Median house price
—
No data available
SA · Mount Remarkable Council
Melrose, 5483
Est. population · Jun 2025
349
Growth (1 yr)
-0.3%
Growth (5 yr)
-0.8%
Median age
48
Median income
$1,416/wk
Employment rate
59.4%
Languages at home
1.3%non-English
Mostly English at home
2021 Census · usual residence
Desirability score
- Green suburb
- Heritage area
- Education hub
- Excellent transport
- National parks
Suburb profile
In Mount Remarkable Council, Melrose keeps a rural calm, a smaller community with room to breathe and a strong local rhythm. An older demographic makes it especially popular with retirees, with families and grandchildren still a visible part of community life. Local shops, markets and community spots keep everyday life grounded in the town itself.
Green space punches above what many regional towns offer, with parks and playgrounds woven through the suburb. A car helps for most daily errands, though buses still link the suburb further afield. Purchase and rent costs sit on the more affordable side of the local range.
Crime trends have improved of late compared with the previous period. Tree-lined streets and established homes set the tone, with little pressure to reinvent the neighbourhood.
Versus similar regional towns, the suburb reads below average on desirability, chiefly because local dining and lifestyle amenities trail behind. Limited access to some essential local services also trimmed the result.
At a glance
Melrose snapshot
A quick read of housing, growth, livability, and risk
Median rent
$350/wk
Population (ERP)
349
-0.3% annual growth
Dwelling vacancy
24.0%
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
#70
among Country & regional · Mature
Safety
2nd
percentile in state (higher = safer)
Pop. growth
4th
percentile in SA
Advantage (IRSAD)
6/10
national SEIFA decile
School ICSEA
53rd
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
- 34.6/100 — Below average
- National rank
- 4778th in Australia
- State rank
- 503rd in SA
- Peer rank
- #70 among Country & regional · Mature suburbs
- Cohort rank
- #131 among Country & regional suburbs
- Data confidence
- 85%
Data sources & freshness
- Suburb Guide desirability index — Suburb Guide (derived) · current · Updated
Housing
- Houses (01/01/26 to 31/03/26)
- $350
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 · Updated · Quarterly; metro-fringe sales only
Population
Estimated resident population
349(June 2025)
-0.3% annual · -0.8% over 5 years · 4th percentile in SA
Growth figures & methodology
- Annual growth
- -0.3%
- 5-year growth
- -0.8%
- Change in 1 year
- -1
- Change in 5 years
- -3
- Growth rank in SA
- 4th 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 (~350), extrapolated at -0.1% average annual growth since 2011. It is illustrative only — not an official ABS forecast.
2021 Census figures
2021 Census
- Population
- 342
- Median age
- 48
- Median household income / week
- $1,416
- Dwelling vacancy
- 24%
- Unoccupied private dwellings
- 40 of 167
- Median monthly mortgage
- $1,230
- Employment rate
- 59.4%
- Dwelling mix (houses / semi / flats)
- 124 / 0 / 0 (+ 4 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)
- 2
- Against the person
- 1
- Against property
- 1
- Rate per 1,000 residents
- 5.7
- Person-crime prevalence
- About 1 in 342 residents
- State safety percentile
- 2.2th (lower crime is better)
- Decrease (daily rate)
- -71.4%
Most common offence types
- Other Unlawful Entry With Intent1
- Threatening Behaviour1
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
- 1,014
- Median ICSEA percentile
- 53th
School list
- Melrose Primary SchoolPrimary · Government · ICSEA 1014 · 53th percentile · LBOTE 0% · 14 students · Top SEA quarter 21% · 1.4 km awayView on My School →
- Melrose Playcentre29 Stuart StreetPlaycentres
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
1 public transport stops in this suburb
- Nott St / Horrocks Hwy - North side (Public Toilets Melrose)
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
15 nearby amenities within ~1.5 km
Local character & venue list
Local character
- Limited walkable amenities nearby
- Great for outdoor family life — 4 parks mapped in suburb
- Walkability proxy
- 2/100
- Cafés per 1,000 residents
- 0
- Food & drink per 1,000 residents
- 0
- Parks per 1,000 residents
- 11.7
Community(1)
- Archive Centre - Melrose HallCommunity centre
Sport & outdoors(2)
- Melrose MTB Skills ParkPark
- Sports field
Other(9)
- Animal PoundAnimal Shelter
- Shoe TreeAttraction
- Melrose CampgroundCamp Site
- Melrose ShowgroundCamp Site
- Bluey Blundstone'sGuest House
22 Stuart Street, Melrose
- Heysen Trail 1.6 kmInformation
- Public toilets
- Sanitary Dump Station (2)
- Shower (3)
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)
- 15
- 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
- Booleroo Centre District Hospital and Health Services (16.6 km)
- Nearest hospital type
- Public Hospital
- Nearest hospital emergency
- Emergency department
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)
- 8
- Participants per 1,000 residents
- 22.9
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
- 30° / 17°
- Rainfall
- 69 mm · ~9 rainy days
Autumn (Mar–May)
- Usual max / min
- 24° / 12°
- Rainfall
- 89 mm · ~11 rainy days
Winter (Jun–Aug)
- Usual max / min
- 16° / 7°
- Rainfall
- 148 mm · ~18 rainy days
Spring (Sep–Nov)
- Usual max / min
- 23° / 11°
- Rainfall
- 136 mm · ~17 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· 8 proposals
August 2026
- Above ground swimming pool and safety barrier2 GRAY CL MELROSE SA 5483Under Assessment
July 2026
- Replace existing shed8 FULLER ST MELROSE SA 5483Decision Made
May 2026
- Build a residential home at 27 Mount Street Melrose 5483. Two story main building with an interconnection to a garage and ground floor bedroom.27 MOUNT ST MELROSE SA 5483Under Assessment
April 2026
- Proposed development comprises the construction of a detached single-storey two-bedroom kit home with a gross floor area of 63.44m², including an associated external deck for private residential use. The dwelling will be constructed as an owner-builder project. The development will include connection to a septic system and the installation of two water tanks, with provision for a third water tank in the future if required. Mains electricity connection is not proposed at this stage; however, futu4 GILES ST MELROSE SA 5483Under Assessment
March 2026
- 9m X 7m three bay shed with 3.5m garaportLOT 54 HORROCKS HWY MELROSE SA 5483Decision Made
February 2026
- Change of use of existing building to a restaurant with associated car parking.9 -11 LAMBERT ST MELROSE SA 5483Decision Made
January 2026
- Detached bathroom to the rear of the existing detached dwelling and connection to the existing septic tank and sullage tank.6 -8 LAMBERT ST MELROSE SA 5483Under Assessment
- We plan to build a 15 m by 30 m shed with wet weather road base material around it. We have chosen the location because it is next to existing farm yard and infrastructure. The location will take up minimal cropping land.760 CAREY RD MELROSE SA 5483Decision Made
2025· 9 proposals
December 2025
- I propose to install a new shed as the old one is to small and cant fit my vehicle inside23 MOUNT ST MELROSE SA 5483Under Assessment
- Dwelling25 MOUNT ST MELROSE SA 5483Decision Made
- Construction of a free-standing Pergola located at the rear of existing Dwelling. Dimensions - (L) 9m x (W) 5m x (H) 3m eave Colorbond roof9 -11 MOORHOUSE ST MELROSE SA 5483Decision Made
November 2025
- Building a hay/fodder shed 12.7m x 7m x 3.6m Currently an old shed in place however we want to move the location of the new shed approximately 20m away from large gum trees.LOT 365 SURVEY RD MELROSE SA 5483Decision Made
- Construct 4 bed brick veneer dwelling and associated steel frame alfresco and verandah areas.44 WHITBY ST MELROSE SA 5483Decision Made
October 2025
- I seek approval to site my 20foot sea container on the premises, as agreed with the owner. The container will be used to store my personal household belongings. There will be no dangerous goods in the container. I purchased the container about 11 years ago from SCF Containers, Adelaide. They modified the container to include a rotating roof ventilator adding approximately 350mm to the overall height, so the overall dimensions are 6.1m long by 2.44m wide by 2.93m high. The container is not a cert38 STUART ST MELROSE SA 5483Decision Made
- Repairs required due to Termite damage to an internal timber stud wall and timber lined ceiling and associated second fix timber work in the main bedroom and entrance hallway of the Caretakers Residence located at the Melrose Heritage Museum.13 STUART ST MELROSE SA 5483Decision Made
March 2025
- Division of land into two allotments, one to contain the existing house and one to comprise vacant land25 NOTT ST MELROSE SA 5483Decision Made
February 2025
- Division of the land into two allotments. One allotment is to contain the existing house and shed and the second allotment is to be suitable for future residential use.44 WHITBY ST MELROSE SA 5483Decision Made
2024· 5 proposals
September 2024
- Construct timber frame dwelling and associated retaining walls12 MOORHOUSE ST MELROSE SA 5483Decision Made
August 2024
- Create an additional allotment183 BROOKLYN RD MELROSE SA 5483;421 BROOKLYN RD MELROSE SA 5483;440 ROSSLYN RD MELROSE SA 5483Decision Made
July 2024
- 4 new Transportable Cabins8 JOES RD MELROSE SA 5483Under Assessment
March 2024
- Re-roof of existing dwelling93 DEER PARK RD MELROSE SA 5483Decision Made
- DOMESTIC GABLE SHED15 NOTT ST MELROSE SA 5483Decision Made
2023· 8 proposals
December 2023
- 40m x 21mx 7m Implement shed.507 REICHSTEIN RD MELROSE SA 5483Decision Made
October 2023
- Demolition of part existing structure where walls and chimney have collapsed Demolition of existing verandah, Renovation of existing structure, Addition to existing structure,45 NOTT ST MELROSE SA 5483Decision Made
September 2023
- Seeking to add two self contained units to the site.28-30 WHITBY ST MELROSE SA 5483Decision Made
August 2023
- Northern addition to the brewery tower to contain a lounge/dining room, kitchen and toilets.9-11 LAMBERT ST MELROSE SA 5483Decision Made
July 2023
- Verandah4-6 CHURCH ST MELROSE SA 5483Decision Made
May 2023
- I wish to level the area and construct a shed measuring 6 x 9 metres on the rear of the block.36 STUART ST MELROSE SA 5483Decision Made
March 2023
- 13484 - 1 into 3 Community Division28-30 WHITBY ST MELROSE SA 5483Decision Made
- Hay Shed628 GIRDHAM RD MELROSE SA 5483Decision Made
2022· 11 proposals
November 2022
- Installation of 20 foot shipping container for storage of water and equipment storage To be installed adjacent to existing shed.20 NOTT ST MELROSE SA 5483Decision Made
October 2022
- Above ground pool.14 NOTT ST MELROSE SA 5483Decision Made
September 2022
- Widespan American Barn style kit shed, concrete floor, 11m wide x 15m length, corrogated colourbond (coradeck).347 ARTHUR RD MELROSE SA 5483Decision Made
August 2022
- This application is to change the "Property Use" status from Short Term Accommodation to a Residential Detached Dwelling. I live on-site and will be using the property as my primary residential residence and address.22-24 STUART ST MELROSE SA 5483Under Assessment
- Construct 4 bedroom timber frame dwelling.74 CAREY RD MELROSE SA 5483Decision Made
July 2022
- Shed553 GIRDHAM RD MELROSE SA 5483Decision Made
June 2022
- Olympic Industries New 2 Bay Car shed (15240 Length 7778 Width and 3658 Height) for parking of cars next to our new house which is in the construction phase with River Gum Homes22471 HORROCKS HWY MELROSE SA 5483Decision Made
May 2022
- Construction of new shearing shed to replace irreparable old shearing shed within 50 metres of original site at nearest suitable building site reason for movement is to move away from existing treesLOT 252 HILLS TRK MELROSE SA 5483Decision Made
April 2022
- Domestic Storage Shed4 WHITBY ST MELROSE SA 5483Decision Made
March 2022
- Fibreglass Swimming Pool87 SANDERS RD MELROSE SA 5483Decision Made
- One allotment into two25 WHITBY ST MELROSE SA 5483Decision 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
11 heritage places
- Dwelling ('Keating Cottage')3 Searle Street MELROSEState heritage
- Former Blacksmith Shop & Dwelling30 Stuart Street MELROSEState heritage
- Former Jacka's Brewery & Yard Walls (former Marshall's Flour Mill)Mount Street MELROSEState heritage
- Former Melrose Courthouse & Police StationStuart Street MELROSEState heritage
- Gumville Station Complex (former Mount Remarkable [originally Willowie] Homestead), which includes Mount Remarkable Training Farm structuresMelrose to Orroroo Road MELROSEState heritage
- Melrose Post Office (former Post and Telegraph Office)Stuart Street MELROSEState heritage
- Mount Remarkable HotelStuart Street MELROSEState heritage
- Mount Remarkable WoolshedMelrose to Orroroo Road MELROSEState heritage
- Rankine's Hutnear MELROSEState heritage
- Timber Slab DwellingLot 2 Spratt Street MELROSEState 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
- Grey
- Member of Parliament
- Tom VENNING (Liberal)
- Results from
- 2025 federal election
- Electorate enrolment (2025)
- 128,707
- Turnout (2025)
- 89.4%
- Swing since 2022 (2025)
- +5.4 pp toward Labor
Two-party preferred (2025)
Coalition 54.6%Labor 45.4%
Estimated suburb voting profile
Estimated from 8 nearby ordinary polling places (up to 43.0 km away).
Coalition 75.4%Labor 24.6%
20.8 percentage points more Coalition-leaning than the electorate
Estimated swing since 2022: +4.6 pp toward Labor
Nearest polling places
- MelroseLabor 24.3% · Coalition 75.7% TPP (2025)2.4 km away
- Booleroo CentreLabor 23.2% · Coalition 76.8% TPP (2025)16.2 km away
- WilmingtonLabor 24.0% · Coalition 76.0% TPP (2025)19.7 km away
- WirrabaraLabor 32.2% · Coalition 67.8% TPP (2025)25.9 km away
- Port GermeinLabor 42.6% · Coalition 57.4% TPP (2025)30.2 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
Compare with
Similar suburbs to weigh up side by side — scores, safety, schools, and lifestyle.
More in Mount Remarkable Council
Other suburbs in the same local government area.
Comparable suburbs
Similar population and socio-economic profile in other parts of South Australia.