🔍

Mount Compass

SA 5210 • Rest of SA

1,580
Population (2021)
$37,700
Median Income
42.79 km²
Area
$340/wk
Median Rent
RuralPeacefulFleurieu PeninsulaFamily-Friendly

About Mount Compass

Mount Compass is a rural locality in the Alexandrina District Council on South Australia's Fleurieu Peninsula, situated approximately 50 kilometres south of Adelaide's CBD. Covering nearly 43 square kilometres at an elevation of 281 metres, it is set in rolling hills surrounded by farmland, vineyards, and natural bushland typical of the southern Fleurieu. With a population of 1,580 and a median age of 40, Mount Compass is a community of families and established residents drawn by the rural lifestyle, with a median household income of around $1,655 per week indicating a comfortable owner-occupier demographic.

Mount Compass serves as a small rural service centre for the surrounding district, with a local school, the Compass Hotel, a general store, and community facilities forming the heart of the township. The Fleurieu Peninsula is known for its wine regions, coastal beaches at nearby Goolwa and Victor Harbor, and scenic countryside, placing Mount Compass within easy reach of some of South Australia's most popular recreational destinations. The area attracts those seeking a quiet, semi-self-sufficient rural lifestyle while remaining within an hour's drive of Adelaide, and strong English and Australian ancestry reflects a deeply established community character.

Mount Compass falls under postcode 5210 and is governed by Alexandrina Council (LGA). For state elections, residents vote in the Finniss electorate.

📍 Location

State
South Australia
Postcode
5210
Urban Area
N/A
LGA / Council
Alexandrina
Federal Electorate
Mayo
State Electorate
Finniss
Type
Rural
Timezone
Adelaide (UTC+9:30)
Coordinates
-35.36°, 138.59°
Statistical Area
Rest of SA
Area
42.79 km²
Elevation
281m

🚌 Transport & Commute

Bus Services

  • SouthLink rural bus services — Victor Harbor / Adelaide (limited) 30-60 min to Victor Harbor

Commute to Adelaide CBD

Distance
50 km
By Train
No direct train; drive to Noarlunga Centre (~35 km) for train to Adelaide (~30 min)
By Car (Peak)
55-75 min via South Road / Southern Expressway
By Car (Off-Peak)
45-55 min

🛣️ Southern Expressway provides main route north; car essential for residents

Walkability Almost All Errands Require a Car

Mount Compass has a small local store and hotel, but a car is needed for almost all shopping and daily services

🛒 Supermarkets Nearby

No major supermarkets listed for this suburb.

🎓 Schools

🏠 Housing 2021 Census

Median Rent (weekly)
$340
Median Mortgage (monthly)
$1,517
Avg Household Size
2.8 people
Median Age
40 years

🎓 Educational Institution Attending 2021 Census

School Sector Breakdown

👥 Demographics

Census 2016
1,457
Census 2021
1,580
▲ 8.4% growth

Population Growth

Gender Distribution (Census 2021)

Income 2016
$31,356
Income 2021
$37,700
▲ 20.2% increase

Income Comparison

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

🌍 Country of Birth 2021 Census

Born in Australia 1,237
Born Overseas 260

Top Countries of Birth (excl. Australia)

  • 1. England 134
  • 2. South Africa 17
  • 3. Germany 14
  • 4. New Zealand 10
  • 5. Scotland 10
  • 6. Philippines 8
  • 7. Italy 7
  • 8. Netherlands 5
  • 9. United States 5
  • 10. France 4

🧬 Ancestry 2021 Census

Top ancestries reported (people may report up to two)

English 751
Australian 668
Scottish 146
German 119
Irish 110
Italian 45
Dutch 37
Australian Aboriginal 24
New Zealander 22
French 20

👨‍👩‍👧 Parents' Birthplace 2021 Census

933
Both parents born in Australia
341
Both parents born overseas
226
One parent AU, one overseas

🛐 Religion 2021 Census

No Religion
59.5%
Christianity
31.5%
Buddhism
0.7%

📊 Age Distribution 2021 Census

0-4 years
94 (5.9%)
5-14 years
232 (14.7%)
15-19 years
114 (7.2%)
20-24 years
73 (4.6%)
25-34 years
156 (9.9%)
35-44 years
205 (13.0%)
45-54 years
229 (14.5%)
55-64 years
209 (13.2%)
65-74 years
197 (12.5%)
75-84 years
53 (3.4%)
85+ years
6 (0.4%)

Nearby Suburbs

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Mount Compass known for? +

Mount Compass is known as a quiet rural township on the Fleurieu Peninsula, surrounded by farmland and rolling hills, and is the gateway to the southern Fleurieu's wine regions, Goolwa, and Victor Harbor coastline.

How far is Mount Compass from Adelaide CBD? +

Mount Compass is approximately 50 kilometres south of Adelaide's CBD, typically a 45–75 minute drive via the Southern Expressway depending on traffic.

Does Mount Compass have public transport? +

Public transport is very limited in Mount Compass. SouthLink rural bus services offer some connections to Victor Harbor and Adelaide, but a car is the practical necessity for most residents.

What is the population of Mount Compass? +

According to the 2021 Census, Mount Compass has a population of 1,580, with an average household size of 2.8 and a median age of 40, reflecting a family and established-resident community.

Is Mount Compass a good place to live? +

Mount Compass suits those who value a quiet, rural lifestyle with access to the Fleurieu Peninsula's beaches, wine regions, and natural scenery, while accepting a car-dependent lifestyle and the trade-off of distance from Adelaide's urban services.

What is the postcode for Mount Compass? +

The postcode for Mount Compass, SA is 5210.