SA 5114 Census 2021 + Live DA Data

One Tree Hill

At $1,452,500, the median house price in One Tree Hill sits well above the typical South Australian figure, yet household incomes rank in the 88.5th percentile nationally, making it one of SA's more affordable premium addresses relative to buyer capacity. The suburb spans 23.44 km2 with a population of around 1,043, giving a density of just 44.5 people per km2. Every dwelling recorded is a separate house, and 46.7% are owned outright, a proportion that points to long-established residents rather than recent buyers riding credit. The median age of 45 is 5 years above the national figure, and 86.1% of residents stayed put in the 5 years prior to the census, confirming that this is a stable, settled community with very low turnover.

One Tree Hill urban fabric map

Population

1,043

Median Age

45.0

Household IncomeiMedian weekly household income (ABS Census)

$2,317/wk

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

25

Median House

$1.5M

Median 1Q 2026

23.44 km²· 44.5 people/km²· Family income $2,364/wk

The median house price reached $1,452,500 in the first quarter of 2026, and the entire housing stock is separate houses, so buyers are not competing across different dwelling types. Four-plus bedroom homes make up 59.9% of dwellings and three-bedroom homes 36.2%, making it almost entirely family-sized stock. Monthly mortgage repayments average $1,863, and with household incomes at the 88.5th percentile nationally, the mortgage-to-income ratio sits at 18.6%, well below the 30% stress threshold. Outright owners (46.7%) actually outnumber mortgage holders (48.6%), unusual for a suburb with such high prices, and the ratio suggests a large cohort of long-term holders who bought before prices climbed to current levels. Only 4.7% of residents rent, which is far lower than the national average and means the owner-occupier base is deeply entrenched.

For Buyers

The median house price reached $1,452,500 in the first quarter of 2026, and the entire housing stock is separate houses, so buyers are not competing across different dwelling types. Four-plus bedroom homes make up 59.9% of dwellings and three-bedroom homes 36.2%, making it almost entirely family-sized stock. Monthly mortgage repayments average $1,863, and with household incomes at the 88.5th percentile nationally, the mortgage-to-income ratio sits at 18.6%, well below the 30% stress threshold. Outright owners (46.7%) actually outnumber mortgage holders (48.6%), unusual for a suburb with such high prices, and the ratio suggests a large cohort of long-term holders who bought before prices climbed to current levels. Only 4.7% of residents rent, which is far lower than the national average and means the owner-occupier base is deeply entrenched.

For Investors

One Tree Hill presents a thin rental market: only 4.7% of dwellings are rented, far below the national average, and weekly rents are $305. Against a $1,452,500 median, that implies a gross yield below 1.1%, among the lowest return profiles you can find. The vacancy rate of 3.5% is modest but relevant given the small rental pool. Development activity reached 22 applications in the past 12 months, mostly outbuildings, carports and fencing rather than new dwellings, so supply constraints remain in place. Net overseas migration adds around 7 residents annually and internal migration is balanced, giving thin volume-driven upside. Rent grew 17.6% over the measured period, outpacing inflation, so landlords holding existing rentals have benefited even as yields start low.

Development Activity

Total DAs

123

Last 12 Months

25

YoY ChangeiYear-over-year change in DA lodgements

-16.7%

Avg DA CostiAverage estimated cost per DA in the past year

N/A

Monthly DA Lodgements

DA Categories

Garage / Carport / Shed
30
Swimming Pool / Spa
6
Deck / Pergola / Patio
6
New Dwelling
5
Renovation / Extension
5
Tree Removal
1
Other
1
Commercial / Industrial
1

Schools in One Tree Hill iICSEA: school advantage index. 1000 = national avg, higher = more advantaged

One Tree Hill Primary School

ICSEA 965 Primary Government

R-6 · 255 students

Demographics

The median age of 45 is 5 years above the national figure, and the senior share of the population rose 7.3 points over the decade, confirming the aging trajectory. The working-age share fell 4.2 points over the same period. About 21.1% of residents were born overseas, 0.5 points below the national share. Ancestry is predominantly Anglo-Celtic: English (536), Scottish (98), Irish (71) and German (70) lead, with Italian also prominent at 91. Average household size is 3.0, which is 0.5 above the national figure, consistent with larger family homes and couples with children making up 337 families. University qualifications reach 23.6%, which is 6.5 points below the national figure, reflecting an industrial and trade-oriented working population rather than a knowledge-sector concentration.

Age Distribution

0-14
17.2%
15-24
14.7%
25-44
17.6%
45-64
34.7%
65+
16.1%

Bedrooms

Studio/1br
0.9%
2 bed
3.0%
3 bed
36.2%
4+ bed
59.9%

Dwelling Structure

100.0%

Houses

N/A

Townhouse

N/A

Apartment

Tenure

Own 46.7% Mortgage 48.6% Rent 4.7%

Every dwelling recorded in One Tree Hill is a separate house, placing it in a rare 100% detached category compared to the national mix. Owner-occupiers dominate: 46.7% own outright and 48.6% hold mortgages, leaving only 4.7% as renters. That tenure split is heavily skewed toward ownership compared to national norms, where renters typically account for around 30% of households. Bedrooms lean large: 59.9% are four-plus bedroom and 36.2% are three-bedroom, consistent with a family-oriented rural-fringe suburb. Mortgage repayments average $1,863 per month, and the mortgage-to-income ratio of 18.6% stays comfortably below stress levels. Rent-to-income at 13.2% is similarly low. The IER decile of 10 reflects high economic resources, reinforcing that housing is held by relatively affluent households.

Mortgage / mo

$1,863

Rent / wk

$305

HH Size

3.0

Personal Income / wk

$842

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

3.5%

Unoccupied

12

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

13.2%

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

18.6%

Community Profile

Languages Spoken at Home

Italian
15

Ancestry

English
536
Scottish
98
Italian
91
Irish
71
German
70
Ancestry NS
45

Household Composition

29.3%

Couples, no children

919

Total families

Economy & Employment

Education leads the local industry mix at 15.3% of employed residents (56 workers), followed closely by Healthcare at 14.2% (52) and Public Administration at 13.7% (50). Construction accounts for 12.8% (47 workers), reflecting the semi-rural, owner-builder character of the area. By occupation, Professionals are the largest group (119), followed by Clerical/Admin (75), Managers (69) and Labourers (60). The unemployment rate is 3.8% and the full-time employment rate is 59.6%, with a participation rate of 64.2%. Real income grew 10.0% over the decade. SEIFA tells an interesting story: the IER decile is 10 (top tier for economic resources) while the IEO decile is 6 (middle range for education and occupation), confirming that the population holds significant wealth but is not concentrated in high-qualification professions.

Unemployment

1.0%

Labour Force

1,481

Unemployed

15

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
7
Disadvantage
9
Economic resources
10
Education & occupation
6

Full-time

59.6%

Part-time

36.6%

Participation

64.2%

Employed

539

Occupations

Professionals 119
Clerical/Admin 75
Managers 69
Labourers 60
Community/Personal 58
Sales 58
Machinery/Drivers 26

Top Industries

Education 15.3%
Healthcare 14.2%
Public Admin 13.7%
Construction 12.8%
Professional/Tech 7.9%

University

23.6%

Postgraduate

5.2%

Born Overseas

21.1%

Dwellings

335

Transport to Work

Residents are almost entirely car-dependent: 92.3% drive to work and only 0.9% use public transport, consistent with a low-density rural-fringe suburb in SA where bus services are limited. Volunteering is high at 18.7% of residents, well above the national average of around 14%, and only 5.1% (51 people) need daily assistance. Crime totals 30 incidents recorded, giving a rate of 28.8 per 1,000 residents, which sits in a low-crime range compared to metropolitan SA averages typically above 60 per 1,000. No schools are recorded within the suburb boundary in this dataset. The IRSAD decile of 7 and IRSD decile of 9 together indicate low disadvantage, and the IER decile of 10 confirms top-tier economic resources relative to the national distribution.

Drive

92.3%

Public Transport

0.9%

Walk / Cycle

1.2%

Work from Home

N/A

Population Forecast

-0.08%/yr

(-2 people/yr)

Established

Population growth is effectively flat, with an annual change of -0.08% and a projected medium-scenario population of 2,489 by 2031, down from a 2025 figure of 2,520. The 10-year change was 3.0%, well below national growth rates. The demographic trajectory is aging, with senior share rising 7.3 points and the young cohort shrinking by 1.6 points. Overseas migration contributes around 7 residents per year while internal migration is balanced. The gentrification stage is categorised as not gentrifying, which is expected for an already-advantaged suburb sitting at IRSD decile 9 nationally. Affordability improved from 40.9% of income in 2011 to 35.6% in 2021, a meaningful shift, though prices have risen sharply since 2021.

Historical + Forecast

Hamilton-Perry + Holt smoothing on ERP 2001-2025

Age Cohort Forecast

Primary Driver

Balanced

Net Overseas / yr

+7

Net Internal / yr

0

0

Gentrification Signal

Not gentrifying

Safety & Crime

Total Offences

30

Year ending June 2024

Rate per 1,000 People

28.8

Source: Crime Statistics Agency Victoria / SA Police

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

How One Tree Hill compares to ~15,000 Australian suburbs

Population
Top 28%
Household Income
Top 12%
Rent Level
Top 36%
Renters
Bottom 2%
Uni Educated
Bottom 49%
Public Transport
Bottom 13%
Born Overseas
Top 27%
Density
Top 31%

Frequently Asked Questions

Is One Tree Hill a good suburb to live in?

One Tree Hill suits buyers seeking large detached homes in a low-density rural-fringe setting. Household incomes sit in the 88.5th percentile nationally, mortgage stress is low at 18.6% of income, and the crime rate of 28.8 per 1,000 residents is well below metropolitan SA figures. The trade-off is minimal public transport (0.9% of residents use it) and a $1,452,500 median house price.

What is the median house price in One Tree Hill?

The median house price was $1,452,500 in the first quarter of 2026. Every dwelling is a separate house, and the stock skews large with 59.9% four-plus bedroom homes. Monthly mortgage repayments average $1,863, and the mortgage-to-income ratio of 18.6% is below the 30% stress threshold.

What schools are in One Tree Hill?

No schools are recorded within the One Tree Hill suburb boundary in this dataset. Families rely on schools in neighbouring suburbs. Despite this, 23.6% of residents hold university qualifications, and the suburb's family-sized housing (59.9% four-plus bedroom) confirms it draws households with children.

Is One Tree Hill safe?

Crime totals 30 incidents per year, giving a rate of 28.8 per 1,000 residents. That is low compared to metropolitan SA benchmarks, where figures above 60 per 1,000 are common. The suburb ranks in the IRSD decile 9 for relative low-disadvantage nationally, and 86.1% of residents have not moved in 5 years, reflecting a stable, established community.

Is One Tree Hill good for property investment?

Weekly rents of $305 against a $1,452,500 median imply a gross yield below 1.1%, making yield-focused investment difficult. Only 4.7% of dwellings are rented, so the tenant pool is narrow. Rent growth of 17.6% over the measured period shows landlords have seen returns improve, but the investment case rests on capital growth, not income.

How is One Tree Hill's population changing?

Population is essentially stable, declining at -0.08% per year. The SA2 area recorded 2,520 residents in 2025, down slightly from 2,529 in 2024. Medium-scenario forecasts project 2,489 by 2031. The demographic trend is aging, with the senior share rising 7.3 points over the decade, and the 10-year population change was just 3.0%.

How much development is happening in One Tree Hill?

There were 22 development applications lodged in the past 12 months. Most are outbuildings, carports, fencing and ancillary residential works rather than new dwellings. This low-intensity development activity is consistent with a stable, owner-dominated suburb where 46.7% of residents own their home outright.

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.

Explore One Tree Hill on the Map

View parcels, zoning overlays, DA applications, schools and more.

Open Interactive Map

More Suburbs in SA