SA · Unley Council
Forestville, 5035
Current weather
11°CRain showers
83% humidity · 22.8 km/h wind · 13.2° / 10.8° today · 26.2 mm rain
Desirability score
- Premium
- Historic
- Transport
- Shops
- Metro
Suburb profile
Forestville is a practical smaller community in Unley, well placed for families who want metro access without the inner-city squeeze. Sitting close to the city centre, it is easy to dip into neighbouring suburbs for work, dining and events. Residents are mostly families and working professionals, with family life visible on every street.
Daily life is practical and well connected, with the city and nearby suburbs easy to tap into. 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.
A busy pipeline of new development is gradually changing the look and feel of the streets.
The desirability score is around average, weighed down by weaker local dining and lifestyle amenities and parks and green space against similar metro suburbs, even with housing affordability and community and employment holding up better. Limited access to some essential local services also trimmed the result.
Population
- Population
- 1,400
- Median age
- 39
- Median household income / week
- $1,981
- Dwelling vacancy
- 5.5%
- Unoccupied private dwellings
- 35 of 631
- Median monthly mortgage
- $1,733
- Employment rate
- 69.4%
- Dwelling mix (houses / semi / flats)
- 22 / 155 / 120
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
- Flats / units (01/01/26 to 31/03/26)
- $465
- Houses (01/01/26 to 31/03/26)
- $575
- All types (01/01/26 to 31/03/26)
- $540
- Rental bonds lodged (01/01/26 to 31/03/26)
- 15
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 · Updated on site · Quarterly releases
Crime & safety
- Total offences (2024–25)
- 72
- Against the person
- 11
- Against property
- 61
- Rate per 1,000 residents
- 51.4
- Person-crime prevalence
- About 1 in 127 residents
- State safety percentile
- 65.7th (lower crime is better)
- Family & domestic abuse offences
- 39
- Increase (daily rate)
- +20.3%
Reported offences increased compared with the previous period.
Reported offences by period
Most common offence types
- Other Property Damage And Environmental14
- Other Theft12
- Serious Assault Not Resulting In Injury5
- Theft From Motor Vehicle13
- Theft From Shop7
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
Public transport
9 public transport stops in this suburb
- Stop 3 Anzac Hwy - South East side
- Stop 4 Forestville
- Stop 6 Leader St - South side
- Stop 7 Leah St - East side
- Stop 7A Leah St - 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) · Period: current · Updated on site · GTFS static feed
Planning & development
Development applications from PlanSA register (lodged 2020–2026) and EPA licensed activities.
137 planning-related records
2026· 19 proposals
June 2026
- Partial demolition of existing dwelling, alterations and single storey dwelling addition54 THIRD AV FORESTVILLE SA 5035Under Assessment
May 2026
- Alterations and additions to the existing dwelling, including partial demolition, demolition of ancillary structures, attached verandah and alterations to existing fence40 LEAH ST FORESTVILLE SA 5035Under Assessment
- Demolition of single storey detached dwelling and ancillary structuresUNIT 1 13 SECOND AV FORESTVILLE SA 5035Under Assessment
- Partial demolition of the existing dwelling and construction of dwelling additions and alterations, and carport4 CHARLES ST FORESTVILLE SA 5035Under Assessment
- Variation to Development Application 25027846 - Construction of a single storey detached dwelling, with front fence and combined retaining walls and boundary fencing - Variation to roof design and increase to garage boundary wall height25 FIRST AV FORESTVILLE SA 5035Decision Made
April 2026
- Carport26 NAIRNE TCE FORESTVILLE SA 5035Decision Made
- Removal of a Significant Street Tree (Koelreuteria paniculata).66 SECOND AV FORESTVILLE SA 5035Decision Made
- Alterations and additions to the existing dwelling, including partial demolition, demolition of ancillary structures and construction of a carport and swimming pool with associated safety barriers.19 THIRD AV FORESTVILLE SA 5035Under Assessment
- Emu woven wire front fence and part of side boundary fence, with driveway and pedestrian gates14 NICHOLS ST FORESTVILLE SA 5035Decision Made
- Land division - 1 into 2UNIT 1-2 13 NORMAN TCE FORESTVILLE SA 5035Decision Made
- Removal of a regulated street tree Eucalyptus Sideroxylon (Red Iron Bark) in verge forward of 32 Charles St ForestvilleUNIT 1-4 32 CHARLES ST FORESTVILLE SA 5035Decision Made
March 2026
- Construction of a verandahUNIT 3 69 LEADER ST FORESTVILLE SA 5035Decision Made
- Removal of a regulated tree, Silky Oak (Grevillea robusta)UNIT 2 39 VICTORIA ST FORESTVILLE SA 5035Decision Made
February 2026
- Significant tree removal, Eucalyptus sideroxylon3 THIRD AV FORESTVILLE SA 5035Decision Made
- Front fence with masonry pillars and wall with vertical aluminium slat infill34 SECOND AV FORESTVILLE SA 5035Decision Made
January 2026
- Division of one (1) allotment to create one (1) additional allotmentLOT 501 MAPLE AV FORESTVILLE SA 5035Decision Made
- Regulated Tree Removal (retrospective Section 136(2))17 FIRST AV FORESTVILLE SA 5035Decision Made
- Carport and pergola8 CHARLES ST FORESTVILLE SA 5035Decision Made
- Decking30 FIRST AV FORESTVILLE SA 5035Decision Made
2025· 21 proposals
December 2025
- Alterations and additions to the existing dwelling, including partial demolition, demolition of a verandah and construction of a verandah and deck8 NICHOLS ST FORESTVILLE SA 5035Under Assessment
November 2025
- Variation to Development Application 24042120 comprising reduction in building height and changes to building setbacks, built form, internal configuration, apartment mix and external materialsLOT 700 ACACIA ST FORESTVILLE SA 5035Under Assessment
- Construction of a single storey detached dwelling, with front fence and combined retaining walls and boundary fencing25 FIRST AV FORESTVILLE SA 5035Decision Made
October 2025
- Boundary Re-Alignment Lots 1 and 2 and Lots 33 and 34LOT 1 ACACIA ST FORESTVILLE SA 5035;LOT 2 ACACIA ST FORESTVILLE SA 5035;LOT 32 ACACIA ST FORESTVILLE SA 5035;LOT 33 ACACIA ST FORESTVILLE SA 5035Decision Made
- Dwelling alterations and two storey addition including partial demolition of the existing dwelling, demolition of a carport and construction of an outbuilding (garage).56 THIRD AV FORESTVILLE SA 5035Decision Made
September 2025
- Erect 1800mm good neighbour Colourbond fence (woodland grey) along side boundary14 NICHOLS ST FORESTVILLE SA 5035Decision Made
- Outbuilding for use as a shed.1 FOSTER ST FORESTVILLE SA 5035Decision Made
- Demolition of the existing dwelling and ancillary structures and the removal of one (1) regulated tree (Hymenosporum flavum)25 FIRST AV FORESTVILLE SA 5035Decision Made
- Construction of a verandahUNIT 1 54C VICTORIA ST FORESTVILLE SA 5035Decision Made
- Variation to Application ID 23020901 for construction of a mixed-use development comprising shops, tourist accommodation, educational facility, rooftop farm, residential flat building, loading and servicing facilities and removal of one (1) regulated treeLOT 501 MAPLE AV FORESTVILLE SA 5035Under Assessment
August 2025
- Façade upgrade and advertising signage18 MAPLE AV FORESTVILLE SA 5035Decision Made
July 2025
- Construction of attached verandah, gazebo and deck36 EVERARD TCE FORESTVILLE SA 5035Decision Made
- Removal of a regulated tree - Melaleuca viminalis (Bottlebrush)25 FIRST AV FORESTVILLE SA 5035Decision Made
- Carport and a front fence to a maximum height of 1.5 metres1 ETHEL ST FORESTVILLE SA 5035Decision Made
- Installation of swimming pool and safety barrier30 FIRST AV FORESTVILLE SA 5035Decision Made
- Dwelling additions and building alterations to existing semi-detached dwellings and partial demolition of the dwellings and demolition of ancillary structures13 FIRST AV FORESTVILLE SA 5035;15 FIRST AV FORESTVILLE SA 5035Decision Made
- Demolition of existing ancillary structures, construction of dwelling additions and alterations (including an alfresco), outbuilding, and in-ground swimming pool and associated pool safety features15 EVERARD TCE FORESTVILLE SA 5035Under Assessment
June 2025
- construct in-ground swimming pool & install associated safety fencing73 THIRD AV FORESTVILLE SA 5035Decision Made
May 2025
- Dwelling addition and building alterations10 CHARLES ST FORESTVILLE SA 5035Decision Made
- Variation of Development Application 24004051 - Partial change in land use to a sales office with associated shop and external alterations to the existing building - Variation to include a Function Centre58 MAPLE AV FORESTVILLE SA 5035Decision Made
March 2025
- Variation to DA 21003112 - change in the location and the reduction in size of two approved silos4 LEAH ST FORESTVILLE SA 5035Under 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
61 nearby amenities within ~1.5 km
- Teli OriginalBakery
5 Aroha Terrace
- Bbq (2)
- Bench (16)
- Bicycle Parking (8)
- Stop 3 Anzac Highway - South East sideBus stop
- Stop 6 Leader Street - North sideBus stop
- Stop 6 Leader Street - South sideBus stop
- Stop 7 Leah Street - East sideBus stop
- Stop 7 Leah Street - West sideBus stop
- Stop 7A Leah Street - East 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)
- 8/10
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
18 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
- 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 · Period: current · Updated on site
Green cover
- Parks & woodland (OSM)
- 2
- 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 features — OpenStreetMap contributors · Period: current · Updated on site · Weekly refresh
Desirability index
- Desirability score
- 41.0/100 — Average
- State standing
- Top 43% of South Australia's suburbs
- National rank
- 3144th in Australia
- State rank
- 300th in SA
- Peer rank
- #52 among Metro Adelaide · Established suburbs
- Cohort rank
- #212 among Metro Adelaide suburbs
- Data confidence
- 70%
Data sources & freshness
- Suburb Guide desirability index — Suburb Guide (derived score) · Period: current · Updated on site · Derived from source metrics
Recent changes
- Other Property Damage And Environmentalcrime14
- Other Theftcrime12
- Serious Assault Not Resulting In Injurycrime5
- Theft From Motor Vehiclecrime13
- Theft From Shopcrime7
- Heritage placeheritageState heritage
- Heritage placeheritageState heritage
- Heritage placeheritageState heritage
- Heritage placeheritageState heritage
- Heritage placeheritageState heritage
Data sources & freshness
- SA Heritage Places database — Department for Environment and Water (SA) · Updated on site
- SAPOL reported crime statistics — South Australia Police — OpenData · Updated on site · Financial-year releases
More in Unley Council
Other suburbs in the same local government area.
Similar suburbs
Suburbs with a similar population, SEIFA decile and location.