SA 5108 Census 2021 + Live DA Data

Salisbury North

SEIFA decile 1 across all four indices places Salisbury North in the bottom 10% of Australian suburbs on every measure of socioeconomic advantage, yet the population has grown 18.3% over the past decade. The $753,000 median house price jumped 20.5% in a single year from $625,000, one of the sharpest annual increases in Adelaide's north. Labourers (796) outnumber Professionals as the top occupation, an unusual inversion that sits 15.9 percentage points below the national university rate at only 14.2%. Household income at the 16.2 percentile is among the lowest in metropolitan Adelaide, while the 11.0% unemployment rate runs roughly double the national average.

Salisbury North urban fabric map

Population

10,683

Median Age

35.0

Household IncomeiMedian weekly household income (ABS Census)

$1,068/wk

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

96

Median House

$753K

Median 1Q 2026

4.26 km²· 2,506.6 people/km²· Family income $1,292/wk

The $753,000 median house price surged 20.5% from $625,000 in just one year, a sharp acceleration. Detached houses dominate at 72.6%, with semi-detached at 26.9% and virtually no apartments at 0.5%, a structure that indicates active subdivision of older blocks into townhouses. Three-bedroom homes make up an extraordinary 71.1% of all dwellings, the highest three-bedroom concentration in this dataset. Mortgage-to-income ratio of 24.4% sits comfortably below the 30% stress threshold, partly because mortgage repayments at $1,127 per month are among the lowest in Adelaide. Household income at the 16.2 percentile is very low, but the affordable price point keeps repayments manageable. The 5.0% vacancy rate is within normal bounds.

For Buyers

The $753,000 median house price surged 20.5% from $625,000 in just one year, a sharp acceleration. Detached houses dominate at 72.6%, with semi-detached at 26.9% and virtually no apartments at 0.5%, a structure that indicates active subdivision of older blocks into townhouses. Three-bedroom homes make up an extraordinary 71.1% of all dwellings, the highest three-bedroom concentration in this dataset. Mortgage-to-income ratio of 24.4% sits comfortably below the 30% stress threshold, partly because mortgage repayments at $1,127 per month are among the lowest in Adelaide. Household income at the 16.2 percentile is very low, but the affordable price point keeps repayments manageable. The 5.0% vacancy rate is within normal bounds.

For Investors

Renters account for 40.8% of households, above the national average, creating a deep tenant pool. Weekly rent of $260 is among Adelaide's lowest, producing moderate relative affordability for tenants. Against a $753,000 median, gross yield calculates to roughly 1.8%, compressed by the recent price surge. The 5.0% vacancy rate is healthy. Development activity is strong at 79 applications in 12 months, dominated by two-dwelling builds, signalling active infill. Overseas migration at 206 per year drives population growth, offset by 280 internal departures, meaning the suburb is a first-settlement zone for migrants who later move to middle-ring suburbs. Population growth at 1.26% per year (238 persons) is above the national average.

Development Activity

Total DAs

410

Last 12 Months

96

YoY ChangeiYear-over-year change in DA lodgements

+26.3%

Avg DA CostiAverage estimated cost per DA in the past year

N/A

Monthly DA Lodgements

DA Categories

Tree Removal
40
Deck / Pergola / Patio
28
Subdivision
27
Garage / Carport / Shed
27
New Dwelling
15
Renovation / Extension
10
Commercial / Industrial
6
Fencing
5

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

Lake Windemere B-6 School

ICSEA 924 Primary Government

U, R-6 · 426 students

Salisbury High School

ICSEA 907 Secondary Government

U, 7-12 · 1058 students

Salisbury North Primary School

ICSEA 897 Primary Government

U, R-6 · 343 students

Demographics

English (3,609) ancestry leads, with Scottish (644) and German (551) following, reflecting South Australia's European settlement heritage. The 29.5% overseas-born share sits 7.9 points above national. Nepali (140 speakers), Khmer (81), Arabic (67), Serbian (41) and Greek (34) lead non-English languages, an eclectic mix pointing to refugee-resettlement patterns. University qualifications at just 14.2% run 15.9 points below the national average, the widest negative gap in this dataset. Median age of 35 sits 5 years below national. Islam (568) and Buddhism (487) both have significant communities alongside Christianity (3,549). The 11.3% needing daily assistance (1,123 people) is well above the national average, correlating with SEIFA decile 1 disadvantage.

Age Distribution

0-14
20.8%
15-24
12.7%
25-44
29.6%
45-64
22.4%
65+
14.6%

Bedrooms

Studio/1br
2.9%
2 bed
11.7%
3 bed
71.1%
4+ bed
14.3%

Dwelling Structure

72.6%

Houses

26.9%

Townhouse

0.5%

Apartment

Tenure

Own 22.5% Mortgage 36.7% Rent 40.8%

Mortgage holders at 36.7% lead tenure, with renters at 40.8% and outright owners at 22.5%. Three-bedroom homes account for a striking 71.1% of all dwellings, well above any national average, reflecting the post-war Housing Trust fabric. Semi-detached stock at 26.9% is high, indicating active conversion of single houses to dual-occupancy townhouses. Prices jumped 20.5% in one year from $625,000 to $753,000. Rent-to-income at 24.3% and mortgage-to-income at 24.4% both sit below stress thresholds, but the low income base (percentile 16.2) means even modest increases would tip into stress territory. The near-zero apartment share (0.5%) distinguishes Salisbury North from other high-renter suburbs that usually have more units.

Median House Price Trend

Source: State Valuer-General

Mortgage / mo

$1,127

Rent / wk

$260

HH Size

2.5

Personal Income / wk

$540

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

5.0%

Unoccupied

203

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

24.3%

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

24.4%

Community Profile

Languages Spoken at Home

Nepali
140
Khmer
81
Arabic
67
Serbian
41
Greek
34
Punjabi
30

Ancestry

English
3,609
Other
2,102
Ancestry NS
800
Scottish
644
German
551
Irish
549

Household Composition

19.2%

Couples, no children

8,064

Total families

Economy & Employment

Healthcare dominates at 24.5%, followed by Manufacturing at 10.2%, Retail at 8.4%, Education at 7.7% and Construction at 7.0%. The manufacturing share, well above the national average, ties to the Edinburgh RAAF base and adjacent industrial precincts. Labourers (796) are the largest occupation, followed by Community/Personal Service (590) and Machinery/Drivers (494), a heavily blue-collar profile. The 11.0% unemployment rate runs roughly double the national average, and the 47.4% participation rate is low. SEIFA decile 1 across all four indices is the starkest possible reading of disadvantage. Real income growth of just 2.4% over the decade barely kept pace with inflation, meaning purchasing power has stagnated.

Unemployment

9.6%

Labour Force

8,340

Unemployed

804

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
1
Disadvantage
1
Economic resources
1
Education & occupation
1

Full-time

60.9%

Part-time

28.1%

Participation

47.4%

Employed

3,569

Occupations

Labourers 796
Community/Personal 590
Machinery/Drivers 494
Clerical/Admin 416
Sales 351
Professionals 295
Managers 221

Top Industries

Healthcare 24.5%
Manufacturing 10.2%
Retail 8.4%
Education 7.7%
Construction 7.0%

University

14.2%

Postgraduate

2.4%

Born Overseas

29.5%

Dwellings

3,882

Transport to Work

Car dependence is high at 87.4% driver share, with public transport at 3.3% and walking/cycling at just 1.5%, among the lowest nationally. Schools all sit below the national ICSEA benchmark of 1,000: Lake Windemere B-6 (924, Government, 426 students), Salisbury High School (907, Government secondary, 1,058 students) and Salisbury North Primary (897, Government, 343 students). The IEO decile 1 reading, the lowest nationally, is consistent with these below-average school scores. Crime totalled 810 incidents at 75.8 per 1,000 residents, above the Adelaide metropolitan median. The 11.3% needing assistance rate is well above average.

Drive

87.4%

Public Transport

3.3%

Walk / Cycle

1.5%

Work from Home

N/A

Population Forecast

+1.26%/yr

(+238 people/yr)

Established

Population grew 18.3% over the past decade, with trend growth at 1.26% per year (238 persons annually). Overseas migration at 206 per year drives growth, but 280 internal departures per year mean the suburb is a stepping-stone for migrants who settle initially then move to better suburbs. The gentrification score of 16 confirms no gentrification signal. Affordability has remained stable at roughly 45.0-45.5% between 2011 and 2021. The young-adult share declined only 0.9 points while seniors rose 2.8 points, moderate aging by national standards. Medium projections forecast 20,853 by 2031, up from 18,931 in 2025.

Historical + Forecast

Hamilton-Perry + Holt smoothing on ERP 2001-2025

Age Cohort Forecast

Primary Driver

Overseas Migration

Net Overseas / yr

+206

Net Internal / yr

-280

16

Gentrification Signal

Not gentrifying

Population +17% since 2011, Net internal outflow -280/yr, Strong overseas inflow +206/yr

Safety & Crime

Total Offences

810

Year ending June 2024

Rate per 1,000 People

75.8

Source: Crime Statistics Agency Victoria / SA Police

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

How Salisbury North compares to ~15,000 Australian suburbs

Population
Top 4%
Household Income
Bottom 16%
Rent Level
Bottom 49%
Apartments
Bottom 10%
Renters
Top 15%
Uni Educated
Bottom 16%
Public Transport
Top 50%
Born Overseas
Top 14%
Density
Top 5%

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Salisbury North a good suburb to live in?

Salisbury North is affordable with a $753,000 median and mortgage-to-income of 24.4%. However, SEIFA decile 1 across all four indices places it in the bottom 10% nationally. Crime sits at 75.8 per 1,000 residents, above the Adelaide median. All 3 local schools score below the ICSEA benchmark of 1,000. Unemployment at 11.0% runs double the national rate.

What is the median house price in Salisbury North?

The median house price in Salisbury North is $753,000 as of 1Q 2026, surging 20.5% from $625,000 in 1Q 2025. Monthly mortgage repayments sit at $1,127 and weekly rent is $260. Mortgage-to-income ratio at 24.4% remains below the 30% stress threshold despite the sharp price increase, because household income at the 16.2 percentile keeps repayments modest.

What schools are in Salisbury North?

Salisbury North has 3 schools, all below the national ICSEA benchmark of 1,000. Lake Windemere B-6 School (924, Government, 426 students), Salisbury High School (907, Government secondary, 1,058 students) and Salisbury North Primary (897, Government, 343 students). The IEO decile 1 reading confirms the lowest educational advantage nationally.

Is Salisbury North safe?

Salisbury North recorded 810 offences at 75.8 per 1,000 residents, above the Adelaide metropolitan median. SEIFA IRSD decile 1 and 11.0% unemployment correlate with elevated crime. Detailed crime category breakdowns are not available in the dataset. The 11.3% needing daily assistance is also well above the national average.

Is Salisbury North good for property investment?

Salisbury North's 40.8% renter share supplies a deep tenant pool. Prices surged 20.5% in one year to $753,000, compressing the gross yield to roughly 1.8% ($260 weekly rent). Vacancy at 5.0% is healthy. Development at 79 DAs in 12 months (mostly dual-occupancy) signals active infill. Population growth at 1.26% per year (238 persons) is above the national average.

How is Salisbury North's population changing?

Salisbury North's population sits at roughly 18,931, having grown 18.3% over the past decade. Annual growth runs at 1.26% (238 persons per year). Overseas migration of 206 per year is the primary driver, but 280 internal departures mean it functions as a first-settlement stepping-stone. Median age of 35 is 5 years below national. Medium projections forecast 20,853 by 2031.

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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