Ceduna
A crime rate of 332 per 1,000 residents stands out as the most striking number in Ceduna, far above the national average for regional towns of similar scale. The town of approximately 2,854 people sits on SEIFA decile 2 across all four indexes, placing it among the lowest 20% nationally for both advantage and resources. Household income lands at the 39.1st percentile nationally, yet rent-to-income at 14.5% is below the stress threshold, because weekly rents of $200 are low compared to most SA towns. The population has grown just 2.1% over 10 years, slower than the state average, and the demographic profile is aging with the senior share rising 5 points over the decade.
Population
1,955
Median Age
37.0
Household IncomeiMedian weekly household income (ABS Census)
$1,376/wk
DAs (12 months)iDevelopment Applications lodged in the past year
23
No median house price data is available for Ceduna due to thin transaction volumes in this remote SA market. Monthly mortgage repayments average $1,200, producing a mortgage-to-income ratio of 20.1%, well below the 30% stress threshold. The housing stock is dominated by separate houses at 90.1%, higher than the national average, with apartments at just 1.6%. Three-bedroom homes account for 58.6% of dwellings and 4-plus bedroom homes 22.3%. Outright owners make up 30.8% of households while 24.7% hold a mortgage, suggesting an established, debt-free resident base.
For Buyers
No median house price data is available for Ceduna due to thin transaction volumes in this remote SA market. Monthly mortgage repayments average $1,200, producing a mortgage-to-income ratio of 20.1%, well below the 30% stress threshold. The housing stock is dominated by separate houses at 90.1%, higher than the national average, with apartments at just 1.6%. Three-bedroom homes account for 58.6% of dwellings and 4-plus bedroom homes 22.3%. Outright owners make up 30.8% of households while 24.7% hold a mortgage, suggesting an established, debt-free resident base.
For Investors
Renters account for 44.5% of Ceduna households, above the SA state average, providing a steady tenant base. Weekly rent of $200 is low, reflecting the 39.1st percentile household income. The vacancy rate of 15.5% is elevated, signalling more available stock than active demand. Development reached 21 applications in the past 12 months, modest for the town's size. Net internal migration averages minus 6 per year while overseas arrivals add 7, keeping growth near flat at 0.32% annually. The high renter share is a positive signal but must be weighed against thin market liquidity and low absolute rents.
Development Activity
Total DAs
116
Last 12 Months
23
YoY ChangeiYear-over-year change in DA lodgements
+27.8%
Avg DA CostiAverage estimated cost per DA in the past year
N/A
Monthly DA Lodgements
DA Categories
Schools in Ceduna iICSEA: school advantage index. 1000 = national avg, higher = more advantaged
Ceduna Area School
U, R-12 · 448 students
Crossways Lutheran School Ceduna
R-10 · 134 students
Demographics
The median age of 37 is 3 years below the national figure, slightly younger despite an aging trajectory where the senior share rose 5 points over the decade. Overseas-born residents at 9.3% are 12.3 percentage points below the national rate, reflecting a predominantly locally-born community. English ancestry leads at 661 residents, followed by German (142) and Irish (119). University qualifications at 18.6% are 11.5 points below national, consistent with a service and trade employment base. Average household size is 2.4, and couples with children (595 households) are the largest family type.
Age Distribution
Bedrooms
Dwelling Structure
90.1%
Houses
5.2%
Townhouse
1.6%
Apartment
Tenure
Ceduna's housing tenure splits into 30.8% owned outright, 24.7% mortgaged and 44.5% renting, with the renter share well above SA state norms. The stock is almost entirely separate houses at 90.1%, compared to the national average, and apartments account for only 1.6%, which is unusually low. Three-bedroom homes dominate at 58.6% and 4-plus bedroom homes add another 22.3%, giving families plenty of options. Monthly mortgage repayments average $1,200, producing a mortgage-to-income ratio of 20.1% and rent-to-income of 14.5%, both comfortably below stress thresholds. The high vacancy rate of 15.5% suggests periodic oversupply relative to active demand in this small remote market.
Mortgage / mo
$1,200
Rent / wk
$200
HH Size
2.4
Personal Income / wk
$762
Vacancy Ratei% of dwellings unoccupied on Census night (ABS 2021)
15.5%
Unoccupied
136
Rent / IncomeiMedian rent as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
14.5%
Mortgage / IncomeiMedian mortgage as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
20.1%
Community Profile
Languages Spoken at Home
Ancestry
Household Composition
27.6%
Couples, no children
1,452
Total families
Economy & Employment
Healthcare leads employment at 21.8% of workers (110 people), followed by Education at 16.8% (85) and Public Administration at 11.9% (60), typical of a remote service centre. Professionals (147) and Community/Personal Service workers (139) top occupations. Unemployment is 4.7% and the full-time rate is 65.1%, but participation sits at 54.8% because 522 residents are outside the labour force. SEIFA decile 2 across all four indexes places Ceduna among the lowest 20% nationally for income and economic resources. Real income grew 6.4% over the decade, slower than the 46.7% rise in rents.
Unemployment
12.0%
Labour Force
1,459
Unemployed
175
Quarterly Trend
Source: SALM Dec-25
Socio-Economic Indexes (SEIFA)iABS index ranking suburbs from 1 (most disadvantaged) to 10 (most advantaged)
Full-time
65.1%
Part-time
30.2%
Participation
54.8%
Employed
799
Occupations
Top Industries
University
18.6%
Postgraduate
3.1%
Born Overseas
9.3%
Dwellings
736
Transport to Work
Car dependency is pronounced at 81.3% of commuters, higher than national averages, because limited public transport options exist in this remote location (just 0.7% use public transport). Walking and cycling account for 11.6% of trips. SEIFA IRSAD decile 2 places Ceduna in the lowest 20% nationally for advantage, and the crime rate of 332 per 1,000 residents is well above the national average for comparable towns. No schools are recorded within the suburb boundary in the current dataset. Volunteering at 25.5% is above most metropolitan rates, and 78% of residents stayed over the survey period, indicating community attachment despite the disadvantage indicators.
Drive
81.3%
Public Transport
0.7%
Walk / Cycle
11.6%
Work from Home
N/A
Population Forecast
+0.32%/yr
(+9 people/yr)
EstablishedPopulation growth over 10 years was 2.1%, with an annual trend of 0.32% adding roughly 9 people per year. The medium forecast holds the population near 2,890 by 2031, a modest increase from the current 2,854. Net internal migration averages minus 6 per year while overseas arrivals add 7, producing effectively a balanced migration driver. Rent has grown 46.7% over the period, substantially outpacing real income growth of 6.4%, and affordability is on a worsening trend. The gentrification score sits at 29 with early signs of movement, though the primary trajectory remains aging. The suburb did not experience a COVID population dip, indicating stable local demand through that period.
Historical + Forecast
Hamilton-Perry + Holt smoothing on ERP 2001-2025
Age Cohort Forecast
Primary Driver
Balanced
Net Overseas / yr
+7
Net Internal / yr
-6
Gentrification Signal
Not gentrifying
Safety & Crime
Total Offences
649
Year ending June 2024
Rate per 1,000 People
332.0
Source: Crime Statistics Agency Victoria / SA Police
National Ranking iPercentile rank among ~15,000 AU suburbs. 90% = higher than 90% of suburbs
How Ceduna compares to ~15,000 Australian suburbs
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Ceduna a good suburb to live in?
Ceduna offers affordable living with rent-to-income at 14.5% and mortgage-to-income at 20.1%, both below stress thresholds. However, SEIFA decile 2 places it in the lowest 20% nationally for advantage, and a crime rate of 332 per 1,000 is elevated. The town suits those tied to its health, education or public-service sectors.
What is the median house price in Ceduna?
No median house price data is currently available for Ceduna due to the thin transaction volumes in this remote SA market. Monthly mortgage repayments average $1,200, giving a mortgage-to-income ratio of 20.1%, and weekly rents average $200, both low by state standards.
What schools are in Ceduna?
No schools are recorded within the Ceduna suburb boundary in the current dataset. The town's Education sector employs 85 workers (16.8% of the local workforce), suggesting educational facilities are present locally, but specific school data is not available in this dataset.
Is Ceduna safe?
Ceduna's recorded crime rate is 332 incidents per 1,000 residents, which is well above the national average for regional towns and the most significant livability concern in the data. SEIFA decile 2 indicates below-average socioeconomic resources, a factor correlated with higher crime rates in remote SA communities.
Is Ceduna good for property investment?
The 44.5% renter share is above the SA state average, providing a tenant pool, and rent-to-income at 14.5% keeps tenants financially stable. However, the 15.5% vacancy rate is high, population growth is slow at 0.32% annually, and no price data exists to quantify capital growth. The investment case is niche and primarily suited to yield-focused buyers comfortable with remote market liquidity.
How is Ceduna's population changing?
The population grew 2.1% over 10 years, with an annual trend of 0.32% adding about 9 people per year. The medium forecast reaches approximately 2,890 by 2031. The demographic is aging, with the senior share up 5 points over the decade, and net internal migration averages minus 6 per year, offset by 7 overseas arrivals annually.
How much development is happening in Ceduna?
There were 21 development applications lodged in the past 12 months, including a new dwelling and carport, a garage and carport, and a land division. This represents modest but active building activity for a town of approximately 2,854 residents, consistent with incremental residential infill rather than large-scale expansion.
How to read these comparisons
Phrases like "above the national average" reference the unweighted median across Australian suburbs with more than 1,000 residents, not population-weighted national figures. Suburb-level medians are more useful for ranking suburbs against each other; ABS census headlines are population-weighted (so dominated by Sydney and Melbourne) and can read very differently.
Current baseline (refreshed 2026-05-10): median age 40, university-educated 30.1%, born overseas 21.6%, average household size 2.5 people.
Data sources: ABS 2021 Census (demographics, income, tenure), state Valuer-General (house prices), Department of Jobs SALM (unemployment), ACARA (school ICSEA), state Crime Statistics agencies (offences), council DA portals (development applications). Population forecasts use a Hamilton-Perry cohort model calibrated to ABS ERP.
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