🔍

Cowell

SA 5602 • Rest of SA

1,124
Population (2021)
$60,372
Median Household Income
634.46 km²
Area
$200/wk
Median Rent
CoastalRuralRetirees
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About Cowell

Cowell is a small coastal town situated on Franklin Harbour on the eastern Eyre Peninsula in South Australia, approximately 494 kilometres from Adelaide and 111 kilometres south of Whyalla. Home to a population of around 1,130 people (2016 Census), Cowell serves as the administrative centre of the District Council of Franklin Harbour. The town is distinctly known as the jade capital of Australia, with nearby deposits of nephrite jade and Cowell Marble attracting collectors and visitors from across the country.

Cowell offers a relaxed coastal lifestyle centred on Franklin Harbour, a near-landlocked natural harbour renowned for its calm waters and excellent fishing, particularly for King George whiting. The town provides essential services including a hospital with a resident GP, a supermarket, pharmacy, two hotels, and caravan parks catering to tourists and grey nomads. The Cowell Area School (R–12) serves local families, while the community is supported by volunteer Ambulance, Sea Rescue, and Country Fire Service brigades, reflecting a tight-knit rural character.

Cowell falls under postcode 5602 and is governed by the Franklin Harbour Council (Local Government Area). For federal elections, residents vote in the electorate of Grey, while state elections fall under the Flinders electorate.

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📍 Location

State
South Australia
Postcode
5602
Urban Area
Eyre Peninsula
LGA / Council
Franklin Harbour
Federal Electorate
Grey
State Electorate
Flinders
Type
Urban
Timezone
Adelaide (UTC+9:30)
Coordinates
-33.75°, 136.84°
Statistical Area
Rest of SA
Area
634.46 km²
Population Density
2 /km²
Elevation
20m

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💰 Income

ATO taxable income Postcode 5602

Median taxable income for individual taxpayers in postcode 5602, comparing the 2019–20 and 2023–24 financial years.

Median 2019–20
$38,157
Median 2023–24
$52,614
▲ 37.9% increase
Average taxable income (2023–24)
$62,411

Source: ATO Taxation Statistics 2023–24, Individuals Table 8 (median & average taxable income by postcode). Covers all individuals who lodged a return in postcode 5602; postcodes with fewer than 200 lodgments are suppressed by the ATO.

Census personal income 2016 vs 2021

Personal Income 2016
$27,352
Personal Income 2021
$34,788
▲ 27.2% increase

Personal Income Comparison (2016 vs 2021)

2021 Census income breakdown

Personal = median for one earner. Household = all members of a dwelling pooled. Family = related members only. Annual = weekly × 52.

Personal
$34,788 / yr
$669/wk
Household
$60,372 / yr
$1161/wk
Family
$75,348 / yr
$1449/wk
💰 Income: ABS Census 2021

🏠 Housing 2021 Census

Median Rent (weekly)
$200
Median Mortgage (monthly)
$1,040
Avg Household Size
2.2 people
Median Age
53 years
Social Housing (% of dwellings)
4.6%

4 state housing + 16 community housing dwellings (ABS 2021 Census)

🚌 Transport & Commute

Bus Services

  • Premier Stateliner coach — Adelaide (via Port Augusta & Whyalla) Approx. 5-6 hrs

Commute to Adelaide CBD

Distance
494 km
By Train
No train service
By Car (Peak)
Approx. 5 hrs
By Car (Off-Peak)
Approx. 5 hrs

🛣️ Cowell is a remote Eyre Peninsula town; Lincoln Highway connects north to Whyalla and south to Port Lincoln

Walkability Car-Dependent

Small town with most services within a short drive; limited footpaths

🛒 Supermarkets Nearby

No major supermarkets listed for this suburb.

🎓 Schools

  • 🏫
    Cowell Area School
    42 Story Road
    GovernmentPrimary/Secondary CombinedCoedNon-Denominational

👥 Demographics

Census 2016
1,109
Census 2021
1,124
▲ 1.4% growth

Population Growth

Gender Distribution (Census 2021)

📊 Population: ABS Census 2021

🎓 Educational Institution Attending 2021 Census

School Sector Breakdown

🌍 Country of Birth 2021 Census

Born in Australia 915
Born Overseas 79

Top Countries of Birth (excl. Australia)

  • 1. England 33
  • 2. New Zealand 9
  • 3. South Africa 8
  • 4. Germany 7
  • 5. Netherlands 6
  • 6. Philippines 5
  • 7. Scotland 3
  • 8. United States 3

🧬 Ancestry 2021 Census

Top ancestries reported (people may report up to two)

English 481
Australian 478
German 132
Irish 70
Scottish 67
Dutch 30
Australian Aboriginal 25
Welsh 10
South African 7
Filipino 5

👨‍👩‍👧 Parents' Birthplace

800
Both parents born in Australia
108
Both parents born overseas
74
One parent AU, one overseas

🛐 Religion 2021 Census

No Religion
43.9%
Christianity
42.2%
Buddhism
0.9%
Islam
0.4%
Hinduism
0.3%

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📊 Age Distribution 2021 Census

0-4 years
39 (3.5%)
5-14 years
122 (10.9%)
15-19 years
46 (4.1%)
20-24 years
30 (2.7%)
25-34 years
105 (9.3%)
35-44 years
106 (9.4%)
45-54 years
145 (12.9%)
55-64 years
185 (16.5%)
65-74 years
221 (19.7%)
75-84 years
103 (9.2%)
85+ years
35 (3.1%)

Nearby Suburbs

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Cowell SA known for? +

Cowell is known as Australia's jade capital, with nearby deposits of nephrite jade and Cowell Marble. It is also renowned for excellent fishing in Franklin Harbour, particularly for King George whiting.

How far is Cowell from Adelaide? +

Cowell is approximately 494 kilometres from Adelaide by road, roughly a 5-hour drive north-west via Port Augusta and the Lincoln Highway.

What school is in Cowell? +

Cowell Area School is a government K–12 (Reception to Year 12) school located on Story Street, serving the local and surrounding rural community.

What is the population of Cowell SA? +

The population of Cowell was approximately 1,130 at the 2016 Census, making it a small but well-serviced regional town on the Eyre Peninsula.

What is the average income in Cowell? +

Based on the 2021 Census, the median personal income in Cowell is about $669 per week (around $34,800 per year). The median household income is $1,161 per week and the median family income is $1,449 per week.

What is the age profile of Cowell? +

The median age in Cowell is 53. The largest age group is 65–74 (221 residents, around 20%). Around 18% of residents are under 20 and about 32% are aged 65 or older. (2021 Census)

What is the population of Cowell? +

Cowell had a population of 1,124 at the 2021 Census, up 1.4% from 1,109 in 2016.

How much is rent in Cowell? +

In Cowell, the median weekly rent is $200, and the median monthly mortgage repayment is $1,040 (2021 Census).