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Goolwa, Australia

South Australia · Australia

Goolwa is a small town in South Australia, Australia with a population of 2,225. Elevation: 13 ft (4 m). Average temperature: 60°F (16°C).

Data updated June 2026

2.1 /5.0
C Fair
2,225 Population 16/sq mi density
13 ft Elevation 4 meters
60°F Avg Temperature 16°C
22.8 in Annual Rain
Australia / Adelaide Timezone
$16,663 Median Income
C
Overall
2.1 / 5.0
Fair overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
C
Economy
2.3 / 5.0
$16,663 median income, 7.4% unemployment
D
Affordability
1.9 / 5.0
$140,800 home value, $704/mo rent

Discover Goolwa, Australia

Explore over 40 sections covering people, economy, housing, health, crime, climate, community, costs, trends, schools, colleges, hospitals, treatment centers, industries, museums, libraries, breweries, farmers markets, grocery stores, pharmacies, campgrounds, parks, trails, stadiums, ski resorts, daycare centers, nursing homes, churches, fire stations, cell towers, bridges, power plants, EV stations, prisons, radio stations, airports, police stations, post offices, Amtrak stations, superfund sites, UNESCO sites, and more.
Use the tabs and dropdown menus below to navigate every data point we track for this city.

Full City Profile

About Goolwa

Goolwa

Goolwa, known as The Elbow to early settlers, is a historic river port on the Murray River near the Murray Mouth in South Australia. Goolwa is approximately 85 km (53 mi) south of Adelaide, and is joined by a bridge to Hindmarsh Island.

People

Population2,225
Median Age67.0 yrs
Density16/mi²

Economy

C
Median Income$16,663
Per Capita$16,663
Unemployment7.4%

Housing

D
Home Value$140,800
Rent$704
Ownership73.4%
Housing Units890

Climate

Avg Temp60°F (16°C)
Rain22.8 in/yr
Sunny Days312/yr
Elevation13 ft (4 m)
Population2,225
Population Density16 / sq mi
Elevation13 ft (4 m)
Coordinates-35.5016°, 138.7819°
TimezoneAustralia/Adelaide
Country🇦🇺 Australia
State / ProvinceSouth Australia
Average Temperature60°F (16°C)
January Average67°F (20°C)
July Average53°F (11°C)
Annual Precipitation22.8 inches (579 mm)
Annual Snowfall0.0 inches (0 cm)
Median Household Income$16,663
Median Age67.0 years

About Goolwa

Goolwa is a small town in Australia (South Australia) with a population of 2,225. The city sits at an elevation of 13 feet (4 meters) above sea level. The average annual temperature is 60°F (16°C). Temperatures range from 67°F in January to 53°F in July. Annual precipitation averages 22.8 inches. The timezone is Australia/Adelaide.

Goolwa has a population of 2,225 with a density of 16 people per square mile, spread across 140.3 square miles. The median age is 67.0 years, 72% older than the national median of 38.9.

Population

2,225
Total Population
16
People / sq mi
67.0yrs
Median Age
72% above Australia avg
140.3mi²
Land Area

Language Spoken at Home

Other Languages 100.0%

Social Characteristics

Goolwa vs Australia Average

The median household income in Goolwa is $16,663, which is 78% below the national average of $75,149. Per capita income is $16,663 (below the $39,052 national figure). The average weekly wage is $320, 78% lower than the U.S. average. The unemployment rate is 7.4% (above the 3.6% US average). The area has 211 business establishments.

Income: Goolwa vs Australia

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$16,663
78% below Australia avg
Per Capita Income$16,663
Avg Weekly Wage$320

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment7.4%
106% above Australia avg
Establishments (County)211

Business (County)

Tax & Cost of Living

Commute & Transportation

Walkability

The median home value in Goolwa is $140,800, 50% below the national median of $281,900. Monthly rent averages $704 (39% below the national average of $1,163). 73.4% of housing units are owner-occupied (above the 65.4% national rate). There are 890 total housing units in the city. The home price-to-income ratio is 8.4x, making homeownership a significant financial stretch for most families.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$140,800
50% below Australia avg

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$704
39% below Australia avg

Ownership & Property

Homeownership73.4%
Owner-Occupied73.4%
Renter-Occupied26.6%
Housing Units890

Property Tax

Climate in Goolwa

Goolwa has an average annual temperature of 16.5°C (62°F). The hottest month is Jan (20.9°C), the coldest is Jul (11.8°C). Average annual precipitation is 551 mm.

Month Avg °C / °F Min / Max °C Rain (mm)
Jan 20.9°C / 70°F 16.1° / 25.7° 20.1
Feb 20.3°C / 69°F 15.8° / 24.8° 24.4
Mar 19.4°C / 67°F 14.6° / 24.2° 19.6
Apr 17.4°C / 63°F 12.7° / 22.1° 37.4
May 14.6°C / 58°F 10.5° / 18.6° 63.3
Jun 12.2°C / 54°F 8.5° / 16° 75.5
Jul 11.8°C / 53°F 8.1° / 15.6° 80.4
Aug 12.4°C / 54°F 8.2° / 16.5° 74.1
Sep 14.2°C / 58°F 9.5° / 18.9° 60.1
Oct 16°C / 61°F 10.9° / 21.2° 38.6
Nov 18.4°C / 65°F 13.1° / 23.7° 30.0
Dec 19.9°C / 68°F 14.7° / 25.1° 27.3
Goolwa enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 60°F (16°C). Winters average 67°F in January while summers reach 53°F in July / relatively mild seasonal variation. The area gets 312 sunny days per year, well above the U.S. average of 205 / making it one of the sunnier locations in the country. Annual precipitation totals 22.8 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). The city sits at an elevation of 13 feet, near sea level.

Temperature

67°F Jan (20°C) 53°F Jul (11°C)
Annual Average60.0°F
11% above Australia avg
January Average67°F (20°C)
July Average53°F (11°C)
Sunny Days312 days/yr

Geography

Elevation13 ft (4 m)
Area140.3 sq mi (363.2 km²)
Population Density16/sq mi
Coordinates-35.5016°N, 138.7819°W
TimezoneAustralia/Adelaide

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 22.8"
40% below Australia avg
Snowfall 0.0"
Wettest Month (Jul) 2.80"
Driest Month (Feb) 0.67"

Air Quality

Earthquake History

11 earthquakes (M2.5+) within 150 km since 1990. Strongest: M4.1. Most recent: M3.0 on Mar 29, 2022.

Aug 17, 1991 21 km NE of Kapunda, Australia M4.1 148 km
Mar 5, 2022 3 km SW of Mount Barker, Australia M4.0 47 km
Feb 1, 2017 9 km NW of Murray Bridge, Australia M3.9 62 km
Apr 16, 2010 2 km N of Macclesfield, Australia M3.8 39 km
May 9, 2001 28 km SSW of Minlaton, Australia M3.5 131 km
Oct 18, 2011 3 km ESE of Hawthorndene, Australia M3.3 53 km
May 23, 2004 17 km NE of Nuriootpa, Australia M3.3 131 km
Mar 29, 2022 3 km ESE of Macclesfield, Australia M3.0 36 km
Jul 8, 2007 26 km SW of Normanville, Australia M2.8 62 km
Sep 22, 2003 11 km SSE of Normanville, Australia M2.7 38 km
Jun 12, 2007 26 km E of Angaston, Australia M2.5 122 km
Source: USGS (M2.5+, 1990-2025)

Tsunami History

1 tsunami recorded within 500 km.

Year Location Cause Max Wave Deaths Distance
1902 KANGAROO ISLAND Earthquake - - 90 km
Source: NOAA/NCEI Historical Tsunami Database. Sorted by wave height.

Monthly Weather

Month Avg Temperature Precipitation Summary
January 67°F (20°C) 0.9 in
February 69°F (21°C) 0.7 in Warmest, Driest
March 66°F (19°C) 0.9 in
April 62°F (17°C) 1.7 in
May 58°F (14°C) 2.0 in
June 53°F (12°C) 2.6 in
July 53°F (11°C) 2.8 in Coldest, Wettest
August 53°F (12°C) 2.6 in
September 56°F (13°C) 2.0 in
October 60°F (15°C) 1.7 in
November 63°F (17°C) 1.0 in
December 67°F (19°C) 0.9 in

Goolwa has a seasonal temperature swing of 17°F / from 53°F in July to 69°F in February. Total annual precipitation is 19.7 inches, with July being the wettest month (2.8") and February the driest (0.7").

View full weather details →

Schools in Goolwa

2 public schools (NCES 2022-23 data).

School Level Enrollment Teachers Student/Teacher
Goolwa Primary School - - - -
Investigator College - - - -
View full schools details →

Radio Stations near Goolwa

1 stations within ~55 km.

Station Genre Quality
Lofty 88.9 - AAC 24 kbps

Museums in Goolwa

NameTypeAddressPhoneAnnual Revenue
Gilbert's Motor Museum
Goolwa Museum-National Trust
Goolwa Old Railway Superintendent's Cottage
James Bassett School-National Trust
National Trust Museum and Gift Shop
Port Elliot Railway Station - National Trust
Strathalbyn Police Station and Courthouse Museum - National Trust
Victor Harbor Station Master's Residence
Willunga Courthouse National Trust Museum
Willunga Slate National Trust Museum

Libraries in Goolwa

NameAddressStaffAnnual VisitsCirculationCollectionPrograms
Port Elliot Depot0.0
Strathalbyn Library0.0
Victor Harbor Town Library0.0

Farmers Markets in Goolwa

NameAddressSeasonHoursOrganicWebsite
Goolwa Wharf Rotary Market
Willunga Farmers Market

Hotels in Goolwa

1 hotels within city radius - OpenStreetMap data

Corio Hotel

Restaurants in Goolwa

1 restaurants within city radius - OpenStreetMap data

Riverview Deli

Cafes in Goolwa

3 cafes within city radius - OpenStreetMap data

Cafe Lime & Gourmet Foodstore
Hector's Modern Australia Kitchen
Wharf Barrel Shed

Dentists in Goolwa

1 dentists within city radius - OpenStreetMap data

AU #462075414

Train Stations in Goolwa

2 train stations within city radius - OpenStreetMap data

Currency Creek
Goolwa

Banks in Goolwa

2 banks within city radius - OpenStreetMap data

ANZ
Bank SA

Airports Near Goolwa

15 airports within the area.

AirportIATAType
Adelaide International AirportADLLarge Airport
Adelaide Parafield Airport-Small Airport
Aldinga Airport-Small Airport
Aldinga private airstrip-Small Airport
Cherry Gardens Airstrip-Small Airport
Claremont Airbase-Small Airport
Goolwa Airport-Small Airport
Hindmarsh International Airport-Small Airport
Hindmarsh Island private strip-Small Airport
Huntfield Airfield-Small Airport
Meningie Airport-Small Airport
Murray Bridge Airport-Small Airport
Rollo's Aerodrome-Small Airport
Strathalbyn Airport-Small Airport
Woodside Airstrip-Small Airport

Quick Facts

Timezone
Australia/Adelaide

🇦🇺 About Australia

Capital Canberra
Population 24,992,369
Area 7,686,850 km²
GDP (USD) $1,734,451,264,656
GDP per capita $65,058
HDI 0.946
Life expectancy 83.1 years
Internet users 97.1%
Urban population 87.5%
Currency AUD (Dollar)
Languages English
Calling code +61
TLD .au
Driving side left

Public Holidays in Australia

25 public holidays this year

Date Holiday Local Name
Jan 1 New Year's Day New Year's Day
Jan 26 Australia Day Australia Day
Mar 2 Labour Day Labour Day
Mar 9 Adelaide Cup Day Adelaide Cup Day
Mar 9 Canberra Day Canberra Day
Mar 9 Eight Hours Day Eight Hours Day
Mar 9 Labour Day Labour Day
Apr 3 Good Friday Good Friday
Apr 4 Holy Saturday Easter Eve
Apr 5 Easter Sunday Easter Sunday
Apr 6 Easter Monday Easter Monday
Apr 25 Anzac Day Anzac Day
Apr 27 Anzac Day Anzac Day
May 4 Labour Day Labour Day
May 4 May Day May Day
Jun 1 Reconciliation Day Reconciliation Day
Jun 1 Western Australia Day Western Australia Day
Jun 8 King's Birthday King's Birthday
Aug 3 Picnic Day Picnic Day
Sep 28 King's Birthday King's Birthday
Oct 5 King's Birthday King's Birthday
Oct 5 Labour Day Labour Day
Nov 3 Melbourne Cup Melbourne Cup
Dec 25 Christmas Day Christmas Day
Dec 28 St. Stephen's Day Boxing Day

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Frequently Asked Questions About Goolwa

What is the population of Goolwa?

Goolwa has a population of 2,225 residents and is located in Australia. The population density is 16 people per square mile, spread across 140.3 square miles. The median age of residents is 67.0 years, which is older than the national median of 38.9 years.

Is Goolwa expensive to live in?

The median household income is $16,663, 78% below the national average of $75,149. The median home value is $140,800 (50% below the U.S. median). Renters pay a median of $704 per month, below the national average of $1,163. The home price-to-income ratio is 8.4x, which means housing is a stretch relative to local earnings.

What is the weather like in Goolwa?

Goolwa enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 60°F (16°C). Winter temperatures average 67°F in January, while summers reach an average of 53°F in July. The area receives 312 sunny days per year, well above the national average of 205. Annual rainfall totals 22.8 inches.

How is the job market in Goolwa?

The unemployment rate in Goolwa is 7.4%, somewhat above the national average of 3.6%. Job seekers may face moderate competition. The average weekly wage is $320. There are 211 business establishments in the area.

How much does housing cost in Goolwa?

The median home value in Goolwa is $140,800. For renters, the median monthly rent is $704. The homeownership rate is 73.4%.

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