Moana
A $1,126,000 median house price from a suburb with a SEIFA IRSAD decile of 4 is an unusual combination, and Moana sits squarely in that territory. Covering just 2.4 km2 on the Fleurieu Peninsula south of Adelaide, the suburb recorded a 24.1% price rise in a single year, from $907,000 in Q1 2025 to $1,126,000 in Q1 2026, while household income sits at the 56.5th percentile nationally. The population of 3,316 skews toward established families, with 89.3% of dwellings being separate houses and 49.8% of households carrying a mortgage. The aging trajectory signal reflects a 4.2-point rise in the senior share over the decade, with the median age at 40, matching the national figure.
Population
3,316
Median Age
40.0
Household IncomeiMedian weekly household income (ABS Census)
$1,631/wk
DAs (12 months)iDevelopment Applications lodged in the past year
63
Median House
$1.1M
Median 1Q 2026
The median house price reached $1,126,000 in Q1 2026, up 24.1% from $907,000 a year earlier, making this one of the sharper short-term price moves in coastal SA. Separate houses dominate at 89.3% of stock, and 4-plus bedroom homes account for 37.4% of dwellings, reflecting the family-oriented nature of demand. Monthly mortgage repayments average $1,625, giving a mortgage-to-income ratio of 23.0% against median household income, below the 30% stress threshold. Outright owners at 32.0% and mortgagors at 49.8% suggest the suburb is deeper into the ownership lifecycle than typical mortgage-belt areas. With apartments at just 8.3% of stock, buyers are largely competing for detached houses, where supply is constrained relative to demand.
For Buyers
The median house price reached $1,126,000 in Q1 2026, up 24.1% from $907,000 a year earlier, making this one of the sharper short-term price moves in coastal SA. Separate houses dominate at 89.3% of stock, and 4-plus bedroom homes account for 37.4% of dwellings, reflecting the family-oriented nature of demand. Monthly mortgage repayments average $1,625, giving a mortgage-to-income ratio of 23.0% against median household income, below the 30% stress threshold. Outright owners at 32.0% and mortgagors at 49.8% suggest the suburb is deeper into the ownership lifecycle than typical mortgage-belt areas. With apartments at just 8.3% of stock, buyers are largely competing for detached houses, where supply is constrained relative to demand.
For Investors
The rental market is thin relative to the ownership-dominant profile: only 18.2% of households rent, compared to the national average, and weekly rent of $330 against the $1,126,000 median implies a gross yield under 1.6%. The vacancy rate at 9.7% is elevated, signalling limited rental pressure. Net internal migration adds 79 residents a year and overseas migration a further 80, a balanced demand driver rather than a strong growth catalyst. Development activity ran at 56 applications in 12 months, with recent approvals covering pool, carport, and dwelling additions rather than new supply. The investment case rests on capital growth: a 24.1% one-year price move exceeds most state averages, though that pace is unlikely to be sustained given income levels at the 56.5th percentile.
Development Activity
Total DAs
384
Last 12 Months
63
YoY ChangeiYear-over-year change in DA lodgements
+5.0%
Avg DA CostiAverage estimated cost per DA in the past year
N/A
Monthly DA Lodgements
DA Categories
Demographics
The median age of 40 matches the national figure, but the trajectory is aging: the senior share rose 4.2 points while the working-age share fell 1.7 points over the decade, and the young adult share contracted 1.4 points. Overseas-born residents make up 25.0% of the population, which is 3.4 points above the national average, a modest but real international flavour. Ancestry is strongly Anglo-Celtic, led by English (1,758), Scottish (350) and Irish (303), followed by German (221). Average household size of 2.5 matches the national figure. Couples with children are the largest family type at 1,107 households, or about 40% of families, while couples without children account for 29.0%. Volunteering reaches 15.3% and only 4.5% of residents need daily assistance.
Age Distribution
Bedrooms
Dwelling Structure
89.3%
Houses
N/A
Townhouse
8.3%
Apartment
Tenure
Separate houses account for 89.3% of all dwellings, well above the national norm, with apartments at 8.3%. The bedroom distribution leans toward larger homes: 4-plus bedroom dwellings at 37.4% and 3-bedroom at 47.0% together cover 84% of stock, consistent with the family-oriented profile. Tenure splits into 32.0% owned outright, 49.8% with a mortgage and 18.2% renting, a mortgage-heavy base typical of growth-phase coastal suburbs. The median house price rose from $907,000 to $1,126,000 between Q1 2025 and Q1 2026, a 24.1% annual gain. Mortgage-to-income at 23.0% and rent-to-income at 20.2% both sit below the 30% stress threshold, indicating households are managing their housing costs, though the price-to-income gap at current median house values is still significant relative to local incomes.
Median House Price Trend
Source: State Valuer-General
Mortgage / mo
$1,625
Rent / wk
$330
HH Size
2.5
Personal Income / wk
$810
Vacancy Ratei% of dwellings unoccupied on Census night (ABS 2021)
9.7%
Unoccupied
137
Rent / IncomeiMedian rent as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
20.2%
Mortgage / IncomeiMedian mortgage as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
23.0%
Community Profile
Ancestry
Household Composition
29.0%
Couples, no children
2,738
Total families
Economy & Employment
Healthcare is the dominant employer at 21.9% of the workforce (249 workers), a noticeably high share that likely reflects the ageing population profile and the presence of aged care and allied health services in the broader Onkaparinga corridor. Construction follows at 13.3% (152 workers), consistent with ongoing residential development in the area. Education accounts for 12.8% (146 workers) and Public Admin 8.3% (95 workers). By occupation, Professionals lead with 317 workers, followed by Community and Personal Service workers (254) and Clerical and Admin (230). The full-time employment rate is 60.2% and the unemployment rate is 4.3%, broadly in line with SA state averages. SEIFA deciles are mixed: IRSD at decile 5 and IRSAD at decile 4 sit below the national median, while IER at decile 6 reflects moderate economic resources.
Unemployment
3.4%
Labour Force
6,515
Unemployed
220
Quarterly Trend
Source: SALM Dec-25
Socio-Economic Indexes (SEIFA)iABS index ranking suburbs from 1 (most disadvantaged) to 10 (most advantaged)
Full-time
60.2%
Part-time
35.5%
Participation
61.7%
Employed
1,592
Occupations
Top Industries
University
25.8%
Postgraduate
4.9%
Born Overseas
25.0%
Dwellings
1,267
Transport to Work
Car dependency is very high at 90.9% of commuters driving, compared to the national figure, and public transport use sits at just 2.6%, reflecting the coastal suburban location with limited rail or frequent bus access. No schools are recorded in the suburb boundary in this dataset, so families rely on nearby Onkaparinga district schools. The crime rate of 21.1 incidents per 1,000 residents is low relative to metropolitan SA averages, supporting the identity signal of low-crime-rate. Rent-to-income at 20.2% keeps tenants below stress levels. The IRSAD decile of 4 indicates below-average socioeconomic advantage nationally, though the strong ownership rate at 81.8% of households and mortgage-to-income of 23.0% suggest most residents manage costs comfortably within their income. The 77.6% stability rate, meaning 77.6% of residents remained in the same address over five years, points to a settled community.
Drive
90.9%
Public Transport
2.6%
Walk / Cycle
1.4%
Work from Home
N/A
Population Forecast
+1.42%/yr
(+165 people/yr)
EstablishedThe suburb recorded 16.3% population growth over the prior decade, and the SA2-level area is forecast to reach approximately 12,515 residents by 2031 from 11,600 in 2025, an annual growth rate of 1.42%. Both internal migration (net 79 per year) and overseas migration (net 80 per year) contribute evenly, a balanced driver less common than purely internal-migration-led coastal suburbs. The gentrification score of 33 and stage of early signs is supported by three signals: population up 24% since 2011, net internal migration positive at 79 per year, and an acceleration in the proportion of higher-income households. Rent grew 20.8% over the measured period, above median income growth of 6.4%, compressing rental affordability. The aging trajectory means demand will increasingly skew toward downsizer product rather than larger family homes over the medium term.
Historical + Forecast
Hamilton-Perry + Holt smoothing on ERP 2001-2025
Age Cohort Forecast
Primary Driver
Balanced
Net Overseas / yr
+80
Net Internal / yr
+79
Gentrification Signal
Early signs
Population +24% since 2011, Net internal migration +79/yr, Accelerating: 7% → 15%
Safety & Crime
Total Offences
70
Year ending June 2024
Rate per 1,000 People
21.1
Source: Crime Statistics Agency Victoria / SA Police
National Ranking iPercentile rank among ~15,000 AU suburbs. 90% = higher than 90% of suburbs
How Moana compares to ~15,000 Australian suburbs
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Moana a good suburb to live in?
Moana offers high owner-occupancy at 81.8% of households, a low crime rate of 21.1 per 1,000 residents, and a mortgage-to-income ratio of 23.0%, below the 30% stress threshold. The IRSAD decile of 4 sits below the national median for socioeconomic advantage, but 77.6% of residents stayed in the same address over 5 years, indicating a settled and stable community.
What is the median house price in Moana?
The median house price is $1,126,000 as of Q1 2026, up 24.1% from $907,000 in Q1 2025. Monthly mortgage repayments average $1,625 and weekly rent is $330. The mortgage-to-income ratio of 23.0% sits below the 30% stress threshold based on local household incomes.
What schools are in Moana?
No schools are recorded within the Moana suburb boundary in this dataset. Families access schools in nearby Onkaparinga district suburbs. Despite no local schools, 25.8% of Moana residents hold university qualifications, and 12.8% of the local workforce is employed in education, suggesting strong proximity to educational services.
Is Moana safe?
Moana recorded 70 total crime incidents at a rate of 21.1 per 1,000 residents, which is low relative to typical metropolitan SA suburbs. The suburb carries the identity signal of low-crime-rate. Only 4.5% of residents, or 144 people, need daily assistance, and the community stability rate of 77.6% reflects a settled residential base.
Is Moana good for property investment?
The 24.1% price growth from $907,000 to $1,126,000 in one year is strong, but the rental yield is thin: weekly rent of $330 against the $1,126,000 median implies a gross yield under 1.6%, and the vacancy rate of 9.7% is elevated. Only 18.2% of households rent. Migration adds 159 residents a year net, supporting long-term demand, but short-term yield is not the driver here.
How is Moana's population changing?
The suburb's SA2 area held 11,600 residents in 2025, up from around 11,191 in 2023, and is forecast to reach 12,515 by 2031 at 1.42% annual growth. Net internal migration adds 79 residents a year and overseas migration another 80. The 10-year population change was 16.3%, and the trajectory is aging, with the senior share rising 4.2 points over the decade.
How much development is happening in Moana?
There were 56 development applications lodged in the past 12 months. Recent approvals include a carport and pool, dwelling additions such as garages and verandahs, and at least one land division application. This level of activity reflects renovation and incremental densification rather than large-scale new supply, consistent with an established suburb at 89.3% detached house stock.
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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