SA 5007 Census 2021 + Live DA Data

Brompton

Over half of Brompton's housing stock is semi-detached, a figure that sits well above the Adelaide average, yet the suburb's median house price of $1,160,000 has climbed 9.4% in a single year. The population of 3,729 is highly educated, with 54.8% holding university qualifications, which is 24.7 percentage points above the national figure. Despite those credentials, 53.8% of residents rent rather than own, making this one of South Australia's renter-majority inner suburbs. The SEIFA IEO decile of 8 confirms strong educational and occupational advantage, while the IRSD decile of 5 reflects a mixed socioeconomic picture across the suburb's 1.13 square kilometres.

Brompton urban fabric map

Population

3,729

Median Age

36.0

Household IncomeiMedian weekly household income (ABS Census)

$1,809/wk

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

36

Median House

$1.2M

Median 1Q 2026

1.13 km²· 3,291.6 people/km²· Family income $2,214/wk

The median house price of $1,160,000 in Q1 2026 represents a 9.4% gain from $1,060,000 in Q1 2025, a sharp single-year move. Stock composition favours semi-detached dwellings at 54.1% with separate houses at 43.1%, so buyers competing for a detached property face limited options. Three-bedroom dwellings dominate at 50.5%, followed by two-bedroom at 35.4%, with four-plus bedrooms making up just 8.5%. Monthly mortgage repayments average $1,733, and with the mortgage-to-income ratio at 22.1%, Brompton sits below the 30% stress threshold, offering more serviceability headroom than many comparable inner-Adelaide suburbs. Outright owners account for just 16.9% of households, below what you would expect in a suburb at this price point, because much of the stock has changed hands recently and carries debt.

For Buyers

The median house price of $1,160,000 in Q1 2026 represents a 9.4% gain from $1,060,000 in Q1 2025, a sharp single-year move. Stock composition favours semi-detached dwellings at 54.1% with separate houses at 43.1%, so buyers competing for a detached property face limited options. Three-bedroom dwellings dominate at 50.5%, followed by two-bedroom at 35.4%, with four-plus bedrooms making up just 8.5%. Monthly mortgage repayments average $1,733, and with the mortgage-to-income ratio at 22.1%, Brompton sits below the 30% stress threshold, offering more serviceability headroom than many comparable inner-Adelaide suburbs. Outright owners account for just 16.9% of households, below what you would expect in a suburb at this price point, because much of the stock has changed hands recently and carries debt.

For Investors

With 53.8% of residents renting, Brompton offers one of the stronger tenant pools among inner SA suburbs. Weekly rent averages $380, and the vacancy rate of 8.0% is elevated, signalling that supply is outpacing demand in the current leasing market and warranting caution on short hold periods. Overseas migration is the primary population driver, with a net inflow of 372 people per year, which supports rental demand over the medium term even as internal migration runs at negative 132 annually. Development activity logged 33 applications in the past 12 months, modest for a suburb this size, suggesting limited new supply is entering the market. The 9.4% price gain from Q1 2025 to Q1 2026 points to capital growth momentum, though the high vacancy rate means investors should stress-test yield assumptions carefully.

Development Activity

Total DAs

177

Last 12 Months

36

YoY ChangeiYear-over-year change in DA lodgements

-10.0%

Avg DA CostiAverage estimated cost per DA in the past year

N/A

Monthly DA Lodgements

DA Categories

Renovation / Extension
21
Deck / Pergola / Patio
20
Garage / Carport / Shed
7
Multi-Dwelling / Townhouse
7
Commercial / Industrial
5
Change of Use
3
Signage / Advertising
3
Demolition
3

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

Immaculate Heart of Mary School

ICSEA 1105 Primary Catholic

R-6 · 153 students

Demographics

The median age of 36 is 4 years below the national figure, reflecting a workforce-age concentration that partly explains the high rental share. Overseas-born residents account for 34.9% of the population, which is 13.3 percentage points above the national average, with English (1,187), Irish (340) and German (275) the leading ancestries. Non-English languages are modest in volume: Greek is the most spoken at 88 residents, followed by Mandarin at 44. University qualifications reach 54.8%, running 24.7 points above national and placing Brompton among the more educated inner suburbs in South Australia. Average household size of 2.1 is 0.4 below national, consistent with the high proportion of couples without children at 39.5% of families. The volunteering rate of 15.2% reflects moderate civic engagement.

Age Distribution

0-14
10.6%
15-24
11.7%
25-44
38.6%
45-64
21.1%
65+
17.9%

Bedrooms

Studio/1br
5.6%
2 bed
35.4%
3 bed
50.5%
4+ bed
8.5%

Dwelling Structure

43.1%

Houses

54.1%

Townhouse

2.5%

Apartment

Tenure

Own 16.9% Mortgage 29.2% Rent 53.8%

Tenure in Brompton is unusual: 53.8% rent, 29.2% carry a mortgage, and only 16.9% own outright, a pattern more typical of student or transient corridors than a suburb with a $1,160,000 median. Compared to the SA average, renters are heavily over-represented, which compresses outright-owner wealth despite rising prices. Semi-detached dwellings account for 54.1% of stock and separate houses 43.1%, with apartments a marginal 2.5%. Three-bedroom dwellings dominate at 50.5% and two-bedroom at 35.4%. The price moved from $1,060,000 to $1,160,000 in one year, a CAGR of 9.4%, on just two quarters of data. Rent-to-income sits at 21.0% and mortgage-to-income at 22.1%, both below stress thresholds, suggesting current occupiers are not under financial pressure despite the price trajectory.

Median House Price Trend

Source: State Valuer-General

Mortgage / mo

$1,733

Rent / wk

$380

HH Size

2.1

Personal Income / wk

$856

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

8.0%

Unoccupied

137

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

21.0%

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

22.1%

Community Profile

Languages Spoken at Home

Greek
88
Mandarin
44
Canton
36
Italian
31
Punjabi
14
Arabic
13

Ancestry

English
1,187
Other
553
Irish
340
Scottish
327
German
275
Italian
268

Household Composition

39.5%

Couples, no children

2,116

Total families

Economy & Employment

Healthcare leads Brompton's industry mix at 21.8% of employed residents (344 workers), well above the typical inner-suburban share, followed by Professional/Tech at 13.2% and Education at 11.4%. By occupation, Professionals form the largest group at 761, with Clerical/Admin (272) and Managers (269) close behind. The unemployment rate of 5.7% is modestly above average, and the participation rate of 61.7% reflects a proportion of residents outside the labour force (1,033 people). Real income grew 24.8% over the decade to a weekly household income of $1,809, placing Brompton in the 64.3rd percentile nationally. The SEIFA IEO score of 1049 and decile 8 confirm above-average educational and occupational advantage, contrasting with the IRSD decile of 5 that reflects more mixed economic resources in some pockets.

Unemployment

3.5%

Labour Force

12,851

Unemployed

451

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
6
Disadvantage
5
Economic resources
2
Education & occupation
8

Full-time

66.8%

Part-time

27.5%

Participation

61.7%

Employed

1,936

Occupations

Professionals 761
Clerical/Admin 272
Managers 269
Community/Personal 250
Labourers 119
Sales 118
Machinery/Drivers 40

Top Industries

Healthcare 21.8%
Professional/Tech 13.2%
Education 11.4%
Public Admin 9.9%
Retail 6.0%

University

54.8%

Postgraduate

13.9%

Born Overseas

34.9%

Dwellings

1,586

Transport to Work

Active travel is relatively high: 9.0% of Brompton residents walked or cycled to work, above the national average, and 8.1% used public transport. Car dependency at 76.4% is still the norm but lower than many outer suburbs. The crime rate of 137 incidents per 1,000 residents is elevated compared to the SA average, and the identity signal confirms high-crime-rate status, so buyers should factor in security considerations. The IRSAD decile of 6 and IRSD decile of 5 indicate a mid-range socioeconomic position nationally. No schools are recorded within the 1.13 square kilometre suburb boundary, so families depend on institutions in adjacent areas such as Bowden and Hindmarsh. Rent-to-income at 21.0% keeps tenants comfortable, and the housing stress flags are clear on both mortgage and rent measures.

Drive

76.4%

Public Transport

8.1%

Walk / Cycle

9.0%

Work from Home

N/A

Population Forecast

+1.1%/yr

(+226 people/yr)

Established

Brompton's population expanded 14.7% over the past decade, faster than many established inner suburbs, driven primarily by overseas migration at a net 372 arrivals per year. Internal migration runs negative at 132 per year, meaning longer-term residents are leaving as newer arrivals fill the gap. Annual growth currently runs at 1.1%, adding approximately 226 people per year. The gentrification score of 54 with an active stage signals ongoing transition: the young adult share has declined 2.1 points while the working-age and senior shares both increased, and affordability improved from 44.1% in 2011 to 41.6% in 2021. Medium-series forecasts project the broader SA2 population rising from around 20,466 to 21,780 by 2031, reflecting sustained but measured growth driven by overseas arrivals rather than natural increase.

Historical + Forecast

Hamilton-Perry + Holt smoothing on ERP 2001-2025

Age Cohort Forecast

Primary Driver

Overseas Migration

Net Overseas / yr

+372

Net Internal / yr

-132

31

Gentrification Signal

Early signs

Population +19% since 2011, Net internal outflow -132/yr, Strong overseas inflow +372/yr, Accelerating: 6% → 13%

Safety & Crime

Total Offences

511

Year ending June 2024

Rate per 1,000 People

137.0

Source: Crime Statistics Agency Victoria / SA Police

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

How Brompton compares to ~15,000 Australian suburbs

Population
Top 14%
Household Income
Top 36%
Rent Level
Top 21%
Apartments
Bottom 40%
Renters
Top 7%
Uni Educated
Top 6%
Public Transport
Top 17%
Born Overseas
Top 9%
Density
Top 3%

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Brompton a good suburb to live in?

Brompton sits in SEIFA IEO decile 8 nationally, reflecting above-average educational and occupational advantage. University qualifications reach 54.8%, which is 24.7 points above the national figure. The main trade-offs are a crime rate of 137 per 1,000 residents and an 8.0% vacancy rate in the rental market, though housing costs relative to income remain manageable at a 22.1% mortgage-to-income ratio.

What is the median house price in Brompton?

The median house price is $1,160,000 as of Q1 2026, up 9.4% from $1,060,000 in Q1 2025. Weekly rent averages $380 and monthly mortgage repayments run approximately $1,733. The rent-to-income ratio is 21.0% and the mortgage-to-income ratio is 22.1%, both below stress thresholds.

What schools are in Brompton?

No schools are recorded inside the 1.13 square kilometre Brompton boundary in this dataset. Families rely on schools in neighbouring suburbs such as Bowden and Hindmarsh. Locally, 54.8% of residents hold university qualifications, which is 24.7 percentage points above the national average, indicating a highly educated adult population despite the absence of local schools.

Is Brompton safe?

Brompton's crime rate is 137 incidents per 1,000 residents from 511 total recorded incidents, which is above the typical SA inner-suburb rate. The suburb carries a high-crime-rate identity signal in the data. Prospective buyers and renters should review SA Police crime statistics for specific offence categories before making decisions.

Is Brompton good for property investment?

The 53.8% renter share provides a strong tenant base, and the median price grew 9.4% in one year to $1,160,000. However, the vacancy rate of 8.0% is elevated, and gross yields against this median are modest. Net overseas migration of 372 per year supports ongoing rental demand, but investors should stress-test vacancy assumptions given current supply conditions.

How is Brompton's population changing?

Brompton's population grew 14.7% over the past decade, currently at 3,729 residents with annual growth running at 1.1% (approximately 226 people per year). Overseas migration is the primary driver at 372 net arrivals per year, while internal migration runs negative at 132 per year. The gentrification score of 54 signals active transition, with affordability improving from 44.1% in 2011 to 41.6% in 2021.

What languages are spoken in Brompton?

About 34.9% of Brompton residents were born overseas, which is 13.3 percentage points above the national average. Greek is the most common non-English language with 88 speakers, followed by Mandarin (44), Cantonese (36), Italian (31) and Punjabi (14), reflecting a modest but internationally diverse community.

How much development is happening in Brompton?

There were 33 development applications lodged in the past 12 months. Recent examples include a change of land use to food production, a rear verandah addition and a proposed carport with front masonry fence. Activity is moderate for a 1.13 square kilometre suburb, suggesting incremental improvements to existing dwellings rather than significant new supply entering the market.

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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