SA · Onkaparinga Council

Happy Valley (SA), SA, 5159

Current weather

11.5°CThunderstorm

82% humidity · 29.9 km/h wind · 12.7° / 10.9° today · 28.4 mm rain

Desirability index

78.9/100

#68 among Metro Adelaide suburbs

How this score is calculated

Suburb snapshot

Happy Valley (SA) is a mid-sized suburb in the Onkaparinga area, home to around 11,420 residents (2021 Census). Recent indicators show reported crime totals of around 203 offences in 2024–25 (Jul–Jun), roughly 17.8 offences per 1,000 residents, median weekly rent around $650, median house prices near $909,750 (up 14% recently), 4 school and preschool sites in the area, strong public transport coverage with many Adelaide Metro stops, a higher concentration of local shops, services, and recreation amenities, and notable planning and development activity on record. The suburb combines residential demand with everyday services typical of inner and middle-ring Adelaide.

Population

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)
296 / 445 / 0

Data sources & freshness

  • 2021 Census — General Community ProfileAustralian 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)
$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.

Data sources & freshness

  • SA Housing Authority rent & sales reportsGovernment of South Australia · Period: 1 January - 31 March 2026; 1Q 2026 · Updated on site · Quarterly releases

Crime & safety

Total offences (2024–25)
203
Against the person
64
Against property
139
Rate per 1,000 residents
17.8
Person-crime prevalence
About 1 in 178 residents
State safety percentile
22.2th (lower crime is better)
Family & domestic abuse offences
107
Year-on-year change
0%

Most common offence types

  • Other Property Damage And Environmental42
  • Other Theft17
  • Serious Assault Not Resulting In Injury34
  • Theft From Motor Vehicle20
  • Theft From Shop14

Data sources & freshness

  • SAPOL reported crime statisticsSouth Australia Police — OpenData · Period: 2024-25; 2024-25 → 2024-25 · Updated on site · Financial-year releases

Schools & preschools

Schools & preschools
4 (2 schools, 2 preschools)
Median school ICSEA (2 schools)
1,032.5
  • Braeview SchoolPrimary · ICSEA 1032
  • Chandlers Hill Kindergarten2 Education RoadPreschools
  • Happy Valley Kindergarten12B Regency RoadPreschools
  • Happy Valley Primary SchoolPrimary · ICSEA 1033

Data sources & freshness

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

Data sources & freshness

Planning & development

Development applications from PlanSA register (lodged 2020–2026) and EPA licensed activities.

727 planning-related records

2026· 76 proposals
  • June 2026

  • Remove existing termite damaged flooring and install new steel sub-floor framing system and structaflor
    25 GLENBURNIE ST HAPPY VALLEY SA 5159Under Assessment
  • Installation of Stratco Gable Garage
    27 MARY ST HAPPY VALLEY SA 5159Under Assessment
  • Three (3) x single storey detached dwellings in terrace arrangement, including retaining walls and fences.
    7 TATIARA RD HAPPY VALLEY SA 5159Under Assessment
  • Verandah
    23 BARRDICKSON CR HAPPY VALLEY SA 5159Decision Made
  • Single storey detached dwelling and retaining walls and fencing (3.8m total high)
    UNIT 9 238 CHANDLERS HILL RD HAPPY VALLEY SA 5159Under Assessment
  • Two storey detached dwelling associated with Retaining walls, swimming pool and outbuilding
    5 KALEV CT HAPPY VALLEY SA 5159Under Assessment
  • Retaining wall and associated fencing with a total combined height of 2.850m
    34 CORRIEDALE HILLS DR HAPPY VALLEY SA 5159Under Assessment
  • 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 5159Under Assessment
  • Shed
    LOT 170 BYARDS RD HAPPY VALLEY SA 5159;LOT 170 DAWSON AV HAPPY VALLEY SA 5159Under Assessment
  • Deck and associated Verandah
    3 RANGEVIEW RD HAPPY VALLEY SA 5159Under Assessment
  • Outbuilding- Shed & carport
    12 JAMES RD HAPPY VALLEY SA 5159Under Assessment
  • 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 footprint
    7 TRIPOLI RD HAPPY VALLEY SA 5159Decision Made
  • Carport
    15 FOUNTAIN VALLEY DR HAPPY VALLEY SA 5159Under Assessment
  • Outbuilding- Garage
    1 GREENWILLOW CR HAPPY VALLEY SA 5159Under Assessment
  • Swimming pool/Spa
    10 MITFORD RD HAPPY VALLEY SA 5159Decision Made
  • Verandah
    12 TRIPOLI RD HAPPY VALLEY SA 5159Decision Made
  • May 2026

  • Three (3) x single storey detached dwelling in a terrace arrangement with two (2) dwellings as affordable housing, fences, retaining walls
    22 JENNIFER DR HAPPY VALLEY SA 5159Under Assessment
  • Removal of 1X Regulated tree Eucalyptus - (Gum) on council land
    12 SHERWOOD AV HAPPY VALLEY SA 5159Decision Made
  • Swimming pool and safety barrier
    19 TWILIGHT DR HAPPY VALLEY SA 5159Decision Made
  • Attached verandah
    78 KENIHANS RD HAPPY VALLEY SA 5159Decision Made
  • Retrospective application for retaining wall of height 1.05m
    33 RUDGE CL HAPPY VALLEY SA 5159Under Assessment
  • Double storey dwelling addition and building alterations with associated Verandah
    46 VAUCLUSE DR HAPPY VALLEY SA 5159Under Assessment
  • Verandah
    3 HAY ST HAPPY VALLEY SA 5159Decision Made
  • Verandah
    47 FRASER AV HAPPY VALLEY SA 5159Decision Made
  • verandah, deck and swimming pool safety barrier for the existing swimming pool
    21 SEAVIEW DR HAPPY VALLEY SA 5159Under Assessment
  • Two storey detached dwelling Removal of 1 (one) significant tree- Eucalyptus cladocalyx
    23 WOODHALL DR HAPPY VALLEY SA 5159Under Assessment
  • Removal of 1 (One) significant tree- Eucalyptus Cladocalyx (Sugar Gum) tree
    2 WILDWOOD RD HAPPY VALLEY SA 5159Decision Made
  • Retaining walls and associated fencing with a combined height ranging from 2.1 m to 2.55 m
    21 SEAVIEW DR HAPPY VALLEY SA 5159Decision Made
  • Single Storey Detached Dwelling
    8 MARY ST HAPPY VALLEY SA 5159Under Assessment
  • Verandah & deck
    116 WINDEBANKS RD HAPPY VALLEY SA 5159Decision Made
  • Single storey detached dwelling with associated fence and retaining walls
    26 BARRDICKSON CR HAPPY VALLEY SA 5159Under Assessment
  • April 2026

  • Variation to application 23008999 - widening of crossover
    20 DAVID ST HAPPY VALLEY SA 5159Decision Made
  • Single storey building alterations and dwelling addition with associated verandah
    38 BOOTH ST HAPPY VALLEY SA 5159Decision Made
  • Domestic Outbuilding (shed)
    29 HORNDALE DR HAPPY VALLEY SA 5159Decision Made
  • Domestic patio
    11 NICOLLE CT HAPPY VALLEY SA 5159Decision Made
  • Retaining walls and fence
    UNIT 14 238 CHANDLERS HILL RD HAPPY VALLEY SA 5159Under Assessment
  • Outbuilding -shed
    16 POWELL ST HAPPY VALLEY SA 5159Decision Made
  • Advertisement sign (Illuminated)
    50 KENIHANS RD HAPPY VALLEY SA 5159Under Assessment
  • Outbuilding - Shed
    13 EDUCATION RD HAPPY VALLEY SA 5159Decision Made
2025· 134 proposals

134 proposals lodged in 2025. Individual listings are kept for the most recent proposals.

2024· 112 proposals

112 proposals lodged in 2024. Individual listings are kept for the most recent proposals.

2023· 127 proposals

127 proposals lodged in 2023. Individual listings are kept for the most recent proposals.

2022· 153 proposals

153 proposals lodged in 2022. Individual listings are kept for the most recent proposals.

2021· 124 proposals

124 proposals lodged in 2021. Individual listings are kept for the most recent proposals.

Data sources & freshness

Amenities

44 nearby amenities within ~1.5 km

  • Bendigo Bank ATMATM
  • Stop 39 Regency Road - East sideBus stop
  • Stop 39 Regency Road - West sideBus stop
  • Stop 39A Regency Road - East sideBus stop
  • Stop 39A Regency Road - West sideBus stop
  • Stop 40 Glenloth Drive - North West sideBus stop
  • Stop 40 Glenloth Drive - South East sideBus stop
  • Stop 40A Glenloth Drive - North West sideBus stop
  • Stop 40A Glenloth Drive - South East sideBus stop
  • Stop 40B Glenloth Drive - East sideBus stop

Names and addresses from OpenStreetMap. Unnamed venues show as their type (e.g. Cafe).

Data sources & freshness

  • OpenStreetMap amenitiesOpenStreetMap contributors · Period: current · Updated on site · Weekly refresh

Socio-economic (SEIFA)

IRSAD decile (2021)
6/10
IRSD decile (2021)
7/10

SEIFA indexes from ABS 2021. Decile 10 = most advantaged / least disadvantaged in Australia.

Data sources & freshness

Heritage

11 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

Childcare

2 childcare services from OpenStreetMap

  • Chandlers Hill Kindergartenkindergarten
  • Old Cottage Playgroupchildcare

Data sources & freshness

Green cover

Parks & woodland (OSM)
51
Parks (OSM)
26

OpenStreetMap parks and natural woodland features mapped within the suburb boundary.

Data sources & freshness

  • OpenStreetMap green cover featuresOpenStreetMap contributors · Period: current · Updated on site · Weekly refresh

Desirability index

Desirability score
78.9/100
Cohort rank
#68 among Metro Adelaide suburbs

Data sources & freshness

  • Suburb Guide desirability indexSuburb Guide (derived score) · Period: current · Updated on site · Derived from source metrics

Recent changes

  • Chandlers Hill Kindergartenchildcarekindergarten
  • Old Cottage Playgroupchildcarechildcare
  • Heritage placeheritageState heritage
  • Heritage placeheritageState heritage
  • Heritage placeheritageState heritage
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  • Heritage placeheritageState heritage
  • Heritage placeheritageState heritage
  • Heritage placeheritageState heritage
  • Heritage placeheritageState heritage

Data sources & freshness

Similar suburbs

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