Mallala

SA 5502 • Rest of SA

1,042
Population (2021)
$36,608
Median Income
113.07 km²
Area
$278/wk
Median Rent
RuralAgriculturalQuietAffordableHistoric

About Mallala

Mallala is a rural town in the Adelaide Plains, located approximately 55 kilometres north of the Adelaide CBD within the Adelaide Plains District Council local government area. Spread across a large 113 square kilometre locality at an elevation of around 43 metres, Mallala had a population of 1,042 at the 2021 Census. The town was established in 1851 and developed as an agricultural service centre in the Lower North region, surrounded by cereal cropping and mixed farming land typical of the Adelaide Plains. With a relatively young median age of 37 and a median household income of $1,537 per week, Mallala reflects a working community with a mix of young families and established rural residents.

Mallala is perhaps best known to motorsport fans as the home of Mallala Motorsport Park, a historic racing circuit that has hosted national and state-level motor racing events for decades. The town itself has a range of local services including a primary school, general store, hotel, and sporting facilities, while larger shopping and medical services are available in nearby Two Wells (around 20 kilometres south) and Gawler (around 25 kilometres south-east). The surrounding agricultural plains offer a wide, open landscape with a genuinely rural character, and the community maintains a strong local identity through its sporting clubs, agricultural shows, and country town traditions. A car is essential for most daily needs beyond Mallala's modest local services.

Mallala falls under postcode 5502 and is governed by Adelaide Plains Council (LGA). For state elections, residents vote in the Ngadjuri electorate.

📍 Location

Postcode
5502
Urban Area
N/A
LGA / Council
Federal Electorate
State Electorate
Type
Rural
Timezone
Adelaide (UTC+9:30)
Coordinates
-34.44°, 138.50°
Statistical Area
Rest of SA
Area
113.07 km²
Elevation
43m

🚌 Transport & Commute

Bus Services

  • Regional bus services (link to Adelaide/Gawler) — Adelaide CBD / Gawler 60-75 min to Adelaide

Commute to Adelaide CBD

Distance
55 km
By Train
No direct rail; drive south to Roseworthy or Gawler then ~50-60 min via Gawler Line
By Car (Peak)
50-70 min
By Car (Off-Peak)
45-60 min

🛣️ Main North Road and the Northern Expressway provide the primary routes to Adelaide; car essential for all practical purposes

Walkability Almost All Errands Require a Car

Mallala is a small rural town where a car is essential for most needs beyond the few local services within the township

🛒 Supermarkets Nearby

No major supermarkets listed for this suburb.

🎓 Schools

🏠 Housing 2021 Census

Median Rent (weekly)
$278
Median Mortgage (monthly)
$1,192
Avg Household Size
2.5 people
Median Age
37 years
Social Housing (% of dwellings)
1.4%

0 state housing + 5 community housing dwellings (ABS 2021 Census)

🎓 Educational Institution Attending 2021 Census

School Sector Breakdown

👥 Demographics

Census 2016
894
Census 2021
1,042
16.6% growth

Population Growth

Gender Distribution (Census 2021)

Income 2016
$31,824
Income 2021
$36,608
15.0% increase

Income Comparison

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

🌍 Country of Birth 2021 Census

Born in Australia 784
Born Overseas 143

Top Countries of Birth (excl. Australia)

  • 1. England 23
  • 2. New Zealand 9
  • 3. Netherlands 5
  • 4. United States 5
  • 5. Germany 4
  • 6. Iran 4
  • 7. Philippines 3
  • 8. Poland 3

🧬 Ancestry 2021 Census

Top ancestries reported (people may report up to two)

Australian 433
English 413
Scottish 88
Irish 72
German 48
Italian 23
Australian Aboriginal 18
Dutch 14
Polish 13
Welsh 10

👨‍👩‍👧 Parents' Birthplace 2021 Census

659
Both parents born in Australia
186
Both parents born overseas
78
One parent AU, one overseas

🛐 Religion 2021 Census

No Religion
51.2%
Christianity
34.5%
Islam
0.4%
Buddhism
0.3%

📊 Age Distribution 2021 Census

0-4 years
63 (6.0%)
5-14 years
136 (13.1%)
15-19 years
57 (5.5%)
20-24 years
53 (5.1%)
25-34 years
164 (15.7%)
35-44 years
144 (13.8%)
45-54 years
102 (9.8%)
55-64 years
149 (14.3%)
65-74 years
84 (8.1%)
75-84 years
62 (6.0%)
85+ years
18 (1.7%)

Nearby Suburbs

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Mallala known for? +

Mallala is best known for the Mallala Motorsport Park, a historic racing circuit that has hosted national and state-level motor racing events. The town is also known for its agricultural heritage on the Adelaide Plains and its character as a classic South Australian country town.

How far is Mallala from Adelaide CBD? +

Mallala is approximately 55 kilometres north of the Adelaide CBD. The drive along Main North Road or the Northern Expressway typically takes 45–70 minutes depending on traffic.

Does Mallala have public transport? +

Public transport options are very limited. There is no train station in Mallala; regional bus services provide connections to Gawler and Adelaide, but a car is the most practical way to get around. The nearest Gawler Line station is approximately 20 kilometres south near Roseworthy.

What is the population of Mallala? +

Mallala had a population of 1,042 at the 2021 Census, spread across a large 113 square kilometre locality. The town has a relatively young community with a median age of 37.

Is Mallala a good place to live? +

Mallala suits those seeking an affordable, quiet rural lifestyle within driving distance of Adelaide's northern corridor. It offers country town character, motorsport culture, and a genuine agricultural community feel, making it popular with families and rural lifestyle seekers.

What is the postcode for Mallala? +

The postcode for Mallala is 5502, which covers Mallala and the surrounding Adelaide Plains locality in the District Council of Adelaide Plains.