Hillcrest is an inner metropolitan suburb of Adelaide, in Port Adelaide Enfield Council, with mainly mixed commercial and residential development.
Mapped flood cover is an exceptional strength, with mapped flood cover 100% below the peer median, and green cover is an exceptional strength, well above typical levels for inner metropolitan suburbs. Space is a strength, but car dependence is high. The main trade-offs are thinner heritage listings and higher rents, with heritage listings 90% below the peer median.
Heritage is the most material weakness.
Generated from the official metrics on this page. It can omit nuance or contain errors — check the tables and source notes before relying on it.
Strengths and weaknesses
Inner metropolitan suburb · compared with inner metropolitan suburbs in South Australia (188)
Strengths
Mapped flood cover is a relative strength
Green cover is stronger than in comparable places
Weaknesses
Heritage listings are a relative weakness
Rents run above those in comparable places
What stands out
Space is a strength, but car dependence is high
Who it suits
Stars are audience-fit ratings derived from Suburb.Guide data, not demographic counts or user reviews.
Families★★★☆☆
Professionals★★☆☆☆
Retirees★☆☆☆☆
Students★☆☆☆☆
Budget buyers★☆☆☆☆
Housing, growth and risk
How Hillcrest compares
A quick read of housing, growth, livability, and risk
Median house price
$974k
+21% change
Median rent
$660/wk
Houses $660 · Units $940
Population (ERP)
3,890
+0.9% annual growth
Dwelling vacancy
4.8%
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
#38
among Metro Adelaide · Growth area
Crime rate
78th
percentile in state (higher = more crime)
Pop. growth
69th
percentile in SA
Rented dwellings
35%
2021 Census tenure
Advantage (IRSAD)
6/10
national SEIFA decile
School ICSEA
72nd
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
39.2/100 — Below average
National rank
4627th in Australia
State rank
405th in SA
Peer rank
#38 among Metro Adelaide · Growth area suburbs
Cohort rank
#244 among Metro Adelaide suburbs
Data confidence
97%
Data sources & freshness
Suburb Guide desirability index — Suburb Guide (derived) · current · Updated
Housing
Flats / units (01/01/26 to 31/03/26)
$940
Houses (01/01/26 to 31/03/26)
$660
All types (01/01/26 to 31/03/26)
$660
Rental bonds lodged (01/01/26 to 31/03/26)
25
Median house price (Q1 2026)
$973,750
Median price change
+20.8%
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.
Household crowding and healthy vacancy — not cheapness Modest price change as a healthy-growth band
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
3,890(June 2025)
+0.9% annual · +5.3% over 5 years · 69th percentile in SA
Growth figures & methodology
Annual growth
+0.9%
5-year growth
+5.3%
Change in 1 year
+34
Change in 5 years
+197
Growth rank in SA
69th 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 (~4,200), extrapolated at +1.6% average annual growth since 2011. It is illustrative only — not an official ABS forecast.
2021 Census figures
2021 Census
Population
3,659
Median age
35
Median household income / week
$1,599
Dwelling vacancy
4.8%
Unoccupied private dwellings
69 of 1,444
Median monthly mortgage
$1,602
Median weekly rent (2021 Census)
$319
Tenure (owned / mortgaged / rented)
23.7% / 41.5% / 34.8%
Employment rate
60.5%
Travel to work (WFH / public transport / car)
8.8% / 7.7% / 69.1%
Walked or cycled to work
1%
Dwelling mix (houses / semi / flats)
1,108 / 221 / 42
Contributes to desirability score · Community (12%) · Accessibility (12%) · Future Growth (6%)
Employment, household income and owned-outright tenure (2021 Census) Work-from-home and public-transport commute shares (2021 Census) Five-year population change as a healthy-growth band, not a boom bonus
Data sources & freshness
2021 Census — General Community Profile (including method of travel to work and educational attainment) — Australian Bureau of Statistics · Updated
The 2026 Census was conducted in August 2026; suburb-level updates are expected from mid-2027.
34.8% of adults have a university degree, compared with 22.6% across South Australia. 11.4% have a trade or vocational qualification.
University qualified34.8% · 22.6% SA
Diploma qualified9.5% · 8.6% SA
Trade / vocational11.4% · 17.5% SA
Year 12 or below44.2% · 51.2% SA
Highest qualification field
Main field of the highest non-school qualification (2021 Census).
Management and commerce26.8%
Engineering and related technologies16.1%
Health14.5%
Society and culture11.9%
Information technology7.1%
Education6.5%
How these groups are defined
Measure
Definition
University qualified
Bachelor degree or higher
Diploma qualified
Advanced Diploma / Diploma
Trade / vocational
Certificate III + IV
Year 12
Year 12 as highest attainment
Below Year 12
Year 11 / 10 / 9 or below
People aged 15 years and over, 2021 Census. University, diploma and trade shares match ABS highest educational attainment (HEAP). Year 12 and below Year 12 are combined in the chart because the General Community Profile reports school-only attainment as a residual.
Contributes to desirability score · Community (12%)
University qualifications from the 2021 Census
Data sources & freshness
2021 Census — General Community Profile (including method of travel to work and educational attainment) — Australian Bureau of Statistics · Updated
The 2026 Census was conducted in August 2026; suburb-level updates are expected from mid-2027.
Tax & income
Median taxable income (2023–24)
$56,184
59th percentile in SA · -4% vs Australia
Median salary / wages (2023–24)
$61,463
65th percentile in SA · -5% vs Australia
Residents with rental investments
14.0%
71st percentile in SA · +1% vs Australia
Median super balance (2023–24)
$45,971
11th percentile in SA · -27% vs Australia
Residents with business income
15.0%
93rd percentile in SA · +44% vs Australia
Australian Taxation Office Taxation Statistics 2023–24, individuals Table 25. Figures describe taxpayers who live in postcode 5086 — not a suburb-level official statistic. Rental investment is the share of local taxpayers reporting rental income or loss, not the share of local properties owned by investors.
Counts, net rent & state comparison
Taxpayers in this postcode
11,382
Taxpayers reporting net rent
1,537
Median net rent
-$1,216
Taxpayers reporting business income
1,671
Taxable income vs state median
+3%
Salary / wages vs state median
+7%
Rental investment vs state median
+17%
Super vs state median
-41%
Business income vs state median
+36%
Percentiles rank this postcode among unique postcodes in SA, so suburbs that share a postcode are not counted twice. Dollar figures are compared with Australia-wide ATO medians from the same release. Median net rent is among taxpayers who reported the rent label and can be negative.
Data sources & freshness
Taxation Statistics 2023–24 — individuals by postcode (Table 25) — Australian Taxation Office · Updated · Annual release; taxpayer residential postcode, not suburb boundary
Community & culture
46.1% speak a language other than English at home; 42.9% born overseas
Language at home
1,885 English only · 1,611 other
Non-English at home
46.1%
Born overseas
1,506 (42.9%)
Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander
73 (2%)
Australian citizens
2,905
Languages spoken at home (other than English)
28
Top languages other than English
Share of residents who speak a language other than English at home (2021 Census).
Gujarati157 · 22.1%
Punjabi115 · 16.2%
Mandarin87 · 12.2%
Hindi60 · 8.4%
Cantonese38 · 5.3%
Sinhalese23 · 3.2%
Arabic21 · 3%
Malayalam20 · 2.8%
Religion
33.3%No religion
No religion is the most common response at 33.3%, while Christianity accounts for 31.9%. Hinduism is more prevalent locally than across the state. Islam is more prevalent locally than across the state.
Measure
Suburb
State
No religion
33.3%
45.2%
Christianity
31.9%
40%
Hinduism
13.8%
2.1%
Islam
5.6%
2.3%
Buddhism
3.6%
1.9%
Other / not stated
11.7%
8.5%
Christian denominations
Denomination
Suburb
State
Catholic
13.8%
15.5%
Anglican
4.1%
7.2%
Christian (not further defined)
3%
2.6%
Uniting Church
2.6%
4.8%
Eastern Orthodox
2.2%
2.4%
Baptist
2%
1.5%
2021 Census — languages spoken at home, birthplace, Indigenous status, and religious affiliation (usual residence). Religion is optional on the Census form.
Data sources & freshness
2021 Census — General Community Profile (including method of travel to work and educational attainment) — Australian Bureau of Statistics · Updated
The 2026 Census was conducted 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 (2025–26)
299
Against the person
57
Against property
242
Rate per 1,000 residents
76.9
Person-crime prevalence
About 1 in 64 residents
State crime-rate percentile
77.8th (higher = more crime)
Family & domestic abuse offences
140
Increase (daily rate)
+9.9%
Recorded road crashes (in suburb)
159
Crash rate per 1,000 residents (state rank)
40.87
Most common offence types
Damage Or Destroy Property59
Motor Vehicle Theft And Related Offences44
Serious Assault34
Theft From A Person33
Theft From Retail Premises63
Contributes to desirability score · Safety (22%)
Crime rate, offences against the person, year-on-year trend and recorded road crash rates
Hillcrest Primary SchoolPrimary · Government · ICSEA 1096 · 83th percentile · LBOTE 80% · 395 students · Top SEA quarter 36% · 0.6 km awayView on My School →
St Pius X SchoolPrimary · Catholic · ICSEA 1108 · 86th percentile · LBOTE 50% · 552 students · Top SEA quarter 42% · 0.7 km awayView on My School →
Heritage College IncorporatedCombined · Independent · ICSEA 1040 · 64th percentile · LBOTE 10% · 437 students · Top SEA quarter 17% · 1.1 km awayView on My School →
Cedar CollegeCombined · Independent · ICSEA 1090 · 82th percentile · LBOTE 48% · 884 students · Top SEA quarter 35% · 1.2 km awayView on My School →
Avenues CollegeCombined · Government · ICSEA 929 · 18th percentile · LBOTE 51% · 493 students · Top SEA quarter 8% · 1.3 km awayView on My School →
St Martin's Catholic Primary SchoolPrimary · Catholic · ICSEA 1085 · 80th percentile · LBOTE 56% · 691 students · Top SEA quarter 32% · 1.4 km awayView on My School →
Klemzig Primary SchoolPrimary · Government · ICSEA 1033 · 61th percentile · LBOTE 62% · 184 students · Top SEA quarter 19% · 1.7 km awayView on My School →
Hampstead Primary SchoolPrimary · Government · ICSEA 1032 · 61th percentile · LBOTE 80% · 243 students · Top SEA quarter 25% · 1.8 km awayView on My School →
Contributes to desirability score · Education (14%)
Median school ICSEA first, then school and catchment counts
1 restaurants · 1 cafes · 1 fast food · 1 bakeries · 5 playgrounds · 1 petrol stations
Local character & venue list
Local character
Limited walkable amenities nearby
Great for outdoor family life — 7 parks mapped in suburb, 5 playgrounds nearby
Reasonable bus and transport access — 9 public transport stops
Walkability proxy
22/100
Cafés per 1,000 residents
0.27
Food & drink per 1,000 residents
1.09
Parks per 1,000 residents
1.91
Food & drink(4)
Price's Fresh BakeryBakery
Cafe de Vili’s HillcrestCafe
483 North East Road
KFCFast food
Sankalp The Taste Of IndiaRestaurant
335 North East Road, Hillcrest
Shopping(1)
North East SalvosOp shop
345 North East Road, Hillcrest
Everyday services(1)
OTR HillcrestPetrol station
431 North East Road, Hillcrest
Community(2)
Finnish HallCommunity centre
Hillcrest Primary SchoolSchool
Health & services(1)
Oakden Medical CentreMedical clinic
132-134 Fosters Road
Sport & outdoors(15)
Adelaide RCNCycling route
O-Bahn BikewayCycling route
Delhi ReservePark
Norton Ray ReservePark
Park (4)
Queensborough ReservePark
Augusta Street ReservePlayground
Dyer Lion Kevin Bob ReservePlayground
Playground (3)
Sports field
Transport(10)
10 bus stops
Other(13)
Bench (6)
Northpoint Toyota HillcrestCar
485 North East Road, Hillcrest
Happywash HillcrestCar wash
431 North East Road, Hillcrest
Bush TuckerInformation
City of EnfieldInformation
Original VegetationInformation
Parking (27)
Picnic Table
Hillcrest Community CentrePublic Building
Queensborough Avenue
Shelter
Elegance Tiles by Urban9Tiles
Unit 2 335-339 North East Road, Hillcrest
Vending machine (2)
Waste Basket (5)
Names and addresses from OpenStreetMap. Unnamed venues show as their type (e.g. Cafe). Transport stops are summarised by type rather than listed individually. Campgrounds, beaches, wineries and local trails are included when they sit inside the suburb boundary.
Contributes to desirability score · Lifestyle (12%)
Food, shopping, recreation and sport per 1,000 residents (OpenStreetMap)
Data sources & freshness
Local amenity insights — Suburb Guide (derived) · current · Updated
Named sporting clubs from OpenStreetMap and the SA Sports Vouchers venue list, assigned to this suburb's boundary. Sporting facilities such as ovals, courts and recreation centres are listed under Amenities.
Green cover is the share of this suburb's boundary overlapping OpenStreetMap parks, woodland and forest polygons — not a satellite tree-canopy product. Summer maximum is the WorldClim / Open-Meteo seasonal normal already collected for Weather.
Contributes to desirability score · Environment (12%)
Tree canopy first, then green-cover area and parks per 1,000
Data sources & freshness
OpenStreetMap green cover and tree canopy — OpenStreetMap contributors · current · Updated · Park/woodland polygons intersected with suburb boundaries
Health access
Hospitals & GP clinics in suburb
1
Nearest hospital
Icon Cancer Centre Windsor Gardens (0.6 km)
Nearest hospital type
Private Day Only Hospital
Nearest hospital emergency
No emergency department listed
Emergency department in suburb
Not in suburb
GP clinics in suburb
1
GPs tagged bulk billing (OSM)
0 of 1
GP clinic counts from OpenStreetMap. Bulk-billing figures only include clinics tagged in OSM (sparse and unofficial — not a Medicare list).
GP Plus Super Clinic Gilles Plains1 Gilles StreetGP Plus Super Clinic
Oakden Medical CentreFosters RoadGP
Contributes to desirability score · Accessibility (12%)
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.
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
29° / 14°
Rainfall
67 mm · ~8 rainy days
Autumn (Mar–May)
Usual max / min
23° / 10°
Rainfall
97 mm · ~12 rainy days
Winter (Jun–Aug)
Usual max / min
16° / 6°
Rainfall
148 mm · ~18 rainy days
Spring (Sep–Nov)
Usual max / min
22° / 9°
Rainfall
119 mm · ~15 rainy days
Contributes to desirability score · Lifestyle (12%)
Development applications from PlanSA register and EPA licensed activities.
2026· 37 proposals
September 2026
Construction of carport and verandah
2 HOOD ST HILLCREST SA 5086Under Assessment
One single storey detached dwelling and two single storey group dwellings
20 RAMSAY AV HILLCREST SA 5086Under Assessment
Ancillary accommodation
82 FOSTERS RD HILLCREST SA 5086Under Assessment
Conventional land division creating two allotments from one
21 MACQUARIE AV HILLCREST SA 5086Under Assessment
Two single storey detached dwellings with ancillary retaining walls and fencing
21 MACQUARIE AV HILLCREST SA 5086Under Assessment
3 single storey dwellings in a terrace arrangement
49 BRISTOL TCE HILLCREST SA 5086Under Assessment
Conventional land division creating two (2) allotments from one (1) in connection with Application ID: 26020562
12 HARMAN ST HILLCREST SA 5086Under Assessment
Conventional land division creating two (2) allotments from one (1) in connection with Application ID: 26020562
12 HARMAN ST HILLCREST SA 5086Under Assessment
August 2026
Regulated tree removal within Delhi Reserve (Eucalyptus sp.)
LOT 17 OXFORD ST HILLCREST SA 5086Decision Made
Conventional land division creating three allotments from one in line with 26005467
40 NORSEMAN AV HILLCREST SA 5086Decision Made
Single storey detached dwelling with associated retaining walls and fencing - variation of Development Application 26009260
59A FLINDERS RD HILLCREST SA 5086Decision Made
July 2026
Two-storey residential flat building comprising of four (4) dwellings
21 LORD HOWE AV HILLCREST SA 5086Under Assessment
One two storey detached dwelling and two two-storey group dwellings with associated retaining and fencing
12 HARMAN ST HILLCREST SA 5086Decision Made
June 2026
Construction of two verandahs
136 FOSTERS RD HILLCREST SA 5086Decision Made
Residential flat building containing six (6) dwellings, freestanding carport, retaining walls and fencing
397 NORTH EAST RD HILLCREST SA 5086Under Assessment
Conventional Land Division - 1 allotment into 3
9 VOSS ST HILLCREST SA 5086Decision Made
Conventional land division: 2 allotments from 1
9 SHROPSHIRE AV HILLCREST SA 5086Decision Made
Single storey detached dwelling with ancillary retaining walls and fencing
17 DUNEDIN AV HILLCREST SA 5086Decision Made
May 2026
Two storey detached dwelling with associated retaining walls and fencing
7 MELVILLE ST HILLCREST SA 5086Under Assessment
Conventional land division creating three (3) allotments from one (1), in connection with Application ID: 25027883
4 HOOD ST HILLCREST SA 5086Decision Made
Single storey detached dwelling with associated retaining walls and fencing
59A FLINDERS RD HILLCREST SA 5086Decision Made
April 2026
Swimming pool & safety fences
13 EARLE ST HILLCREST SA 5086Decision Made
3 single storey detached dwellings in a terrace arrangement
9 VOSS ST HILLCREST SA 5086Under Assessment
Two storey detached dwelling with outdoor spa and retaining walls and fencing
17 DUNEDIN AV HILLCREST SA 5086Under Assessment
March 2026
Carport
37B COUNTY ST HILLCREST SA 5086Decision Made
Advertising signage to include 1 free-standing advertisement board, and reduction of soft landscaping in front of the dwelling to what was previously approved under Dwelling DA 24004931
401 NORTH EAST RD HILLCREST SA 5086Decision Made
Removal of regulated tree (Melaleuca armilaris)
11 NORSEMAN AV HILLCREST SA 5086Decision Made
Three single storey terrace dwellings with ancillary retaining walls and fencing
40 NORSEMAN AV HILLCREST SA 5086Decision Made
Single storey detached dwelling for supported accommodation with ancillary retaining walls and fencing on top
59 FLINDERS RD HILLCREST SA 5086Under Assessment
Three 2 storey dwellings in a terrace arrangement with associated retaining walls and fencing
UNIT 1 7 HOOD ST HILLCREST SA 5086;UNIT 2 7 HOOD ST HILLCREST SA 5086;UNIT 3 7 HOOD ST HILLCREST SA 5086Decision Made
Verandahs (Unit 57)
136 FOSTERS RD HILLCREST SA 5086Decision Made
February 2026
Verandah
7A DUNEDIN AV HILLCREST SA 5086Decision Made
Verandah
11 EDUCATION WAY HILLCREST SA 5086Decision Made
Boundary realignment retaining 3 allotments from 3, and conversion of community title to torrens
UNIT 1 7 HOOD ST HILLCREST SA 5086;UNIT 2 7 HOOD ST HILLCREST SA 5086;UNIT 3 7 HOOD ST HILLCREST SA 5086Decision Made
January 2026
Verandah
136 FOSTERS RD HILLCREST SA 5086Decision Made
Two (2) single-storey dwellings, fencing/retaining walls and removal of one (1) significant tree
4 GRENVILLE AV HILLCREST SA 5086Under Assessment
Single storey detached dwelling
6 SNELL ST HILLCREST SA 5086Decision Made
2025· 15 proposals
December 2025
Single storey detached dwelling
51 RAMSAY AV HILLCREST SA 5086Decision Made
November 2025
Single storey dwelling with retaining wall and fencing
51 RAMSAY AV HILLCREST SA 5086Decision Made
Single storey detached dwelling, and single storey detached dwelling with verandah and garage
17 RAMSAY AV HILLCREST SA 5086Decision Made
Two single storey detached dwellings with associated retaining walls and fencing
9 SHROPSHIRE AV HILLCREST SA 5086Decision Made
Building alterations - Repair works to dwelling following fire damage
21 LORD HOWE AV HILLCREST SA 5086Decision Made
Verandah
42 COUNTY ST HILLCREST SA 5086Decision Made
Conventional land division creating two allotments from one
17 DUNEDIN AV HILLCREST SA 5086Decision Made
October 2025
Two storey detached dwelling
67A FLINDERS RD HILLCREST SA 5086Decision Made
Conventional land division creating three (3) allotments from one (1)
10 NORSEMAN AV HILLCREST SA 5086Decision Made
Three (3) two-storey dwellings, retaining walls, fencing
10 NORSEMAN AV HILLCREST SA 5086Decision Made
New corporate signage for existing service trade premises, including partially LED illuminated fascia, dynamic slope and LED illuminated pylon
447 NORTH EAST RD HILLCREST SA 5086Decision Made
September 2025
Combined retaining wall and fencing up to 2.4m in height on rear boundary
Bushfire overlay checked at suburb centroid against all current SA Planning risk layers (high, medium, general, urban interface, regional, outback). Flood cover is the share of the suburb boundary overlapping current SA Planning flood overlays (flooding and evidence required). Safer places from CFS designated locations.
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.
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 (12%)