Median house price
$910k
+14% change
SA · Onkaparinga Council
Happy Valley, 5159
Est. population · Jun 2025
13,135
Growth (1 yr)
+0.6%
Growth (5 yr)
+4.2%
Median age
42
Median income
$1,573/wk
Employment rate
60.2%
Median house price · Q1 2026
$909,750
Languages at home
6.7%non-English
Most common: Mandarin, Polish, Arabic
2021 Census · usual residence
Desirability score
- Green suburb
- High desirability
- National parks
- Excellent transport
- Education hub
Suburb profile
In Onkaparinga Council, Happy Valley is a settled established suburb with a familiar suburban feel and good links to the wider city. The area suits established families and long-term locals, with a strong presence of young families throughout. Fitness and outdoor sport options are a real part of local life, not just a distant club trip away.
Outdoor life is easy here, with generous parks and room for kids, dogs and weekend strolls. Buses connect the area to surrounding suburbs, keeping the wider city within easy reach. Property sits in a premium price band and is harder to enter for many buyers.
Crime trends have improved of late compared with the previous period. Construction and infill projects are noticeably reshaping parts of the area.
The desirability picture is good, powered mainly by schools and education, plus growth momentum relative to similar metro suburbs.
At a glance
Happy Valley snapshot
A quick read of housing, growth, livability, and risk
Median rent
$650/wk
Population (ERP)
13,135
+0.6% annual growth
Dwelling vacancy
5.0%
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
#9
among Metro Adelaide · Established
Safety
19th
percentile in state (higher = safer)
Pop. growth
58th
percentile in SA
Advantage (IRSAD)
6/10
national SEIFA decile
School ICSEA
63rd
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
- 62.9/100 — Good
- State standing
- Top 4% of South Australia's suburbs
- National rank
- 744th in Australia
- State rank
- 25th in SA
- Peer rank
- #9 among Metro Adelaide · Established suburbs
- Cohort rank
- #19 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)
- $650
- Rental bonds lodged (01/01/26 to 31/03/26)
- 25
- Median house price (Q1 2026)
- $909,750
- Median price change
- +14%
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
13,135(June 2025)
+0.6% annual · +4.2% over 5 years · 58th percentile in SA
Growth figures & methodology
- Annual growth
- +0.6%
- 5-year growth
- +4.2%
- Change in 1 year
- +81
- Change in 5 years
- +528
- Growth rank in SA
- 58th 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 (~13,300), extrapolated at +0.2% average annual growth since 2011. It is illustrative only — not an official ABS forecast.
2021 Census figures
2021 Census
- Population
- 11,420
- Median age
- 42
- Median household income / week
- $1,573
- Dwelling vacancy
- 5%
- Unoccupied private dwellings
- 235 of 4,695
- Median monthly mortgage
- $1,517
- Employment rate
- 60.2%
- Dwelling mix (houses / semi / flats)
- 4,014 / 445 / 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 decreased compared with the previous period.
Offence counts & rates
- Total offences (2024–25)
- 203
- Against the person
- 64
- Against property
- 139
- Rate per 1,000 residents
- 15.5
- Person-crime prevalence
- About 1 in 178 residents
- State safety percentile
- 18.6th (lower crime is better)
- Family & domestic abuse offences
- 107
- Decrease (daily rate)
- -16.2%
Most common offence types
- Other Property Damage And Environmental42
- Other Theft17
- Serious Assault Not Resulting In Injury34
- Theft From Motor Vehicle20
- Theft From Shop14
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, 2 preschools)
- Median school ICSEA (8 schools)
- 1,036
- Median ICSEA percentile
- 63th
School list
- OneSchool Global SACombined · Independent · ICSEA 983 · 39th percentile · LBOTE 0% · 65 students · Top SEA quarter 0% · 1.3 km awayView on My School →
- Our Saviour Lutheran School Happy Valley IncorporatedPrimary · Independent · ICSEA 1065 · 74th percentile · LBOTE 0% · 98 students · Top SEA quarter 26% · 1.3 km awayView on My School →
- Happy Valley Primary SchoolPrimary · Government · ICSEA 1033 · 61th percentile · LBOTE 5% · 325 students · Top SEA quarter 17% · 1.4 km awayView on My School →
- Aberfoyle Hub Primary SchoolPrimary · Government · ICSEA 1030 · 60th percentile · LBOTE 16% · 241 students · Top SEA quarter 16% · 1.8 km awayView on My School →
- Aberfoyle Park High SchoolSecondary · Government · ICSEA 1039 · 64th percentile · LBOTE 13% · 906 students · Top SEA quarter 18% · 1.8 km awayView on My School →
- School of the NativityPrimary · Catholic · ICSEA 1086 · 81th percentile · LBOTE 17% · 159 students · Top SEA quarter 33% · 1.8 km awayView on My School →
- Thiele Primary SchoolPrimary · Government · ICSEA 1022 · 57th percentile · LBOTE 4% · 151 students · Top SEA quarter 16% · 1.9 km awayView on My School →
- Pilgrim SchoolPrimary · Independent · ICSEA 1109 · 87th percentile · LBOTE 24% · 161 students · Top SEA quarter 42% · 2.0 km awayView on My School →
- Braeview School1A Montana DrivePrimary Education
- Chandlers Hill Kindergarten2 Education 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
Childcare
2 childcare services from OpenStreetMap
- Chandlers Hill Kindergartenkindergarten
- Old Cottage Playgroupchildcare
Contributes to desirability score · Education (15%)
Childcare centre count
Data sources & freshness
- Childcare services (SA) — OpenStreetMap + SA Education · current · Updated
Public transport
97 public transport stops in this suburb
- Stop 38D Kenihans Rd - North side
- Stop 38E Kenihans Rd - North side
- Stop 40 Kenihans Rd - North side
- Stop 41A Kenihans Rd - North side
- Stop School Kenihans Rd / Jersey Rd - North 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
105 nearby amenities within ~1.5 km
1 cafes · 1 pharmacies · 1 fast food · 1 places of worship · 2 playgrounds · 2 sports centres · 14 swimming pools · 1 post offices
Local character & venue list
Local character
- A car helps for daily errands
- Great for outdoor family life — 26 parks mapped in suburb, 2 playgrounds nearby
- Well connected by public transport — 97 public transport stops
- Strong local sport and recreation — 21 sport and outdoor facilities nearby
- Walkability proxy
- 49/100
- Cafés per 1,000 residents
- 0.09
- Food & drink per 1,000 residents
- 0.18
- Parks per 1,000 residents
- 2.28
Food & drink(2)
- JunktionCafe
- McDonald'sFast food
Kenihans Road, Happy Valley
Shopping(1)
No named venues listed.
Community(2)
- Chandlers Hill KindergartenKindergarten
- Happy Valley Primary SchoolSchool
Health & services(3)
- Happy Valley Dental Surgery - Hurley TimDentist
- ChemmartPharmacy
Kenihans Road, Happy Valley
- Chandlers Hill VetVeterinary
Sport & outdoors(28)
- Paragon Fitness CentreGym
- Revo FitnessGym
Unit 18 50 Kenihans Road, Happy Valley
- Minkara ParkPark
- Park (6)
- Bike and Skate ParkPlayground
- Playground
- Blue Dolphin Swim Centre PTY LTDSports centre
- Hill Recreation CentreSports centre
- Sports field
- Swimming pool (14)
Transport(33)
33 bus stops
Other(14)
- BWSAlcohol
Kenihans Road, Happy Valley
- Bendigo Bank ATMATM
- Drinking water
- Happy Valley Country Fire ServiceFire station
1 Glory Court, Happy Valley
- Happy Valley Shopping CentreMall
Kenihans Road, Happy Valley
- Happy Valley ReserviorNature Reserve
- Happy Valley ReservoirNature Reserve
- Happy Valley NewsagencyNewsagent
Kenihans Road, Happy Valley
- Parking (22)
- SA waterParking
- Happy Valley Baptist ChurchPlace of worship
- Australia PostPost office
Kenihans Road, Happy Valley
- Public toilets
- Shelter (3)
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)
- 66
- Parks (OSM)
- 26
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
- Happy Valley Baptist Church
From OpenStreetMap within ~1.5 km of the suburb centre.
Data sources & freshness
- OpenStreetMap amenities — OpenStreetMap contributors · current · Updated
Health access
- Nearest hospital
- Flinders Medical Centre (6.2 km)
- Nearest hospital type
- Public Hospital
- Nearest hospital emergency
- Emergency department
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)
- 467
- Participants per 1,000 residents
- 35.6
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
- 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· 102 proposals
August 2026
- Two x single storey detached dwellings with associated retaining walls and fencing.32 MASON AV HAPPY VALLEY SA 5159Under Assessment
- Fence on existing retaining wall (colorbond finish).LOT 3 WOODHALL DR HAPPY VALLEY SA 5159Under Assessment
- 26A0589. Land division creating 1 additional allotment. (1 into 2) existing dwelling to be demolished32 MASON AV HAPPY VALLEY SA 5159Under Assessment
- Verandah8 SUNNYBANKS DR HAPPY VALLEY SA 5159Under Assessment
- Attached verandah74 WINDEBANKS RD HAPPY VALLEY SA 5159Decision Made
- VerandahUNIT 1 23 HAY ST HAPPY VALLEY SA 5159Under Assessment
July 2026
- Remove existing ground floor window & fireplace and create new wall opening and install new aluminium frame bifold door assembly.12 MELINGIE CT HAPPY VALLEY SA 5159Decision Made
- Verandah32 MCHARG RD HAPPY VALLEY SA 5159Decision Made
- Carport (enclosed)20 RUDGE CL HAPPY VALLEY SA 5159Under Assessment
- 1 into 2 Torrens Title Land Division19 GREENWILLOW CR HAPPY VALLEY SA 5159Under Assessment
- Carport15 MELROSE CT HAPPY VALLEY SA 5159Decision Made
- Carport14 KINGSTON AV HAPPY VALLEY SA 5159Under Assessment
- 1 into 2 Allotment Land Division71 ERNEST CR HAPPY VALLEY SA 5159Under Assessment
- Community Title 1 into 2 Land Division and Construction of a single storey house at the rear by retaining the existing house.23 GREENWILLOW CR HAPPY VALLEY SA 5159Under Assessment
- Verandah18 MCHARG RD HAPPY VALLEY SA 5159Under Assessment
- Single-storey dwelling addition4 DORSET CR HAPPY VALLEY SA 5159Under Assessment
- Dwelling alterations & additions; verandah13 KNIGHTSBRIDGE CT HAPPY VALLEY SA 5159Under Assessment
- Freestanding verandah11 BOND ST HAPPY VALLEY SA 5159Under Assessment
- Attached verandah.1 SUVA PL HAPPY VALLEY SA 5159Under Assessment
- Verandah19 MINTA RD HAPPY VALLEY SA 5159Decision Made
- Single Storey Detached Dwelling and associated retaining wall and fence with combined maximum height of 3.43m3A JARRAD RD HAPPY VALLEY SA 5159Under Assessment
- VerandahUNIT 1 4 THOMAS DR HAPPY VALLEY SA 5159Under Assessment
- Addition and alteration to existing dwelling in the form of enclosed carport and a detached ancillary structure with habitable area.7 IAN CT HAPPY VALLEY SA 5159Under Assessment
- Alterations and additions and associated landscaping works including pool and retaining walls.87 FRASER AV HAPPY VALLEY SA 5159Under Assessment
- Attached verandah, attached carport, and deck ancillary to existing dwelling.7 BANFF CT HAPPY VALLEY SA 5159Decision Made
- Outbuilding (Shed)3 EDUCATION RD HAPPY VALLEY SA 5159Under Assessment
June 2026
- Remove existing termite damaged flooring and install new steel sub-floor framing system and structaflor25 GLENBURNIE ST HAPPY VALLEY SA 5159Under Assessment
- Installation of Stratco Gable Garage27 MARY ST HAPPY VALLEY SA 5159Decision Made
- Three (3) x single storey detached dwellings in terrace arrangement, including retaining walls and fences and tree damaging activity.7 TATIARA RD HAPPY VALLEY SA 5159Under Assessment
- Verandah23 BARRDICKSON CR HAPPY VALLEY SA 5159Decision Made
- Single storey detached dwelling and retaining walls and fencing (max total height of 3.8m)UNIT 9 238 CHANDLERS HILL RD HAPPY VALLEY SA 5159Under Assessment
- Two storey detached dwelling associated with Retaining walls, swimming pool and outbuilding5 KALEV CT HAPPY VALLEY SA 5159Under Assessment
- Retaining wall and associated fencing with a total combined height of 3.2m.34 CORRIEDALE HILLS DR HAPPY VALLEY SA 5159Decision Made
- Removal of two (2) significant trees- Corymbia citrodora (Lemon-scented Gum) and Eucalyptus odorata (Peppermint Box) & one (1) Regulated tree- Corymbia citrodora (Lemon-scented Gum)3 LEE AV HAPPY VALLEY SA 5159Decision Made
- ShedLOT 170 BYARDS RD HAPPY VALLEY SA 5159;LOT 170 DAWSON AV HAPPY VALLEY SA 5159Under Assessment
- Deck and associated Verandah3 RANGEVIEW RD HAPPY VALLEY SA 5159Decision Made
- Outbuilding (shed) and carport12 JAMES RD HAPPY VALLEY SA 5159Decision Made
- 3 X of single story detached dwellings in a terrace arrangement.12 MALUKA DR HAPPY VALLEY SA 5159Under Assessment
- Replace existing verandah with slightly different footprint7 TRIPOLI RD HAPPY VALLEY SA 5159Decision Made
- Addition to existing dwelling in the form of Garage1 GREENWILLOW CR HAPPY VALLEY SA 5159Decision 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
6 heritage places
- Horndale Winery & Distillery Complex - Liquor Store and Still House41-45 Fraser Avenue HAPPY VALLEYState heritage
- Church & Cemetery72 Candy Road HAPPY VALLEYLocal heritage
- Happy Valley Reservoir (Dam Wall & Towers)Chandlers Hill Road HAPPY VALLEYState heritage
- Horndale Winery & Distillery Complex - Residence47A Fraser Avenue HAPPY VALLEYState heritage
- Horndale Winery & Distillery Complex - WineryLot 105 Fraser Avenue HAPPY VALLEYState heritage
- Kindergarten - former Happy Valley Primary SchoolLT 201 Education Road HAPPY VALLEYLocal 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
- Kingston
- Member of Parliament
- Amanda RISHWORTH (Australian Labor Party)
- Results from
- 2025 federal election
- Electorate enrolment (2025)
- 127,919
- Turnout (2025)
- 92.0%
- Swing since 2022 (2025)
- +4.4 pp toward Labor
Two-party preferred (2025)
Coalition 29.3%Labor 70.7%
Estimated suburb voting profile
Estimated from 8 nearby ordinary polling places (up to 2.8 km away).
Coalition 29.1%Labor 70.9%
0.2 percentage points more Labor-leaning than the electorate
Estimated swing since 2022: +7.0 pp toward Labor
Nearest polling places
- Happy ValleyLabor 67.4% · Coalition 32.6% TPP (2025)1.7 km away
- Aberfoyle ParkLabor 71.4% · Coalition 28.6% TPP (2025)1.8 km away
- Aberfoyle Park SouthLabor 71.5% · Coalition 28.5% TPP (2025)1.9 km away
- O'Halloran Hill NorthLabor 69.0% · Coalition 31.0% TPP (2025)1.9 km away
- Happy Valley WestLabor 73.3% · Coalition 26.7% TPP (2025)2.0 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)
- 6/10
- IRSD decile (2021)
- 7/10
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
This suburb ranks highly for
Compare with
Similar suburbs to weigh up side by side — scores, safety, schools, and lifestyle.
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Similar population and socio-economic profile in other parts of South Australia.