SA · Adelaide Hills Council
Bridgewater, 5155
Current weather
10.1°CLight drizzle
97% humidity · 26.4 km/h wind · 11.9° / 8.9° today · 35.6 mm rain
Updated
Desirability score
- Heritage area
- Education hub
- Green suburb
- High desirability
- Café precinct
Suburb profile
Bridgewater sits up in the Adelaide Hills 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. Ridge-top pockets and tree cover give the area a cooler, greener hillside feel.
Working households and growing families are the backbone of local life, with family life visible on every street. Local shops and services cover the basics well, with more choice a short trip into neighbouring suburbs. Buses and trains connect the area to surrounding suburbs, keeping the wider city within easy reach.
Property is in demand, reflecting the appeal of living in a place people actively choose. Active development is adding new homes and refreshed pockets throughout the suburb.
The desirability score is around average, weighed down by weaker local dining and lifestyle amenities and safety against similar metro suburbs, even with community and employment and housing affordability holding up better.
Population
- 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)
- 107 / 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 · Period: 2021 · Updated on site · 2021 Census release
The 2026 Census runs in August 2026; suburb-level updates are expected from mid-2027.
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.
Contributes to desirability score · Housing (15%) · Future Growth (7%)
Median price, rental yield and vacancy Recent price momentum
Data sources & freshness
- SA Housing Authority rent & sales reports — Government of South Australia · Period: 1 January - 31 March 2026; 1Q 2026 · Updated on site · Quarterly releases
Crime & safety
- Total offences (2024–25)
- 58
- Against the person
- 21
- Against property
- 37
- Rate per 1,000 residents
- 15.6
- Person-crime prevalence
- About 1 in 177 residents
- State safety percentile
- 17.5th (lower crime is better)
- Family & domestic abuse offences
- 16
- Increase (daily rate)
- +49.1%
Reported offences increased compared with the previous period.
Reported offences by period
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 · Period: 2023-24 → 2024-25; 2024-25 · Updated on site · Financial-year releases
Schools & preschools
- Schools & preschools
- 3 (2 schools, 1 preschools)
- Median school ICSEA
- 1,076
- Arbury Park Outdoor SchoolArbury Park RoadSpecialist Facilities
- Bridgewater Kindergarten Inc87 Onkaparinga RoadPreschools
- Bridgewater Primary SchoolPrimary · ICSEA 1076
Contributes to desirability score · Education (15%)
School and preschool counts, median school ICSEA
Data sources & freshness
- Government education sites register — Government of South Australia · Period: current · Updated on site · Static register
- School ICSEA (ACARA) — Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority · Period: 2025 · Updated on site · Annual ACARA 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) · Period: current · Updated on site · GTFS static feed
Roadworks & transport
15 active roadworks / incidents
- 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 ManagementMount Barker Road, Silver Rd12 Jan 2026 – 31 Jul 2027
- Traffic ManagementMount Barker Road, Mount Barker Rd12 Jan 2026 – 31 Jul 2027
- Traffic ManagementMount Barker Road, Silver Rd12 Jan 2026 – 31 Jul 2027
- Traffic ManagementOnkaparinga Valley Road, Mount Barker Rd12 Jan 2026 – 31 Jul 2027
- Traffic ManagementVerdun Ramp From Adelaide, South Eastern Fwy12 Jan 2026 – 31 Jul 2027
- Traffic ManagementSouth Eastern Freeway, Verdun Ramp From Adelaide12 Jan 2026 – 31 Jul 2027
- Traffic ManagementSouth Eastern Freeway, Verdun Ramp To Adelaide12 Jan 2026 – 31 Jul 2027
Data sources & freshness
- Traffic SA road events — Department for Infrastructure and Transport (SA) · Period: current · Updated on site · Hourly refresh
Planning & development
Development applications from PlanSA register (lodged 2020–2026) and EPA licensed activities.
326 planning-related records
2026· 35 proposals
June 2026
- Swimming pool or spa pool and associated swimming pool safety features81 WEMBLEY AV BRIDGEWATER SA 5155Under Assessment
- Dwelling addition and carport67 ORONTES AV BRIDGEWATER SA 5155Under Assessment
- Dwelling alterations & additions29 HILL VIEW RD BRIDGEWATER SA 5155Under Assessment
- Land division (1 into 2)38 BEADNELL CR BRIDGEWATER SA 5155Under Assessment
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 5155Under Assessment
- 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 5155Under Assessment
- 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
- Change of use from outbuilding to ancillary accommodation and associated deck3 BEADNELL CR BRIDGEWATER SA 5155Under Assessment
- Community title land division (3 into 3)12 MAXTON ST BRIDGEWATER SA 5155;14 FIELDING RD BRIDGEWATER SA 5155;8 MAXTON ST BRIDGEWATER SA 5155Decision Made
- Outbuilding (Carport)42 DRIFFIELD RD BRIDGEWATER SA 5155Decision Made
- Free standing carport2 DUNN ST BRIDGEWATER SA 5155Decision Made
January 2026
- Two storey detached dwelling alterations and additions, outbuilding, and carport21 ANZAC RIDGE RD BRIDGEWATER SA 5155Under Assessment
- Deck with a verandah35 ORONTES AV BRIDGEWATER SA 5155Decision Made
2025· 5 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
- Outbuilding17 WISSELL ST BRIDGEWATER SA 5155Decision Made
- Construction of a carport3 TRENOUTH ST BRIDGEWATER SA 5155Decision Made
October 2025
- Construction of dwelling additions, deck, verandah, and two outbuildings.22 TOWERS RD 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 · Period: 2020–2026 · Updated on site
Amenities
25 nearby amenities within ~1.5 km
- Sip'n SaveAlcohol
- Stop 45 Strathalbyn Road - East sideBus stop
- Stop 45 Strathalbyn Road - West sideBus stop
- Stop 45A Bridgewater Road - East sideBus stop
- Stop 45A Bridgewater Road - West sideBus stop
- Stop 46 Mount Barker Road - North sideBus stop
- Stop 46 Mount Barker Road - South sideBus stop
- Stop 46 Strathalbyn Road - North sideBus stop
- Stop 47 Mount Barker Road - North sideBus stop
- Stop 47 Mount Barker Road - South sideBus stop
Names and addresses from OpenStreetMap. Unnamed venues show as their type (e.g. Cafe).
Contributes to desirability score · Lifestyle (15%)
Food, shopping, recreation and sport (OpenStreetMap)
Data sources & freshness
- OpenStreetMap amenities — OpenStreetMap contributors · Period: current · Updated on site · Weekly refresh
Socio-economic (SEIFA)
- IRSAD decile (2021)
- 9/10
- IRSD decile (2021)
- 9/10
SEIFA indexes from ABS 2021. Decile 10 = most advantaged / least disadvantaged in Australia.
Contributes to desirability score · Community (5%)
Socio-economic advantage (IRSAD decile)
Data sources & freshness
- SEIFA 2021 (IRSAD / IRSD) — Australian Bureau of Statistics · Period: 2021 · Updated on site · 2021 SEIFA release
Heritage
15 state heritage places
- Heritage placeState heritage
- Heritage placeState heritage
- Heritage placeState heritage
- Heritage placeState heritage
- Heritage placeState heritage
- Heritage placeState heritage
- Heritage placeState heritage
- Heritage placeState heritage
- Heritage placeState heritage
- Heritage placeState heritage
Data sources & freshness
- SA Heritage Places database — Department for Environment and Water (SA) · Period: current · Updated on site
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 · Period: current · Updated on site
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 features — OpenStreetMap contributors · Period: current · Updated on site · Weekly refresh
Desirability Index
- Desirability score
- 43.1/100 — Average
- State standing
- Top 36% of South Australia's suburbs
- National rank
- 2748th in Australia
- State rank
- 254th in SA
- Peer rank
- #58 among Metro Adelaide · Emerging suburbs
- Cohort rank
- #183 among Metro Adelaide suburbs
- Data confidence
- 96%
Data sources & freshness
- Suburb Guide desirability index — Suburb Guide (derived score) · Period: current · Updated on site · Derived from source metrics
Recent changes
- Bridgewater Ovalamenitiespitch
- Bridgewater Pharmacyamenitiespharmacy
- Bridgewater Postboxamenitiespost_box
- Bridgewater Primary Schoolamenitiesschool
- Christian Communityamenitiesplace_of_worship
- Convenience storeamenitiesconvenience
- Picnic Tableamenitiespicnic_table
- Place of worshipamenitiesplace_of_worship
- Playgroundamenitiesplayground
- Public toiletsamenitiestoilets
Data sources & freshness
- OpenStreetMap amenities — OpenStreetMap contributors · Updated on site · Weekly refresh
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.