SA · Adelaide Hills Council
Upper Sturt, SA, 5156
Current weather
8.4°CDense drizzle
96% humidity · 24.1 km/h wind · 10.5° / 7.9° today · 24 mm rain
Desirability index
#11 among Country & regional suburbs
Suburb snapshot
Upper Sturt is a small locality in the Adelaide Hills area, home to around 1,005 residents (2021 Census). Recent indicators show reported crime totals of around 12 offences in 2024–25 (Jul–Jun), roughly 11.9 offences per 1,000 residents, median weekly rent around $675 (flats $450, houses $900), median house prices near $1,357,000 (up 26% recently), 1 school and preschool site in the area, strong public transport coverage with many Adelaide Metro stops, a quieter amenity profile than busier neighbouring suburbs, and notable planning and development activity on record. Use the sections below for detailed population, safety, schools, and local activity data.
Population
- 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)
- 23 / 0 / 0
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)
- $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.
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)
- 12
- Against the person
- 3
- Against property
- 9
- Rate per 1,000 residents
- 11.9
- Person-crime prevalence
- About 1 in 335 residents
- State safety percentile
- 11.6th (lower crime is better)
- Family & domestic abuse offences
- 2
- Year-on-year change
- 0%
Most common offence types
- Other Property Damage And Environmental3
- Property Damage By Fire Or Explosion1
- Sct - Residence2
- Serious Assault Resulting In Injury1
- Threatening Behaviour1
Data sources & freshness
- SAPOL reported crime statistics — South Australia Police — OpenData · Period: 2024-25; 2024-25 → 2024-25 · Updated on site · Financial-year releases
Schools & preschools
- Schools & preschools
- 1
- Median school ICSEA
- 1,094
- Upper Sturt Primary SchoolPrimary · ICSEA 1094
Data sources & freshness
- Government education sites register — Government of South Australia · Period: current · Updated on site · Static register
- School ICSEA (ACARA) — Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority · Period: 2025 · Updated on site · Annual ACARA 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
Data sources & freshness
- Adelaide Metro GTFS stops — Department for Infrastructure and Transport (SA) · Period: current · Updated on site · GTFS static feed
Planning & development
Development applications from PlanSA register (lodged 2020–2026) and EPA licensed activities.
98 planning-related records
2026· 8 proposals
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 5156Under Assessment
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· 18 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
- Swimming pool with safety fencing and earthworks265 UPPER STURT RD UPPER STURT SA 5156Decision Made
February 2024
- Verandah4 WHITEWOOD DR UPPER STURT SA 5156Decision Made
2023· 20 proposals
20 proposals lodged in 2023. Individual listings are kept for the most recent proposals.
2022· 18 proposals
18 proposals lodged in 2022. Individual listings are kept for the most recent proposals.
2021· 15 proposals
15 proposals lodged in 2021. Individual listings are kept for the most recent proposals.
Data sources & freshness
- PlanSA development applications & EPA licences — Government of South Australia — PlanSA · Period: 2020–2026; 2021; 2022… · Updated on site
Amenities
14 nearby amenities within ~1.5 km
- Stop 31 Upper Sturt Road - North sideBus stop
- Stop 31 Upper Sturt Road - South sideBus stop
- Stop 31A Upper Sturt Road - South sideBus stop
- Stop 32 Upper Sturt Road - North sideBus stop
- Stop 32 Upper Sturt Road - South sideBus stop
- Stop 32A Upper Sturt Road - North West sideBus stop
- Stop 32A Upper Sturt Road - South East sideBus stop
- Stop 32B Upper Sturt Road - North West sideBus stop
- Stop 32B Upper Sturt Road - South East sideBus stop
- Stop 33 Upper Sturt Road - North sideBus stop
Names and addresses from OpenStreetMap. Unnamed venues show as their type (e.g. Cafe).
Data sources & freshness
- OpenStreetMap amenities — OpenStreetMap contributors · Period: current · Updated on site · Weekly refresh
Socio-economic (SEIFA)
- IRSAD decile (2021)
- 10/10
- IRSD decile (2021)
- 10/10
SEIFA indexes from ABS 2021. Decile 10 = most advantaged / least disadvantaged in Australia.
Data sources & freshness
- SEIFA 2021 (IRSAD / IRSD) — Australian Bureau of Statistics · Period: 2021 · Updated on site · 2021 SEIFA release
Heritage
8 state heritage places
- Heritage placeState heritage
- Heritage placeState heritage
- Heritage placeState heritage
- Heritage placeState heritage
- Heritage placeState heritage
- Heritage placeState heritage
- Heritage placeState heritage
- Heritage placeState heritage
Data sources & freshness
- SA Heritage Places database — Department for Environment and Water (SA) · Period: current · Updated on site
Desirability index
- Desirability score
- 94.3/100
- Cohort rank
- #11 among Country & regional suburbs
Data sources & freshness
- Suburb Guide desirability index — Suburb Guide (derived score) · Period: current · Updated on site · Derived from source metrics
Recent changes
- Heritage placeheritageState heritage
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- Heritage placeheritageState heritage
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- Alterations to Local Heritage Dwelling.planning2 STATION RD UPPER STURT SA 5156Lodged 04 Dec 2024 · Decision Made
- Boundary Re-alignment 2 into 2planning170 STURT VALLEY RD UPPER STURT SA 5156;45 WHITEWOOD DR UPPER STURT SA 5156Lodged 26 Nov 2025 · Decision Made
Data sources & freshness
- SA Heritage Places database — Department for Environment and Water (SA) · Updated on site
- PlanSA development applications & EPA licences — Government of South Australia — PlanSA · Updated on site
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