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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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Mount Compass has an estimated 1,861 residents, up from 1,580 at the 2021 Census — a change of 281 people, or 17.8%. Growth has averaged 3.0% a year over five years, faster than 88% of areas nationally. Interstate and internal migration accounts for 48.0% of that increase. Density is about 44 people per 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 on ABS demographic updates across the broader area alongside address validations completed by AreaSearch post-Census, the population of the suburb of Mount Compass is calculated at approximately 1,861 as of Aug 2026. This represents an addition of 281 people (17.8%) compared to the 2021 Census tally of 1,580 people. Such growth stems from an estimated resident tally of 1,842 identified in AreaSearch's evaluation of the ABS June 2025 ERP figures, complemented by 26 validated new addresses recorded after the Census date. Mount Compass delivers generous personal space with a population density of 43 persons per square kilometer.
Outpacing both the SA4 region and the Rest of SA (6.2%), the suburb of Mount Compass established itself as an area growth benchmark through its 17.8% expansion since the 2021 census. Inflow from interstate migration served as the primary catalyst by generating around 48.0% of recent population additions, though overseas migration and natural growth also registered positive contributions. Projections published by ABS/Geoscience Australia in 2024 (anchored to 2022) are applied across individual SA2 areas by AreaSearch. Where SA2 coverage is missing, or for periods extending beyond post-2032, population forecasting relies on 2023 SA State Government Regional/LGA age-cohort models (derived from 2021 data) adjusted via weighted aggregation from LGA down to SA2 boundaries. Future outlooks indicate population expansion tracking above the national non-metropolitan median, with aggregated SA2 estimates projecting the suburb of Mount Compass to gain 255 persons to 2041, representing a cumulative 12.7% rise across the 16 years.
Frequently Asked Questions - Population
58 new dwellings have been approved in Mount Compass over the past five years, an average of 11 a year. That places the area in the 76th percentile for residential development activity nationally, about 6 approvals per 1,000 residents a year. Approvals are currently running at an annualised 14, running ahead of 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
Statistical building approvals collated from ABS figures by AreaSearch reveal that Mount Compass averages roughly 11 dwellings approved annually, totaling an estimated 58 homes across the last 5 financial years (between FY-21 and FY-25) and 14 so far in FY-25. Construction pace has fallen notably behind incoming resident demand, with an average of 5 new residents per year per completed dwelling over the past 5 financial years (between FY-21 and FY-25), generating upward pressure on property prices and heightened market competition. Across these projects, the mean expected construction cost per dwelling sits at $407,000.
On the commercial front, approvals total $3.8 million this financial year, underscoring subdued commercial building activity. Per capita residential construction in Mount Compass trails the wider regional benchmark substantially, sitting 51.0% below the Rest of SA average, even though local building velocity has shown recent momentum. Scarcity of new supply tends to bolster pricing and buyer interest across existing dwellings. Furthermore, newly approved construction consists entirely of standalone houses, preserving a low-density neighborhood fabric tailored to families prioritizing space. A ratio of approximately 99 people per dwelling approval highlights a steadily growing residential market. According to the latest quarterly projections from AreaSearch, the residential base of Mount Compass is forecasted to expand by 236 residents through to 2041. Assuming ongoing building rates persist, residential supply is slated to satisfy buyer demand comfortably, fostering supportive purchasing conditions and potentially paving the way for expansion above current estimates.
Frequently Asked Questions - Development
Development applications around Mount Compass
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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 11 current infrastructure and development projects close to Mount Compass, worth an estimated $2.41 billion. 2 are already under construction and 3 are due for completion within three years. The pipeline spans communities, precincts & urban renewal, retail and transport & logistics. 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
Local capital works, planning frameworks, and transport projects exert a considerable influence on regional performance. AreaSearch has identified no major projects with a direct localized footprint inside the area. Relevant regional works include SA Water Capital Work Delivery Contracts 2024-28, Adelaide's Inner And Outer Ring Route Capacity Improvements, Adelaide Public Transport Capacity and Access, and Fleurieu Connections - Main South Road and Victor Harbor Road Duplication.
Professional plan users can use the search below to filter and access additional projects.
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Frequently Asked Questions - Infrastructure
Willunga Basin Water Infrastructure Expansion
Expansion of the Willunga Basin Water recycled water network to increase annual supply capacity from 7,250 ML to approximately 8,100 ML. The project improves long-term water security for the McLaren Vale wine region by reducing reliance on stressed groundwater aquifers and supporting sustainable irrigation through additional recycled water infrastructure.
Sellicks Beach Growth Area Joint Amendment
A major master planned residential development rezoning approximately 134 hectares to facilitate roughly 1,700 new homes. The project includes a new neighborhood activity centre with a main street focal point, open space networks, and transport infrastructure. Development is currently deferred under a Coordinated Development Overlay pending final air quality monitoring results (expected April 2026) and infrastructure delivery agreements.
Aldinga Master Planned Community
A strategic partnership between Renewal SA and Villawood Properties to create a 46-hectare master planned net zero carbon community delivering over 800 homes, including 200 in an over-55s lifestyle village, with a minimum of 25% affordable housing. The development features a diverse housing mix including detached, semi-detached, and townhouses, complemented by extensive open spaces, parks, and chain-of-ponds corridors. Residents will have access to a club with a pool, gym, cafe, and play spaces. The all-electric development includes an embedded energy network with solar, heat pumps, batteries, and a microgrid, aiming for 25% tree canopy coverage.It preserves a 60-metre wide rail corridor for future Seaford line extensions. Master planning is underway in 2025, with a sales launch anticipated for Summer 2025 and civil construction to commence in early 2026.
Aldinga Payinthi College
Birth to Year 12 'super school' accommodating up to 1,675 students and 250 staff, including 100 inclusive places for students with disability and 75-place children's centre. $125 million build featuring contemporary learning environments with STEM focus, performing arts theatre, libraries, VET kitchen, gym facilities, sports courts, community usage facilities, and extensive cultural and heritage elements recognizing Aboriginal significance. Construction complete, school open and accommodating up to 1500 students by 2026.
Aldinga Central Shopping Centre Expansion
Expansion of the existing Aldinga Central Shopping Centre, including a major renovation of the Coles supermarket. The expansion will add 4,250sqm of retail space and a new Foodland supermarket.
McLaren Vale Central Shopping Centre
Dual supermarket anchored neighbourhood shopping centre with Coles and Romeo's Foodland, supported by 19 specialty retailers. Serves the McLaren Vale wine region and surrounding residential areas.
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.
Ocean View Estate
An exclusive boutique residential estate in Maslin Beach, offering land for new homes and house and land packages, including the 'Ashford' design with 'Vantage' facade. The estate provides a luxury living experience near the beach and the McLaren Vale wine region, with flat land ready for new homes or holiday escapes. Lot sizes include 702sqm, with pricing starting from $1,090,298 for select packages.
960 residents of Mount Compass are employed, from a labour force of 995. Unemployment sits at 3.5%, with participation at 67.1%. 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, so in an area growing as fast as this one it understates the likely rise in local jobs. The working-day population is estimated at 1,423, about 76% 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
Mount Compass features a balanced workforce spanning white and blue collar employment, with manufacturing and industrial sectors strongly represented, an unemployment rate of only 3.5%, and 5.0% in estimated employment growth over the past year, based on AreaSearch aggregation of statistical area data. As of March 2026, 960 residents are in work while the unemployment rate is 1.9% below Regional SA's rate of 5.5%, and workforce participation is well beyond standard (67.1% compared to Regional SA's 58.3%). Based on Census responses, a low 10.6% of residents were found to work from home, though Covid-19 lockdown impacts should be considered.
Key employment sectors for the local workforce include retail trade, construction, and health care & social assistance. Local specialization in construction is pronounced, capturing a workforce proportion 1.4 times the regional level. In contrast, agriculture, forestry & fishing accounts for 8.7% of local workers, trailing the regional benchmark of 14.5%. Comparing local resident counts against the Census working population indicates a constrained volume of jobs situated directly within the township. Over the 12 months to March 2026, SALM and ABS figures aggregated by AreaSearch show local employment expanding by 5.0% while the labour pool expanded by 5.9%, yielding an unemployment rate increase of 0.8 percentage points. Across Regional SA, employment rose by 1.2% and the labour force by 2.6%, corresponding to a 1.4 percentage point rise. Broader demand trajectories can be evaluated using Jobs and Skills Australia national projections from Mar-26 mapped onto the local industry structure. Against nationwide job projections of 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, industry variations imply an indicative local employment rise of 6.1% over five years and 13.0% over ten years (noting this illustrative weighting exercise omits localized demographic forecasts).
Frequently Asked Questions - Employment
Median household income in Mount Compass is $1,655 a week (about $86,000 a year), with median personal income at $725 a week. ATO records put median taxable income at $46,492 a year against an average of $57,989. 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
Postcode-level ATO data compiled by AreaSearch for financial year 2023 indicates a median taxpayer income of $46,492 and an average of $57,989 in the suburb of Mount Compass. These figures trail national levels as well as Regional SA, where the median income is $48,920 and the average is $58,933. Factoring in a 10.17% rise in the Wage Price Index since financial year 2023, updated figures reach approximately $51,220 (median) and $63,886 (average) as of March 2026. At the 2021 Census, personal, family, and household income percentiles ranged modestly between the 33rd and 44th percentiles.
In terms of earnings brackets, the single largest cohort is the 39.2% of taxpayers taking home $1,500 - 2,999 weekly (729 residents), compared to 27.5% across the region. Housing costs leave households with 85.0% of income for living expenditures.
Frequently Asked Questions - Income
Mount Compass had 539 occupied dwellings at the 2021 Census, 100% detached houses and 0% apartments. 60% are owned with a mortgage, 11% rented and 29% owned outright. At that Census the median rent was $340 a week and the median mortgage repayment $1,517 a month. Rent absorbs 20.5% of household income here and mortgage repayments 21.2%. Dwelling stock, tenure and housing costs are 2021 Census measures — the only source that counts dwellings at this boundary size.
Detail
According to the latest Census, housing stock in Mount Compass consisted exclusively of separate houses, recording 100.0% houses and no other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings), contrasted with Regional SA at 88.5% houses and 11.5% other dwellings. Outright home ownership stood at 28.7%, lagging the regional benchmark, while 60.0% of properties were mortgaged and 11.3% were rented. Median monthly mortgage obligations averaged $1,517 locally against $1,153 across Regional SA, whereas median weekly rents were $340 compared to $220 regionally. Relative to Australia-wide benchmarks, local monthly mortgage repayments fall well below the national mark of $1,863, and weekly rents track beneath the $375 national level.
Frequently Asked Questions - Housing
Mount Compass counted 539 households at the 2021 Census, an estimated 635 today, averaging 2.8 people each. 39% are couples with children, more than in 77% of areas nationally, against 35% couples without children. 15% of households are people living alone, and families average 1.7 children. Household and family composition is measured only by the Census, so these are 2021 figures.
Detail
Family units account for 82.0% of local living arrangements, led by couples with children at 39.0%, couples without children at 35.1%, and single parent families at 7.3%. Non-family setups make up the remaining 18.0%, consisting of lone person households at 14.8% and group households at 2.3%. The local median household size stands at 2.8 people, exceeding the 2.3 person average recorded across Regional SA.
Frequently Asked Questions - Households
14.0% of adults in Mount Compass hold a university qualification, including 10.5% with a bachelor degree and 1.7% with postgraduate qualifications. A further 34.7% hold a vocational qualification. 1 school serves the area, with 460 enrolment places and an average ICSEA of 990 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
Higher education qualifications present an area for future development, with university attainment among residents recorded at 14.0%, notably beneath the Australian benchmark of 30.4%. Bachelor degrees constitute the largest share at 10.5%, followed by graduate diplomas (1.8%) and postgraduate qualifications (1.7%). Conversely, technical and vocational credentials are widespread, with 46.1% of inhabitants aged 15+ holding trade qualifications, divided between certificates (34.7%) and advanced diplomas (11.4%). Student participation in formal schooling and study is strong, involving 28.7% of the local population. Breaking this down reveals 10.8% attending primary education, 10.3% in secondary education, and 2.8% undertaking tertiary education.
Frequently Asked Questions - Education
Schools Detail
Getting around Mount Compass means driving: households keep an average of 2.0 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 transit infrastructure in Mount Compass comprises 2 active transport stops connected by 3 individual routes that provide 31 weekly passenger trips. Transit access is constrained, with the average distance to a stop measuring 962 meters. Reflecting outer commuter dynamics, outward travel by car remains dominant at 92%. Vehicle ownership sits above the regional standard at 2.0 per dwelling. Only 10.6% of workers recorded working from home at the 2021 Census, which may reflect COVID-19 conditions. Transit service frequency across all routes averages 4 trips per day, providing roughly 15 weekly trips per individual stop.
Frequently Asked Questions - Transport
Transport Stops Detail
67.4% of residents in Mount Compass report no long-term health condition. 5.2% need daily assistance with core activities, and 50.0% 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 metrics across Mount Compass generally mirror national levels based on AreaSearch evaluations of chronic condition incidence and mortality rates, exhibiting typical prevalence across both younger and older demographics. Private health insurance uptake covers approximately 50% of the total population (~929 people), sitting below the national benchmark of 55.7%. Mental health conditions and asthma represent the top diagnosed ailments locally, recorded at 8.9% and 8.5% of residents respectively, while 67.4% reported no medical ailments, outpacing the 62.5% figure across Regional SA. Chronic health challenges are somewhat elevated among the working-age cohort.
Seniors aged 65 and over comprise 19.2% of residents (357 people), well below the 27.1% share found across Regional SA, with elderly health outcomes outperforming broader population standings relative to national rankings.
Frequently Asked Questions - Health
Mount Compass is largely Australian-born, at 82.6% of residents, with 4.9% speaking a language other than English at home. The largest reported ancestries are English (35.6%) and Australian (31.7%). Ancestry, language and country of birth are counted only by the Census, so these are 2021 figures.
Detail
Cultural homogeneity is marked in Mount Compass, where 82.6% of residents were born in Australia, 90.2% hold Australian citizenship, and 95.1% speak exclusively English at home. Christianity forms the principal religious affiliation, observed by 34.5% of the local population. For Judaism, no residents identified with the faith, mirroring the regional proportion where none were recorded across Regional SA. Looking at parent birthplaces and ancestry, the prominent backgrounds in Mount Compass are English (35.6%), Australian (31.7%), and Scottish (6.9%). Smaller diaspora representations reveal notable divergences from regional trends: French ancestry accounts for 0.9% (versus 0.3% regionally), German stands at 5.6% (versus 8.2%), and South Australian accounts for 0.9% (versus 0.2%).
Frequently Asked Questions - Diversity
The median resident of Mount Compass is 39. That is 1 year younger than at the 2021 Census. 23.7% 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
Mount Compass exhibits a younger demographic composition than Regional SA. As at August 2026, children and young adults (0 - 24) represent 33.5% of the community compared to 26.4% across Regional SA, while those aged 65+ comprise 19.2% against 27.1% regionally. This places the estimated median age at 39, shifting down from 40 at the 2021 Census and sitting 8 years beneath the Regional SA median of 47 from the same Census. Meanwhile, the 45 - 64 age bracket has decreased from 27.9% to an estimated 24.2%. Looking toward 2041, young to middle aged adults (25 - 44) will underpin future expansion, adding 77 residents (18%) to reach a total of 514.
Frequently Asked Questions - Age
Data & MethodBoundaries, Sources & Method for Mount Compass
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 — 26 validated new addresses here. The headline figure is therefore a current estimate for Aug 2026, not a 2021 count (1,580 at the 2021 Census → 1,861 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 (SAL40941). QuickStats reports 2021 only — the figures on this page are more current wherever the ledger shows a later date.