Brighton
A $1,428,000 median house price in a 1.53 square kilometre coastal suburb with a median resident age of 49 captures Brighton's essential character. The suburb sits in SEIFA decile 7 for IRSAD nationally, with household income at the 59th percentile, which is notably below what its premium coastal price point would suggest. University qualifications at 44.7% run 14.6 points above the national average, and 45.2% of residents own their homes outright, the highest ownership tier, signalling a long-held, asset-wealthy but income-moderate population rather than high earners in active accumulation.
Population
3,834
Median Age
49.0
Household IncomeiMedian weekly household income (ABS Census)
$1,692/wk
DAs (12 months)iDevelopment Applications lodged in the past year
73
Median House
$1.4M
Median 1Q 2026
At $1,428,000 for 1Q 2026, Brighton's median house price rose 9.1% from $1,308,500 in 1Q 2025, the full extent of available price history. Separate houses make up 62.3% of stock, but semi-detached dwellings are unusually high at 32.3%, reflecting the suburb's compact 1.53 km2 footprint near the coast. Three-bedroom homes dominate at 44.8% and four-plus bedroom homes reach 23.4%. Monthly mortgage repayments average $1,939, with mortgage-to-income at 26.5%, below the 30% stress threshold. At 45.2% outright ownership, more than two in five households carry no mortgage debt, a proportion consistent with the median age of 49 and the suburb's long-established resident base.
For Buyers
At $1,428,000 for 1Q 2026, Brighton's median house price rose 9.1% from $1,308,500 in 1Q 2025, the full extent of available price history. Separate houses make up 62.3% of stock, but semi-detached dwellings are unusually high at 32.3%, reflecting the suburb's compact 1.53 km2 footprint near the coast. Three-bedroom homes dominate at 44.8% and four-plus bedroom homes reach 23.4%. Monthly mortgage repayments average $1,939, with mortgage-to-income at 26.5%, below the 30% stress threshold. At 45.2% outright ownership, more than two in five households carry no mortgage debt, a proportion consistent with the median age of 49 and the suburb's long-established resident base.
For Investors
Brighton's investment case is mixed. Weekly rent of $360 against the $1,428,000 median implies a gross yield below 1.4%, low compared to most SA suburban markets. The vacancy rate of 7.6% is elevated, signalling softer rental demand than the coastal location might suggest. The renter share at 24.5% is lower than the national average, because the dominant owner-occupier base keeps turnover at 18.3% annually. Population is forecast to grow from 15,899 in 2025 to 16,645 by 2031. Overseas migration of 220 net arrivals per year drives virtually all of that growth.
Development Activity
Total DAs
381
Last 12 Months
73
YoY ChangeiYear-over-year change in DA lodgements
-18.9%
Avg DA CostiAverage estimated cost per DA in the past year
N/A
Monthly DA Lodgements
DA Categories
Schools in Brighton iICSEA: school advantage index. 1000 = national avg, higher = more advantaged
Brighton Primary School
U, R-6 · 726 students
Demographics
Brighton's median age of 49 is 9.0 years above the national figure, placing it firmly in the older-resident tier. The senior share rose 4.2 points over the decade while the working-age share fell 3.4 points. Overseas-born residents at 24.5% sit 2.9 points above national. Ancestry is Anglo-Celtic, led by English (1,826), Irish (461) and Scottish (423). University qualifications at 44.7% run 14.6 points above national, a gap that points to a professional class now retirement-age or semi-retired. The volunteering rate of 23.5% is high relative to suburban norms, consistent with an older, civic-engaged community.
Age Distribution
Bedrooms
Dwelling Structure
62.3%
Houses
32.3%
Townhouse
4.5%
Apartment
Tenure
Tenure splits are distinctive: 45.2% own outright, 30.3% carry a mortgage and 24.5% rent, with outright ownership well above the national average because the population skews older. Separate houses dominate at 62.3%, apartments are just 4.5%, lower than most coastal suburbs. Three-bedroom homes are the modal type at 44.8%, with four-plus at 23.4%. Price rose 9.1% from $1,308,500 in 1Q 2025 to $1,428,000 in 1Q 2026. Mortgage-to-income at 26.5% and rent-to-income at 21.3% stay below stress thresholds. Average household size of 2.2 is 0.3 below national, matching the empty-nester profile.
Median House Price Trend
Source: State Valuer-General
Mortgage / mo
$1,939
Rent / wk
$360
HH Size
2.2
Personal Income / wk
$875
Vacancy Ratei% of dwellings unoccupied on Census night (ABS 2021)
7.6%
Unoccupied
135
Rent / IncomeiMedian rent as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
21.3%
Mortgage / IncomeiMedian mortgage as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
26.5%
Community Profile
Languages Spoken at Home
Ancestry
Household Composition
35.9%
Couples, no children
2,961
Total families
Economy & Employment
Healthcare leads the employment base at 21.3% (284 workers), followed by Education at 15.8% (211) and Public Administration at 10.5% (140). Professionals (554) and Managers (284) dominate by occupation. Unemployment is low at 3.2%, but the participation rate of 55.0% is below national norms because 1,291 residents are not in the labour force, a consequence of the median age of 49. SEIFA deciles diverge: IEO reaches decile 8 nationally for education and occupation, but IER for economic resources falls to decile 6, reflecting asset-wealthy but income-moderate households typical of the retired professional demographic.
Unemployment
1.9%
Labour Force
8,480
Unemployed
158
Quarterly Trend
Source: SALM Dec-25
Socio-Economic Indexes (SEIFA)iABS index ranking suburbs from 1 (most disadvantaged) to 10 (most advantaged)
Full-time
59.2%
Part-time
37.6%
Participation
55.0%
Employed
1,766
Occupations
Top Industries
University
44.7%
Postgraduate
11.6%
Born Overseas
24.5%
Dwellings
1,652
Transport to Work
Transport is car-dependent: 80.9% of residents drive and 9.3% use public transport. Walking and cycling account for 5.4%. No schools are recorded inside the 1.53 km2 boundary. The crime rate of 76.4 per 1,000 residents (293 events) should be read alongside the SEIFA IRSAD decile 7 rank nationally, placing Brighton above average but below the top tier for low disadvantage. Only 5.7% of the 3,834 residents need daily assistance, low for a suburb with a median age of 49. Household income at the 59th percentile nationally supports comfortable access to services without reaching the upper affluence band.
Drive
80.9%
Public Transport
9.3%
Walk / Cycle
5.4%
Work from Home
N/A
Population Forecast
+0.89%/yr
(+141 people/yr)
EstablishedBrighton grew 13.4% over the decade to 2021 and is forecast at 0.89% annually, adding roughly 141 residents per year to reach 16,645 by 2031. Overseas migration is the dominant engine at 220 net arrivals per year, well above internal migration of just 9 net per year. Recorded population was 15,600 in 2023, 15,753 in 2024 and 15,899 in 2025. The gentrification score of 30 rates early signs nationally, driven by the 14% population rise since 2011 and accelerating overseas inflow. Rent growth of 25.0% outpaced real income growth of 11.6%, compressing affordability from 46.0% in 2011 to 41.9% in 2021.
Historical + Forecast
Hamilton-Perry + Holt smoothing on ERP 2001-2025
Age Cohort Forecast
Primary Driver
Overseas Migration
Net Overseas / yr
+220
Net Internal / yr
+9
Gentrification Signal
Early signs
Population +14% since 2011, Strong overseas inflow +220/yr, Accelerating: 2% → 12%
Safety & Crime
Total Offences
293
Year ending June 2024
Rate per 1,000 People
76.4
Source: Crime Statistics Agency Victoria / SA Police
National Ranking iPercentile rank among ~15,000 AU suburbs. 90% = higher than 90% of suburbs
How Brighton compares to ~15,000 Australian suburbs
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Brighton a good suburb to live in?
Brighton ranks in SEIFA IRSAD decile 7 nationally and IEO decile 8, above average on most advantage measures. University qualifications reach 44.7%, which is 14.6 points above the national figure. The suburb's coastal location, low mortgage stress at 26.5% of income and high 45.2% outright ownership rate signal a stable, established community, though the $1,428,000 median house price sets a high entry bar.
What is the median house price in Brighton?
The median house price in Brighton is $1,428,000 as of 1Q 2026, up 9.1% from $1,308,500 in 1Q 2025. Monthly mortgage repayments average $1,939, and the mortgage-to-income ratio sits at 26.5%, below the 30% stress threshold. Weekly rent averages $360.
What schools are in Brighton?
No schools are recorded inside Brighton's 1.53 km2 boundary in this dataset. Families rely on schools in surrounding suburbs. The local adult population is highly qualified, with 44.7% holding university degrees, which is 14.6 percentage points above the national average, suggesting strong general regard for education in the area.
Is Brighton safe?
Brighton recorded 293 incidents in the latest period, giving a crime rate of 76.4 per 1,000 residents. The suburb scores SEIFA IRSD decile 7 nationally, placing it in the upper half for low relative disadvantage. Only 5.7% of residents (212 people) need daily assistance, and the unemployment rate is low at 3.2%.
Is Brighton good for property investment?
Weekly rent of $360 against a $1,428,000 median price yields below 1.4% gross, which is low. The vacancy rate of 7.6% signals softer rental demand. However, the median house price grew 9.1% in one year, and overseas migration of 220 net arrivals annually supports sustained demand. Population is forecast to reach 16,645 by 2031, up from 15,899 in 2025.
How is Brighton's population changing?
Brighton's population grew 13.4% over the decade and is rising at 0.89% annually, adding around 141 residents per year. It was 15,899 in 2025 and is forecast to reach 16,645 by 2031. Overseas migration of 220 net arrivals per year is the primary driver, far exceeding internal migration of just 9 per year net.
How much development is happening in Brighton?
Brighton recorded 64 development applications in the past 12 months. Recent samples include verandah additions and alterations to existing dwellings rather than major new builds, consistent with an established suburb upgrading existing homes. The 62.3% separate house stock and compact 1.53 km2 area leave limited room for large-scale new supply.
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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