SA 5043 Census 2021 + Live DA Data

Mitchell Park

A renter-majority suburb where 51.5% of households lease rather than own is unusual in suburban Adelaide, and Mitchell Park pairs that with a median house price that jumped 23.4% in a single year, from $948,350 in early 2025 to $1,170,500 in early 2026. Household income sits in the 22.4th percentile nationally, well below average, yet prices have climbed faster than incomes, which is why the mortgage-to-income ratio reads 31.5% and trips the stress threshold. The population skews younger than national, with a median age of 37, three years below the country figure, and 34.7% of residents were born overseas, 13.1 points above national. Healthcare dominates local employment at 28.6% of the workforce.

Mitchell Park urban fabric map

Population

5,754

Median Age

37.0

Household IncomeiMedian weekly household income (ABS Census)

$1,160/wk

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

40

Median House

$1.2M

Median 1Q 2026

2.07 km²· 2,773.3 people/km²· Family income $1,615/wk

The $1,170,500 median makes Mitchell Park pricier than its modest incomes would suggest, and the 23.4% one-year rise from $948,350 to $1,170,500 has outpaced wage growth. Stock favours houses: 54.5% are separate dwellings and 42.6% semi-detached, while apartments are negligible at 2.8%, so buyers compete mostly for detached and terrace-style homes. Three-bedroom dwellings dominate at 58.8%, with two-bedroom at 26.3% and four-plus bedroom homes just 10.0%, signalling a market built for small families rather than larger ones. Monthly mortgage repayments average $1,582, but against household income in the 22.4th percentile the mortgage-to-income ratio reaches 31.5%, above the 30% stress line. That gap between low incomes and rising prices is the core affordability tension for owner-occupiers here.

For Buyers

The $1,170,500 median makes Mitchell Park pricier than its modest incomes would suggest, and the 23.4% one-year rise from $948,350 to $1,170,500 has outpaced wage growth. Stock favours houses: 54.5% are separate dwellings and 42.6% semi-detached, while apartments are negligible at 2.8%, so buyers compete mostly for detached and terrace-style homes. Three-bedroom dwellings dominate at 58.8%, with two-bedroom at 26.3% and four-plus bedroom homes just 10.0%, signalling a market built for small families rather than larger ones. Monthly mortgage repayments average $1,582, but against household income in the 22.4th percentile the mortgage-to-income ratio reaches 31.5%, above the 30% stress line. That gap between low incomes and rising prices is the core affordability tension for owner-occupiers here.

For Investors

A 51.5% renter share gives landlords one of the deeper tenant pools in suburban Adelaide, and weekly rent of $278 has grown 56.6% over the period, a strong escalation. Against the $1,170,500 median, that rent implies a gross yield near 1.2%, low, so the case rests on rent growth and capital appreciation rather than income. The 5.9% vacancy rate is moderate and leaves room for the deep renter base to absorb supply. Demand is migration-led: net overseas migration adds 386 residents a year while internal migration removes 66, a clear inflow that supports tenancy. Development is steady at 33 applications in 12 months, several being land divisions of one block into three detached dwellings, which gradually adds rentable stock. With house prices up 23.4% in a year, recent capital growth has done more for returns than yield.

Development Activity

Total DAs

231

Last 12 Months

40

YoY ChangeiYear-over-year change in DA lodgements

+25.0%

Avg DA CostiAverage estimated cost per DA in the past year

N/A

Monthly DA Lodgements

DA Categories

Deck / Pergola / Patio
18
Subdivision
13
New Dwelling
9
Garage / Carport / Shed
7
Multi-Dwelling / Townhouse
6
Renovation / Extension
6
Fencing
4
Commercial / Industrial
3

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

Hamilton Secondary College

ICSEA 994 Secondary Government

U, 7-12 · 609 students

Demographics

The median age of 37 runs 3.0 years below the national figure, a relatively young profile reinforced by a 2.2 point rise in the working-age share over the decade. Overseas-born residents reach 34.7%, which is 13.1 points above national, and university qualifications at 41.9% sit 11.8 points above national, an educated population despite below-average incomes. Ancestry leans Anglo-Celtic, led by English (1,723), Scottish (385) and Irish (356), with Chinese (433) the largest non-European group. The top non-English languages are Mandarin (104), Nepali (72) and Arabic (65), reflecting recent migration. Average household size is 2.2, which is 0.3 below national, consistent with the small-household mix: 28.5% of families are couples without children and 1,450 are couples with children. Hinduism (317) and Islam (259) follow Christianity (2,099) in religion.

Age Distribution

0-14
14.8%
15-24
12.8%
25-44
32.1%
45-64
22.1%
65+
18.2%

Bedrooms

Studio/1br
5.0%
2 bed
26.3%
3 bed
58.8%
4+ bed
10.0%

Dwelling Structure

54.5%

Houses

42.6%

Townhouse

2.8%

Apartment

Tenure

Own 22.3% Mortgage 26.2% Rent 51.5%

Tenure is unusual for the area: 51.5% rent, 26.2% carry a mortgage and only 22.3% own outright, so renters outnumber both owner groups combined. That renter dominance, paired with apartments at just 2.8% of stock, means most leasing happens in separate houses (54.5%) and semi-detached homes (42.6%) rather than units. Three-bedroom dwellings make up 58.8% and two-bedroom 26.3%, a stock geared to small families. The median house price rose from $948,350 to $1,170,500 across 2025-2026, a 23.4% one-year move that far outran incomes in the 22.4th percentile. Mortgage-to-income at 31.5% clears the stress threshold while rent-to-income sits at 24.0%, a divergence showing renting stays affordable even as buying does not, which helps explain why the renter share is so high.

Median House Price Trend

Source: State Valuer-General

Mortgage / mo

$1,582

Rent / wk

$278

HH Size

2.2

Personal Income / wk

$635

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

5.9%

Unoccupied

159

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

24.0%

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

31.5% stressed

Community Profile

Languages Spoken at Home

Mandarin
104
Nepali
72
Arabic
65
Hindi
42
Canton
41
Punjabi
41

Ancestry

English
1,723
Other
1,051
Chinese
433
Scottish
385
Irish
356
German
326

Household Composition

28.5%

Couples, no children

3,975

Total families

Economy & Employment

The local workforce is anchored by Healthcare at 28.6% (522 workers), nearly three times the next sector, Education at 10.4% (189), with Professional/Tech at 8.9% (162), Retail at 6.8% and Public Admin at 6.0%. That Healthcare concentration likely reflects proximity to Flinders Medical precinct employment. By occupation, Professionals (655) lead, followed by Community/Personal workers (450) and Clerical/Admin (344). Unemployment is elevated at 7.3% and participation reads 53.6%, below what an educated population would suggest, partly because 1,838 residents are not in the labour force. On SEIFA the suburb scores decile 6 for education and occupation (IEO) but only decile 2 for economic resources (IER), a gap that reflects how the 51.5% renter base and below-average incomes depress wealth measures even where qualifications are strong.

Unemployment

4.3%

Labour Force

9,847

Unemployed

419

Quarterly Trend

Mar-24 Dec-25

Source: SALM Dec-25

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

Overall advantage
4
Disadvantage
3
Economic resources
2
Education & occupation
6

Full-time

57.0%

Part-time

35.7%

Participation

53.6%

Employed

2,436

Occupations

Professionals 655
Community/Personal 450
Clerical/Admin 344
Labourers 276
Sales 219
Managers 198
Machinery/Drivers 114

Top Industries

Healthcare 28.6%
Education 10.4%
Professional/Tech 8.9%
Retail 6.8%
Public Admin 6.0%

University

41.9%

Postgraduate

10.9%

Born Overseas

34.7%

Dwellings

2,531

Transport to Work

Transport is car-dependent, with 79.3% driving to work against 11.1% using public transport and 3.1% walking or cycling, higher car reliance than denser inner suburbs. The recorded crime rate is 74.2 incidents per 1,000 residents from 427 total incidents, a figure to weigh against the suburb's mid-range social standing. On SEIFA the area scores decile 4 for overall advantage and disadvantage (IRSAD) and decile 3 on IRSD, both below the national midpoint, indicating relative disadvantage. Volunteering runs at 15.4% and 9.2% of residents (501 people) need daily assistance. No schools are recorded inside the 2.07 km2 boundary in this dataset, so families rely on institutions in neighbouring suburbs, a practical trade-off at a density of 2,773 residents per km2.

Drive

79.3%

Public Transport

11.1%

Walk / Cycle

3.1%

Work from Home

N/A

Population Forecast

+1.3%/yr

(+236 people/yr)

Established

Mitchell Park is classified established but growing, with annual population growth of 1.3% and a 16.1% rise over the past decade, faster than many settled Adelaide suburbs. Overseas migration is the primary driver, adding a net 386 residents a year, while internal migration removes 66, leaving migration as the clear engine of expansion. The gentrification stage reads early signs at a score of 33, supported by signals including a 24% population gain since 2011 and an accelerating overseas-born share that climbed from 5% to 18%. Real incomes grew 19.1% over the decade, yet affordability worsened from 43.4% in 2011 to 46.4% in 2021 as prices rose faster, which is why the area shows mixed momentum rather than uniform advancement.

Historical + Forecast

Hamilton-Perry + Holt smoothing on ERP 2001-2025

Age Cohort Forecast

Primary Driver

Overseas Migration

Net Overseas / yr

+386

Net Internal / yr

-66

33

Gentrification Signal

Early signs

Population +24% since 2011, Strong overseas inflow +386/yr, Accelerating: 5% → 18%

Safety & Crime

Total Offences

427

Year ending June 2024

Rate per 1,000 People

74.2

Source: Crime Statistics Agency Victoria / SA Police

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

How Mitchell Park compares to ~15,000 Australian suburbs

Population
Top 10%
Household Income
Bottom 22%
Rent Level
Top 46%
Apartments
Bottom 43%
Renters
Top 8%
Uni Educated
Top 16%
Public Transport
Top 10%
Born Overseas
Top 10%
Density
Top 4%

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Mitchell Park a good suburb to live in?

Mitchell Park scores decile 4 on SEIFA's IRSAD index, below the national midpoint, with household income in the 22.4th percentile. On the plus side, university qualifications reach 41.9%, which is 11.8 points above national, and the median age of 37 is younger than the country. Renting stays affordable at 24.0% of income.

What is the median house price in Mitchell Park?

The median house price is $1,170,500 as of early 2026, up 23.4% from $948,350 a year earlier. Weekly rent averages $278 and monthly mortgage repayments run about $1,582, giving a mortgage-to-income ratio of 31.5%, above the 30% stress threshold for this lower-income area.

What schools are in Mitchell Park?

No schools are recorded inside the 2.07 km2 Mitchell Park boundary in this dataset, so families rely on schools in neighbouring suburbs. The local population is well educated, with university qualifications at 41.9%, which is 11.8 points above the national figure.

Is Mitchell Park safe?

The recorded crime rate is 74.2 incidents per 1,000 residents, from 427 total incidents. As social context, the suburb scores decile 3 on the IRSD index of relative disadvantage and decile 4 on IRSAD, both below the national midpoint, so it sits in a mid-to-lower advantage band.

Is Mitchell Park good for property investment?

Rent of $278 a week against a $1,170,500 median gives a gross yield near 1.2%, low, but rent grew 56.6% over the period and the renter share is high at 51.5%. Net overseas migration of 386 a year supports demand, so returns lean on capital growth more than yield.

How is Mitchell Park's population changing?

Population is growing about 1.3% a year, a 16.1% rise over the past decade. Overseas migration drives this, adding a net 386 residents annually while internal migration removes 66. The working-age share rose 2.2 points over the decade, keeping the median age at 37, below national.

What languages are spoken in Mitchell Park?

About 34.7% of residents were born overseas, 13.1 points above the national figure. English dominates, while Mandarin (104 speakers), Nepali (72), Arabic (65) and Hindi (42) are the most common non-English languages, reflecting recent migration from Asia and the subcontinent.

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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