Median house price
$2.65M
-15% change
SA · Unley Council
Malvern, 5061
Est. population · Jun 2025
2,910
Growth (1 yr)
+0.7%
Growth (5 yr)
+3.4%
Median age
46
Median income
$2,655/wk
Employment rate
60.6%
Median house price · Q1 2026
$2,650,750
Languages at home
18.4%non-English
Most common: Mandarin, Greek, Italian
2021 Census · usual residence
Desirability score
- Heritage area
- Education hub
- Excellent transport
- High desirability
- Café precinct
Suburb profile
Malvern is a practical mid-sized suburb in Unley Council, well placed for families who want metro access without the inner-city squeeze. Long-term locals and family households define much of the community, with a strong presence of young families throughout. Local schools rate highly against similar suburbs.
Sport and recreation are easy to access, with local venues supporting active weekends and after-work routines. Parks and open space are a real strength relative to many metro suburbs, easy for walks, sport and weekend downtime. Getting around is straightforward, with buses tying neighbouring communities together.
Property sits in a premium price band and is harder to enter for many buyers. Recognised heritage character runs through the streets, with older fabric still defining local identity.
Desirability lands around average here: softer growth momentum weighing on the result versus similar metro suburbs, even with community and employment holding up better. Limited access to some essential local services also trimmed the result.
At a glance
Malvern snapshot
A quick read of housing, growth, livability, and risk
Median rent
$550/wk
Houses $1,050 · Units $543
Population (ERP)
2,910
+0.7% annual growth
Dwelling vacancy
6.8%
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
#16
among Metro Adelaide · Mature
Safety
66th
percentile in state (higher = safer)
Pop. growth
60th
percentile in SA
Advantage (IRSAD)
10/10
national SEIFA decile
School ICSEA
90th
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
- 49.5/100 — Average
- State standing
- Top 28% of South Australia's suburbs
- National rank
- 2238th in Australia
- State rank
- 197th in SA
- Peer rank
- #16 among Metro Adelaide · Mature suburbs
- Cohort rank
- #148 among Metro Adelaide suburbs
- Data confidence
- 79%
Data sources & freshness
- Suburb Guide desirability index — Suburb Guide (derived) · current · Updated
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.
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
2,910(June 2025)
+0.7% annual · +3.4% over 5 years · 60th percentile in SA
Growth figures & methodology
- Annual growth
- +0.7%
- 5-year growth
- +3.4%
- Change in 1 year
- +19
- Change in 5 years
- +96
- Growth rank in SA
- 60th 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 (~3,000), extrapolated at +0.6% average annual growth since 2011. It is illustrative only — not an official ABS forecast.
2021 Census figures
2021 Census
- 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)
- 784 / 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 · 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 increased compared with the previous period.
Offence counts & rates
- Total offences (2024–25)
- 148
- Against the person
- 8
- Against property
- 140
- Rate per 1,000 residents
- 50.9
- Person-crime prevalence
- About 1 in 339 residents
- State safety percentile
- 65.8th (lower crime is better)
- Family & domestic abuse offences
- 38
- Increase (daily rate)
- +1.6%
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 · 2023-24 → 2024-25; 2024-25 · Updated · Financial-year releases
Family & Lifestyle
Schools & preschools
- Median school ICSEA (14 schools)
- 1,123.5
- Median ICSEA percentile
- 90th
School list
- Concordia CollegeCombined · Independent · ICSEA 1140 · 93th percentile · LBOTE 17% · 1,312 students · Top SEA quarter 56% · 0.5 km awayView on My School →
- Walford Anglican School for GirlsCombined · Independent · ICSEA 1162 · 97th percentile · LBOTE 32% · 400 students · Top SEA quarter 65% · 0.5 km awayView on My School →
- Unley Primary SchoolPrimary · Government · ICSEA 1154 · 96th percentile · LBOTE 25% · 470 students · Top SEA quarter 63% · 0.6 km awayView on My School →
- Highgate SchoolPrimary · Government · ICSEA 1150 · 95th percentile · LBOTE 51% · 616 students · Top SEA quarter 63% · 1.0 km awayView on My School →
- Saint Spyridon CollegePrimary · Independent · ICSEA 1081 · 79th percentile · LBOTE 57% · 39 students · Top SEA quarter 30% · 1.0 km awayView on My School →
- Sunrise Christian School FullartonPrimary · Independent · ICSEA 1133 · 92th percentile · LBOTE 24% · 175 students · Top SEA quarter 50% · 1.0 km awayView on My School →
- Mitcham Girls High SchoolSecondary · Government · ICSEA 1083 · 79th percentile · LBOTE 27% · 754 students · Top SEA quarter 33% · 1.2 km awayView on My School →
- St Joseph's SchoolPrimary · Catholic · ICSEA 1135 · 92th percentile · LBOTE 9% · 256 students · Top SEA quarter 55% · 1.3 km awayView on My School →
- Unley High SchoolSecondary · Government · ICSEA 1084 · 80th percentile · LBOTE 30% · 1,547 students · Top SEA quarter 34% · 1.4 km awayView on My School →
- Mitcham Primary SchoolPrimary · Government · ICSEA 1121 · 89th percentile · LBOTE 24% · 629 students · Top SEA quarter 48% · 1.5 km awayView on My School →
Contributes to desirability score · Education (15%)
School and preschool counts, median school ICSEA
Data sources & freshness
- School ICSEA (ACARA) — Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority · 2025 · Updated · Annual release
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
- Adelaide Metro GTFS stops — Department for Infrastructure and Transport (SA) · current · Updated
Amenities
119 nearby amenities within ~1.5 km
3 cafes · 1 pubs · 4 fast food · 1 bakeries · 1 places of worship · 5 playgrounds · 45 swimming pools
Local character & venue list
Local character
- A car helps for daily errands
- Great for outdoor family life — 0 parks mapped in suburb, 5 playgrounds nearby
- Reasonable bus and transport access — 16 public transport stops
- Strong local sport and recreation — 51 sport and outdoor facilities nearby
- Walkability proxy
- 42/100
- Cafés per 1,000 residents
- 1.11
- Food & drink per 1,000 residents
- 3.32
- Parks per 1,000 residents
- 0
Food & drink(9)
- Nettle and KneadBakery
84 Duthy Street
- Nature's ProvidoreCafe
- PaparazziCafe
- Pat-a-Cake BakeryCafe
- Noodle BoxFast food
- Savvas YirosFast food
- SubwayFast food
- wok in a boxFast food
- Cremorne HotelPub
Shopping(1)
- Windor MeatsButcher
Community(1)
- Unley Primary SchoolSchool
Sport & outdoors(51)
- Playground (5)
- Sports field
- Swimming pool (45)
Transport(16)
16 bus stops
Other(11)
- Mercedes Benz UnleyCar
- Mitre 10Doityourself
- Tommy’s GardenGarden
- Malvern VillageMall
- Parking (29)
- The Physio SocietyPhysiotherapist
- Place of worship
- Post Box (3)
- Public toilets
- Gulf SeafoodsSeafood
- TelstraTelephone
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
Places of worship
1 places of worship within ~1.5 km
- Place of worship
From OpenStreetMap within ~1.5 km of the suburb centre.
Data sources & freshness
- OpenStreetMap amenities — OpenStreetMap contributors · current · Updated
Health access
- Nearest hospital
- Glen Osmond Surgicentre (1.9 km)
- Nearest hospital type
- Private Day Only 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)
- 61
- Participants per 1,000 residents
- 21.0
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· 42 proposals
August 2026
- Dwelling alterations and additions and verandah57 CAMBRIDGE TCE MALVERN SA 5061Under Assessment
- Removal of a Regulated Street Tree (Loelreuteria paniculata)20 SHEFFIELD ST MALVERN SA 5061Decision Made
July 2026
- Install a fiberglass swimming pool, spa & safety barrier9 AUSTRAL TCE MALVERN SA 5061Decision Made
- Demolition of existing privacy screens and the construction of privacy screens attached to the existing southern and eastern boundary fences41 SHEFFIELD ST MALVERN SA 5061Under Assessment
- Remove of a significant tree (Canary Islan Date Palm)206 WATTLE ST MALVERN SA 5061Decision Made
- Removal of Regulated tree - English Oak (Quercus robur)146 CROSS RD MALVERN SA 5061Decision Made
- Alterations and singe storey dwelling addition27 MARLBOROUGH ST MALVERN SA 5061Under Assessment
- Demolition of existing deck, single storey dwelling addition and building alterations, and construction of a deck along the eastern side of the dwelling163 WATTLE ST MALVERN SA 5061Under Assessment
- Construction of concave roof carport with panel lift door196 FISHER ST MALVERN SA 5061Decision Made
- Construction of a double width carport with panel lift door53 DOVER ST MALVERN SA 5061Decision Made
June 2026
- Alterations and additions to the existing dwelling, including partial demolitionUNIT 1 24 MARLBOROUGH ST MALVERN SA 5061Under Assessment
- Vergola roofing system59 MALVERN AV MALVERN SA 5061Decision Made
- Variation to DA 25037328 - construction of carport63 SHEFFIELD ST MALVERN SA 5061Decision Made
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 awning33 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 roof80 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 carport184 FISHER ST MALVERN SA 5061Under Assessment
- Verandah47A DOVER ST MALVERN SA 5061Decision Made
- Fencing and Swimming Pool and Safety Barrier54 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 features190 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 verandah36 ETON ST MALVERN SA 5061Under Assessment
- Front fence41 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 structures85 WINCHESTER ST MALVERN SA 5061Under Assessment
- Two storey ancillary accommodation (including garage and basement), swimming pool and safety barrier, fencing134 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
- Carport154 CROSS RD MALVERN SA 5061Decision Made
- Three double storey row dwellings and associated fencing72 MALVERN AV MALVERN SA 5061Decision Made
- 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 verandah2 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 carport217 WATTLE ST MALVERN SA 5061Decision Made
- PROPOSED INTERNAL RENOVATIONS TO MASTER BEDROOM WALK IN ROBE AND ENSUITE57 CREMORNE ST MALVERN SA 5061Decision Made
2025· 4 proposals
December 2025
- Masonry and blade front fence and driveway gate103 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 fence47 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 person46 SHEFFIELD ST MALVERN SA 5061Under Assessment
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
170 heritage places
- Attached Dwellings107-109 Cremorne Street MALVERNLocal heritage
- Attached Dwellings158-160 Wattle Street MALVERNLocal heritage
- Church (former Wesleyan Methodist Centenary Church)44 Marlborough Street MALVERNLocal heritage
- Church Hall (former Malvern Wesleyan Sunday School)44 Marlborough Street MALVERNLocal heritage
- Church and Bible College of South Australia (former Dwelling)and fence176 Wattle Street MALVERNLocal heritage
- Contributory Item39 Cremorne Street MALVERNContributory item
- Contributory Item40 Cremorne Street MALVERNContributory item
- Contributory Item42 - 58 Cremorne Street MALVERNContributory item
- Contributory Item43 - 59 Cremorne Street MALVERNContributory item
- Contributory Item62 - 72 Cremorne Street MALVERNContributory 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
- Adelaide
- Member of Parliament
- Steve GEORGANAS (Australian Labor Party)
- Results from
- 2025 federal election
- Electorate enrolment (2025)
- 131,436
- Turnout (2025)
- 90.2%
- Swing since 2022 (2025)
- +7.2 pp toward Labor
Two-party preferred (2025)
Coalition 30.9%Labor 69.1%
Estimated suburb voting profile
Estimated from 8 nearby ordinary polling places (up to 2.9 km away).
Coalition 45.6%Labor 54.4%
14.7 percentage points more Coalition-leaning than the electorate
Estimated swing since 2022: +6.7 pp toward Labor
Nearest polling places
- Unley ParkLabor 43.7% · Coalition 56.3% TPP (2025)0.5 km away
- MalvernLabor 61.5% · Coalition 38.5% TPP (2025)0.7 km away
- HighgateLabor 64.1% · Coalition 35.9% TPP (2025)1.2 km away
- UnleyLabor 65.6% · Coalition 34.4% TPP (2025)1.2 km away
- ParksideLabor 69.1% · Coalition 30.9% TPP (2025)1.8 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)
- 10/10
- IRSD decile (2021)
- 10/10
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 Unley Council
Other suburbs in the same local government area.
Comparable suburbs
Similar population and socio-economic profile in other parts of South Australia.