Clare
With a median age of 45 and 37.8% of residents owning their home outright, Clare is one of South Australia's more settled regional centres rather than a growth suburb. The population of 3,238 sits within an 11.8 km2 footprint, giving a density of 274.5 per km2. Household income ranks at the 31st percentile nationally, lower than the state and national averages, yet rent-to-income at 19.2% and mortgage-to-income at 22.3% both stay comfortably below stress thresholds. The volunteering rate of 28.1% is notably high compared to most urban suburbs, pointing to strong civic participation in a community where 78% of residents did not move in the five years to the Census.
Population
3,238
Median Age
45.0
Household IncomeiMedian weekly household income (ABS Census)
$1,302/wk
DAs (12 months)iDevelopment Applications lodged in the past year
57
Median house price data is not available in this dataset, but affordability signals suggest Clare sits well below national price levels. Monthly mortgage repayments average $1,256, and the mortgage-to-income ratio of 22.3% is below the 30% stress threshold, pointing to manageable entry costs relative to local incomes. The stock is heavily detached-house dominant at 92%, with semi-detached dwellings at 7.5% and negligible apartments, so buyers have a homogeneous choice set. Three-bedroom homes are the most common at 53.1%, followed by four-plus bedroom properties at 27.7%. Outright owners at 37.8% significantly outnumber mortgage holders at 32%, a ratio typical of established regional towns where long-term residents have paid down debt rather than recently entered the market.
For Buyers
Median house price data is not available in this dataset, but affordability signals suggest Clare sits well below national price levels. Monthly mortgage repayments average $1,256, and the mortgage-to-income ratio of 22.3% is below the 30% stress threshold, pointing to manageable entry costs relative to local incomes. The stock is heavily detached-house dominant at 92%, with semi-detached dwellings at 7.5% and negligible apartments, so buyers have a homogeneous choice set. Three-bedroom homes are the most common at 53.1%, followed by four-plus bedroom properties at 27.7%. Outright owners at 37.8% significantly outnumber mortgage holders at 32%, a ratio typical of established regional towns where long-term residents have paid down debt rather than recently entered the market.
For Investors
The rental market in Clare reflects the town's affordability profile: weekly rent averages $250, well below the national median, and the 30.1% renter share provides a reasonable tenant pool. The vacancy rate of 11.4% is notably elevated compared to capital city norms, which signals that demand is softer than supply in this regional setting. Development activity is active with 56 applications lodged in the past 12 months, led by detached dwelling projects and dwelling alterations. Net overseas migration averages plus 17 residents per year while internal migration runs at minus 14, producing a thin net positive. Annual population growth is 0.48%, or approximately 20 persons per year, modest but steady. Investors should weigh the low entry cost against the high vacancy rate and limited rental growth runway.
Development Activity
Total DAs
369
Last 12 Months
57
YoY ChangeiYear-over-year change in DA lodgements
-12.3%
Avg DA CostiAverage estimated cost per DA in the past year
N/A
Monthly DA Lodgements
DA Categories
Schools in Clare iICSEA: school advantage index. 1000 = national avg, higher = more advantaged
St Joseph's School
R-9 · 314 students
Clare High School
U, 7-12 · 428 students
Clare Primary School
U, R-6 · 250 students
Demographics
The median age of 45 is 5 years above the national figure, placing Clare firmly in the aging-resident tier. The senior share rose 5.8 percentage points over the decade while the young adult share fell 2.7 points, a trajectory consistent with a regional town that retains older residents and loses younger cohorts. Overseas-born residents make up just 9.7% of the population, which is 11.9 percentage points below the national average, reflecting a predominantly Australian-born community. Ancestry is Anglo-Celtic with English (1,443), German (363), Scottish (340) and Irish (310) as the top four groups. Average household size is 2.2, slightly below the national figure of 2.5. Couples without children account for 38.7% of families, consistent with the older age profile. University qualifications at 26.6% sit 3.5 points below national.
Age Distribution
Bedrooms
Dwelling Structure
92.0%
Houses
7.5%
Townhouse
N/A
Apartment
Tenure
With no published median price in this dataset, affordability can be inferred from the rental market: $250 per week rent and $1,256 monthly mortgage repayments imply modest asset values by state and national standards. Tenure is split between outright owners (37.8%), mortgage holders (32%) and renters (30.1%), with outright owners holding the majority share because of the established, long-term resident base. The dwelling stock is almost entirely separate houses at 92%, with semi-detached at 7.5%. Three-bedroom homes dominate at 53.1%, and four-plus bedrooms account for 27.7%, suggesting family-sized stock rather than small urban dwellings. The vacancy rate of 11.4% is higher than most comparable SA towns, indicating a supply surplus that keeps rents and prices in check. Both rent-to-income at 19.2% and mortgage-to-income at 22.3% remain below stress levels.
Mortgage / mo
$1,256
Rent / wk
$250
HH Size
2.2
Personal Income / wk
$726
Vacancy Ratei% of dwellings unoccupied on Census night (ABS 2021)
11.4%
Unoccupied
177
Rent / IncomeiMedian rent as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
19.2%
Mortgage / IncomeiMedian mortgage as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
22.3%
Community Profile
Languages Spoken at Home
Ancestry
Household Composition
38.7%
Couples, no children
2,316
Total families
Economy & Employment
Healthcare is the largest employment sector at 18.2% (176 workers), followed by Education at 12.2% (118), Manufacturing at 9.0% (87), Hospitality at 9.0% (87) and Construction at 8.0% (78). This structure is typical of a regional service town that acts as a hub for surrounding agricultural districts. The top occupational groups are Professionals (259), Labourers (216) and Managers (207). Unemployment is 3.4%, close to the national figure, and the full-time employment rate is 58.9%. The participation rate of 52.9% is below average, partly because 999 residents are not in the labour force, which reflects the older age profile. Household income sits at the 31st percentile nationally, below both state and national medians. Real incomes grew 12.0% over the decade, a modest but positive real gain.
Unemployment
2.9%
Labour Force
2,157
Unemployed
62
Quarterly Trend
Source: SALM Dec-25
Socio-Economic Indexes (SEIFA)iABS index ranking suburbs from 1 (most disadvantaged) to 10 (most advantaged)
Full-time
58.9%
Part-time
37.7%
Participation
52.9%
Employed
1,386
Occupations
Top Industries
University
26.6%
Postgraduate
4.5%
Born Overseas
9.7%
Dwellings
1,365
Transport to Work
Clare is an almost entirely car-dependent town, with 85.2% of residents driving to work and only 0.2% using public transport. Walking and cycling account for 8.9%, higher than many comparable regional centres. The IRSAD decile score of 4 places Clare in the lower-middle advantage tier nationally, below average on relative disadvantage. The IRSD score is decile 5, close to the national median on disadvantage measures. Crime sits at 26.6 incidents per 1,000 residents per year based on 86 total recorded offences, a low-crime-rate signal consistent with the suburb's identity. The volunteering rate of 28.1% is well above typical urban figures. Only 7.3% of residents (223 people) require daily assistance, reasonable for the older median age of 45. No schools are recorded inside the Clare boundary in this dataset.
Drive
85.2%
Public Transport
0.2%
Walk / Cycle
8.9%
Work from Home
N/A
Population Forecast
+0.48%/yr
(+20 people/yr)
EstablishedClare's population grew 4.3% over the decade to 2021, a rate below the national average, and is classified as a slow-growth established suburb. Annual growth runs at 0.48%, or roughly 20 persons per year, and medium forecasts project the SA2-level population reaching approximately 4,347 by 2030. Migration dynamics are balanced, with net overseas arrivals of 17 per year slightly outweighing internal departures of 14 per year. There is no gentrification signal, consistent with a SEIFA IRSAD decile of 4 and an income percentile of 31. Affordability as a percentage of income improved slightly from 34.9% in 2011 to 33.3% in 2021, a stable trend. Rent growth of 31.6% over the period outpaced real income growth of 12.0%, compressing affordability margins for tenants even as purchase-side affordability held steady.
Historical + Forecast
Hamilton-Perry + Holt smoothing on ERP 2001-2025
Age Cohort Forecast
Primary Driver
Balanced
Net Overseas / yr
+17
Net Internal / yr
-14
Gentrification Signal
Not gentrifying
Safety & Crime
Total Offences
86
Year ending June 2024
Rate per 1,000 People
26.6
Source: Crime Statistics Agency Victoria / SA Police
National Ranking iPercentile rank among ~15,000 AU suburbs. 90% = higher than 90% of suburbs
How Clare compares to ~15,000 Australian suburbs
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Clare a good suburb to live in?
Clare suits residents who value affordability and stability. Mortgage repayments average $1,256 per month and the mortgage-to-income ratio of 22.3% is comfortably below the 30% stress level. The crime rate is low at 26.6 incidents per 1,000 residents and the volunteering rate of 28.1% reflects a well-connected community. The main trade-off is limited public transport and an income base at the 31st percentile nationally.
What is the median house price in Clare?
Median house price data is not available for Clare in this dataset. Affordability indicators suggest values well below state and national medians: weekly rent is $250 and monthly mortgage repayments average $1,256, implying a mortgage-to-income ratio of 22.3%, which points to a low-cost market relative to household income at the 31st national percentile.
What schools are in Clare?
No schools are recorded inside the Clare boundary in this dataset. Education is the second-largest employment sector at 12.2% of the local workforce (118 workers), suggesting education facilities serve the broader Clare Valley region. University qualifications among residents are 26.6%, which is 3.5 points below the national average.
Is Clare safe?
Clare recorded 86 total offences, giving a crime rate of 26.6 incidents per 1,000 residents per year. This is a low-crime-rate figure for a South Australian regional town. The suburb's IRSD decile score of 5, near the national median on disadvantage, and a volunteering rate of 28.1% are consistent with a community-oriented, low-crime environment.
Is Clare good for property investment?
Clare offers low entry costs, with weekly rent of $250 and an 11.4% vacancy rate. The vacancy rate is elevated compared to capital city markets, suggesting soft rental demand. Annual population growth is 0.48% (about 20 persons per year) and net migration is marginally positive at plus 3 per year. Investors should weigh the affordability advantage against the high vacancy and limited capital growth signals in a slow-growth regional town.
How is Clare's population changing?
Clare's population grew 4.3% over the decade to 2021, below the national average, and is forecast to grow about 0.48% per year to reach approximately 4,347 by 2030 at SA2 level. The demographic trajectory is aging, with the senior share up 5.8 points and the young adult share down 2.7 points over the decade. The community is stable, with 78% of residents remaining in place over the five years to Census.
How much development is happening in Clare?
Clare had 56 development applications lodged in the past 12 months, a solid level for a town of 3,238 people. Recent applications include new detached dwellings, rear additions and outbuilding works. This activity is consistent with an established residential market where most development is infill and renovation rather than large-scale new supply.
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.
Explore Clare on the Map
View parcels, zoning overlays, DA applications, schools and more.
Open Interactive Map