Keith
A small agricultural service town 215 km southeast of Adelaide, Keith punches well above its income rank on social advantage measures. Despite household income sitting at the 30.7th percentile nationally, the suburb scores decile 10 on IRSD, IRSAD and IEO, the top tier nationally, meaning residents face minimal deprivation relative to areas with similar incomes. The population of 1,405 is aging, with a median age of 43, three years above the national figure. Agriculture drives 25.6% of local employment, and 98.7% of dwellings are separate houses, a detached-dominant stock profile more pronounced than almost anywhere in metropolitan SA.
Population
1,405
Median Age
43.0
Household IncomeiMedian weekly household income (ABS Census)
$1,294/wk
DAs (12 months)iDevelopment Applications lodged in the past year
13
Median house price data is not captured in this dataset for Keith, but the affordability signals are compelling. Monthly mortgage repayments average $773, with a mortgage-to-income ratio of just 13.8%, far below the 30% stress threshold used nationally. That ratio reflects the combination of lower purchase prices and high outright ownership: 41.9% of residents own their home outright compared to a national average significantly higher than the 34.3% carrying a mortgage. Separate houses make up 98.7% of dwellings, the most detached-dominant mix in the dataset. Bedroom counts lean toward 3-bedroom (56.9%) and 4-plus (31.2%), with very few smaller dwellings. Buyers seeking affordable freestanding homes with minimal housing stress will find Keith's cost ratios among the lowest compared to urban SA markets.
For Buyers
Median house price data is not captured in this dataset for Keith, but the affordability signals are compelling. Monthly mortgage repayments average $773, with a mortgage-to-income ratio of just 13.8%, far below the 30% stress threshold used nationally. That ratio reflects the combination of lower purchase prices and high outright ownership: 41.9% of residents own their home outright compared to a national average significantly higher than the 34.3% carrying a mortgage. Separate houses make up 98.7% of dwellings, the most detached-dominant mix in the dataset. Bedroom counts lean toward 3-bedroom (56.9%) and 4-plus (31.2%), with very few smaller dwellings. Buyers seeking affordable freestanding homes with minimal housing stress will find Keith's cost ratios among the lowest compared to urban SA markets.
For Investors
Keith's rental market is small but relatively affordable. Weekly rent averages $180, and the rent-to-income ratio of 13.9% means tenants face lower housing cost pressure than in most SA suburbs. The vacancy rate of 9.5% is elevated, signalling more supply than active demand in the rental segment, so investors should price yields conservatively. The renter share at 23.8% is below national average, consistent with the high ownership culture. Development activity shows 12 applications in 12 months, mostly outbuildings and sheds rather than new dwellings, which limits near-term supply risk from construction. The gentrification score of 31 indicates early-stage signals, with real income growth of 10.2% over the decade supporting gradual rent capacity improvement.
Development Activity
Total DAs
101
Last 12 Months
13
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 Keith iICSEA: school advantage index. 1000 = national avg, higher = more advantaged
Keith Area School
R-12 · 295 students
Demographics
The median age of 43 sits 3.0 years above the national figure, driven by an aging trajectory where the senior share rose 4.6 points over the decade while the working-age share fell 3.1 points. Overseas-born residents account for just 7.2%, which is 14.4 percentage points below the national average, reflecting the Anglo-Celtic heritage of this Murraylands farming community. The top ancestries are English (562 residents), German (153) and Scottish (137), a pattern typical of Lutheran-influenced SA agricultural districts. University qualifications reach 16.9%, which is 13.2 percentage points below the national rate, consistent with a trades and agricultural workforce. Average household size is 2.3, slightly below national. Volunteering participation stands at 38.6%, well above typical urban rates, reflecting the strong community engagement characteristic of regional SA towns.
Age Distribution
Bedrooms
Dwelling Structure
98.7%
Houses
1.3%
Townhouse
N/A
Apartment
Tenure
Keith's housing stock is almost entirely separate houses at 98.7%, with semi-detached dwellings making up the remaining 1.3% and no apartments recorded. This is a more detached-dominant profile than the state average. Three-bedroom homes are the dominant type at 56.9%, followed by 4-plus bedroom at 31.2%, while smaller configurations (0-2 bedrooms) account for just 12%. Tenure favours ownership: 41.9% own outright and 34.3% are paying mortgages, leaving 23.8% renting. The mortgage-to-income ratio of 13.8% and rent-to-income of 13.9% are both well below stress thresholds, making Keith one of the more affordable owner-occupier markets compared to regional centres. Median house price is not tracked in this dataset, but the $773 monthly mortgage repayment benchmark gives a cost reference point.
Mortgage / mo
$773
Rent / wk
$180
HH Size
2.3
Personal Income / wk
$746
Vacancy Ratei% of dwellings unoccupied on Census night (ABS 2021)
9.5%
Unoccupied
59
Rent / IncomeiMedian rent as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
13.9%
Mortgage / IncomeiMedian mortgage as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
13.8%
Community Profile
Ancestry
Household Composition
35.6%
Couples, no children
1,015
Total families
Economy & Employment
Agriculture anchors the local economy at 25.6% of employment (103 workers), nearly double its weight in most regional SA towns, reflecting Keith's position as a service hub for the upper Southeast wool, grain and cropping region. Healthcare (12.4%) and Construction (12.2%) follow, with Retail (10.2%) and Education (8.7%) completing the top five. By occupation, Managers account for the largest share (156 workers) ahead of Labourers (98), Clerical/Admin (83), Machinery/Drivers (68) and Professionals (65). The unemployment rate is just 2.5%, well below the SA state average, with a full-time employment rate of 63.8%. The suburb scores decile 10 on IEO (education and occupation advantage) and decile 9 on IER (economic resources), a slight divergence explained by below-median income levels despite strong employment outcomes.
Unemployment
2.1%
Labour Force
11,888
Unemployed
250
Quarterly Trend
Source: SALM Dec-25
Socio-Economic Indexes (SEIFA)iABS index ranking suburbs from 1 (most disadvantaged) to 10 (most advantaged)
Full-time
63.8%
Part-time
33.7%
Participation
60.1%
Employed
674
Occupations
Top Industries
University
16.9%
Postgraduate
0.7%
Born Overseas
7.2%
Dwellings
554
Transport to Work
Car dependency is high at 83.5% of residents driving to work, consistent with a regional town where public transport is limited. Walking and cycling accounts for 10% of trips, reflecting the compact townsite layout within a large 394 km2 suburb boundary. Safety metrics show a crime rate of 28.5 incidents per 1,000 residents, with 40 total recorded offences, placing Keith among lower-crime regional areas. The suburb scores decile 10 on IRSAD nationally, the top advantage tier. Housing stress indicators are low, with both mortgage-to-income (13.8%) and rent-to-income (13.9%) well below the 30% stress threshold. No schools are recorded in the suburb boundary dataset. The need-for-assistance rate is 4.4% (58 residents), modest for a community with a median age of 43, three years above the national figure.
Drive
83.5%
Public Transport
N/A
Walk / Cycle
10.0%
Work from Home
N/A
Population Forecast
+0.86%/yr
(+191 people/yr)
EstablishedKeith's population grew 7.9% over the past decade, a modest but steady rate typical of rural SA service towns. The current population of 1,405 is supported by very low residential turnover: 85.6% of residents stayed in the area over the five-year reference period, well above the churn seen in metropolitan suburbs. The gentrification score of 31 places Keith at the early signs stage, with real income growth of 10.2% over the decade and affordability improving from 61.9% in 2011 to 48.9% in 2021. The aging trajectory continues, with the senior share rising 4.6 points while the working-age share fell 3.1 points. Rent growth of 7.1% indicates gradual market tightening. Population is expected to grow at approximately 0.86% annually in the medium forecast, above the flat or negative trajectory of many comparable small agricultural towns in SA.
Historical + Forecast
Hamilton-Perry + Holt smoothing on ERP 2001-2025
Age Cohort Forecast
Primary Driver
Overseas Migration
Net Overseas / yr
+778
Net Internal / yr
-121
Gentrification Signal
Early signs
Population +18% since 2011, Net internal outflow -121/yr, Strong overseas inflow +778/yr, Accelerating: 3% → 14%
Safety & Crime
Total Offences
40
Year ending June 2024
Rate per 1,000 People
28.5
Source: Crime Statistics Agency Victoria / SA Police
National Ranking iPercentile rank among ~15,000 AU suburbs. 90% = higher than 90% of suburbs
How Keith compares to ~15,000 Australian suburbs
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Keith a good suburb to live in?
Keith scores decile 10 on IRSD, IRSAD and IEO nationally, the top advantage tier, despite household income sitting at the 30.7th percentile. Housing costs are very affordable, with mortgage-to-income at 13.8% and a crime rate of just 28.5 per 1,000 residents. The main trade-off is car dependency and limited public transport for a town of 1,405 people.
What is the median house price in Keith?
Median house price is not tracked in this dataset for Keith. As a benchmark, the average monthly mortgage repayment is $773 and the mortgage-to-income ratio is just 13.8%, well below the 30% stress threshold, indicating purchase prices are affordable relative to local incomes. Weekly rent averages $180.
What schools are in Keith?
No schools are recorded inside the Keith suburb boundary in this dataset. The suburb's university qualification rate is 16.9%, which is 13.2 percentage points below the national figure, consistent with a workforce oriented toward trades, agriculture and machinery rather than tertiary education pathways.
Is Keith safe?
Keith recorded 40 total offences, giving a crime rate of 28.5 per 1,000 residents. The suburb scores decile 10 on the IRSD index of relative disadvantage nationally, the highest advantage tier, and only 4.4% of residents (58 people) need daily assistance, both consistent with a low-disadvantage community profile.
Is Keith good for property investment?
Rental yields depend on purchase price, which is not tracked here, but weekly rent of $180 and a vacancy rate of 9.5% indicate a thin rental market. The low rent-to-income ratio of 13.9% supports tenant retention, and real income growth of 10.2% over the decade points to gradual rent capacity improvement. Development activity is low at 12 applications in 12 months.
How is Keith's population changing?
Keith grew 7.9% over the past decade, reaching 1,405 residents. The trajectory is aging, with the senior share up 4.6 points and the working-age share down 3.1 points. Residential stability is high: 85.6% of residents stayed in the area over the five-year reference period, with an annual growth forecast of approximately 0.86%.
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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