Paringa
Paringa's standout feature is its 11.6% vacancy rate, unusually important in a small settlement of 1,131 residents because it can create more choice for renters while also signalling softer demand. The median age is 41, or 1.0 year above the national average, and 91.4% of homes are separate houses. Weekly rent is $200, while 41.8% of households own outright. Compared with nearby Renmark, Paringa has a quieter, more detached housing profile, with healthcare, education, agriculture and hospitality supporting local employment. Its low-crime rate of 11.5 incidents per 1,000 people adds to the appeal for households seeking a smaller regional setting.
Local council: Renmark Paringa
Population
1,131
Median Age
41.0
Household IncomeiMedian weekly household income (ABS Census)
$1,344/wk
DAs (12 months)iDevelopment Applications lodged in the past year
10
Paringa suits buyers prioritising detached housing, manageable repayments and established neighbourhood living over dense apartment options. Separate houses account for 91.4% of dwellings, while 49.5% have 3 bedrooms and 31.8% have 4 or more, giving families more scope than the 10.6% share of 2-bedroom homes. The typical monthly mortgage figure is $1,083, compared with weekly rent of $200, and mortgage costs equal 18.6% of household income, below a level normally associated with mortgage stress. Household income sits at the 34.5th percentile, below the national median, so buyers should test repayments against their own income rather than rely on broad regional affordability. A current suburb median house price is not available, making recent local sales and listings especially important.
For Buyers
Paringa suits buyers prioritising detached housing, manageable repayments and established neighbourhood living over dense apartment options. Separate houses account for 91.4% of dwellings, while 49.5% have 3 bedrooms and 31.8% have 4 or more, giving families more scope than the 10.6% share of 2-bedroom homes. The typical monthly mortgage figure is $1,083, compared with weekly rent of $200, and mortgage costs equal 18.6% of household income, below a level normally associated with mortgage stress. Household income sits at the 34.5th percentile, below the national median, so buyers should test repayments against their own income rather than rely on broad regional affordability. A current suburb median house price is not available, making recent local sales and listings especially important.
For Investors
Paringa presents a cautious rental investment case. Weekly rent is $200 and 20.1% of occupied dwellings are rented, but the 11.6% vacancy rate is higher than in a tightly balanced rental market and may lengthen leasing periods. That vacancy risk matters because rental returns depend on consistent occupancy, even though rent represents only 14.9% of household income and is not flagged as stressful. Development activity reached 11 applications in 12 months, including a marine mechanical repair workshop, suggesting some business investment without a large housing pipeline. Forecast growth is 0.85% annually and is driven by internal migration, while the area is on an Aging trajectory. Investors should therefore prioritise property condition, tenant appeal and holding costs over assumptions of rapid capital growth.
Development Activity
Total DAs
98
Last 12 Months
10
YoY ChangeiYear-over-year change in DA lodgements
-50.0%
Avg DA CostiAverage estimated cost per DA in the past year
N/A
Monthly DA Lodgements
DA Categories
Demographics
Paringa has an older-leaning and relatively settled population. Its median age of 41 is 1.0 year above the national average, while 81.8% of residents stayed at the same address over the relevant period, supporting continuity but reducing turnover. University attainment is 16.6%, or 13.5 percentage points below the national comparison, and overseas-born residents account for 14.0%, 7.6 points below the national figure. The population is 54.4% male, with an average household size of 2.4, below the national comparison by 0.1. English ancestry is reported by 417 residents and German ancestry by 151. Couples without children make up 50.9% of families, so household demand is more aligned with established couples and older residents than with large new-family growth. Compared with nearby Renmark, Paringa has a more settled small-town demographic pattern.
Age Distribution
Bedrooms
Dwelling Structure
91.4%
Houses
4.2%
Townhouse
2.0%
Apartment
Tenure
Paringa's housing stock is strongly detached and family-oriented. Separate houses represent 91.4% of dwellings, far higher than the 2.0% apartment share and also above the 4.2% semi-detached share. Three-bedroom homes account for 49.5%, while 4-bedroom or larger properties make up 31.8%, giving the suburb a broader family-house mix than its smaller dwelling categories. Ownership is split between 41.8% owning outright, 37.1% paying a mortgage and 20.1% renting. Because the housing base is dominated by standalone homes, buyers may find less flexibility than in apartment-oriented markets, but more outdoor space and storage. Vacancy is 11.6%, and the absence of a published median sale price means comparisons with Renmark should use current listings and verified recent transactions rather than headline estimates.
Mortgage / mo
$1,083
Rent / wkiABS Census 2021 median across all dwelling types. Current market rents are typically higher.
$200
Census 2021
HH Size
2.4
Personal Income / wk
$800
Vacancy Ratei% of dwellings unoccupied on Census night (ABS 2021)
11.6%
Unoccupied
54
Rent / IncomeiMedian rent as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
14.9%
Mortgage / IncomeiMedian mortgage as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
18.6%
Community Profile
Ancestry
Household Composition
34.1%
Couples with children
50.9%
Couples, no children
15.3%
Single parent
287
Total families
Economy & Employment
Paringa's economy combines essential services with regional production and practical trades. Healthcare is the largest listed industry at 16.9%, or 46 workers, followed closely by education at 16.5% and 45 workers. Agriculture contributes 11.0% and 30 workers, hospitality 9.6% and 26 workers, and manufacturing 7.0% and 19 workers. Labourers are the largest occupational group at 153 people, followed by managers at 78 and trades workers at 74. Unemployment is 2.0% and participation is 59.6%, with 67.2% of employed residents working full-time. The IEO decile of 2 and IRSAD decile of 2 rank below the middle of the national socioeconomic scale, while the IER decile is 5. This contrast can occur because low unemployment reflects available local work, while education and disadvantage measures remain below average.
Unemployment
2.0%
Labour Force
560
Unemployed
11
Source: ABS Census 2021
Socio-Economic Indexes (SEIFA)iABS index ranking suburbs from 1 (most disadvantaged) to 10 (most advantaged)
Full-time
67.2%
Part-time
28.2%
Participation
59.6%
Employed
549
Full-time and part-time are shares of the employed. Source: ABS Census 2021
Occupations
Top Industries
University
16.6%
Postgraduate
1.1%
Born Overseas
14.0%
Dwellings
408
Transport to Work
Paringa is car-dependent, with 76.2% of residents driving to work compared with 12.6% using public transport, 3.5% walking or cycling and 3.3% working from home. That makes private vehicle access important for employment, shopping, health care and school travel. Crime is recorded at 13 incidents, or 11.5 per 1,000 residents, supporting a lower-crime profile than many urban settings. The IRSAD decile is 2, indicating socioeconomic conditions below the national middle, so affordability and service access should be considered alongside safety. Families should confirm school enrolment zones, year levels, sector and transport for the exact address, including nearby options in the wider Renmark area. Compared with a transit-oriented suburb, Paringa's livability depends more on road access and local connections because car use is substantially higher than public transport use.
Drive
76.2%
Public Transport
12.6%
Walk / Cycle
3.5%
Work from Home
3.3%
Growth Outlook
Paringa's growth outlook is gradual rather than rapid. The forecast annual trend is 0.85%, below a high-growth profile, and internal migration is the primary driver. The wider area recorded 7.1% population change over 10 years, while the trajectory is classified as Aging, with the senior share up 7.8 percentage points and the young share down 2.6 points. Gentrification is at the Early signs stage with a score of 30, indicating emerging change rather than a completed transition. Rent growth of 15.4% and real income growth of 4.6% may support gradual market adjustment, but the aging pattern can moderate demand for new family housing. Compared with faster regional growth corridors, Paringa is more likely to see incremental change linked to internal migration, local services and lifestyle demand.
Population trend: Renmark Paringa council area
Paringa sits in the Renmark Paringa council area. These are the council area's residents, not Paringa's.
Residents 2025
10,274
Growth, 5 yr average
+0.6%/yr
2020 to 2025
Growth, last year
+0.6%
2024 to 2025
ABS Estimated Resident Population by LGA, 30 June each year; council area, not this suburb
Safety & Crime
Total Offences
13
Year ending June 2024
Rate per 1,000 People
11.5
Source: Crime Statistics Agency Victoria / SA Police
National Ranking iPercentile rank among ~15,000 AU suburbs. 90% = higher than 90% of suburbs
How Paringa compares to ~15,000 Australian suburbs
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Paringa a good suburb to live in?
Paringa can suit residents seeking a quieter detached-house setting, modest weekly rent and a lower-crime profile. It has 1,131 residents, a median age of 41 and a crime rate of 11.5 per 1,000 people. Daily life is car-led, with 76.2% driving to work, so transport needs should be considered.
What is the median house price in Paringa?
A current median house price is not available for Paringa. The suburb is dominated by separate houses at 91.4%, with a typical monthly mortgage figure of $1,083 and weekly rent of $200. Buyers should compare recent verified sales and current listings, particularly because the vacancy rate is 11.6%.
What schools are in Paringa?
School access should be checked against the exact address because enrolment zones, year levels and transport arrangements can cross local boundaries. Paringa has 1,131 residents and a 76.2% car-driver share, so families should confirm nearby school options and daily travel requirements before choosing a property.
Is Paringa safe?
Paringa has a relatively low-crime profile, with 13 recorded incidents and a rate of 11.5 per 1,000 residents. Safety can vary by street and circumstance, so buyers and renters should still inspect the immediate area, check current local information and consider lighting, access and travel patterns around their chosen property.
Is Paringa good for property investment?
Paringa may suit a conservative investor who accepts leasing risk and slower growth. Weekly rent is $200, but vacancy is 11.6%, which is higher than in a tightly balanced market. Annual forecast growth is 0.85%, development activity recorded 11 applications in 12 months, and internal migration is the main growth driver.
How is Paringa's population changing?
Paringa is on an Aging trajectory. Forecast growth is 0.85% annually and is driven by internal migration, while population change across the wider area reached 7.1% over 10 years. The senior share increased by 7.8 percentage points and the young share fell by 2.6 points, pointing to gradual rather than youthful expansion.
What is the rent in Paringa?
The reported weekly rent is $200, and renters account for 20.1% of occupied dwellings. Rent takes 14.9% of household income and is not flagged as stressful, but the 11.6% vacancy rate may indicate a softer leasing environment. Check current listings because individual properties can vary by condition and size.
How do people get around Paringa?
Paringa is mainly accessed by car, with 76.2% of residents driving to work. Public transport accounts for 12.6%, while 3.5% walk or cycle and 3.3% work from home. Households should allow for fuel, vehicle maintenance and school or service trips when comparing Paringa with more transit-oriented locations.
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 education open registers (school locations), state Crime Statistics agencies (offences), council DA portals (development applications).
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