suburb.guide

SA · Unley Council

Malvern, 5061

Current weather

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83% humidity · 22.8 km/h wind · 13.2° / 10.8° today · 26.2 mm rain

Updated

Desirability score

41.4/100
Average

Top 42% of South Australia's suburbs

71% data confidence

How this score is calculated
  • Premium
  • Heritage
  • Transport
  • Cafés
  • Shops
What Malvern is known for: Premium, Heritage, Transport, Cafés, Shops

Suburb profile

Malvern is a practical mid-sized suburb in Unley, well placed for families who want metro access without the inner-city squeeze. Neighbouring suburbs are within easy reach, so the wider metro area always feels accessible. Long-term locals and family households define much of the community, with a strong presence of young families throughout.

Local shops and services cover the basics well, with more choice a short trip into neighbouring suburbs. Parks, reserves and open space make it genuinely outdoor-friendly for walks, sport and weekend downtime. Public transport links make it easy to move between neighbouring suburbs without relying on the car.

Housing carries a premium, but residents tend to feel the lifestyle justifies the commitment. Construction and infill projects are noticeably reshaping parts of the area.

On the desirability index, the suburb sits around average overall, mainly because housing affordability and local dining and lifestyle amenities lag similar metro suburbs, despite relative strength in community and employment and transport and access. Limited access to some essential local services also trimmed the result.

Population

Population
2,713
Median age
46
Median household income / week
$2,655
Dwelling vacancy
6.8%
Unoccupied private dwellings
71 of 1,048
Median monthly mortgage
$2,800
Employment rate
60.6%
Dwelling mix (houses / semi / flats)
40 / 125 / 72

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)
$542.5
Houses (01/01/26 to 31/03/26)
$1,050
All types (01/01/26 to 31/03/26)
$550
Rental bonds lodged (01/01/26 to 31/03/26)
20
Median house price (Q1 2026)
$2,650,750
Median price change
-14.9%

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; 1Q 2026 · Updated on site · Quarterly releases

Crime & safety

Total offences (2024–25)
148
Against the person
8
Against property
140
Rate per 1,000 residents
54.6
Person-crime prevalence
About 1 in 339 residents
State safety percentile
67.8th (lower crime is better)
Family & domestic abuse offences
38
Increase (daily rate)
+1.6%

Reported offences increased compared with the previous period.

Reported offences by period

Most common offence types

  • Other Property Damage And Environmental8
  • Other Theft14
  • Serious Assault Not Resulting In Injury5
  • Theft From Motor Vehicle10
  • Theft From Shop90

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

16 public transport stops in this suburb

  • Stop 168 Cross Rd - North side
  • Stop 169 Cross Rd - North side
  • Stop 170 Cross Rd - North side
  • Stop 9 Duthy St - West side
  • Stop 9A Duthy St - West side

Contributes to desirability score · Accessibility (15%)

Public transport stop coverage

Data sources & freshness

Planning & development

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

323 planning-related records

2026· 32 proposals

  • June 2026

  • Alterations and additions to the existing dwelling, including partial demolition
    UNIT 1 24 MARLBOROUGH ST MALVERN SA 5061Under Assessment
  • Vergola roofing system
    59 MALVERN AV MALVERN SA 5061Decision Made
  • Variation to DA 25037328 - construction of carport
    63 SHEFFIELD ST MALVERN SA 5061Under Assessment

  • May 2026

  • Variation to Development Application 24021456 - Alterations and additions to an existing Local Heritage Place and partial demolition – Variation to incorporate internal alterations, window changes, setback changes and amendment to awning
    33 MARLBOROUGH ST MALVERN SA 5061Under Assessment
  • Variation to DA 25011821 - Construction of a two storey detached dwelling, front fence, combined fence and retaining wall and swimming pool with associated safety feature- To vary the roof profile from a hipped roof to a flat roof
    80 CAMBRIDGE TCE MALVERN SA 5061Decision Made
  • Partial demolition of the existing dwelling and construction of dwelling additions and alterations (including a cellar and alfresco) and alterations to the existing carport
    184 FISHER ST MALVERN SA 5061Under Assessment
  • Verandah
    47A DOVER ST MALVERN SA 5061Decision Made
  • Fencing and Swimming Pool and Safety Barrier
    54 CLIFTON ST MALVERN SA 5061Decision Made

  • April 2026

  • Demolish existing Carport and construct new enclosed carport.
    70 SHEFFIELD ST MALVERN SA 5061Under Assessment
  • Partial demolition of existing dwelling, single storey dwelling addition, swimming pool, outbuilding and fence.
    93 CAMBRIDGE TCE MALVERN SA 5061Under Assessment
  • Partial demolition of existing dwelling, internal alterations and a single storey dwelling addition.
    15A SHEFFIELD ST MALVERN SA 5061Under Assessment
  • Extend Carport.
    142 FISHER ST MALVERN SA 5061Decision Made
  • Land Division - 1 into 3 (Torrens Title)
    72 MALVERN AV MALVERN SA 5061Decision Made
  • Demolition of ancillary structures, partial demolition of the existing dwelling, construction of dwelling additions and alterations (including an alfresco), carport and in-ground swimming pool with associated safety features
    190 WATTLE ST MALVERN SA 5061Under Assessment
  • Demolition of an outbuilding (shed)
    57 AUSTRAL TCE MALVERN SA 5061Under Assessment

  • March 2026

  • Variation to application 23028224 - Demolition of ancillary structures and construction of a carport and verandah - variation to alter the appearance of the carport and verandah
    36 ETON ST MALVERN SA 5061Under Assessment
  • Front fence
    41 CAMBRIDGE TCE MALVERN SA 5061Under Assessment
  • Variation to Application 23036423 – changes to floor plan and floor area, fencing and retaining and the inclusion of a swimming pool and safety barrier.
    59A MALVERN AV MALVERN SA 5061Under Assessment
  • Modifications to the existing front fence, including the installation of 2 masonry pillars either side of the pedestrian gate.
    66 MARLBOROUGH ST MALVERN SA 5061Decision Made
  • Removal of Significant Tree (Fiddlewood)
    77 CLIFTON ST MALVERN SA 5061Decision Made
  • Additions and alterations to existing dwelling including partial demolition, alterations to swimming pool and associated safety barriers, decking and partial demolition and demolition of ancillary structures
    85 WINCHESTER ST MALVERN SA 5061Under Assessment
  • Two storey ancillary accommodation (including garage and basement), swimming pool and safety barrier, fencing
    134 CAMBRIDGE TCE MALVERN SA 5061Under Assessment
  • Torrens Title Land Division - Creating of two additional allotments (1 into 3)
    59A MALVERN AV MALVERN SA 5061Decision Made

  • February 2026

  • Carport
    154 CROSS RD MALVERN SA 5061Decision Made
  • Three double storey row dwellings and associated fencing
    72 MALVERN AV MALVERN SA 5061Under Assessment
  • Demolition of ancillary structure, partial demolition of existing dwelling and construction of a single storey dwelling addition, in-ground swimming pool, ancillary accommodation (pool house), and combined retaining wall and fencing.
    63 SHEFFIELD ST MALVERN SA 5061Under Assessment
  • Alterations and additions including ensuite and verandah
    2 ETON ST MALVERN SA 5061Decision Made
  • Portion of fence to 2.65metre in height.
    LOT 801 WATTLE ST MALVERN SA 5061Decision Made
  • Variation to DA 25027651 and 23009121- dwelling additions, and carport
    217 WATTLE ST MALVERN SA 5061Decision Made
  • PROPOSED INTERNAL RENOVATIONS TO MASTER BEDROOM WALK IN ROBE AND ENSUITE
    57 CREMORNE ST MALVERN SA 5061Decision Made
  • Variation to Development Application 25001462 - Construction of two, two-storey detached dwellings – Variation to site coverage, side boundary setbacks, boundary structures, alteration to floor plans and architectural detailing
    62 MALVERN AV MALVERN SA 5061Under Assessment

  • January 2026

  • Partial demolition of the existing dwelling, construction of dwelling additions and alterations, extension to the existing carport and construction of a front fence (masonry pier and infill)
    115 CAMBRIDGE TCE MALVERN SA 5061Under Assessment
2025· 8 proposals

  • December 2025

  • Masonry and blade front fence and driveway gate
    103 DUTHY ST MALVERN SA 5061Decision Made
  • Variation to DA 23005997 consisting of partial enclosure of verandah (Retrospective)
    24 CLIFTON ST MALVERN SA 5061Decision Made
  • Masonry fence
    47 AUSTRAL TCE MALVERN SA 5061Decision Made
  • Removal of on Significant Eucalyptus sp which is located in the rear yard that has been poorly pruned/managed and the poses an unacceptable risk to person
    46 SHEFFIELD ST MALVERN SA 5061Under Assessment
  • Variation to DA 24027134 to increase boundary screen wall to 2550 high for pool safety and change pool to spa, associated landscaping and fencing
    20 AUSTRAL TCE MALVERN SA 5061Decision Made

  • November 2025

  • Variation to Development Application 25000566 - Demolition of existing dwelling and outbuilding, construction of a single storey detached dwelling, masonry front fence with infill (with a height of 1.5 metres), in-ground swimming pool and associated pool safety features, and boundary fencing and retaining walls - Variation to floor layout, front facade and canopy, driveway configuration and roof pitch
    39 CLIFTON ST MALVERN SA 5061Under Assessment
  • Eight-level, mixed use development including dwellings, shop, office, pool and basement parking
    -34.95682050848403, 138.60838298427927;UNIT 1-15 259 -269 UNLEY RD MALVERN SA 5061Under Assessment
  • Partial demotion and the construction of dwelling additions and alterations, swimming pool and safety barrier and fencing
    111 CHELTENHAM ST MALVERN SA 5061Under Assessment

Contributes to desirability score · Future Growth (7%)

Development and planning activity

Data sources & freshness

Amenities

38 nearby amenities within ~1.5 km

  • Nettle and KneadBakery

    84 Duthy Street

  • Stop 168 Cross Road - North sideBus stop
  • Stop 169 Cross Road - North sideBus stop
  • Stop 170 Cross Road - North sideBus stop
  • Stop 5 Unley Road - East sideBus stop
  • Stop 6 Unley Road - East sideBus stop
  • Stop 7 Duthy Street - East sideBus stop
  • Stop 7 Duthy Street - West sideBus stop
  • Stop 7 Unley Road - East sideBus stop
  • Stop 8 Duthy 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)
10/10
IRSD decile (2021)
10/10

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

Heritage

216 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

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

Desirability Index

Desirability score
41.4/100 — Average
State standing
Top 42% of South Australia's suburbs
National rank
3078th in Australia
State rank
291st in SA
Peer rank
#23 among Metro Adelaide · Mature suburbs
Cohort rank
#205 among Metro Adelaide suburbs
Data confidence
71%

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 Environmentalcrime8
  • Other Theftcrime14
  • Serious Assault Not Resulting In Injurycrime5
  • Theft From Motor Vehiclecrime10
  • Theft From Shopcrime90
  • Heritage placeheritageState heritage
  • Heritage placeheritageState heritage
  • Heritage placeheritageState heritage
  • Heritage placeheritageState heritage
  • Heritage placeheritageState heritage

Data sources & freshness

More in Unley Council

Other suburbs in the same local government area.

Comparable suburbs

Similar population and socio-economic profile in other parts of South Australia.