Williamstown

SA 5351 • Rest of SA

2,981
Population (2021)
$42,276
Median Income
70.78 km²
Area
$300/wk
Median Rent
RuralHeritageFamily-FriendlyBarossa Valley

About Williamstown

Williamstown is a historic rural township in the southern Barossa Valley region of South Australia, located approximately 39 kilometres north-east of Adelaide within the Barossa Council local government area, at an elevation of around 294 metres in the foothills of the Mount Lofty Ranges. With a population of 2,981 and a median age of 42, the town has a strong family character and reflects the established, predominantly Anglo-European heritage of the Barossa, with significant English and German ancestries among its residents. Median household income of $1,782 per week is above the national average, and the town's 70-square-kilometre area encompasses both the township and surrounding rural land.

Williamstown's historic Queen Street village centre provides local shops, cafés, and community facilities, while the broader Barossa wine region — renowned for its Shiraz and Grenache — surrounds the town with vineyards, cellar doors, and scenic countryside. The town is approximately 15 kilometres from Gawler, which offers Gawler Line train services into Adelaide, and the Sturt Highway provides convenient road access to the city in around 45–50 minutes. Walking trails through nearby Barossa Goldfields and the Mount Crawford Forest offer outdoor recreation, making Williamstown an appealing base for families and those seeking a relaxed lifestyle with Barossa Valley at their doorstep.

Williamstown falls under postcode 5351 and is governed by Barossa Council (LGA). For state elections, residents vote in the Schubert electorate.

📍 Location

Postcode
5351
Urban Area
N/A
LGA / Council
Federal Electorate
State Electorate
Type
Rural
Timezone
Adelaide (UTC+9:30)
Coordinates
-34.67°, 138.89°
Statistical Area
Rest of SA
Area
70.78 km²
Elevation
294m

🚌 Transport & Commute

Bus Services

  • Limited regional bus services — Gawler / Adelaide ~25 min to Gawler

Commute to Adelaide CBD

Distance
39 km
By Train
~55–70 min from Gawler Central via Gawler Line (~15 km drive to station)
By Car (Peak)
50–65 min
By Car (Off-Peak)
40–50 min

🛣️ Sturt Highway and Gawler Bypass Road are the primary routes to Adelaide

Walkability Car-Dependent

Most errands require a car, though the village centre offers some basic services on foot

🛒 Supermarkets Nearby

No major supermarkets listed for this suburb.

🎓 Schools

🏠 Housing 2021 Census

Median Rent (weekly)
$300
Median Mortgage (monthly)
$1,500
Avg Household Size
2.7 people
Median Age
42 years
Social Housing (% of dwellings)
0.4%

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

🎓 Educational Institution Attending 2021 Census

School Sector Breakdown

👥 Demographics

Census 2016
2,755
Census 2021
2,981
8.2% growth

Population Growth

Gender Distribution (Census 2021)

Income 2016
$34,008
Income 2021
$42,276
24.3% increase

Income Comparison

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

🌍 Country of Birth 2021 Census

Born in Australia 2,441
Born Overseas 436

Top Countries of Birth (excl. Australia)

  • 1. England 276
  • 2. Scotland 36
  • 3. Germany 24
  • 4. New Zealand 22
  • 5. Netherlands 11
  • 6. South Africa 11
  • 7. Italy 5
  • 8. Philippines 5
  • 9. Sri Lanka 5
  • 10. Poland 4

🧬 Ancestry 2021 Census

Top ancestries reported (people may report up to two)

English 1,461
Australian 1,329
German 378
Scottish 292
Irish 213
Italian 77
Dutch 76
Australian Aboriginal 33
Polish 25
Greek 17

👨‍👩‍👧 Parents' Birthplace 2021 Census

1,844
Both parents born in Australia
621
Both parents born overseas
408
One parent AU, one overseas

🛐 Religion 2021 Census

No Religion
57.8%
Christianity
35.2%
Buddhism
0.3%

📊 Age Distribution 2021 Census

0-4 years
152 (5.1%)
5-14 years
444 (14.9%)
15-19 years
186 (6.2%)
20-24 years
153 (5.1%)
25-34 years
307 (10.3%)
35-44 years
357 (12.0%)
45-54 years
452 (15.2%)
55-64 years
440 (14.8%)
65-74 years
316 (10.6%)
75-84 years
120 (4.0%)
85+ years
62 (2.1%)

Nearby Suburbs

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Williamstown known for? +

Williamstown is known for its historic township character, proximity to the Barossa Valley wine region, and scenic foothill setting in the Mount Lofty Ranges, along with local walking trails through the Barossa Goldfields and nearby Mount Crawford Forest.

How far is Williamstown from Adelaide? +

Williamstown is approximately 39 kilometres north-east of the Adelaide CBD, making it around a 40–65 minute drive depending on traffic via the Sturt Highway.

Does Williamstown have public transport? +

There is no train service in Williamstown itself; the nearest train station is Gawler Central, approximately 15 kilometres away, which provides Gawler Line services into Adelaide CBD. Limited regional bus services connect Williamstown to Gawler.

What is the population of Williamstown? +

According to the 2021 Census, Williamstown has a population of 2,981 residents, with a median age of 42 and a strong proportion of families with school-aged children, reflecting its appeal as a family-oriented rural township.

Is Williamstown a good place to live? +

Williamstown is a great option for those seeking a relaxed rural lifestyle close to the Barossa Valley's vineyards, cellar doors, and nature trails, while remaining within commuting distance of Adelaide. A car is essential for most daily activities.

What is the postcode for Williamstown? +

The postcode for Williamstown, South Australia is 5351.