Lightsview
Median age here is just 32, a full 8 years below the national figure, which is unusual for a suburb where the median house price has climbed to $858,000. The young profile is no accident: 52.0% of households carry a mortgage and only 12.8% own outright, marking a classic owner-occupier growth pocket rather than an established cash-rich enclave. The stock reflects that, split almost evenly between separate houses at 46.0% and semi-detached dwellings at 45.1%. Nearly half of residents, 46.6%, were born overseas, which is 25.0 points above national, and university qualifications reach 55.7%, 25.6 points higher than the country as a whole. Population has grown 20.7% over the decade, well above the typical established suburb.
Population
6,090
Median Age
32.0
Household IncomeiMedian weekly household income (ABS Census)
$1,916/wk
DAs (12 months)iDevelopment Applications lodged in the past year
6
Median House
$858K
Median 1Q 2026
The $858,000 median rose 14.4% in a single year from $750,000 in 1Q 2025, a faster move than most Adelaide markets, because demand from young families is outpacing the fixed supply in a 1.35 km2 footprint. Three-bedroom homes dominate at 53.9%, with 4-plus bedroom dwellings only 15.7%, so larger families compete for scarce stock. The build mix is split between separate houses at 46.0% and semi-detached at 45.1%, giving buyers a genuine choice between detached and attached options that is rare at this price. Monthly mortgage repayments average $1,722, producing a mortgage-to-income ratio of 20.8%, well below the 30% stress threshold. That affordability, combined with household income in the 71.5th percentile, explains why mortgage holders at 52.0% far outnumber outright owners at 12.8%.
For Buyers
The $858,000 median rose 14.4% in a single year from $750,000 in 1Q 2025, a faster move than most Adelaide markets, because demand from young families is outpacing the fixed supply in a 1.35 km2 footprint. Three-bedroom homes dominate at 53.9%, with 4-plus bedroom dwellings only 15.7%, so larger families compete for scarce stock. The build mix is split between separate houses at 46.0% and semi-detached at 45.1%, giving buyers a genuine choice between detached and attached options that is rare at this price. Monthly mortgage repayments average $1,722, producing a mortgage-to-income ratio of 20.8%, well below the 30% stress threshold. That affordability, combined with household income in the 71.5th percentile, explains why mortgage holders at 52.0% far outnumber outright owners at 12.8%.
For Investors
Renters make up 35.3% of households and weekly rent sits at $400, giving a deep but mid-priced tenant pool. Against the $858,000 median that implies a gross yield near 2.4%, modest, so the case leans on growth rather than income. The 6.6% vacancy rate is higher than a tight market, reflecting recently completed semi-detached supply at 45.1% of stock. Demand support is real: net internal migration adds 110 residents a year, the suburb's primary growth driver, against only 18 from overseas, and population is forecast to rise 1.51% annually. Rent has grown 30.0% over the period, which has lifted gross returns even as the median climbed 14.4% in a year. With development applications at just 6 in 12 months, new competing supply is limited, supporting existing landlords.
Development Activity
Total DAs
180
Last 12 Months
6
YoY ChangeiYear-over-year change in DA lodgements
-68.4%
Avg DA CostiAverage estimated cost per DA in the past year
N/A
Monthly DA Lodgements
DA Categories
Demographics
The median age of 32 runs 8.0 years below national, one of the youngest profiles for a suburb at this price. Overseas-born residents reach 46.6%, which is 25.0 points above national, and the migrant mix is led by Chinese (1,012) and Indian (534) ancestry alongside English (1,428). The top non-English languages are Mandarin (276 speakers), Cantonese (120) and Punjabi (96), and Hinduism (453) and Islam (363) sit behind Christianity (2,089). University qualifications at 55.7% are 25.6 points above national, consistent with a professional workforce. Average household size is 2.4, just 0.1 below national, and couples with children at 2,046 families outnumber couples without children at 1,320, a family-formation profile that fits the young median age and 53.9% three-bedroom housing.
Age Distribution
Bedrooms
Dwelling Structure
46.0%
Houses
45.1%
Townhouse
8.9%
Apartment
Tenure
Tenure tilts heavily toward debt: 52.0% of households hold a mortgage, 35.3% rent and only 12.8% own outright, the inverse of an established suburb where outright ownership leads. The stock is split between separate houses at 46.0% and semi-detached at 45.1%, with apartments just 8.9%, so density comes from attached homes rather than towers. Three-bedroom dwellings account for 53.9% and 4-plus bedroom homes 15.7%, a family-sized profile. The median house price rose from $750,000 in 1Q 2025 to $858,000 in 1Q 2026, a 14.4% one-year gain. Mortgage-to-income at 20.8% and rent-to-income at 20.9% both sit comfortably below the 30% stress line, which is why neither stress flag is triggered despite the rapid price growth, because incomes in the 71.5th percentile absorb the repayments.
Median House Price Trend
Source: State Valuer-General
Mortgage / mo
$1,722
Rent / wk
$400
HH Size
2.4
Personal Income / wk
$1,005
Vacancy Ratei% of dwellings unoccupied on Census night (ABS 2021)
6.6%
Unoccupied
172
Rent / IncomeiMedian rent as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
20.9%
Mortgage / IncomeiMedian mortgage as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
20.8%
Community Profile
Languages Spoken at Home
Ancestry
Household Composition
29.8%
Couples, no children
4,428
Total families
Economy & Employment
The workforce concentrates in Healthcare, which leads at 22.9% (625 workers), well above the national share, followed by Professional/Tech at 10.2% (278) and Education at 9.4% (256). By occupation, Professionals (1,127) and Managers (490) dominate, aligning with the 55.7% university rate. Unemployment is low at 4.3% and the full-time employment rate reaches 67.3%, with participation at 70.2%. The SEIFA picture is mixed: IER (economic resources) scores decile 7, but IEO (education and occupation) reads only decile 3 and IRSAD decile 4. That divergence is the signature of a young, indebted, mobile population, because high incomes and mortgages lift economic resources while recent-arrival and renter shares pull the broader advantage indexes down.
Unemployment
2.9%
Labour Force
5,610
Unemployed
163
Quarterly Trend
Source: SALM Dec-25
Socio-Economic Indexes (SEIFA)iABS index ranking suburbs from 1 (most disadvantaged) to 10 (most advantaged)
Full-time
67.3%
Part-time
28.4%
Participation
70.2%
Employed
3,387
Occupations
Top Industries
University
55.7%
Postgraduate
17.4%
Born Overseas
46.6%
Dwellings
2,416
Transport to Work
Car dependence is high at 85.2% of commuters, with only 7.9% using public transport and 1.5% walking or cycling, below the national active-transport share, a function of the suburb's newer, lower-density layout. The crime rate is 41.1 incidents per 1,000 residents across 250 recorded offences, a moderate figure for metropolitan Adelaide. On disadvantage, the IRSD index reads decile 5, mid-range, while IRSAD sits at decile 4, both below the top tiers and consistent with a young, mortgage-heavy resident base rather than entrenched advantage. Volunteering runs at 12.0% and only 4.8% of residents (280 people) need daily assistance, low given the family profile. No schools are recorded inside the 1.35 km2 boundary, so families rely on institutions in neighbouring suburbs.
Drive
85.2%
Public Transport
7.9%
Walk / Cycle
1.5%
Work from Home
N/A
Population Forecast
+1.51%/yr
(+160 people/yr)
EstablishedLightsview is growing at 1.51% a year, adding about 160 residents annually, and population has risen 20.7% over the decade, far above a typical established suburb. The primary driver is internal migration at 110 net residents a year, more than six times the 18 from overseas, so growth is fuelled by Australians relocating in rather than new arrivals. Medium forecasts lift the area from 10,631 in 2025 toward 11,603 by 2031, a steady climb with no projected dip. The gentrification stage reads early signs at a score of 24, supported by the 29% population rise since 2011 and net internal inflow. Real incomes grew 10.8% over the decade and affordability held stable at 35.7% in 2021 versus 37.4% in 2011, a sign growth has not yet priced out new buyers.
Historical + Forecast
Hamilton-Perry + Holt smoothing on ERP 2001-2025
Age Cohort Forecast
Primary Driver
Internal Migration
Net Overseas / yr
+18
Net Internal / yr
+110
Gentrification Signal
Early signs
Population +29% since 2011, Net internal migration +110/yr
Safety & Crime
Total Offences
250
Year ending June 2024
Rate per 1,000 People
41.1
Source: Crime Statistics Agency Victoria / SA Police
National Ranking iPercentile rank among ~15,000 AU suburbs. 90% = higher than 90% of suburbs
How Lightsview compares to ~15,000 Australian suburbs
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Lightsview a good suburb to live in?
Lightsview suits young families: the median age is 32, eight years below national, and university qualifications reach 55.7%, 25.6 points above national. It scores IER decile 7 for economic resources, with mortgage-to-income at 20.8%, below the stress line. Trade-offs are a moderate crime rate of 41.1 per 1,000 and no local schools.
What is the median house price in Lightsview?
The median house price is $858,000 as of 1Q 2026, up 14.4% from $750,000 a year earlier. Weekly rent averages $400 and monthly mortgage repayments run about $1,722, giving a mortgage-to-income ratio of 20.8%, comfortably below the 30% stress threshold.
What schools are in Lightsview?
No schools are recorded inside the 1.35 km2 Lightsview boundary in this dataset, so families rely on schools in neighbouring suburbs. The resident base is highly educated, with university qualifications at 55.7%, which is 25.6 points above the national figure.
Is Lightsview safe?
Lightsview recorded 250 offences, a crime rate of 41.1 per 1,000 residents, moderate for metropolitan Adelaide. The suburb scores IRSD decile 5 on relative disadvantage, mid-range, and only 4.8% of residents need daily assistance, both consistent with a stable family area rather than a high-risk one.
Is Lightsview good for property investment?
Rent of $400 a week against the $858,000 median gives a gross yield near 2.4%, modest, so returns lean on growth. The median rose 14.4% in a year and net internal migration adds 110 residents annually. A 6.6% vacancy rate signals recent semi-detached supply, so timing matters.
How is Lightsview's population changing?
Population is growing 1.51% a year, about 160 residents, and has risen 20.7% over the decade. The main driver is internal migration at 110 net residents annually versus 18 from overseas. Medium forecasts lift the area from 10,631 in 2025 to 11,603 by 2031.
What languages are spoken in Lightsview?
About 46.6% of residents were born overseas, 25.0 points above national. English is the dominant language, with Mandarin (276 speakers), Cantonese (120), Punjabi (96) and Hindi (71) the most common non-English languages, reflecting a strongly multicultural resident mix led by Chinese and Indian ancestry.
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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