Wattle Park
At a median house price of $1,851,000 and household income in the 88.2nd percentile nationally, Wattle Park sits firmly in Adelaide's premium tier, yet it covers only 1.14 km2 with 1,885 residents. What makes it distinctive is the combination: 62.2% of residents hold university qualifications, which is 32.1 percentage points above the national average, and 49.6% own their home outright, far higher than typical mortgage-belt suburbs. The suburb scores decile 9 on both IRSD and IRSAD, placing it among the most advantaged 10% of communities nationally. With a median age of 46 that is 6 years above national and 85.6% of residents staying put across five years, this is established, long-held wealth rather than a churn market.
Population
1,885
Median Age
46.0
Household IncomeiMedian weekly household income (ABS Census)
$2,305/wk
DAs (12 months)iDevelopment Applications lodged in the past year
29
Median House
$1.9M
Median 1Q 2026
The $1,851,000 median house price rose 12.2% from $1,650,000 in 1Q 2025 to 1Q 2026, a strong single-year move that narrows what buyers can expect from further near-term gains. Separate houses dominate at 87.3% of dwellings, with semi-detached at 8.4% and apartments just 4.3%. Bedrooms skew large: 51.8% of homes have 4 or more bedrooms and 39.1% have 3, reflecting the family-home character of the suburb. Monthly mortgage repayments average $2,338, and mortgage-to-income sits at 23.4%, below the 30% stress threshold, because household incomes are well above state and national medians. Outright owners at 49.6% outnumber mortgage holders at 39.9%, signalling that much of the stock is held by long-term, debt-free residents rather than recent purchasers competing with current buyers.
For Buyers
The $1,851,000 median house price rose 12.2% from $1,650,000 in 1Q 2025 to 1Q 2026, a strong single-year move that narrows what buyers can expect from further near-term gains. Separate houses dominate at 87.3% of dwellings, with semi-detached at 8.4% and apartments just 4.3%. Bedrooms skew large: 51.8% of homes have 4 or more bedrooms and 39.1% have 3, reflecting the family-home character of the suburb. Monthly mortgage repayments average $2,338, and mortgage-to-income sits at 23.4%, below the 30% stress threshold, because household incomes are well above state and national medians. Outright owners at 49.6% outnumber mortgage holders at 39.9%, signalling that much of the stock is held by long-term, debt-free residents rather than recent purchasers competing with current buyers.
For Investors
Wattle Park is a low-rental suburb. Only 10.5% of dwellings are rented, compared to around 30% nationally, so the tenant pool is thin. Weekly rent of $470 against a $1,851,000 median implies a gross yield below 1.4%, low even by Adelaide standards. The vacancy rate of 7.2% is elevated and adds to the caution signal for landlords. On the demand side, overseas migration drives net inflow of 355 residents per year into the broader SA2, while internal migration runs at negative 115 per year, suggesting the area attracts new arrivals but loses locals. Development activity reached 29 applications in the past 12 months, mostly tree works and small alterations rather than new dwellings, so supply pressure is minimal. The investment case rests on capital preservation and selective price growth rather than yield or rental volume.
Development Activity
Total DAs
144
Last 12 Months
29
YoY ChangeiYear-over-year change in DA lodgements
-12.1%
Avg DA CostiAverage estimated cost per DA in the past year
N/A
Monthly DA Lodgements
DA Categories
Demographics
Wattle Park's median age of 46 is 6 years above the national figure, and the senior share grew 3.4 points over the decade while the working-age share fell 1.9 points, confirming an aging trajectory. University qualifications at 62.2% run 32.1 percentage points above national, placing this among Adelaide's most educated communities. Overseas-born residents account for 37.2%, which is 15.6 points above the national average, with English ancestry leading at 577 residents, followed by Chinese at 334 and Italian at 148. The top non-English languages are Mandarin (93 speakers) and Cantonese (35), consistent with the Chinese ancestry count. Average household size is 2.7, slightly above national at plus 0.2, and couples with children (693 families) outnumber couples without children (399 families), suggesting the larger homes are sustaining family households despite the aging overall median.
Age Distribution
Bedrooms
Dwelling Structure
87.3%
Houses
8.4%
Townhouse
4.3%
Apartment
Tenure
Ownership is the defining tenure pattern: 49.6% own outright, 39.9% carry a mortgage, and just 10.5% rent, a profile far more ownership-heavy than the national average. Separate houses make up 87.3% of all dwellings, with the remaining 12.7% split between semi-detached and apartments, confirming this is almost entirely a detached-house suburb. The bedroom profile is weighted toward larger homes, with 51.8% having 4 or more bedrooms and 39.1% having 3. The median house price moved from $1,650,000 in 1Q 2025 to $1,851,000 in 1Q 2026, a 12.2% gain over 12 months. Mortgage-to-income at 23.4% and rent-to-income at 20.4% are both below standard stress thresholds, meaning even with premium prices, high local incomes keep repayment burdens manageable relative to other markets at this price point.
Median House Price Trend
Source: State Valuer-General
Mortgage / mo
$2,338
Rent / wk
$470
HH Size
2.7
Personal Income / wk
$952
Vacancy Ratei% of dwellings unoccupied on Census night (ABS 2021)
7.2%
Unoccupied
53
Rent / IncomeiMedian rent as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
20.4%
Mortgage / IncomeiMedian mortgage as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
23.4%
Community Profile
Languages Spoken at Home
Ancestry
Household Composition
24.1%
Couples, no children
1,654
Total families
Economy & Employment
Healthcare is the largest employing industry at 21.3% of the local workforce (149 workers), followed by Professional and Technical services at 14.9% (104) and Education at 13.6% (95), with Public Administration at 7.9% and Construction at 6.9%. By occupation, Professionals lead with 376 workers, ahead of Managers at 160 and Clerical and Administrative roles at 100. The unemployment rate is 4.0%, close to full employment, and the full-time employment rate is 60.0%. Wattle Park scores decile 9 on IEO, which measures education and occupational advantage, consistent with the knowledge-sector employment mix. Real income growth of 12.1% over the decade is solid, and household weekly income at $2,305 sits in the 88.2nd percentile nationally. One notable figure: participation rate of 59.0% is moderate, partly because 575 residents are not in the labour force, which aligns with the older median age of 46.
Unemployment
2.0%
Labour Force
11,373
Unemployed
227
Quarterly Trend
Source: SALM Dec-25
Socio-Economic Indexes (SEIFA)iABS index ranking suburbs from 1 (most disadvantaged) to 10 (most advantaged)
Full-time
60.0%
Part-time
36.0%
Participation
59.0%
Employed
878
Occupations
Top Industries
University
62.2%
Postgraduate
18.6%
Born Overseas
37.2%
Dwellings
675
Transport to Work
Car dependence is high at 86.5% of commuters driving, while public transport usage sits at just 4.1%, lower than comparable inner-Adelaide suburbs. Walking and cycling combined also account for 4.1%. No schools are recorded inside the 1.14 km2 Wattle Park boundary in this dataset, so families rely on institutions in neighbouring suburbs. Crime is low: 25 recorded incidents in the period give a rate of 13.3 per 1,000 residents, well below typical urban averages. The suburb scores decile 9 on IRSAD nationally, placing it in the top 10% for combined advantage. Volunteering participation at 23.5% is notably high, consistent with the older, established-resident profile where 85.6% have stayed in place for five years. Only 3.5% of residents need daily assistance, despite the aging median age, suggesting a generally healthy and financially secure population.
Drive
86.5%
Public Transport
4.1%
Walk / Cycle
4.1%
Work from Home
N/A
Population Forecast
+0.45%/yr
(+92 people/yr)
EstablishedPopulation growth is modest at 0.45% per year, adding roughly 9 residents annually within the suburb boundary. The 10-year population change was 6.2%, in line with slow but steady established-suburb growth rather than the rapid expansion seen in greenfield areas. The medium forecast holds the SA2 population growing from 20,275 in 2025 to 20,550 by 2031, a slow but stable trajectory. Overseas migration of 355 net arrivals per year is the primary driver, offsetting internal outflow of 115 per year. The gentrification score of 10 and stage classified as not gentrifying reflects that the suburb is already at decile 9 advantage with little room to move higher. Rent growth of 20.0% over the period outpaced population growth significantly, driven by the low rental supply rather than demand expansion, which matters more for existing landlords than for new investors.
Historical + Forecast
Hamilton-Perry + Holt smoothing on ERP 2001-2025
Age Cohort Forecast
Primary Driver
Overseas Migration
Net Overseas / yr
+355
Net Internal / yr
-115
Gentrification Signal
Not gentrifying
Net internal outflow -115/yr, Strong overseas inflow +355/yr
Safety & Crime
Total Offences
25
Year ending June 2024
Rate per 1,000 People
13.3
Source: Crime Statistics Agency Victoria / SA Police
National Ranking iPercentile rank among ~15,000 AU suburbs. 90% = higher than 90% of suburbs
How Wattle Park compares to ~15,000 Australian suburbs
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Wattle Park a good suburb to live in?
Wattle Park ranks in decile 9 on IRSAD and IRSD nationally, placing it in the top 10% for advantage. Household income sits in the 88.2nd percentile nationally, university qualifications reach 62.2%, and the crime rate is low at 13.3 per 1,000 residents. The main trade-off is a premium entry price with a $1,851,000 median house.
What is the median house price in Wattle Park?
The median house price is $1,851,000 as of 1Q 2026, up 12.2% from $1,650,000 in 1Q 2025. Monthly mortgage repayments average $2,338, and mortgage-to-income sits at 23.4%, below the stress threshold given the area's high household incomes in the 88.2nd percentile nationally.
What schools are in Wattle Park?
No schools are recorded within the 1.14 km2 Wattle Park boundary in this dataset. Families rely on schools in neighbouring suburbs. The local population is highly educated, with 62.2% holding university qualifications, which is 32.1 percentage points above the national average.
Is Wattle Park safe?
Wattle Park recorded 25 total incidents, giving a crime rate of 13.3 per 1,000 residents. This is a low rate by urban standards and aligns with its decile 9 IRSD score, indicating very little relative disadvantage. Only 3.5% of the 1,885 residents require daily assistance, another indicator of the area's stability.
Is Wattle Park good for property investment?
The investment case is primarily capital growth rather than yield. Rent of $470 per week against a $1,851,000 median implies a gross yield below 1.4%, and the 7.2% vacancy rate signals limited rental demand. Prices rose 12.2% in one year, but with only 10.5% of dwellings rented, landlords compete for a thin tenant pool.
How is Wattle Park's population changing?
Population grows at 0.45% annually, adding around 9 residents per year. The 10-year change was 6.2%. Overseas migration drives net inflow of 355 per year into the broader area, offset by internal outflow of 115 per year. The suburb is aging, with the senior share up 3.4 points over the decade and median age at 46.
What languages are spoken in Wattle Park?
About 37.2% of residents were born overseas, which is 15.6 percentage points above the national average. Mandarin is the most common non-English language with 93 speakers, followed by Cantonese at 35, Italian at 19, Greek at 18 and German at 16, reflecting a predominantly English-speaking but internationally diverse community.
How much development is happening in Wattle Park?
There were 29 development applications lodged in the past 12 months, mostly tree removal permits and small deck or alteration works rather than new dwellings. This low new-supply level is consistent with an established suburb at 87.3% separate-house coverage and 6.2% population growth over 10 years.
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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