SA 5088 Census 2021 + Live DA Data

Holden Hill

A suburb covering just 1.89 km2 in Adelaide's north-east, Holden Hill recorded a median house price of $942,750 in Q1 2026, up 22.4% from $770,000 a year earlier, one of the sharpest single-year rises in the metro area. The 38.1% overseas-born share sits 16.5 percentage points above the national figure, a level typically associated with migrant-gateway suburbs, yet 39.7% hold university qualifications, nearly 10 points above national average. Detached houses dominate at 81.1% of dwellings, and 63.5% of homes have three bedrooms, pointing to a suburb shaped by family households rather than apartment churn.

Holden Hill urban fabric map

Population

3,716

Median Age

37.0

Household IncomeiMedian weekly household income (ABS Census)

$1,363/wk

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

41

Median House

$943K

Median 1Q 2026

1.89 km²· 1,963 people/km²· Family income $1,671/wk

The median house price reached $942,750 in Q1 2026, up from $770,000 in Q1 2025, a 22.4% gain in 12 months. Separate houses make up 81.1% of stock, with three-bedroom homes the most common configuration at 63.5%, followed by four-plus bedrooms at 14.7%. Monthly mortgage repayments average $1,500, and the mortgage-to-income ratio is 25.4%, below the 30% stress threshold despite the price surge, because household income at $1,363 per week sits in the 35th percentile nationally. Outright owners (26.7%) are slightly outnumbered by mortgage holders (37.2%), meaning a meaningful share of buyers are still mid-loan rather than debt-free. The compact 1.89 km2 boundary limits supply expansion, which partly explains the steep price acceleration.

For Buyers

The median house price reached $942,750 in Q1 2026, up from $770,000 in Q1 2025, a 22.4% gain in 12 months. Separate houses make up 81.1% of stock, with three-bedroom homes the most common configuration at 63.5%, followed by four-plus bedrooms at 14.7%. Monthly mortgage repayments average $1,500, and the mortgage-to-income ratio is 25.4%, below the 30% stress threshold despite the price surge, because household income at $1,363 per week sits in the 35th percentile nationally. Outright owners (26.7%) are slightly outnumbered by mortgage holders (37.2%), meaning a meaningful share of buyers are still mid-loan rather than debt-free. The compact 1.89 km2 boundary limits supply expansion, which partly explains the steep price acceleration.

For Investors

Renters account for 36.1% of households, providing a broad tenant base, and weekly rent is $300. Against the $942,750 median, that rent implies a gross yield near 1.7%, modest but in line with the Adelaide metro. The vacancy rate is 6.5%, which is elevated and warrants attention before committing. Development activity is active at 38 applications in the past 12 months, including land divisions of single lots into two or three, signalling that the suburb is actively densifying. The 22.4% price gain in one year demonstrates strong capital momentum, though buyers should weigh whether that pace is sustainable against the current 6.5% vacancy rate and household income sitting in the 35th percentile nationally.

Development Activity

Total DAs

256

Last 12 Months

41

YoY ChangeiYear-over-year change in DA lodgements

-8.9%

Avg DA CostiAverage estimated cost per DA in the past year

N/A

Monthly DA Lodgements

DA Categories

Subdivision
21
New Dwelling
17
Deck / Pergola / Patio
11
Fencing
6
Tree Removal
6
Renovation / Extension
4
Commercial / Industrial
4
Multi-Dwelling / Townhouse
3

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

Kildare College

ICSEA 1051 Secondary Catholic

7-12 · 768 students

Demographics

Holden Hill's median age of 37 is 3 years below the national figure, reflecting a younger-than-average resident base. Overseas-born residents reach 38.1%, which is 16.5 percentage points above the national average, giving the suburb a notably international character. English ancestry leads at 1,016 residents, followed by Indian (366) and Italian (338), while German (237) also features. Among non-English languages, Punjabi is the most spoken (138 residents), followed by Hindi (58) and Gujarati (43), consistent with a sizeable South Asian community. Hinduism is the second religion behind Christianity, with 333 Hindu residents. Average household size is 2.4, marginally below the national figure, and couples with children (1,179 families) outnumber couples without children (715).

Age Distribution

0-14
17.5%
15-24
11.0%
25-44
33.6%
45-64
22.6%
65+
15.7%

Bedrooms

Studio/1br
1.2%
2 bed
20.6%
3 bed
63.5%
4+ bed
14.7%

Dwelling Structure

81.1%

Houses

13.5%

Townhouse

5.5%

Apartment

Tenure

Own 26.7% Mortgage 37.2% Rent 36.1%

Tenure leans toward mortgage holders: 37.2% carry a mortgage, 36.1% rent, and 26.7% own outright. The rental share is above the SA state average, and outright ownership is relatively low, consistent with a suburb where many buyers are still in the wealth-building phase. Detached houses dominate at 81.1%, well above the national average, with semi-detached at 13.5% and apartments at just 5.5%. Three-bedroom homes account for 63.5% of dwellings, the typical family configuration, and four-plus bedrooms add another 14.7%. The median house price rose from $770,000 to $942,750 between Q1 2025 and Q1 2026, a 22.4% gain. Rent-to-income sits at 22.0% and mortgage-to-income at 25.4%, both below the 30% stress threshold.

Median House Price Trend

Source: State Valuer-General

Mortgage / mo

$1,500

Rent / wk

$300

HH Size

2.4

Personal Income / wk

$706

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

6.5%

Unoccupied

103

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

22.0%

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

25.4%

Community Profile

Languages Spoken at Home

Punjabi
138
Hindi
58
Guj
43
Italian
40
Sinhal
39
Mandarin
36

Ancestry

English
1,016
Other
716
Indian
366
Italian
338
German
237
Irish
214

Household Composition

25.1%

Couples, no children

2,843

Total families

Economy & Employment

Healthcare is the dominant industry at 23.0% of employed residents (280 workers), nearly double the next sector, Education at 10.2% (124 workers). Construction (8.2%, 100 workers), Retail (7.6%, 92 workers) and Professional/Tech (7.5%, 91 workers) round out the top five. By occupation, Professionals lead at 314 workers, closely followed by Community and Personal Service workers (294) and Clerical/Admin (252). Unemployment is 7.2%, above the national average, and the participation rate of 58.0% is below national norms, partly because 1,025 residents are outside the labour force entirely. Full-time employment is 60.6% of those employed. Weekly personal income averages $706, placing household income in the 35th percentile nationally, lower than the suburb's strong housing prices might suggest.

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

Full-time

60.6%

Part-time

32.2%

Participation

58.0%

Employed

1,653

Occupations

Professionals 314
Community/Personal 294
Clerical/Admin 252
Labourers 220
Machinery/Drivers 151
Managers 145
Sales 135

Top Industries

Healthcare 23.0%
Education 10.2%
Construction 8.2%
Retail 7.6%
Professional/Tech 7.5%

University

39.7%

Postgraduate

11.8%

Born Overseas

38.1%

Dwellings

1,478

Transport to Work

Holden Hill is heavily car-dependent: 81.9% of residents drive to work, compared to the national share, and only 9.7% use public transport and 2.2% walk or cycle. The crime rate is 65.7 incidents per 1,000 residents, based on 244 total recorded incidents, a figure that can be compared against SA state and national benchmarks when assessing safety. Housing stress indicators are favourable: rent-to-income at 22.0% and mortgage-to-income at 25.4% both sit below the 30% stress threshold. About 6.3% of residents (223 people) need daily assistance, and volunteering runs at 12.4%. No schools are listed within the suburb boundary in this dataset, so families rely on schools in neighbouring suburbs. The suburb's compact size and high density mean most amenities are accessible within a short drive.

Drive

81.9%

Public Transport

9.7%

Walk / Cycle

2.2%

Work from Home

N/A

Safety & Crime

Total Offences

244

Year ending June 2024

Rate per 1,000 People

65.7

Source: Crime Statistics Agency Victoria / SA Police

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

How Holden Hill compares to ~15,000 Australian suburbs

Population
Top 14%
Household Income
Bottom 35%
Rent Level
Top 41%
Apartments
Top 42%
Renters
Top 20%
Uni Educated
Top 19%
Public Transport
Top 13%
Born Overseas
Top 7%
Density
Top 8%

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Holden Hill a good suburb to live in?

Holden Hill suits families and younger households. The median age of 37 is 3 years below national, 81.1% of homes are detached houses, and the mortgage-to-income ratio of 25.4% is below the 30% stress threshold. The 7.2% unemployment rate is above national norms and the area is car-dependent with only 9.7% using public transport, so those without a car should consider accessibility carefully.

What is the median house price in Holden Hill?

The median house price is $942,750 as of Q1 2026, up 22.4% from $770,000 in Q1 2025. Weekly rent averages $300 and monthly mortgage repayments average $1,500. The mortgage-to-income ratio sits at 25.4%, below the 30% stress level despite the sharp price increase.

What schools are in Holden Hill?

No schools are recorded within the Holden Hill boundary in this dataset. Families rely on schools in neighbouring suburbs. The local population is relatively well-educated, with 39.7% holding university qualifications, which is 9.6 percentage points above the national figure.

Is Holden Hill safe?

The recorded crime rate is 65.7 incidents per 1,000 residents, based on 244 total incidents. This figure is useful when compared against the SA state average to assess relative safety. Housing stress is low, with rent-to-income at 22.0% and mortgage-to-income at 25.4%, both below stress thresholds, which are indirect indicators of a stable residential environment.

Is Holden Hill good for property investment?

The 22.4% price gain from $770,000 to $942,750 in one year is strong capital momentum. The 36.1% renter share gives landlords a solid tenant pool, but the 6.5% vacancy rate is elevated and implies some supply competition. Weekly rent of $300 against the $942,750 median gives a gross yield of roughly 1.7%. Land division activity (38 DAs in 12 months) signals ongoing densification, which could support future demand.

How is Holden Hill's population changing?

The resident population is 3,716 across a compact 1.89 km2, giving a density of 1,963 people per km2. The median age of 37 is 3 years below national, and 38.1% of residents were born overseas, 16.5 points above national, suggesting continued household formation from migration. Resident turnover was 22.3% in the reference period, with 77.7% remaining stable.

What languages are spoken in Holden Hill?

About 38.1% of residents were born overseas, which is 16.5 percentage points above the national figure. Punjabi is the most common non-English language (138 speakers), followed by Hindi (58) and Gujarati (43), reflecting a significant South Asian community. Italian (40) and Sinhala (39) also feature, consistent with the top ancestries of Indian (366 residents) and Italian (338 residents).

How much development is happening in Holden Hill?

There were 38 development applications lodged in the past 12 months. Recent examples include land divisions from 1 lot into 2 and 1 into 3, plus new detached dwellings. This level of subdivision activity within a 1.89 km2 suburb indicates the area is gradually densifying, which can affect streetscape and future supply levels.

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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