Exeter
At a median age of 48, Exeter's residents are 8 years older than the national figure, making it one of the more age-skewed suburbs in metropolitan Adelaide. The population of 1,066 occupies just 0.34 km2, producing a density of 3,176 per km2 that is typical of inner suburbs rather than outer growth corridors. Household income sits at the 40th percentile nationally, below average, yet 33.6% of residents hold university qualifications, 3.5 percentage points above the national rate. That combination of below-average income and above-average education suggests a workforce concentrated in public-sector roles rather than high-earning private industry, which the industry data confirms.
Population
1,066
Median Age
48.0
Household IncomeiMedian weekly household income (ABS Census)
$1,397/wk
DAs (12 months)iDevelopment Applications lodged in the past year
18
The most recent recorded median house price for Exeter is $770,000 from the first quarter of 2025. Separate houses account for 65.7% of dwellings, above the national share for inner-suburb markets, with apartments at 19.8% and semi-detached at 14.5%. Three-bedroom homes dominate at 45.5% of dwellings, followed by two-bedroom at 35.0%. Monthly mortgage repayments average $1,567, and mortgage-to-income sits at 25.9%, which is below the 30% stress threshold and indicates buyers can service loans at the current price point without significant financial pressure. Outright owners represent 30.5% of households, a moderate share that suggests the suburb retains a stable long-term owner base alongside newer purchasers carrying mortgages.
For Buyers
The most recent recorded median house price for Exeter is $770,000 from the first quarter of 2025. Separate houses account for 65.7% of dwellings, above the national share for inner-suburb markets, with apartments at 19.8% and semi-detached at 14.5%. Three-bedroom homes dominate at 45.5% of dwellings, followed by two-bedroom at 35.0%. Monthly mortgage repayments average $1,567, and mortgage-to-income sits at 25.9%, which is below the 30% stress threshold and indicates buyers can service loans at the current price point without significant financial pressure. Outright owners represent 30.5% of households, a moderate share that suggests the suburb retains a stable long-term owner base alongside newer purchasers carrying mortgages.
For Investors
Renters comprise 32.8% of households, a meaningful pool that supports ongoing rental demand in the suburb. Weekly rent averages $310, and rent-to-income at 22.2% is below the 30% stress threshold, meaning tenants face manageable housing costs that reduce turnover risk for landlords. The vacancy rate of 8.0% is elevated compared to tight metropolitan norms, signalling that rental supply is not fully absorbed. Only 14 development applications were lodged in the past 12 months, a low figure for an inner suburb, suggesting constrained new supply rather than active densification. The turnover rate shows 79.7% of residents stayed in the area over the measured period, indicating genuine residential stability rather than a transient rental market.
Development Activity
Total DAs
77
Last 12 Months
18
YoY ChangeiYear-over-year change in DA lodgements
+28.6%
Avg DA CostiAverage estimated cost per DA in the past year
N/A
Monthly DA Lodgements
DA Categories
Demographics
The median age of 48 is 8 years above the national figure, the defining demographic characteristic of Exeter. Overseas-born residents make up 20.1%, which is 1.5 percentage points below the national average, and ancestry leans strongly Anglo-Celtic: English (507), Irish (165) and Scottish (142) are the three largest groups. University qualifications reach 33.6%, sitting 3.5 points above the national rate. Average household size is 2.0, which is 0.5 below national, consistent with the older age profile where couples without children represent 33.9% of all 700 families. The volunteering rate of 17.9% is notable and reflects the older, community-embedded resident base. Only 6.6% of residents need daily assistance.
Age Distribution
Bedrooms
Dwelling Structure
65.7%
Houses
14.5%
Townhouse
19.8%
Apartment
Tenure
The $770,000 median house price recorded in the first quarter of 2025 places Exeter in a moderate-premium bracket relative to broader SA norms. Tenure splits into three roughly equal segments: 30.5% own outright, 36.7% carry a mortgage and 32.8% rent. Separate houses make up 65.7% of the stock, providing the supply of detached homes that owner-occupiers typically seek. The three-bedroom configuration accounts for 45.5% of dwellings, followed by two-bedroom at 35.0%, so the stock aligns well with the smaller household sizes that characterise the older median age of 48. Mortgage stress at 25.9% of income and rent stress at 22.2% are both below the standard 30% threshold, indicating the suburb sits within manageable cost ranges for current occupants.
Mortgage / mo
$1,567
Rent / wk
$310
HH Size
2.0
Personal Income / wk
$849
Vacancy Ratei% of dwellings unoccupied on Census night (ABS 2021)
8.0%
Unoccupied
43
Rent / IncomeiMedian rent as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
22.2%
Mortgage / IncomeiMedian mortgage as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
25.9%
Community Profile
Ancestry
Household Composition
33.9%
Couples, no children
700
Total families
Economy & Employment
Healthcare is the largest employing industry at 20.7% of workers (85 people), followed by Education at 15.4% (63) and Public Admin at 11.7% (48). These three sectors together account for nearly half of local employment, giving Exeter a workforce that leans heavily toward government-funded services. By occupation, Professionals lead at 143 workers, then Community and Personal Service at 94 and Clerical and Admin at 89. The unemployment rate is 4.3%, marginally above typical metropolitan averages, and the participation rate of 61.8% is moderate, partly because 290 residents are not in the labour force, consistent with the older median age. Household income at the 40th national percentile reflects the public-sector concentration rather than high-earning private roles.
Socio-Economic Indexes (SEIFA)iABS index ranking suburbs from 1 (most disadvantaged) to 10 (most advantaged)
Full-time
61.0%
Part-time
34.7%
Participation
61.8%
Employed
554
Occupations
Top Industries
University
33.6%
Postgraduate
7.7%
Born Overseas
20.1%
Dwellings
490
Transport to Work
Car dependence is high at 82.1% of commuters driving, while public transport accounts for 9.9% and walking or cycling for 5.2%. This is consistent with a suburb that, despite its inner-metropolitan density of 3,176 per km2, functions primarily around car-based movement. No schools are recorded inside the suburb boundary, so families rely on institutions in adjacent areas. The crime rate of 128.5 per 1,000 residents is elevated, flagged as a notable characteristic in the suburb profile. Rent-to-income at 22.2% and mortgage-to-income at 25.9% are both below stress thresholds, keeping housing costs manageable for residents across tenure types. The volunteer participation rate of 17.9% indicates a socially engaged community despite the below-average household income at the 40th national percentile.
Drive
82.1%
Public Transport
9.9%
Walk / Cycle
5.2%
Work from Home
N/A
Safety & Crime
Total Offences
137
Year ending June 2024
Rate per 1,000 People
128.5
Source: Crime Statistics Agency Victoria / SA Police
National Ranking iPercentile rank among ~15,000 AU suburbs. 90% = higher than 90% of suburbs
How Exeter compares to ~15,000 Australian suburbs
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Exeter a good suburb to live in?
Exeter offers inner-metropolitan density at 3,176 residents per km2 with manageable housing costs: mortgage-to-income at 25.9% and rent-to-income at 22.2% are both below the 30% stress threshold. The median age of 48, 8 years above national, signals a settled, stable community. The crime rate of 128.5 per 1,000 is elevated and worth factoring into any decision.
What is the median house price in Exeter?
The most recent recorded median house price is $770,000, based on data from the first quarter of 2025. Monthly mortgage repayments average $1,567, representing a mortgage-to-income ratio of 25.9%. Separate houses make up 65.7% of dwellings, providing solid detached-home supply for buyers.
What schools are in Exeter?
No schools are recorded within the Exeter SA boundary in this dataset. Families rely on schools in neighbouring suburbs. Despite this, 33.6% of Exeter residents hold university qualifications, which is 3.5 percentage points above the national average, reflecting an educated resident base.
Is Exeter safe?
The recorded crime rate in Exeter is 128.5 offences per 1,000 residents, based on 137 total incidents, which is elevated relative to metropolitan norms. Prospective residents should review current SA Police crime statistics for the area and consider this figure alongside the suburb's otherwise stable housing tenure and low mobility.
Is Exeter good for property investment?
Renters make up 32.8% of households and weekly rent averages $310, offering a tenant base for landlords. However, the vacancy rate of 8.0% is above typical tight-market levels, suggesting some oversupply. With only 14 DAs in 12 months, new competing supply is limited. The $770,000 median and inner-suburb location support long-term capital stability.
How is Exeter's population changing?
Exeter is a small, established suburb of 1,066 people across just 0.34 km2, with limited room for population expansion. The median age of 48 is 8 years above the national figure, pointing to an aging-in-place dynamic. Residential stability is high, with 79.7% of residents remaining in the area over the measured reference period.
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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