SA 5081 Census 2021 + Live DA Data

Collinswood

With a median house price of $1,850,000 and a university qualification rate of 55.3%, Collinswood packs significant demographic weight into just 0.52 square kilometres. Household income sits at the 72.1st percentile nationally, yet 43% of residents rent rather than own, an unusually high share for a premium suburb. The workforce is dominated by Professionals (290 workers) and skews heavily toward Healthcare (25.6%) and Education (12.1%). At 32.8% overseas-born, the suburb sits 11.2 percentage points above the national figure, making it one of inner Adelaide's more internationally mixed pockets.

Collinswood urban fabric map

Population

1,496

Median Age

36.0

Household IncomeiMedian weekly household income (ABS Census)

$1,927/wk

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

22

Median House

$1.9M

Median 1Q 2026

0.52 km²· 2,856.6 people/km²· Family income $2,472/wk

The $1,850,000 median house price in 1Q 2026 represents a 12.6% fall from the $2,116,250 peak in 1Q 2025, giving buyers a notable entry point below recent highs. Housing stock is more varied than most premium suburbs: 46.6% are separate houses, 31.0% semi-detached and 22.4% apartments. Two-bedroom dwellings dominate at 43.8%, with three-bedroom at 30.1% and four-plus at 19.9%. Monthly mortgage repayments average $2,077, producing a mortgage-to-income ratio of 24.9%, below the 30% stress threshold despite household incomes at the 72.1st percentile nationally. Only 26.5% own outright, compared to the typical owner-occupier suburb, signalling that many residents are in the earlier stages of wealth accumulation.

For Buyers

The $1,850,000 median house price in 1Q 2026 represents a 12.6% fall from the $2,116,250 peak in 1Q 2025, giving buyers a notable entry point below recent highs. Housing stock is more varied than most premium suburbs: 46.6% are separate houses, 31.0% semi-detached and 22.4% apartments. Two-bedroom dwellings dominate at 43.8%, with three-bedroom at 30.1% and four-plus at 19.9%. Monthly mortgage repayments average $2,077, producing a mortgage-to-income ratio of 24.9%, below the 30% stress threshold despite household incomes at the 72.1st percentile nationally. Only 26.5% own outright, compared to the typical owner-occupier suburb, signalling that many residents are in the earlier stages of wealth accumulation.

For Investors

A 43.0% renter share gives landlords a broad tenant pool, and weekly rent of $300 reflects the stock's two-bedroom-dominant profile. Vacancy sits at 7.6%, above the 3% equilibrium level, suggesting current oversupply in the rental market relative to demand. Development activity is steady at 22 applications in the past 12 months, including multi-dwelling projects such as three two-storey detached dwellings approved in 1Q 2026. The 12.6% price correction from peak means yields have improved compared to mid-2025, though the absolute $300 weekly rent against the $1,850,000 median still implies a gross yield below 1%. Rental demand is supported by the high overseas-born share at 32.8% and the suburb's proximity to inner-Adelaide employment hubs.

Development Activity

Total DAs

91

Last 12 Months

22

YoY ChangeiYear-over-year change in DA lodgements

+29.4%

Avg DA CostiAverage estimated cost per DA in the past year

N/A

Monthly DA Lodgements

DA Categories

Renovation / Extension
9
Garage / Carport / Shed
5
New Dwelling
4
Swimming Pool / Spa
4
Deck / Pergola / Patio
4
Tree Removal
4
Commercial / Industrial
3
Fencing
2

Demographics

The median age of 36 is 4.0 years below the national figure, making Collinswood one of the younger inner-Adelaide suburbs. University qualifications reach 55.3%, which is 25.2 percentage points above the national average, concentrated among the large Professionals and Managers cohort. Overseas-born residents at 32.8% sit 11.2 points above national, with English (455), Italian (133), Irish (124) and Scottish (124) leading ancestry. The most common non-English languages are Nepali (24 speakers), Greek (21) and Punjabi (20), reflecting a small but diverse international layer. Average household size is 2.4, marginally below the national figure. Couples with children (511) outnumber couples without children (284), suggesting family formation is an active demographic driver.

Age Distribution

0-14
17.4%
15-24
13.1%
25-44
33.3%
45-64
23.4%
65+
13.4%

Bedrooms

Studio/1br
6.2%
2 bed
43.8%
3 bed
30.1%
4+ bed
19.9%

Dwelling Structure

46.6%

Houses

31.0%

Townhouse

22.4%

Apartment

Tenure

Own 26.5% Mortgage 30.6% Rent 43.0%

Tenure divides unevenly: 43.0% rent, 30.6% carry a mortgage and only 26.5% own outright, a pattern consistent with a younger, mobile population in a high-priced market. The stock splits across 46.6% separate houses, 31.0% semi-detached and 22.4% apartments, offering more variety than comparable premium suburbs. Two-bedroom dwellings make up 43.8% of stock, the largest segment, with three-bedroom at 30.1% and four-plus at 19.9%. The median house price fell from $2,116,250 in 1Q 2025 to $1,850,000 in 1Q 2026, a 12.6% decline. Rent-to-income at 15.6% remains well below stress levels, and mortgage-to-income at 24.9% stays below the 30% threshold, so financial pressure on residents is currently limited despite the premium price point.

Median House Price Trend

Source: State Valuer-General

Mortgage / mo

$2,077

Rent / wk

$300

HH Size

2.4

Personal Income / wk

$1,012

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

7.6%

Unoccupied

50

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

15.6%

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

24.9%

Community Profile

Languages Spoken at Home

Nepali
24
Greek
21
Punjabi
20
Mandarin
14
Hindi
14
Croatian
11

Ancestry

English
455
Other
250
Italian
133
Irish
124
Scottish
124
Indian
117

Household Composition

25.3%

Couples, no children

1,123

Total families

Economy & Employment

Healthcare dominates the local employment base at 25.6% (162 workers), followed by Education at 12.1% (77) and Professional/Technical services at 10.1% (64). By occupation, Professionals (290) are the single largest group, nearly three times the Managers cohort (103), consistent with a high-skill, service-sector suburb. The 3.9% unemployment rate is low and the 66.9% participation rate is solid. Full-time work accounts for 63.0% of the employed base, with 295 in part-time roles. Weekly personal income of $1,012 and household income of $1,927 place the suburb at the 72.1st percentile nationally. The volunteering rate of 18.0% is above average, reinforcing the community engagement profile you would expect from an education and healthcare-heavy workforce.

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

Full-time

63.0%

Part-time

33.1%

Participation

66.9%

Employed

798

Occupations

Professionals 290
Managers 103
Clerical/Admin 102
Community/Personal 89
Sales 83
Labourers 49
Machinery/Drivers 26

Top Industries

Healthcare 25.6%
Education 12.1%
Professional/Tech 10.1%
Public Admin 8.5%
Construction 7.3%

University

55.3%

Postgraduate

17.1%

Born Overseas

32.8%

Dwellings

612

Transport to Work

Car dependence is high at 81.4% of commuters, above the inner-Adelaide average, with public transport at 8.8% and walking or cycling at 4.4%. No schools are recorded within the 0.52 square kilometre boundary, so families access institutions in neighbouring suburbs. The crime rate of 28.7 incidents per 1,000 residents covers 43 total recorded offences, a relatively low absolute count for an inner suburb. Rent-to-income at 15.6% and mortgage-to-income at 24.9% both sit comfortably below stress thresholds, so financial liveability is strong compared to many premium markets. Need-for-assistance rates are low at 4.5% (64 residents), and the 18.0% volunteering rate reflects an engaged, professionally employed population concentrated in Healthcare and Education sectors.

Drive

81.4%

Public Transport

8.8%

Walk / Cycle

4.4%

Work from Home

N/A

Safety & Crime

Total Offences

43

Year ending June 2024

Rate per 1,000 People

28.7

Source: Crime Statistics Agency Victoria / SA Police

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

How Collinswood compares to ~15,000 Australian suburbs

Population
Top 24%
Household Income
Top 28%
Rent Level
Top 41%
Apartments
Top 16%
Renters
Top 13%
Uni Educated
Top 6%
Public Transport
Top 16%
Born Overseas
Top 11%
Density
Top 4%

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Collinswood a good suburb to live in?

Collinswood suits professionals and families who value proximity to inner Adelaide with a high-education, low-unemployment environment. University qualifications reach 55.3%, which is 25.2 points above the national figure, and the unemployment rate is just 3.9%. The main trade-offs are a $1,850,000 median house price and car dependence at 81.4% of commuters.

What is the median house price in Collinswood?

The median house price is $1,850,000 as of 1Q 2026, down 12.6% from the $2,116,250 peak in 1Q 2025. Weekly rent averages $300 and monthly mortgage repayments run around $2,077, giving a mortgage-to-income ratio of 24.9%.

What schools are in Collinswood?

No schools are recorded within Collinswood's 0.52 square kilometre boundary, so residents rely on institutions in neighbouring suburbs. The local adult population is highly educated, with 55.3% holding university qualifications, which is 25.2 percentage points above the national average.

Is Collinswood safe?

The recorded crime rate is 28.7 incidents per 1,000 residents, covering 43 total offences for a population of 1,496. That is a low absolute count for an inner suburb. Only 4.5% of residents (64 people) require daily assistance, consistent with a low-disadvantage, professionally employed area.

Is Collinswood good for property investment?

The 43.0% renter share is well above the national average, providing a deep tenant pool. However, the 7.6% vacancy rate is above equilibrium, and gross yield against the $1,850,000 median at $300 weekly rent is below 1%. The 12.6% price correction from peak may offer a more attractive entry point compared to 2025 levels.

How is Collinswood's population changing?

Collinswood's 1,496 residents occupy just 0.52 square kilometres at a density of 2,856 per km2, leaving little room for expansion. The 20.6% turnover rate and 79.4% residential stability rate suggest the population is largely settled, with growth constrained to infill development such as the 22 applications lodged in the past 12 months.

What languages are spoken in Collinswood?

About 32.8% of residents were born overseas, which is 11.2 percentage points above the national figure. The most common non-English languages are Nepali (24 speakers), Greek (21) and Punjabi (20), alongside Italian and Scottish ancestry backgrounds among the English-dominant resident base.

How much development is happening in Collinswood?

There were 22 development applications lodged in the past 12 months, including a performance-assessed approval for 3 two-storey detached dwellings in 1Q 2026. Activity reflects infill densification within a 0.52 square kilometre footprint rather than new greenfield 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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