SA 5088 Census 2021 + Live DA Data

Holden Hill

The 1.89 sq km suburb houses 3,716 people at 1,963 people per sq km, while 38.1% were born overseas. Compared with national benchmarks, its median age of 37 is 3 years lower and its overseas-born share is 16.5 percentage points higher. For buyers weighing Holden Hill against nearby Gilles Plains or Windsor Gardens, the defining profile is compact, detached-home focused and family weighted, with 63.5% of homes having 3 bedrooms and 42.0% of families being couples with children.

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

56

Median House

$943K

First quarter 2026

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

The housing mix is important: 81.1% of dwellings are separate houses, 13.5% are semi-detached and 5.5% are apartments, while 63.5% have 3 bedrooms. A mortgage cost of $1,500 per month and a mortgage-to-income ratio of 25.4% provide useful budgeting markers. Compared with smaller-dwelling markets, the detached concentration directs buyers toward land, condition and renovation potential rather than apartment choice.

For Buyers

The housing mix is important: 81.1% of dwellings are separate houses, 13.5% are semi-detached and 5.5% are apartments, while 63.5% have 3 bedrooms. A mortgage cost of $1,500 per month and a mortgage-to-income ratio of 25.4% provide useful budgeting markers. Compared with smaller-dwelling markets, the detached concentration directs buyers toward land, condition and renovation potential rather than apartment choice.

For Investors

The rental base is meaningful because more than 1 in 3 households rent, while careful leasing assumptions remain important at the current vacancy level. Development activity reached 56 applications in 12 months, including land division and an indoor children's play-centre conversion, which may improve amenity but can also introduce competing supply or construction disruption. Compared with the 26.2% outright-owner share, the 36.5% mortgage share points to a substantial owner-occupier segment. The 81.1% separate-house share supports practical 3-bedroom stock over a narrow apartment strategy.

Development Activity

Total DAs

276

Last 12 Months

56

YoY ChangeiYear-over-year change in DA lodgements

+55.6%

Avg DA CostiAverage estimated cost per DA in the past year

N/A

Monthly DA Lodgements

DA Categories

Subdivision
19
New Dwelling
17
Deck / Pergola / Patio
12
Fencing
9
Renovation / Extension
8
Commercial / Industrial
6
Tree Removal
5
Multi-Dwelling / Townhouse
3

Demographics

Holden Hill has a median age of 37, 3 years below the national comparison, and 39.7% of residents have university qualifications, 9.6 percentage points above the national figure. Overseas-born residents account for 38.1%, 16.5 points higher than nationally, with Punjabi, Hindi and Guj among recorded languages at 138, 58 and 43 people. English ancestry is reported by 1,016 people, followed by Other at 716, Indian at 366 and Italian at 338. Household size averages 2.4, 0.1 below the national comparison. Because 77.7% stayed at the same address, the suburb has an established base, while the 22.3% turnover rate keeps new arrivals part of the local mix.

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 26.2% Mortgage 36.5% Rent 35.5% Other 1.8%

Holden Hill remains detached-dominant: 81.1% separate houses, 13.5% semi-detached homes and 5.5% apartments. The bedroom mix is concentrated in 3-bedroom dwellings at 63.5%, compared with 14.7% for 4 or more bedrooms and 20.6% for 2 bedrooms. Tenure is split between 36.5% mortgaged, 35.5% renting and 26.2% owned outright, so price growth affects both leveraged owners and tenants. At 25.4% mortgage-to-income and 22.0% rent-to-income, neither cost is flagged as stressed. Compared with apartment-heavy suburbs, land and family floorplans matter more here.

Mortgage / mo

$1,500

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

$300

Census 2021

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

42.0%

Couples with children

35.2%

Couples, no children

19.7%

Single parent

1,000

Total families

Economy & Employment

Healthcare is Holden Hill's leading industry at 23.0% and 280 workers, higher than Education at 10.2% and 124 workers. Construction contributes 8.2% and 100 workers, followed by Retail at 7.6% and 92 and Professional/Tech at 7.5% and 91. This mix links the suburb to essential services, schools, building and office-based work because the top 5 industries span frontline and professional roles. Occupations are spread across Professionals at 314, Community/Personal at 294, Clerical/Admin at 252, Trades at 237 and Labourers at 220. The labour force totals 1,905, with 1,001 full-time and 652 part-time workers. Unemployment is 6.8%, while household income sits at the 35.3rd percentile, below the midpoint.

Unemployment

6.8%

Labour Force

1,905

Unemployed

129

Source: ABS Census 2021

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

Full-time

56.4%

Part-time

36.7%

Participation

62.0%

Employed

1,776

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

Occupations

Professionals 314
Community/Personal 294
Clerical/Admin 252
Trades 237
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 compact and car-oriented. Driving is the main commute mode at 74.0%, compared with 8.7% using public transport, 2.0% walking or cycling and 9.5% working from home; daily convenience therefore depends heavily on road access and parking. The suburb records 244 crimes, equal to a rate of 65.7 per 1,000 people, so buyers should compare street conditions, lighting and current local reports before deciding. Families should verify school options, sector and enrolment zones against the exact address, since nearby campuses can sit across suburb boundaries and access can differ by catchment. With 3,716 residents in 1.89 sq km, Holden Hill is denser than a broad detached-home setting, although its 81.1% separate-house share preserves a suburban form. Compared with public-transport-led areas, private-car travel is the more practical default.

Drive

74.0%

Public Transport

8.7%

Walk / Cycle

2.0%

Work from Home

9.5%

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 11%
Renters
Top 14%
Uni Educated
Top 19%
Public Transport
Top 10%
Born Overseas
Top 7%
Density
Top 8%

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Holden Hill a good suburb to live in?

Holden Hill can suit households wanting detached housing, with 81.1% of dwellings being separate houses and 63.5% containing 3 bedrooms. It is compact at 1.89 sq km and strongly car-oriented, with 74.0% driving to work. Compared with public-transport-led suburbs, daily life is more dependent on roads, parking and local access.

What schools are in Holden Hill?

School choices and enrolment zones should be checked against the exact address before committing to a property. Holden Hill covers 1.89 sq km, but nearby campuses may sit across adjoining suburb boundaries and access can vary by catchment. Families should confirm the relevant government, Catholic or independent sector and current intake rules.

Is Holden Hill safe?

Safety should be assessed at street level as well as across the suburb. Holden Hill records 244 crimes and a crime rate of 65.7 per 1,000 people. Prospective residents should compare current local reports, lighting, traffic conditions and activity around their preferred address rather than relying on a single suburb-wide number.

Is Holden Hill good for property investment?

Holden Hill has a $300 weekly median rent, 35.5% renting and a 6.5% vacancy rate, providing a clear rental market to assess. Development activity reached 56 applications in 12 months, so investors should consider future supply and amenity changes. The 81.1% separate-house share supports demand for practical family homes.

How is Holden Hill's population changing?

Holden Hill has 3,716 residents, with 77.7% staying at the same address and 22.3% turnover over the reference period. This points to an established base with ongoing movement rather than a completely transient market. The median age of 37 is 3 years below the national comparison, supporting a relatively young adult and family profile.

What languages are spoken in Holden Hill?

Punjabi is recorded for 138 people, followed by Hindi at 58 and Guj at 43. Italian accounts for 40 and Sinhal for 39. The 38.1% overseas-born share is 16.5 percentage points higher than the national comparison, so language and cultural services can be relevant when assessing local convenience.

What development is happening in Holden Hill?

There were 56 development applications in the past 12 months. Examples include a land division from 1 allotment into 2 and a change from warehouse use to an indoor children's play centre. Compared with a quieter development cycle, this level of activity may alter housing choice, local services and construction conditions over time.

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). Population forecasts use a Hamilton-Perry cohort model calibrated to ABS ERP.

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