Median house price
$1.67M
+21% change
SA · Charles Sturt Council
West Lakes, 5021
Est. population · Jun 2025
6,988
Growth (1 yr)
+0.5%
Growth (5 yr)
+5.6%
Median age
54
Median income
$1,548/wk
Employment rate
51.2%
Median house price · Q1 2026
$1,667,500
Languages at home
19.2%non-English
Most common: Greek, Italian, Mandarin
2021 Census · usual residence
Desirability score
- Coastal
- High desirability
- Green suburb
- Excellent transport
- Café precinct
Suburb profile
West Lakes wears its coastal identity openly, a mid-sized suburb built around sand, sea and an easy outdoor rhythm. Retirees and empty-nesters are well represented here. Local shops and services are well covered, which makes the suburb easy to live in day to day.
Outdoor life is easy here, with generous parks and room for kids, dogs and weekend strolls. Most routine trips are on foot, while buses cover longer journeys across the metro area. Homes cost more here than in most comparable suburbs.
Crime trends have improved of late compared with the previous period. Active development is adding new homes and refreshed pockets throughout the suburb.
Against similar coastal suburbs, local dining and lifestyle amenities, plus growth momentum stand out and the overall desirability rating is good, with schools and education less decisive.
At a glance
West Lakes snapshot
A quick read of housing, growth, livability, and risk
Median rent
$693/wk
Houses $700 · Units $600
Population (ERP)
6,988
+0.5% annual growth
Dwelling vacancy
7.1%
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
#1
among Coastal & beach · Mature
Safety
84th
percentile in state (higher = safer)
Pop. growth
53rd
percentile in SA
Advantage (IRSAD)
8/10
national SEIFA decile
School ICSEA
47th
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
- 64.3/100 — Good
- State standing
- Top 3% of South Australia's suburbs
- National rank
- 612th in Australia
- State rank
- 16th in SA
- Peer rank
- #1 among Coastal & beach · Mature suburbs
- Cohort rank
- #3 among Coastal & beach 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)
- $600
- Houses (01/01/26 to 31/03/26)
- $700
- All types (01/01/26 to 31/03/26)
- $692.5
- Rental bonds lodged (01/01/26 to 31/03/26)
- 35
- Median house price (Q1 2026)
- $1,667,500
- Median price change
- +21.1%
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
6,988(June 2025)
+0.5% annual · +5.6% over 5 years · 53th percentile in SA
Growth figures & methodology
- Annual growth
- +0.5%
- 5-year growth
- +5.6%
- Change in 1 year
- +32
- Change in 5 years
- +373
- Growth rank in SA
- 53th 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 (~7,250), extrapolated at +0.7% average annual growth since 2011. It is illustrative only — not an official ABS forecast.
2021 Census figures
2021 Census
- Population
- 6,768
- Median age
- 54
- Median household income / week
- $1,548
- Dwelling vacancy
- 7.1%
- Unoccupied private dwellings
- 225 of 3,162
- Median monthly mortgage
- $1,788
- Employment rate
- 51.2%
- Dwelling mix (houses / semi / flats)
- 1,702 / 957 / 275
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)
- 660
- Against the person
- 75
- Against property
- 585
- Rate per 1,000 residents
- 94.4
- Person-crime prevalence
- About 1 in 90 residents
- State safety percentile
- 84.2th (lower crime is better)
- Family & domestic abuse offences
- 57
- Decrease (daily rate)
- -23.9%
Most common offence types
- Obtain Benefit By Deception37
- Other Property Damage And Environmental77
- Other Theft108
- Theft From Motor Vehicle43
- Theft From Shop223
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 (3 schools)
- 1,001
- Median ICSEA percentile
- 47th
School list
- Hendon Primary SchoolPrimary · Government · ICSEA 965 · 31th percentile · LBOTE 36% · 270 students · Top SEA quarter 8% · 1.5 km awayView on My School →
- West Lakes Shore SchoolPrimary · Government · ICSEA 1060 · 72th percentile · LBOTE 16% · 554 students · Top SEA quarter 25% · 1.6 km awayView on My School →
- Seaton High SchoolSecondary · Government · ICSEA 1001 · 47th percentile · LBOTE 25% · 917 students · Top SEA quarter 14% · 1.7 km awayView on My School →
- West Lakes Kindergarten & Early Childhood Centre294 Sportsmans DrivePreschools
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
Childcare
1 childcare service from OpenStreetMap
- West Lakes KindergartenSportsmans Drivekindergarten
Contributes to desirability score · Education (15%)
Childcare centre count
Data sources & freshness
- Childcare services (SA) — OpenStreetMap + SA Education · current · Updated
Public transport
44 public transport stops in this suburb
- Stop 32C Sportsmans Dr - East side
- Stop 32C Sportsmans Dr - West side
- Stop 33C West Lakes Blvd - North side
- West Lakes Interchange Terminus
- Zone C West Lakes Interchange - East 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
439 nearby amenities within ~1.5 km
3 restaurants · 3 cafes · 2 pubs · 3 supermarkets · 7 fast food · 2 food courts · 2 bakeries · 1 libraries
Local character & venue list
Local character
- Highly walkable for everyday errands
- Good local dining options — 19 food & drink venues nearby
- Great for outdoor family life — 29 parks mapped in suburb, 5 playgrounds nearby
- Well connected by public transport — 44 public transport stops
- Good everyday shopping nearby — 6 shops and services
- Strong local sport and recreation — 183 sport and outdoor facilities nearby
- Walkability proxy
- 85/100
- Cafés per 1,000 residents
- 0.44
- Food & drink per 1,000 residents
- 2.81
- Parks per 1,000 residents
- 4.28
Food & drink(19)
- Bakers DelightBakery
- Brumby'sBakery
- Muffin BreakCafe
- San ChurroCafe
- SpicesCafe
- Carl's Jr.Fast food
- Charlie ChanFast food
- Domino'sFast food
Brebner Drive, West Lakes
- Hungry Jack'sFast food
- KFCFast food
Westfield West Lakes
- McDonald'sFast food
Turner Drive, West Lakes
- Yoghurt ShopFast food
- Food court (2)
- Lakes Resort HotelPub
- Mosaic HotelPub
37 Turner Drive
- LombraRestaurant
- Nando'sRestaurant
- Zayt & ZaatarRestaurant
Shopping(6)
- Springfield ButchersButcher
- BP ShopConvenience store
40 Frederick Road
- Adams AppleGreengrocer
- AldiSupermarket
44 Frederick Road
- ColesSupermarket
111 West Lakes Boulevard
- WoolworthsSupermarket
Community(1)
- Ngutungka West Lakes (Community Hub and Library)Library
9 Charles Street
Sport & outdoors(207)
- West Lakes Golf ClubGolf course
26 Lochside Drive, West Lakes
- Anthea Court ReservePark
- Corcoran ReservePark
- Eildon ReservePark
- Freshwater Lake ReservePark
- Frome ReservePark
- Hawaii ReservePark
- Keppel Grove ReservePark
- Lakeview ReservePark
- Lakewood ReservePark
- Lochside ReservePark
- Maramba East ReservePark
- Maramba ReservePark
- Maramba West ReservePark
- Martin Court ReservePark
- McDonald ReservePark
- Midcourse ReservePark
- Park (5)
- Powell Court ReservePark
- Sir John Marks ReservePark
- Woodlake ReservePark
- Midcourse Reserve PlaygroundPlayground
- Playground (4)
- Sports field
- Swimming pool (176)
Entertainment(1)
- Reading Cinema West LakesCinema
Transport(38)
38 bus stops
Other(44)
- Alcohol
- LiquorlandAlcohol
- BankSABank
- Commonwealth BankBank
- Bbq
- Laser Clinics AustraliaBeauty salon
- Bench (41)
- Lakes Resort Bottle ShopBeverages
- 99 BikesBicycle
- Standish CyclesBicycle
- Bicycle Parking (6)
- Car wash
- David JonesDepartment Store
- Harris ScarfeDepartment Store
111 West Lakes Boulevard
- KmartDepartment Store
111 West Lakes Boulevard
- Tip TopDry Cleaning
- JB Hi-FiElectronics
111 West Lakes Boulevard
- Fountain
- Hairdresser (2)
- HairhouseHairdresser Supply
- Bloom Hearing SpecialistsHearing Aids
- Radio RentalsHifi
- Mosaic HotelHotel
Turner Drive
- Information (12)
- Westfield West Lakes Shopping CentreMall
- Newsagency
- Charles Sturt CouncilParking
- Lakes Resort Car ParkParking
- Parking (44)
- Parking Space (2)
- BPPetrol station
- Petrol station
- Picnic Table (2)
- Public toilets
- Shelter (4)
- UGGShoes
- Shower
- Slipway (3)
- Taxi (2)
- TelstraTelephone
- Smokemart and GiftTobacco
- Vending machine
- Waste Basket (15)
- Yes (2)
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)
- 29
- Parks (OSM)
- 29
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
- The Queen Elizabeth Hospital (3.7 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)
- 207
- Participants per 1,000 residents
- 29.6
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· 147 proposals
August 2026
- Two, two storey detached dwellings1 HONOLULU GR WEST LAKES SA 5021Under Assessment
- Two storey detached dwelling35 GOLDEN WATTLE RD WEST LAKES SA 5021Under Assessment
- Shed located at the rear of the existing dwelling7 MANITOBA WAY WEST LAKES SA 5021Under Assessment
- Single Storey Detached Dwelling15 GOLDEN WATTLE RD WEST LAKES SA 5021Under Assessment
- NCC Part D door hardware upgrades for multiple doorsets111 WEST LAKES BVD WEST LAKES SA 5021Decision Made
- Reconfiguration of existing self-checkouts into a corral configuration and relocation of 1x manned register to facilitate changes. Amendments and additions to existing wanzl barriers and gates.44 FREDERICK RD WEST LAKES SA 5021Decision Made
- Alterations and additions forward of the existing dwelling16 HAWAII CT WEST LAKES SA 5021Under Assessment
- Two storey detached dwelling3 MARTINIQUE CT WEST LAKES SA 5021Under Assessment
July 2026
- Torrens Title Land Division - one allotment into two4 HUNTINGDALE AV WEST LAKES SA 5021Under Assessment
- Two-storey detached dwelling19 GOLDEN WATTLE RD WEST LAKES SA 5021Under Assessment
- Verandah to the rear of the existing dwelling134 SPORTSMANS DR WEST LAKES SA 5021Decision Made
- Garage addition to the side of the existing dwelling14 BIRKDALE GR WEST LAKES SA 5021Under Assessment
- Land division- one into two allotments18 HOYLAKE CR WEST LAKES SA 5021Under Assessment
- Retrospective application for the removal of one regulated tree (Eucalyptus cornuta) located in the southern car park of the shopping centre.111 WEST LAKES BVD WEST LAKES SA 5021Decision Made
- Capital improvement works for the Football Park oval including retaining wall up to 1.2m in heightLOT 1997 MAX RD WEST LAKES SA 5021Under Assessment
- Verandah11 KERR GR WEST LAKES SA 5021Decision Made
- Torrens Title Land Division - one allotment into two.12 BIRKDALE GR WEST LAKES SA 5021Decision Made
- Two, two storey detached dwellings4 DRIVER CT WEST LAKES SA 5021Under Assessment
- Removal of one regulated Eucalyptus (gum) tree and one regulated Pine (Araucaria columnaris) tree located on common property within Strata CorporationUNIT 3 250 TRIMMER PDE WEST LAKES SA 5021Decision Made
- Two storey dwelling37 GOLDEN WATTLE RD WEST LAKES SA 5021Under Assessment
- Dwelling additions and alterations to the rear of the existing dwelling with associated swimming pool and safety features8 MARTIN CT WEST LAKES SA 5021Under Assessment
- Two storey detached dwelling6 KATCOMBA CT WEST LAKES SA 5021Under Assessment
- Two storey detached dwelling6 KATCOMBA CT WEST LAKES SA 5021Under Assessment
- Carport to the front of the garage to the existing dwelling.2 KAMO WAY WEST LAKES SA 5021Decision Made
June 2026
- Internal alterations8 COOBA WAY WEST LAKES SA 5021Decision Made
- Torrens Title Land Division - 1 allotment into 2.26 SAMOA CT WEST LAKES SA 5021Decision Made
- Two storey detached dwelling with associated swimming pool15 ANTIGUA GR WEST LAKES SA 5021Under Assessment
- Conventional (Torrens Title) Land Division Creating One (1) Additional Allotments (1 into 2)28 MARAMBA AV WEST LAKES SA 5021Decision Made
- Removal of 13 regulated trees and 23 significant trees associated with the redesign of holes 9, 14 and 1526 LOCHSIDE DR WEST LAKES SA 5021Decision Made
- Torrens TItle Land Division - one allotment into two24 LOCHSIDE DR WEST LAKES SA 5021Decision Made
- Dwelling addition forward of the existing dwelling27 MCDONALD GR WEST LAKES SA 5021Under Assessment
- Swimming pool with associated safety features to be located at the rear of the existing dwelling12 LYTHAM PL WEST LAKES SA 5021Under Assessment
- Torrens title land division creating two allotments from one2 HUNTINGDALE AV WEST LAKES SA 5021Decision Made
- Torrens Title Land Division - one allotment into two17 BEESTON WAY WEST LAKES SA 5021Decision Made
- Single storey detached dwelling21 GOLDEN WATTLE RD WEST LAKES SA 5021Under Assessment
- Alterations to an existing Coles tenancy111 WEST LAKES BVD WEST LAKES SA 5021Decision Made
- shopfit for Kids hairdresser111 WEST LAKES BVD WEST LAKES SA 5021Decision Made
- Retail Tenancy Fitout - Tenancy 318-319 (Williams x Trybe)111 WEST LAKES BVD WEST LAKES SA 5021Decision Made
- 20A2427.01998 2 into 53 Land Division ***Open Space to apply, see letter and RESERVE PLAN***15 -21 PHILLIPS ST WEST LAKES SA 5021;LOT 1998 BASHEER DR WEST LAKES SA 5021Under Assessment
- Variation of Development Application 25026799 change of building class - Single storey detached dwelling (supported accommodation)139 LOCHSIDE DR WEST LAKES SA 5021Decision 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
1 heritage place
- Port Adelaide Treatment Works14 Frederick Road WEST LAKESLocal heritage
Data sources & freshness
- SA Heritage Places database — Department for Environment and Water (SA) · current · Updated
Hazards
- Bushfire planning zone
- No overlay at centroid
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
- Hindmarsh
- Member of Parliament
- Mark BUTLER (Australian Labor Party)
- Results from
- 2025 federal election
- Electorate enrolment (2025)
- 131,379
- Turnout (2025)
- 91.4%
- Swing since 2022 (2025)
- +7.4 pp toward Labor
Two-party preferred (2025)
Coalition 33.6%Labor 66.3%
Estimated suburb voting profile
Estimated from 8 nearby ordinary polling places (up to 2.5 km away).
Coalition 32.0%Labor 68.0%
1.6 percentage points more Labor-leaning than the electorate
Estimated swing since 2022: +6.2 pp toward Labor
Nearest polling places
- Royal ParkLabor 67.3% · Coalition 32.7% TPP (2025)1.6 km away
- West Lakes ShoreLabor 61.8% · Coalition 38.2% TPP (2025)1.6 km away
- Royal Park SouthLabor 67.3% · Coalition 32.7% TPP (2025)1.7 km away
- SeatonLabor 68.7% · Coalition 31.3% TPP (2025)1.7 km away
- QueenstownLabor 73.5% · Coalition 26.5% TPP (2025)2.1 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)
- 8/10
- IRSD decile (2021)
- 8/10
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 Charles Sturt Council
Other suburbs in the same local government area.
Comparable suburbs
Similar population and socio-economic profile in other parts of South Australia.