Balhannah

SA 5242 • Greater Adelaide

1,756
Population (2021)
$43,836
Median Income
31.61 km²
Area
$335/wk
Median Rent
RuralHistoricFamily-FriendlyTree-ChangeAdelaide Hills

About Balhannah

Balhannah is a historic town in the Adelaide Hills, situated approximately 30 kilometres southeast of Adelaide in South Australia. Established in 1839 as a farming community, it sits at an elevation of 358 metres amid rolling green hills and native bushland. With a population of around 1,756, Balhannah has a strong Anglo-European heritage with significant German and English ancestry reflected in the region's character. The town falls within the Adelaide Hills Council area and is part of the Greater Adelaide statistical region.

Balhannah offers a relaxed semi-rural lifestyle popular with families and professionals seeking a tree-change from Adelaide while maintaining reasonable access to city amenities. The Onkaparinga Valley Road runs through town, connecting residents to the nearby Hahndorf village, wineries, orchards, and scenic walking trails of the Adelaide Hills. The area is well regarded for its cooler climate, charming local character, and proximity to the Barossa Valley wine region. Residents enjoy a genuine country community feel with access to local services and the broader Hills district.

Balhannah falls under postcode 5242 and is governed by Adelaide Hills Council (LGA). For state elections, residents vote in the Heysen electorate.

📍 Location

Postcode
5242
Urban Area
N/A
LGA / Council
Federal Electorate
State Electorate
Type
Rural
Timezone
Adelaide (UTC+9:30)
Coordinates
-34.99°, 138.84°
Statistical Area
Greater Adelaide
Area
31.61 km²
Elevation
358m

🚌 Transport & Commute

Nearest Train Stations

Littlehampton
7.5 km
Belair Line (Infrequent)
Mount Barker
10 km
Regional bus interchange

Bus Services

  • 823,840 — Adelaide CBD via Mount Barker ~60–80 min

Commute to Adelaide CBD

Distance
32 km
By Train
N/A – no direct rail service
By Bus
~75 min via Route 823/840 to city
By Car (Peak)
~40 min
By Car (Off-Peak)
~30 min

🛣️ Most residents commute by car via South Eastern Freeway or Onkaparinga Valley Road.

Walkability Car-Dependent

Balhannah is a rural town where a car is essential for most daily needs. Limited footpaths connect local streets but most services require driving to nearby Hahndorf or Mount Barker.

🛒 Supermarkets Nearby

No major supermarkets listed for this suburb.

🎓 Schools

No schools listed for this postcode.

🏠 Housing 2021 Census

Median Rent (weekly)
$335
Median Mortgage (monthly)
$1,647
Avg Household Size
2.7 people
Median Age
44 years
Social Housing (% of dwellings)
1%

3 state housing + 3 community housing dwellings (ABS 2021 Census)

🎓 Educational Institution Attending 2021 Census

School Sector Breakdown

👥 Demographics

Census 2016
1,621
Census 2021
1,756
8.3% growth

Population Growth

Gender Distribution (Census 2021)

Income 2016
$36,816
Income 2021
$43,836
19.1% increase

Income Comparison

📊 Population: ABS Census 2021
💰 Income: ABS Census 2021

🌍 Country of Birth 2021 Census

Born in Australia 1,422
Born Overseas 222

Top Countries of Birth (excl. Australia)

  • 1. England 110
  • 2. Germany 14
  • 3. New Zealand 11
  • 4. Scotland 10
  • 5. South Africa 9
  • 6. United States 9
  • 7. Italy 5
  • 8. Netherlands 5
  • 9. Singapore 5
  • 10. Canada 4

🧬 Ancestry 2021 Census

Top ancestries reported (people may report up to two)

English 880
Australian 635
German 233
Scottish 208
Irish 175
Italian 88
Dutch 50
Welsh 20
Polish 13
Australian Aboriginal 12

👨‍👩‍👧 Parents' Birthplace 2021 Census

1,106
Both parents born in Australia
294
Both parents born overseas
247
One parent AU, one overseas

🛐 Religion 2021 Census

No Religion
51.3%
Christianity
40.3%
Buddhism
0.5%
Islam
0.2%

📊 Age Distribution 2021 Census

0-4 years
100 (5.7%)
5-14 years
224 (12.8%)
15-19 years
107 (6.1%)
20-24 years
82 (4.7%)
25-34 years
160 (9.1%)
35-44 years
209 (11.9%)
45-54 years
261 (14.9%)
55-64 years
214 (12.2%)
65-74 years
239 (13.6%)
75-84 years
114 (6.5%)
85+ years
50 (2.8%)

Nearby Suburbs