suburb.guide

SA · Marion Council

Tonsley, 5042

Current weather

11°CRain showers

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

Updated

Desirability score

30.6/100
Below average

513th in SA

93% data confidence

How this score is calculated
  • Growing
  • Green space
  • Shops
  • Metro
  • Residential
What Tonsley is known for: Growing, Green space, Shops, Metro, Residential

Suburb profile

In Marion, Tonsley is a settled smaller community with a familiar suburban feel and good links to the wider city. Its inner position means surrounding suburbs are never far away, whether for a meal out or a change of scene. Generous greenery runs through the area, from street trees to tucked-away reserves.

Young professionals and new households shape much of the local mix. Daily life is practical and well connected, with the city and nearby suburbs easy to tap into. Parks, reserves and open space make it genuinely outdoor-friendly for walks, sport and weekend downtime.

Housing carries a premium, but residents tend to feel the lifestyle justifies the commitment. A busy pipeline of new development is gradually changing the look and feel of the streets.

The desirability score is below average, weighed down by weaker safety and local dining and lifestyle amenities against similar metro suburbs, even with parks and green space holding up better. Limited access to some essential local services also trimmed the result.

Population

Population
743
Median age
31
Median household income / week
$1,470
Dwelling vacancy
9.7%
Unoccupied private dwellings
37 of 381
Median monthly mortgage
$1,500
Employment rate
60.8%
Dwelling mix (houses / semi / flats)
24 / 106 / 59

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)
$560
Houses (01/01/26 to 31/03/26)
$662.5
All types (01/01/26 to 31/03/26)
$630
Rental bonds lodged (01/01/26 to 31/03/26)
25
Median house price (Q1 2026)
$800,000
Median price change
+20.5%

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)
105
Against the person
16
Against property
89
Rate per 1,000 residents
141.3
Person-crime prevalence
About 1 in 46 residents
State safety percentile
90.9th (lower crime is better)
Family & domestic abuse offences
87
Increase (daily rate)
+31.6%

Reported offences increased compared with the previous period.

Reported offences by period

Most common offence types

  • Graffiti8
  • Other Property Damage And Environmental27
  • Other Theft19
  • 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 · Period: 2023-24 → 2024-25; 2024-25 · Updated on site · Financial-year releases

Schools & preschools

Schools & preschools
1
  • Tonsley Technical College1284 South RoadSpecialist Facilities

Contributes to desirability score · Education (15%)

School and preschool counts, median school ICSEA

Data sources & freshness

  • Government education sites register — Government of South Australia · Period: current · Updated on site · Static register

Public transport

7 public transport stops in this suburb

  • Stop 22 York Av - West side
  • Stop 23 South Rd - West side
  • Stop 26 Main South Rd - North West side
  • Stop 28 Sturt Rd - North side
  • Tonsley Railway Station

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.

359 planning-related records

2026· 7 proposals

  • June 2026

  • 20A2115.CEAST Primary Community Strata Division to create 40 lots. Open Space waiver - Master Plan provided.
    103 -105 ALAWOONA AV TONSLEY SA 5042Under Assessment
  • Replacement of existing fire damaged storage shed
    370 -384 STURT RD TONSLEY SA 5042Under Assessment

  • May 2026

  • Variation to DA 22009466 and 23022120 - Change to Building 2 comprising introduction of additional floor levels to accommodate dwellings and subsequent facade changes and reconfiguration to the ground floor commercial areas
    71 -77 MAB CCT TONSLEY SA 5042Under Assessment
  • Building Alterations - office fitout, Level 2
    71 -77 MAB CCT TONSLEY SA 5042Decision Made

  • February 2026

  • Four advertising displays
    LOT 1 MAB CCT TONSLEY SA 5042Under Assessment

  • January 2026

  • Amendment to Development Application 24024943 (Addition of Two (2) Fire Fighting Tanks and amended car parking layout)
    LOT 340 MAB CCT TONSLEY SA 5042Under Assessment
  • The construction of ten (10) Group Dwellings in the form of Tiny Homes together with the Community Hub and Storage Unit tree damaging activity, parking and landscaping.
    UNIT 1-10 20 ASH AV TONSLEY SA 5042Under Assessment
2025· 20 proposals

  • December 2025

  • Installation of verandahs (3m x 2.4m x 4m) on each of the ten (10) modular pod accommodation.
    UNIT 1-10 20 ASH AV TONSLEY SA 5042Under Assessment
  • Change of use to the land and construction of a three-storey building including offices, warehouses, fencing and the removal of three (3) Significant trees
    4 EDISON RD TONSLEY SA 5042Under Assessment

  • November 2025

  • 3 level office and warehouse, including light industry research, and associated advertisements, verandah canopy, car parking, landscaping, fences, and removal of regulated trees
    8 EDISON RD TONSLEY SA 5042Under Assessment
  • Four group seven-level residential flat building compromises 144 apartments, and associated carparks
    LOT 5001 ALAWOONA AV TONSLEY SA 5042Under Assessment

  • October 2025

  • Variation to planning consent 25015414 - The light poles have changed location slightly to accommodate installation within garden bed sizes and avoid installation within a footpath area.
    1 MAB EASTERN PROM TONSLEY SA 5042Under Assessment

  • September 2025

  • Office additions to an existing two-storey office/warehouse building.
    12 SELGAR AV TONSLEY SA 5042Decision Made
  • Staged Torrens title land division – 3 into 8 allotments
    23 OAK AV TONSLEY SA 5042;25 OAK AV TONSLEY SA 5042;27 OAK AV TONSLEY SA 5042Decision Made

  • August 2025

  • Change in the use of land and construction of two (2) buildings comprising a light industry facility and a combined motor repair station and service trade premises with associated car parking, earthworks, retaining walls, fencing, advertising signage and tree damaging activity (removal of one (1) Significant tree and 35 Regulated trees)
    11 CHESTNUT CT TONSLEY SA 5042;13 CHESTNUT CT TONSLEY SA 5042;15 CHESTNUT CT TONSLEY SA 5042;17 CHESTNUT CT TONSLEY SA 5042;19 CHESTNUT CT TONSLEY SA 5042;21 CHESTNUT CT TONSLEY SA 5042;22A -22B ASH AV TONSLEY SA 5042;7A CHESTNUT CT TONSLEY SA 5042;9 CHESTNUT CT TONSLEY SA 5042;LOT 684 MAB CCT TONSLEY SA 5042Under Assessment
  • 10 x single-storey detached dwellings with associated fence and retaining walls
    1 ASH AV TONSLEY SA 5042;7 BIRCH CR TONSLEY SA 5042;8 BIRCH CR TONSLEY SA 5042;9 BIRCH CR TONSLEY SA 5042Decision Made

  • June 2025

  • 25A0287 Land Division to create two additional allotments.
    1 ASH AV TONSLEY SA 5042;7 BIRCH CR TONSLEY SA 5042;8 BIRCH CR TONSLEY SA 5042;9 BIRCH CR TONSLEY SA 5042Under Assessment

  • May 2025

  • Construction of Five (5) Light Poles
    1 MAB EASTERN PROM TONSLEY SA 5042Decision Made

  • April 2025

  • Single storey detached dwelling
    30 PHOENIX AV RIVERLEA PARK SA 5120Decision Made

  • March 2025

  • Land Division (Community Title) Creation of 11 allotments from 2 existing allotments and common land
    31 OAK AV TONSLEY SA 5042;7 MIMOSA TCE TONSLEY SA 5042Decision Made
  • 23A2428 - Community Division to create 6 Lots (1 into 6). Refer Land Use Application 24001247.
    26 OAK AV TONSLEY SA 5042Decision Made
  • Partial replacement of ACP cladding with solid aluminium cladding
    4 MAB EASTERN PROM TONSLEY SA 5042Decision Made

  • February 2025

  • Torrens title land division 3 into 8 allotments (staged)
    23 OAK AV TONSLEY SA 5042;25 OAK AV TONSLEY SA 5042;27 OAK AV TONSLEY SA 5042Decision Made
  • Variation to DA 24004645 - changes to western elevation
    22 ROYAL WAY TONSLEY SA 5042Under Assessment

  • January 2025

  • Variation of Development Application 23035243 by way of alterations to the built form (reduced apartments from 50 to 40 and reduced building hight) and varied mix of apartment type with 10 designated for ‘Affordable Housing (over proposed Lots 4005-4006).
    1284 SOUTH RD TONSLEY SA 5042Decision Made
  • Variation to DA 24008910 by way of an increase in floor area, reduction in advertisement, revisions to cladding materials and internal layout revisions.
    1 MAB EASTERN PROM TONSLEY SA 5042Decision Made
  • Four two storey semi-detached dwellings, associated fencing, retaining walls and landscaping
    23 OAK AV TONSLEY SA 5042;25 OAK AV TONSLEY SA 5042;27 OAK AV TONSLEY SA 5042Under Assessment
2024· 13 proposals

  • December 2024

  • Construction of a Warehouse and Ancillary Office, Landscaping, Retaining, Advertisement and Removal of Four (4) Regulated Trees
    5 EDISON RD TONSLEY SA 5042Decision Made

  • November 2024

  • Change in the use of land to an at grade external car park (665 external at grade car parks) with associated traffic control infrastructure, freestanding light poles 8 metres in height, landscaping and removal of a Regulated Tree ‘Eucalyptus camaldulensis’
    10 MAB CCT TONSLEY SA 5042;20-28 MAB CCT TONSLEY SA 5042Under Assessment
  • Construction of Light Industry Building and Associated Office, Car Parking and Landscaping
    LOT 340 MAB CCT TONSLEY SA 5042Under Assessment

  • October 2024

  • Verandah
    17A ASH AV TONSLEY SA 5042Decision Made

  • September 2024

  • Construction of 8 x two-storey dwellings and 1 x two-storey residential flat building comprising 3 dwellings
    31 OAK AV TONSLEY SA 5042;7 MIMOSA TCE TONSLEY SA 5042Decision Made

  • July 2024

  • One detached dwelling and two group dwellings
    19 ASH AV TONSLEY SA 5042Decision Made
  • Variation to DA 23022120 and 22009466 - Change to building 1, reduction in building height, (removal of bouldering tenancy, now incorporated in gym), changes to façade, modification to balustrade and landscaping on western elevation and modification to basement carpark and staging of consent (Building 1 - Stage 1 and Building 2 - Stage 2).
    71-77 MAB CCT TONSLEY SA 5042Under Assessment
  • Two x 2-storey residential flat buildings comprising a total of seven (7) dwellings with under main roof garage, common driveway, landscaping and combined retaining walls and fencing
    360 STURT RD TONSLEY SA 5042Decision Made

  • June 2024

  • Construction of Two Internally Illuminated Advertisement Displays
    5 MAB CCT TONSLEY SA 5042Decision Made
  • Variation to Development Application ID 23003105 comprising a reduction in building height by one building level, increase of building footprint, relocation of lobby access and fire stair, car parking and services, reconfiguration of internal layout and outdoor play area, increase of attendee capacity and car parking numbers and changes to building form and advertising signage.
    20-28 MAB CCT TONSLEY SA 5042Under Assessment
  • Three Storey Detached Dwelling and Air handling unit and associated fencing
    4 ROYAL WAY TONSLEY SA 5042Decision Made
  • Three storey dwelling and associated landscaping
    18 ROYAL WAY TONSLEY SA 5042Decision Made
  • Three storey dwelling and associated landscaping
    20 ROYAL WAY TONSLEY SA 5042Decision Made

Contributes to desirability score · Future Growth (7%)

Development and planning activity

Data sources & freshness

Amenities

20 nearby amenities within ~1.5 km

  • Loop Bus, TonsleyBus stop
  • Stop 24 South Road - West sideBus stop
  • Stop 24A South Road - West sideBus stop
  • Stop 25 South Road - West sideBus stop
  • Stop 25A Main South Road - North West sideBus stop
  • Stop 27 Sturt Road - North sideBus stop
  • Nammi VietnameseCafe
  • Tesla Service CentreCar repair
  • Flinders computersComputer
  • Drinking water

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

Health access

Hospitals & GP clinics
1
Emergency department
Not in suburb
  • Bedford Day Surgery1284 South RoadPrivate Day Only Hospital

Contributes to desirability score · Accessibility (15%)

Hospitals and GP clinics

Data sources & freshness

  • Hospitals & GP Plus clinics (SA) — SA Health · Period: current · Updated on site

Socio-economic (SEIFA)

IRSAD decile (2021)
4/10
IRSD decile (2021)
3/10

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

2 state heritage places

  • Heritage placeState heritage
  • Heritage placeState heritage

Data sources & freshness

Hazards

Bushfire planning zone
Overlay applies

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

Green cover

Parks & woodland (OSM)
8
Parks (OSM)
8

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 features — OpenStreetMap contributors · Period: current · Updated on site · Weekly refresh

Desirability Index

Desirability score
30.6/100 — Below average
National rank
5124th in Australia
State rank
513th in SA
Peer rank
#99 among Metro Adelaide · Growth area suburbs
Cohort rank
#319 among Metro Adelaide suburbs
Data confidence
93%

Data sources & freshness

  • Suburb Guide desirability index — Suburb Guide (derived score) · Period: current · Updated on site · Derived from source metrics

Recent changes

  • Graffiticrime8
  • Other Property Damage And Environmentalcrime27
  • Other Theftcrime19
  • Serious Assault Not Resulting In Injurycrime8
  • Theft From Motor Vehiclecrime7
  • Heritage placeheritageState heritage
  • Heritage placeheritageState heritage
  • Bedford Day Surgeryhealth1284 South RoadPrivate Day Only Hospital
  • 10 x single-storey detached dwellings with associated fence and retaining wallsplanning1 ASH AV TONSLEY SA 5042;7 BIRCH CR TONSLEY SA 5042;8 BIRCH CR TONSLEY SA 5042;9 BIRCH CR TONSLEY SA 5042Lodged 12 Aug 2025 · Decision Made
  • 20A2115.CEAST Primary Community Strata Division to create 40 lots. Open Space waiver - Master Plan provided.planning103 -105 ALAWOONA AV TONSLEY SA 5042Lodged 29 Jun 2026 · Under Assessment

Data sources & freshness

More in Marion Council

Other suburbs in the same local government area.

Comparable suburbs

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