Morphettville
At 1.99 square kilometres, Morphettville packs 3,686 residents into one of Adelaide's more compact footprints at 1,854 people per km2. The median house price reached $1,061,000 in Q1 2026, a 19.2% rise from $890,000 just one year earlier, placing it well above the SA median. University qualifications reach 41.7%, which is 11.6 percentage points above the national figure, and 27.3% of residents were born overseas, 5.7 points higher than nationally. Gentrification is now active, with the population up 27% since 2011 and overseas inflow running at 258 new residents per year.
Population
3,686
Median Age
39.0
Household IncomeiMedian weekly household income (ABS Census)
$1,414/wk
DAs (12 months)iDevelopment Applications lodged in the past year
73
Median House
$1.1M
Median 1Q 2026
The median house price of $1,061,000 in Q1 2026 reflects a 19.2% increase from $890,000 one year prior, a pace well above typical SA capital growth. Monthly mortgage repayments average $1,667, producing a mortgage-to-income ratio of 27.2%, below the 30% stress threshold, which is a positive sign for serviceability relative to incomes. Separate houses make up 55.1% of stock, with semi-detached dwellings at 25.4% and apartments at 19.5%, giving buyers a reasonable range of entry points. Three-bedroom dwellings dominate at 55.1% of homes. Outright owners account for 25.0% and mortgage holders 36.0%, while 38.9% rent, a tenure split that reflects a suburb in active transition from renter-heavy to owner-occupier demand.
For Buyers
The median house price of $1,061,000 in Q1 2026 reflects a 19.2% increase from $890,000 one year prior, a pace well above typical SA capital growth. Monthly mortgage repayments average $1,667, producing a mortgage-to-income ratio of 27.2%, below the 30% stress threshold, which is a positive sign for serviceability relative to incomes. Separate houses make up 55.1% of stock, with semi-detached dwellings at 25.4% and apartments at 19.5%, giving buyers a reasonable range of entry points. Three-bedroom dwellings dominate at 55.1% of homes. Outright owners account for 25.0% and mortgage holders 36.0%, while 38.9% rent, a tenure split that reflects a suburb in active transition from renter-heavy to owner-occupier demand.
For Investors
A 38.9% renter share against a median weekly rent of $300 provides a solid tenant base, and the vacancy rate of 5.8% is slightly elevated, suggesting some softness in the rental segment. Development activity is high at 70 applications in the past 12 months, including a 143-unit aged care facility and terrace dwelling groups, which points to medium-density infill ongoing. Net overseas migration brings 258 new residents annually, the primary driver of population growth, supporting sustained rental demand. Price growth of 19.2% over one year is above the SA state average, and with gentrification at the active stage, capital appreciation prospects remain relevant for investors entering now rather than after the premium fully reprices.
Development Activity
Total DAs
258
Last 12 Months
73
YoY ChangeiYear-over-year change in DA lodgements
+92.1%
Avg DA CostiAverage estimated cost per DA in the past year
N/A
Monthly DA Lodgements
DA Categories
Schools in Morphettville iICSEA: school advantage index. 1000 = national avg, higher = more advantaged
Dara School
R-10 · 93 students
Demographics
The median age of 39 is one year below the national figure, and the working-age share grew 1.0 point over the decade while the senior share fell 1.0 point, reflecting a suburb attracting prime-working-age arrivals rather than retirees. Overseas-born residents make up 27.3%, which is 5.7 percentage points above national. Ancestry skews Anglo-Celtic, led by English (1,355), Irish (351), Scottish (281) and German (267). Non-English languages include Nepali (43), Punjabi (42), Hindi (29) and Mandarin (28), consistent with the strong South Asian and East Asian migration inflow of 258 per year. University qualifications at 41.7% run 11.6 points above the national average, among the higher rates seen in suburban Adelaide. Average household size is 2.2, 0.3 below national, typical of couples-without-children and smaller households.
Age Distribution
Bedrooms
Dwelling Structure
55.1%
Houses
25.4%
Townhouse
19.5%
Apartment
Tenure
Morphettville's tenure mix shows 25.0% own outright, 36.0% hold a mortgage and 38.9% rent, a renter-heavy profile that is shifting as prices rise. The stock is 55.1% separate houses, 25.4% semi-detached and 19.5% apartments, which is more house-dominated than many comparable inner-ring suburbs. Three-bedroom dwellings are the dominant type at 55.1%, with two-bedroom at 28.0% and four-plus at 14.2%. The median house price rose from $890,000 in Q1 2025 to $1,061,000 in Q1 2026, a one-year gain of 19.2%. Mortgage-to-income at 27.2% stays below the 30% stress threshold and rent-to-income at 21.2% is also comfortable, meaning current cost burdens are manageable compared to Sydney and Melbourne equivalents.
Median House Price Trend
Source: State Valuer-General
Mortgage / mo
$1,667
Rent / wk
$300
HH Size
2.2
Personal Income / wk
$743
Vacancy Ratei% of dwellings unoccupied on Census night (ABS 2021)
5.8%
Unoccupied
96
Rent / IncomeiMedian rent as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
21.2%
Mortgage / IncomeiMedian mortgage as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
27.2%
Community Profile
Languages Spoken at Home
Ancestry
Household Composition
29.3%
Couples, no children
2,483
Total families
Economy & Employment
Healthcare is the dominant industry at 25.2% of employed residents (317 workers), more than double the share of the next sector, Education at 12.3% (154 workers). Public Administration contributes 8.2%, Professional and Technical services 7.6%, and Construction 7.0%. By occupation, Professionals lead at 427 workers, followed by Community and Personal Service (276), Clerical and Admin (251) and Managers (197). Full-time employment runs at 60.7% with an unemployment rate of 5.3%, slightly above the national average. SEIFA decile 7 on the IEO index of education and occupation confirms above-average advantage relative to the national distribution, while IRSD decile 5 places the suburb at the mid-point nationally for relative disadvantage. Household weekly income of $1,414 sits at the 41st percentile nationally, reflecting a workforce weighted toward public-sector and healthcare roles rather than high-end finance or tech.
Unemployment
2.9%
Labour Force
10,067
Unemployed
296
Quarterly Trend
Source: SALM Dec-25
Socio-Economic Indexes (SEIFA)iABS index ranking suburbs from 1 (most disadvantaged) to 10 (most advantaged)
Full-time
60.7%
Part-time
34.0%
Participation
56.6%
Employed
1,696
Occupations
Top Industries
University
41.7%
Postgraduate
10.7%
Born Overseas
27.3%
Dwellings
1,551
Transport to Work
Car dependency is high at 84.2% of commuters, above the national average, with public transport used by only 6.4% and walking or cycling at 4.0%. Housing stress is absent on both measures: rent-to-income at 21.2% and mortgage-to-income at 27.2% are both below standard stress thresholds. The crime rate of 51.3 incidents per 1,000 residents (189 total incidents) gives context but no breakdown by category is available from the brief for comparison. IRSAD decile 6 places Morphettville in the upper-mid range nationally for combined advantage and disadvantage, while IEO decile 7 confirms above-average education and occupation outcomes. No schools are recorded inside the suburb boundary, so families depend on schools in adjoining suburbs. Volunteering runs at 13.5% and 70.5% of residents stayed at the same address over the prior year, indicating a relatively settled community despite the active growth.
Drive
84.2%
Public Transport
6.4%
Walk / Cycle
4.0%
Work from Home
N/A
Population Forecast
+1.4%/yr
(+249 people/yr)
EstablishedPopulation grew 22.3% over the decade and is forecast to expand at 1.4% annually, adding roughly 249 residents per year. The SA2-level medium forecast sees the broader area reaching 19,160 by 2031, up from 17,758 in 2025. Overseas migration is the primary driver at 258 net arrivals per year, with internal migration adding a further 85. Rent growth reached 42.2% over the period, well above income growth of 19.6% in real terms, which explains the active gentrification signal. The gentrification score of 45 with an active stage classification reflects four converging signals: population up 27% since 2011, net internal migration positive at 85 per year, strong overseas inflow and an accelerating affordability squeeze from 42.1% in 2011 to 40.7% in 2021. Affordability trend is classified as stable, suggesting the squeeze has plateaued rather than worsened.
Historical + Forecast
Hamilton-Perry + Holt smoothing on ERP 2001-2025
Age Cohort Forecast
Primary Driver
Overseas Migration
Net Overseas / yr
+258
Net Internal / yr
+85
Gentrification Signal
Active
Population +27% since 2011, Net internal migration +85/yr, Strong overseas inflow +258/yr, Accelerating: 8% → 19%
Safety & Crime
Total Offences
189
Year ending June 2024
Rate per 1,000 People
51.3
Source: Crime Statistics Agency Victoria / SA Police
National Ranking iPercentile rank among ~15,000 AU suburbs. 90% = higher than 90% of suburbs
How Morphettville compares to ~15,000 Australian suburbs
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Morphettville a good suburb to live in?
Morphettville scores IEO decile 7 and IRSAD decile 6 nationally, indicating above-average education outcomes and mid-to-upper advantage. University qualifications reach 41.7%, which is 11.6 points above the national figure. Housing costs are manageable, with mortgage-to-income at 27.2% and rent-to-income at 21.2%, both below typical stress thresholds. The main drawback is high car dependency at 84.2% with limited public transport at 6.4%.
What is the median house price in Morphettville?
The median house price is $1,061,000 as of Q1 2026, up 19.2% from $890,000 in Q1 2025. Weekly rent averages $300 and monthly mortgage repayments run approximately $1,667, giving a mortgage-to-income ratio of 27.2% that stays below the 30% stress threshold.
What schools are in Morphettville?
No schools are recorded inside the Morphettville boundary in this dataset. Families rely on schools in neighbouring suburbs. Locally, 41.7% of residents hold university qualifications, which is 11.6 percentage points above the national figure, reflecting the suburb's above-average education profile.
Is Morphettville safe?
The recorded crime rate is 51.3 incidents per 1,000 residents, based on 189 total incidents. No breakdown by crime category is available from the dataset for direct comparison to SA or national rates. IRSAD decile 6 nationally and IEO decile 7 indicate a mid-to-upper advantage area, which broadly correlates with lower deprivation-linked crime patterns.
Is Morphettville good for property investment?
A 38.9% renter share and weekly rent of $300 provide a stable tenant pool, though the vacancy rate of 5.8% is worth monitoring. Prices rose 19.2% in one year to $1,061,000, and gentrification is classified as active with the population up 27% since 2011. Overseas migration of 258 per year sustains demand. Gross yield is low at around 1.5%, so the investment case leans on continued capital growth rather than income.
How is Morphettville's population changing?
The population of 3,686 grew 22.3% over the prior decade and is forecast to increase at 1.4% per year, adding roughly 249 residents annually. Overseas migration drives most growth at 258 net arrivals per year. The SA2-level medium forecast projects the broader area reaching 19,160 by 2031, up from 17,758 in 2025.
How much development is happening in Morphettville?
There were 70 development applications lodged in the past 12 months. Recent projects include a five-storey residential aged care facility with 143 units and a group of three single-storey terrace dwellings, indicating active medium-density infill consistent with the suburb's compact 1.99 km2 footprint and active gentrification classification.
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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