Median house price
$979k
+26% change
SA · Adelaide Hills Council
Balhannah, 5242
Est. population · Jun 2025
1,860
Growth (1 yr)
+1.4%
Growth (5 yr)
+5.7%
Median age
44
Median income
$1,851/wk
Employment rate
61%
Median house price · Q1 2026
$978,500
Languages at home
2.5%non-English
Most common: Greek, Spanish
2021 Census · usual residence
Desirability score
- Green suburb
- National parks
- High desirability
- Excellent transport
- Heritage area
Suburb profile
Balhannah is a hillside smaller community in Adelaide Hills Council, with elevated streets and a greener, quieter pace. Established families and long-term residents give the suburb a settled feel, with a strong presence of young families throughout. There are enough cafés and casual dining options to keep weekends interesting without the inner-city crush.
There is enough green space nearby for walks, picnics and after-school play. Reasonably walkable — many errands reachable on foot or by bus, with buses linking the suburb to surrounding areas. Homes cost more here than in most comparable suburbs.
Crime reports are up on the previous period. Period homes and older streetscapes are part of the appeal, with heritage detail still visible throughout.
Desirability lands around average here: softer weighing on the result versus similar regional towns, even with community and employment, plus growth momentum holding up better.
At a glance
Balhannah snapshot
A quick read of housing, growth, livability, and risk
Median rent
$580/wk
Population (ERP)
1,860
+1.4% annual growth
Dwelling vacancy
7.7%
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
#4
among Country & regional · Emerging
Safety
28th
percentile in state (higher = safer)
Pop. growth
82nd
percentile in SA
Advantage (IRSAD)
9/10
national SEIFA decile
School ICSEA
44th
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
- 52.0/100 — Average
- State standing
- Top 23% of South Australia's suburbs
- National rank
- 1907th in Australia
- State rank
- 156th in SA
- Peer rank
- #4 among Country & regional · Emerging suburbs
- Cohort rank
- #17 among Country & regional suburbs
- Data confidence
- 89%
Data sources & freshness
- Suburb Guide desirability index — Suburb Guide (derived) · current · Updated
Housing
- Houses (01/01/26 to 31/03/26)
- $580
- Median house price (Q1 2026)
- $978,500
- Median price change
- +26.1%
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; 1Q 2026 · Updated · Quarterly; metro-fringe sales only
Population
Estimated resident population
1,860(June 2025)
+1.4% annual · +5.7% over 5 years · 82th percentile in SA
Growth figures & methodology
- Annual growth
- +1.4%
- 5-year growth
- +5.7%
- Change in 1 year
- +25
- Change in 5 years
- +100
- Growth rank in SA
- 82th 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 (~1,900), extrapolated at +0.6% average annual growth since 2011. It is illustrative only — not an official ABS forecast.
2021 Census figures
2021 Census
- Population
- 1,756
- Median age
- 44
- Median household income / week
- $1,851
- Dwelling vacancy
- 7.7%
- Unoccupied private dwellings
- 52 of 675
- Median monthly mortgage
- $1,647
- Employment rate
- 61%
- Dwelling mix (houses / semi / flats)
- 595 / 29 / 0
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)
- 36
- Against the person
- 8
- Against property
- 28
- Rate per 1,000 residents
- 19.4
- Person-crime prevalence
- About 1 in 220 residents
- State safety percentile
- 28.3th (lower crime is better)
- Family & domestic abuse offences
- 1
- Increase (daily rate)
- +33.7%
Most common offence types
- Other Property Damage And Environmental4
- Other Theft18
- Other Unlawful Entry With Intent2
- Serious Assault Not Resulting In Injury2
- Threatening Behaviour3
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
- Median school ICSEA
- 993
- Median ICSEA percentile
- 44th
School list
- Oakbank SchoolCombined · Government · ICSEA 993 · 44th percentile · LBOTE 4% · 337 students · Top SEA quarter 6% · 1.4 km awayView on My School →
Contributes to desirability score · Education (15%)
School and preschool counts, median school ICSEA
Data sources & freshness
- School ICSEA (ACARA) — Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority · 2025 · Updated · Annual release
Public transport
10 public transport stops in this suburb
- Stop 53 Onkaparinga Valley Rd - South side
- Stop 54 Onkaparinga Valley Rd - East side
- Stop 55 Onkaparinga Valley Rd - East side
- Stop 56 Onkaparinga Valley Rd - South side
- Stop 57 Onkaparinga Valley Rd - South side
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
63 nearby amenities within ~1.5 km
1 restaurants · 1 cafes · 2 pubs · 1 supermarkets · 1 pharmacies · 2 bakeries · 1 places of worship · 1 playgrounds
Local character & venue list
Local character
- Reasonably walkable — many errands reachable on foot or by bus
- Decent local green space — 2 parks in suburb, 1 playgrounds nearby
- Reasonable bus and transport access — 10 public transport stops
- Walkability proxy
- 67/100
- Cafés per 1,000 residents
- 0.57
- Food & drink per 1,000 residents
- 3.42
- Parks per 1,000 residents
- 1.14
Food & drink(6)
- Bakery
- Balhannah BakeryBakery
- The Olive BranchCafe
- Balhannah HotelPub
78 Onkaparinga Valley Road, Balhannah
- Left Barrel BreweryPub
- Bally PizzaRestaurant
83 Onkaparinga Valley Scenic Drive
Shopping(3)
- Balhannah ButcheryButcher
- FoodlandSupermarket
Health & services(5)
- Balhannah DentalDentist
- Balhannah Medical CentreMedical clinic
- Riverside Eye CareMedical clinic
- TerryWhite ChemmartPharmacy
- Balhannah Small Animal Vetinary ClinicVeterinary
Sport & outdoors(6)
- Dog park
- Gym
- Carmac ReservePark
- Park
- Playground
- Sports field
Transport(10)
10 bus stops
Other(23)
- Nelson AirconditioningAirconditioner
- Sip n SaveAlcohol
- Bicycle Parking
- Bicycle Repair Station
- Mitre 10Doityourself
- Balhannah CFSFire station
121 Onkaparinga Valley Scenic Drive, Balhannah
- Florist BalhannahFlorist
79 Onkaparinga Valley Scenic Drive
- Field Trip BalhannahGift
81 Onkaparinga Valley Scenic Drive
- Crop Hair and BeautyHairdresser
- Jospehine's Hair CareHairdresser
- Hinton Jewllery StudioJewelry
- Nature Reserve
- NewspowerNewsagent
- Outdoor Seating
- Grasby ReserveParking
- Parking (12)
- OTR BalhannahPetrol station
93 Onkaparinga Valley Scenic Drive, Balhannah
- St. Thomas' Anglican ChurchPlace of worship
- Australia PostPost office
- Public toilets
- Shelter
- InfieldYes
- Oakbank Chaff and Fodder StoreYes
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)
- 8
- 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
Places of worship
1 places of worship within ~1.5 km
- St. Thomas' Anglican Church
From OpenStreetMap within ~1.5 km of the suburb centre.
Data sources & freshness
- OpenStreetMap amenities — OpenStreetMap contributors · current · Updated
Health access
- Nearest hospital
- Stirling Hospital (10.1 km)
- Nearest hospital type
- Private Hospital
- Nearest hospital emergency
- No emergency department listed
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)
- 55
- Participants per 1,000 residents
- 29.6
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
- 29° / 14°
- Rainfall
- 67 mm · ~8 rainy days
Autumn (Mar–May)
- Usual max / min
- 23° / 10°
- Rainfall
- 97 mm · ~12 rainy days
Winter (Jun–Aug)
- Usual max / min
- 16° / 6°
- Rainfall
- 148 mm · ~18 rainy days
Spring (Sep–Nov)
- Usual max / min
- 22° / 9°
- Rainfall
- 119 mm · ~15 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· 17 proposals
August 2026
- Proposed Bedroom and Laundry extension28 ILINGA AV BALHANNAH SA 5242Under Assessment
July 2026
- Partial demolition of dwelling, construction of dwelling addition including carport28 GLEBE RD BALHANNAH SA 5242Under Assessment
- Construction of a two storey, detached dwelling with basement/cellar, swimming pool and associated safety features and ancillary outbuilding (garage/shed)10 CARAWA AV BALHANNAH SA 5242Under Assessment
June 2026
- Construction of two (2) agricultural buildings and one (1) outbuildingLOT 20 WENZEL RD BALHANNAH SA 5242Under Assessment
- Outbuilding9 MIMOSA GR BALHANNAH SA 5242Decision Made
May 2026
- Outbuilding (Retrospective)14 JUNCTION RD BALHANNAH SA 5242Under Assessment
- Dwelling additions, deck and verandah.75 ONKAPARINGA VALLEY RD BALHANNAH SA 5242Under Assessment
April 2026
- Change of use of dwelling to tourist accommodation329 SWAMP RD BALHANNAH SA 5242Under Assessment
- Dwelling additionUNIT 14 32 ONKAPARINGA VALLEY RD BALHANNAH SA 5242Under Assessment
- Horse keeping (maximum of 2 horses) and partial change of use of outbuilding to horse keeping building (stable)637 JUNCTION RD BALHANNAH SA 5242Decision Made
March 2026
- Hay Shed17 RAVENSWOOD LANE BALHANNAH SA 5242Decision Made
- Outbuilding28 GLEBE RD BALHANNAH SA 5242Decision Made
- Two outbuildings (garage and poolhouse) and swimming pool95 SPOEHR RD BALHANNAH SA 5242Decision Made
February 2026
- Dwelling additions and a carport9 GRASBY RD BALHANNAH SA 5242Decision Made
January 2026
- Outbuilding4 GILLESTON CT BALHANNAH SA 5242Decision Made
- Verandah (Alfresco) including Deck13 GLEBE RD BALHANNAH SA 5242Decision Made
- Variation to development authorisation 06/744/473 to vary condition 22 and variation to development authorisation 12/963/473 to vary condition 45 RAVENSWOOD LANE BALHANNAH SA 5242Decision Made
2025· 26 proposals
December 2025
- Proposed Pool, Deck & Privacy Screen56 ONKAPARINGA VALLEY RD BALHANNAH SA 5242Under Assessment
- Outbuilding178 BEASLEY RD BALHANNAH SA 5242Decision Made
- 1 X Outbuildings (shed)50 WICKS RD BALHANNAH SA 5242Decision Made
- Outbuilding and associated retaining wall637 JUNCTION RD BALHANNAH SA 5242Decision Made
November 2025
- Construction of a domestic outbuilding104 JOHNSONS RD BALHANNAH SA 5242Decision Made
- Swimming pool and associated swimming pool safety features281 JUNCTION RD BALHANNAH SA 5242Decision Made
- Realignment of boundaries (3 into 3).15 JAMES ST BALHANNAH SA 5242;15 SUNNINGDALE CT BALHANNAH SA 5242;9 WOODCOCK RD BALHANNAH SA 5242Decision Made
October 2025
- Change of use from outbuilding to ancillary accommodation unit156 GRASBY RD BALHANNAH SA 5242Under Assessment
- Construction of a carport2 MALANILLA CT BALHANNAH SA 5242Decision Made
- Outbuilding329 SWAMP RD BALHANNAH SA 5242Decision Made
- Construction of a fence11 WEST TCE BALHANNAH SA 5242Decision Made
September 2025
- Verandah ancillary to an existing winery5 RAVENSWOOD LANE BALHANNAH SA 5242Decision Made
- Single-storey split level group dwelling, and associated water tanks (underground)UNIT 4 11 JUNCTION RD BALHANNAH SA 5242Decision Made
August 2025
- Swimming Pool & Safety Barrier275 OAKWOOD RD BALHANNAH SA 5242Decision Made
- Boundary realignment (2 into 2)20 MIMOSA GR BALHANNAH SA 5242;LOT 202 WENZEL RD BALHANNAH SA 5242Decision Made
July 2025
- Alterations and additions to detached dwelling, carport, and verandah3 NAIRNE RD BALHANNAH SA 5242Decision Made
- Outbuilding (garage)358 ONKAPARINGA VALLEY RD BALHANNAH SA 5242Decision Made
- Partial demolition of existing residence and construction of additions to the rear of the dwelling637 JUNCTION RD BALHANNAH SA 5242Decision Made
June 2025
- Construction of a swimming pool and safety fence65 WICKS RD BALHANNAH SA 5242Decision Made
- Two outbuildings, one amenities building and one lunchroom in association with vineyard activities.33 HARBEN LANE BALHANNAH SA 5242Decision Made
- Construction of a concrete swimming pool and associated pool fencing, external paving in pool zone and pool equipment.98 CAMAC RD BALHANNAH SA 5242Decision Made
- Single storey dwelling alterations & additions & deck29 JUNCTION RD BALHANNAH SA 5242Decision Made
May 2025
- Removal of two (2) significant trees - Cupressus Sempervirens (Italian Cypress) - and carpark alterations at Local Heritage Place (St Thomas’ Anglican Church & Cemetery)2 JUNCTION RD BALHANNAH SA 5242Decision Made
- VerandahUNIT 1 16 CORANA CT BALHANNAH SA 5242Decision Made
- Outbuilding3 CROSS ST BALHANNAH SA 5242Decision Made
- Swimming pool and associated swimming pool safety features, and outbuilding354 ONKAPARINGA VALLEY RD BALHANNAH SA 5242Decision 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
14 heritage places
- Balhannah Uniting Church & schoolroom3 Bridge Street BALHANNAHLocal heritage
- Dwelling - former Balhannah Railway Station Master's house36 Junction Road BALHANNAHState heritage
- Soldiers Memorial Institute91 Onkaparinga Valley Road BALHANNAHLocal heritage
- St Thomas Anglican Church & Cemetery2 Junction Road BALHANNAHLocal heritage
- 'The Pines' Complex152 Beaumont Road BALHANNAHState heritage
- Balhannah Railway Station and Signal CabinJunction Road BALHANNAHState heritage
- Dwelling ('Merridong' formerly 'Briardene'), including former Balhannah Cheese and Butter Factory, Cottages and Milk Depot129 Onkaparinga Valley Road BALHANNAHState heritage
- Dwelling ('Ravenswood')Ravenswood Lane BALHANNAHState heritage
- Dwelling ('The Folly')Grasby Road BALHANNAHState heritage
- Dwelling (former Balhannah School)2 West Terrace BALHANNAHState 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
- Mayo
- Member of Parliament
- Rebekha SHARKIE (Centre Alliance)
- Results from
- 2025 federal election
- Electorate enrolment (2025)
- 137,818
- Turnout (2025)
- 94.2%
- Swing since 2022 (2025)
- +3.4 pp toward Labor
Two-party preferred (2025)
Coalition 45.0%Labor 55.0%
Estimated suburb voting profile
Estimated from 8 nearby ordinary polling places (up to 7.5 km away).
Coalition 43.6%Labor 56.4%
1.4 percentage points more Labor-leaning than the electorate
Estimated swing since 2022: +5.4 pp toward Labor
Nearest polling places
- OakbankLabor 53.6% · Coalition 46.4% TPP (2025)2.1 km away
- HahndorfLabor 48.5% · Coalition 51.5% TPP (2025)4.5 km away
- BridgewaterLabor 71.9% · Coalition 28.1% TPP (2025)4.8 km away
- AldgateLabor 65.4% · Coalition 34.6% TPP (2025)6.4 km away
- Stirling EastLabor 61.6% · Coalition 38.4% TPP (2025)7.2 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)
- 9/10
- IRSD decile (2021)
- 9/10
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 Adelaide Hills Council
Other suburbs in the same local government area.
Comparable suburbs
Similar population and socio-economic profile in other parts of South Australia.