Median house price
—
No data available
SA · Wakefield Council
Balaklava, 5461
Est. population · Jun 2025
2,189
Growth (1 yr)
+0.1%
Growth (5 yr)
+1.9%
Median age
46
Median income
$1,088/wk
Employment rate
49.4%
Languages at home
3.8%non-English
Most common: Filipino, Tagalog, Greek
2021 Census · usual residence
Desirability score
- Heritage area
- Education hub
- Excellent transport
- National parks
- High desirability
Suburb profile
Balaklava offers a slower smaller community life in Wakefield Council, with open surrounds and a close-knit community feel. Established families and long-term residents give the suburb a settled feel, with a strong presence of young families throughout. Life here is grounded in local routine rather than big-city choice.
Everyday basics may be close by, but bigger shopping and services typically require a trip to a nearby centre. Day-to-day life is more car-oriented here, with buses covering longer trips across the wider area. Housing is more affordable than in many parts of the state.
Reported crime has been rising recently. Period homes and heritage streetscapes give the area a character that newer suburbs rarely match.
Versus similar regional towns, the suburb reads below average on desirability, chiefly because community and employment, plus parks and green space trail behind. Limited access to some essential local services also trimmed the result.
At a glance
Balaklava snapshot
A quick read of housing, growth, livability, and risk
Median rent
$395/wk
Houses $400 · Units $305
Population (ERP)
2,189
+0.1% annual growth
Dwelling vacancy
11.0%
Census unoccupied dwellings
Livability profile
Desirability pillars vs the peer median (50th percentile)
How it compares
Relative standing using percentiles, ranks, and national deciles
Desirability
#105
among Country & regional · Mature
Safety
59th
percentile in state (higher = safer)
Pop. growth
48th
percentile in SA
Advantage (IRSAD)
2/10
national SEIFA decile
School ICSEA
24th
percentile among schools with ICSEA
Population growth
Recent ERP change over 1 and 5 years
Housing mix
Dwelling types from the 2021 Census
Risks & flags
Quick scan — open a section below for full context
Living here
Desirability
Ranks & confidence
- Desirability score
- 28.3/100 — Below average
- National rank
- 5846th in Australia
- State rank
- 583rd in SA
- Peer rank
- #105 among Country & regional · Mature suburbs
- Cohort rank
- #184 among Country & regional suburbs
- Data confidence
- 89%
Data sources & freshness
- Suburb Guide desirability index — Suburb Guide (derived) · current · Updated
Housing
- Flats / units (01/01/26 to 31/03/26)
- $305
- Houses (01/01/26 to 31/03/26)
- $400
- All types (01/01/26 to 31/03/26)
- $395
- Rental bonds lodged (01/01/26 to 31/03/26)
- 20
Median weekly rent from SA Housing Authority rental bond data. Figures can be unreliable where few bonds were lodged in the quarter.
Median house sale prices cover metropolitan Adelaide and selected fringe councils (19 LGAs, including Adelaide Hills and Gawler), not all of regional South Australia.
Contributes to desirability score · Housing (15%) · Future Growth (7%)
Median price, rental yield and vacancy Recent price momentum
Data sources & freshness
- SA rent report & metro median house sales — Government of South Australia · 1 January - 31 March 2026 · Updated · Quarterly; metro-fringe sales only
Population
Estimated resident population
2,189(June 2025)
+0.1% annual · +1.9% over 5 years · 48th percentile in SA
Growth figures & methodology
- Annual growth
- +0.1%
- 5-year growth
- +1.9%
- Change in 1 year
- +3
- Change in 5 years
- +41
- Growth rank in SA
- 48th percentile
ABS Estimated Resident Population allocated to this suburb from SA2-level data. Not an official ABS suburb count.
Methodology
Figures are allocated from ABS Estimated Resident Population at Statistical Area Level 2 (SA2), using 2021 Census share within overlapping SA2 regions. Where Census data is unavailable, area overlap is used instead.
The dashed chart line is a simple growth-trend estimate to June 2030 (~2,250), extrapolated at +0.4% average annual growth since 2011. It is illustrative only — not an official ABS forecast.
2021 Census figures
2021 Census
- Population
- 2,083
- Median age
- 46
- Median household income / week
- $1,088
- Dwelling vacancy
- 11%
- Unoccupied private dwellings
- 104 of 943
- Median monthly mortgage
- $1,035
- Employment rate
- 49.4%
- Dwelling mix (houses / semi / flats)
- 729 / 100 / 0 (+ 5 other)
Contributes to desirability score · Community (5%)
Employment, household income and age diversity (2021 Census)
Data sources & freshness
- 2021 Census — General Community Profile — Australian Bureau of Statistics · Updated
The 2026 Census runs in August 2026; suburb-level updates are expected from mid-2027.
- Estimated Resident Population — Australian Bureau of Statistics · 2025 · Updated · SA2 ERP allocated to suburb boundaries
Community & culture
No 2021 Census cultural diversity data for this suburb yet.
Data sources & freshness
- 2021 Census — General Community Profile — Australian Bureau of Statistics · Updated
The 2026 Census runs in August 2026; suburb-level updates are expected from mid-2027.
Crime & safety
Reported offences increased compared with the previous period.
Offence counts & rates
- Total offences (2024–25)
- 95
- Against the person
- 41
- Against property
- 54
- Rate per 1,000 residents
- 43.4
- Person-crime prevalence
- About 1 in 51 residents
- State safety percentile
- 59.4th (lower crime is better)
- Family & domestic abuse offences
- 33
- Increase (daily rate)
- +38.1%
Most common offence types
- Common Assault7
- Other Property Damage And Environmental14
- Other Theft12
- Sct - Non Residence12
- Serious Assault Not Resulting In Injury31
Contributes to desirability score · Safety (18%)
Crime rate and year-on-year trend
Data sources & freshness
- SAPOL reported crime statistics — South Australia Police — OpenData · 2023-24 → 2024-25; 2024-25 · Updated · Financial-year releases
Family & Lifestyle
Schools & preschools
- Schools within 2 km
- 2 (2 schools, 1 preschools)
- Median school ICSEA (3 schools)
- 948
- Median ICSEA percentile
- 24th
School list
- Balaklava High SchoolSecondary · Government · ICSEA 948 · 24th percentile · LBOTE 6% · 425 students · Top SEA quarter 4% · 1.3 km awayView on My School →
- Balaklava Primary SchoolPrimary · Government · ICSEA 945 · 23th percentile · LBOTE 7% · 236 students · Top SEA quarter 3% · 1.3 km awayView on My School →
- Horizon Christian SchoolCombined · Independent · ICSEA 989 · 42th percentile · LBOTE 9% · 515 students · Top SEA quarter 8% · 1.5 km awayView on My School →
- Balaklava Community Children's Centre15 Scotland StreetIntegrated Centres
Contributes to desirability score · Education (15%)
School and preschool counts, median school ICSEA
Data sources & freshness
- Government education sites register — Government of South Australia · current · Updated
- School ICSEA (ACARA) — Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority · 2025 · Updated · Annual release
Public transport
2 public transport stops in this suburb
- Wallace St / Humphrey St - East side (oppo Balaklava Town Hall)
- Wallace St / Humphrey St - West side (Balaklava Town Hall)
Contributes to desirability score · Accessibility (15%)
Public transport stop coverage
Data sources & freshness
- Adelaide Metro GTFS stops — Department for Infrastructure and Transport (SA) · current · Updated
Amenities
13 nearby amenities within ~1.5 km
2 swimming pools
Local character & venue list
Local character
- Limited walkable amenities nearby
- Walkability proxy
- 3/100
- Cafés per 1,000 residents
- 0
- Food & drink per 1,000 residents
- 0
- Parks per 1,000 residents
- 0.96
Community(1)
- School
Health & services(1)
- Balaklava HospitalHospital
Sport & outdoors(6)
- Park (2)
- Ralli Park ShowgroundSports field
- Sports field
- Swimming pool (2)
Other(5)
- Balaklava Caravan ParkCamp Site
- Balaklava Caravan ParkCaravan Site
- Balaklava CFSFire station
5 Edith Terrace, Balaklava
- Garden
- Public toilets
Names and addresses from OpenStreetMap. Unnamed venues show as their type (e.g. Cafe). Transport stops are summarised by type rather than listed individually.
Contributes to desirability score · Lifestyle (15%)
Food, shopping, recreation and sport (OpenStreetMap)
Data sources & freshness
- Local amenity insights — Suburb Guide (derived) · current · Updated
- OpenStreetMap amenities — OpenStreetMap contributors · current · Updated
Green cover
- Parks & woodland (OSM)
- 2
- Parks (OSM)
- 2
OpenStreetMap parks and natural woodland features mapped within the suburb boundary.
Contributes to desirability score · Environment (10%)
Parks and green cover (OpenStreetMap)
Data sources & freshness
- OpenStreetMap green cover — OpenStreetMap contributors · current · Updated
Health access
- Hospitals & GP clinics in suburb
- 1
- Nearest hospital
- Balaklava Soldiers' Memorial District Hospital (0.9 km)
- Nearest hospital type
- Public Hospital
- Nearest hospital emergency
- Emergency department
- Emergency department in suburb
- On site
- Balaklava Soldiers' Memorial District Hospital16 War Memorial DrivePublic Hospital
Contributes to desirability score · Accessibility (15%)
Hospitals and GP clinics
Data sources & freshness
- Hospitals & GP Plus clinics (SA) — SA Health · current · Updated
NDIS participation
- NDIS participants (31 March 2026)
- 76
- Participants per 1,000 residents
- 34.7
Active NDIS participants allocated from NDIA Statistical Area Level 2 (SA2, ASGS 2016) counts to this suburb boundary. Not an official suburb-level NDIS figure · as at 31 March 2026.
For NDIS spend and service-demand exploration by SA2 or postcode, see the Care Sector Demand Map.
Data sources & freshness
- NDIS participants by SA2 — National Disability Insurance Agency · 2026-Q1 · Updated · Quarterly SA2 counts allocated to suburb boundaries
Weather
Typical conditions by season for suburbs in the same ~44 km climate area. Rainfall totals are summed from monthly WorldClim layers; rainy-day counts are approximate.
Summer (Dec–Feb)
- Usual max / min
- 30° / 15°
- Rainfall
- 50 mm · ~6 rainy days
Autumn (Mar–May)
- Usual max / min
- 24° / 11°
- Rainfall
- 82 mm · ~10 rainy days
Winter (Jun–Aug)
- Usual max / min
- 17° / 6°
- Rainfall
- 139 mm · ~17 rainy days
Spring (Sep–Nov)
- Usual max / min
- 23° / 9°
- Rainfall
- 106 mm · ~13 rainy days
Contributes to desirability score · Lifestyle (15%)
Temperature and humidity comfort
Data sources & freshness
- Seasonal climate normals — WorldClim 2.1 · Updated
Future & Planning
Planning & development
Development applications from PlanSA register and EPA licensed activities.
2026· 18 proposals
July 2026
- Outbuilding (9.2m x 6.2m x 3.3m)16 KELLY ST BALAKLAVA SA 5461Decision Made
- Attached carport11 SCOTLAND ST BALAKLAVA SA 5461Decision Made
June 2026
- Shelter for generator associated with Hospital16 WAR MEMORIAL DR BALAKLAVA SA 5461Decision Made
- Extension to existing Outbuilding13 FLORENCE ST BALAKLAVA SA 5461Under Assessment
May 2026
- Freestanding Carport (6.3m x 6.3m x 2.7m)1C WHITWARTA RD BALAKLAVA SA 5461Decision Made
- Single storey dwelling, swimming pool and safety barrierLOT 2 RALLI ST BALAKLAVA SA 5461Under Assessment
- Storage shed associated with crash repairer36 RAILWAY TCE BALAKLAVA SA 5461Decision Made
- Verandah12 SCOTLAND ST BALAKLAVA SA 5461Decision Made
- Modular building for office, play area and toilets associated with existing childcare facility15 SCOTLAND ST BALAKLAVA SA 5461;3 HUMPHREY ST BALAKLAVA SA 5461Under Assessment
April 2026
- Single storey dwelling8A RACECOURSE RD BALAKLAVA SA 5461Decision Made
- Extend and enclose existing Verandah38 RAILWAY TCE BALAKLAVA SA 5461Under Assessment
March 2026
- Domestic Outbuilding and Carport associated with existing dwelling55 RAILWAY TCE BALAKLAVA SA 5461Decision Made
- To construct a Veranda' attached the to dwelling. Size 2.85m x 9.135m29 BORONIA CCT BALAKLAVA SA 5461Decision Made
February 2026
- Attached carport, verandah and dwelling addition2 HUMPHREY ST BALAKLAVA SA 5461Decision Made
- Domestic Outbuilding (9.1m x 8.5m) and Freestanding Carport8 CENTENARY AV BALAKLAVA SA 5461Decision Made
- Fibreglass Swimming Pool and Safety Fence6 WALSH ST BALAKLAVA SA 5461Decision Made
January 2026
- Outbuilding (shed)3 DIEKMAN TCE BALAKLAVA SA 5461Decision Made
- Single Storey Detached Dwelling with Garage and Alfresco1 -3 ELIZABETH ST BALAKLAVA SA 5461Decision Made
2025· 24 proposals
December 2025
- Outbuilding2402 BALAKLAVA RD BALAKLAVA SA 5461Decision Made
- Remove existing footbridge and install new accessible footbridge with lookoutLOT 702 PORT WAKEFIELD HWY PORT WAKEFIELD SA 5550;SCOTLAND PL BALAKLAVA SA 5461Decision Made
- Construction of a storage building ancillary to the existing Agricultural supplies shop22 RAILWAY TCE BALAKLAVA SA 5461Decision Made
- To install a fenced self set pool on the property for household use.9 HONEYSUCKLE DR BALAKLAVA SA 5461Decision Made
- Domestic Outbuilding46 FISHER ST BALAKLAVA SA 5461Decision Made
- Freestanding Carport9 RALLI ST BALAKLAVA SA 5461Decision Made
November 2025
- Verandah2 COACHWOOD LANE BALAKLAVA SA 5461Decision Made
- Freestanding carport (9m x 7.8 mx 3.0m)11 FLORENCE ST BALAKLAVA SA 5461Decision Made
October 2025
- Verandah249 DUNN RD BALAKLAVA SA 5461Under Assessment
- Attached Verandah57 RAILWAY TCE BALAKLAVA SA 5461Decision Made
- 3 x fixed shade umbrellasLOT 101 MAY TCE BALAKLAVA SA 5461;LOT 101 PARK TCE BALAKLAVA SA 5461;LOT 101 SHORT TCE BALAKLAVA SA 5461;LOT 101 WALLACE ST BALAKLAVA SA 5461Decision Made
September 2025
- Upgrade of existing fire safety services associated with large bulk storage facility warehouse, chemical storage, transport company, office and retail outlet7 TEMPLETON RD BALAKLAVA SA 5461Under Assessment
- Outbuilding (15mx 9m x 3.0m) ancillary to DwellingLOT 102 RACECOURSE RD BALAKLAVA SA 5461Decision Made
July 2025
- Information shed associated with railway turntableLOT 200 RAILWAY TCE BALAKLAVA SA 5461Decision Made
- Proposed Patio19 ROBERTS AV BALAKLAVA SA 5461Under Assessment
- Group dwellings associated with the existing aged care facility5 RAILWAY TCE BALAKLAVA SA 5461;7 RAILWAY TCE BALAKLAVA SA 5461Decision Made
- Outbuilding ancillary to dwelling18 WALSH ST BALAKLAVA SA 5461Decision Made
- Swimming pool & safety fence15 BRUCE DR BALAKLAVA SA 5461Decision Made
- Outbuilding ancillary to dwelling85 EDITH TCE BALAKLAVA SA 5461Decision Made
June 2025
- Freestanding Carport72 EDITH TCE BALAKLAVA SA 5461Decision Made
May 2025
- Change of use to part of existing building to a cafe (shop) in association with the existing church.1 BAKER ST BALAKLAVA SA 5461Under Assessment
April 2025
- Domestic Shed29 BORONIA CCT BALAKLAVA SA 5461Decision Made
- Single storey detached dwellingUNIT 18 23 FRANCIS ST BALAKLAVA SA 5461Decision Made
- Construct a single-storey dwelling addition with a verandah and alfresco area to an existing single-storey detached dwelling38 SHORT TCE BALAKLAVA SA 5461Decision Made
Contributes to desirability score · Future Growth (7%)
Development and planning activity
Data sources & freshness
- PlanSA development applications & EPA licences — Government of South Australia — PlanSA · 2026 · Updated
Heritage
28 heritage places
- Balakalva Anglican Christ ChurchScotland Street BALAKLAVALocal heritage
- Balaklava CemeteryBALAKLAVALocal heritage
- Balaklava Church of Christ1 Baker Street BALAKLAVALocal heritage
- Balaklava Post Office10 Wallace Street BALAKLAVALocal heritage
- Balaklava Primary School51 Wallace Street BALAKLAVALocal heritage
- Balaklava Showground / BuildingWerocata Road BALAKLAVALocal heritage
- Balaklava Showground / PavilionWerocata Road BALAKLAVALocal heritage
- Balaklava Uniting ChurchFisher Street BALAKLAVALocal heritage
- Bank SA (Former Savings Bank of SA)29 Wallace Street BALAKLAVALocal heritage
- Former Butcher Shop and Residence31 Wallace Street BALAKLAVALocal heritage
Data sources & freshness
- SA Heritage Places database — Department for Environment and Water (SA) · current · Updated
Hazards
- Bushfire planning zone
- Overlay applies
- Bushfire safer places
- 1
Bushfire overlay checked at suburb centroid against all current SA Planning risk layers (high, medium, general, urban interface, regional, outback). Safer places from CFS designated locations.
Contributes to desirability score · Safety (18%)
Bushfire hazard overlays
Data sources & freshness
- Bushfire & hazard overlays (SA) — Government of South Australia · current · Updated
Politics & representation
- Federal electorate
- Grey
- Member of Parliament
- Tom VENNING (Liberal)
- Results from
- 2025 federal election
- Electorate enrolment (2025)
- 128,707
- Turnout (2025)
- 89.4%
- Swing since 2022 (2025)
- +5.4 pp toward Labor
Two-party preferred (2025)
Coalition 54.6%Labor 45.4%
Estimated suburb voting profile
Estimated from 8 nearby ordinary polling places (up to 33.4 km away).
Coalition 65.6%Labor 34.4%
10.9 percentage points more Coalition-leaning than the electorate
Estimated swing since 2022: +3.1 pp toward Labor
Nearest polling places
- BalaklavaLabor 34.2% · Coalition 65.8% TPP (2025)1.5 km away
- OwenLabor 42.0% · Coalition 58.0% TPP (2025)17.9 km away
- Port WakefieldLabor 49.3% · Coalition 50.7% TPP (2025)26.4 km away
- AuburnLabor 47.4% · Coalition 52.6% TPP (2025)27.0 km away
- WatervaleLabor 44.0% · Coalition 56.0% TPP (2025)28.3 km away
Federal electorate from AEC federal division boundaries (2025 redistribution). Division-level results are official AEC figures from the latest general election, with by-election updates where applicable. The estimated suburb profile blends up to eight nearest ordinary polling booths in the same electorate using inverse-distance weighting from the suburb centroid — an approximation, not official AEC data. Nearest polling places are shown for reference.
Data sources & freshness
- Federal election results — Australian Electoral Commission · Updated · 2025 election with by-election overlays
Socio-economic
- IRSAD decile (2021)
- 2/10
- IRSD decile (2021)
- 2/10
ABS Socio-Economic Indexes for Areas (SEIFA), 2021 release — the latest available, derived from the 2021 Census. Deciles rank suburbs nationally from 1 (lowest) to 10 (highest).
What do IRSAD and IRSD measure?
IRSAD — Index of Relative Socio-economic Advantage and Disadvantage. Combines indicators of advantage (e.g. high income, skilled occupations) and disadvantage. Higher decile = more advantaged relative to other Australian areas.
IRSD — Index of Relative Socio-economic Disadvantage. Focuses on disadvantage only (e.g. low income, unemployment, limited education). Higher decile = less disadvantage nationally.
A new SEIFA edition typically follows each census; the ABS has not announced a release date beyond 2021.
Contributes to desirability score · Community (5%)
Socio-economic advantage (IRSAD decile)
Data sources & freshness
- SEIFA 2021 (IRSAD / IRSD) — Australian Bureau of Statistics · Updated
Compare with
Similar suburbs to weigh up side by side — scores, safety, schools, and lifestyle.
More in Wakefield Council
Other suburbs in the same local government area.
Comparable suburbs
Similar population and socio-economic profile in other parts of South Australia.