Old Reynella
At a median age of 42, Old Reynella sits 2 years above the national average, and the aging trajectory explains several numbers that otherwise seem unconnected. The suburb has 3,458 residents in 2.21 sq km, virtually all in separate houses (86%), and household income falls in the 39.5th percentile nationally. Despite moderate incomes, house prices reached $745,000 in Q1 2026, down 9.8% from the $825,800 peak a year earlier. SEIFA scores place it in decile 3 for education and opportunity, which is below average nationally, yet mortgage-to-income at 24% and rent-to-income at 23.8% mean neither owners nor renters are under financial stress.
Population
3,458
Median Age
42.0
Household IncomeiMedian weekly household income (ABS Census)
$1,387/wk
DAs (12 months)iDevelopment Applications lodged in the past year
50
Median House
$745K
Median 1Q 2026
The median house price of $745,000 in Q1 2026 represents a 9.8% fall from the $825,800 recorded in Q1 2025, giving buyers more entry room than they had 12 months ago. Separate houses dominate at 86% of dwellings and semi-detached at 14%, so the stock is almost entirely detached, with three-bedroom homes the majority at 57.9% and four-plus at 25.9%. Monthly mortgage repayments average $1,441, and the mortgage-to-income ratio of 24% is below the 30% stress threshold, indicating that buyers on local incomes can service the debt comfortably compared to many higher-priced SA markets. Outright owners at 34% and mortgage holders at 45.2% together hold 79% of dwellings, reflecting an owner-occupied community where long-term residents predominate.
For Buyers
The median house price of $745,000 in Q1 2026 represents a 9.8% fall from the $825,800 recorded in Q1 2025, giving buyers more entry room than they had 12 months ago. Separate houses dominate at 86% of dwellings and semi-detached at 14%, so the stock is almost entirely detached, with three-bedroom homes the majority at 57.9% and four-plus at 25.9%. Monthly mortgage repayments average $1,441, and the mortgage-to-income ratio of 24% is below the 30% stress threshold, indicating that buyers on local incomes can service the debt comfortably compared to many higher-priced SA markets. Outright owners at 34% and mortgage holders at 45.2% together hold 79% of dwellings, reflecting an owner-occupied community where long-term residents predominate.
For Investors
Old Reynella offers a modest rental proposition relative to its price point. Weekly rent is $330, and at the $745,000 median that implies a gross yield around 2.3%, below what most investors target nationally. The renter share is 20.8%, lower than the state and national averages, which constrains tenant demand. The vacancy rate at 4.1% is elevated, pointing to some oversupply in the rental segment. Development activity shows 38 applications lodged in the past 12 months, with recent examples including new detached dwellings, suggesting some organic supply growth. Net overseas migration averages 51 per year and internal migration 34, both positive but modest, supporting slow, steady demand rather than a growth surge.
Development Activity
Total DAs
292
Last 12 Months
50
YoY ChangeiYear-over-year change in DA lodgements
-21.9%
Avg DA CostiAverage estimated cost per DA in the past year
N/A
Monthly DA Lodgements
DA Categories
Schools in Old Reynella iICSEA: school advantage index. 1000 = national avg, higher = more advantaged
Reynella Primary School
R-6 · 430 students
Demographics
The median age of 42 is 2 years above the national figure, and the aging trajectory has seen the senior share rise 5.4 points while the working-age share fell 3.2 points over the decade. Overseas-born residents make up 23.1%, which is 1.5 points above national. Ancestry is Anglo-Celtic led by English (1,642), Scottish (321) and Irish (262), with German (243) the main continental European heritage. University qualifications reach 24.6%, some 5.5 points below the national average, consistent with the decile 3 IEO score for education and occupation outcomes. Average household size is 2.4, marginally below national. Volunteering runs at 14.6%, and couples with children (973) outnumber couples without (750) among the 2,746 families recorded.
Age Distribution
Bedrooms
Dwelling Structure
86.0%
Houses
14.0%
Townhouse
N/A
Apartment
Tenure
Tenure skews heavily toward ownership: 34% own outright, 45.2% carry a mortgage and only 20.8% rent, a pattern more like an established mortgage belt than a rental-heavy market. The stock is almost entirely separate houses at 86%, with the balance semi-detached at 14% and no recorded apartments. Bedroom distribution centres on three bedrooms at 57.9%, with four-plus at 25.9% and two-bedroom at 13.7%, consistent with the family and couples demographic. The price fell from $825,800 to $745,000 across 2025 to 2026, a 9.8% decline over one year, compared to the broader South Australian market that saw more stability. Mortgage-to-income at 24% and rent-to-income at 23.8% both sit below the 30% financial stress line, suggesting housing costs remain manageable relative to local incomes.
Median House Price Trend
Source: State Valuer-General
Mortgage / mo
$1,441
Rent / wk
$330
HH Size
2.4
Personal Income / wk
$707
Vacancy Ratei% of dwellings unoccupied on Census night (ABS 2021)
4.1%
Unoccupied
59
Rent / IncomeiMedian rent as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
23.8%
Mortgage / IncomeiMedian mortgage as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
24.0%
Community Profile
Languages Spoken at Home
Ancestry
Household Composition
27.3%
Couples, no children
2,746
Total families
Economy & Employment
Healthcare is the dominant industry at 27.2% of workers (284 people), well above the national share for suburban areas, driven in part by proximity to healthcare facilities in the Onkaparinga corridor. Education follows at 10.8% (113), then Construction at 7.8% (82), Retail at 7.6% (80) and Public Admin at 6.7% (70). By occupation, Professionals lead at 269, followed by Clerical/Admin at 253 and Community/Personal at 245, a mix that reflects a service-sector workforce rather than a high-income knowledge economy. The unemployment rate is 5.6%, above the national average, with 94 unemployed residents, and full-time employment runs at 59.7% of those in work. SEIFA deciles of 3 on IRSAD and IEO confirm disadvantage relative to state and national benchmarks.
Unemployment
3.8%
Labour Force
5,936
Unemployed
225
Quarterly Trend
Source: SALM Dec-25
Socio-Economic Indexes (SEIFA)iABS index ranking suburbs from 1 (most disadvantaged) to 10 (most advantaged)
Full-time
59.7%
Part-time
34.7%
Participation
57.8%
Employed
1,582
Occupations
Top Industries
University
24.6%
Postgraduate
3.5%
Born Overseas
23.1%
Dwellings
1,380
Transport to Work
Car dependency is high: 88.1% drive to work, versus 4.9% using public transport and 1.9% walking or cycling, placing it above the national reliance on private vehicles. This reflects the suburban layout and limited direct rail access in the Reynella corridor. Crime totals 202 incidents, giving a rate of 58.4 per 1,000 residents; this is a mid-range figure for SA outer suburbs and should be read alongside the broader Onkaparinga context rather than in isolation. The IRSAD decile of 3 places Old Reynella below average nationally on the combined advantage and disadvantage index. Rent-to-income at 23.8% and mortgage-to-income at 24% both sit below stress levels, so residents are not under acute housing cost pressure despite incomes in the 39.5th percentile nationally. No schools are recorded within the suburb boundary, so families rely on institutions in neighbouring Reynella and surrounding suburbs.
Drive
88.1%
Public Transport
4.9%
Walk / Cycle
1.9%
Work from Home
N/A
Population Forecast
+0.42%/yr
(+46 people/yr)
EstablishedOld Reynella's population has grown 5.2% over the past decade, reaching 3,458 in the 2021 Census area, placing it in the slow-growth category. Annual growth averages 0.42%, adding about 46 persons per year. Migration is balanced, with net overseas arrivals averaging 51 per year and net internal migration at 34, both contributing positively. The medium forecast projects the broader precinct population reaching 10,957 by 2031, up from 10,848 in 2025. The gentrification score of 21 is classified as early signs, meaning affordability has been improving gradually (mortgage-to-income fell from 48.5% in 2011 to 46.2% in 2021) but there is no evidence of rapid demographic change. Real income growth of 4.8% over the decade is positive but modest compared to many metro suburbs.
Historical + Forecast
Hamilton-Perry + Holt smoothing on ERP 2001-2025
Age Cohort Forecast
Primary Driver
Balanced
Net Overseas / yr
+51
Net Internal / yr
+34
Gentrification Signal
Not gentrifying
Safety & Crime
Total Offences
202
Year ending June 2024
Rate per 1,000 People
58.4
Source: Crime Statistics Agency Victoria / SA Police
National Ranking iPercentile rank among ~15,000 AU suburbs. 90% = higher than 90% of suburbs
How Old Reynella compares to ~15,000 Australian suburbs
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Old Reynella a good suburb to live in?
Old Reynella suits families and older owner-occupiers well. Around 79% of dwellings are owner-occupied, housing costs stay below stress thresholds (mortgage-to-income 24%), and the suburb is low-density with 86% separate houses. SEIFA decile 3 signals below-average advantage nationally, but the 14.6% volunteering rate and stable community point to a liveable, if modest, environment.
What is the median house price in Old Reynella?
The median house price was $745,000 in Q1 2026, down 9.8% from the $825,800 peak in Q1 2025. Weekly rent averages $330 and monthly mortgage repayments are around $1,441, keeping the mortgage-to-income ratio at 24%, below the 30% financial stress level.
What schools are in Old Reynella?
No schools are recorded within the Old Reynella suburb boundary in this dataset. Families rely on schools in adjacent Reynella, Christie Downs and other nearby Onkaparinga suburbs. The suburb's university qualification rate of 24.6% is 5.5 points below the national average, consistent with a predominantly trade and service-sector workforce.
Is Old Reynella safe?
Recorded crime totals 202 incidents, giving a rate of 58.4 per 1,000 residents. This is a mid-range figure typical of SA outer suburban areas. The IRSD decile of 4 indicates below-average relative disadvantage nationally, which generally correlates with moderate rather than elevated crime risk. As always, specific category breakdowns from SA Police provide the most useful context.
Is Old Reynella good for property investment?
The investment case is cautious. At $745,000 median and $330 weekly rent, the gross yield is approximately 2.3%, below targets most investors seek nationally. The vacancy rate of 4.1% signals some rental oversupply, and the renter share of 20.8% is low. However, the 9.8% price correction from the 2025 peak and positive migration inflows (51 overseas and 34 internal per year) may represent a buy-in opportunity for long-hold investors.
How is Old Reynella's population changing?
Population grew 5.2% over the past decade, adding about 46 people per year (0.42% annual rate). The profile is aging: the senior share rose 5.4 points while the working-age share fell 3.2 points over 10 years. Medium forecasts project the broader precinct growing to around 10,957 by 2031, up from 10,848 in 2025, indicating slow but steady expansion.
How much development is happening in Old Reynella?
There were 38 development applications lodged in the 12 months to mid-2026, which is above typical for a suburb of 3,458 people. Recent applications include single-storey detached dwellings and warehouse alterations, reflecting both residential infill and some light industrial activity. The development activity rate suggests modest but ongoing land use change.
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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