Ethelton
At 0.52 km2 and 1,487 residents, Ethelton packs a density of 2,837 people per km2 into Port Adelaide's inner corridor, yet household income sits at only the 34.5th percentile nationally, well below the national median. What stands out is the median house price of $815,000 combined with a 7.5% unemployment rate, higher than the state average, creating an affordability gap that shapes who can actually buy here. The suburb leans heavily toward detached housing at 71.5% of dwellings, with a resident base that is strongly Anglo-Celtic in ancestry and broadly stable, with 82.5% of residents having lived here five years prior.
Population
1,487
Median Age
42.0
Household IncomeiMedian weekly household income (ABS Census)
$1,345/wk
DAs (12 months)iDevelopment Applications lodged in the past year
25
Median House
$815K
Median 1Q 2026
The median house price of $815,000 as of 1Q 2026 represents a 6.9% fall from $875,500 in 1Q 2025, so buyers are entering a correcting market rather than a rising one. Separate houses dominate at 71.5% of stock, semi-detached properties add 22.1%, and apartments are only 6.5%, which means detached-house choices are plentiful compared to many inner-Adelaide suburbs. Three-bedroom dwellings account for 52.8% of all homes, with two-bedroom at 27.8% and four-plus at 14.8%. Monthly mortgage repayments average $1,500, and the mortgage-to-income ratio of 25.8% stays below the 30% stress threshold despite household income sitting at the 34.5th percentile nationally. That combination makes purchase feasible, but the price correction signals ongoing softness buyers should factor into their timeline.
For Buyers
The median house price of $815,000 as of 1Q 2026 represents a 6.9% fall from $875,500 in 1Q 2025, so buyers are entering a correcting market rather than a rising one. Separate houses dominate at 71.5% of stock, semi-detached properties add 22.1%, and apartments are only 6.5%, which means detached-house choices are plentiful compared to many inner-Adelaide suburbs. Three-bedroom dwellings account for 52.8% of all homes, with two-bedroom at 27.8% and four-plus at 14.8%. Monthly mortgage repayments average $1,500, and the mortgage-to-income ratio of 25.8% stays below the 30% stress threshold despite household income sitting at the 34.5th percentile nationally. That combination makes purchase feasible, but the price correction signals ongoing softness buyers should factor into their timeline.
For Investors
Rental demand is moderate: 30.7% of households rent, paying a median $300 per week, which against the $815,000 median implies a gross yield around 1.9%, low even by suburban-Adelaide standards. The vacancy rate of 8.2% is elevated, suggesting more rental supply than current demand can absorb. Development activity logged 24 applications in the past 12 months, covering land divisions, pool replacements and tree removal, broadly maintenance-focused rather than new supply creation. Rent-to-income for tenants sits at 22.3%, below the 30% stress threshold, which supports tenant stability. However, the 6.9% price fall year-on-year and a 7.5% unemployment rate, higher than state norms, weigh against a near-term capital growth thesis. Income at the 34.5th percentile nationally limits rent-growth headroom.
Development Activity
Total DAs
112
Last 12 Months
25
YoY ChangeiYear-over-year change in DA lodgements
+38.9%
Avg DA CostiAverage estimated cost per DA in the past year
N/A
Monthly DA Lodgements
DA Categories
Demographics
The median age of 42 sits 2.0 years above the national figure, placing Ethelton in the older-than-average bracket consistent with its low household turnover of 17.5%. University qualifications reach 32.4% of residents, 2.3 percentage points above the national average, a modest but positive gap. Overseas-born residents at 19.3% are 2.3 points below the national figure, reflecting the predominantly Anglo-Celtic ancestry mix: English (606), Irish (173), Scottish (154) and German (106) are the top ancestries. Average household size is 2.1, which is 0.4 below national, consistent with an older profile where couples without children make up 31.2% of families. Volunteering runs at 17.1% and 5.9% of residents need daily assistance, both within typical ranges for a lower-income, middle-aged suburb.
Age Distribution
Bedrooms
Dwelling Structure
71.5%
Houses
22.1%
Townhouse
6.5%
Apartment
Tenure
Outright owners make up 28.8% of households, mortgagees 40.5% and renters 30.7%, a tenure split that skews toward mortgage holders relative to the SA state average. The stock is predominantly three-bedroom separate houses at 52.8%, with two-bedroom at 27.8% providing a secondary entry tier. The median house price fell from $875,500 in 1Q 2025 to $815,000 in 1Q 2026, a 6.9% decline over one year, the only two data points available. Monthly mortgage repayments of $1,500 and a mortgage-to-income ratio of 25.8% remain below the standard 30% stress threshold, but that comfort reflects low repayment levels rather than high incomes, given household income at the 34.5th percentile nationally. Rent-to-income for tenants is 22.3%, also below stress levels at $300 per week.
Median House Price Trend
Source: State Valuer-General
Mortgage / mo
$1,500
Rent / wk
$300
HH Size
2.1
Personal Income / wk
$787
Vacancy Ratei% of dwellings unoccupied on Census night (ABS 2021)
8.2%
Unoccupied
60
Rent / IncomeiMedian rent as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
22.3%
Mortgage / IncomeiMedian mortgage as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
25.8%
Community Profile
Ancestry
Household Composition
31.2%
Couples, no children
1,104
Total families
Economy & Employment
Healthcare is the dominant industry at 22.0% of employed residents (111 workers), well above the typical suburban share, driven by proximity to Port Adelaide's hospital and health services precinct. Public Administration follows at 10.9% (55 workers) and Education at 10.5% (53), both reflecting the government-sector employment base common in inner-Adelaide corridors. Manufacturing at 9.9% (50 workers) retains a presence consistent with Port Adelaide's industrial heritage. By occupation, Professionals lead at 173 workers, followed by Clerical/Admin at 121 and Community/Personal Service at 91. The 7.5% unemployment rate is a concern, tracking above SA state averages, and the participation rate of 60.0% is moderate, with 422 residents not in the labour force, partly explained by the older median age of 42.
Socio-Economic Indexes (SEIFA)iABS index ranking suburbs from 1 (most disadvantaged) to 10 (most advantaged)
Full-time
63.3%
Part-time
29.2%
Participation
60.0%
Employed
695
Occupations
Top Industries
University
32.4%
Postgraduate
6.6%
Born Overseas
19.3%
Dwellings
662
Transport to Work
Car dependence is high at 84.9% of commuters driving, compared with 6.5% using public transport and 3.5% walking or cycling, which is typical for suburban Port Adelaide but limits car-free living. No schools are recorded within the Ethelton boundary, so families rely on institutions in neighbouring Port Adelaide suburbs. Crime sits at 45.1 incidents per 1,000 residents across 67 total recorded offences, which gives a baseline for comparison but lacks category breakdown for deeper analysis. Rent-to-income of 22.3% and mortgage-to-income of 25.8% both sit below stress thresholds, meaning housing costs are not crushing residents despite incomes at the 34.5th percentile nationally. The 5.9% of residents needing daily assistance (85 people) is moderate, and volunteering at 17.1% reflects reasonable community engagement.
Drive
84.9%
Public Transport
6.5%
Walk / Cycle
3.5%
Work from Home
N/A
Safety & Crime
Total Offences
67
Year ending June 2024
Rate per 1,000 People
45.1
Source: Crime Statistics Agency Victoria / SA Police
National Ranking iPercentile rank among ~15,000 AU suburbs. 90% = higher than 90% of suburbs
How Ethelton compares to ~15,000 Australian suburbs
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Ethelton a good suburb to live in?
Ethelton offers affordable housing costs relative to income, with mortgage-to-income at 25.8% and rent-to-income at 22.3%, both below the 30% stress threshold. Household income sits at the 34.5th percentile nationally, so it is a working-to-middle income suburb. The 7.5% unemployment rate is a downside, and car access matters since only 6.5% of residents use public transport.
What is the median house price in Ethelton?
The median house price in Ethelton is $815,000 as of 1Q 2026, down 6.9% from $875,500 in 1Q 2025. Weekly rent averages $300 and monthly mortgage repayments run around $1,500. Separate houses make up 71.5% of the housing stock, with three-bedroom homes the most common at 52.8%.
What schools are in Ethelton?
No schools are recorded within the Ethelton boundary in this dataset. Families rely on schools in neighbouring Port Adelaide suburbs. Despite the lack of local schools, 32.4% of Ethelton residents hold university qualifications, 2.3 percentage points above the national average.
Is Ethelton safe?
Ethelton recorded 67 total crime incidents, giving a rate of 45.1 per 1,000 residents. Crime category breakdown is not available in this dataset. As context, the suburb has a low resident turnover of 17.5%, with 82.5% of people having lived here for at least 5 years, suggesting a settled, stable community.
Is Ethelton good for property investment?
The gross rental yield is approximately 1.9%, with weekly rent at $300 against an $815,000 median, which is low. The vacancy rate of 8.2% indicates more supply than demand in the current rental market. Prices fell 6.9% in the year to 1Q 2026, and the 7.5% unemployment rate limits rent growth potential. The 30.7% renter share provides a tenant pool, but conditions favour caution.
How is Ethelton's population changing?
No population forecast data is available for Ethelton in this dataset. Current population is 1,487 across 0.52 km2. Resident stability is high: 82.5% of people were at the same address 5 years prior, a turnover rate of 17.5%. The median age of 42 is 2.0 years above the national figure, suggesting a slowly aging population base.
How much development is happening in Ethelton?
There were 24 development applications lodged in the past 12 months, including a land division creating 2 allotments, pool replacement works and tree removal. Activity is modest given the suburb size of 0.52 km2 and reflects maintenance and small-scale subdivision rather than major new supply, consistent with the suburb's stable, low-turnover character.
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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