with single-person residences accounting for 32.6% and group households comprising 1.4%. The median household size is 2.0 people, which is below 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
Educational attainment in the area reflects notable gaps, with tertiary degree attainment at 17.7%, significantly below the 30.4% national average, highlighting opportunities for educational programs. Among degree holders, bachelor degrees represent 11.8%, postgraduate qualifications account for 3.2%, and graduate diplomas stand at 2.7%. Vocational qualifications are prominent, with 36.7% of residents aged 15+ holding technical credentials, comprising advanced diplomas (11.4%) and certificates (25.3%). Current educational participation accounts for 17.9% of local residents. Within this cohort, 7.9% attend primary school, 4.9% are enrolled in secondary education, and 2.3% are engaged in tertiary studies.
Frequently Asked Questions - Education
Schools Detail
Getting around McCracken means driving: households keep an average of 1.1 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
Local public transit infrastructure in McCracken includes 7 active transport stops across 7 individual routes, delivering 58 weekly passenger trips. Transit access is moderate, with residents located an average of 421 meters from their closest stop. Due to the residential makeup of the area, most workers commute outward, with private vehicles accounting for 93% of travel. Motor vehicle ownership averages 1.1 per dwelling, below regional norms, while a modest 13.3% of workers worked from home according to the 2021 Census under COVID-19 conditions. Across all transit routes, service frequency averages 8 trips daily, representing roughly 8 weekly trips per individual stop.
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
Health indicators in McCracken align closely with nationwide averages based on AreaSearch assessments of chronic illness rates and mortality, though common health conditions appear marginally higher across younger and older age brackets, while private health insurance coverage is notably restricted at around 47% of residents (~984 people). This compares with 48.9% in Regional SA and a national figure of 55.7%. Arthritis and mental health conditions are the most prevalent ailments locally, reported by 15.4 and 8.9% of residents, respectively, whereas 51.1% of the population reported no long-term medical conditions compared to 62.5% across Regional SA.
Working-age residents experience higher rates of chronic illness. Seniors aged 65 and over constitute 51.9% of the population (1,096 people), considerably higher than the 27.1% recorded across Regional SA, with national health standings generally consistent with broader population trends.
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
McCracken exhibits relatively low cultural diversity, with 80.9% of residents born in Australia, 91.6% holding Australian citizenship, and 97.2% speaking exclusively English at home. Christianity is the predominant faith, representing 53.0% of the population in McCracken compared to 45.2% in Regional SA. Regarding parental ancestry, the leading backgrounds in McCracken are English at 38.2% (exceeding the regional level of 32.5%), Australian at 28.4%, and Scottish at 8.6%. Other backgrounds show varying patterns of representation, with German comprising 7.0% locally (versus 8.2% regionally), Welsh at 0.6% (versus 0.5%), and Korean at 0.3% (while none were recorded regionally).
Frequently Asked Questions - Diversity
The median resident of McCracken is 64, older than 99% of areas nationally. 11.4% 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 structure of the suburb of McCracken clearly reflects its appeal as a retirement destination. Based on August 2026 updates, retirees and seniors (65+) make up 51.9% of the population, compared with 27.1% in Regional SA, while children and young adults (0 - 24) represent 16.8% versus 26.4% regionally. AreaSearch figures place the median age at 64 as at August 2026, unchanged from the 2021 Census, which sits 17 years above the Regional SA median of 47 and well above the national median of 38 recorded at the same Census.
The most noticeable demographic shift since the Census has occurred among retiree and elderly cohorts, rising from 48.9% to an estimated 51.9% of residents. This older age group is expected to drive future growth, increasing by 243 (22%) to 1,340 people by 2041.
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 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 9 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. | ||
| Infrastructure projects | Infrastructure Australia, Local governments Daily | May 2026 5 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 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 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 — 12 validated new addresses here. The headline figure is therefore a current estimate for Aug 2026, not a 2021 count (2,076 at the 2021 Census → 2,113 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 (SAL40849). QuickStats reports 2021 only — the figures on this page are more current wherever the ledger shows a later date.