Rostrevor
Italian ancestry ranks second in Rostrevor (1,788 residents), nearly matching English (1,982) and far exceeding the typical Anglo-Celtic dominance seen in most Australian suburbs. This heritage creates a distinctive character, with Italian as the most spoken non-English language (310 speakers). The median house price surged 18.7% in one year to $1,304,000, yet the crime rate of 17.4 per 1,000 is one of the lowest in this cohort, roughly 8 times lower than Ararat and 10 times lower than Oakleigh. University attainment at 50.6% sits 20.5 percentage points above the national rate, supporting a professional workforce where 1,246 of 3,891 employed residents hold professional roles.
Population
8,452
Median Age
41.0
Household IncomeiMedian weekly household income (ABS Census)
$1,791/wk
DAs (12 months)iDevelopment Applications lodged in the past year
58
Median House
$1.3M
Median 1Q 2026
The $1,304,000 median reflects a 18.7% surge from $1,099,000 in early 2025, outpacing nearly every comparable Adelaide suburb. Monthly mortgage of $1,950 against household income of $1,791 per week produces a mortgage-to-income ratio of 25.1%. Three-bedroom homes dominate at 53.9%, with 35.0% having 4+ bedrooms, suiting established families. Only 19.6% of residents rent, while 43.9% own outright, indicating a suburb where long-term holders have built substantial equity. The 78.9% detached-house share is supplemented by 15.2% semi-detached and 5.9% apartments, offering some entry-level diversity compared to pure detached suburbs.
For Buyers
The $1,304,000 median reflects a 18.7% surge from $1,099,000 in early 2025, outpacing nearly every comparable Adelaide suburb. Monthly mortgage of $1,950 against household income of $1,791 per week produces a mortgage-to-income ratio of 25.1%. Three-bedroom homes dominate at 53.9%, with 35.0% having 4+ bedrooms, suiting established families. Only 19.6% of residents rent, while 43.9% own outright, indicating a suburb where long-term holders have built substantial equity. The 78.9% detached-house share is supplemented by 15.2% semi-detached and 5.9% apartments, offering some entry-level diversity compared to pure detached suburbs.
For Investors
The 19.6% renter share is one of the lowest in this cohort, limiting the tenant pool. Weekly rent of $380 against a $1,304,000 median produces a very thin gross yield under 2%, making Rostrevor a capital-growth play rather than an income investment. Vacancy at 5.2% is moderate. Rent grew 34.1% over the decade, though this barely dents the low yield. Population grows at 1.31% annually (344 people per year), driven by strong overseas inflow of 544 per year, partially offset by internal outflow of 76. The 56 development applications in 12 months, including land divisions and double-storey dwelling proposals, signal densification potential.
Development Activity
Total DAs
345
Last 12 Months
58
YoY ChangeiYear-over-year change in DA lodgements
+18.4%
Avg DA CostiAverage estimated cost per DA in the past year
N/A
Monthly DA Lodgements
DA Categories
Schools in Rostrevor iICSEA: school advantage index. 1000 = national avg, higher = more advantaged
Stradbroke School
U, R-6 · 694 students
Morialta Secondary College
U, 7-10 · 570 students
Demographics
Italian heritage defines Rostrevor's character: 1,788 residents claim Italian ancestry, and 310 speak Italian at home, the highest non-English language count. Chinese ancestry follows at 943, with Mandarin (270 speakers) as the second language. With 38.2% born overseas (16.6 points above national), the suburb blends Southern European and Asian migration waves. University attainment of 50.6% is 20.5 points above national, and professionals dominate occupations (1,246). The median age of 41 is 1 year above national. Household size of 2.7 is slightly above average, reflecting multigenerational Italian-heritage households and Asian family units.
Age Distribution
Bedrooms
Dwelling Structure
78.9%
Houses
15.2%
Townhouse
5.9%
Apartment
Tenure
The price jumped from $1,099,000 to $1,304,000 in one year (18.7% growth). Detached houses make up 78.9% of stock, with semi-detached at 15.2% and apartments at 5.9%. Three-bedroom homes dominate (53.9%), and 35.0% have 4+ bedrooms. Ownership is strong: 43.9% outright (well above national) and 36.5% mortgaged, with only 19.6% renting. This is a suburb of established homeowners. Mortgage stress at 25.1% is manageable, though the rapid price rise will push this higher for new buyers. Affordability improved over the decade (50.3% to 45.3% price-to-income ratio), but the recent 18.7% spike may reverse that trend.
Median House Price Trend
Source: State Valuer-General
Mortgage / mo
$1,950
Rent / wk
$380
HH Size
2.7
Personal Income / wk
$783
Vacancy Ratei% of dwellings unoccupied on Census night (ABS 2021)
5.2%
Unoccupied
171
Rent / IncomeiMedian rent as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
21.2%
Mortgage / IncomeiMedian mortgage as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
25.1%
Community Profile
Languages Spoken at Home
Ancestry
Household Composition
23.4%
Couples, no children
7,140
Total families
Economy & Employment
Healthcare leads at 19.0% (561 workers), followed by education (14.0%), professional services (11.4%), public administration (8.3%), and construction (8.0%). Professionals dominate occupations (1,246), ahead of managers (583) and clerical workers (578). This is a knowledge-economy suburb with white-collar employment above the national average. Unemployment at 5.1% is near the national rate. The SEIFA IEO decile of 8 (education/occupation) confirms top-30% ranking for human capital, while IRSAD decile 7 and IRSD decile 6 indicate above-average overall advantage. The 17.5% volunteering rate exceeds many comparable suburbs.
Unemployment
3.1%
Labour Force
14,832
Unemployed
464
Quarterly Trend
Source: SALM Dec-25
Socio-Economic Indexes (SEIFA)iABS index ranking suburbs from 1 (most disadvantaged) to 10 (most advantaged)
Full-time
59.7%
Part-time
35.2%
Participation
59.4%
Employed
3,891
Occupations
Top Industries
University
50.6%
Postgraduate
14.8%
Born Overseas
38.2%
Dwellings
3,085
Transport to Work
Two schools serve the area: Stradbroke School (government primary, ICSEA 1111, 694 students) and Morialta Secondary College (government secondary, ICSEA 1075, 570 students). Both rank well above the national ICSEA median of 1000, making Rostrevor a strong catchment for public education. The crime rate of 17.4 per 1,000 is very low compared to state and national averages. Public transport at 7.4% is moderate, with 85.4% driving. The SEIFA IRSAD decile of 7 places the suburb in the top 40% nationally. The 56 development applications suggest ongoing neighbourhood renewal without the disruption of mass construction.
Drive
85.4%
Public Transport
7.4%
Walk / Cycle
1.7%
Work from Home
N/A
Population Forecast
+1.31%/yr
(+344 people/yr)
EstablishedPopulation is expanding at 1.31% per year, adding 344 residents annually, driven by strong overseas migration of 544 per year. Internal migration runs at -76, meaning some established residents leave as new migrants arrive. Medium projections show 27,893 by 2031, up from 26,237 in 2025. Early gentrification signals have appeared: population grew 23% since 2011, growth is accelerating from 4% to 19%, and overseas inflows are strong. The senior share actually declined 1.6 points, unusual for an older suburb, because the migrant inflow skews working-age. Real income grew 20.9% over the decade, above the national pace.
Historical + Forecast
Hamilton-Perry + Holt smoothing on ERP 2001-2025
Age Cohort Forecast
Primary Driver
Overseas Migration
Net Overseas / yr
+544
Net Internal / yr
-76
Gentrification Signal
Early signs
Population +23% since 2011, Strong overseas inflow +544/yr, Accelerating: 4% → 19%
Safety & Crime
Total Offences
147
Year ending June 2024
Rate per 1,000 People
17.4
Source: Crime Statistics Agency Victoria / SA Police
National Ranking iPercentile rank among ~15,000 AU suburbs. 90% = higher than 90% of suburbs
How Rostrevor compares to ~15,000 Australian suburbs
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Rostrevor a good suburb to live in?
Rostrevor stands out for its safety (17.4 per 1,000 crime rate), strong schools (both ICSEA 1075+), and professional community (50.6% university educated). The Italian-heritage character gives it a distinctive identity. At $1,304,000 median, it requires substantial investment, but mortgage stress at 25.1% remains manageable for the target demographic.
What is the median house price in Rostrevor?
The median house price is $1,304,000 as of Q1 2026, up 18.7% from $1,099,000 in Q1 2025. Three-bedroom homes dominate at 53.9% of stock. Monthly mortgage repayments average $1,950, with a mortgage-to-income ratio of 25.1%. Ownership is high at 80.4% (outright plus mortgage), reflecting established homeowner wealth.
What schools are in Rostrevor?
Rostrevor has 2 schools: Stradbroke School (government primary, ICSEA 1111, 694 students) and Morialta Secondary College (government secondary, ICSEA 1075, 570 students). Both score well above the national ICSEA median of 1000. Stradbroke's ICSEA of 1111 places it in the top tier of SA government primary schools.
Is Rostrevor safe?
The crime rate of 17.4 per 1,000 residents is one of the lowest in this analysis, roughly 8 times lower than Ararat (135.9) and 10 times lower than Oakleigh (172.8). Combined with the 43.9% outright ownership rate, 50.6% university education, and SEIFA IRSAD decile 7, Rostrevor is among the safer Adelaide suburbs.
Is Rostrevor good for property investment?
Capital growth has been exceptional (18.7% in one year), but rental yield is thin at under 2% ($380 weekly rent on $1,304,000). Only 19.6% of residents rent, limiting the tenant pool. Population growth of 1.31% per year and 544 net overseas arrivals provide demand support. The 56 development applications suggest future densification. This is a growth play, not an income play.
How is Rostrevor's population changing?
Population grows at 1.31% per year (344 people annually), driven by overseas migration of 544 net arrivals. Unusually, the senior share actually declined 1.6 points because migrant inflows skew working-age. Early gentrification signals include 23% population growth since 2011 and accelerating growth rates. Projections show 27,893 by 2031, up from 26,237 in 2025.
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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