Nailsworth
At $1,575,000, Nailsworth's median house price sits well above the South Australian state median, yet household income ranks in the 77.2nd percentile nationally, revealing a suburb where property wealth outpaces earned income. The suburb covers just 0.79 km2 with 2,235 residents, giving a density of 2,813 people per km2. University qualifications reach 52.7%, which is 22.6 percentage points above the national average, placing Nailsworth firmly among Adelaide's more educated inner suburbs. The IRSAD and IRSD both score decile 8, confirming above-average advantage compared to the broader national distribution.
Population
2,235
Median Age
39.0
Household IncomeiMedian weekly household income (ABS Census)
$2,059/wk
DAs (12 months)iDevelopment Applications lodged in the past year
31
Median House
$1.6M
Median 1Q 2026
The median house price hit $1,575,000 in Q1 2026, up from $1,316,250 a year earlier, a 19.7% increase over 12 months, outpacing most Adelaide markets over that period. Separate houses account for 69.3% of dwellings, with semi-detached at 20.4% and apartments at 10.3%, so buyers have a reasonably broad choice of detached stock for an inner suburb. Three-bedroom homes are the most common at 43.2%, followed by two-bedroom at 28.2%, with four-plus bedroom homes at 21.7%. Monthly mortgage repayments average $1,995, giving a mortgage-to-income ratio of 22.4%, below the 30% stress threshold despite the high purchase price, because household incomes also rank in the 77th percentile nationally.
For Buyers
The median house price hit $1,575,000 in Q1 2026, up from $1,316,250 a year earlier, a 19.7% increase over 12 months, outpacing most Adelaide markets over that period. Separate houses account for 69.3% of dwellings, with semi-detached at 20.4% and apartments at 10.3%, so buyers have a reasonably broad choice of detached stock for an inner suburb. Three-bedroom homes are the most common at 43.2%, followed by two-bedroom at 28.2%, with four-plus bedroom homes at 21.7%. Monthly mortgage repayments average $1,995, giving a mortgage-to-income ratio of 22.4%, below the 30% stress threshold despite the high purchase price, because household incomes also rank in the 77th percentile nationally.
For Investors
Renters make up 33.5% of Nailsworth households, providing landlords with a solid tenant base in a suburb where weekly rent is $300. Against the $1,575,000 median, that implies a very low gross yield, so the investment case rests primarily on capital growth rather than income, supported by the 19.7% price increase recorded from Q1 2025 to Q1 2026. The vacancy rate of 7.0% is elevated compared to tight Adelaide markets and warrants attention. Development activity recorded 26 applications in the past 12 months, above average for the suburb's small footprint, indicating ongoing reinvestment. Net overseas migration of 112 residents per year partially offsets internal outflow of 141, providing steady demand from new arrivals.
Development Activity
Total DAs
138
Last 12 Months
31
YoY ChangeiYear-over-year change in DA lodgements
+3.3%
Avg DA CostiAverage estimated cost per DA in the past year
N/A
Monthly DA Lodgements
DA Categories
Schools in Nailsworth iICSEA: school advantage index. 1000 = national avg, higher = more advantaged
Nailsworth Primary School
R-6 · 548 students
Demographics
The median age of 39 sits 1.0 year below the national figure, and the suburb's profile skews toward established working families rather than students or retirees. Overseas-born residents account for 25.9% of the population, 4.3 percentage points above national. Ancestry is predominantly Anglo-Celtic, with English (729) the largest group, followed by Irish (218), Italian (198) and Scottish (196). University qualifications at 52.7% run 22.6 percentage points above the national average, the strongest differentiator in the data. Average household size is 2.6, marginally above national, consistent with the family-oriented profile where couples with children (874 households) outnumber couples without children (387).
Age Distribution
Bedrooms
Dwelling Structure
69.3%
Houses
20.4%
Townhouse
10.3%
Apartment
Tenure
Tenure splits across 29.5% owning outright, 37.0% carrying a mortgage and 33.5% renting, meaning mortgage holders are the largest single tenure group, which reflects active buying despite the $1,575,000 median. Separate houses dominate at 69.3%, a higher detached share than many inner suburbs at similar price points, and semi-detached homes add a further 20.4%. The price rose from $1,316,250 in Q1 2025 to $1,575,000 in Q1 2026, a 19.7% gain. Rent-to-income sits at 14.6%, below the 30% stress threshold, keeping renting viable for households. At the $1,575,000 price level, Nailsworth is a premium market relative to the broader SA median, with the IRSAD decile 8 confirming above-average socioeconomic standing.
Median House Price Trend
Source: State Valuer-General
Mortgage / mo
$1,995
Rent / wk
$300
HH Size
2.6
Personal Income / wk
$925
Vacancy Ratei% of dwellings unoccupied on Census night (ABS 2021)
7.0%
Unoccupied
64
Rent / IncomeiMedian rent as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
14.6%
Mortgage / IncomeiMedian mortgage as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
22.4%
Community Profile
Languages Spoken at Home
Ancestry
Household Composition
21.3%
Couples, no children
1,818
Total families
Economy & Employment
Healthcare leads employment at 18.6% (161 workers), ahead of Education at 16.3% (141) and Professional/Technical at 11.0% (95), a knowledge-sector concentration consistent with the 52.7% university qualification rate. Public Administration accounts for 10.3% and Construction 7.5%. By occupation, Professionals (376) are the largest group, followed by Managers (182) and Clerical/Admin (162). Unemployment sits at 3.4%, below the national average, and full-time employment runs at 60.7%. Real income grew 13.4% over the decade. The IEO decile of 8 confirms above-average education and occupation outcomes compared to national distribution, while the IER score of decile 5 reflects moderate economic resources relative to the premium house prices.
Unemployment
2.9%
Labour Force
4,161
Unemployed
121
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
35.9%
Participation
65.9%
Employed
1,152
Occupations
Top Industries
University
52.7%
Postgraduate
14.1%
Born Overseas
25.9%
Dwellings
847
Transport to Work
Public transport use is low at 6.8%, with 83.0% of residents commuting by car, higher than what you would expect in a suburb this close to the Adelaide CBD, pointing to limited bus frequency as a factor. Active transport, walking and cycling, accounts for 4.6% of commutes. The crime rate is 45.6 incidents per 1,000 residents based on 102 total incidents, which provides a baseline for comparison against SA averages. The IRSAD decile 8 confirms above-average access to services and opportunities nationally. Volunteering is solid at 18.0% of residents, and only 4.2% (92 people) need daily assistance. No schools are recorded within the Nailsworth boundary in this dataset, so families draw on institutions in neighbouring suburbs such as Prospect and Broadview.
Drive
83.0%
Public Transport
6.8%
Walk / Cycle
4.6%
Work from Home
N/A
Population Forecast
+0.53%/yr
(+35 people/yr)
EstablishedPopulation grew 8.7% over the past decade and is forecast to reach approximately 6,822 by 2031 under the medium scenario, adding around 35 people per year at 0.53% annual growth. This is modest but steady, classifying Nailsworth as an established slow-growth suburb rather than a high-velocity market. Overseas migration contributes 112 arrivals per year, partially offset by net internal outflow of 141, meaning the suburb attracts international residents but loses locals to other areas. Rent climbed 25.5% over the period, well above income growth of 13.4%, which tightened affordability for renters even as ownership affordability improved from 36.8% in 2011 to 33.1% in 2021. The gentrification score of 31 places the suburb at early signs stage.
Historical + Forecast
Hamilton-Perry + Holt smoothing on ERP 2001-2025
Age Cohort Forecast
Primary Driver
Overseas Migration
Net Overseas / yr
+112
Net Internal / yr
-141
Gentrification Signal
Not gentrifying
Net internal outflow -141/yr
Safety & Crime
Total Offences
102
Year ending June 2024
Rate per 1,000 People
45.6
Source: Crime Statistics Agency Victoria / SA Police
National Ranking iPercentile rank among ~15,000 AU suburbs. 90% = higher than 90% of suburbs
How Nailsworth compares to ~15,000 Australian suburbs
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Nailsworth a good suburb to live in?
Nailsworth ranks at IRSAD decile 8 nationally, indicating above-average advantage on socioeconomic measures. University qualifications reach 52.7%, which is 22.6 percentage points above the national average. Household income sits in the 77.2nd percentile nationally. The main trade-offs are the $1,575,000 median house price and a 7.0% rental vacancy rate.
What is the median house price in Nailsworth?
The median house price is $1,575,000 as of Q1 2026, up 19.7% from $1,316,250 in Q1 2025. Monthly mortgage repayments average $1,995, and the mortgage-to-income ratio is 22.4%, below the 30% stress threshold. Weekly rent is $300 for those choosing to lease.
What schools are in Nailsworth?
No schools are recorded inside the Nailsworth boundary in this dataset, so families rely on schools in neighbouring suburbs. Despite this, the local population is highly educated, with 52.7% holding university qualifications, which is 22.6 percentage points above the national figure.
Is Nailsworth safe?
Nailsworth recorded 102 total crimes, giving a rate of 45.6 incidents per 1,000 residents. As a further indicator, the suburb scores IRSAD decile 8, placing it in the top 30% nationally for relative advantage, and only 4.2% of residents (92 people) need daily assistance.
Is Nailsworth good for property investment?
House prices rose 19.7% from $1,316,250 to $1,575,000 over the 12 months to Q1 2026, a strong capital growth result. Weekly rent of $300 against the $1,575,000 median implies a very low gross yield, so investors depend on continued price appreciation. The 7.0% vacancy rate is elevated and should be monitored. Development activity at 26 applications in 12 months indicates ongoing reinvestment in the suburb.
How is Nailsworth's population changing?
Population grew 8.7% over the past decade and sits at 2,235 residents, forecast to grow at 0.53% annually, adding about 35 people per year. Overseas migration contributes 112 arrivals per year, partially offset by net internal outflow of 141. The median age of 39 is 1 year below the national average, so the suburb is not aging rapidly.
How much development is happening in Nailsworth?
There were 26 development applications lodged in the past 12 months, notably high for a suburb covering just 0.79 km2. Recent applications include semi-detached dwelling constructions and dwelling additions, indicating owner-driven reinvestment rather than large-scale new supply. This activity is consistent with an established suburb at decile 8 advantage that is gradually being upgraded.
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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