Kangaroo Island

American River

SA5221

American River at a glance

Walk score

6

Very car dependent

Population

280

Median age 63

The brief

What to know about American River.

American River (5221) sits in the Kangaroo Island region of South Australia.

American River has roughly 280 residents, with a retiree-heavy demographic. Households are mostly owner-occupied. Daily life is car-dependent: most residents drive to work, school and the shops.

Side by side

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Median, growth, schools, walkability, all in one view.

Day to day

What it’s like to live here.

American River scores 6/100 on walkability, which makes it car-dependent with limited public transport. Plan for two cars in a typical household, especially if work isn't local.

Who lives here

Demographics.

The 2021 Census put American River's population at 280, with a median age of 63. That sits as a retiree-heavy demographic. Households are mostly owner-occupied (74% own, 15% rent), which shapes everything from school catchment stability to how often properties turn over. Lone-person households are notable here (40%), often a marker of unit-heavy stock and walkable infrastructure.

Population

280

Median age

63

Family households

58%

Lone person

40%

Demographics data as of May 2026· ABS 2021 Census

Market

The price of a home here.

Median house price

Verified median pending

We don't yet have a verified suburb-level median for this market. We're working on a data partner; in the meantime, treat the state-level figures as a guide only. How we source data.

Rental and ownership

Weekly rent (house)

$440/wk

Weekly rent (unit)

$200/wk

Owner occupied

74%

Renter occupied

15%

At a deeper level

PopulationSource: ABS Census 2021 · May 2026

280

Median age: 63

Rental data as of December 2025· rental-sa

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Safety

Crime and safety.

Offence Summary

1

total offences in 2025-26

Top offence categories

OFFENCES AGAINST THE PERSON1 (100.0%)

Crime statistics are reported at LGA level and may cover a broader area than this suburb.

Source: State Police Open Data

Crime data as of June 2026· State Police Open Data

Getting around

Walkability.

Walk Score

6

Transit Score

0

Bike Score

0

Scores calculated from OpenStreetMap data (ODbL)

Walkability data as of May 2026· OpenStreetMap

Place

Location.

Amenities

Transport

Nearby suburbs

Education

Schools in American River.

Local schools for American River

View the catchment for each school to find out more.

Government School Catchment

Kangaroo Island Community Education

R-12CoEdGovernment
View Catchment

© ACARA, licensed under CC BY 4.0.

Frequently asked

About American River.

What is the American River postcode?
American River is in the 5221 postcode, in SA, in the Kangaroo Island region.
What is the average rent in American River?
The median weekly rent for houses is $440, for units it's $200.
What schools are in American River?
There are 1 schools serving American River on this page, including Kangaroo Island Community Education.
How walkable is American River?
American River has a Walk Score of 6 out of 100, highly car-dependent. transit score 0, bike score 0.
What suburbs are near American River?
American River is close to Sapphiretown, Ballast Head, Island Beach, Muston, Pelican Lagoon.
What is the population of American River?
American River has approximately 280 residents. The median age is 63.

Sources cited

Median, growth and rental data from state revenue offices and ABS. Census from ABS 2021. Climate from BoM. Hazard from Geoscience Australia. School data from ACARA. Crime from state police open data. Full methodology →

Always dated

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