SA 5433 Census 2021 + Live DA Data

Quorn

At 53, Quorn's median age is 13 years above the national figure, making its aging resident base more notable than its small-town scale. The township has 1,232 people across 392.31 sq km, a density of just 3.1 people per sq km, and 22.2% vacancy. Compared with nearby Hawker, Quorn functions as the more established service township, with healthcare, education and public administration among its largest employment industries. Its 87.4% resident-stability rate supports local continuity, while slow growth and a 45.1% outright-ownership share point to a settled market rather than a fast expansion story.

Local council: Flinders Ranges

Quorn urban fabric map

Population

1,232

Median Age

53.0

Household IncomeiMedian weekly household income (ABS Census)

$1,017/wk

DAs (12 months)iDevelopment Applications lodged in the past year

21

392.31 km²· 3.1 people/km²· Family income $1,399/wk

Quorn suits buyers prioritising space, manageable debt and a quieter established setting over rapid capital growth. A reliable median house price is not available, so the clearest affordability anchors are the $938 monthly mortgage estimate, $200 weekly rent and mortgage costs equal to 21.3% of household income. Separate houses make up 93.0% of dwellings, with 3-bedroom homes at 51.2% and 4-plus-bedroom homes at 24.7%. Compared with higher-cost regional markets, that detached profile may give families more room, although household income sits at the 13.3rd percentile nationally, so renovation and transport costs still matter.

For Buyers

Quorn suits buyers prioritising space, manageable debt and a quieter established setting over rapid capital growth. A reliable median house price is not available, so the clearest affordability anchors are the $938 monthly mortgage estimate, $200 weekly rent and mortgage costs equal to 21.3% of household income. Separate houses make up 93.0% of dwellings, with 3-bedroom homes at 51.2% and 4-plus-bedroom homes at 24.7%. Compared with higher-cost regional markets, that detached profile may give families more room, although household income sits at the 13.3rd percentile nationally, so renovation and transport costs still matter.

For Investors

Quorn's investment case is income-oriented but not low-risk. Weekly rent is $200 and 20.4% of occupied dwellings are rented, yet vacancy is a high 22.2%, which can lengthen letting periods and weaken pricing power. Rent growth of 33.6% shows upward movement, but balanced migration and a forecast annual trend of -0.37% temper the outlook for broad demand growth. Compared with tighter rental markets, investors need to budget for vacancy and maintenance carefully. Twenty-three development applications in 12 months indicate ongoing activity, although the mix includes sheds and outbuildings as well as dwelling work.

Development Activity

Total DAs

189

Last 12 Months

21

YoY ChangeiYear-over-year change in DA lodgements

-43.2%

Avg DA CostiAverage estimated cost per DA in the past year

N/A

Monthly DA Lodgements

DA Categories

Garage / Carport / Shed
36
Deck / Pergola / Patio
14
Swimming Pool / Spa
2
New Dwelling
2
Landscaping / Retaining Wall
1
Renovation / Extension
1
Commercial / Industrial
1
Other
1

Schools in Quorn

Open-register school locations for education access. This is not a school-quality ranking.

Quorn Area School

Primary/Secondary Combined Government

Demographics

Quorn has an older and more locally rooted profile than Australia overall. The median age is 53, or 13 years above the national comparison, while university attainment is 16.2%, 13.9 percentage points below the national figure. Only 7.4% of residents were born overseas, 14.2 points below the national comparison, and average household size is 2.0, or 0.5 below the national level. English, Scottish, Irish and German ancestries are prominent, with counts of 484, 118, 110 and 71. The pattern helps explain the 87.4% who stayed at the same address and the 29.1% volunteering rate, which support continuity but can reduce population turnover.

Age Distribution

0-14
13.3%
15-24
8.2%
25-44
18.5%
45-64
29.2%
65+
31.4%

Bedrooms

Studio/1br
4.8%
2 bed
19.3%
3 bed
51.2%
4+ bed
24.7%

Dwelling Structure

93.0%

Houses

3.9%

Townhouse

2.5%

Apartment

Tenure

Own 45.1% Mortgage 31.7% Rent 20.4% Other 2.8%

Quorn's housing stock is strongly detached and oriented to established households. Separate houses account for 93.0% of dwellings, compared with 2.5% apartments and 3.9% semi-detached homes; 51.2% have 3 bedrooms and 24.7% have 4 or more. Tenure is split between 45.1% owned outright, 31.7% mortgaged and 20.4% rented, while the mortgage-to-income ratio is 21.3% and rent-to-income is 19.7%. Compared with denser regional suburbs, the 3.1 people-per-sq-km setting gives detached homes more prominence. The trade-off is 22.2% vacancy, which signals a less tightly held market than stronger-demand locations.

Mortgage / mo

$938

Rent / wkiABS Census 2021 median across all dwelling types. Current market rents are typically higher.

$200

Census 2021

HH Size

2.0

Personal Income / wk

$617

Vacancy Ratei% of dwellings unoccupied on Census night (ABS 2021)

22.2%

Unoccupied

145

Rent / IncomeiMedian rent as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress

19.7%

Mortgage / IncomeiMedian mortgage as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress

21.3%

Community Profile

Ancestry

English
484
Ancestry NS
138
Scottish
118
Irish
110
German
71
Other
44

Household Composition

28.0%

Couples with children

52.4%

Couples, no children

17.7%

Single parent

311

Total families

Economy & Employment

Employment is concentrated in essential local services and practical industries. Healthcare accounts for 19.2% of jobs, followed by education at 12.8%, public administration at 12.1%, hospitality at 8.4% and agriculture at 7.7%. Among occupations, community and personal services lead with 81 workers, while managers, professionals, trades and machinery or drivers each record 67. The 529-person labour force has a 4.0% unemployment rate and 49.7% participation, but 424 people are outside the labour force, consistent with a median age of 53. Household income is $1,017 weekly and at the 13.3 percentile, lower than national norms. SEIFA IEO, IER, IRSD and IRSAD deciles of 2, 3, 2 and 2 reinforce that economic capacity is below average, partly reflecting lower incomes and an older workforce.

Unemployment

4.0%

Labour Force

529

Unemployed

21

Source: ABS Census 2021

Socio-Economic Indexes (SEIFA)iABS index ranking suburbs from 1 (most disadvantaged) to 10 (most advantaged)

Overall advantage
2
Disadvantage
2
Economic resources
3
Education & occupation
2

Full-time

57.7%

Part-time

33.5%

Participation

49.7%

Employed

508

Full-time and part-time are shares of the employed. Source: ABS Census 2021

Occupations

Community/Personal 81
Managers 67
Professionals 67
Trades 67
Machinery/Drivers 67
Labourers 63
Clerical/Admin 50
Sales 24

Top Industries

Healthcare 19.2%
Education 12.8%
Public Admin 12.1%
Hospitality 8.4%
Agriculture 7.7%

University

16.2%

Postgraduate

1.7%

Born Overseas

7.4%

Dwellings

511

Transport to Work

Quorn is easiest to navigate by car: 71.6% of commuters drive, compared with 2.5% using public transport, while 10.7% walk or cycle and 10.0% work from home. Quorn Area School is the township's 1 government primary/secondary combined school, so families should confirm enrolment zones and year-level availability for the exact address. Recorded crime was 51 offences, or 41.4 per 1,000 residents, making street-level checks sensible. Compared with higher-service regional centres, Quorn trades transport choice for space, volunteering at 29.1% and local-service access. Its IRSAD decile of 2 indicates socioeconomic disadvantage below the national average, which may affect access to some amenities.

Drive

71.6%

Public Transport

2.5%

Walk / Cycle

10.7%

Work from Home

10.0%

Growth Outlook

Quorn's growth outlook is contractionary rather than expansionary. The forecast annual trend is -0.37%, while population change across the wider area is -5.8% over 10 years. The trajectory is labelled Aging, with the senior share up 11.5 percentage points, the young share down 3.7 points and the working-age share down 5.4 points. Migration is Balanced, so it is not a strong single-source inflow story, and the gentrification score is 0 with a stage of Not gentrifying. Compared with growth corridors, this points to demand shaped by retirement, replacement households and local services rather than rapid expansion. Rent growth of 33.6% may still support selective demand where homes are well maintained.

Population trend: Flinders Ranges council area

Quorn sits in the Flinders Ranges council area. These are the council area's residents, not Quorn's.

Residents 2025

1,662

Growth, 5 yr average

-0.1%/yr

2020 to 2025

Growth, last year

-0.9%

2024 to 2025

ABS Estimated Resident Population by LGA, 30 June each year; council area, not this suburb

Safety & Crime

Total Offences

51

Year ending June 2024

Rate per 1,000 People

41.4

Source: Crime Statistics Agency Victoria / SA Police

National Ranking iPercentile rank among ~15,000 AU suburbs. 90% = higher than 90% of suburbs

How Quorn compares to ~15,000 Australian suburbs

Population
Top 26%
Household Income
Bottom 13%
Rent Level
Bottom 30%
Apartments
Top 16%
Renters
Top 37%
Uni Educated
Bottom 23%
Public Transport
Bottom 49%
Born Overseas
Bottom 16%
Density
Bottom 42%

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Quorn a good suburb to live in?

Quorn can suit people seeking a quiet, established township, larger homes and strong local continuity. Its median age is 53, 87.4% of residents stayed at the same address, and 71.6% drive, so it suits car-oriented households more than those needing frequent public transport. Compared with denser centres, daily life is more spacious but services are fewer.

What is the median house price in Quorn?

Quorn's median house price is not currently available as a reliable figure. Housing is dominated by separate homes at 93.0%, while weekly rent is $200 and 51.2% of dwellings have 3 bedrooms. Buyers should compare recent settled sales rather than rely on an unsupported suburb-wide median.

What schools are in Quorn?

Quorn Area School is the local government school combining primary and secondary years. Compared with larger regional centres, school choice is narrower, so check enrolment zones and year-level availability for the exact address. Quorn covers 392.31 sq km and has 1,232 residents.

Is Quorn safe?

Quorn recorded 51 offences, equal to 41.4 offences per 1,000 residents. That rate is a useful comparison point, not a guarantee of safety; when compared with nearby areas, recent trends and the exact street should also be checked. Local volunteering is 29.1%, which can support community connection but does not replace practical safety checks.

Is Quorn good for property investment?

Property investment in Quorn is mixed. Weekly rent is $200, but vacancy is 22.2%, and the forecast annual trend is -0.37%, so rental income may be offset by slower demand. Balanced migration and 23 development applications add activity, while investors should stress-test vacancy, repairs and resale depth compared with tighter markets.

How is Quorn's population changing?

Quorn has 1,232 residents today. Across the wider area, the forecast annual trend is -0.37% and population change over 10 years is -5.8%. The trajectory is Aging, with the senior share up 11.5 percentage points and migration described as Balanced, creating a lower-growth outlook than growth corridors and increasing the importance of services for older households.

What development is happening in Quorn?

Quorn recorded 23 development applications in 12 months, including dwelling and deck work, a shed and an outbuilding. That volume is higher than a completely inactive market but does not by itself indicate a construction boom. Check each proposal's status and final approval details before treating it as new housing supply, since some applications are non-residential improvements.

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 education open registers (school locations), state Crime Statistics agencies (offences), council DA portals (development applications).

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