Median house price
$965k
+6.9% change
SA · West Torrens Council
Cowandilla, 5033
Est. population · Jun 2025
1,569
Growth (1 yr)
+1.2%
Growth (5 yr)
+5.9%
Median age
41
Median income
$1,310/wk
Employment rate
51.7%
Median house price · Q1 2026
$965,000
Languages at home
36.2%non-English
Most common: Greek, Punjabi, Arabic
2021 Census · usual residence
Desirability score
- Excellent transport
- Education hub
- Heritage area
- High desirability
Suburb profile
Cowandilla is a practical smaller community in West Torrens Council, well placed for families who want metro access without the inner-city squeeze. Working households and growing families are the backbone of local life, with family life visible on every street. Many residents were born overseas or speak a language other than English at home.
Dining is thinner on the ground than in busier metro pockets, so many residents head to neighbouring suburbs for a night out. A car helps for most daily errands, though buses still link the suburb further afield. Housing is expensive relative to much of the state.
Crime reports are up on the previous period. An emerging neighbourhood feel is building here, with new households gradually reshaping local life.
Desirability lands below average here: softer parks and green space, plus community and employment weighing on the result versus similar metro suburbs, even with schools and education holding up better. Limited access to some essential local services also trimmed the result.
At a glance
Cowandilla snapshot
A quick read of housing, growth, livability, and risk
Median rent
$550/wk
Houses $670 · Units $450
Population (ERP)
1,569
+1.2% annual growth
Dwelling vacancy
8.5%
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
#144
among Metro Adelaide · Emerging
Safety
67th
percentile in state (higher = safer)
Pop. growth
79th
percentile in SA
Advantage (IRSAD)
4/10
national SEIFA decile
School ICSEA
70th
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
- 33.5/100 — Below average
- National rank
- 4968th in Australia
- State rank
- 513th in SA
- Peer rank
- #144 among Metro Adelaide · Emerging suburbs
- Cohort rank
- #330 among Metro Adelaide suburbs
- Data confidence
- 96%
Data sources & freshness
- Suburb Guide desirability index — Suburb Guide (derived) · current · Updated
Housing
- Flats / units (01/01/26 to 31/03/26)
- $450
- Houses (01/01/26 to 31/03/26)
- $670
- All types (01/01/26 to 31/03/26)
- $550
- Rental bonds lodged (01/01/26 to 31/03/26)
- 20
- Median house price (Q1 2026)
- $965,000
- Median price change
- +6.9%
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
1,569(June 2025)
+1.2% annual · +5.9% over 5 years · 79th percentile in SA
Growth figures & methodology
- Annual growth
- +1.2%
- 5-year growth
- +5.9%
- Change in 1 year
- +19
- Change in 5 years
- +88
- Growth rank in SA
- 79th 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 (~1,650), extrapolated at +0.9% average annual growth since 2011. It is illustrative only — not an official ABS forecast.
2021 Census figures
2021 Census
- Population
- 1,455
- Median age
- 41
- Median household income / week
- $1,310
- Dwelling vacancy
- 8.5%
- Unoccupied private dwellings
- 50 of 586
- Median monthly mortgage
- $1,733
- Employment rate
- 51.7%
- Dwelling mix (houses / semi / flats)
- 402 / 59 / 66
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)
- 82
- Against the person
- 19
- Against property
- 63
- Rate per 1,000 residents
- 52.3
- Person-crime prevalence
- About 1 in 77 residents
- State safety percentile
- 66.8th (lower crime is better)
- Family & domestic abuse offences
- 65
- Increase (daily rate)
- +30.5%
Most common offence types
- Other Property Damage And Environmental17
- Other Theft15
- Sct - Residence11
- Serious Assault Not Resulting In Injury6
- Theft From Motor Vehicle6
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
- 3 (3 schools, 1 preschools)
- Median school ICSEA (8 schools)
- 1,052.5
- Median ICSEA percentile
- 70th
School list
- Cowandilla Primary SchoolPrimary · Government · ICSEA 1051 · 69th percentile · LBOTE 57% · 341 students · Top SEA quarter 26% · 0.3 km awayView on My School →
- St John Bosco SchoolPrimary · Catholic · ICSEA 1054 · 70th percentile · LBOTE 51% · 252 students · Top SEA quarter 22% · 0.7 km awayView on My School →
- Tenison Woods Catholic Primary SchoolPrimary · Catholic · ICSEA 1084 · 80th percentile · LBOTE 25% · 262 students · Top SEA quarter 34% · 0.9 km awayView on My School →
- Torrensville Primary SchoolPrimary · Government · ICSEA 1099 · 84th percentile · LBOTE 35% · 380 students · Top SEA quarter 41% · 1.5 km awayView on My School →
- St George CollegeCombined · Independent · ICSEA 1046 · 67th percentile · LBOTE 75% · 350 students · Top SEA quarter 21% · 1.6 km awayView on My School →
- Richmond Primary SchoolPrimary · Government · ICSEA 1122 · 90th percentile · LBOTE 84% · 362 students · Top SEA quarter 47% · 1.8 km awayView on My School →
- Thebarton Senior CollegeSecondary · Government · ICSEA 951 · 25th percentile · LBOTE 72% · 1,284 students · Top SEA quarter 9% · 1.8 km awayView on My School →
- Underdale High SchoolSecondary · Government · ICSEA 1000 · 47th percentile · LBOTE 42% · 629 students · Top SEA quarter 11% · 1.9 km awayView on My School →
- Cowandilla Children's Centre34 Wilson StreetIntegrated Centres
- Cowandilla Learning Centre14 Brooker TerraceSupport Services
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
8 public transport stops in this suburb
- Stop 6 Sir Donald Bradman Dr - North side
- Stop 6 Sir Donald Bradman Dr - South side
- Stop 6A Sir Donald Bradman Dr - South side
- Stop 6B Sir Donald Bradman Dr - North side
- Stop 8D Marion Rd - East 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
41 nearby amenities within ~1.5 km
Local character & venue list
Local character
- Limited walkable amenities nearby
- Reasonable bus and transport access — 8 public transport stops
- Walkability proxy
- 12/100
- Cafés per 1,000 residents
- 0
- Food & drink per 1,000 residents
- 0
- Parks per 1,000 residents
- 0.69
Community(1)
- Cowandilla Primary SchoolSchool
Health & services(2)
- Cowandilla Children’s Centre (CaFHS)Clinic
38 Wilson Street
- Medical clinic
Sport & outdoors(2)
- Western Youth ReservePark
- Sports field
Transport(8)
8 bus stops
Other(6)
- Bench (3)
- Bicycle Parking (2)
- Parking (20)
- PetZestPet
- Calvary Flora McDonaldSocial Facility
206 Sir Donald Bradman Drive
- TelstraTelephone
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)
- 1
- Parks (OSM)
- 1
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
- Nearest hospital
- Lift Cancer Care (2.2 km)
- Nearest hospital type
- Private Day Only 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)
- 45
- Participants per 1,000 residents
- 28.7
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
- 27° / 16°
- Rainfall
- 49 mm · ~6 rainy days
Autumn (Mar–May)
- Usual max / min
- 22° / 13°
- Rainfall
- 94 mm · ~12 rainy days
Winter (Jun–Aug)
- Usual max / min
- 16° / 8°
- Rainfall
- 161 mm · ~20 rainy days
Spring (Sep–Nov)
- Usual max / min
- 21° / 11°
- Rainfall
- 95 mm · ~12 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· 6 proposals
August 2026
- Tree-damaging activity in the form of the removal of one (1) regulated 'silky oak'15 WILSON ST COWANDILLA SA 5033Under Assessment
July 2026
- Proposed 1 into 4 Community Title land division43 WILSON ST COWANDILLA SA 5033Under Assessment
May 2026
- Demolition of existing facility and cricket practice nets and construction of a double storey indoor recreation facility with associated carparking and landscaping and the installation of oval lighting (6 lights with 12m high poles and 4 lights with 22m high poles), removal of one significant tree and six regulated trees, sports fencing and nettings and three outbuildings.61 -79 MARION RD COWANDILLA SA 5033;79 MARION RD COWANDILLA SA 5033;LOT 1 HOUNSLOW AV COWANDILLA SA 5033Under Assessment
April 2026
- Dwelling alterations and additions with partial demolition to the rear of an existing dwelling45 HOUNSLOW AV COWANDILLA SA 5033Decision Made
March 2026
- Outbuilding8 WILSON ST COWANDILLA SA 5033Decision Made
February 2026
- Classroom building associated with existing place of worship, verandah, and removal of a Significant tree (palm species)10 BROOKER TCE COWANDILLA SA 5033;8 BROOKER TCE COWANDILLA SA 5033Under Assessment
2025· 13 proposals
December 2025
- Dwelling alterations and single storey dwelling additions23 WILSON ST COWANDILLA SA 5033Under Assessment
November 2025
- Four (4) group dwellings, boundary fencing and retaining walls and associated landscaping43 WILSON ST COWANDILLA SA 5033Under Assessment
August 2025
- Verandah12 NEILL RD COWANDILLA SA 5033Decision Made
- Outbuilding for the use of a shed18 BROOKER TCE COWANDILLA SA 5033Decision Made
July 2025
- Verandah3 WILSON ST COWANDILLA SA 5033Decision Made
- Outbuilding (shed)267 SIR DONALD BRADMAN DR COWANDILLA SA 5033Decision Made
May 2025
- Replacement of existing fence on and adjacent the southern allotment boundary240 -242 SIR DONALD BRADMAN DR COWANDILLA SA 5033Decision Made
April 2025
- Land division - Community - 1 into 2 allotments; with associated common driveway, landscaping, and carport to rear of existing dwelling226 SIR DONALD BRADMAN DR COWANDILLA SA 5033Decision Made
February 2025
- Verandah37A JENKINS ST COWANDILLA SA 5033Decision Made
- Removal of a Regulated Chamaecyparis Lawsoniana and a Significant Agonis Flexuosa.13 SPENCER ST COWANDILLA SA 5033Decision Made
January 2025
- Alteration and addition to existing dwelling including a verandah and a carport49 HOUNSLOW AV COWANDILLA SA 5033Decision Made
- Outbuilding (shed)45 HOUNSLOW AV COWANDILLA SA 5033Decision Made
- build a flat roof colorbond verandah at rear of an existing house.31 TURNER ST COWANDILLA SA 5033Decision Made
2024· 16 proposals
December 2024
- Verandah11A POYNTON ST COWANDILLA SA 5033Decision Made
November 2024
- Verandah1C FENNER AV COWANDILLA SA 5033Decision Made
- 2 into 3 Torrens Title Division14 GOLDFINCH AV COWANDILLA SA 5033;86 BAGOT AV COWANDILLA SA 5033Decision Made
October 2024
- Single storey dwelling alterations and additions including partial demolition; reinstatement of and extension to existing verandah and deck14 FRANCIS ST COWANDILLA SA 5033Decision Made
- VerandahUNIT 3 40A JENKINS ST COWANDILLA SA 5033Decision Made
September 2024
- Front fence270 SIR DONALD BRADMAN DR COWANDILLA SA 5033Decision Made
- Verandah31 SPENCER ST COWANDILLA SA 5033Decision Made
July 2024
- Ancillary accommodation to rear of dwelling32 JENKINS ST COWANDILLA SA 5033Decision Made
- Construction of a 2.1m masonry front fence272 SIR DONALD BRADMAN DR COWANDILLA SA 5033Decision Made
June 2024
- Addition to front of existing dwelling30 TURNER ST COWANDILLA SA 5033Decision Made
May 2024
- Two-storey detached dwelling (Dwelling 2) and two (2) carports in association with existing dwellings (Dwelling 1 and Dwelling 3)14 GOLDFINCH AV COWANDILLA SA 5033;86 BAGOT AV COWANDILLA SA 5033Under Assessment
April 2024
- Carport and Garage (Outbuilding)10 TURNER ST COWANDILLA SA 5033Decision Made
January 2024
- Front fence to a height of 1.1 metres and side fence to a height of 2.1 metres32 TURNER ST COWANDILLA SA 5033Decision Made
- Ancillary accommodation3 FRANCIS ST COWANDILLA SA 5033Decision Made
- Outbuilding and verandah in association with existing educational facility1-35 JENKINS ST COWANDILLA SA 5033Decision Made
- Construction of new verandah11 BLACKBURN AV COWANDILLA SA 5033Decision Made
2023· 6 proposals
November 2023
- Construction of a granny flat (retrospective)7 AUGUSTA ST COWANDILLA SA 5033Decision Made
October 2023
- Pergola > A pergola structure to be added onto the back of the existing dwelling Carport > Demolition of existing carport structure and new carport structure to be added > Installation of a double roller door to enclose carport structure Fence > Demolition of boundary fence (brick breeze block wall) and replace with new fence for privacy/security as well as a seamless look with new carport structure > Addition of wall along boundary (neighbour side) for privacy/security of new carport/garage3 NEILL RD COWANDILLA SA 5033Decision Made
- verandah12A SPENCER ST COWANDILLA SA 5033Decision Made
- Two-storey detached dwelling3B NEILL RD COWANDILLA SA 5033Decision Made
September 2023
- Addition to rear of existing dwelling and extension to existing carport13 WILSON ST COWANDILLA SA 5033Decision Made
August 2023
- Dwelling addition (verandah to habitable room)31 TURNER ST COWANDILLA SA 5033Decision 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
2 heritage places
- Former Cowandilla Junior Primary School1-35 Jenkins Street (corner Brooker Terrace) COWANDILLALocal heritage
- Shops180-184 Sir Donald Bradman Drive COWANDILLALocal heritage
Data sources & freshness
- SA Heritage Places database — Department for Environment and Water (SA) · current · Updated
Hazards
- Bushfire planning zone
- No overlay at centroid
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
- Adelaide
- Member of Parliament
- Steve GEORGANAS (Australian Labor Party)
- Results from
- 2025 federal election
- Electorate enrolment (2025)
- 131,436
- Turnout (2025)
- 90.2%
- Swing since 2022 (2025)
- +7.2 pp toward Labor
Two-party preferred (2025)
Coalition 30.9%Labor 69.1%
Estimated suburb voting profile
Estimated from 8 nearby ordinary polling places (up to 3.2 km away).
Coalition 22.3%Labor 77.7%
8.7 percentage points more Labor-leaning than the electorate
Estimated swing since 2022: +6.8 pp toward Labor
Nearest polling places
- Cowandilla (Adelaide)Labor 77.9% · Coalition 22.1% TPP (2025)0.3 km away
- TorrensvilleLabor 79.5% · Coalition 20.5% TPP (2025)1.4 km away
- Mile EndLabor 78.3% · Coalition 21.7% TPP (2025)1.6 km away
- Brooklyn Park (Adelaide)Labor 77.9% · Coalition 22.1% TPP (2025)1.8 km away
- KeswickLabor 72.6% · Coalition 27.4% TPP (2025)1.8 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)
- 4/10
- IRSD decile (2021)
- 3/10
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 West Torrens Council
Other suburbs in the same local government area.
Comparable suburbs
Similar population and socio-economic profile in other parts of South Australia.