SA 5161 Census 2021 + Live DA Data

Reynella East

At a median age of 45, Reynella East sits 5 years above the national figure, and the household income in the 26.1st percentile nationally explains why. House prices reached $857,000 in 1Q 2026, up 14.3% in a single year from $750,000, which is notable for a suburb with SEIFA IRSAD in decile 3. Owner-occupiers dominate strongly, with 86.3% of dwellings being separate houses and 85.0% of residents buying or owning outright, producing a stable but low-turnover market. The suburb is firmly in slow-growth, aging territory, with the senior share up 5.4 points over the decade.

Reynella East urban fabric map

Population

1,990

Median Age

45.0

Household IncomeiMedian weekly household income (ABS Census)

$1,215/wk

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

20

Median House

$857K

Median 1Q 2026

1.35 km²· 1,477.5 people/km²· Family income $1,581/wk

The median house price of $857,000 in 1Q 2026 is high relative to the local income base, which sits in the 26.1st percentile nationally. Monthly mortgage repayments average $1,385, giving a mortgage-to-income ratio of 26.3%, which is below the 30% stress threshold and keeps buyers financially comfortable compared to many SA markets. Separate houses make up 86.3% of the stock, far above the national average, and three-bedroom homes account for 65.5% of all dwellings. The 14.3% price growth over the past year from $750,000 signals strong demand, yet 37.4% of residents own outright, suggesting many households entered the market earlier at lower prices. Semi-detached dwellings at 12.1% offer a lower entry point into an otherwise house-dominated suburb.

For Buyers

The median house price of $857,000 in 1Q 2026 is high relative to the local income base, which sits in the 26.1st percentile nationally. Monthly mortgage repayments average $1,385, giving a mortgage-to-income ratio of 26.3%, which is below the 30% stress threshold and keeps buyers financially comfortable compared to many SA markets. Separate houses make up 86.3% of the stock, far above the national average, and three-bedroom homes account for 65.5% of all dwellings. The 14.3% price growth over the past year from $750,000 signals strong demand, yet 37.4% of residents own outright, suggesting many households entered the market earlier at lower prices. Semi-detached dwellings at 12.1% offer a lower entry point into an otherwise house-dominated suburb.

For Investors

The investor case is modest but steady. Weekly rent of $315 against an $857,000 median implies a gross yield near 1.9%, below average for SA. The 5.0% vacancy rate is elevated, indicating soft rental demand relative to stock. Only 15.0% of residents rent, which is low nationally, limiting the tenant pool. Net migration runs at roughly 34 internal and 51 overseas residents per year, providing thin but consistent demand support. The suburb recorded 18 development applications in the past 12 months, with small-scale residential works dominating. Price growth of 14.3% in one year is the strongest investment signal, but the low rental yield means returns depend heavily on continued capital appreciation rather than income.

Development Activity

Total DAs

73

Last 12 Months

20

YoY ChangeiYear-over-year change in DA lodgements

+42.9%

Avg DA CostiAverage estimated cost per DA in the past year

N/A

Monthly DA Lodgements

DA Categories

Deck / Pergola / Patio
13
Garage / Carport / Shed
6
Renovation / Extension
6
Commercial / Industrial
3
Roofing
2
Subdivision
2
Other
1
Landscaping / Retaining Wall
1

Schools in Reynella East iICSEA: school advantage index. 1000 = national avg, higher = more advantaged

Reynella East College

ICSEA 988 Combined Government

U, R-12 · 1938 students

Demographics

The median age of 45 is 5.0 years above the national figure and reflects a clear aging trajectory: the senior share rose 5.4 points while the working-age share fell 3.2 points over the decade. Overseas-born residents at 19.9% are 1.7 points below the national average, consistent with the suburb's anglo-leaning ancestry led by English (988 residents), German (194) and Scottish (190). University qualifications at 22.0% run 8.1 points below the national rate, pointing to a trade and service-sector workforce rather than a professional knowledge economy. Average household size is 2.3, slightly below the national figure. Couples without children (33.2% of families) are as common as couples with children (515 families), reinforcing the older household composition.

Age Distribution

0-14
15.8%
15-24
9.9%
25-44
24.1%
45-64
24.5%
65+
25.6%

Bedrooms

Studio/1br
2.5%
2 bed
12.2%
3 bed
65.5%
4+ bed
19.9%

Dwelling Structure

86.3%

Houses

12.1%

Townhouse

1.6%

Apartment

Tenure

Own 37.4% Mortgage 47.6% Rent 15.0%

Reynella East is overwhelmingly owner-occupied and detached: 86.3% of dwellings are separate houses, compared to the national average that skews far lower, and 85.0% of residents are either owning outright (37.4%) or paying a mortgage (47.6%). Three-bedroom homes at 65.5% dominate the stock, followed by four-plus bedroom dwellings at 19.9%. The median house price climbed 14.3% from $750,000 in 1Q 2025 to $857,000 in 1Q 2026. Monthly mortgage repayments average $1,385 with a mortgage-to-income ratio of 26.3%, below the stress threshold, and rent-to-income sits at 25.9%. Low turnover is confirmed by the 86.1% of residents who did not move in the past five years, which is above average nationally and suppresses listing volumes.

Median House Price Trend

Source: State Valuer-General

Mortgage / mo

$1,385

Rent / wk

$315

HH Size

2.3

Personal Income / wk

$660

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

5.0%

Unoccupied

45

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

25.9%

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

26.3%

Community Profile

Ancestry

English
988
German
194
Scottish
190
Irish
174
Other
145
Ancestry NS
80

Household Composition

33.2%

Couples, no children

1,549

Total families

Economy & Employment

Healthcare is the dominant employer at 24.4% of the local workforce (136 workers), far outpacing Public Admin and Education, each at 10.4% (58 workers). Construction at 9.7% and Manufacturing at 7.9% reflect the suburb's trade and manual-sector leanings. By occupation, Professionals (149) and Community/Personal service workers (137) lead, but Labourers (80) are the fourth-largest group, consistent with SEIFA IEO decile 3, which is significantly below average nationally. The unemployment rate of 6.1% is higher than typical SA suburban benchmarks, and the participation rate of 53.0% is low, partly because 677 residents are not in the labour force, influenced by the older age profile. Household weekly income of $1,215 places the suburb in the 26.1st percentile nationally.

Unemployment

3.8%

Labour Force

5,936

Unemployed

225

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
3
Disadvantage
4
Economic resources
4
Education & occupation
3

Full-time

58.4%

Part-time

35.5%

Participation

53.0%

Employed

837

Occupations

Professionals 149
Community/Personal 137
Clerical/Admin 122
Labourers 80
Managers 78
Sales 72
Machinery/Drivers 60

Top Industries

Healthcare 24.4%
Public Admin 10.4%
Education 10.4%
Construction 9.7%
Manufacturing 7.9%

University

22.0%

Postgraduate

4.1%

Born Overseas

19.9%

Dwellings

852

Transport to Work

Car dependency is very high, with 92.0% of residents driving to work, well above the national average, and public transport use at just 4.1% reflects limited transit infrastructure. Schools are not recorded inside the suburb boundary, so families rely on nearby institutions. The crime rate of 40.2 incidents per 1,000 residents (80 total offences) provides a baseline, though context against SA state averages is needed for a full safety picture. The IRSAD decile 3 score places the suburb in the lower advantage tier compared to SA and national benchmarks. However, housing stress indicators are manageable: mortgage-to-income at 26.3% and rent-to-income at 25.9% both sit below the 30% stress threshold, and the volunteering rate of 15.5% reflects moderate community engagement.

Drive

92.0%

Public Transport

4.1%

Walk / Cycle

1.1%

Work from Home

N/A

Population Forecast

+0.42%/yr

(+46 people/yr)

Established

Population growth is modest, running at 0.42% annually or roughly 46 persons per year, and medium forecasts project the area reaching around 10,957 by 2031 from 10,848 in 2025. Migration is balanced, with an average of 34 net internal and 51 net overseas arrivals per year. The 10-year population change of 5.2% confirms slow but steady expansion, below the national growth pace. The suburb shows early gentrification signals, scoring 21 on the gentrification index, though the formal classification remains early signs rather than active gentrification. Rent growth of 22.6% over the period and real income growth of 4.8% suggest improving affordability fundamentals, with the affordability index shifting from 48.5% in 2011 to 46.2% in 2021.

Historical + Forecast

Hamilton-Perry + Holt smoothing on ERP 2001-2025

Age Cohort Forecast

Primary Driver

Balanced

Net Overseas / yr

+51

Net Internal / yr

+34

0

Gentrification Signal

Not gentrifying

Safety & Crime

Total Offences

80

Year ending June 2024

Rate per 1,000 People

40.2

Source: Crime Statistics Agency Victoria / SA Police

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

How Reynella East compares to ~15,000 Australian suburbs

Population
Top 22%
Household Income
Bottom 26%
Rent Level
Top 35%
Apartments
Bottom 30%
Renters
Bottom 33%
Uni Educated
Bottom 44%
Public Transport
Top 42%
Born Overseas
Top 30%
Density
Top 12%

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Reynella East a good suburb to live in?

Reynella East suits established owner-occupier families, with 86.3% of dwellings being separate houses and 85.0% of residents owning or buying their home. The mortgage-to-income ratio of 26.3% is below the stress threshold. It scores IRSAD decile 3, below the national average, so amenity levels are lower than premium SA suburbs, but housing stress is low.

What is the median house price in Reynella East?

The median house price reached $857,000 in 1Q 2026, up 14.3% from $750,000 in 1Q 2025. Monthly mortgage repayments average $1,385, and the mortgage-to-income ratio of 26.3% is below the 30% stress threshold, making it relatively affordable compared to many metropolitan areas.

What schools are in Reynella East?

No schools are recorded inside the Reynella East suburb boundary in this dataset. Families rely on schools in neighbouring suburbs. The local university qualification rate is 22.0%, which is 8.1 points below the national figure, reflecting the area's trade and service-sector workforce profile.

Is Reynella East safe?

The suburb recorded 80 total crime incidents, giving a rate of 40.2 per 1,000 residents. The low-vacancy, high-owner-occupier character (85.0% owning or buying) is often associated with neighbourhood stability. The IRSAD decile 3 score indicates below-average advantage, which can correlate with higher crime rates than wealthier suburbs nationally.

Is Reynella East good for property investment?

The 14.3% price growth in one year (from $750,000 to $857,000) is strong, but the investment fundamentals are modest. Weekly rent of $315 implies a gross yield near 1.9% against the median price. The 5.0% vacancy rate is elevated, and only 15.0% of residents rent, limiting the tenant pool compared to national averages.

How is Reynella East's population changing?

The suburb is growing slowly at 0.42% per year, adding around 46 residents annually. The 10-year population change was 5.2%, below average nationally. The demographic trajectory is aging, with the senior share up 5.4 points and the working-age share down 3.2 points over the decade, suggesting demand will increasingly skew to downsizers and empty-nesters.

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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