Pooraka
The median house price jumped 18.3% in a single year from $761,000 to $900,000, yet household incomes sit at just the 27th percentile nationally. That gap is the sharpest price-to-income tension in this batch. SEIFA deciles of 2 across IRSD and IRSAD confirm deep disadvantage, while a 7.9% unemployment rate and 85.5 crimes per 1,000 residents reinforce the picture. What makes Pooraka paradoxical is the 39.5% overseas-born share, 17.9 points above national, driven by South Asian and Middle Eastern migration that is reshaping a traditionally working-class northern Adelaide suburb.
Population
7,583
Median Age
38.0
Household IncomeiMedian weekly household income (ABS Census)
$1,225/wk
DAs (12 months)iDevelopment Applications lodged in the past year
75
Median House
$900K
Median 1Q 2026
The $900,000 median (Q1 2026) rose 18.3% from $761,000 in a year, outpacing Adelaide metro growth. At $1,300/month mortgage repayments, the 24.5% mortgage-to-income ratio is manageable, though the low 27th-percentile income base means household budgets are tighter than that ratio suggests. Separate houses at 85.9% dominate, with 65.0% being 3-bedroom, the most uniform bedroom mix in this batch. Pooraka Primary School (Government, ICSEA 954, 182 students) scores below the 1,000 national benchmark. The 4.0% unemployment rate and 53.6% participation rate reflect a working-class employment structure.
For Buyers
The $900,000 median (Q1 2026) rose 18.3% from $761,000 in a year, outpacing Adelaide metro growth. At $1,300/month mortgage repayments, the 24.5% mortgage-to-income ratio is manageable, though the low 27th-percentile income base means household budgets are tighter than that ratio suggests. Separate houses at 85.9% dominate, with 65.0% being 3-bedroom, the most uniform bedroom mix in this batch. Pooraka Primary School (Government, ICSEA 954, 182 students) scores below the 1,000 national benchmark. The 4.0% unemployment rate and 53.6% participation rate reflect a working-class employment structure.
For Investors
Renters at 30.5% provide a solid tenant base. Weekly rent of $300 against $900,000 gives a gross yield of just 1.7%, compressed by the rapid price surge. The 5.1% vacancy rate is reasonable. Development activity is strong at 71 DAs in 12 months, including land divisions and Housing Trust dwellings, signalling both private and public sector building. Net overseas migration of +140/year and internal outflow of -128/year produce modest net growth. The SEIFA IER decile 2 (low economic resources) means the tenant pool is income-constrained, creating risk of rent arrears despite strong occupancy.
Development Activity
Total DAs
353
Last 12 Months
75
YoY ChangeiYear-over-year change in DA lodgements
+11.9%
Avg DA CostiAverage estimated cost per DA in the past year
N/A
Monthly DA Lodgements
DA Categories
Schools in Pooraka iICSEA: school advantage index. 1000 = national avg, higher = more advantaged
Pooraka Primary School
R-6 · 182 students
Demographics
The median age of 38 is 2 years below national. Overseas-born at 39.5% is 17.9 points above the national average: Vietnamese (647), Indian (393) and Italian (429) ancestries alongside English (1,899) create genuine cultural diversity. Punjabi (166), Arabic (78), Hindi (62) and Gujarati (58) are the top non-English languages. University qualifications at 31.1% are near the national median. The employment structure skews blue-collar, with Labourers (459), Machinery/Drivers (306) and Community/Personal (489) prominent. SEIFA IEO decile 3 confirms limited educational opportunity despite the near-average degree rate.
Age Distribution
Bedrooms
Dwelling Structure
85.9%
Houses
12.5%
Townhouse
1.5%
Apartment
Tenure
Outright owners (33.9%) and mortgage holders (35.6%) together account for 69.5%, with renters at 30.5%. Detached houses dominate at 85.9%, with 65.0% being 3-bedroom, a remarkably uniform stock. Prices surged from $761,000 to $900,000 in one year (18.3%). Mortgage stress at 24.5% and rent stress at 24.5% are both below 30%, but the 27th-percentile income base means these ratios leave less buffer than in higher-income suburbs. The 81.3% residential stability rate is moderate. Housing Trust development applications indicate ongoing social housing activity, which differentiates Pooraka from purely private-market suburbs.
Median House Price Trend
Source: State Valuer-General (Median 1Q 2026)
Mortgage / mo
$1,300
Rent / wkiABS Census 2021 median across all dwelling types. Current market rents are typically higher.
$300
Census 2021
HH Size
2.5
Personal Income / wk
$581
Vacancy Ratei% of dwellings unoccupied on Census night (ABS 2021)
5.1%
Unoccupied
155
Rent / IncomeiMedian rent as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
24.5%
Mortgage / IncomeiMedian mortgage as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
24.5%
Community Profile
Languages Spoken at Home
Ancestry
Household Composition
22.8%
Couples, no children
6,033
Total families
Economy & Employment
Healthcare dominates at 24.3% (466 workers), well above the national sector average of 13%. Manufacturing (8.9%, 170), Construction (8.6%, 165), Education (7.9%, 152) and Retail (7.7%, 147) follow. The occupation profile splits between Professionals (489) and Community/Personal (489) equally, with Labourers (459) close behind. The 7.9% unemployment rate is above the national average. Participation at 53.6% is low, with 2,443 not in the labour force. SEIFA IRSAD decile 2 confirms the suburb sits in the bottom 20% of socioeconomic advantage nationally. Real income grew just 5.2% over the decade, below inflation.
Unemployment
5.1%
Labour Force
4,204
Unemployed
215
Quarterly Trend
Source: SALM Dec-25
Socio-Economic Indexes (SEIFA)iABS index ranking suburbs from 1 (most disadvantaged) to 10 (most advantaged)
Full-time
60.8%
Part-time
31.3%
Participation
53.6%
Employed
3,067
Occupations
Top Industries
University
31.1%
Postgraduate
9.2%
Born Overseas
39.5%
Dwellings
2,858
Transport to Work
The crime rate of 85.5 per 1,000 residents is elevated, with 648 total offences. Public transport at 5.6% is moderate, with car driving at 86.0% dominant. Walking/cycling at 1.8% is very low. Pooraka Primary School (ICSEA 954, 182 students) scores below the national benchmark, a consideration for families. IRSAD decile 2 places the suburb in the lowest advantage tier. Need-assistance at 7.7% is above average. Rent stress at 24.5% and mortgage stress at 24.5% are manageable on paper, though the low-income base (27th percentile) means financial vulnerability is higher than the ratios suggest.
Drive
86.0%
Public Transport
5.6%
Walk / Cycle
1.8%
Work from Home
N/A
Population Forecast
+0.6%/yr
(+51 people/yr)
EstablishedPopulation growth runs at 0.6% per year (51 persons), modest for a suburb receiving significant overseas migration (+140/year). Internal outflow of -128/year nearly cancels the inflow. The ERP reached 8,457 in 2025, with medium forecasts projecting 8,708 by 2031. The 6.9% 10-year population change is low. The aging trajectory shows the senior share rising 3.1 points while the working share declined 1.7 points. Affordability remains stable (50.2% in 2021 vs 51.9% in 2011). The gentrification score of 21 (early signs) suggests some upward pressure, but the IRSAD decile 2 confirms transformation has not materialised.
Historical + Forecast
Hamilton-Perry + Holt smoothing on ERP 2001-2025
Age Cohort Forecast
Primary Driver
Overseas Migration
Net Overseas / yr
+140
Net Internal / yr
-128
Gentrification Signal
Not gentrifying
Net internal outflow -128/yr
Safety & Crime
Total Offences
648
Year ending June 2024
Rate per 1,000 People
85.5
Source: Crime Statistics Agency Victoria / SA Police
National Ranking iPercentile rank among ~15,000 AU suburbs. 90% = higher than 90% of suburbs
How Pooraka compares to ~15,000 Australian suburbs
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Pooraka a good suburb to live in?
Pooraka is a working-class suburb with IRSAD decile 2, in the lowest 20% nationally. The crime rate of 85.5 per 1,000 is elevated. However, mortgage stress at 24.5% is below the 30% threshold, and the 39.5% overseas-born share creates a culturally diverse community. Healthcare at 24.3% of employment reflects nearby hospital access.
What is the median house price in Pooraka?
The median is $900,000 (Q1 2026), up 18.3% from $761,000 in Q1 2025. Monthly mortgage repayments average $1,300 and weekly rent is $300. Gross yield is approximately 1.7%, compressed by the rapid price surge. The mortgage-to-income ratio of 24.5% is below stress levels.
What schools are in Pooraka?
Pooraka Primary School (Government, ICSEA 954, 182 students) is the main school within the suburb. The ICSEA score of 954 sits below the national 1,000 benchmark. Families seeking higher-scoring schools typically look to adjoining suburbs.
Is Pooraka safe?
The crime rate is 85.5 per 1,000 residents, with 648 total offences recorded. SEIFA IRSD decile 2 indicates the suburb is in the 20% most disadvantaged nationally, a factor correlated with higher crime rates. The 7.9% unemployment rate is above average.
Is Pooraka good for property investment?
Gross yield is just 1.7% ($300/week on $900,000), very low after the 18.3% price surge. Renters at 30.5% provide a reasonable tenant base and vacancy is moderate at 5.1%. The 71 DAs in 12 months include Housing Trust developments, adding supply. SEIFA IER decile 2 means tenants have limited economic resources, increasing arrears risk.
How is Pooraka's population changing?
Growth is 0.6% per year (51 persons), with medium projections of 8,708 by 2031. Overseas migration at +140/year is the primary driver, offset by internal outflow of -128/year. The overseas-born share of 39.5% is 17.9 points above national. The 10-year population change of 6.9% is below the Adelaide metro average.
What languages are spoken in Pooraka?
With 39.5% born overseas, Pooraka has significant linguistic diversity. Punjabi (166 speakers), Arabic (78), Hindi (62), Gujarati (58) and Italian (43) are the top non-English languages. Vietnamese ancestry (647) and Indian ancestry (393) are strong community presences, reflecting waves of migration into northern Adelaide.
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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