Mitcham
A suburb where 58.6% of residents hold university qualifications, Mitcham sits 28.5 percentage points above the national average on that measure alone. Despite a population of only 1,832 in 1.78 km2, the suburb scores IRSD decile 10 and IRSAD decile 9, placing it in the top tier for both low disadvantage and high advantage nationally. The median age of 44 is 4 years above the national figure, consistent with an established, wealth-holding resident base where 39.3% own their home outright. Healthcare and education industries employ over a third of local workers, a pattern that reinforces the professional character of the area.
Population
1,832
Median Age
44.0
Household IncomeiMedian weekly household income (ABS Census)
$1,996/wk
DAs (12 months)iDevelopment Applications lodged in the past year
32
Median House
$1.6M
Median 1Q 2026
The median house price sits at $1,570,000 as of 1Q 2026. Separate houses account for 62.1% of stock, with apartments at 20.0% and semi-detached at 17.4%, meaning detached family homes dominate but are not the only option. Three-bedroom dwellings make up 38.9% of residences and 4-plus bedroom homes account for 32.4%, both higher shares than in the average SA suburb. Monthly mortgage repayments average $2,000, producing a mortgage-to-income ratio of 23.1%, which is below the 30% stress threshold even at this price point, because household income sits at the 74.7th percentile nationally. Outright owners at 39.3% outnumber mortgage holders at 36.9%, a sign of long-term stability rather than a market driven by recent leveraged buyers.
For Buyers
The median house price sits at $1,570,000 as of 1Q 2026. Separate houses account for 62.1% of stock, with apartments at 20.0% and semi-detached at 17.4%, meaning detached family homes dominate but are not the only option. Three-bedroom dwellings make up 38.9% of residences and 4-plus bedroom homes account for 32.4%, both higher shares than in the average SA suburb. Monthly mortgage repayments average $2,000, producing a mortgage-to-income ratio of 23.1%, which is below the 30% stress threshold even at this price point, because household income sits at the 74.7th percentile nationally. Outright owners at 39.3% outnumber mortgage holders at 36.9%, a sign of long-term stability rather than a market driven by recent leveraged buyers.
For Investors
Renters make up 23.7% of households, a narrower pool than the national average, and weekly rent is $328, modest relative to the $1,570,000 median, implying a gross yield well below 2%. The 9.4% vacancy rate warrants attention and suggests some softness in the rental market. On the demand side, net overseas migration adds 198 residents per year while internal migration removes 41, producing a net inflow that gradually supports occupancy. Development activity is moderate at 30 applications in the past 12 months, mostly maintenance and alteration work rather than new supply. The investment case here is stronger on capital preservation and demographic stability than on yield, given the IRSD decile 10 ranking and the low unemployment rate of 4.0%.
Development Activity
Total DAs
184
Last 12 Months
32
YoY ChangeiYear-over-year change in DA lodgements
-15.8%
Avg DA CostiAverage estimated cost per DA in the past year
N/A
Monthly DA Lodgements
DA Categories
Demographics
The median age of 44 is 4 years above the national figure, and the suburb is on an aging trajectory: the senior share grew 3.9 points while the working-age share fell 2.1 points over the decade. Overseas-born residents stand at 23.8%, which is 2.2 percentage points above the national average. Ancestry is primarily Anglo-Celtic, led by English (803 residents), Irish (190) and Scottish (178), with German (138) also notable. University qualifications at 58.6% are 28.5 points above the national rate, reflecting a resident base concentrated in professional occupations: Professionals number 357 and Managers 153 among those employed. Average household size is 2.5, matching the national figure, and 26.2% of families are couples without children.
Age Distribution
Bedrooms
Dwelling Structure
62.1%
Houses
17.4%
Townhouse
20.0%
Apartment
Tenure
Tenure in Mitcham leans toward ownership: 39.3% own outright and 36.9% carry a mortgage, leaving renters at 23.7%, lower than both SA and national benchmarks. The stock is predominantly separate houses at 62.1%, a higher share than in more inner-city SA suburbs. Three-bedroom homes account for 38.9% and 4-plus bedroom homes for 32.4%, making this a suburb skewed toward larger family dwellings. Mortgage-to-income sits at 23.1%, below the 30% stress threshold, and rent-to-income is 16.4%, both comfortable figures relative to national comparisons. The high outright ownership rate and low turnover rate of 20.4% (meaning 79.6% of residents stayed in place) indicate a settled, long-established community rather than a churning rental market.
Median House Price Trend
Source: State Valuer-General
Mortgage / mo
$2,000
Rent / wk
$328
HH Size
2.5
Personal Income / wk
$922
Vacancy Ratei% of dwellings unoccupied on Census night (ABS 2021)
9.4%
Unoccupied
75
Rent / IncomeiMedian rent as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
16.4%
Mortgage / IncomeiMedian mortgage as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
23.1%
Community Profile
Languages Spoken at Home
Ancestry
Household Composition
26.2%
Couples, no children
1,509
Total families
Economy & Employment
Healthcare leads local industry at 23.1% of workers (165 people), followed by Professional/Tech at 14.5% (104) and Education at 14.0% (100), together accounting for over half the workforce. By occupation, Professionals (357) and Managers (153) are the two largest groups, consistent with the SEIFA IEO decile 9 score for education and occupation advantage. The unemployment rate is 4.0%, and the full-time employment rate is 56.3%, with 395 part-time workers reflecting a workforce that includes part-time professionals and carers. Real income grew 15.2% over the decade. Household income ranks in the 74.7th percentile nationally, though SEIFA IER sits at decile 8 rather than decile 9 or 10, partly because the 23.7% renter share and moderate rent level reduce aggregate household wealth measures compared to pure owner-occupier suburbs.
Unemployment
1.1%
Labour Force
9,711
Unemployed
107
Quarterly Trend
Source: SALM Dec-25
Socio-Economic Indexes (SEIFA)iABS index ranking suburbs from 1 (most disadvantaged) to 10 (most advantaged)
Full-time
56.3%
Part-time
39.7%
Participation
60.9%
Employed
904
Occupations
Top Industries
University
58.6%
Postgraduate
16.6%
Born Overseas
23.8%
Dwellings
720
Transport to Work
Car dependence is pronounced: 84.7% of residents drive to work, which is higher than the national average, while public transport use is only 5.3% and walking or cycling accounts for 5.6%. This reflects the low-density, residential street character of the suburb rather than proximity to a major transit corridor. Safety indicators are positive: the crime rate is 24.6 incidents per 1,000 residents, a low figure consistent with the IRSD decile 10 ranking. Volunteering reaches 23.1% of residents, notably above the national rate, which signals strong civic engagement. Only 3.8% of residents (69 people) need daily assistance despite the older median age of 44. No schools are recorded within the suburb boundary, so families rely on nearby institutions, a common trade-off in small, high-quality SA suburbs of this size.
Drive
84.7%
Public Transport
5.3%
Walk / Cycle
5.6%
Work from Home
N/A
Population Forecast
+0.35%/yr
(+60 people/yr)
EstablishedMitcham grows slowly and predictably: annual population growth is 0.35%, adding about 60 persons per year, which is below the national average. Over 10 years the population rose 5.1%, and medium forecasts project the broader SA2 population reaching approximately 17,382 by 2031 from 17,169 in 2025. Overseas migration is the primary driver, adding a net 198 residents annually, while internal migration removes 41, a pattern typical of premium established suburbs where affordability constrains inward movement. The gentrification score reads early signs at 33, below the threshold for active transition, which makes sense for a suburb already in the top SEIFA deciles. Rent grew 23.6% over the period, outpacing income growth of 15.2%, a pressure point for the 23.7% of residents who rent.
Historical + Forecast
Hamilton-Perry + Holt smoothing on ERP 2001-2025
Age Cohort Forecast
Primary Driver
Overseas Migration
Net Overseas / yr
+198
Net Internal / yr
-41
Gentrification Signal
Not gentrifying
Safety & Crime
Total Offences
45
Year ending June 2024
Rate per 1,000 People
24.6
Source: Crime Statistics Agency Victoria / SA Police
National Ranking iPercentile rank among ~15,000 AU suburbs. 90% = higher than 90% of suburbs
How Mitcham compares to ~15,000 Australian suburbs
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Mitcham a good suburb to live in?
Mitcham ranks in IRSD decile 10 and IRSAD decile 9, both top-tier positions nationally for low disadvantage and high advantage. Household income sits at the 74.7th percentile nationally, the crime rate is 24.6 per 1,000, and 58.6% of residents hold university qualifications, which is 28.5 points above the national average. The main trade-off is high car dependence, with 84.7% driving to work.
What is the median house price in Mitcham?
The median house price is $1,570,000 as of 1Q 2026. Weekly rent averages $328 and monthly mortgage repayments run approximately $2,000, giving a mortgage-to-income ratio of 23.1%, which stays below the 30% stress level. Separate houses make up 62.1% of stock.
What schools are in Mitcham?
No schools are recorded inside the Mitcham suburb boundary in this dataset, so families rely on schools in neighbouring suburbs. Despite this, the local population is highly educated: 58.6% of residents hold university qualifications, which is 28.5 percentage points above the national figure.
Is Mitcham safe?
The recorded crime rate is 24.6 incidents per 1,000 residents, a low figure relative to most metropolitan SA suburbs. The IRSD decile 10 score places Mitcham in the lowest-disadvantage tier nationally, and only 3.8% of its 1,832 residents (69 people) need daily assistance, both consistent with a low-disadvantage, stable residential area.
Is Mitcham good for property investment?
Weekly rent of $328 against a $1,570,000 median implies a gross yield below 2%, and the 9.4% vacancy rate signals some softness in the rental segment. Overseas migration adds 198 residents per year net, providing steady demand. The suburb sits in IRSD decile 10 and IRSAD decile 9, supporting long-term capital stability rather than high yield.
How is Mitcham's population changing?
Annual population growth is 0.35%, adding approximately 60 persons per year. Over 10 years the population rose 5.1%. Overseas migration is the primary driver at plus 198 per year net, while internal migration removes 41. Medium forecasts project the broader area reaching about 17,382 residents by 2031, up from 17,169 in 2025.
How much development is happening in Mitcham?
There were 30 development applications lodged in the past 12 months. Recent samples include fencing replacement and outbuilding construction, consistent with maintenance and incremental improvement of an established housing stock rather than large-scale new supply. The 79.6% of residents who stayed in place over the period reflects the suburb's low turnover 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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