SA 5170 Census 2021 + Live DA Data

Maslin Beach

An 11.8% vacancy rate and a $900,000 median house price in a suburb of only 1,213 people tells you exactly what Maslin Beach is: a coastal enclave where many owners hold property for lifestyle rather than occupancy. The median age of 46 is 6.0 years above the national figure, and 76.2% of residents stayed at the same address for five years, producing a highly settled, older owner base. At 97.3%, the share of separate houses is among the highest in South Australia, and crime totals just 20 recorded incidents, placing the crime rate at 16.5 per 1,000 residents. Household income sits in the 39.2nd percentile nationally, a reminder that wealth here is held in property rather than wages.

Maslin Beach urban fabric map

Population

1,213

Median Age

46.0

Household IncomeiMedian weekly household income (ABS Census)

$1,380/wk

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

24

Median House

$900K

Median 1Q 2026

6.55 km²· 185.2 people/km²· Family income $1,698/wk

The median house price reached $900,000 in 1Q 2026, up 9.8% from $820,000 one year earlier. Stock is almost entirely separate houses at 97.3%, so buyers face a homogeneous market with limited unit or townhouse alternatives. The bedroom split leans toward 3-bedroom homes at 54.4%, with 4-plus bedrooms at 28.8%, meaning supply caters to families and downsizers rather than first-home buyers. Monthly mortgage repayments average $1,320, and mortgage-to-income sits at 22.1%, comfortably below the 30% stress threshold compared to most capital-city suburbs. Outright owners at 39.5% outnumber mortgage holders at 38.0%, indicating a mature, settled buyer base where debt-free tenure is the norm rather than the exception.

For Buyers

The median house price reached $900,000 in 1Q 2026, up 9.8% from $820,000 one year earlier. Stock is almost entirely separate houses at 97.3%, so buyers face a homogeneous market with limited unit or townhouse alternatives. The bedroom split leans toward 3-bedroom homes at 54.4%, with 4-plus bedrooms at 28.8%, meaning supply caters to families and downsizers rather than first-home buyers. Monthly mortgage repayments average $1,320, and mortgage-to-income sits at 22.1%, comfortably below the 30% stress threshold compared to most capital-city suburbs. Outright owners at 39.5% outnumber mortgage holders at 38.0%, indicating a mature, settled buyer base where debt-free tenure is the norm rather than the exception.

For Investors

The rental market at Maslin Beach is thin but stable. Only 22.5% of dwellings are rented, below state and national averages, and weekly rent is $335, which against a $900,000 median implies a gross yield near 1.9%. The 11.8% vacancy rate is elevated and signals that a portion of the housing stock sits idle between seasonal or lifestyle use rather than serving permanent rental demand. Development activity recorded 24 applications in the past 12 months, covering additions and outbuildings rather than new subdivisions, so supply is not expanding quickly. The 9.8% annual price growth to 1Q 2026 is the clearest investment signal, driven by coastal lifestyle demand rather than population density or migration.

Development Activity

Total DAs

165

Last 12 Months

24

YoY ChangeiYear-over-year change in DA lodgements

-11.1%

Avg DA CostiAverage estimated cost per DA in the past year

N/A

Monthly DA Lodgements

DA Categories

New Dwelling
10
Deck / Pergola / Patio
10
Garage / Carport / Shed
7
Swimming Pool / Spa
7
Renovation / Extension
5
Landscaping / Retaining Wall
3
Tree Removal
2
Subdivision
1

Demographics

The median age of 46 sits 6.0 years above the national figure, reflecting an established owner base that has largely moved beyond the family-formation stage. Couples without children make up 31.5% of families, and couples with children account for 29.6%, a nearly even split that points to a mixed lifecycle community rather than a purely retired enclave. Overseas-born residents reach 27.1%, which is 5.5 percentage points above the national figure, led by English-ancestry residents at 658 people, followed by Scottish (143), Irish (132) and German (104) ancestries. University qualifications stand at 25.5%, which is 4.6 points below the national average, consistent with a workforce tilted toward healthcare, trades and public sector roles. Volunteering runs at 15.4%, above many comparable coastal suburbs.

Age Distribution

0-14
14.1%
15-24
12.8%
25-44
21.5%
45-64
33.8%
65+
18.0%

Bedrooms

Studio/1br
2.2%
2 bed
14.5%
3 bed
54.4%
4+ bed
28.8%

Dwelling Structure

97.3%

Houses

N/A

Townhouse

2.7%

Apartment

Tenure

Own 39.5% Mortgage 38.0% Rent 22.5%

Maslin Beach is one of the most detached-house-dominant suburbs in South Australia, with 97.3% of dwellings being separate houses and apartments accounting for only 2.7%. The tenure split is weighted toward ownership: 39.5% own outright and 38.0% hold a mortgage, together accounting for 77.5% of households, compared to a national renter share typically around 30%. Three-bedroom homes lead at 54.4%, followed by 4-plus bedrooms at 28.8%, with 2-bedroom dwellings at 14.5%. The median house price moved from $820,000 in 1Q 2025 to $900,000 in 1Q 2026, an 9.8% gain over one year. Rent-to-income at 24.3% remains below the 30% stress threshold, though the low rental population of 22.5% means this affects relatively few households.

Median House Price Trend

Source: State Valuer-General

Mortgage / mo

$1,320

Rent / wk

$335

HH Size

2.4

Personal Income / wk

$697

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

11.8%

Unoccupied

66

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

24.3%

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

22.1%

Community Profile

Ancestry

English
658
Scottish
143
Irish
132
German
104
Other
81
Ancestry NS
45

Household Composition

31.5%

Couples, no children

948

Total families

Economy & Employment

Healthcare dominates the local employment base at 19.1% of workers (78 people), followed by Education at 11.8% (48), Manufacturing and Public Administration each at 9.6% (39), and Professional/Tech at 8.1% (33). By occupation, Professionals lead at 128 workers, ahead of Community and Personal Services at 90 and Labourers at 72. The full-time employment rate is 56.4% and the unemployment rate sits at 7.2%, higher than metropolitan averages, because a substantial share of the 1,213 residents fall outside the labour force, with 338 people not participating. Household income is in the 39.2nd percentile nationally, below average, which is a notable contrast to the $900,000 median house price and reflects that much of the suburb's wealth is stored in coastal property rather than earned income.

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

Full-time

56.4%

Part-time

36.4%

Participation

60.4%

Employed

583

Occupations

Professionals 128
Community/Personal 90
Labourers 72
Managers 67
Clerical/Admin 58
Sales 51
Machinery/Drivers 36

Top Industries

Healthcare 19.1%
Education 11.8%
Manufacturing 9.6%
Public Admin 9.6%
Professional/Tech 8.1%

University

25.5%

Postgraduate

5.5%

Born Overseas

27.1%

Dwellings

490

Transport to Work

With a crime rate of 16.5 per 1,000 residents (20 recorded incidents total), Maslin Beach sits well below the rates seen in higher-density South Australian suburbs. Car dependency is pronounced: 90.4% of residents drive to work and only 3.1% use public transport, reflecting the suburb's coastal fringe location with limited bus frequency compared to inner suburbs. No schools are recorded within the suburb boundary, so families depend on institutions in neighbouring areas. Rent-to-income at 24.3% and mortgage-to-income at 22.1% both sit below the 30% stress threshold, indicating housing costs are manageable relative to incomes for most residents. Only 5.1% of residents (59 people) need daily assistance, a low rate for a suburb with a median age 6 years above national.

Drive

90.4%

Public Transport

3.1%

Walk / Cycle

2.5%

Work from Home

N/A

Safety & Crime

Total Offences

20

Year ending June 2024

Rate per 1,000 People

16.5

Source: Crime Statistics Agency Victoria / SA Police

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

How Maslin Beach compares to ~15,000 Australian suburbs

Population
Top 26%
Household Income
Bottom 39%
Rent Level
Top 30%
Apartments
Bottom 42%
Renters
Top 44%
Uni Educated
Top 45%
Public Transport
Bottom 48%
Born Overseas
Top 17%
Density
Top 24%

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Maslin Beach a good suburb to live in?

Maslin Beach suits owner-occupiers seeking a low-density coastal setting. The crime rate is just 16.5 per 1,000 residents and 76.2% of residents have stayed for at least 5 years, indicating genuine attachment to the area. The trade-offs are limited public transport at 3.1% and no schools within the suburb boundary, so families rely on neighbouring areas for education.

What is the median house price in Maslin Beach?

The median house price is $900,000 as of 1Q 2026, up 9.8% from $820,000 in 1Q 2025. Monthly mortgage repayments average $1,320 and weekly rent is $335. The mortgage-to-income ratio is 22.1%, below the 30% stress level, though household income sits in the 39.2nd percentile nationally.

What schools are in Maslin Beach?

No schools are recorded within the Maslin Beach suburb boundary in this dataset. Families rely on schools in neighbouring suburbs. About 25.5% of residents hold university qualifications, which is 4.6 percentage points below the national average, consistent with a workforce-oriented rather than highly academic residential profile.

Is Maslin Beach safe?

Maslin Beach recorded only 20 total crimes in the reference period, giving a crime rate of 16.5 per 1,000 residents. This is low compared to higher-density South Australian suburbs. The stable resident base, with 76.2% having stayed 5 or more years, also reflects the settled, low-risk character of the area.

Is Maslin Beach good for property investment?

The 9.8% annual price growth to $900,000 in 1Q 2026 is the primary positive signal. However, the 11.8% vacancy rate is elevated, weekly rent of $335 implies a gross yield near 1.9% on the median price, and only 22.5% of dwellings are rented. The investment case rests on coastal capital growth rather than rental yield or high occupancy.

How is Maslin Beach's population changing?

Maslin Beach has a small population of 1,213 across 6.55 square kilometres, with a density of 185 people per km2. The median age of 46 is 6.0 years above the national figure and 76.2% of residents stayed at the same address for 5 years, suggesting slow natural turnover and gradual aging of the resident base rather than significant population growth.

How much development is happening in Maslin Beach?

There were 24 development applications lodged in the past 12 months, including a two-storey detached dwelling, upper-storey additions and outbuildings. Most activity reflects renovation and improvement of existing houses rather than new subdivisions, consistent with the 97.3% separate-house stock and the suburb's established, low-density character.

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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