Quorn
With a median age of 53, Quorn sits 13 years above the national average, making it one of the most age-skewed communities in the Flinders Ranges. Population contracted 5.8% over the past decade and the trend continues at roughly 8 people per year, yielding a vacancy rate of 22.2% that is well above typical regional benchmarks. Household income is at the 13.3rd percentile nationally, reflecting a semi-retired, low-turnover resident base where 46.4% own outright. Despite those constraints, rent grew 33.6% over the measured period, a supply-driven response in a stock that is almost entirely detached houses at 93.0% of dwellings.
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
26
No median house price is available in current sales data for Quorn, which reflects very thin transaction volumes in a market of around 1,200 residents. Monthly mortgage repayments average $938, well below most SA regional centres, consistent with household income in the 13.3rd percentile nationally. The stock is 93.0% separate houses, with semi-detached at 3.9% and apartments just 2.5%, so buyers get genuine detached housing rather than medium-density product. Three-bedroom dwellings make up 51.2% and four-plus bedroom homes 24.7%. With mortgage-to-income at 21.3%, below the 30% stress threshold, existing owners carry manageable debt loads, which partly explains why 46.4% own outright versus only 32.6% on a mortgage.
For Buyers
No median house price is available in current sales data for Quorn, which reflects very thin transaction volumes in a market of around 1,200 residents. Monthly mortgage repayments average $938, well below most SA regional centres, consistent with household income in the 13.3rd percentile nationally. The stock is 93.0% separate houses, with semi-detached at 3.9% and apartments just 2.5%, so buyers get genuine detached housing rather than medium-density product. Three-bedroom dwellings make up 51.2% and four-plus bedroom homes 24.7%. With mortgage-to-income at 21.3%, below the 30% stress threshold, existing owners carry manageable debt loads, which partly explains why 46.4% own outright versus only 32.6% on a mortgage.
For Investors
The 22.2% vacancy rate is the primary concern for investors, well above typical regional benchmarks, signalling low rental demand relative to stock in a declining-population town. Weekly rent of $200 is low in absolute terms, though rent-to-income at 19.7% stays below stress levels for tenants. Rent grew 33.6% over the measured period, driven by constrained new supply in a stock with only 25 development applications over the past 12 months, most of which are maintenance works rather than new dwellings. Net overseas migration of 4 per year and internal migration of 2 per year provide minimal demand support. Population is forecast to fall from 2,170 in 2025 to 2,117 by 2031, making this a speculative rather than yield-driven investment.
Development Activity
Total DAs
185
Last 12 Months
26
YoY ChangeiYear-over-year change in DA lodgements
-36.6%
Avg DA CostiAverage estimated cost per DA in the past year
N/A
Monthly DA Lodgements
DA Categories
Schools in Quorn iICSEA: school advantage index. 1000 = national avg, higher = more advantaged
Quorn Area School
R-12 · 117 students
Demographics
The median age of 53 is 13 years above the national figure, the most striking figure in the profile. The senior share rose 11.5 points over the decade while the working-age share fell 5.4 points, accelerating an already-pronounced aging trajectory. Overseas-born residents at 7.4% are 14.2 points below national, and ancestry is strongly Anglo-Celtic: English (484), Scottish (118) and Irish (110) are the top three groups, with German (71) also notable. University qualifications at 16.2% are 13.9 points below national, consistent with the trade and public-service workforce. Average household size of 2.0 is 0.5 below national, reflecting the 40.7% couples-without-children share. Volunteering at 29.1% is high, typical of tight regional communities.
Age Distribution
Bedrooms
Dwelling Structure
93.0%
Houses
3.9%
Townhouse
2.5%
Apartment
Tenure
Quorn's housing is dominated by detached homes at 93.0% of dwellings, higher than the SA state average, reflecting its regional outback character. Tenure shows 46.4% owning outright, 32.6% on a mortgage and 21.0% renting, a profile typical of an older, stable community. Three-bedroom homes at 51.2% and four-plus bedroom at 24.7% mean mid-to-large family homes predominate. Monthly mortgage repayments of $938 are affordable by SA standards, and mortgage-to-income at 21.3% is below the stress threshold. The 22.2% vacancy rate points to structural oversupply relative to the resident population, partly driven by the 5.8% population decline over 10 years. Rent at $200 per week is modest, with rent-to-income at 19.7%, so existing tenants face no income stress.
Mortgage / mo
$938
Rent / wk
$200
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
Household Composition
40.7%
Couples, no children
787
Total families
Economy & Employment
Healthcare is the leading employer at 19.2% of the workforce (57 workers), followed by Education at 12.8% (38) and Public Administration at 12.1% (36). Together these three sectors account for 44% of local jobs, making government-funded services the economic anchor. Hospitality contributes 8.4% (25 workers) and Agriculture 7.7% (23), reflecting the tourism and pastoral economy of the Flinders Ranges. Full-time employment runs at 63.3% among those employed, but the participation rate is only 45.5% because 424 residents are not in the labour force, largely due to the median age of 53. Unemployment is 4.3%. SEIFA IRSD and IRSAD both sit at decile 2, placing Quorn in the bottom fifth nationally for socioeconomic conditions, with household income at the 13.3rd percentile.
Unemployment
5.6%
Labour Force
1,102
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
63.3%
Part-time
32.4%
Participation
45.5%
Employed
463
Occupations
Top Industries
University
16.2%
Postgraduate
1.7%
Born Overseas
7.4%
Dwellings
511
Transport to Work
Transport is almost entirely car-dependent, with 79.5% driving to work and only 2.8% using public transport, lower than most regional SA benchmarks. Walking and cycling account for 11.9%, relatively high for a rural area and consistent with a compact town layout. No schools are recorded within the suburb boundary in this dataset, so families rely on facilities in Port Augusta and surrounding areas. Crime totals 51 incidents at a rate of 41.4 per 1,000 residents, an elevated per-capita figure explained by the small denominator of 1,232 residents. SEIFA IRSAD decile 2 places Quorn in the bottom 20% nationally for socioeconomic advantage. Of all residents, 10% (110 people) need daily assistance, above the national average and consistent with the median age of 53.
Drive
79.5%
Public Transport
2.8%
Walk / Cycle
11.9%
Work from Home
N/A
Population Forecast
-0.37%/yr
(-8 people/yr)
EstablishedPopulation fell from 2,197 in 2023 to 2,170 in 2025 and medium forecasts project a further decline to 2,117 by 2031, an annual loss of roughly 8 people at 0.37% per year. The 10-year contraction of 5.8% marks Quorn as a slow-growth, aging community. Net overseas migration of 4 per year and balanced internal flows are too small to offset natural attrition. The gentrification score registers near zero with no recorded signals, consistent with decile 2 SEIFA and an absence of price pressure. Affordability held stable at 27.2% in both 2011 and 2021, which is unusual compared to many SA regional towns that saw affordability erode over the same period. Real income grew 8.7% over the decade, a modest gain.
Historical + Forecast
Hamilton-Perry + Holt smoothing on ERP 2001-2025
Age Cohort Forecast
Primary Driver
Balanced
Net Overseas / yr
+4
Net Internal / yr
+2
Gentrification Signal
Not gentrifying
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
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Quorn a good suburb to live in?
Quorn suits retirees and those seeking a quiet rural lifestyle, with mortgage-to-income at 21.3% below the stress threshold and 46.4% of residents owning outright. The trade-off is SEIFA IRSAD decile 2 nationally, indicating high relative disadvantage, household income at the 13.3rd percentile, and limited services compared to larger SA centres.
What is the median house price in Quorn?
No reliable median house price is available due to very thin transaction volumes in this market of around 1,200 residents. Monthly mortgage repayments average $938 and mortgage-to-income is 21.3%, suggesting prices are low relative to incomes. Weekly rent is $200, with a vacancy rate of 22.2%, indicating a buyer's market.
What schools are in Quorn?
No schools are recorded inside the Quorn statistical boundary in this dataset. Families typically access schooling in Port Augusta, approximately 65 km to the south. The local university qualification rate is 16.2%, which is 13.9 points below the national average, reflecting the trade and public-service employment base.
Is Quorn safe?
Quorn recorded 51 total crime incidents, giving a rate of 41.4 per 1,000 residents. The elevated per-capita rate reflects a small population of 1,232 where a handful of incidents moves the ratio significantly. No breakdown by crime category is available in this dataset. SEIFA IRSD decile 2 indicates higher relative disadvantage than 80% of Australian communities.
Is Quorn good for property investment?
Investment risk is high. The vacancy rate of 22.2% is well above typical regional benchmarks and population is forecast to fall from 2,170 in 2025 to 2,117 by 2031. Rent of $200 per week grew 33.6% over the decade, but low absolute yields and thin demand drivers limit upside. The market suits only patient, low-entry-cost investors comfortable with ongoing population decline.
How is Quorn's population changing?
Population fell 5.8% over 10 years and continues declining, from 2,197 in 2023 to 2,170 in 2025. Medium forecasts project 2,117 by 2031 at 0.37% per year. The community is aging rapidly, with the senior share up 11.5 points and working-age share down 5.4 points since 2011. Net migration of 4 to 6 people annually cannot offset natural attrition.
How much development is happening in Quorn?
There were 25 development applications lodged in the past 12 months, a moderate count for a town of 1,232 residents. Recent approvals include a dog kennel compound, pergola repairs and a verandah. Activity is mainly maintenance and small alterations rather than new residential supply, consistent with a stable, slowly contracting population base.
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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