SA 5154 Census 2021 + Live DA Data

Aldgate

With household income in the 93rd percentile nationally and a $1,625,000 median house price, Aldgate sits among the Adelaide Hills' most expensive addresses, yet its 3,471 residents are seldom discussed in the same breath as inner-city premium markets. Every dwelling recorded is a separate house, and 50.3% have four or more bedrooms, pointing to large family properties rather than the apartments dominating similar-priced suburbs elsewhere. The suburb scores decile 10 on IRSD and decile 9 on IRSAD, placing it in the top tier of SA for low disadvantage. University qualifications reach 56.5%, which is 26.4 percentage points above the national average, and the median age of 45 is 5 years older than national, signalling an established, affluent, owner-occupier community that skews toward professionals and managers.

Aldgate urban fabric map

Population

3,471

Median Age

45.0

Household IncomeiMedian weekly household income (ABS Census)

$2,561/wk

DAs (12 months)iDevelopment Applications lodged in the past year

70

Median House

$1.6M

Median 1Q 2026

8.41 km²· 412.9 people/km²· Family income $2,844/wk

The median house price reached $1,625,000 in Q1 2026, up from $1,600,000 in Q1 2025, a 1.6% gain over the year. Every recorded dwelling is a separate house, eliminating the apartment-entry option common in other premium markets, so buyers compete purely for detached stock. Four-plus-bedroom homes account for 50.3% of the suburb and three-bedroom homes 42.6%, giving a clear picture of large, land-rich properties. Monthly mortgage repayments average $2,200, and the mortgage-to-income ratio of 19.8% sits well below the 30% stress threshold despite the high price point, because household incomes here rank in the 93rd percentile nationally. Outright ownership (46%) and mortgage holders (47.9%) are roughly equal, meaning almost half the suburb carries no housing debt, a sign of long-held, debt-free wealth rather than recent speculative buying.

For Buyers

The median house price reached $1,625,000 in Q1 2026, up from $1,600,000 in Q1 2025, a 1.6% gain over the year. Every recorded dwelling is a separate house, eliminating the apartment-entry option common in other premium markets, so buyers compete purely for detached stock. Four-plus-bedroom homes account for 50.3% of the suburb and three-bedroom homes 42.6%, giving a clear picture of large, land-rich properties. Monthly mortgage repayments average $2,200, and the mortgage-to-income ratio of 19.8% sits well below the 30% stress threshold despite the high price point, because household incomes here rank in the 93rd percentile nationally. Outright ownership (46%) and mortgage holders (47.9%) are roughly equal, meaning almost half the suburb carries no housing debt, a sign of long-held, debt-free wealth rather than recent speculative buying.

For Investors

The rental market in Aldgate is deliberately thin: only 6% of dwellings are rented, compared with the national average of around 30%, and weekly rent averages $500. Against a $1,625,000 median house price that implies a gross yield below 1.6%, among the lowest in SA. The vacancy rate of 5.2% is elevated for such a small rental pool, suggesting limited tenant demand relative to available stock. Development activity runs at 65 applications in the past 12 months, mainly verandahs, pool installations and building alterations rather than new dwellings, so supply pressure is not increasing materially. Net overseas migration of 141 persons per year drives the suburb's headline population growth, but net internal migration is negative at minus 42, meaning the suburb's appeal sits with new arrivals rather than interstate movers. The investment case here is capital preservation and land value over rental yield.

Development Activity

Total DAs

402

Last 12 Months

70

YoY ChangeiYear-over-year change in DA lodgements

-1.4%

Avg DA CostiAverage estimated cost per DA in the past year

N/A

Monthly DA Lodgements

DA Categories

Garage / Carport / Shed
37
Renovation / Extension
36
Swimming Pool / Spa
19
Deck / Pergola / Patio
19
New Dwelling
10
Tree Removal
6
Landscaping / Retaining Wall
4
Commercial / Industrial
2

Schools in Aldgate iICSEA: school advantage index. 1000 = national avg, higher = more advantaged

The Hills Montessori School

ICSEA 1105 Combined Independent

R-9 · 133 students

Aldgate Primary School

ICSEA 1092 Primary Government

R-6 · 253 students

Demographics

The median age of 45 is 5 years above the national figure and trending older: the senior share rose 7 points over the decade while the working-age share fell 5.5 points. Overseas-born residents account for 18.6%, which is 3 percentage points below the national average, reflecting the suburb's Anglo-Celtic character. Ancestry is led by English (1,760), Scottish (461), Irish (395) and German (354). University qualifications at 56.5% run 26.4 points above national, consistent with the professional and manager occupation profile. Average household size is 2.8, slightly above the national figure of 2.5, and 45.5% of families are couples with children versus 26.7% couples without children. The volunteering rate of 31.4% is well above typical suburban levels, reflecting the community cohesion of an established, high-income enclave.

Age Distribution

0-14
19.5%
15-24
11.9%
25-44
17.1%
45-64
29.7%
65+
21.6%

Bedrooms

Studio/1br
1.5%
2 bed
5.6%
3 bed
42.6%
4+ bed
50.3%

Dwelling Structure

100.0%

Houses

N/A

Townhouse

N/A

Apartment

Tenure

Own 46.0% Mortgage 47.9% Rent 6.0%

The tenure split is near-even between outright owners (46%) and mortgage holders (47.9%), with renters at just 6%, one of the lowest renter shares nationally. Outright ownership running so close to mortgage holders reflects a suburb where long-term residents have fully paid down debt rather than one drawing a new wave of leveraged buyers. All dwellings are separate houses, and four-plus-bedroom homes dominate at 50.3%, with three-bedroom at 42.6% and two-bedroom at 5.6%. Prices moved from $1,600,000 in Q1 2025 to $1,625,000 in Q1 2026, a 1.6% annual gain. Mortgage-to-income at 19.8% and rent-to-income at 19.5% are both comfortable, below stress thresholds, because the suburb's income base ranks in the 93rd percentile nationally. The absence of apartments means any buyer seeking lower entry price must look to neighbouring suburbs in the Hills.

Median House Price Trend

Source: State Valuer-General

Mortgage / mo

$2,200

Rent / wk

$500

HH Size

2.8

Personal Income / wk

$995

Vacancy Ratei% of dwellings unoccupied on Census night (ABS 2021)

5.2%

Unoccupied

65

Rent / IncomeiMedian rent as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress

19.5%

Mortgage / IncomeiMedian mortgage as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress

19.8%

Community Profile

Ancestry

English
1,760
Scottish
461
Irish
395
German
354
Other
237
Italian
137

Household Composition

26.7%

Couples, no children

3,069

Total families

Economy & Employment

Healthcare leads the local employment profile at 20.5% (267 workers), followed by Education at 15.8% (206), Professional/Technical at 15.4% (201), Public Admin at 9% (118) and Construction at 6.7% (87). By occupation, Professionals account for 670 jobs and Managers for 333, together making up over 60% of the employed workforce, which directly explains the 93rd-percentile household income outcome. The full-time employment rate is 56.4% and unemployment sits at 4%, in line with broader SA figures. Aldgate scores decile 10 on both IRSD and IER, the top economic resource tier, meaning households here hold above the 90th percentile of economic resources nationally. Real income growth of 8.9% over the decade is solid without being exceptional, suggesting the suburb's premium status is structural rather than driven by a recent income surge.

Unemployment

1.8%

Labour Force

11,043

Unemployed

203

Quarterly Trend

Mar-24 Dec-25

Source: SALM Dec-25

Socio-Economic Indexes (SEIFA)iABS index ranking suburbs from 1 (most disadvantaged) to 10 (most advantaged)

Overall advantage
9
Disadvantage
10
Economic resources
10
Education & occupation
9

Full-time

56.4%

Part-time

39.6%

Participation

62.5%

Employed

1,674

Occupations

Professionals 670
Managers 333
Community/Personal 185
Clerical/Admin 179
Sales 106
Labourers 87
Machinery/Drivers 31

Top Industries

Healthcare 20.5%
Education 15.8%
Professional/Tech 15.4%
Public Admin 9.0%
Construction 6.7%

University

56.5%

Postgraduate

16.1%

Born Overseas

18.6%

Dwellings

1,186

Transport to Work

Aldgate is heavily car-dependent: 88.2% of residents commute by car and only 4.4% use public transport, lower than the SA average, which reflects the suburb's Hills location and limited bus frequency. Pedestrian and cycling modes account for 2.2%. The suburb scores decile 10 on IRSD, the top national tier for low disadvantage, and decile 9 on IRSAD, meaning it sits above the 80th percentile nationally for overall socioeconomic advantage. Crime is low, with 58 total incidents recorded and a rate of 16.7 per 1,000 residents, well below most urban SA suburbs. No schools are recorded within the Aldgate boundary in this dataset, so families rely on schools in neighbouring Hills suburbs such as Bridgewater and Stirling. The mortgage-stress rate of 19.8% and rent-stress rate of 19.5% are both below the 30% threshold, keeping housing affordability manageable relative to incomes.

Drive

88.2%

Public Transport

4.4%

Walk / Cycle

2.2%

Work from Home

N/A

Population Forecast

+0.36%/yr

(+69 people/yr)

Established

Population grew by 5.1% over the past decade, reaching 3,471, with annual growth now tracking at 0.36% or about 69 persons per year. The medium forecast holds growth steady through 2031, projecting the SA2 population at roughly 19,197 by that year. Net overseas migration of 141 per year is the primary growth driver, offsetting a net internal loss of 42 persons annually. The shift data shows an aging trajectory: the senior share climbed 7 points while youth share fell 0.9 points over the decade, consistent with the national pattern for established Hills suburbs. The gentrification score registers at an early-signs stage, which is notable for a suburb already at decile 10 advantage. With affordability ratios stable between 41.3% and 41.8% from 2011 to 2021, the suburb has not moved to price out buyers at the margin relative to prior years.

Historical + Forecast

Hamilton-Perry + Holt smoothing on ERP 2001-2025

Age Cohort Forecast

Primary Driver

Overseas Migration

Net Overseas / yr

+141

Net Internal / yr

-42

0

Gentrification Signal

Not gentrifying

Safety & Crime

Total Offences

58

Year ending June 2024

Rate per 1,000 People

16.7

Source: Crime Statistics Agency Victoria / SA Police

National Ranking iPercentile rank among ~15,000 AU suburbs. 90% = higher than 90% of suburbs

How Aldgate compares to ~15,000 Australian suburbs

Population
Top 15%
Household Income
Top 7%
Rent Level
Top 6%
Renters
Bottom 4%
Uni Educated
Top 6%
Public Transport
Top 39%
Born Overseas
Top 34%
Density
Top 20%

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Aldgate a good suburb to live in?

Aldgate ranks decile 10 on IRSD (low disadvantage) and decile 9 on IRSAD nationally, with household income in the 93rd percentile. Crime is low at 16.7 incidents per 1,000 residents. The main trade-offs are a $1,625,000 median house price, high car dependence (88.2% drive) and no recorded schools inside the suburb boundary.

What is the median house price in Aldgate?

The median house price is $1,625,000 as of Q1 2026, up from $1,600,000 in Q1 2025, a 1.6% annual gain. Weekly rent averages $500 and monthly mortgage repayments run around $2,200. The mortgage-to-income ratio is 19.8%, well below the 30% stress threshold given household incomes in the 93rd percentile nationally.

What schools are in Aldgate?

No schools are recorded within the Aldgate boundary in this dataset. Families typically use schools in neighbouring Adelaide Hills suburbs. Despite this, the suburb has exceptionally high educational attainment: 56.5% of residents hold university qualifications, which is 26.4 percentage points above the national average.

Is Aldgate safe?

Aldgate recorded 58 total crime incidents with a rate of 16.7 per 1,000 residents, lower than most Adelaide suburban areas. The suburb scores decile 10 on IRSD, the top national tier for low disadvantage. Only 3.8% of residents (130 people) need daily assistance, consistent with a healthy, low-risk community.

Is Aldgate good for property investment?

The investment case is primarily capital growth rather than yield. Weekly rent of $500 against a $1,625,000 median implies a gross yield below 1.6%, and the renter share is just 6% compared with the national average near 30%. The vacancy rate of 5.2% is elevated for the small rental pool. Net overseas migration adds 141 residents per year, supporting long-run demand.

How is Aldgate's population changing?

The suburb added 5.1% to its population over the past decade and now grows at 0.36% annually, adding around 69 people per year. Overseas migration of 141 per year drives growth, offset by a net internal outflow of 42 per year. The medium forecast holds the broader SA2 area near 19,197 residents by 2031.

How much development is happening in Aldgate?

There were 65 development applications lodged in the past 12 months. Recent examples include verandahs, pool and safety barrier installations, and building alterations, all typical of an established suburb upgrading existing stock rather than adding new dwellings. This low new-supply rate supports price stability over time.

How to read these comparisons

Phrases like "above the national average" reference the unweighted median across Australian suburbs with more than 1,000 residents, not population-weighted national figures. Suburb-level medians are more useful for ranking suburbs against each other; ABS census headlines are population-weighted (so dominated by Sydney and Melbourne) and can read very differently.

Current baseline (refreshed 2026-05-10): median age 40, university-educated 30.1%, born overseas 21.6%, average household size 2.5 people.

Data sources: ABS 2021 Census (demographics, income, tenure), state Valuer-General (house prices), Department of Jobs SALM (unemployment), ACARA (school ICSEA), state Crime Statistics agencies (offences), council DA portals (development applications). Population forecasts use a Hamilton-Perry cohort model calibrated to ABS ERP.

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