Median house price
$950k
+21% change
SA · Onkaparinga Council
McLaren Vale, 5171
Est. population · Jun 2025
4,355
Growth (1 yr)
+3.8%
Growth (5 yr)
+24.6%
Median age
54
Median income
$1,331/wk
Employment rate
50.4%
Median house price · Q1 2026
$950,000
Languages at home
4.3%non-English
Most common: Italian, German, French
2021 Census · usual residence
Desirability score
- Heritage area
- High desirability
- National parks
- Excellent transport
- Café precinct
Suburb profile
McLaren Vale is a well-connected mid-sized suburb in Onkaparinga Council with everyday amenities close at hand. The city and surrounding suburbs are both within comfortable reach, which keeps daily life flexible. An older demographic makes it especially popular with retirees, with families and grandchildren still a visible part of community life.
Local eateries and coffee spots give the area a friendly, everyday social rhythm. Parks and open space are a real strength relative to many metro suburbs, easy for walks, sport and weekend downtime. Everyday errands are walkable, and buses keep the wider city within easy reach.
Homes cost more here than in most comparable suburbs. The built character feels historic and distinctive, with heritage detail visible throughout.
Growth momentum push the suburb to a good desirability read, even as safety look more ordinary among similar metro suburbs.
At a glance
McLaren Vale snapshot
A quick read of housing, growth, livability, and risk
Median rent
$685/wk
Houses $735 · Units $585
Population (ERP)
4,355
+3.8% annual growth
Dwelling vacancy
7.5%
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
#7
among Metro Adelaide · Mature
Safety
44th
percentile in state (higher = safer)
Pop. growth
98th
percentile in SA
Advantage (IRSAD)
6/10
national SEIFA decile
School ICSEA
55th
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
- 56.2/100 — Good
- State standing
- Top 13% of South Australia's suburbs
- National rank
- 1428th in Australia
- State rank
- 92nd in SA
- Peer rank
- #7 among Metro Adelaide · Mature suburbs
- Cohort rank
- #69 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)
- $585
- Houses (01/01/26 to 31/03/26)
- $735
- All types (01/01/26 to 31/03/26)
- $685
- Rental bonds lodged (01/01/26 to 31/03/26)
- 10
- Median house price (Q1 2026)
- $950,000
- Median price change
- +21%
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
4,355(June 2025)
+3.8% annual · +24.6% over 5 years · 98th percentile in SA
Growth figures & methodology
- Annual growth
- +3.8%
- 5-year growth
- +24.6%
- Change in 1 year
- +158
- Change in 5 years
- +860
- Growth rank in SA
- 98th 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 (~5,050), extrapolated at +3.0% average annual growth since 2011. It is illustrative only — not an official ABS forecast.
2021 Census figures
2021 Census
- Population
- 4,061
- Median age
- 54
- Median household income / week
- $1,331
- Dwelling vacancy
- 7.5%
- Unoccupied private dwellings
- 135 of 1,790
- Median monthly mortgage
- $1,560
- Employment rate
- 50.4%
- Dwelling mix (houses / semi / flats)
- 1,402 / 173 / 39 (+ 28 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 increased compared with the previous period.
Offence counts & rates
- Total offences (2024–25)
- 126
- Against the person
- 24
- Against property
- 102
- Rate per 1,000 residents
- 28.9
- Person-crime prevalence
- About 1 in 169 residents
- State safety percentile
- 44.2th (lower crime is better)
- Family & domestic abuse offences
- 26
- Increase (daily rate)
- +5.3%
Most common offence types
- Other Property Damage And Environmental24
- Other Theft24
- Serious Assault Not Resulting In Injury8
- Theft From Motor Vehicle8
- Theft From Shop15
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
- 1,018
- Median ICSEA percentile
- 55th
School list
- McLaren Vale Primary SchoolPrimary · Government · ICSEA 1018 · 55th percentile · LBOTE 4% · 521 students · Top SEA quarter 13% · 1.4 km awayView on My School →
- Madge Sexton Kindergarten249 Main RoadPreschools
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
Public transport
26 public transport stops in this suburb
- Stop 92 Main Rd - South West side
- Stop 93 Main Rd - West side
- Stop 94 Main Rd - West side
- Stop 94A Main Rd - West side
- Stop 94C Main Rd - 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
147 nearby amenities within ~1.5 km
8 restaurants · 7 cafes · 1 supermarkets · 1 pharmacies · 1 bakeries · 2 playgrounds · 1 swimming pools · 1 petrol stations
Local character & venue list
Local character
- Highly walkable for everyday errands
- Decent local green space — 4 parks in suburb, 2 playgrounds nearby
- Well connected by public transport — 26 public transport stops
- Walkability proxy
- 100/100
- Cafés per 1,000 residents
- 1.72
- Food & drink per 1,000 residents
- 3.94
- Parks per 1,000 residents
- 0.98
Food & drink(16)
- The Cottage BakeryBakery
- Arthouse Coffee BarCafe
- Blessed Cheese CafeCafe
- Cafe
- MannaCafe
- SAM I AM CafeCafe
114 Main Road
- The Almond TrainCafe
- The Tin ShedCafe
255 Main Road
- CarmelsRestaurant
- Hanabi Japanese KitchenRestaurant
- Ind'o'MexRestaurant
225 Main Road, McLaren Vale
- Joe's at SabellaRestaurant
- Maxwell WinesRestaurant
- Oscars Mediterranean RestaurantRestaurant
- Restaurant
- Ristorante VasarelliRestaurant
169 Main Road
Shopping(3)
- Coles ExpressConvenience store
- ColesSupermarket
130 Main Road
Community(1)
- McLaren Vale Primary SchoolSchool
Health & services(2)
- TerryWhite ChemmartPharmacy
- McLaren Vale Veterinary SurgeryVeterinary
Sport & outdoors(7)
- Park (3)
- Playground (2)
- Sports field
- Swimming pool
Transport(16)
16 bus stops
Other(23)
- Fleurieu ArthouseArt
- ANZBank
- Bbq
- DAYLILI BEAUTYBeauty salon
- Bench (6)
- Caravan Site
- MinijumbukClothes
- Daily GrindCoffee
143 Main Road, McLaren Vale
- Drinking water
- McLaren Vale CFSFire station
175 Main Road
- Fitness Station
- It's OzzyGift
- Beyond Beautiful Style LoungeHairdresser
- Pink SquirrelMassage
Park Drive
- Unnamed (No.HA1162) Heritage AgreementNature Reserve
- Parking (73)
- Coles ExpressPetrol station
- Picnic Table
- Public toilets
- Shelter (4)
- Vineyard Retirement VillageSocial Facility
170 Main Road, McLaren Vale
- Waste Basket
- Yummy Nuts MarketYes
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)
- 34
- Parks (OSM)
- 4
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
- Seaford Day Surgery (5.3 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)
- 138
- Participants per 1,000 residents
- 31.7
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
- 27° / 16°
- Rainfall
- 49 mm · ~6 rainy days
Autumn (Mar–May)
- Usual max / min
- 22° / 13°
- Rainfall
- 94 mm · ~12 rainy days
Winter (Jun–Aug)
- Usual max / min
- 16° / 8°
- Rainfall
- 161 mm · ~20 rainy days
Spring (Sep–Nov)
- Usual max / min
- 21° / 11°
- Rainfall
- 95 mm · ~12 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· 73 proposals
August 2026
- Removal of a Regulated tree (Blue Gum)107 MAIN RD MCLAREN VALE SA 5171Under Assessment
- Tourist accommodation comprising two detached buildings224 JOHNSTON RD MCLAREN VALE SA 5171Under Assessment
July 2026
- Alteration and addition to existing dwelling.6 HALL ST MCLAREN VALE SA 5171Under Assessment
- Change of use to licensed premises for 80 persons with outdoor seating area.2A ALDERSEY ST MCLAREN VALE SA 5171Under Assessment
- Expansion of existing Tourist Accommodation Facility to offer an ancillary wellness centre38 CAFFREY ST MCLAREN VALE SA 5171Under Assessment
- Attached verandah1 SEAMAN CT MCLAREN VALE SA 5171Under Assessment
- Single storey dwelling additions and alterations including living room, bedrooms, amenities, verandah, carport, cellar and associated earthworks and retaining walls25 KANGARILLA RD MCLAREN VALE SA 5171Under Assessment
- Variation to development application (25004066) - Change in building height from 6.1m to 7.2m514 VICTOR HARBOR RD MCLAREN VALE SA 5171Under Assessment
- Single storey dwelling addition with associated deck94 BELLEVUE DR MCLAREN VALE SA 5171Under Assessment
- Proposed verandah & timber deck at rear of dwelling18 GALAXY CT MCLAREN VALE SA 5171Under Assessment
- Outbuilding (storage shed)190 MCMURTRIE RD MCLAREN VALE SA 5171Decision Made
- Partial change of land use from an existing dwelling to tourist accommodation, including animal keeping for visitor interaction (Highland cow experiences), advertisement, candle-making workshops, and verandah (Retrospective).187 TATACHILLA RD MCLAREN VALE SA 5171Under Assessment
June 2026
- Attached verandah (Associated with Unit 96)91 MAIN RD MCLAREN VALE SA 5171Decision Made
- Outbuilding (shed)21 GLOUCESTER TCE MCLAREN VALE SA 5171Decision Made
- Building alterations and additions to an existing dwelling, including a verandah, portico, additional bedroom, and an outbuilding9 WIGLEY DR MCLAREN VALE SA 5171Under Assessment
- Installation of one (1) frost fan associated with the existing vineyard278 TATACHILLA RD MCLAREN VALE SA 5171Under Assessment
- Single storey dwelling with required retaining14 REEVES RD MCLAREN VALE SA 5171Under Assessment
- Land division - boundary realignment 3 allotments into 3281 MAIN RD MCLAREN VALE SA 5171;32 MALPAS RD MCLAREN VALE SA 5171;LOT 503 MALPAS RD MCLAREN VALE SA 5171Under Assessment
- Verandah30 OLIVERS RD MCLAREN VALE SA 5171Decision Made
- Construction of an outbuilding comprising a gable-pitched roof supported by 20-ft shipping containers at each end172 FOGGO RD MCLAREN VALE SA 5171Decision Made
May 2026
- Outbuilding (garage)34 CHAPMAN AV MCLAREN VALE SA 5171Decision Made
- Amendment to application 145/1478/2019 to vary conditions 3 and 4; Increase the number of patrons from 50 to 100 persons and extend the trading hours from 10am-5pm Thursdays to Sundays to 10am-10pm 7 days per week.314 RIFLE RANGE RD MCLAREN VALE SA 5171Under Assessment
- I would like to enclose 2 sides of the veranda/pergola. On western wall I will clad with 6mm cement sheeting, and I would like to put external solid timber lockable double door on the southern side.11 CLIFTON CT MCLAREN VALE SA 5171Under Assessment
- Partial change of use to existing shed for a wholesale bakery and associated building alterations117 CHALK HILL RD MCLAREN VALE SA 5171Under Assessment
- Partial change in use from viticulture to residential by removing some vines to establish a dwelling, deck, agricultural building- farm shed, and water tanks with remaining viticulture use.LOT 14 BELLEVUE DR MCLAREN VALE SA 5171Under Assessment
- Building alterations including internal fitoutsLOT 11 CAFFREY ST MCLAREN VALE SA 5171Under Assessment
- Verandah91 MAIN RD MCLAREN VALE SA 5171Decision Made
- 1. Tree Damaging Activity (remove Narrow-leaved Peppermint); 2. Prepare bunded footings; and 3. Installation of Four 70 tonne Rota Fermenters.130 JOHNSTON RD MCLAREN VALE SA 5171Under Assessment
- Ground mounted solar panels (10 KW) over vineyard for Paxton Wines. *Retrospective*68 WHEATON RD MCLAREN VALE SA 5171Under Assessment
- The proposal seeks to expand the operations associated with the cellar door and restaurant within the existing building including increased capacity and extended trading hours.190 MCMURTRIE RD MCLAREN VALE SA 5171Under Assessment
- Agricultural building (fodder storage shed)382 MCMURTRIE RD MCLAREN VALE SA 5171Decision Made
- Land division creating 1 additional allotment. (1 into 2) existing house to be retained13 WOODLEY GR MCLAREN VALE SA 5171Under Assessment
- Gable Verandah1D PRIDMORE AV MCLAREN VALE SA 5171Decision Made
- Carport attached to house Size: Area 1: 12000mm x 7675mm Height: 2800 mm Roofing Material: Corrugated - Colorbond Double Sided 0.42 (Non- Trafficable) Roof Sheeting Gutters: Colorbond Fascia Gutter Downpipes: 65mm x 65mm Square Colorbond Downpipe Front Infills: Plain Smooth gable end Rear Infills: None gable end Post: 150mm x 50mm x 3mm Posts and Portal Frames Rafter: Cen Box Beam 158x65x0.95BMT Colorbond Purlin: Cen Box Beam 65x65x0.95BMT Colorbond Edge Beam: Cen Box Beam 158x65x0.95BMT Colorbo27 SHEOAK RD MCLAREN VALE SA 5171Decision Made
- verandah20 HEWITT DR MCLAREN VALE SA 5171Decision Made
- Dwelling addition and verandah42 STUMP HILL RD MCLAREN VALE SA 5171Under Assessment
April 2026
- Remove the 1 (One) significant tree- SA Blue Gum255 MAIN RD MCLAREN VALE SA 5171Decision Made
- Variation to DA 23007780 (change in orientation of 1 x agricultural building) and retrospective application for filling of land.84 WHEATON RD MCLAREN VALE SA 5171Under Assessment
- Outbuilding (garage extension)39 ALDERSEY ST MCLAREN VALE SA 5171Decision Made
- shed15 PERRY ST MCLAREN VALE SA 5171Decision 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
58 heritage places
- Dwelling ('Sylvan Park')49 Abbott Avenue MCLAREN VALELocal heritage
- Former Stationmaster's Residence22 Railway Terrace MCLAREN VALELocal heritage
- Former storage cellar20 Penfold Way MCLAREN VALELocal heritage
- Iron Clad Dwelling20 Liddiard Street MCLAREN VALELocal heritage
- Olive GroveLot 6 Valley View Drive Gemmel Tassie Reserve MCLAREN VALELocal heritage
- Part of the Former Congregational Church Complex - 1862 Church - now the Singing Gallery133 Main Road MCLAREN VALEState heritage
- Shop/Residence114-116 Main Road MCLAREN VALELocal heritage
- Shop/Residence (former Bank)165 Main Road MCLAREN VALELocal heritage
- Amery Private CemeteryAmery Road MCLAREN VALELocal heritage
- Bethany Church, Cemetery & Bridge219 Strout Road MCLAREN VALELocal heritage
Data sources & freshness
- SA Heritage Places database — Department for Environment and Water (SA) · current · Updated
Hazards
- Bushfire planning zone
- Overlay applies
- Bushfire safer places
- 1
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
- Mayo
- Member of Parliament
- Rebekha SHARKIE (Centre Alliance)
- Results from
- 2025 federal election
- Electorate enrolment (2025)
- 137,818
- Turnout (2025)
- 94.2%
- Swing since 2022 (2025)
- +3.4 pp toward Labor
Two-party preferred (2025)
Coalition 45.0%Labor 55.0%
Estimated suburb voting profile
Estimated from 8 nearby ordinary polling places (up to 15.0 km away).
Coalition 43.0%Labor 57.0%
2.1 percentage points more Labor-leaning than the electorate
Estimated swing since 2022: +7.3 pp toward Labor
Nearest polling places
- McLaren ValeLabor 56.8% · Coalition 43.2% TPP (2025)0.8 km away
- McLaren FlatLabor 57.1% · Coalition 42.9% TPP (2025)4.9 km away
- WillungaLabor 64.5% · Coalition 35.5% TPP (2025)6.7 km away
- Aldinga BeachLabor 67.3% · Coalition 32.7% TPP (2025)8.2 km away
- Aldinga Beach WestLabor 67.4% · Coalition 32.6% TPP (2025)10.4 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)
- 6/10
- IRSD decile (2021)
- 6/10
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
This suburb ranks highly for
Compare with
Similar suburbs to weigh up side by side — scores, safety, schools, and lifestyle.
More in Onkaparinga Council
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Similar population and socio-economic profile in other parts of South Australia.