Renmark West
All four SEIFA indexes place Renmark West in decile 1, the most disadvantaged tier nationally, yet housing affordability tells a different story: mortgage repayments absorb just 16.7% of income and rent-to-income sits at 11.9%, both well below stress thresholds. The suburb covers 33.63 km2 in the Riverland with a population of 1,358 at a density of 40.4 per km2. Separate houses make up 94.5% of dwellings, far above the national average, and 51.1% of households carry a mortgage compared to 36.3% who own outright. An 11.8% vacancy rate and low overseas-born share of 9% round out a profile shaped by owner-occupiers, agriculture, and a slowly aging population.
Population
1,358
Median Age
41.0
Household IncomeiMedian weekly household income (ABS Census)
$1,685/wk
DAs (12 months)iDevelopment Applications lodged in the past year
30
No current median house price is recorded for Renmark West, which limits direct price comparison, but the cost structure is accessible. Monthly mortgage repayments average $1,218, producing a mortgage-to-income ratio of 16.7%, well below the 30% stress threshold. Weekly rent of $200 gives a rent-to-income ratio of 11.9%, also below stress levels. The housing stock is almost entirely separate houses at 94.5%, with semi-detached making up the remaining 5.5%. Bedroom mix skews large: 43.9% of dwellings have 4 or more bedrooms and 45.5% have 3, so buyers entering this market typically get more space than the national median. The 11.8% vacancy rate is higher than most metro suburbs, which suggests less competition for available stock.
For Buyers
No current median house price is recorded for Renmark West, which limits direct price comparison, but the cost structure is accessible. Monthly mortgage repayments average $1,218, producing a mortgage-to-income ratio of 16.7%, well below the 30% stress threshold. Weekly rent of $200 gives a rent-to-income ratio of 11.9%, also below stress levels. The housing stock is almost entirely separate houses at 94.5%, with semi-detached making up the remaining 5.5%. Bedroom mix skews large: 43.9% of dwellings have 4 or more bedrooms and 45.5% have 3, so buyers entering this market typically get more space than the national median. The 11.8% vacancy rate is higher than most metro suburbs, which suggests less competition for available stock.
For Investors
With weekly rent at $200 and a vacancy rate of 11.8%, investor returns in Renmark West depend heavily on asset selection and tenant retention rather than on strong market-wide demand. The 12.7% renter share is low compared to national averages, meaning landlords compete in a thin pool. Development activity reached 28 applications in the past 12 months, including outbuildings and cladding works, signalling maintenance rather than large-scale new supply. Migration dynamics are mixed: net overseas arrivals average 44 per year while internal migration averages negative 54 annually, producing only modest net growth. Rent grew 33.3% over the measured period, outpacing many regional markets, which points to some income upside even without price data to anchor yield calculations.
Development Activity
Total DAs
184
Last 12 Months
30
YoY ChangeiYear-over-year change in DA lodgements
-11.8%
Avg DA CostiAverage estimated cost per DA in the past year
N/A
Monthly DA Lodgements
DA Categories
Demographics
The median age is 41, roughly in line with the national figure, but the trajectory is aging: the senior share rose 5.4 points over the decade while the working-age share fell 1.1 points. Overseas-born residents account for 9%, which is 12.6 percentage points below the national average, reflecting a predominantly locally-born population. Ancestry is Anglo-led, with English (501), German (165) and Scottish (88) the top groups, consistent with the Riverland's historical settlement patterns. University qualifications reach 15.6%, which is 14.5 percentage points below the national figure, and the labourers occupation group (128 workers) is the largest single category. Average household size is 2.7, slightly above the national figure of 2.5.
Age Distribution
Bedrooms
Dwelling Structure
94.5%
Houses
5.5%
Townhouse
N/A
Apartment
Tenure
Renmark West is owner-occupier territory: 51.1% of households carry a mortgage and 36.3% own outright, leaving only 12.7% renting. Separate houses dominate at 94.5%, with semi-detached accounting for the remaining 5.5% and no recorded apartments. The bedroom profile is large-home oriented: 43.9% of dwellings have 4 or more bedrooms and 45.5% have 3, meaning compact dwellings are rare. Monthly mortgage repayments average $1,218, and with mortgage-to-income at 16.7%, purchase costs are manageable relative to local incomes. The 11.8% vacancy rate is elevated compared to tighter metro markets, which suggests that some properties sit empty between tenancies or are held as seasonal or holiday homes along the Murray corridor.
Mortgage / mo
$1,218
Rent / wk
$200
HH Size
2.7
Personal Income / wk
$788
Vacancy Ratei% of dwellings unoccupied on Census night (ABS 2021)
11.8%
Unoccupied
65
Rent / IncomeiMedian rent as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
11.9%
Mortgage / IncomeiMedian mortgage as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
16.7%
Community Profile
Languages Spoken at Home
Ancestry
Household Composition
28.7%
Couples, no children
1,137
Total families
Economy & Employment
Healthcare is the largest employment sector at 15.4% (64 workers), followed closely by Agriculture at 14.0% (58 workers) and Education at 13.3% (55 workers), with Manufacturing at 9.2% and Construction at 8.2% rounding out the top five. This mix reflects the Riverland's irrigation and horticulture economy underpinned by public sector services. Labourers are the largest occupation group (128), ahead of Managers (114) and Professionals (93). Unemployment is low at 2.7% and the full-time employment rate is 60.9%, though participation sits at 62.1%, below the national rate. All four SEIFA indexes score decile 1 nationally, indicating below-average economic resources and education-occupation advantage compared to most Australian suburbs.
Unemployment
6.2%
Labour Force
2,224
Unemployed
138
Quarterly Trend
Source: SALM Dec-25
Socio-Economic Indexes (SEIFA)iABS index ranking suburbs from 1 (most disadvantaged) to 10 (most advantaged)
Full-time
60.9%
Part-time
36.4%
Participation
62.1%
Employed
653
Occupations
Top Industries
University
15.6%
Postgraduate
1.7%
Born Overseas
9.0%
Dwellings
488
Transport to Work
Car dependence is very high: 89.4% of residents drive to work, while only 1.2% use public transport and 5.5% walk or cycle, reflecting the low-density 33.63 km2 footprint with limited transit infrastructure. No schools are recorded within the suburb boundary, so families access education in neighbouring Renmark. The crime rate of 9.6 incidents per 1,000 residents is low in absolute terms. Housing stress is minimal, with rent-to-income at 11.9% and mortgage-to-income at 16.7%, both below conventional stress thresholds. Volunteering participation is 17.9% and 4.8% of residents need daily assistance. The IRSAD decile 1 ranking signals below-average access to services and resources nationally, a trade-off for the low housing costs and open Riverland setting.
Drive
89.4%
Public Transport
1.2%
Walk / Cycle
5.5%
Work from Home
N/A
Population Forecast
+0.21%/yr
(+10 people/yr)
EstablishedPopulation growth is slow but positive: the annual trend adds about 10 persons per year (0.21%), and the medium forecast projects the broader Renmark area rising from approximately 4,733 residents in 2025 to 4,869 by 2031. The suburb grew 7.2% over the past decade. Net internal migration averages negative 54 annually, offset by overseas arrivals of 44 per year, so overseas migration is the primary growth driver. The population trajectory is aging, with the senior share up 5.4 points over the decade. Affordability has improved, with the affordability ratio falling from 36.2% in 2011 to 33.2% in 2021. The gentrification score of 37 places the suburb at early-signs stage, but the separate gentrification assessment rates it as not gentrifying, meaning no sustained uplift signal is yet confirmed.
Historical + Forecast
Hamilton-Perry + Holt smoothing on ERP 2001-2025
Age Cohort Forecast
Primary Driver
Overseas Migration
Net Overseas / yr
+44
Net Internal / yr
-54
Gentrification Signal
Not gentrifying
Safety & Crime
Total Offences
13
Year ending June 2024
Rate per 1,000 People
9.6
Source: Crime Statistics Agency Victoria / SA Police
National Ranking iPercentile rank among ~15,000 AU suburbs. 90% = higher than 90% of suburbs
How Renmark West compares to ~15,000 Australian suburbs
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Renmark West a good suburb to live in?
Renmark West offers low housing costs with mortgage-to-income at 16.7% and rent-to-income at 11.9%, well below stress thresholds. Crime is low at 9.6 incidents per 1,000 residents. The main limitations are a SEIFA decile 1 ranking nationally, high car dependence at 89.4%, and no schools recorded within the suburb boundary.
What is the median house price in Renmark West?
No current median house price is available for Renmark West. Monthly mortgage repayments average $1,218, giving a mortgage-to-income ratio of 16.7%, which is well below the 30% stress level. Weekly rent averages $200, with a rent-to-income ratio of 11.9%.
What schools are in Renmark West?
No schools are recorded within the Renmark West suburb boundary. Families use schools in neighbouring Renmark. Locally, 15.6% of residents hold university qualifications, which is 14.5 percentage points below the national figure, reflecting the suburb's trade and agricultural workforce base.
Is Renmark West safe?
Renmark West recorded a crime rate of 9.6 incidents per 1,000 residents, which is low in absolute terms. Housing stress indicators are also low: rent-to-income sits at 11.9% and mortgage-to-income at 16.7%, both below conventional stress benchmarks, and only 4.8% of residents need daily assistance.
Is Renmark West good for property investment?
Rental yield potential is limited by a weekly rent of $200 and an 11.8% vacancy rate, which is elevated compared to metro markets. The renter share is 12.7%, a thin pool. Rent grew 33.3% over the measured period, and real income growth of 18.2% over the decade supports affordability. The 28 development applications in the past 12 months show ongoing activity rather than stagnation.
How is Renmark West's population changing?
Annual growth runs at 0.21%, adding about 10 residents per year. The suburb grew 7.2% over the past decade. Net internal migration averages negative 54 per year, offset by 44 overseas arrivals annually, making overseas migration the primary growth driver. The medium forecast projects the broader area reaching 4,869 by 2031.
How much development is happening in Renmark West?
There were 28 development applications lodged in the past 12 months, including projects such as re-roofing, external cladding installation, and domestic outbuildings. Activity reflects maintenance and incremental improvement of the existing 94.5% separate-house stock rather than significant new dwelling supply.
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 Renmark West on the Map
View parcels, zoning overlays, DA applications, schools and more.
Open Interactive Map