SA 5173 Census 2021 + Live DA Data

Aldinga Beach

At 91.3% separate houses and a 16.3% vacancy rate, Aldinga Beach reads as a coastal owner-occupier belt rather than a rental market, with detached homes almost entirely crowding out apartments at just 0.4% of stock. The $840,000 median house price (1Q 2026) climbed 7.0% in a year from $785,000, yet household income sits in the 30.8th percentile nationally, well below the price the market now commands. That gap is bridged by the 44.2% of households still paying a mortgage, the largest tenure group. SEIFA places the area in IRSAD decile 3, with university qualifications at 19.8% running 10.3 points below the national figure, signalling a trades and services workforce rather than a professional one.

Aldinga Beach urban fabric map

Population

10,667

Median Age

39.0

Household IncomeiMedian weekly household income (ABS Census)

$1,297/wk

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

169

Median House

$840K

Median 1Q 2026

13.67 km²· 780.4 people/km²· Family income $1,553/wk

The $840,000 median (1Q 2026) is a buyer's tradeoff: large detached homes (91.3% separate houses) on a coast, but a price that rose 7.0% in a single year off $785,000. Stock skews family-sized, with 52.6% three-bedroom and 34.9% four-bedroom homes, so two-bedroom options at 11.2% are scarce for downsizers. Monthly mortgage repayments average $1,408, producing a mortgage-to-income ratio of 25.1%, just under the 30% stress threshold despite household income landing in the 30.8th percentile. Affordability holds because the typical home is a standard suburban house rather than a premium build, and the workforce leans on dual incomes. Buyers should note there are no schools recorded within the suburb boundary, so school-age families rely on neighbouring catchments.

For Buyers

The $840,000 median (1Q 2026) is a buyer's tradeoff: large detached homes (91.3% separate houses) on a coast, but a price that rose 7.0% in a single year off $785,000. Stock skews family-sized, with 52.6% three-bedroom and 34.9% four-bedroom homes, so two-bedroom options at 11.2% are scarce for downsizers. Monthly mortgage repayments average $1,408, producing a mortgage-to-income ratio of 25.1%, just under the 30% stress threshold despite household income landing in the 30.8th percentile. Affordability holds because the typical home is a standard suburban house rather than a premium build, and the workforce leans on dual incomes. Buyers should note there are no schools recorded within the suburb boundary, so school-age families rely on neighbouring catchments.

For Investors

The 28.7% renter share is modest against 71.4% owner-occupation, so the tenant pool is thinner than in metro markets. The headline risk is a 16.3% vacancy rate, far above a healthy 2-3% benchmark, which points to soft rental demand and longer void periods. Weekly rent of $320 against the $840,000 median yields roughly 2.0% gross, low for a regional coastal market. Rent-to-income at 24.7% leaves limited room to push rents higher without tipping tenants into stress. On the demand side, balanced migration adds about 105 internal and 93 overseas residents a year, and 162 development applications in the last 12 months signal a steady building pipeline that could add competing supply. Capital growth is the stronger case here than yield.

Development Activity

Total DAs

985

Last 12 Months

169

YoY ChangeiYear-over-year change in DA lodgements

+3.0%

Avg DA CostiAverage estimated cost per DA in the past year

N/A

Monthly DA Lodgements

DA Categories

Garage / Carport / Shed
72
Deck / Pergola / Patio
66
New Dwelling
43
Subdivision
36
Renovation / Extension
35
Swimming Pool / Spa
32
Multi-Dwelling / Townhouse
15
Commercial / Industrial
10

Demographics

The median age of 39 is 1 year below the national figure, but the trajectory is clearly aging: the senior share rose 7.5 points over the decade while the young share fell 3.6 points. Overseas-born residents at 20.7% sit 0.9 points below national, and the population is strongly Anglo-Celtic, led by English ancestry (5,547), Scottish (1,151), Irish (914) and German (732). Non-English languages are negligible, with Italian (22) and German (21) the largest, confirming a domestic, English-speaking base. University qualifications at 19.8% run 10.3 points below the national rate, consistent with a trades and personal-services workforce. Average household size of 2.5 matches the national average, and couples without children (26.2%) trail couples with children (3,409 families), a family-oriented composition.

Age Distribution

0-14
20.8%
15-24
11.7%
25-44
24.7%
45-64
24.4%
65+
18.2%

Bedrooms

Studio/1br
1.3%
2 bed
11.2%
3 bed
52.6%
4+ bed
34.9%

Dwelling Structure

91.3%

Houses

7.8%

Townhouse

0.4%

Apartment

Tenure

Own 27.2% Mortgage 44.2% Rent 28.7%

Tenure splits 44.2% mortgaged, 28.7% renting and 27.2% owned outright, so most households still carry housing debt. The dwelling stock is overwhelmingly detached at 91.3%, with apartments at just 0.4% and semi-detached at 7.8%, leaving almost no dense or low-maintenance options. By size, 52.6% are three-bedroom and 34.9% four-bedroom homes, a profile built for families rather than singles. The median house price rose from $785,000 to $840,000 in a year, a 7.0% gain. Mortgage-to-income at 25.1% and rent-to-income at 24.7% both sit below the 30% stress line, which is notable given household income ranks only in the 30.8th percentile nationally. Affordability is holding because prices, while rising, remain below capital-city medians for comparable detached homes.

Median House Price Trend

Source: State Valuer-General (Median 1Q 2026)

Mortgage / mo

$1,408

Rent / wkiABS Census 2021 median across all dwelling types. Current market rents are typically higher.

$320

Census 2021

HH Size

2.5

Personal Income / wk

$658

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

16.3%

Unoccupied

790

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

24.7%

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

25.1%

Community Profile

Languages Spoken at Home

Italian
22
German
21
Greek
14
Afrikaans
12
Mandarin
11

Ancestry

English
5,547
Scottish
1,151
Irish
914
German
732
Other
558
Ancestry NS
536

Household Composition

26.2%

Couples, no children

8,480

Total families

Economy & Employment

Healthcare dominates employment at 22.5% (668 workers), well ahead of Construction at 11.9% (352), Education at 10.7% (317), Retail at 8.4% (250) and Manufacturing at 7.0% (209). The occupation mix reinforces this, led by Community and Personal Service workers (716) ahead of Professionals (669) and Labourers (638), a services and trades base rather than a knowledge economy. That aligns with SEIFA scores, where IEO decile 3 and IRSAD decile 3 both sit in the lower national tiers, while IER decile 5 is mid-range. Unemployment at 6.5% runs above the national average, and the participation rate of 55.7% is constrained by 3,006 residents not in the labour force, consistent with the aging trajectory. Real income grew only 4.2% over the decade.

Unemployment

4.5%

Labour Force

9,022

Unemployed

402

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
3
Disadvantage
3
Economic resources
5
Education & occupation
3

Full-time

55.7%

Part-time

37.8%

Participation

55.7%

Employed

4,395

Occupations

Community/Personal 716
Professionals 669
Labourers 638
Clerical/Admin 559
Sales 497
Managers 491
Machinery/Drivers 256

Top Industries

Healthcare 22.5%
Construction 11.9%
Education 10.7%
Retail 8.4%
Manufacturing 7.0%

University

19.8%

Postgraduate

3.9%

Born Overseas

20.7%

Dwellings

4,036

Transport to Work

Aldinga Beach is heavily car-dependent, with 90.2% of commuters driving, only 2.1% using public transport and 2.6% walking or cycling, reflecting limited transit infrastructure on the metropolitan fringe. The crime rate of 33.8 offences per 1,000 residents (361 total) is moderate and lower than denser inner-metro suburbs, supporting a quiet residential feel. SEIFA IRSAD decile 3 indicates relative disadvantage, with university attainment 10.3 points below national, though housing stress stays contained with rent-to-income at 24.7%. There are no schools recorded inside the suburb, so families commute to nearby catchments. Volunteering at 15.8% points to active community participation, and the coastal setting with predominantly detached homes (91.3%) suits households prioritising space over amenity density.

Drive

90.2%

Public Transport

2.1%

Walk / Cycle

2.6%

Work from Home

N/A

Population Forecast

+1.61%/yr

(+275 people/yr)

Established

Population growth runs at 1.61% per year, about 275 people, with a 10-year increase of 12.5%, placing it in a steady rather than rapid band. Migration is balanced, adding roughly 105 internal and 93 overseas residents annually, so growth is locally driven rather than migration-led. The standout trend is aging: the senior share climbed 7.5 points while the young share fell 3.6 points over the decade, and the forecast type is established rather than emerging. Gentrification scores 19 to 20, registering as early signs at most, with the only flags being an 18% population rise since 2011 and positive internal migration. Affordability improved from 51.3% to 47.5%, easing the income-to-price burden even as the median price rose 7.0% in the latest year.

Historical + Forecast

Hamilton-Perry + Holt smoothing on ERP 2001-2025

Age Cohort Forecast

Primary Driver

Balanced

Net Overseas / yr

+93

Net Internal / yr

+105

19

Gentrification Signal

Not gentrifying

Population +18% since 2011, Net internal migration +105/yr

Safety & Crime

Total Offences

361

Year ending June 2024

Rate per 1,000 People

33.8

Source: Crime Statistics Agency Victoria / SA Police

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

How Aldinga Beach compares to ~15,000 Australian suburbs

Population
Top 4%
Household Income
Bottom 31%
Rent Level
Top 34%
Apartments
Bottom 7%
Renters
Top 30%
Uni Educated
Bottom 36%
Public Transport
Bottom 35%
Born Overseas
Top 28%
Density
Top 17%

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Aldinga Beach a good suburb to live in?

Aldinga Beach suits buyers wanting space over density, with 91.3% detached houses and a moderate crime rate of 33.8 per 1,000. The tradeoffs are SEIFA IRSAD decile 3, university attainment 10.3 points below national, and heavy car dependence at 90.2% driving with only 2.1% on public transport.

What is the median house price in Aldinga Beach?

The median house price is $840,000 as of 1Q 2026, up 7.0% from $785,000 a year earlier. Average monthly mortgage repayments are $1,408, giving a mortgage-to-income ratio of 25.1%, which stays below the 30% stress threshold despite household income sitting in the 30.8th percentile nationally.

What schools are in Aldinga Beach?

There are no schools recorded within the Aldinga Beach suburb boundary in the current dataset, so the area's 3,409 families with children rely on catchments in neighbouring suburbs. Education is still a notable local employer at 10.7% of the workforce (317 workers), the third-largest industry.

Is Aldinga Beach safe?

Aldinga Beach records 361 offences a year, a crime rate of 33.8 per 1,000 residents. This is moderate and lower than dense inner-metro suburbs, consistent with a low-density coastal area of 780 people per square kilometre and a predominantly owner-occupier population at 71.4%.

Is Aldinga Beach good for property investment?

The case is mixed: gross rental yield is about 2.0% ($320 weekly rent on an $840,000 median), and the 16.3% vacancy rate is far above a healthy 2-3% benchmark, signalling soft demand. Capital growth is the stronger story, with the median up 7.0% in the past year and 162 development applications lodged in 12 months.

How is Aldinga Beach's population changing?

Population grows at 1.61% a year, around 275 people, a 12.5% rise over the decade. Growth is balanced, adding roughly 105 internal and 93 overseas residents annually. The notable shift is aging, with the senior share up 7.5 points and the young share down 3.6 points over ten years.

How much development is happening in Aldinga Beach?

There were 162 development applications lodged in the past 12 months, a high level for a suburb of 10,667 residents. Recent examples include single detached dwellings and a land division of one lot into two, indicating ongoing residential subdivision and infill on the metropolitan fringe.

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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