Median house price
$1.29M
+10% change
SA · Norwood Payneham and St Peters Council
Kensington, 5068
Est. population · Jun 2025
2,060
Growth (1 yr)
+2.0%
Growth (5 yr)
+11.5%
Median age
43
Median income
$1,355/wk
Employment rate
57.8%
Median house price · Q1 2026
$1,290,000
Languages at home
23.5%non-English
Most common: Italian, Mandarin, Korean
2021 Census · usual residence
Desirability score
- Heritage area
- Excellent transport
- Education hub
- Café precinct
- High desirability
Suburb profile
Kensington is a practical smaller community in Norwood Payneham and St Peters Council, well placed for families who want metro access without the inner-city squeeze. Established families and long-term residents give the suburb a settled feel, with family life visible on every street. Many residents were born overseas or speak a language other than English at home.
Outdoor life is easy here, with generous parks and room for kids, dogs and weekend strolls. A car helps for most daily errands, though buses still link the suburb further afield. 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. The built character feels historic and distinctive, with heritage detail visible throughout.
Against similar metro suburbs, the suburb sits around average overall, mainly because local dining and lifestyle amenities lag behind, despite relative strength in schools and education, plus community and employment. Limited access to some essential local services also trimmed the result.
At a glance
Kensington snapshot
A quick read of housing, growth, livability, and risk
Median rent
$590/wk
Houses $700 · Units $550
Population (ERP)
2,060
+2.0% annual growth
Dwelling vacancy
10.8%
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
#86
among Metro Adelaide · Emerging
Safety
48th
percentile in state (higher = safer)
Pop. growth
93rd
percentile in SA
Advantage (IRSAD)
7/10
national SEIFA decile
School ICSEA
89th
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
- 45.4/100 — Average
- State standing
- Top 41% of South Australia's suburbs
- National rank
- 2863rd in Australia
- State rank
- 285th in SA
- Peer rank
- #86 among Metro Adelaide · Emerging suburbs
- Cohort rank
- #215 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)
- $550
- Houses (01/01/26 to 31/03/26)
- $700
- All types (01/01/26 to 31/03/26)
- $590
- Rental bonds lodged (01/01/26 to 31/03/26)
- 25
- Median house price (Q1 2026)
- $1,290,000
- Median price change
- +10.3%
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
2,060(June 2025)
+2.0% annual · +11.5% over 5 years · 93th percentile in SA
Growth figures & methodology
- Annual growth
- +2.0%
- 5-year growth
- +11.5%
- Change in 1 year
- +40
- Change in 5 years
- +213
- Growth rank in SA
- 93th 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 (~2,200), extrapolated at +1.3% average annual growth since 2011. It is illustrative only — not an official ABS forecast.
2021 Census figures
2021 Census
- Population
- 1,808
- Median age
- 43
- Median household income / week
- $1,355
- Dwelling vacancy
- 10.8%
- Unoccupied private dwellings
- 104 of 960
- Median monthly mortgage
- $1,817
- Employment rate
- 57.8%
- Dwelling mix (houses / semi / flats)
- 257 / 366 / 232 (+ 6 other)
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)
- 65
- Against the person
- 13
- Against property
- 52
- Rate per 1,000 residents
- 31.6
- Person-crime prevalence
- About 1 in 139 residents
- State safety percentile
- 48.1th (lower crime is better)
- Family & domestic abuse offences
- 39
- Decrease (daily rate)
- -13.1%
Most common offence types
- Other Property Damage And Environmental15
- Other Theft10
- Sct - Residence5
- Serious Assault Not Resulting In Injury8
- Theft From Motor Vehicle7
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
- 1 (1 schools, 1 preschools)
- Median school ICSEA (11 schools)
- 1,120
- Median ICSEA percentile
- 89th
School list
- Marryatville Primary SchoolPrimary · Government · ICSEA 1127 · 91th percentile · LBOTE 47% · 506 students · Top SEA quarter 52% · 0.3 km awayView on My School →
- Mary MacKillop CollegeSecondary · Catholic · ICSEA 1077 · 78th percentile · LBOTE 30% · 291 students · Top SEA quarter 29% · 0.3 km awayView on My School →
- St Joseph's Memorial SchoolPrimary · Catholic · ICSEA 1108 · 86th percentile · LBOTE 33% · 192 students · Top SEA quarter 43% · 0.4 km awayView on My School →
- Loreto CollegeCombined · Catholic · ICSEA 1098 · 84th percentile · LBOTE 14% · 717 students · Top SEA quarter 44% · 0.5 km awayView on My School →
- Pembroke SchoolCombined · Independent · ICSEA 1171 · 98th percentile · LBOTE 29% · 1,672 students · Top SEA quarter 70% · 0.5 km awayView on My School →
- Marryatville High SchoolSecondary · Government · ICSEA 1120 · 89th percentile · LBOTE 43% · 1,759 students · Top SEA quarter 48% · 0.6 km awayView on My School →
- Norwood Primary SchoolPrimary · Government · ICSEA 1148 · 95th percentile · LBOTE 42% · 361 students · Top SEA quarter 60% · 1.3 km awayView on My School →
- Rose Park Primary SchoolPrimary · Government · ICSEA 1162 · 97th percentile · LBOTE 51% · 525 students · Top SEA quarter 66% · 1.8 km awayView on My School →
- St Patrick's Special SchoolSpecial · Catholic · ICSEA 1115 · 88th percentile · LBOTE 10% · 51 students · Top SEA quarter 45% · 1.8 km awayView on My School →
- Trinity Gardens SchoolPrimary · Government · ICSEA 1103 · 85th percentile · LBOTE 35% · 695 students · Top SEA quarter 43% · 1.8 km awayView on My School →
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
1 childcare service from OpenStreetMap
- McKellar Stewart Kindergartenkindergarten
Contributes to desirability score · Education (15%)
Childcare centre count
Data sources & freshness
- Childcare services (SA) — OpenStreetMap + SA Education · current · Updated
Public transport
8 public transport stops in this suburb
- Stop 11 The Parade - South side
- Stop 12 The Parade - South side
- Stop 8 Portrush Rd - East side
- Stop 9 Kensington Rd - North side
- Stop 9 Portrush Rd / Phillips 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) · current · Updated
Amenities
79 nearby amenities within ~1.5 km
1 restaurants · 1 cafes · 2 pubs · 4 playgrounds · 1 sports centres · 4 swimming pools · 1 petrol stations
Local character & venue list
Local character
- Limited walkable amenities nearby
- Great for outdoor family life — 5 parks mapped in suburb, 4 playgrounds nearby
- Reasonable bus and transport access — 8 public transport stops
- Strong local sport and recreation — 10 sport and outdoor facilities nearby
- Walkability proxy
- 20/100
- Cafés per 1,000 residents
- 0.55
- Food & drink per 1,000 residents
- 2.21
- Parks per 1,000 residents
- 2.77
Food & drink(4)
- Surreal EatsCafe
- Kensington HotelPub
- Marryatville HotelPub
- Taste of NepalRestaurant
Shopping(1)
- Happy Mart (Asian Grocery)Convenience store
Community(4)
- McKellar Stewart KindergartenKindergarten
- Marryatville Primary SchoolSchool
- Mary MacKillop CollegeSchool
10-14 High Street, Kensington
- PembrokeSchool
Health & services(1)
- MyDentistDentist
292 The Parade
Sport & outdoors(15)
- Borthwick ParkPark
- Mary MacKillop ParkPark
- Park (2)
- Pioneer ParkPark
- City of Norwood Payneham & St PetersPlayground
- Playground (3)
- Norwood Swimming PoolSports centre
- Sports field
- Norwood Swimming PoolSwimming pool
- Swimming pool (3)
Transport(8)
8 bus stops
Other(14)
- Bbq
- Bench (3)
- Bicycle Parking (2)
- Solomons Flooring and BlindsCarpet
- Drinking water
- Karl Chehade Dry CleanersDry Cleaning
296 The Parade, Kensington
- Garden
- Marryatville HotelParking
- Parking (29)
- OTR KensingtonPetrol station
294 The Parade, Kensington
- Public Bookcase
- City of Norwood, Payneham & St PetersShelter
- Telephone
- Waste Basket (2)
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)
- 5
- Parks (OSM)
- 5
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
- Burnside Hospital Toorak Gardens (0.8 km)
- Nearest hospital type
- Private 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)
- 36
- Participants per 1,000 residents
- 17.5
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
- 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 (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· 18 proposals
August 2026
- Demolition of existing front fence and new 1.5 metre fence with 20mm gaps frame to be in steel frame and timber picketsUNIT 2 19A BRIDGE ST KENSINGTON SA 5068Under Assessment
July 2026
- Alterations and addition to a detached dwelling211 KENSINGTON RD KENSINGTON SA 5068Under Assessment
June 2026
- Variation to Development Application 24029273 (which constituted dwelling alterations & additions (including partial demolition), demolition of outbuilding and carport, construction of new carport and outbuilding), to move the proposed outbuilding to the opposite side of the site2 HUGHES AV KENSINGTON SA 5068Decision Made
- operable roof verandah4 SALTER ST KENSINGTON SA 5068Under Assessment
- carportUNIT 1 223 KENSINGTON RD KENSINGTON SA 5068Decision Made
May 2026
- Variation to Development Application 25016922 comprising a reduction in the garage setback and the addition of a sunshade to the Hill St elevation2 BRIDGE ST KENSINGTON SA 5068Under Assessment
- Remove front and dividing fencing and install new 1.5m high picket fencing. Removal of awnings on front elevation.21 BRIDGE ST KENSINGTON SA 5068Under Assessment
- Building alterations - Replace balcony AAC flooring with Hardie - Scyon sheeting, with the addition of additional timber and steel supportsUNIT 1 6 HILL ST KENSINGTON SA 5068;UNIT 2 6 HILL ST KENSINGTON SA 5068;UNIT 3 6 HILL ST KENSINGTON SA 5068;UNIT 4 6 HILL ST KENSINGTON SA 5068;UNIT 5 6 HILL ST KENSINGTON SA 5068;UNIT 6 6 HILL ST KENSINGTON SA 5068;UNIT 7 6 HILL ST KENSINGTON SA 5068Decision Made
April 2026
- Re-paint Local Heritage Place23 REGENT ST KENSINGTON SA 5068Decision Made
- Torrens Title Land Division (2 into 2) - formalise existing arrangement with party wall rights21 BRIDGE ST KENSINGTON SA 5068;21A BRIDGE ST KENSINGTON SA 5068Decision Made
- Installation of stand alone portable above ground swim spa to be located at rear of the property.49 MAESBURY ST KENSINGTON SA 5068Decision Made
- Change of use to office within existing dwelling306 THE PARADE KENSINGTON SA 5068Decision Made
- Conversion of existing Strata Title into Community Title (2 into 2)19 bridge st;UNIT 1 19 BRIDGE ST KENSINGTON SA 5068;UNIT 2 19A BRIDGE ST KENSINGTON SA 5068Decision Made
- Extension to existing residence & replacement garage308 THE PARADE KENSINGTON SA 5068Under Assessment
March 2026
- Shed22 BRIDGE ST KENSINGTON SA 5068Decision Made
- Louvre verandah and pergola24 MAESBURY ST KENSINGTON SA 5068Decision Made
January 2026
- Demolition of existing dwelling and construction of a two-storey detached dwelling43A BRIDGE ST KENSINGTON SA 5068Under Assessment
- Single-storey detached dwelling300 PORTRUSH RD KENSINGTON SA 5068Decision Made
2025· 17 proposals
December 2025
- Pergola & part verandahUNIT 2 17 BISHOPS PL KENSINGTON SA 5068Decision Made
November 2025
- Partial change of use involving conversion of existing takeaway coffee shop to tanning studio (personal services establishment)324 THE PARADE KENSINGTON SA 5068Decision Made
- Removal of a Regulated Tree (River Red Gum) within Trenorden ReserveLOT 2 MAESBURY ST KENSINGTON SA 5068;Trenordan ReserveDecision Made
October 2025
- outbuilding (shed)51 REGENT ST KENSINGTON SA 5068Decision Made
- replacement of an outbuilding (shed)320 THE PARADE KENSINGTON SA 5068Under Assessment
September 2025
- single storey dwelling addition22 BRIDGE ST KENSINGTON SA 5068Decision Made
August 2025
- 1.8m high side boundary fence27A REGENT ST KENSINGTON SA 5068Decision Made
- Office Tenancy Split – Carnegie Property17 PHILLIPS ST KENSINGTON SA 5068Decision Made
July 2025
- Two-storey alterations and additions to existing dwelling (Representative Building) with new fencing on both street frontages, including partial demolition of existing dwelling and demolition of ancillary structures2 BRIDGE ST KENSINGTON SA 5068Under Assessment
May 2025
- Louvered roof verandah43 HIGH ST KENSINGTON SA 5068Decision Made
April 2025
- Torrens Title Land Division creation one (1) additional allotment - 1 into 2 - in a hammerhead configuration13 BRIDGE ST KENSINGTON SA 5068Decision Made
- Verandah22 BRIDGE ST KENSINGTON SA 5068Decision Made
- Outbuilding7 PHILLIPS ST KENSINGTON SA 5068Decision Made
March 2025
- Building alterationsUNIT 1 62 MAESBURY ST KENSINGTON SA 5068Decision Made
- Swimming pool with surrounding deck and associated safety features53 THORNTON ST KENSINGTON SA 5068Decision Made
February 2025
- Dwelling alterationsUNIT 1 21 SHIPSTERS RD KENSINGTON SA 5068Decision Made
- Demolition of a dwelling (Local Heritage Place)69 HIGH ST KENSINGTON SA 5068Decision Made
2024· 7 proposals
December 2024
- Construction of a dwelling addition and outbuilding (garage) with associated internal alterations and fencing, and removal of a regulated tree8 WELLINGTON ST KENSINGTON SA 5068Under Assessment
- Verandah48 MAESBURY ST KENSINGTON SA 5068Decision Made
- alterations to an outbuilding16 THORNTON ST KENSINGTON SA 5068Decision Made
- Replacement pylon sign, with alterations to existing canopy signage294 THE PARADE KENSINGTON SA 5068Decision Made
November 2024
- Climbing frame structureUNIT 2 17 BISHOPS PL KENSINGTON SA 5068Decision Made
- Installation of new windows in existing facade and new lantern roof over existing dining23 REGENT ST KENSINGTON SA 5068Decision Made
- Verandah over Council footpath56 THORNTON ST KENSINGTON SA 5068Decision 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
304 heritage places
- Victorian Bluestone Dwelling2/ 65 High Street KENSINGTONLocal heritage
- Asymmetric Victorian Villa - Bluestone16 Thornton Street KENSINGTONLocal heritage
- Attached Bluestone Dwelling159 Kensington Road KENSINGTONLocal heritage
- Benson Memorial Drinking Fountain, KensingtonPortrush Road KENSINGTONState heritage
- Bridge, Kensington [Brick Arch]53 & 55 Bridge Street KENSINGTONState heritage
- Colonial Bluestone Chapel58 Maesbury Street KENSINGTONLocal heritage
- Dwelling36 Thornton Street KENSINGTONContributory item
- Dwelling8 Bowen Street KENSINGTONContributory item
- Dwelling6 Bowen Street KENSINGTONContributory item
- Dwelling38 Bishops Place KENSINGTONContributory item
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
- Sturt
- Member of Parliament
- Claire CLUTTERHAM (Australian Labor Party)
- Results from
- 2025 federal election
- Electorate enrolment (2025)
- 130,300
- Turnout (2025)
- 93.0%
- Swing since 2022 (2025)
- +7.1 pp toward Labor
Two-party preferred (2025)
Coalition 43.4%Labor 56.6%
Estimated suburb voting profile
Estimated from 8 nearby ordinary polling places (up to 1.8 km away).
Coalition 39.2%Labor 60.8%
4.2 percentage points more Labor-leaning than the electorate
Estimated swing since 2022: +7.4 pp toward Labor
Nearest polling places
- KensingtonLabor 62.9% · Coalition 37.1% TPP (2025)0.3 km away
- Kensington ParkLabor 56.8% · Coalition 43.2% TPP (2025)0.6 km away
- NorwoodLabor 59.5% · Coalition 40.5% TPP (2025)0.9 km away
- Norwood WestLabor 61.9% · Coalition 38.1% TPP (2025)1.4 km away
- MaylandsLabor 65.7% · Coalition 34.3% TPP (2025)1.5 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)
- 7/10
- IRSD decile (2021)
- 5/10
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 Norwood Payneham and St Peters Council
Other suburbs in the same local government area.
Comparable suburbs
Similar population and socio-economic profile in other parts of South Australia.