Median house price
$1.07M
+8.4% change
SA · Adelaide Hills Council
Bridgewater, 5155
Est. population · Jun 2025
3,961
Growth (1 yr)
+0.9%
Growth (5 yr)
+4.2%
Median age
40
Median income
$2,042/wk
Employment rate
68.4%
Median house price · Q1 2026
$1,072,500
Languages at home
5.1%non-English
Most common: German, Spanish, Russian
2021 Census · usual residence
Desirability score
- National parks
- Excellent transport
- High desirability
- Education hub
- Heritage area
Suburb profile
Bridgewater sits up in the Adelaide Hills Council hills, a mid-sized suburb where elevation and tree cover define the mood. Well placed between the city and outer suburbs, it offers practical access in every direction. Working households and growing families are the backbone of local life, with family life visible on every street.
Dining is thinner on the ground than in busier metro pockets, so many residents head to neighbouring suburbs for a night out. 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.
Local crime has been trending higher of late. Older street character still shows through, alongside gradual infill and new development.
The overall desirability read is around average, pulled by softer growth momentum compared with similar metro suburbs, though community and employment, plus schools and education remain brighter spots.
At a glance
Bridgewater snapshot
A quick read of housing, growth, livability, and risk
Median rent
$625/wk
Population (ERP)
3,961
+0.9% annual growth
Dwelling vacancy
5.6%
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
#51
among Metro Adelaide · Emerging
Safety
17th
percentile in state (higher = safer)
Pop. growth
69th
percentile in SA
Advantage (IRSAD)
9/10
national SEIFA decile
School ICSEA
82nd
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
- 49.4/100 — Average
- State standing
- Top 29% of South Australia's suburbs
- National rank
- 2251st in Australia
- State rank
- 200th in SA
- Peer rank
- #51 among Metro Adelaide · Emerging suburbs
- Cohort rank
- #150 among Metro Adelaide suburbs
- Data confidence
- 96%
Data sources & freshness
- Suburb Guide desirability index — Suburb Guide (derived) · current · Updated
Housing
- Houses (01/01/26 to 31/03/26)
- $625
- Rental bonds lodged (01/01/26 to 31/03/26)
- 10
- Median house price (Q1 2026)
- $1,072,500
- Median price change
- +8.4%
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
3,961(June 2025)
+0.9% annual · +4.2% over 5 years · 69th percentile in SA
Growth figures & methodology
- Annual growth
- +0.9%
- 5-year growth
- +4.2%
- Change in 1 year
- +34
- Change in 5 years
- +159
- Growth rank in SA
- 69th 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 (~4,050), extrapolated at +0.5% average annual growth since 2011. It is illustrative only — not an official ABS forecast.
2021 Census figures
2021 Census
- Population
- 3,719
- Median age
- 40
- Median household income / week
- $2,042
- Dwelling vacancy
- 5.6%
- Unoccupied private dwellings
- 83 of 1,477
- Median monthly mortgage
- $1,733
- Employment rate
- 68.4%
- Dwelling mix (houses / semi / flats)
- 1,380 / 15 / 3
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)
- 58
- Against the person
- 21
- Against property
- 37
- Rate per 1,000 residents
- 14.6
- Person-crime prevalence
- About 1 in 177 residents
- State safety percentile
- 16.5th (lower crime is better)
- Family & domestic abuse offences
- 16
- Increase (daily rate)
- +49.1%
Most common offence types
- Common Assault4
- Other Property Damage And Environmental13
- Other Theft5
- Serious Assault Not Resulting In Injury13
- Theft From Motor Vehicle5
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 (4 schools)
- 1,092
- Median ICSEA percentile
- 82th
School list
- Bridgewater Primary SchoolPrimary · Government · ICSEA 1076 · 77th percentile · LBOTE 3% · 197 students · Top SEA quarter 30% · 1.3 km awayView on My School →
- The Hills Montessori SchoolCombined · Independent · ICSEA 1105 · 86th percentile · LBOTE 4% · 133 students · Top SEA quarter 45% · 1.7 km awayView on My School →
- Aldgate Primary SchoolPrimary · Government · ICSEA 1092 · 82th percentile · LBOTE 3% · 253 students · Top SEA quarter 33% · 1.8 km awayView on My School →
- The Hills Christian Community SchoolCombined · Independent · ICSEA 1092 · 82th percentile · LBOTE 5% · 640 students · Top SEA quarter 35% · 1.8 km awayView on My School →
- Arbury Park Outdoor SchoolArbury Park RoadSpecialist Facilities
- Bridgewater Kindergarten Inc87 Onkaparinga RoadPreschools
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
14 public transport stops in this suburb
- Stop 46 Mt Barker Rd - North side
- Stop 46 Mt Barker Rd - South side
- Stop 47 Mt Barker Rd - South side
- Stop 48 Mt Barker Rd - South side
- Stop 48A Mt Barker 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
55 nearby amenities within ~1.5 km
1 pubs · 1 supermarkets · 1 pharmacies · 3 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 — 14 public transport stops
- Walkability proxy
- 63/100
- Cafés per 1,000 residents
- 0
- Food & drink per 1,000 residents
- 0.27
- Parks per 1,000 residents
- 0.54
Food & drink(1)
- Bridgewater InnPub
Shopping(3)
- Convenience store
- ColesSupermarket
Community(2)
- Bridgewater Primary SchoolSchool
- School
Health & services(1)
- Bridgewater PharmacyPharmacy
Sport & outdoors(5)
- Park
- Picnic area
- Playground
- Bridgewater OvalSports field
- Sports field
Transport(13)
13 bus stops
Other(11)
- Sip'n SaveAlcohol
- ITshareComputer
- Bridgewater CFSFire station
2 Shannon Road
- Unnamed (No.HA1491) Heritage AgreementNature Reserve
- Outdoor Seating
- Parking (20)
- Picnic Table
- Christian CommunityPlace of worship
- Place of worship (2)
- Bridgewater PostboxPost Box
- 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)
- 3
- 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
3 places of worship within ~1.5 km
- Christian Community
- Place of worship (2)
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 (4.9 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)
- 86
- Participants per 1,000 residents
- 21.7
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
- 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· 46 proposals
August 2026
- Fence and Retaining Wall (Retrospective)37 ANZAC RIDGE RD BRIDGEWATER SA 5155Under Assessment
- Single storey detached dwelling and associated retaining walls5 HAKEA CT BRIDGEWATER SA 5155Under Assessment
- Ancillary Accommodation70 ONKAPARINGA RD BRIDGEWATER SA 5155Under Assessment
- Verandah45 WISSELL ST BRIDGEWATER SA 5155Decision Made
July 2026
- Alterations and additions to single storey detached dwelling76 DRIFFIELD RD BRIDGEWATER SA 5155Under Assessment
- Outbuilding73 ONKAPARINGA RD BRIDGEWATER SA 5155Under Assessment
- Pergola20 HILL VIEW RD BRIDGEWATER SA 5155Decision Made
- Renovation and Addition to existing dwelling and new open carport5 WEMBLEY AV BRIDGEWATER SA 5155Under Assessment
- Carport and outbuilding (shipping container)79 WEMBLEY AV BRIDGEWATER SA 5155Under Assessment
- Construction of a Carport and Building Alterations and Additions31 HILL VIEW RD BRIDGEWATER SA 5155Under Assessment
- Pergola1 NORMAN RD BRIDGEWATER SA 5155Decision Made
June 2026
- Swimming pool or spa pool and associated swimming pool safety features81 WEMBLEY AV BRIDGEWATER SA 5155Decision Made
- Dwelling addition and carport67 ORONTES AV BRIDGEWATER SA 5155Under Assessment
- Single storey dwelling alterations & additions29 HILL VIEW RD BRIDGEWATER SA 5155Under Assessment
- Land division (1 into 2)38 BEADNELL CR BRIDGEWATER SA 5155Decision Made
May 2026
- Addition and renovation to place of worship1 WEMBLEY AV BRIDGEWATER SA 5155Under Assessment
- Alterations to existing dwelling22 OAK AV BRIDGEWATER SA 5155Under Assessment
- Two-storey detached dwelling and building alterations to outbuilding106 CAVE AV BRIDGEWATER SA 5155Under Assessment
- Carport38 WATTLE ST BRIDGEWATER SA 5155Decision Made
- Deck and verandah7 FOURTH AV BRIDGEWATER SA 5155Decision Made
- Internal fitoutUNIT 7 399 MOUNT BARKER RD BRIDGEWATER SA 5155Decision Made
- Proposed deck to existing shed36 CAVE AV BRIDGEWATER SA 5155Under Assessment
April 2026
- Dwelling addition comprising second storey.44 DRIFFIELD RD BRIDGEWATER SA 5155Under Assessment
- Verandah9 BEADNELL CR BRIDGEWATER SA 5155Decision Made
- Repairs to dwelling following tree impact46 WATTLE TREE RD BRIDGEWATER SA 5155Under Assessment
- Single storey detached dwelling and associated fence60 ORONTES AV BRIDGEWATER SA 5155Under Assessment
- Installation of swimming pool and safety barriers6 CHRISTIE ST BRIDGEWATER SA 5155Decision Made
- Single storey dwelling addition and outbuilding (carport) (variation to 25012096)37 ANZAC RIDGE RD BRIDGEWATER SA 5155Under Assessment
March 2026
- Dwelling addition20 CHARLTON ST BRIDGEWATER SA 5155Under Assessment
- Deck13 OTRANTO ST BRIDGEWATER SA 5155Decision Made
- Replacement Pool fence.31 OSTERLEY AV BRIDGEWATER SA 5155Decision Made
- Construction of concrete pool and associated filtration equipment16A OAK AV BRIDGEWATER SA 5155Decision Made
- Installation of split system air conditioning unit.1 CAREY GULLY RD BRIDGEWATER SA 5155Decision Made
- Outbuilding (shed extension)40 WISSELL ST BRIDGEWATER SA 5155Decision Made
- Variation to Development Authorisations 24008987 and 24038031 - conversion of pergola to verandah associated with ancillary accommodation, conversion of carport to outbuilding (garage), alterations to outbuilding to include verandah, and relocation of water tank65 CAVE AV BRIDGEWATER SA 5155Under Assessment
February 2026
- Change of use from ancillary accommodation to short-term stay tourist accommodation56 WEMBLEY AV BRIDGEWATER SA 5155Decision Made
- Deck and Verandah4 CARTER PL BRIDGEWATER SA 5155Decision Made
- Alterations & additions30 OSTERLEY AV BRIDGEWATER SA 5155Decision Made
- Deck, outbuilding and carport4 CICHON RD BRIDGEWATER SA 5155Under Assessment
- Ancillary accommodation2 SILVER RD BRIDGEWATER SA 5155Under Assessment
2025· 2 proposals
December 2025
- Verandah over existing deck26 RAILWAY AV BRIDGEWATER SA 5155Decision Made
November 2025
- Construction of a double storey dwelling addition14 ROSEWARNE CR BRIDGEWATER SA 5155Under Assessment
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
Roadworks & transport
10 active roadworks / incidents
- Traffic ManagementMount Barker Road, Silver Rd12 Jan 2026 – 31 Jul 2027
- Traffic ManagementMount Barker Road, Mount Barker Rd12 Jan 2026 – 31 Jul 2027
- Traffic ManagementSouth Eastern Freeway, Verdun Ramp To Adelaide12 Jan 2026 – 31 Jul 2027
- Traffic ManagementVerdun Ramp From Adelaide, South Eastern Fwy12 Jan 2026 – 31 Jul 2027
- Traffic ManagementOnkaparinga Valley Road, Mount Barker Rd12 Jan 2026 – 31 Jul 2027
- Traffic ManagementSouth Eastern Freeway, Verdun Ramp From Adelaide12 Jan 2026 – 31 Jul 2027
- Tree RemovalMount Barker Road, Onkaparinga Valley Rd06 Jul 2026 – 31 Aug 2026
- Vms TrailerMount Barker Road, Silver Rd17 Nov 2025 – 17 Nov 2026
- Vms TrailerMount Barker Road, Mount Barker Rd17 Nov 2025 – 17 Nov 2026
- Vms TrailerOnkaparinga Valley Road, Mount Barker Rd17 Nov 2025 – 17 Nov 2026
Data sources & freshness
- Traffic SA road events — Department for Infrastructure and Transport (SA) · current · Updated
Heritage
14 heritage places
- Bridgewater Drinking FountainCnr Mount Barker and Carey Gully Road BRIDGEWATERLocal heritage
- Bridgewater Inn/Hotel387 Mount Barker Road BRIDGEWATERLocal heritage
- Bridgewater Institute1 Carey Gully Road BRIDGEWATERLocal heritage
- Bridgewater School House, School Room, Residence46 Morella Grove BRIDGEWATERLocal heritage
- CFS Ladies Auxiliary Shop5 Carey Gully Road BRIDGEWATERLocal heritage
- Cottage4 Barracks Lane BRIDGEWATERLocal heritage
- Cottage854 Mount Barker Road VERDUNLocal heritage
- GrottoCnr Mount Barker and Carey Gully Road BRIDGEWATERLocal heritage
- House, 'Alderwood'6 Shannon Road BRIDGEWATERLocal heritage
- House, 'Church House'360 Mount Barker Road BRIDGEWATERLocal heritage
Data sources & freshness
- SA Heritage Places database — Department for Environment and Water (SA) · current · Updated
Hazards
- Bushfire planning zone
- Overlay applies
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 6.3 km away).
Coalition 32.6%Labor 67.4%
12.4 percentage points more Labor-leaning than the electorate
Estimated swing since 2022: +4.3 pp toward Labor
Nearest polling places
- BridgewaterLabor 71.9% · Coalition 28.1% TPP (2025)1.1 km away
- AldgateLabor 65.4% · Coalition 34.6% TPP (2025)1.6 km away
- MylorLabor 59.1% · Coalition 40.9% TPP (2025)3.2 km away
- Stirling EastLabor 61.6% · Coalition 38.4% TPP (2025)3.2 km away
- Stirling WestLabor 59.0% · Coalition 41.0% TPP (2025)4.6 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.