Suburb profile · ABS Census 2021
McLaren Vale suburb profile
McLaren Vale, SA · Postcode 5171
This McLaren Vale suburb profile summarises official Australian Bureau of Statistics Census 2021 data for McLaren Vale, SA (postcode 5171). 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 McLaren Vale with nearby suburbs.
McLaren Vale at a glance
Population
4,061
Median rent
$328/wk
Household income
$1,331/wk
Median age
54
McLaren Vale 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
+9.5% over 10 years
Population
4,061
was 3,842 in 2016
+219 · +5.7%
Median rent
$328/wk
was $295/wk in 2016
+$33 · +11.2%
Household income
$1,331/wk
was $1,169/wk in 2016
+$162 · +13.9%
Median age
54
was 52 in 2016
+2 · +3.8%
Dig deeper: McLaren Vale population growth · McLaren Vale then and now
McLaren Vale vs nearby & Greater Adelaide
Median Census 2021 figures for McLaren Vale, nearby suburbs (8), and the Adelaide metro median (suburbs with 1,000+ people).
Rent
+0.6% vs area
- McLaren Vale$328/wk
- Nearby$330/wk
- Adelaide$326/wk
Household income
-17.2% vs area
- McLaren Vale$1,331/wk
- Nearby$1,562.5/wk
- Adelaide$1,607/wk
Median age
+35% vs area
- McLaren Vale54
- Nearby40
- Adelaide40
Personal income
-14% vs area
- McLaren Vale$687/wk
- Nearby$744.5/wk
- Adelaide$799/wk
Nearby uses the same postcode first, then larger suburbs in SA. See Adelaide rankings.
Socio-economic profile
How McLaren Vale compares to other Australian suburbs on income, education and occupation — from official ABS SEIFA 2021 data.
McLaren Vale sits around the national middle for socio-economic advantage.
Relative disadvantage (IRSD)
Decile 61,026.2
Lower score / decile = more relative disadvantage
Advantage & disadvantage (IRSAD)
Decile 6995.4
Higher score / decile = more relative advantage
Economic resources (IER)
Decile 51,022.1
Access to economic resources (income, housing)
Education & occupation (IEO)
Decile 6991.3
Education and occupational skill levels
Source: ABS SEIFA 2021. See methodology.
McLaren Vale on the map
OpenStreetMap outline for McLaren Vale, SA.
Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors. Boundary matching is approximate.
McLaren Vale people
- Population
- 4,061
- Median age
- 54
- Born overseas
- 25.9%
- Average household size
- 2.3
Total usual residents (Census 2021)
Median age of residents in years
Percentage born outside Australia
Average number of people per household
McLaren Vale income
- Median household income
- $1,331/wk
- Median personal income
- $687/wk
Median total weekly household income
Median total weekly personal income
McLaren Vale housing
- Median rent
- $328/wk
- Median mortgage repayment
- $1,560/mo
- Separate houses
- 78.3%
- Flats & apartments
- 2.2%
- Owned outright
- 40.8%
- Mortgaged
- 29.6%
- Rented
- 14.1%
- Unoccupied dwellings
- 7.5%
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
McLaren Vale work
- Employment to population
- 50.4%
- Unemployment rate
- 4.4%
- Year 12 or above
- 50.4%
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 5171)
Compare McLaren Vale with nearby suburbs
McLaren Vale in numbers
McLaren Vale had 4,061 residents at the 2021 Census, making it the 128th most populous suburb or locality in SA out of 1,624. The median age is 54, 29% above the typical SA suburb. The average household has 2.3 people. 25.9% of residents were born overseas.
Among occupied homes, 40.8% own their home outright, 29.6% are paying a mortgage, 14.1% rent. Separate houses make up 78.3% of dwellings, with 2.2% in flats or apartments. Median rent was $328/wk, 6% above the typical SA suburb.
Median household income was $1,331/wk, 13% below the typical SA suburb. The unemployment rate on Census night was 4.4%. 50.4% of adults had completed Year 12 or above. On the ABS SEIFA index of relative socio-economic disadvantage it sits in decile 6 nationally (1 is most disadvantaged, 10 least).
Between the 2016 and 2021 Censuses the population grew 5.7% (from 3,842 to 4,061). Median rent moved from $295/wk to $328/wk (+11.2%).
McLaren Vale suburb FAQs
- What is the median rent in McLaren Vale, SA?
- The median weekly rent in McLaren Vale was $328/wk at the 2021 Census (ABS).
- How many people live in McLaren Vale, SA?
- McLaren Vale had 4,061 residents at the 2021 Census, up 5.7% from 2016.
- What is the median household income in McLaren Vale?
- Median household income in McLaren Vale was $1,331/wk at the 2021 Census.
- Do most people rent or own in McLaren Vale?
- 14.1% of occupied homes in McLaren Vale were rented, 40.8% were owned outright and 29.6% were owned with a mortgage.
About this McLaren Vale suburb profile
Figures are from the ABS Census of Population and Housing 2021 (General Community Profile) for the Suburbs and Localities boundary matching McLaren Vale. 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 · Richest suburbs in Adelaide