Paringa
With a vacancy rate of 11.6% and 42.2% of homes owned outright, Paringa presents an unusual housing profile for a regional SA town of 1,131 people. Household income sits in the 34.5th percentile nationally, below average, yet mortgage stress is low because the mortgage-to-income ratio is only 18.6%. The suburb trends older, with a median age of 41 matching the national figure, but the senior share has risen 7.8 points over the decade. Population grew 7.1% over 10 years, and gentrification signals are emerging, driven by net internal migration averaging 85 residents per year.
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
12
No formal median house price data is available for Paringa, which reflects thin transaction volumes in a small market of 1,131 residents. Weekly rent averages $200, low by SA standards, and monthly mortgage repayments average $1,083, producing a mortgage-to-income ratio of 18.6%, well below the 30% stress threshold. The housing stock is overwhelmingly detached, with 91.4% separate houses, well above the national average, and only 2.0% apartments. Three-bedroom homes dominate at 49.5%, followed by 4-plus bedroom at 31.8%. Outright ownership at 42.2% is high compared to the national average, suggesting long-term residents who have paid off their loans rather than active buyer churn.
For Buyers
No formal median house price data is available for Paringa, which reflects thin transaction volumes in a small market of 1,131 residents. Weekly rent averages $200, low by SA standards, and monthly mortgage repayments average $1,083, producing a mortgage-to-income ratio of 18.6%, well below the 30% stress threshold. The housing stock is overwhelmingly detached, with 91.4% separate houses, well above the national average, and only 2.0% apartments. Three-bedroom homes dominate at 49.5%, followed by 4-plus bedroom at 31.8%. Outright ownership at 42.2% is high compared to the national average, suggesting long-term residents who have paid off their loans rather than active buyer churn.
For Investors
The 11.6% vacancy rate is the key risk for investors in Paringa, signalling limited rental demand relative to supply in this small market. Weekly rent of $200 is low, so gross yields depend heavily on purchase price in a suburb with no published median. Renting households make up 20.4% of the market, a smaller share than the national average, so the tenant pool is thin. On the positive side, net internal migration averages 85 residents per year and population grew 7.1% over the decade, indicating steady if modest demand. Gentrification signals score 30, with accelerating rent growth of 15.4% noted in the shift data. Ten development applications were lodged in the past 12 months, including a new detached dwelling, suggesting some confidence in the local market.
Development Activity
Total DAs
95
Last 12 Months
12
YoY ChangeiYear-over-year change in DA lodgements
-33.3%
Avg DA CostiAverage estimated cost per DA in the past year
N/A
Monthly DA Lodgements
DA Categories
Demographics
The median age of 41 sits at the national figure, but the trajectory is distinctly aging, with the senior share up 7.8 points and the working-age share down 3.1 points over the decade. Overseas-born residents at 14.0% are 7.6 points below the national rate, reflecting a predominantly Australian-born population. English ancestry leads at 417 residents, followed by German at 151, Scottish at 95, consistent with the historical settlement patterns of the Riverland region. University qualifications at 16.6% are 13.5 points below the national figure, pointing to a trade and service-sector workforce rather than professional-class residents. Average household size of 2.4 is slightly below the national average.
Age Distribution
Bedrooms
Dwelling Structure
91.4%
Houses
4.2%
Townhouse
2.0%
Apartment
Tenure
Tenure in Paringa leans heavily toward outright ownership, with 42.2% of homes owned without a mortgage, above the national average, and 37.4% carrying a mortgage. Only 20.4% rent, below the national average. The stock is almost entirely detached, at 91.4% separate houses, with semi-detached at 4.2% and apartments at just 2.0%. Three-bedroom homes make up 49.5% of dwellings and 4-plus bedroom homes 31.8%, suggesting families and long-term residents dominate the occupant mix. Mortgage repayments average $1,083 per month, producing a mortgage-to-income ratio of 18.6%, below stress levels. The 11.6% vacancy rate indicates more supply than active demand, which keeps rents low at $200 per week.
Mortgage / mo
$1,083
Rent / wk
$200
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
37.6%
Couples, no children
779
Total families
Economy & Employment
Healthcare and Education are the two largest employment sectors, at 16.9% and 16.5% respectively, together accounting for nearly a third of local jobs. Agriculture employs 11.0% of workers, consistent with Paringa's location in the Riverland horticultural region. Hospitality contributes 9.6% and Manufacturing 7.0%. By occupation, Labourers are the largest group at 153 workers, ahead of Managers at 78 and Professionals at 65. The unemployment rate is low at 2.1%, well below state and national benchmarks, though the participation rate of 57.0% reflects the large share of residents not in the labour force, consistent with an aging population. Household income sits in the 34.5th percentile nationally, and the IRSAD decile of 2 indicates higher-than-average disadvantage on the relative socio-economic index.
Unemployment
4.9%
Labour Force
3,998
Unemployed
195
Quarterly Trend
Source: SALM Dec-25
Socio-Economic Indexes (SEIFA)iABS index ranking suburbs from 1 (most disadvantaged) to 10 (most advantaged)
Full-time
70.4%
Part-time
27.5%
Participation
57.0%
Employed
524
Occupations
Top Industries
University
16.6%
Postgraduate
1.1%
Born Overseas
14.0%
Dwellings
408
Transport to Work
Car reliance is high, with 78.8% of residents driving to work, above the national average, and public transport used by 13.1%. Walking and cycling account for 3.6%. No schools are recorded within the Paringa boundary in this dataset, so families rely on nearby facilities. Crime data shows 13 recorded incidents, producing a rate of 11.5 per 1,000 residents, which is low in absolute terms. The IRSAD decile of 2 indicates that Paringa ranks below most SA and national suburbs on the combined advantage-disadvantage index. The volunteering rate of 17.3% is notable for a community of this size, and rent-to-income at 14.9% means renting households face very low housing cost pressure compared to national norms. Mortgage-to-income of 18.6% is also below typical stress thresholds.
Drive
78.8%
Public Transport
13.1%
Walk / Cycle
3.6%
Work from Home
N/A
Population Forecast
+0.85%/yr
(+63 people/yr)
EstablishedParinga's population reached 1,131 residents, having grown 7.1% over the past decade, slightly below the national pace. Annual growth runs at 0.85%, or roughly 63 persons per year. Forecasts project the broader area population rising from around 7,376 in 2025 to approximately 7,617 by 2031 under the medium scenario. Internal migration is the primary driver, averaging 85 net arrivals per year, with overseas migration adding 34. Real income growth of 4.6% was recorded over the period, suggesting modest improvement in living standards. The gentrification score of 30 and stage of early signs indicate the suburb is beginning to attract new residents, with rent growth of 15.4% signalling early pressure on the rental market despite the higher vacancy rate.
Historical + Forecast
Hamilton-Perry + Holt smoothing on ERP 2001-2025
Age Cohort Forecast
Primary Driver
Internal Migration
Net Overseas / yr
+34
Net Internal / yr
+85
Gentrification Signal
Early signs
Population +12% since 2011, Net internal migration +85/yr, Accelerating: -3% → 16%
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 suits residents seeking affordable, low-density living in the Riverland region. Housing costs are low, with rent at $200 per week and a mortgage-to-income ratio of 18.6%, well below the 30% stress level. The main trade-offs are an IRSAD decile of 2, indicating higher relative disadvantage nationally, limited public transport, and no schools recorded within the suburb boundary.
What is the median house price in Paringa?
No formal median house price is published for Paringa due to thin transaction volumes in this small market of 1,131 residents. Weekly rent averages $200 and average monthly mortgage repayments are $1,083. These figures suggest purchase prices well below SA metropolitan benchmarks.
What schools are in Paringa?
No schools are recorded inside the Paringa suburb boundary in this dataset. Families in the area are likely served by schools in nearby Renmark, which is the main service centre for the Riverland region. Paringa's university qualification rate is 16.6%, which is 13.5 points below the national average.
Is Paringa safe?
Paringa recorded 13 crimes in the most recent period, giving a crime rate of 11.5 incidents per 1,000 residents. This is a low figure in absolute terms. The suburb also has a volunteering rate of 17.3%, and only 5.8% of residents require daily assistance, both consistent with a stable, settled community.
Is Paringa good for property investment?
The investment case is mixed. Population grew 7.1% over the decade and net internal migration averages 85 per year, supporting demand. However, the vacancy rate of 11.6% is high, weekly rent is just $200, and the IRSAD decile of 2 reflects lower socio-economic conditions than most markets. Rent growth of 15.4% over the period suggests improving rental conditions from a low base.
How is Paringa's population changing?
Paringa's population grew 7.1% over the past decade and is currently estimated at 1,131. Annual growth runs at 0.85%, or about 63 people per year. The suburb is aging, with the senior share up 7.8 points and the working-age share down 3.1 points since 2011. Internal migration, averaging 85 net arrivals annually, is the primary growth driver.
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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