Suburb profile · ABS Census 2021
American River suburb profile
American River, SA · Postcode 5221
This American River suburb profile summarises official Australian Bureau of Statistics Census 2021 data for American River, SA (postcode 5221). Use it as a free suburb report covering population, median rent, household income, age, housing tenure and employment, plus how those figures changed since Census 2016— then compare American River with nearby suburbs.
American River at a glance
Population
280
Median rent
$200/wk
Household income
$831/wk
Median age
63
American River trends (2016 → 2021)
Change since the previous Census. Historical figures are mapped from State Suburbs (SSC) to today's suburb boundaries.
Population
Census 2011 → 2016 → 2021
+30.2% over 10 years
Population
280
was 238 in 2016
+42 · +17.6%
Median rent
$200/wk
was $180/wk in 2016
+$20 · +11.1%
Household income
$831/wk
was $659/wk in 2016
+$172 · +26.1%
Median age
63
was 57 in 2016
+6 · +10.5%
Dig deeper: American River population growth · American River then and now
American River vs nearby & SA
Median Census 2021 figures for American River, nearby suburbs (8), and the SA state median (suburbs with 1,000+ people).
Rent
-37.5% vs area
- American River$200/wk
- Nearby$277.5/wk
- SA$320/wk
Household income
-46.7% vs area
- American River$831/wk
- Nearby$1,017/wk
- SA$1,559/wk
Median age
+53.7% vs area
- American River63
- Nearby60.5
- SA41
Personal income
-37.1% vs area
- American River$491/wk
- Nearby$568.5/wk
- SA$781/wk
Nearby uses the same postcode first, then larger suburbs in SA.
Socio-economic profile
How American River compares to other Australian suburbs on income, education and occupation — from official ABS SEIFA 2021 data.
American River ranks among Australia's most disadvantaged suburbs. It shows limited economic resources and lower education and occupation levels.
Relative disadvantage (IRSD)
Decile 2914.7
Lower score / decile = more relative disadvantage
Advantage & disadvantage (IRSAD)
Decile 1881
Higher score / decile = more relative advantage
Economic resources (IER)
Decile 2937.1
Access to economic resources (income, housing)
Education & occupation (IEO)
Decile 1848.7
Education and occupational skill levels
Source: ABS SEIFA 2021. See methodology.
American River on the map
OpenStreetMap outline for American River, SA.
Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors. Boundary matching is approximate.
American River people
- Population
- 280
- Median age
- 63
- Born overseas
- 22.9%
- Average household size
- 1.8
Total usual residents (Census 2021)
Median age of residents in years
Percentage born outside Australia
Average number of people per household
American River income
- Median household income
- $831/wk
- Median personal income
- $491/wk
Median total weekly household income
Median total weekly personal income
American River housing
- Median rent
- $200/wk
- Median mortgage repayment
- $696/mo
- Separate houses
- 53.5%
- Flats & apartments
- 0%
- Owned outright
- 32.1%
- Mortgaged
- 9.5%
- Rented
- 8.6%
- Unoccupied dwellings
- 43.2%
Median weekly rent for rented dwellings
Median monthly mortgage repayment
Percentage of dwellings that are separate houses
Percentage of dwellings that are flats or apartments
Percentage of dwellings owned without a mortgage
Percentage of dwellings with a mortgage
Percentage of dwellings rented
Percentage of private dwellings unoccupied on Census night
American River work
- Employment to population
- 36.2%
- Unemployment rate
- 10.2%
- Year 12 or above
- 39.3%
Employed persons as a percentage of population aged 15+
Unemployed persons as a percentage of the labour force
Percentage with Year 12 or equivalent as highest school level
Nearby suburb profiles (near 5221)
Compare American River with nearby suburbs
American River in numbers
American River had 280 residents at the 2021 Census. The median age is 63, 50% above the typical SA suburb. The average household has 1.8 people. 22.9% of residents were born overseas.
Among occupied homes, 32.1% own their home outright, 9.5% are paying a mortgage, 8.6% rent. Separate houses make up 53.5% of dwellings, with 0% in flats or apartments. Median rent was $200/wk, 35% below the typical SA suburb.
Median household income was $831/wk, 46% below the typical SA suburb. On the ABS SEIFA index of relative socio-economic disadvantage it sits in decile 2 nationally (1 is most disadvantaged, 10 least).
Between the 2016 and 2021 Censuses the population grew 17.6% (from 238 to 280). Median rent moved from $180/wk to $200/wk (+11.1%).
American River suburb FAQs
- What is the median rent in American River, SA?
- The median weekly rent in American River was $200/wk at the 2021 Census (ABS).
- How many people live in American River, SA?
- American River had 280 residents at the 2021 Census, up 17.6% from 2016.
- What is the median household income in American River?
- Median household income in American River was $831/wk at the 2021 Census.
- Do most people rent or own in American River?
- 8.6% of occupied homes in American River were rented, 32.1% were owned outright and 9.5% were owned with a mortgage.
About this American River suburb profile
Figures are from the ABS Census of Population and Housing 2021 (General Community Profile) for the Suburbs and Localities boundary matching American River. Where shown, 2016 values come from the 2016 State Suburbs (SSC) profile, linked via ABS geographic correspondence — boundaries are not always identical. Medians may be suppressed for very small areas. This is not financial or relocation advice — use it alongside current market data.
Source: ABS Census 2021. Methodology