SA 5045 Census 2021 + Live DA Data

Glenelg North

A $1,400,000 median house price sitting alongside a 10.1% vacancy rate is an unusual pairing, and Glenelg North carries both. The median climbed 11.1% in a single year, from $1,260,000 in early 2025, even though household income lands only in the 58.4th percentile nationally. The profile is older, with a median age of 43, which is 3.0 years above the national figure, and well educated, with university qualifications at 40.2%, some 10.1 points above national. Across a compact 2.8 km2 beachside footprint, 50.5% of homes are separate houses and just 20.1% are apartments, which keeps detached stock scarce and prices firm despite incomes that are only moderately above the middle.

Glenelg North urban fabric map

Population

6,594

Median Age

43.0

Household IncomeiMedian weekly household income (ABS Census)

$1,682/wk

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

51

Median House

$1.4M

Median 1Q 2026

2.8 km²· 2,358.5 people/km²· Family income $2,346/wk

The $1,400,000 median makes Glenelg North a premium beachside market, and prices rose 11.1% over the year from $1,260,000, a steep move against household income in only the 58.4th percentile. Separate houses make up 50.5% of stock while apartments are 20.1% and semi-detached homes 29.4%, so buyers chasing a freestanding home face limited supply. Three-bedroom dwellings dominate at 43.5% and two-bedroom at 30.9%, with four-plus bedroom homes a smaller 18.8%. Average monthly mortgage repayments of $1,950 produce a mortgage-to-income ratio of 26.8%, below the 30% stress threshold, which suggests many current owners bought before the recent run-up. Outright owners at 33.7% slightly outnumber mortgage holders at 31.5%, a sign that established, debt-free households hold much of the housing rather than recent entrants.

For Buyers

The $1,400,000 median makes Glenelg North a premium beachside market, and prices rose 11.1% over the year from $1,260,000, a steep move against household income in only the 58.4th percentile. Separate houses make up 50.5% of stock while apartments are 20.1% and semi-detached homes 29.4%, so buyers chasing a freestanding home face limited supply. Three-bedroom dwellings dominate at 43.5% and two-bedroom at 30.9%, with four-plus bedroom homes a smaller 18.8%. Average monthly mortgage repayments of $1,950 produce a mortgage-to-income ratio of 26.8%, below the 30% stress threshold, which suggests many current owners bought before the recent run-up. Outright owners at 33.7% slightly outnumber mortgage holders at 31.5%, a sign that established, debt-free households hold much of the housing rather than recent entrants.

For Investors

A 34.8% renter share gives landlords a solid tenant base, but the yield case is thin. Weekly rent of $320 against the $1,400,000 median implies a gross yield near 1.2%, low even by capital-city beachside standards, and the 10.1% vacancy rate points to softness in the rental market relative to typical sub-3% suburbs. Rent-to-income for tenants is comfortable at 19.0%, so there is little room to push rents higher without straining demand. Development activity is modest at 49 applications over 12 months, mostly pergolas, verandahs and pool works rather than new dwelling supply, so stock will stay tight. With prices up 11.1% in a year, the investment case rests on capital growth and the scarcity of separate houses rather than rental return or new volume.

Development Activity

Total DAs

328

Last 12 Months

51

YoY ChangeiYear-over-year change in DA lodgements

-22.7%

Avg DA CostiAverage estimated cost per DA in the past year

N/A

Monthly DA Lodgements

DA Categories

Renovation / Extension
26
Deck / Pergola / Patio
22
Swimming Pool / Spa
16
Garage / Carport / Shed
15
Tree Removal
9
New Dwelling
9
Subdivision
6
Multi-Dwelling / Townhouse
6

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

St Leonards Primary School

ICSEA 1064 Primary Government

R-6 · 387 students

Demographics

The median age of 43 is 3.0 years above the national figure, pointing to an established, settled population. Overseas-born residents reach 25.8%, which is 4.2 points above national, a moderate migrant share for a beachside suburb. Ancestry leans Anglo-Celtic, led by English (2,744), Irish (732), Scottish (669) and German (520), while the most common non-English languages are Greek (42 speakers), Portuguese (32), Punjabi (27) and Italian (25). University qualifications at 40.2% run 10.1 points above national, well above average. Average household size is 2.2, which is 0.3 below national, consistent with the older couple-led profile: couples without children make up 36.8% of families, almost exactly matching couples with children at 36.8% as well, a balance typical of a mature beachside area.

Age Distribution

0-14
14.0%
15-24
10.3%
25-44
27.9%
45-64
26.3%
65+
21.5%

Bedrooms

Studio/1br
6.8%
2 bed
30.9%
3 bed
43.5%
4+ bed
18.8%

Dwelling Structure

50.5%

Houses

29.4%

Townhouse

20.1%

Apartment

Tenure

Own 33.7% Mortgage 31.5% Rent 34.8%

Tenure splits close to even thirds: 33.7% own outright, 31.5% carry a mortgage and 34.8% rent. Outright owners slightly outnumbering mortgage holders signals long-held, debt-free wealth rather than a churn of recent buyers. The stock is 50.5% separate houses, 29.4% semi-detached and only 20.1% apartments, so detached supply stays scarce and supports the high median. Three-bedroom dwellings account for 43.5% and two-bedroom 30.9%, with four-plus bedroom homes at 18.8%. The median rose from $1,260,000 to $1,400,000 across 2025 to 2026, an 11.1% one-year gain. Mortgage-to-income at 26.8% stays below the 30% stress line and rent-to-income at 19.0% is comfortable, a sign that those who already hold property are not overstretched, even as new purchase prices have climbed well above what 58.4th-percentile incomes would normally sustain.

Median House Price Trend

Source: State Valuer-General

Mortgage / mo

$1,950

Rent / wk

$320

HH Size

2.2

Personal Income / wk

$950

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

10.1%

Unoccupied

326

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

19.0%

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

26.8%

Community Profile

Languages Spoken at Home

Greek
42
Portuguese
32
Punjabi
27
Italian
25
Nepali
23
German
20

Ancestry

English
2,744
Irish
732
Other
707
Scottish
669
German
520
Italian
387

Household Composition

36.8%

Couples, no children

4,913

Total families

Economy & Employment

The local workforce concentrates in service sectors: Healthcare leads at 19.4% (502 workers), Education follows at 11.7% (303) and Professional/Tech at 9.3% (240), with Construction at 8.6% and Public Admin at 7.6%. By occupation, Professionals (952) and Managers (571) make up the largest groups, consistent with university qualifications running 10.1 points above national. Unemployment is low at 3.8% and the full-time employment rate is 62.0%, with 2,096 residents in full-time work and 1,283 part-time. Participation reads 62.0%, held down because the older median age of 43 leaves 1,752 residents not in the labour force. The Healthcare and Education weighting reflects proximity to major hospital and university precincts, giving the local economy a stable, recession-resistant base less exposed to cyclical swings than trade-heavy areas.

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

Full-time

62.0%

Part-time

34.2%

Participation

62.0%

Employed

3,379

Occupations

Professionals 952
Managers 571
Clerical/Admin 478
Community/Personal 456
Sales 309
Labourers 211
Machinery/Drivers 122

Top Industries

Healthcare 19.4%
Education 11.7%
Professional/Tech 9.3%
Construction 8.6%
Public Admin 7.6%

University

40.2%

Postgraduate

11.3%

Born Overseas

25.8%

Dwellings

2,907

Transport to Work

Travel is car-dominated, with 86.2% driving to work against just 4.5% on public transport and 3.7% walking or cycling, reflecting the suburb's coastal-edge position away from major rail. Recorded crime totals 335 incidents, a rate of 50.8 per 1,000 residents across the 6,594-strong population, which sits in the moderate range for a metropolitan beachside area. Volunteering runs at 16.7% and only 4.1% (260 people) need daily assistance despite the older median age of 43, both consistent with a stable, engaged community. No schools are recorded inside the 2.8 km2 boundary in this dataset, so families rely on institutions in neighbouring Glenelg and surrounding suburbs, a practical trade-off offset by the beach access and a population that is 10.1 points more university-qualified than national.

Drive

86.2%

Public Transport

4.5%

Walk / Cycle

3.7%

Work from Home

N/A

Safety & Crime

Total Offences

335

Year ending June 2024

Rate per 1,000 People

50.8

Source: Crime Statistics Agency Victoria / SA Police

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

How Glenelg North compares to ~15,000 Australian suburbs

Population
Top 8%
Household Income
Top 42%
Rent Level
Top 34%
Apartments
Top 18%
Renters
Top 21%
Uni Educated
Top 18%
Public Transport
Top 38%
Born Overseas
Top 19%
Density
Top 6%

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Glenelg North a good suburb to live in?

Glenelg North suits buyers wanting a settled beachside area, with university qualifications at 40.2%, some 10.1 points above national, and a stable population where 75.3% of residents stayed put. The main trade-offs are a high $1,400,000 median house price and a 10.1% rental vacancy rate.

What is the median house price in Glenelg North?

The median house price is $1,400,000 as of early 2026, up 11.1% from $1,260,000 a year earlier. Weekly rent averages $320 and monthly mortgage repayments run about $1,950, giving a mortgage-to-income ratio of 26.8%, below the 30% stress threshold.

What schools are in Glenelg North?

No schools are recorded inside the 2.8 km2 Glenelg North boundary in this dataset, so families rely on schools in neighbouring Glenelg and nearby suburbs. The local population is well educated, with university qualifications at 40.2%, which is 10.1 points above the national figure.

Is Glenelg North safe?

Recorded crime totals 335 incidents, a rate of 50.8 per 1,000 residents across the 6,594 population, which sits in the moderate range for a metropolitan beachside suburb. Only 4.1% of residents need daily assistance, consistent with a stable, settled area.

Is Glenelg North good for property investment?

Rent of $320 a week against the $1,400,000 median gives a gross yield near 1.2%, low, and the 10.1% vacancy rate signals a softer rental market. With prices up 11.1% in a year, returns depend on capital growth and the scarcity of the 50.5% separate-house stock rather than yield.

How is Glenelg North's population changing?

The suburb is stable rather than fast-growing: 75.3% of residents stayed put with a turnover rate of 24.7%, and the median age of 43 is 3.0 years above national. The 6,594 population sits across a compact 2.8 km2 with only 49 development applications in 12 months.

How much development is happening in Glenelg North?

There were 49 development applications lodged in the past 12 months across the 2.8 km2 suburb. Most are pergolas, verandahs, outbuildings and swimming pool works on existing homes rather than new dwellings, consistent with an established area where 50.5% of stock is separate houses.

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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