Salisbury
Salisbury records a crime rate of 197.5 per 1,000 residents, an 11.6% unemployment rate, and sits in the 1st SEIFA decile across all four indices. These are among the most challenging socioeconomic metrics in metropolitan Adelaide. Yet median house prices surged 22.6% in one year to $810,500, a figure that seems disconnected from household incomes in the 14th percentile ($1,029/week). This price spike likely reflects broader Adelaide market pressure rather than local gentrification, since the gentrification score sits at just 16 with net internal outflow of -292 people per year.
Population
8,841
Median Age
37.0
Household IncomeiMedian weekly household income (ABS Census)
$1,029/wk
DAs (12 months)iDevelopment Applications lodged in the past year
89
Median House
$810K
Median 1Q 2026
The $810,500 median creates a striking affordability tension: household incomes are in the 14th percentile nationally at $1,029/week, yet prices rose 22.6% in one year from $661,000. Mortgage stress at 27.2% sits below the 30% threshold, but this is because most buyers carry modest loan sizes (monthly repayments average $1,213). Three-bedroom homes dominate at 52.3%, and only 14.1% have 4+ bedrooms. St Augustine's Parish School (ICSEA 981, 664 students) and Salisbury Primary (ICSEA 913, 360 students) both score below the national ICSEA average of 1000.
For Buyers
The $810,500 median creates a striking affordability tension: household incomes are in the 14th percentile nationally at $1,029/week, yet prices rose 22.6% in one year from $661,000. Mortgage stress at 27.2% sits below the 30% threshold, but this is because most buyers carry modest loan sizes (monthly repayments average $1,213). Three-bedroom homes dominate at 52.3%, and only 14.1% have 4+ bedrooms. St Augustine's Parish School (ICSEA 981, 664 students) and Salisbury Primary (ICSEA 913, 360 students) both score below the national ICSEA average of 1000.
For Investors
The 43.9% renter share provides a large tenant pool, and weekly rent of $260 keeps entry accessible for low-income renters. However, the 7.3% vacancy rate is above equilibrium, and the 11.6% unemployment rate raises tenant payment risk. Rent grew 35% over the decade, driven by Adelaide's tightening rental market. With 89 development applications in 12 months (dominated by land divisions and battle-axe subdivisions), infill is intense. Overseas migration (+331/year) drives population growth despite internal outflow of -292/year. The gentrification score of 16 indicates no meaningful upgrading.
Development Activity
Total DAs
402
Last 12 Months
89
YoY ChangeiYear-over-year change in DA lodgements
+39.1%
Avg DA CostiAverage estimated cost per DA in the past year
N/A
Monthly DA Lodgements
DA Categories
Schools in Salisbury iICSEA: school advantage index. 1000 = national avg, higher = more advantaged
St Augustine's Parish School
R-6 · 664 students
Salisbury Primary School
U, R-6 · 360 students
Demographics
Ancestry labelled as other/unspecified leads at 2,948 people, ahead of English (2,248), reflecting the highly diverse migrant base. Italian (644) ancestry points to historical settlement patterns, while Nepali speakers (357) are the largest non-English language group, followed by Italian (128) and Arabic (101). At 44.5% born overseas (23 points above the national average), Salisbury functions as Adelaide's primary resettlement suburb. University attainment at 21.1% falls 9 points below the national average. The 11.0% needing daily assistance is one of the highest rates in metropolitan Adelaide.
Age Distribution
Bedrooms
Dwelling Structure
61.5%
Houses
23.9%
Townhouse
14.6%
Apartment
Tenure
Prices jumped from $661,000 to $810,500 (22.6% in one year), though this may reflect compositional shifts in sales rather than uniform appreciation. The tenure split is 26.9% outright, 29.2% mortgaged, and 43.9% renting. Detached houses at 61.5% are below the SA average, with semi-detached (23.9%) and apartments (14.6%) indicating significant medium-density stock. Three-bedroom homes (52.3%) are most common, and 29% have just 2 bedrooms. Mortgage-to-income at 27.2% and rent-to-income at 25.3% both sit below stress thresholds, partly because dwelling prices and rents remain lower than capital city norms.
Median House Price Trend
Source: State Valuer-General
Mortgage / mo
$1,213
Rent / wk
$260
HH Size
2.5
Personal Income / wk
$536
Vacancy Ratei% of dwellings unoccupied on Census night (ABS 2021)
7.3%
Unoccupied
262
Rent / IncomeiMedian rent as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
25.3%
Mortgage / IncomeiMedian mortgage as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
27.2%
Community Profile
Languages Spoken at Home
Ancestry
Household Composition
20.8%
Couples, no children
6,458
Total families
Economy & Employment
Healthcare employs 26.4% of the workforce (441 people), consistent with a suburb where 11.0% need daily assistance. Manufacturing (10.2%) reflects Adelaide's northern suburbs' industrial legacy, though this sector continues declining nationally. Labourers (617) are the largest occupational group, ahead of community/personal service workers (527) and machinery/drivers (344). The 11.6% unemployment rate is more than double the national average, and the SEIFA IEO decile of 1 confirms the lowest educational and occupational outcomes nationally. Participation at 45.8% leaves over 3,199 people not in the labour force.
Unemployment
9.6%
Labour Force
8,340
Unemployed
804
Quarterly Trend
Source: SALM Dec-25
Socio-Economic Indexes (SEIFA)iABS index ranking suburbs from 1 (most disadvantaged) to 10 (most advantaged)
Full-time
59.1%
Part-time
29.3%
Participation
45.8%
Employed
2,907
Occupations
Top Industries
University
21.1%
Postgraduate
4.2%
Born Overseas
44.5%
Dwellings
3,296
Transport to Work
St Augustine's Parish School (ICSEA 981, 664 students) and Salisbury Primary (ICSEA 913, 360 students) both score below the national average of 1000. The crime rate of 197.5 per 1,000 residents is significantly higher than the SA average. All four SEIFA deciles sit at 1, the lowest possible ranking nationally. Public transport usage at 4.6% is moderate for outer Adelaide, and 86.1% drive. Despite these challenges, rent-to-income at 25.3% is below the stress threshold, and the 82.1% residential stability rate indicates that most residents are settled rather than transient.
Drive
86.1%
Public Transport
4.6%
Walk / Cycle
2.5%
Work from Home
N/A
Population Forecast
+0.91%/yr
(+175 people/yr)
EstablishedPopulation grew from about 18,911 in 2023 to 19,146 in 2025, with the medium forecast projecting approximately 20,373 by 2031 (0.91% annual growth). Overseas migration (+331/year) is offset by internal outflow (-292/year), a pattern where new migrants arrive but established residents leave for better-ranked suburbs. Population has grown 16.2% since 2011, close to the national average for established SA suburbs. The affordability trend is stable (mortgage-to-income held near 50% from 2011 to 2021), and rent grew 35% over the decade. At a gentrification score of 16, genuine socioeconomic upgrading has not occurred.
Historical + Forecast
Hamilton-Perry + Holt smoothing on ERP 2001-2025
Age Cohort Forecast
Primary Driver
Overseas Migration
Net Overseas / yr
+331
Net Internal / yr
-292
Gentrification Signal
Not gentrifying
Population +17% since 2011, Net internal outflow -292/yr, Strong overseas inflow +331/yr
Safety & Crime
Total Offences
1,746
Year ending June 2024
Rate per 1,000 People
197.5
Source: Crime Statistics Agency Victoria / SA Police
National Ranking iPercentile rank among ~15,000 AU suburbs. 90% = higher than 90% of suburbs
How Salisbury compares to ~15,000 Australian suburbs
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Salisbury a good suburb to live in?
Salisbury sits in the 1st SEIFA decile across all four indices, with a crime rate of 197.5 per 1,000 residents and 11.6% unemployment. These are among Adelaide's most challenging metrics. However, housing is relatively affordable with rent at $260/week and mortgage stress at 27.2% of income, both below the 30% threshold.
What is the median house price in Salisbury?
The median house price is $810,500 as of Q1 2026, up 22.6% from $661,000 in Q1 2025. This surge reflects Adelaide's broader market pressure rather than local upgrading, since household incomes sit in just the 14th percentile nationally at $1,029 per week.
What schools are in Salisbury?
Two primary schools serve Salisbury: St Augustine's Parish School (Catholic, ICSEA 981, 664 students) and Salisbury Primary School (Government, ICSEA 913, 360 students). Both score below the national ICSEA benchmark of 1000, with Salisbury Primary 87 points below.
Is Salisbury safe?
Salisbury has a crime rate of 197.5 per 1,000 residents, which is significantly higher than the South Australian average. With all four SEIFA deciles at 1 (the lowest nationally) and 11.6% unemployment, the suburb faces substantial socioeconomic challenges that correlate with elevated crime.
Is Salisbury good for property investment?
The 43.9% renter share creates a large tenant pool, and 89 development applications in 12 months indicate intense infill activity. However, the 7.3% vacancy rate, 11.6% unemployment, and SEIFA decile 1 ranking flag elevated tenant risk. Weekly rent of $260 against $810,500 gives a modest gross yield.
How is Salisbury's population changing?
Population grows at 0.91% annually, driven by overseas migration (+331/year) offset by internal outflow (-292/year). This gateway pattern sees new migrants arrive while established residents leave. The gentrification score of 16 confirms no meaningful socioeconomic upgrading over the past decade.
What languages are spoken in Salisbury?
Nepali is the most spoken non-English language with 357 speakers, followed by Italian (128), Arabic (101), Punjabi (56), and Khmer (56). With 44.5% born overseas, 23 points above the national average, Salisbury is one of Adelaide's most linguistically diverse suburbs.
What recent development is happening in Salisbury?
There were 89 development applications in the past 12 months, dominated by land divisions creating 2 allotments from 1 in battle-axe arrangements. This intense subdivision activity is typical of Adelaide's affordable northern suburbs where infill targets existing large lots.
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 Salisbury on the Map
View parcels, zoning overlays, DA applications, schools and more.
Open Interactive Map