Median house price
$1.36M
+26% change
SA · Adelaide Hills Council
Upper Sturt, 5156
Est. population · Jun 2025
1,065
Growth (1 yr)
+0.9%
Growth (5 yr)
+5.3%
Median age
41
Median income
$2,229/wk
Employment rate
64.9%
Median house price · Q1 2026
$1,357,000
Languages at home
4.7%non-English
Most common: Polish
2021 Census · usual residence
Desirability score
- National parks
- Excellent transport
- Heritage area
- Education hub
- High desirability
Suburb profile
Upper Sturt sits up in the Adelaide Hills Council hills, a smaller community where elevation and tree cover define the mood. Families and commuters make up much of the community, with family life visible on every street. Everyday cafés are limited locally, with the wider metro area covering the bigger food and entertainment trips.
Open space is thinner than in many metro suburbs, so residents often travel a little further for a longer park day. Buses make it easy to move between neighbouring suburbs without relying on the car. Property sits in a premium price band and is harder to enter for many buyers.
Crime reports are up on the previous period. Occasional new builds add variety while most of the suburb keeps its established look.
The overall desirability read is around average, pulled by softer schools and education compared with similar metro suburbs, though community and employment, plus growth momentum remain brighter spots. Limited access to some essential local services also trimmed the result.
At a glance
Upper Sturt snapshot
A quick read of housing, growth, livability, and risk
Median rent
$675/wk
Houses $900 · Units $450
Population (ERP)
1,065
+0.9% annual growth
Dwelling vacancy
6.1%
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
#101
among Metro Adelaide · Emerging
Safety
11th
percentile in state (higher = safer)
Pop. growth
72nd
percentile in SA
Advantage (IRSAD)
10/10
national SEIFA decile
School ICSEA
82nd
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
- 43.1/100 — Average
- State standing
- Top 48% of South Australia's suburbs
- National rank
- 3241st in Australia
- State rank
- 335th in SA
- Peer rank
- #101 among Metro Adelaide · Emerging suburbs
- Cohort rank
- #245 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)
- $450
- Houses (01/01/26 to 31/03/26)
- $900
- All types (01/01/26 to 31/03/26)
- $675
- Median house price (Q1 2026)
- $1,357,000
- Median price change
- +25.9%
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
1,065(June 2025)
+0.9% annual · +5.3% over 5 years · 72th percentile in SA
Growth figures & methodology
- Annual growth
- +0.9%
- 5-year growth
- +5.3%
- Change in 1 year
- +10
- Change in 5 years
- +54
- Growth rank in SA
- 72th 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 (~1,100), extrapolated at +0.7% average annual growth since 2011. It is illustrative only — not an official ABS forecast.
2021 Census figures
2021 Census
- Population
- 1,005
- Median age
- 41
- Median household income / week
- $2,229
- Dwelling vacancy
- 6.1%
- Unoccupied private dwellings
- 23 of 377
- Median monthly mortgage
- $1,800
- Employment rate
- 64.9%
- Dwelling mix (houses / semi / flats)
- 346 / 0 / 0
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)
- 12
- Against the person
- 3
- Against property
- 9
- Rate per 1,000 residents
- 11.3
- Person-crime prevalence
- About 1 in 335 residents
- State safety percentile
- 11.3th (lower crime is better)
- Family & domestic abuse offences
- 2
- Increase (daily rate)
- +100.5%
Most common offence types
- Other Property Damage And Environmental3
- Property Damage By Fire Or Explosion1
- Sct - Residence2
- Serious Assault Resulting In Injury1
- 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
- Median school ICSEA
- 1,094
- Median ICSEA percentile
- 82th
School list
- Upper Sturt Primary SchoolPrimary · Government · ICSEA 1094 · 82th percentile · LBOTE 6% · 97 students · Top SEA quarter 41% · 0.7 km awayView on My School →
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
20 public transport stops in this suburb
- Stop 32A Upper Sturt Rd - South East side
- Stop 32B Upper Sturt Rd - South East side
- Stop 33 Upper Sturt Rd - South side
- Stop 33A Upper Sturt Rd - South side
- Stop 33B Upper Sturt Rd - South 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
23 nearby amenities within ~1.5 km
1 cafes · 1 dog parks · 1 sports centres
Local character & venue list
Local character
- A car helps for daily errands
- Well connected by public transport — 20 public transport stops
- Walkability proxy
- 32/100
- Cafés per 1,000 residents
- 1
- Food & drink per 1,000 residents
- 1
- Parks per 1,000 residents
- 0
Food & drink(1)
- Upper Sturt General StoreCafe
Sport & outdoors(3)
- Dog park
- Upper Sturt Tennis ClubSports centre
- Sports field
Transport(13)
13 bus stops
Other(6)
- Upper Sturt CFSFire station
189 Upper Sturt Road
- Unnamed (No.HA1130) Heritage AgreementNature Reserve
- Unnamed (No.HA1646) Heritage AgreementNature Reserve
- Unnamed (No.HA1684) Heritage AgreementNature Reserve
- Unnamed (No.HA1690) Heritage AgreementNature Reserve
- Upper Sturt ReserveNature Reserve
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
Health access
- Nearest hospital
- Stirling Hospital (3.7 km)
- Nearest hospital type
- Private 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)
- 26
- Participants per 1,000 residents
- 24.4
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· 13 proposals
August 2026
- Construction of a two storey detached dwelling, retaining walls and spa pool with associated safety features38 STURT GR UPPER STURT SA 5156Under Assessment
- Partial change in use of land to an office9 MANOAH DR UPPER STURT SA 5156Under Assessment
July 2026
- In ground swimming pool, safety barrier and associated earthworks205 UPPER STURT RD UPPER STURT SA 5156Decision Made
- Construction of a single storey detached dwelling, outbuilding (shed), above-ground rainwater tank and associated earthworks14 HILLTOP DR UPPER STURT SA 5156Under Assessment
- Verandah27 WHITEWOOD DR UPPER STURT SA 5156Decision Made
June 2026
- Partial change in use of land (existing buildings known as ‘Dolls House’ and ‘Servants Quarters’) to be used as tourist accommodation & above ground water storage tank9 MANOAH DR UPPER STURT SA 5156Under Assessment
- Single-storey elevated detached dwelling (including deck and balcony/staircase), outbuilding (garage), retaining walls and earthworks269 UPPER STURT RD UPPER STURT SA 5156Under Assessment
- Dwelling addition155 UPPER STURT RD UPPER STURT SA 5156Under Assessment
May 2026
- Building alterations (expansion to ensuite, relocation of stairway and demolition of internal walls), dwelling addition (expansion of entry way), carport, deck (wraparound deck and balcony) and verandah4 PRIORY PL UPPER STURT SA 5156Under Assessment
- Retaining Wall up to 2.4m height- reinforcing an existing krib wall. No associated earthworks.203 UPPER STURT RD UPPER STURT SA 5156Decision Made
February 2026
- Outbuilding104 UPPER STURT RD UPPER STURT SA 5156Decision Made
- Dwelling addition and pergola141 UPPER STURT RD UPPER STURT SA 5156Under Assessment
- Single Storey Ancillary Accommodation with associated deck and earthworks23 OLAVE HILL RD UPPER STURT SA 5156Under Assessment
2025· 19 proposals
November 2025
- Boundary Re-alignment 2 into 2170 STURT VALLEY RD UPPER STURT SA 5156;45 WHITEWOOD DR UPPER STURT SA 5156Decision Made
- Construction of a deck and a verandah.6 PARKGATE PL UPPER STURT SA 5156Decision Made
- Deck on upper level119 UPPER STURT RD UPPER STURT SA 5156Under Assessment
October 2025
- Outbuilding (garage)205 UPPER STURT RD UPPER STURT SA 5156Decision Made
- Partial change of use of land for the hosting of functions9 MANOAH DR UPPER STURT SA 5156Under Assessment
September 2025
- Construction of a domestic outbuilding and associated earthworks with landscaping.38 STURT VALLEY RD UPPER STURT SA 5156Decision Made
- Construction of a pergola1 CHILTON PL UPPER STURT SA 5156Decision Made
August 2025
- Construction of a dwelling addition185A UPPER STURT RD UPPER STURT SA 5156Under Assessment
- Construction of a carport and a deck with an associated verandah26 OLAVE HILL RD UPPER STURT SA 5156Under Assessment
July 2025
- Outbuilding4 PARKGATE PL UPPER STURT SA 5156Decision Made
- Existing tiled roof to be removed and replaced with a corrugated Colorbond roof7 WHITEWOOD DR UPPER STURT SA 5156Decision Made
June 2025
- Carport and tree damaging activity42 WHITEWOOD DR UPPER STURT SA 5156Decision Made
May 2025
- Demolition of an existing open timber deck and replacement deck with a roofed terrace incorporating privacy screening. Construction of a verandah inclusive on ancillary building alterations.41 HIGHWOOD GR UPPER STURT SA 5156Decision Made
- Internal renovation and replacing roof96 UPPER STURT RD UPPER STURT SA 5156Decision Made
April 2025
- Concrete swimming pool150 STURT VALLEY RD UPPER STURT SA 5156Decision Made
- Variation application to DA 21007000 to vary retaining walls with fence on top (balustrade), earthworks, soft landscaping and fire water tank & connection227 UPPER STURT RD UPPER STURT SA 5156Decision Made
March 2025
- Deck and verandah16 WYCHWOOD GR UPPER STURT SA 5156Decision Made
February 2025
- Dwelling additions, shed and carport.2 STATION RD UPPER STURT SA 5156Decision Made
- Remedial work to interior of dwelling caused by water damage135 UPPER STURT RD UPPER STURT SA 5156Decision Made
2024· 11 proposals
December 2024
- Retaining wall259 STURT VALLEY RD UPPER STURT SA 5156Decision Made
- Alterations to Local Heritage Dwelling.2 STATION RD UPPER STURT SA 5156Decision Made
November 2024
- Deck, outbuilding (shed) and freestanding verandah.42 WHITEWOOD DR UPPER STURT SA 5156Decision Made
- Single storey detached dwelling, retaining walls, and tree damaging activity (removal of ten (10) regulated trees)14 MANOAH DR UPPER STURT SA 5156Decision Made
- Shed8 HIGHWOOD GR UPPER STURT SA 5156Decision Made
August 2024
- Construction of 2 x Outbuildings104 UPPER STURT RD UPPER STURT SA 5156Decision Made
July 2024
- Shed90 POLE RD UPPER STURT SA 5156Under Assessment
- construction of in ground concrete pool with safety fence69 HEATHER RD UPPER STURT SA 5156Decision Made
June 2024
- Verandah5 PRIORY PL UPPER STURT SA 5156Decision Made
May 2024
- Two Verandahs & Deck54 IRONBANK RD UPPER STURT SA 5156Decision Made
March 2024
- Dwelling alterations and additions14 WHITEWOOD DR UPPER STURT SA 5156Decision 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
8 heritage places
- Cottage2 Station Road UPPER STURTLocal heritage
- House, Former Housekeeper's Cottage, 'Manoah', 'Mon Repos'133 Upper Sturt Road UPPER STURTLocal heritage
- House, Former Lodge, 'Manoah'2 Manoah Drive UPPER STURTLocal heritage
- House, Former Upper Sturt School175 Upper Sturt Road UPPER STURTLocal heritage
- House, Stable, Former Coachhouse, 'Manoah'9 Manoah Drive UPPER STURTLocal heritage
- Uniting Church, Cemetery261 Sturt Valley Road UPPER STURTLocal heritage
- House215 Upper Sturt Road UPPER STURTLocal heritage
- Upper Sturt Soldiers' Memorial Hall171-173 Upper Sturt Road UPPER STURTLocal heritage
Data sources & freshness
- SA Heritage Places database — Department for Environment and Water (SA) · current · Updated
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
- 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 5.5 km away).
Coalition 34.4%Labor 65.6%
10.6 percentage points more Labor-leaning than the electorate
Estimated swing since 2022: +4.0 pp toward Labor
Nearest polling places
- Upper SturtLabor 67.5% · Coalition 32.5% TPP (2025)1.3 km away
- CrafersLabor 64.3% · Coalition 35.7% TPP (2025)3.3 km away
- Stirling WestLabor 59.0% · Coalition 41.0% TPP (2025)3.3 km away
- LongwoodLabor 62.7% · Coalition 37.3% TPP (2025)4.6 km away
- Stirling EastLabor 61.6% · Coalition 38.4% TPP (2025)4.7 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 Adelaide Hills Council
Other suburbs in the same local government area.
Comparable suburbs
Similar population and socio-economic profile in other parts of South Australia.