🔍

Crystal Brook

SA 5523 • Rest of SA

1,537
Population (2021)
$52,572
Median Household Income
192.74 km²
Area
$189/wk
Median Rent
RuralAgriculturalQuietEstablishedAffordable
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About Crystal Brook

Crystal Brook is a rural town in South Australia's Mid North region, located approximately 40 kilometres south of Port Pirie and around 180 kilometres north of Adelaide, within the Port Pirie City and Districts council area. With a population of 1,537, it is a quiet agricultural service town spread across a substantial 192 square kilometres of farming land at the southern edge of the Flinders Ranges foothills. The median age of 49 and predominantly Australian and English ancestry reflect an established, older community with strong agricultural roots.

Crystal Brook offers the essentials of rural South Australian life, including a primary school, local shops, a hotel, sporting oval, and community hall. The town is well-positioned along the Augusta Highway, making it a convenient stop between Adelaide and the Spencer Gulf port cities. Surrounded by wheat and sheep country, the district is popular with grain growers and is close to the Wirrabara Forest and the northern Flinders Ranges, offering bushwalking and nature experiences for outdoor enthusiasts. The affordable housing and quiet lifestyle attract retirees and families seeking rural living within reasonable reach of Port Pirie's services.

Crystal Brook falls under postcode 5523 and is governed by the Port Pirie City and Dists Council (Local Government Area). For federal elections, residents vote in the electorate of Grey, while state elections fall under the Stuart electorate.

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📍 Location

State
South Australia
Postcode
5523
Urban Area
N/A
LGA / Council
Port Pirie City and Dists
Federal Electorate
Grey
State Electorate
Stuart
Type
Rural
Timezone
Adelaide (UTC+9:30)
Coordinates
-33.38°, 138.19°
Statistical Area
Rest of SA
Area
192.74 km²
Population Density
8 /km²
Elevation
87m

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💰 Income

ATO taxable income Postcode 5523

Median taxable income for individual taxpayers in postcode 5523, comparing the 2019–20 and 2023–24 financial years.

Median 2019–20
$42,070
Median 2023–24
$55,534
▲ 32.0% increase
Average taxable income (2023–24)
$73,290

Source: ATO Taxation Statistics 2023–24, Individuals Table 8 (median & average taxable income by postcode). Covers all individuals who lodged a return in postcode 5523; postcodes with fewer than 200 lodgments are suppressed by the ATO.

Census personal income 2016 vs 2021

Personal Income 2016
$27,092
Personal Income 2021
$28,964
▲ 6.9% 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
$28,964 / yr
$557/wk
Household
$52,572 / yr
$1011/wk
Family
$78,260 / yr
$1505/wk
💰 Income: ABS Census 2021

🏠 Housing 2021 Census

Median Rent (weekly)
$189
Median Mortgage (monthly)
$975
Avg Household Size
2.3 people
Median Age
49 years
Social Housing (% of dwellings)
2.9%

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

🚌 Transport & Commute

Nearest Train Stations

Crystal Brook
0.5 km
7 min
Port Pirie
40 km
N/A

Bus Services

  • Greyhound / regional coach services — Adelaide / Port Pirie 2 hrs to Adelaide

Commute to Adelaide CBD

Distance
180 km
By Train
No direct passenger train service; coach connections via Port Pirie
By Car (Peak)
Approx. 1 hr 50 min – 2 hrs via Augusta Highway
By Car (Off-Peak)
Approx. 1 hr 45 min

🛣️ A private vehicle is essential; Augusta Highway provides direct access south to Adelaide.

Walkability Car-Dependent

The small town centre has basic services within walking distance, but most significant errands require a car to Port Pirie or further afield.

🛒 Supermarkets Nearby

No major supermarkets listed for this suburb.

🎓 Schools

👥 Demographics

Census 2016
1,515
Census 2021
1,537
▲ 1.5% 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 1,341
Born Overseas 112

Top Countries of Birth (excl. Australia)

  • 1. England 46
  • 2. Netherlands 19
  • 3. Germany 11
  • 4. New Zealand 11
  • 5. Philippines 6
  • 6. China 5
  • 7. Malaysia 4
  • 8. Nepal 3

🧬 Ancestry 2021 Census

Top ancestries reported (people may report up to two)

Australian 684
English 656
Scottish 167
Irish 153
German 137
Dutch 53
Australian Aboriginal 22
Italian 17
Welsh 13
Filipino 12

👨‍👩‍👧 Parents' Birthplace

1,193
Both parents born in Australia
135
Both parents born overseas
110
One parent AU, one overseas

🛐 Religion 2021 Census

No Religion
45.8%
Christianity
45.0%
Buddhism
0.4%
Hinduism
0.2%

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📊 Age Distribution 2021 Census

0-4 years
89 (5.8%)
5-14 years
218 (14.2%)
15-19 years
59 (3.8%)
20-24 years
46 (3.0%)
25-34 years
148 (9.6%)
35-44 years
169 (11.0%)
45-54 years
155 (10.1%)
55-64 years
214 (13.9%)
65-74 years
224 (14.6%)
75-84 years
154 (10.0%)
85+ years
71 (4.6%)

Nearby Suburbs

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Crystal Brook known for? +

Crystal Brook is known as a quiet agricultural service town in South Australia's Mid North, surrounded by wheat and sheep properties at the foothills of the Flinders Ranges. It serves the broader farming district and lies along the Augusta Highway connecting Adelaide to the Spencer Gulf.

How far is Crystal Brook from Adelaide? +

Crystal Brook is approximately 180 kilometres north of Adelaide CBD, about a 1 hour 45 minute to 2 hour drive via the Augusta Highway.

Does Crystal Brook have public transport? +

Crystal Brook has limited public transport; regional coach services connect it to Port Pirie and Adelaide. There is no regular passenger rail stop in the town. A private vehicle is essential for most travel.

What is the population of Crystal Brook? +

According to the 2021 Census, Crystal Brook has a population of 1,537, broadly stable compared to 1,515 in 2016, reflecting the town's settled character as a rural service centre.

Is Crystal Brook a good place to live? +

Crystal Brook is well-suited to those seeking quiet rural living with affordable housing, a genuine country community feel, and access to the natural landscapes of the Flinders Ranges. It suits retirees, families in agriculture, and those content with limited urban amenities.

What is the postcode for Crystal Brook? +

The postcode for Crystal Brook, South Australia is 5523.

What is the average income in Crystal Brook? +

Based on the 2021 Census, the median personal income in Crystal Brook is about $557 per week (around $29,000 per year). The median household income is $1,011 per week and the median family income is $1,505 per week.

What is the age profile of Crystal Brook? +

The median age in Crystal Brook is 49. The largest age group is 65–74 (224 residents, around 15%). Around 24% of residents are under 20 and about 29% are aged 65 or older. (2021 Census)

How much is rent in Crystal Brook? +

In Crystal Brook, the median weekly rent is $189, and the median monthly mortgage repayment is $975 (2021 Census).