Census shows SA retiree hot spot

Victor Harbor may be Australia's retiree capital, boasting the oldest average age of any region, but next week's census will reveal whether the South Australian town can retain the title.

More than 40 per cent of Victor Harbor's population is 65 or older and the median age of the region is 57.4, data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics shows.

The sea air appear to be a drawcard for the grey crowd, with other older regions including Queenscliffe in Victoria, with a median age of 55.3, and Flinders in Tasmania with an average age of 55.2.

Nationally, South Australia and Tasmania have the largest proportions of older people, with 16 per cent of the population aged 65 or older, followed by 14 per cent in NSW and Victoria.

SA census director Lisa Moutzouris says the state has several concentrated retiree populations and new data will help governments and service providers look after them.