SA 5011 Census 2021 + Live DA Data

Woodville South

At a median age of 37, Woodville South sits 3 years below the national figure, making it one of the younger owner-occupier suburbs in Adelaide's inner west. The defining characteristic is an unusually strong attachment to place: 80.1% of residents had not moved in the previous year, a turnover rate of just 19.9%. That stability coexists with a household income at the 63.2nd percentile nationally and a workforce skewed heavily toward healthcare, which alone accounts for 21.5% of local jobs. The housing stock runs 79.5% separate houses on a compact 1.47 square kilometre footprint, producing a density of 2,360 residents per square kilometre.

Woodville South urban fabric map

Population

3,464

Median Age

37.0

Household IncomeiMedian weekly household income (ABS Census)

$1,787/wk

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

54

1.47 km²· 2,359.8 people/km²· Family income $2,221/wk

Median house price data is not available for this suburb, but the financial signals point to a relatively accessible market. Monthly mortgage repayments average $1,800, generating a mortgage-to-income ratio of 23.3%, comfortably below the 30% stress threshold. Of the three tenure groups, mortgage holders are the largest at 41.6%, above outright owners at 31.5% and renters at 26.9%, indicating an active buyer market rather than an entrenched landlord base. Stock is overwhelmingly detached houses at 79.5%, with three-bedroom homes dominating at 59.9% and four-plus bedroom dwellings adding 18.0%. Semi-detached homes make up 10.7% and apartments just 9.7%, so buyers looking for freestanding properties face limited competition from alternative stock types.

For Buyers

Median house price data is not available for this suburb, but the financial signals point to a relatively accessible market. Monthly mortgage repayments average $1,800, generating a mortgage-to-income ratio of 23.3%, comfortably below the 30% stress threshold. Of the three tenure groups, mortgage holders are the largest at 41.6%, above outright owners at 31.5% and renters at 26.9%, indicating an active buyer market rather than an entrenched landlord base. Stock is overwhelmingly detached houses at 79.5%, with three-bedroom homes dominating at 59.9% and four-plus bedroom dwellings adding 18.0%. Semi-detached homes make up 10.7% and apartments just 9.7%, so buyers looking for freestanding properties face limited competition from alternative stock types.

For Investors

Renters make up 26.9% of households and weekly rent sits at $340, figures that reflect a mid-tier rental market relative to the Adelaide metro. The vacancy rate of 5.4% is elevated compared to a healthy market benchmark of around 3%, suggesting some softness in demand that investors should price in. On the positive side, 53 development applications were lodged in the past 12 months, among the higher counts for this suburban size, indicating continued residential activity rather than stagnation. Rent-to-income at 19.0% is below stress levels, meaning tenants are not under pressure, which supports stable tenancy. Mortgage-to-income at 23.3% is moderate, and the healthcare-heavy local employment base provides steady demand from essential workers who prefer proximity to hospitals.

Development Activity

Total DAs

263

Last 12 Months

54

YoY ChangeiYear-over-year change in DA lodgements

+68.8%

Avg DA CostiAverage estimated cost per DA in the past year

N/A

Monthly DA Lodgements

DA Categories

Garage / Carport / Shed
15
Subdivision
13
Renovation / Extension
12
Deck / Pergola / Patio
8
Swimming Pool / Spa
8
New Dwelling
7
Commercial / Industrial
6
Other
3

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

Woodville Primary School

ICSEA 1020 Primary Government

R-6 · 204 students

Demographics

The population of 3,464 skews 3 years younger than the national median age of 40, at 37. University qualifications reach 38.4% of residents, which is 8.3 percentage points above the national figure, a gap that explains the presence of professionals and clerical workers as the two largest occupation groups. Overseas-born residents account for 24.7%, sitting 3.1 points above the national rate. Ancestry reflects the suburb's European industrial heritage: English (937 residents) leads, followed by Italian (518), Irish (263) and Greek (246), with Italian and Greek also the most-spoken non-English languages alongside newer arrivals speaking Punjabi (41) and Malayalam (28). Average household size is 2.5, matching the national average exactly.

Age Distribution

0-14
17.1%
15-24
11.5%
25-44
30.7%
45-64
26.1%
65+
14.5%

Bedrooms

Studio/1br
1.9%
2 bed
20.2%
3 bed
59.9%
4+ bed
18.0%

Dwelling Structure

79.5%

Houses

10.7%

Townhouse

9.7%

Apartment

Tenure

Own 31.5% Mortgage 41.6% Rent 26.9%

Separate houses dominate at 79.5%, well above the national mix, reflecting the suburb's low-rise residential character on a 1.47 square kilometre block. Three-bedroom homes account for 59.9% of dwellings and four-plus bedroom homes add 18.0%, so family-sized stock is the clear majority. Apartments are just 9.7% and semi-detached 10.7%. Tenure divides into 31.5% owning outright, 41.6% with a mortgage and 26.9% renting. Monthly mortgage repayments average $1,800 and weekly rent is $340. Housing stress indicators are benign: rent-to-income at 19.0% and mortgage-to-income at 23.3% both sit below typical stress thresholds, which is consistent with the suburb's position at the 63.2nd income percentile nationally.

Mortgage / mo

$1,800

Rent / wk

$340

HH Size

2.5

Personal Income / wk

$862

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

5.4%

Unoccupied

74

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

19.0%

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

23.3%

Community Profile

Languages Spoken at Home

Italian
63
Greek
61
Punjabi
41
Malayalam
28
Mandarin
23
Hindi
19

Ancestry

English
937
Italian
518
Other
449
Irish
263
Greek
246
Scottish
235

Household Composition

23.9%

Couples, no children

2,736

Total families

Economy & Employment

Healthcare is the dominant industry at 21.5% of employed residents (269 workers), a share that is notably higher than most comparable suburbs. Construction and Education follow equally at 10.0% each (125 workers apiece), with Public Administration at 8.7% and Professional/Technical services at 8.1%. By occupation, Professionals lead with 417 workers, followed by Clerical/Admin (295), Managers (222), Community/Personal (214) and Labourers (186). The unemployment rate is 4.7%, slightly above SA and national levels of around 4%, while the full-time employment rate is 61.4% with a participation rate of 64.8%. The healthcare concentration means local employment is anchored to nearby facilities rather than subject to cyclical private-sector swings.

Socio-Economic Indexes (SEIFA)iABS index ranking suburbs from 1 (most disadvantaged) to 10 (most advantaged)

Full-time

61.4%

Part-time

33.9%

Participation

64.8%

Employed

1,772

Occupations

Professionals 417
Clerical/Admin 295
Managers 222
Community/Personal 214
Labourers 186
Sales 164
Machinery/Drivers 96

Top Industries

Healthcare 21.5%
Construction 10.0%
Education 10.0%
Public Admin 8.7%
Professional/Tech 8.1%

University

38.4%

Postgraduate

7.8%

Born Overseas

24.7%

Dwellings

1,315

Transport to Work

Car dependence is high: 84.6% of residents drive to work, above typical inner-suburban rates, while 5.0% use public transport and 5.1% walk or cycle. No schools are recorded inside the suburb boundary, so families draw on institutions in neighbouring areas. The crime rate of 79.1 incidents per 1,000 residents represents the total recorded crime figure for the suburb. Volunteering participation stands at 14.4% and 5.8% of residents (193 people) need daily assistance. Housing stress is low, with rent-to-income at 19.0% and mortgage-to-income at 23.3%, both below stress thresholds. The suburb's density of 2,360 per square kilometre is moderate for inner Adelaide, and the high 80.1% residential stability rate points to a settled living environment where long-term residents predominate.

Drive

84.6%

Public Transport

5.0%

Walk / Cycle

5.1%

Work from Home

N/A

Safety & Crime

Total Offences

274

Year ending June 2024

Rate per 1,000 People

79.1

Source: Crime Statistics Agency Victoria / SA Police

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

How Woodville South compares to ~15,000 Australian suburbs

Population
Top 15%
Household Income
Top 37%
Rent Level
Top 30%
Apartments
Top 30%
Renters
Top 34%
Uni Educated
Top 20%
Public Transport
Top 34%
Born Overseas
Top 20%
Density
Top 6%

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Woodville South a good suburb to live in?

Woodville South has strong residential stability, with 80.1% of residents not moving in the past year. Household income sits at the 63.2nd percentile nationally, housing stress is low (mortgage-to-income 23.3%, rent-to-income 19.0%), and the suburb's median age of 37 is 3 years below national, reflecting a younger, working-age community.

What is the median house price in Woodville South?

A specific median house price is not available for Woodville South in this dataset. Indicative affordability signals include average monthly mortgage repayments of $1,800 and weekly rent of $340, with a mortgage-to-income ratio of 23.3%, comfortably below the 30% stress threshold.

What schools are in Woodville South?

No schools are recorded inside the Woodville South boundary in this dataset. Families rely on schools in neighbouring suburbs. Locally, 38.4% of residents hold university qualifications, which is 8.3 percentage points above the national figure.

Is Woodville South safe?

The recorded crime rate for Woodville South is 79.1 incidents per 1,000 residents. Detailed crime category breakdowns are not available in this dataset. The suburb has low housing stress, a 14.4% volunteering rate and a stable resident population where 80.1% stayed in the previous year.

Is Woodville South good for property investment?

Renters make up 26.9% of households and weekly rent is $340, providing a reasonable tenant pool. The vacancy rate of 5.4% is above the typical 3% healthy market level, which is a caution signal. On the positive side, 53 development applications in the past 12 months shows active local investment, and the healthcare-anchored employment base supports steady demand.

How is Woodville South's population changing?

Formal forecasts are not available for this suburb. Current indicators include a turnover rate of 19.9%, meaning 80.1% of the 3,464 residents stayed in the past year, suggesting stable rather than declining demand. The overseas-born share at 24.7% is 3.1 points above national, indicating ongoing migration inflows contribute to population stability.

How much development is happening in Woodville South?

There were 53 development applications lodged in the past 12 months, a notable count for a suburb of 1.47 square kilometres. Recent applications include new single-storey detached dwellings, dwelling additions and pool installations, consistent with a residential suburb undergoing incremental owner-occupier improvement.

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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