SA 5070 Census 2021 + Live DA Data

Felixstow

The compact 1.15 sq km suburb supports 2,477 residents at 2,162.8 people per sq km, while its median age of 42 is 2 years above the national figure. Overseas-born residents account for 40.8% and university-educated residents 51.6%, which is 21.5 percentage points above the national level. Compared with nearby Trinity Gardens and St Peters, Felixstow reads as a more compact, mixed-housing suburb with an international population.

Local council: Norwood Payneham and St Peters

Felixstow urban fabric map

Population

2,477

Median Age

42.0

Household IncomeiMedian weekly household income (ABS Census)

$1,445/wk

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

22

Median House

$1.6M

First quarter 2026

1.15 km²· 2,162.8 people/km²· Family income $1,928/wk

The choice is weighted toward detached stock, with 65.5% separate houses, while 54.9% of homes have 3 bedrooms and 19.8% have 4 or more. A $1,817 monthly mortgage and mortgage-to-income ratio of 29.0% sit above the rent-to-income ratio of 22.1%, so borrowing capacity matters even though mortgage stress is not flagged. The separate-house share is higher than the 16.9% apartment share.

For Buyers

The choice is weighted toward detached stock, with 65.5% separate houses, while 54.9% of homes have 3 bedrooms and 19.8% have 4 or more. A $1,817 monthly mortgage and mortgage-to-income ratio of 29.0% sit above the rent-to-income ratio of 22.1%, so borrowing capacity matters even though mortgage stress is not flagged. The separate-house share is higher than the 16.9% apartment share.

For Investors

Felixstow gives investors a mixed rental picture. Renting accounts for 32.0% of households, lower than outright ownership at 35.6%, while weekly rent is $320 and vacancy is 8.6%. Rent growth of 32.0% is stronger than the suburb's 0.79% annual population trend, but the vacancy rate is comparatively loose for a landlord seeking immediate scarcity. Overseas migration is the primary growth driver, and 22 development applications in 12 months suggest ongoing small-scale activity. Examples include a shop change of use, an internal fitout and street-tree work, not only dwellings, so each approval needs separate review.

Development Activity

Total DAs

149

Last 12 Months

22

YoY ChangeiYear-over-year change in DA lodgements

+22.2%

Avg DA CostiAverage estimated cost per DA in the past year

N/A

Monthly DA Lodgements

DA Categories

Deck / Pergola / Patio
8
Subdivision
7
Renovation / Extension
6
Garage / Carport / Shed
4
New Dwelling
4
Tree Removal
3
Change of Use
2
Fencing
2

Schools in Felixstow

Open-register school locations for education access. This is not a school-quality ranking.

Felixstow Primary School

Primary Education Government

Demographics

Felixstow is older and more internationally connected than national averages: the median age is 42, or 2 years above national, and 40.8% of residents were born overseas, 19.2 percentage points higher. University education reaches 51.6%, 21.5 points above national, while the 2.3-person average household is 0.2 below the national figure. English, Italian and Chinese ancestry counts are 569, 434 and 356. Mandarin and Italian are the leading listed non-English languages at 101 and 84. This smaller-household profile aligns with couples without children at 42.7%, compared with 41.4% couples with children.

Age Distribution

0-14
14.0%
15-24
11.2%
25-44
27.3%
45-64
20.9%
65+
26.8%

Bedrooms

Studio/1br
2.4%
2 bed
22.8%
3 bed
54.9%
4+ bed
19.8%

Dwelling Structure

65.5%

Houses

17.7%

Townhouse

16.9%

Apartment

Tenure

Own 35.6% Mortgage 29.3% Rent 32.0% Other 3.2%

Felixstow's housing market is expensive against a household income of $1,445 per week. Tenure is split between 35.6% outright ownership, 29.3% mortgage ownership and 32.0% renting, with renting lower than outright ownership. Stock is mainly separate houses at 65.5%, alongside 17.7% semi-detached homes and 16.9% apartments; 54.9% of homes have 3 bedrooms. Mortgage-to-income is 29.0% versus rent-to-income of 22.1%, making affordability a key consideration despite no mortgage-stress flag.

Mortgage / mo

$1,817

Rent / wkiABS Census 2021 median across all dwelling types. Current market rents are typically higher.

$320

Census 2021

HH Size

2.3

Personal Income / wk

$687

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

8.6%

Unoccupied

93

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

22.1%

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

29.0%

Community Profile

Languages Spoken at Home

Mandarin
101
Italian
84
Canton
34
Punjabi
25
Hindi
21
Sinhal
15

Ancestry

English
569
Italian
434
Chinese
356
Other
322
Scottish
141
Irish
140

Household Composition

41.4%

Couples with children

42.7%

Couples, no children

13.5%

Single parent

637

Total families

Economy & Employment

Healthcare is Felixstow's largest employment industry at 21.0% and 173 workers, followed by Education at 12.9% and 106, Professional/Tech at 11.4% and 94, Public Administration at 8.3% and 68, and Retail at 6.1% and 50. The occupation mix includes 347 professionals, 157 clerical/admin workers, 148 community and personal service workers, 129 trades workers and 128 managers. Unemployment is 5.5% from a 54.9% participation rate, with 627 full-time and 420 part-time workers. SEIFA adds context: education and occupation sit in decile 8, above economic resources in decile 3, while disadvantage and advantage are both decile 6. This gap suggests strong qualifications do not translate evenly into household resources, consistent with income at the 43.7 percentile.

Unemployment

5.5%

Labour Force

1,172

Unemployed

64

Source: ABS Census 2021

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

Overall advantage
6
Disadvantage
6
Economic resources
3
Education & occupation
8

Full-time

56.6%

Part-time

37.9%

Participation

54.9%

Employed

1,108

Full-time and part-time are shares of the employed. Source: ABS Census 2021

Occupations

Professionals 347
Clerical/Admin 157
Community/Personal 148
Trades 129
Managers 128
Sales 86
Labourers 57
Machinery/Drivers 39

Top Industries

Healthcare 21.0%
Education 12.9%
Professional/Tech 11.4%
Public Admin 8.3%
Retail 6.1%

University

51.6%

Postgraduate

14.6%

Born Overseas

40.8%

Dwellings

991

Transport to Work

Felixstow is compact at 1.15 sq km and relatively dense at 2,162.8 people per sq km, making car access important: 67.1% drive to work, compared with 11.0% using public transport and 2.8% walking or cycling. Working from home accounts for 13.3%. Felixstow Primary School provides a local government primary option; compare enrolment zones with the exact address before deciding on a home. Recorded crime totals 102 incidents, or 41.2 per 1,000 residents, while IRSAD and IRSD both sit in decile 6. The car share is higher than public transport use, so transport planning is important for households without a vehicle.

Drive

67.1%

Public Transport

11.0%

Walk / Cycle

2.8%

Work from Home

13.3%

Growth Outlook

Felixstow's growth outlook is established rather than rapid. The annual trend is 0.79%, with a Stable trajectory and population change across the wider area of 8.8% over 10 years. Overseas migration is the primary driver, which fits the suburb's 40.8% overseas-born share. Gentrification remains at the Early signs stage with a score of 29, below the shift score of 40, while the shift model records rent growth of 32.0% and real-income growth of 20.9%. The 34.2% house-price rise between 1Q 2025 and 1Q 2026 is higher than the population trend, so affordability may restrain how quickly change spreads.

Population trend: Norwood Payneham and St Peters council area

Felixstow sits in the Norwood Payneham and St Peters council area. These are the council area's residents, not Felixstow's.

Residents 2025

40,845

Growth, 5 yr average

+1.5%/yr

2020 to 2025

Growth, last year

+1.6%

2024 to 2025

ABS Estimated Resident Population by LGA, 30 June each year; council area, not this suburb

Safety & Crime

Total Offences

102

Year ending June 2024

Rate per 1,000 People

41.2

Source: Crime Statistics Agency Victoria / SA Police

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

How Felixstow compares to ~15,000 Australian suburbs

Population
Top 20%
Household Income
Bottom 44%
Rent Level
Top 34%
Apartments
Top 6%
Renters
Top 18%
Uni Educated
Top 8%
Public Transport
Top 6%
Born Overseas
Top 6%
Density
Top 7%

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Felixstow a good suburb to live in?

Felixstow may suit buyers seeking an established, compact suburb with an international population. The median age is 42, 2 years above national, and overseas-born residents are 40.8%. Car commuting is higher than public transport use, at 67.1% versus 11.0%, so households should consider transport needs.

What schools are in Felixstow?

Felixstow Primary School is a local government primary school. Compared with relying on the suburb name alone, families should check enrolment zones against the exact address and investigate secondary choices separately. The suburb has 1 named local primary option, which is not a complete schooling map.

Is Felixstow safe?

Felixstow recorded 102 crimes, equal to 41.2 incidents per 1,000 residents. That rate should be compared with current South Australian and council-area benchmarks rather than used alone to label the suburb safe or unsafe. Street-level conditions and the type of incident matter when assessing a particular address.

How is Felixstow's population changing?

Felixstow's population is 2,477 today. Across the wider area, population change is 8.8% over 10 years and the annual trend is 0.79%, with a Stable trajectory. Overseas migration is the primary driver. The 8.8% ten-year change is longer-term than the 0.79% annual trend, so change appears measured rather than rapid.

What languages are spoken in Felixstow?

Mandarin is the most common listed non-English language, with 101 speakers, followed by Italian at 84, Canton at 34, Punjabi at 25 and Hindi at 21. Overseas-born residents make up 40.8%, 19.2 percentage points above national, so language access may matter for services and community communication.

What development is occurring in Felixstow?

There were 22 development applications across 12 months. Examples include a shop change of use, an internal fitout with signage and removal of 5 regulated street trees. The activity is broader than a dwelling pipeline, so buyers and investors should check approval conditions and final scope for each address.

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), SA Department for Housing and Urban Development (house prices), state education open registers (school locations), state Crime Statistics agencies (offences), council DA portals (development applications).

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