Berri
All four SEIFA indexes place Berri in decile 1, the bottom advantage tier nationally, yet the suburb has recorded 26% population growth since 2011 and is showing early signs of gentrification. Household income sits at just the 14.3rd percentile nationally, well below average, and unemployment runs at 8.0% against a 50.5% participation rate. The 11.5% vacancy rate is elevated compared to metropolitan norms, driven partly by a 43.1% renter share and a housing stock built almost entirely from separate houses at 78.1%. A crime rate of 95.6 per 1,000 residents signals meaningful safety pressures, while rent growth of 52% over the decade reflects genuine demand against a low-cost base.
Population
4,143
Median Age
42.0
Household IncomeiMedian weekly household income (ABS Census)
$1,039/wk
DAs (12 months)iDevelopment Applications lodged in the past year
66
No transaction-based median house price is recorded for Berri in this period, so buyers must rely on local agent appraisals and comparable sales. Separate houses dominate at 78.1% of dwellings, with semi-detached at 17.5% and apartments at just 3.6%, meaning the market is almost entirely detached stock. Three-bedroom homes account for 55.3% of dwellings, with four-plus at 19.3%, giving families a range of options. Monthly mortgage repayments average $1,040, well below state and national averages, consistent with an affordable entry point. Mortgage-to-income sits at 23.1%, below the 30% stress threshold, which means servicing costs are manageable relative to local incomes even at the 14.3rd percentile nationally. Outright owners represent 32.0% of households, compared to 24.8% with a mortgage.
For Buyers
No transaction-based median house price is recorded for Berri in this period, so buyers must rely on local agent appraisals and comparable sales. Separate houses dominate at 78.1% of dwellings, with semi-detached at 17.5% and apartments at just 3.6%, meaning the market is almost entirely detached stock. Three-bedroom homes account for 55.3% of dwellings, with four-plus at 19.3%, giving families a range of options. Monthly mortgage repayments average $1,040, well below state and national averages, consistent with an affordable entry point. Mortgage-to-income sits at 23.1%, below the 30% stress threshold, which means servicing costs are manageable relative to local incomes even at the 14.3rd percentile nationally. Outright owners represent 32.0% of households, compared to 24.8% with a mortgage.
For Investors
The 43.1% renter share is substantially higher than the national average, giving investors a large tenant pool in a market where weekly rent of $215 reflects low absolute costs. Vacancy at 11.5% is elevated and warrants scrutiny before purchasing, as it suggests periodic oversupply relative to demand. Rent growth reached 52% over the decade, significantly outpacing income growth of 14.4% in real terms, which points to strengthening rental demand from a low base. Development activity is active, with 62 applications lodged in the past 12 months, including new detached dwellings and SA Housing Trust construction. Migration is balanced, with net overseas arrivals of 84 per year and net internal arrivals of 50, both contributing positive demand. Annual population growth of 1.41% is meaningful for a rural SA town and above what many comparable regional centres achieve.
Development Activity
Total DAs
290
Last 12 Months
66
YoY ChangeiYear-over-year change in DA lodgements
+50.0%
Avg DA CostiAverage estimated cost per DA in the past year
N/A
Monthly DA Lodgements
DA Categories
Schools in Berri iICSEA: school advantage index. 1000 = national avg, higher = more advantaged
Our Lady of the River School
R-6 · 97 students
Berri Regional Secondary College
U, 7-12 · 662 students
Berri Primary School
U, R-6 · 250 students
Demographics
The median age of 42 matches the national figure, so Berri does not skew notably older or younger than average. However, the aging trajectory is clear: the senior share rose 3.4 points over the decade while the young share fell 4.2 points, a pattern typical of inland rural towns losing younger residents to cities. Overseas-born residents account for 14.8%, which is 6.8 points below national, reflecting a largely locally-born population. Ancestry is Anglo-Germanic, led by English (1,596), German (476) and Scottish (275), consistent with the Riverland's historic settlement patterns. University qualifications reach 20.8%, which is 9.3 points below the national figure, and the occupational profile reflects this: Labourers (341) outnumber Professionals (294) as the top two occupation groups. Average household size is 2.1, below the national average by 0.4.
Age Distribution
Bedrooms
Dwelling Structure
78.1%
Houses
17.5%
Townhouse
3.6%
Apartment
Tenure
Tenure splits are unusual: 43.1% rent, 32.0% own outright and only 24.8% hold a mortgage, a pattern that points to a polarised market of long-established owners and a large transient or lower-income renter cohort. The 78.1% separate house share is above the national norm, and semi-detached at 17.5% accounts for most of the remainder, with apartments negligible at 3.6%. Three-bedroom homes make up 55.3% of stock and four-plus bedrooms 19.3%, suggesting families are the primary occupants. Weekly rent of $215 is low nationally, and the rent-to-income ratio of 20.7% sits below the 30% stress threshold, meaning renting is affordable relative to local wages. The vacancy rate of 11.5% is elevated compared to metropolitan markets, indicating some excess supply that moderates upward rent pressure.
Mortgage / mo
$1,040
Rent / wk
$215
HH Size
2.1
Personal Income / wk
$610
Vacancy Ratei% of dwellings unoccupied on Census night (ABS 2021)
11.5%
Unoccupied
228
Rent / IncomeiMedian rent as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
20.7%
Mortgage / IncomeiMedian mortgage as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
23.1%
Community Profile
Languages Spoken at Home
Ancestry
Household Composition
31.7%
Couples, no children
2,874
Total families
Economy & Employment
Healthcare is the dominant industry at 23.0% of local employment (227 workers), followed by Education at 12.7% (125) and Manufacturing at 11.7% (115). Public Administration and Retail complete the top five at 8.3% and 7.8% respectively, a profile typical of a regional service centre. By occupation, Labourers (341) lead, followed by Professionals (294) and Community/Personal service workers (268). The unemployment rate of 8.0% is elevated compared to most metropolitan SA suburbs, partly explained by the 50.5% participation rate, which is well below average, reflecting a population where many residents are not seeking work. All four SEIFA deciles sit at 1, the lowest nationally, meaning the area ranks in the bottom 10% on disadvantage, economic resources and education measures. Real income growth of 14.4% over the decade is positive but has not closed the gap with wealthier areas.
Unemployment
0.9%
Labour Force
5,592
Unemployed
49
Quarterly Trend
Source: SALM Dec-25
Socio-Economic Indexes (SEIFA)iABS index ranking suburbs from 1 (most disadvantaged) to 10 (most advantaged)
Full-time
61.7%
Part-time
30.3%
Participation
50.5%
Employed
1,617
Occupations
Top Industries
University
20.8%
Postgraduate
4.3%
Born Overseas
14.8%
Dwellings
1,758
Transport to Work
Car dependence is extreme at 84.8% of commuters driving, against just 2.6% using public transport and 6.6% walking or cycling, reflecting Berri's rural location without significant transit infrastructure. No schools are recorded in the suburb boundary dataset, so families rely on institutions in the broader Riverland region. The crime rate of 95.6 incidents per 1,000 residents is high compared to most SA suburbs, placing personal safety among the key considerations for prospective residents. All SEIFA deciles sit at 1 nationally, meaning Berri ranks in the lowest 10% on relative disadvantage, education, occupation and economic resources. On the positive side, rent-to-income at 20.7% and mortgage-to-income at 23.1% both stay below stress thresholds, and the volunteering rate of 20.2% suggests meaningful community participation. The need-for-assistance rate of 10.6% (410 residents) is relatively high, consistent with the older aging trajectory and decile 1 disadvantage profile.
Drive
84.8%
Public Transport
2.6%
Walk / Cycle
6.6%
Work from Home
N/A
Population Forecast
+1.41%/yr
(+123 people/yr)
EstablishedBerri grew 26% since 2011 and recorded 20.6% growth over the most recent 10-year window, a strong result for an inland SA town. Annual growth of 1.41% (approximately 123 persons per year) is supported by net overseas migration of 84 and net internal migration of 50 per year, a balanced driver profile. The medium forecast projects the SA2 reaching 9,281 residents by 2031, up from 8,703 in 2025, representing continued steady expansion. The gentrification score of 24 places Berri at early signs stage, with population growth and rising renter shares signalling incremental change rather than rapid transformation. Rent growth of 52% over the decade is a standout figure relative to the 14.4% real income growth, narrowing affordability despite the low absolute price level. The affordability ratio worsened from 38.6% in 2011 to 41.7% in 2021, consistent with the broader regional trend.
Historical + Forecast
Hamilton-Perry + Holt smoothing on ERP 2001-2025
Age Cohort Forecast
Primary Driver
Balanced
Net Overseas / yr
+84
Net Internal / yr
+50
Gentrification Signal
Early signs
Population +26% since 2011, Accelerating: 2% → 23%
Safety & Crime
Total Offences
396
Year ending June 2024
Rate per 1,000 People
95.6
Source: Crime Statistics Agency Victoria / SA Police
National Ranking iPercentile rank among ~15,000 AU suburbs. 90% = higher than 90% of suburbs
How Berri compares to ~15,000 Australian suburbs
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Berri a good suburb to live in?
Berri offers affordable housing costs, with rent-to-income at 20.7% and mortgage-to-income at 23.1%, both below stress thresholds. The trade-offs are significant: all four SEIFA indexes rank at decile 1 nationally (bottom 10%), unemployment sits at 8.0%, and the crime rate of 95.6 per 1,000 residents is high compared to most SA suburban areas.
What is the median house price in Berri?
No transaction-based median house price is recorded for Berri in this dataset. Weekly rent averages $215, well below state averages, and monthly mortgage repayments for existing owners average $1,040. The low cost base reflects the suburb's decile 1 SEIFA ranking and its regional SA location.
What schools are in Berri?
No schools are recorded inside the Berri suburb boundary in this dataset. Families rely on schools in the broader Riverland region. University qualifications among residents reach 20.8%, which is 9.3 points below the national figure, reflecting the area's blue-collar occupational profile.
Is Berri safe?
The crime rate is 95.6 incidents per 1,000 residents (396 total), which is elevated compared to most metropolitan and regional SA suburbs. All four SEIFA indexes sit at decile 1 nationally, the bottom advantage tier, and 10.6% of residents (410 people) need daily assistance, both indicators of a higher-pressure community environment.
Is Berri good for property investment?
The 43.1% renter share is significantly above average, providing a large tenant pool, and weekly rent of $215 grew 52% over the decade. The 11.5% vacancy rate is elevated and requires due diligence. Annual population growth of 1.41% with balanced migration (84 overseas, 50 internal per year) supports demand, but the decile 1 SEIFA rating and 8.0% unemployment add risk.
How is Berri's population changing?
Population grew 26% since 2011 and 20.6% over the most recent 10-year window. Annual growth runs at 1.41% (around 123 persons per year). The medium forecast projects the SA2 reaching 9,281 by 2031. Migration is balanced, with net overseas arrivals of 84 and net internal arrivals of 50 per year, but the age profile is gradually aging.
How much development is happening in Berri?
There were 62 development applications lodged in the past 12 months, including new detached dwellings and SA Housing Trust construction projects. Activity spans domestic garages, single-storey homes and dual-occupancy works, consistent with a market where population growth of 1.41% per year is generating steady if modest new housing demand.
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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