SA 5081 Census 2021 + Live DA Data

Medindie

With household income at the 99.3rd percentile nationally and a median house price of $2,005,000, Medindie ranks among the most affluent suburbs in South Australia. The suburb covers just 0.67 square kilometres and houses 1,175 residents at a density of 1,753 per km2, making it compact and owner-dominated, with 53.8% of households owning outright. University qualifications reach 62.6%, which is 32.5 percentage points above the national average, and the median age of 45 is 5 years older than the national figure. These traits together point to a settled, high-income population with long residential roots rather than a suburb in transition.

Medindie urban fabric map

Population

1,175

Median Age

45.0

Household IncomeiMedian weekly household income (ABS Census)

$3,750/wk

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

17

Median House

$2.0M

Median 1Q 2026

0.67 km²· 1,752.7 people/km²· Family income $4,664/wk

The median house price recorded in 1Q 2026 was $2,005,000, a sharp drop from $3,855,000 in 1Q 2025, representing a 48% decline over one year. Buyers should treat this shift with caution, as the two-quarter data history is limited and may reflect a very small transaction count. Separate houses dominate at 91.4% of dwellings, and 59% of homes have four or more bedrooms, so large family homes are the norm here. Monthly mortgage repayments average $3,033, and the mortgage-to-income ratio sits at 18.7%, well below the 30% stress threshold given household incomes at the 99.3rd percentile. Only 10.9% of dwellings are rented, so competition for purchase is among owner-occupiers rather than investors, giving buyers a relatively stable demand environment.

For Buyers

The median house price recorded in 1Q 2026 was $2,005,000, a sharp drop from $3,855,000 in 1Q 2025, representing a 48% decline over one year. Buyers should treat this shift with caution, as the two-quarter data history is limited and may reflect a very small transaction count. Separate houses dominate at 91.4% of dwellings, and 59% of homes have four or more bedrooms, so large family homes are the norm here. Monthly mortgage repayments average $3,033, and the mortgage-to-income ratio sits at 18.7%, well below the 30% stress threshold given household incomes at the 99.3rd percentile. Only 10.9% of dwellings are rented, so competition for purchase is among owner-occupiers rather than investors, giving buyers a relatively stable demand environment.

For Investors

The rental market in Medindie is thin: only 10.9% of dwellings are rented and weekly rent sits at $625. Against a $2,005,000 median, that implies a gross yield near 1.6%, low even by premium suburb standards. The vacancy rate of 7.1% is elevated, reflecting limited rental demand in a suburb where most residents own their homes outright. Development activity is modest at 16 applications in the past 12 months, mostly renovation and addition works on existing large homes rather than new dwellings. The rent-to-income ratio of 16.7% shows tenants are comfortable, but the small rental pool and high vacancy signal that Medindie suits capital preservation rather than yield-driven investment strategies.

Development Activity

Total DAs

109

Last 12 Months

17

YoY ChangeiYear-over-year change in DA lodgements

-26.1%

Avg DA CostiAverage estimated cost per DA in the past year

N/A

Monthly DA Lodgements

DA Categories

Renovation / Extension
13
Fencing
5
Swimming Pool / Spa
4
Other
3
Garage / Carport / Shed
3
Demolition
3
Signage / Advertising
2
New Dwelling
2

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

Wilderness School

ICSEA 1176 Combined Independent

R-12 · 856 students

Demographics

The median age of 45 is 5 years above the national average, placing Medindie firmly in the older-resident bracket. University qualifications at 62.6% are 32.5 percentage points higher than the national figure, one of the strongest education profiles in South Australia. The average household size is 2.8, slightly above the national average of 2.5, and couples with children (367) outnumber couples without children (239) among the 941 families. Overseas-born residents make up 23.5% of the population, 1.9 points above the national rate. Ancestry is Anglo-dominated, with English (392), Scottish (118), Irish (96) and Greek (109) the top groups. Greek speakers number 36, a legacy of earlier community settlement. Volunteering participation is high at 24.2%, consistent with the older, established demographic profile.

Age Distribution

0-14
17.8%
15-24
18.0%
25-44
14.2%
45-64
31.9%
65+
19.1%

Bedrooms

Studio/1br
1.3%
2 bed
7.8%
3 bed
31.9%
4+ bed
59.0%

Dwelling Structure

91.4%

Houses

6.0%

Townhouse

2.6%

Apartment

Tenure

Own 53.8% Mortgage 35.3% Rent 10.9%

Medindie's housing stock is almost entirely separate houses at 91.4%, with semi-detached at 6% and apartments at just 2.6%. Four-plus bedroom homes account for 59% of dwellings, and three-bedroom homes a further 31.9%, reflecting large lots and generous floor plans typical of the inner-north Adelaide prestige corridor. Ownership without a mortgage reaches 53.8%, with only 35.3% still carrying a mortgage, which is low compared to most suburban markets and signals long-held wealth. The price history shows the median at $3,855,000 in 1Q 2025 falling to $2,005,000 in 1Q 2026, a 48% decline, though with only 2 data points this may reflect sample volatility from a low transaction count. Rent-to-income at 16.7% and mortgage-to-income at 18.7% both sit well below stress thresholds despite the premium price level.

Median House Price Trend

Source: State Valuer-General

Mortgage / mo

$3,033

Rent / wk

$625

HH Size

2.8

Personal Income / wk

$1,309

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

7.1%

Unoccupied

29

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

16.7%

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

18.7%

Community Profile

Languages Spoken at Home

Greek
36
Mandarin
11

Ancestry

English
392
Other
141
Scottish
118
Greek
109
Irish
96
Italian
93

Household Composition

25.4%

Couples, no children

941

Total families

Economy & Employment

Healthcare leads Medindie's industry mix at 30.8% of employed residents (132 workers), more than double the next sector. Professional and technical services follow at 15.4% (66 workers) and retail at 9.6% (41). By occupation, Professionals account for 245 workers and Managers 125, together representing the majority of the employed workforce. The unemployment rate is 3.2%, below the national average, and the full-time employment rate is 58.3%. The participation rate of 58.9% reflects the older age profile, with 341 residents not in the labour force, many of them retired rather than job-seeking. The concentration in healthcare likely reflects proximity to major hospitals in the inner-north Adelaide medical precinct, which draws highly qualified residents to the area.

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

Full-time

58.3%

Part-time

38.5%

Participation

58.9%

Employed

552

Occupations

Professionals 245
Managers 125
Clerical/Admin 69
Sales 54
Community/Personal 32
Labourers 14
Machinery/Drivers 11

Top Industries

Healthcare 30.8%
Professional/Tech 15.4%
Retail 9.6%
Education 8.4%
Finance 5.4%

University

62.6%

Postgraduate

19.0%

Born Overseas

23.5%

Dwellings

383

Transport to Work

Car use is high at 85.1% of residents driving to work, compared to the national average, with only 2.2% using public transport. Walking and cycling account for 6.2%, above typical suburban rates given the compact 0.67 km2 footprint and proximity to inner-city amenities. The recorded crime total is 78 incidents at a rate of 66.4 per 1,000 residents; no school records appear within the suburb boundary in this dataset, so families rely on institutions in neighbouring suburbs. Housing stress indicators are favourable: only 2.5% of residents (28 people) need daily assistance, and both rent and mortgage cost ratios sit well below national stress benchmarks. The suburb's elevated volunteering rate of 24.2% and high university qualification share together suggest strong community engagement and social capital.

Drive

85.1%

Public Transport

2.2%

Walk / Cycle

6.2%

Work from Home

N/A

Safety & Crime

Total Offences

78

Year ending June 2024

Rate per 1,000 People

66.4

Source: Crime Statistics Agency Victoria / SA Police

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

How Medindie compares to ~15,000 Australian suburbs

Population
Top 27%
Household Income
Top 1%
Rent Level
Top 2%
Apartments
Bottom 42%
Renters
Bottom 19%
Uni Educated
Top 3%
Public Transport
Bottom 37%
Born Overseas
Top 22%
Density
Top 10%

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Medindie a good suburb to live in?

Medindie has household incomes at the 99.3rd percentile nationally and university qualifications at 62.6%, which is 32.5 percentage points above the national average. The suburb is compact at 0.67 km2, owner-dominated with 53.8% owning outright, and the median age of 45 reflects a settled, experienced resident base. The main trade-off is a very high entry price, with a median house around $2,005,000.

What is the median house price in Medindie?

The median house price was $2,005,000 in 1Q 2026, down from $3,855,000 in 1Q 2025. The 48% shift reflects a thin transaction volume over just 2 quarters. Weekly rent averages $625 and monthly mortgage repayments run about $3,033, with a mortgage-to-income ratio of 18.7%, below stress thresholds for the suburb's income level.

What schools are in Medindie?

No schools are recorded inside the Medindie boundary in this dataset. Families rely on schools in neighbouring suburbs in the inner-north Adelaide corridor. Despite this, the local population is among the most highly educated in South Australia, with 62.6% holding university qualifications, which is 32.5 points above the national figure.

Is Medindie safe?

Recorded crime totals 78 incidents at a rate of 66.4 per 1,000 residents. As an indirect indicator, only 2.5% of residents (28 people) need daily assistance, and housing stress is absent with rent-to-income at 16.7% and mortgage-to-income at 18.7%, both well below national stress benchmarks. These numbers are consistent with a low-disadvantage area.

Is Medindie good for property investment?

Weekly rent of $625 against a $2,005,000 median implies a gross yield near 1.6%, which is low. The vacancy rate of 7.1% is elevated, reflecting the small rental market where only 10.9% of dwellings are rented. The investment case leans heavily on long-term capital growth rather than rental yield, given the premium price and thin tenant pool.

How is Medindie's population changing?

The suburb's population of 1,175 is stable, with 79.9% of residents having stayed at the same address over 5 years, a high retention rate compared to most suburbs. The 0.67 km2 area and detached-house-dominant stock (91.4%) leave little capacity for significant infill growth. Development activity runs at 16 applications per year, mostly renovations rather than new dwellings.

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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