West Lakes Shore is a coastal middle-ring metropolitan suburb of Adelaide, in Charles Sturt Council. The West Lakes is part of the surrounding geography.
Everyday destinations are relatively walkable, well above typical levels for middle-ring metropolitan suburbs. Open-space access is exceptionally strong, and school ICSEA scores are a relative strength. Mapped flood cover is a very strong feature of the suburb, with mapped flood cover 99% below the peer median, and working from home is more common than in comparable places, with working from home 46% above the peer median. Rents are among the highest in the peer group, with median rents 31% above the peer median.
Overall, West Lakes Shore suits people prioritising open space and walkability over lower rents.
Generated from the official metrics on this page. It can omit nuance or contain errors — check the tables and source notes before relying on it.
Strengths and weaknesses
Middle-ring metropolitan suburb · compared with middle-ring metropolitan suburbs in South Australia (106)
Strengths
Open-space access is exceptionally strong
Mapped flood cover is a relative strength
Everyday destinations are relatively walkable
Working from home is more common than in comparable places
School ICSEA scores are a relative strength
Weaknesses
Rents are among the highest in the peer group
What stands out
West Lakes Shore Beach
Semaphore Park Beach
West Lakes
Who it suits
Stars are audience-fit ratings derived from Suburb.Guide data, not demographic counts or user reviews.
Families★★★★☆
Professionals★★★☆☆
Retirees★★☆☆☆
Students★★☆☆☆
Budget buyers★★☆☆☆
Housing, growth and risk
How West Lakes Shore compares
A quick read of housing, growth, livability, and risk
Median house price
$1.36M
+6.2% change
Median rent
$790/wk
Houses $700 · Units $795
Population (ERP)
3,332
+0.5% annual growth
Dwelling vacancy
7.9%
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
#4
among Coastal & beach · Mature
Crime rate
56th
percentile in state (higher = more crime)
Pop. growth
53rd
percentile in SA
Rented dwellings
15%
2021 Census tenure
Advantage (IRSAD)
8/10
national SEIFA decile
School ICSEA
72nd
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
56.7/100 — Good
State standing
Top 6% of South Australia's suburbs
National rank
880th in Australia
State rank
41st in SA
Peer rank
#4 among Coastal & beach · Mature suburbs
Cohort rank
#4 among Coastal & beach suburbs
Data confidence
97%
Data sources & freshness
Suburb Guide desirability index — Suburb Guide (derived) · current · Updated
Housing
Flats / units (01/01/26 to 31/03/26)
$795
Houses (01/01/26 to 31/03/26)
$700
All types (01/01/26 to 31/03/26)
$790
Rental bonds lodged (01/01/26 to 31/03/26)
15
Median house price (Q1 2026)
$1,360,000
Median price change
+6.2%
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.
Household crowding and healthy vacancy — not cheapness Modest price change as a healthy-growth band
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
3,332(June 2025)
+0.5% annual · +5.7% over 5 years · 53th percentile in SA
Growth figures & methodology
Annual growth
+0.5%
5-year growth
+5.7%
Change in 1 year
+15
Change in 5 years
+179
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 (~3,450), extrapolated at +0.7% average annual growth since 2011. It is illustrative only — not an official ABS forecast.
2021 Census figures
2021 Census
Population
3,236
Median age
48
Median household income / week
$1,758
Dwelling vacancy
7.9%
Unoccupied private dwellings
110 of 1,393
Median monthly mortgage
$1,950
Median weekly rent (2021 Census)
$390
Tenure (owned / mortgaged / rented)
49.5% / 35.5% / 15.1%
Employment rate
58.1%
Travel to work (WFH / public transport / car)
13% / 3.2% / 68.4%
Walked or cycled to work
1.2%
Dwelling mix (houses / semi / flats)
901 / 363 / 11
Contributes to desirability score · Community (12%) · Accessibility (12%) · Future Growth (6%)
Employment, household income and owned-outright tenure (2021 Census) Work-from-home and public-transport commute shares (2021 Census) Five-year population change as a healthy-growth band, not a boom bonus
Data sources & freshness
2021 Census — General Community Profile (including method of travel to work and educational attainment) — Australian Bureau of Statistics · Updated
The 2026 Census was conducted in August 2026; suburb-level updates are expected from mid-2027.
23.6% of adults have a university degree, compared with 22.6% across South Australia. 18.8% have a trade or vocational qualification.
University qualified23.6% · 22.6% SA
Diploma qualified11.2% · 8.6% SA
Trade / vocational18.8% · 17.5% SA
Year 12 or below46.4% · 51.2% SA
Highest qualification field
Main field of the highest non-school qualification (2021 Census).
Management and commerce23.8%
Engineering and related technologies19%
Health12.6%
Society and culture12%
Education10.4%
Architecture and building6.8%
How these groups are defined
Measure
Definition
University qualified
Bachelor degree or higher
Diploma qualified
Advanced Diploma / Diploma
Trade / vocational
Certificate III + IV
Year 12
Year 12 as highest attainment
Below Year 12
Year 11 / 10 / 9 or below
People aged 15 years and over, 2021 Census. University, diploma and trade shares match ABS highest educational attainment (HEAP). Year 12 and below Year 12 are combined in the chart because the General Community Profile reports school-only attainment as a residual.
Contributes to desirability score · Community (12%)
University qualifications from the 2021 Census
Data sources & freshness
2021 Census — General Community Profile (including method of travel to work and educational attainment) — Australian Bureau of Statistics · Updated
The 2026 Census was conducted in August 2026; suburb-level updates are expected from mid-2027.
Tax & income
Median taxable income (2023–24)
$61,998
85th percentile in SA · +6% vs Australia
Median salary / wages (2023–24)
$66,638
88th percentile in SA · +2% vs Australia
Residents with rental investments
17.0%
90th percentile in SA · +23% vs Australia
Median super balance (2023–24)
$128,728
92nd percentile in SA · +103% vs Australia
Residents with business income
8.0%
16th percentile in SA · -23% vs Australia
Australian Taxation Office Taxation Statistics 2023–24, individuals Table 25. Figures describe taxpayers who live in postcode 5020 — not a suburb-level official statistic. Rental investment is the share of local taxpayers reporting rental income or loss, not the share of local properties owned by investors.
Counts, net rent & state comparison
Taxpayers in this postcode
2,135
Taxpayers reporting net rent
367
Median net rent
$1,040
Taxpayers reporting business income
163
Taxable income vs state median
+14%
Salary / wages vs state median
+16%
Rental investment vs state median
+42%
Super vs state median
+65%
Business income vs state median
-27%
Percentiles rank this postcode among unique postcodes in SA, so suburbs that share a postcode are not counted twice. Dollar figures are compared with Australia-wide ATO medians from the same release. Median net rent is among taxpayers who reported the rent label and can be negative.
Data sources & freshness
Taxation Statistics 2023–24 — individuals by postcode (Table 25) — Australian Taxation Office · Updated · Annual release; taxpayer residential postcode, not suburb boundary
Community & culture
14.4% speak a language other than English at home; 22.9% born overseas
Language at home
2,713 English only · 456 other
Non-English at home
14.4%
Born overseas
724 (22.9%)
Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander
24 (0.7%)
Australian citizens
2,994
Languages spoken at home (other than English)
20
Top languages other than English
Share of residents who speak a language other than English at home (2021 Census).
Greek27 · 17.3%
Italian18 · 11.5%
Mandarin17 · 10.9%
Russian14 · 9%
German10 · 6.4%
Serbian10 · 6.4%
Croatian9 · 5.8%
Portuguese9 · 5.8%
Religion
54.7%Most common religion · Christianity
Christianity is the most common response at 54.7%, while 38.8% reported no religion.
Measure
Suburb
State
No religion
38.8%
45.2%
Christianity
54.7%
40%
Other / not stated
6.5%
14.7%
Christian denominations
Denomination
Suburb
State
Catholic
24.4%
15.5%
Anglican
9.3%
7.2%
Uniting Church
5.4%
4.8%
Eastern Orthodox
3.9%
2.4%
Christian (not further defined)
3.1%
2.6%
Pentecostal
2.4%
1.1%
Lutheran
2.3%
2.4%
2021 Census — languages spoken at home, birthplace, Indigenous status, and religious affiliation (usual residence). Religion is optional on the Census form.
Data sources & freshness
2021 Census — General Community Profile (including method of travel to work and educational attainment) — Australian Bureau of Statistics · Updated
The 2026 Census was conducted 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 (2025–26)
134
Against the person
16
Against property
118
Rate per 1,000 residents
40.2
Person-crime prevalence
About 1 in 202 residents
State crime-rate percentile
56th (higher = more crime)
Family & domestic abuse offences
9
Decrease (daily rate)
-2.2%
Recorded road crashes (in suburb)
57
Crash rate per 1,000 residents (state rank)
17.11
Most common offence types
Damage Or Destroy Property24
Motor Vehicle Theft And Related Offences22
Obtain Benefit By Deception11
Theft From A Person24
Theft From Retail Premises16
Contributes to desirability score · Safety (22%)
Crime rate, offences against the person, year-on-year trend and recorded road crash rates
West Lakes Shore SchoolPrimary · Government · ICSEA 1060 · 72th percentile · LBOTE 16% · 554 students · Top SEA quarter 25% · 0.4 km awayView on My School →
Westport Primary SchoolPrimary · Government · ICSEA 1025 · 58th percentile · LBOTE 18% · 421 students · Top SEA quarter 20% · 1.3 km awayView on My School →
Portside Christian CollegeCombined · Independent · ICSEA 1067 · 74th percentile · LBOTE 27% · 626 students · Top SEA quarter 26% · 1.8 km awayView on My School →
West Lakes Shore KindergartenEdwin StreetPreschools
Contributes to desirability score · Education (14%)
Median school ICSEA first, then school and catchment counts
Great for outdoor family life — 18 parks mapped in suburb, 4 playgrounds nearby
Well connected by public transport — 19 public transport stops
Strong local sport and recreation — 8 sport and outdoor facilities nearby
Walkability proxy
79/100
Cafés per 1,000 residents
0.62
Food & drink per 1,000 residents
1.55
Parks per 1,000 residents
5.56
Food & drink(5)
Sports BarBar
Grain & Bean Bakery CafeCafe
Bartley Terrace, West Lakes Shore
Mirani'sCafe
Bartley TavernPub
Golden Lakes Chinese Family RestaurantRestaurant
Bartley Terrace
Shopping(4)
Thirsty CamelBottle shop
Bartley Terrace, West Lakes Shore
Bartley Shopping CentreShopping centre
Bartley Terrace, West Lakes Shore
FoodlandSupermarket
Everyday services(1)
Australia PostPost office
Bartley Terrace, West Lakes Shore
Community(1)
West Lakes Shore SchoolSchool
Edwin Street
Health & services(3)
Bartley Medical CentreClinic
Bartley Terrace
Clinpath Collection CentreClinic
Bartley Terrace
ChemplusPharmacy
Bartley Terrace, West Lakes Shore
Sport & outdoors(34)
Beach (3)
Semaphore Park BeachBeach
West Lakes Shore BeachBeach
Outer Harbour GreenwayCycling route
Tennyson Dunes Conservation ReserveNature reserve
Annie Watt ReservePark
Coronado Court ReservePark
Drysdale ReservePark
Edwin ReservePark
Greenfield ReservePark
Hansen ReservePark
Manly Circuit ReservePark
Mirani Court ReservePark
Mooloola ReservePark
Newporter ReservePark
Park
Rowing Club ReservePark
Sandpiper ReservePark
Santiago ReservePark
Thiele ReservePark
Todd ReservePark
Uriah Place ReservePark
West Lakes Shore Foreshore ReservePark
Playground (4)
Public toilets
West Lakes Aquatic CentreSports centre
Henley and Grange Baseball ClubSports field
Sports field
Swimming pool
Transport(19)
19 bus stops
Other(11)
Bench (14)
Bicycle Parking (2)
Information
Parking (16)
Tennyson Car Park NorthParking
Military Road
Parking Space (3)
West Lakes Church: Bridging The GapPlace of worship
red post box high 6pm sun to friPost Box
Shelter
TelstraTelephone
Waste Basket (5)
Names and addresses from OpenStreetMap. Unnamed venues show as their type (e.g. Cafe). Transport stops are summarised by type rather than listed individually. Campgrounds, beaches, wineries and local trails are included when they sit inside the suburb boundary.
Contributes to desirability score · Lifestyle (12%)
Food, shopping, recreation and sport per 1,000 residents (OpenStreetMap)
Data sources & freshness
Local amenity insights — Suburb Guide (derived) · current · Updated
Named sporting clubs from OpenStreetMap and the SA Sports Vouchers venue list, assigned to this suburb's boundary. Sporting facilities such as ovals, courts and recreation centres are listed under Amenities.
Green cover is the share of this suburb's boundary overlapping OpenStreetMap parks, woodland and forest polygons — not a satellite tree-canopy product. Summer maximum is the WorldClim / Open-Meteo seasonal normal already collected for Weather.
Contributes to desirability score · Environment (12%)
Tree canopy first, then green-cover area and parks per 1,000
Data sources & freshness
OpenStreetMap green cover and tree canopy — OpenStreetMap contributors · current · Updated · Park/woodland polygons intersected with suburb boundaries
Places of worship
1 places of worship within ~1.5 km
West Lakes Church: Bridging The Gap
From OpenStreetMap within ~1.5 km of the suburb centre.
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.
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 (12%)
Development applications from PlanSA register and EPA licensed activities.
2026· 44 proposals
September 2026
Single storey detached dwelling
5 SANTIAGO ST WEST LAKES SHORE SA 5020Under Assessment
Land Division 1 into 2 Torrens Title allotments and removal of two regulated trees, one acacia dealbata [Silver Wattle] and one metrosideros excelsa [New Zealand Christmas Tree]
6 COLUMBINE AV WEST LAKES SHORE SA 5020Under Assessment
Ancillary accommodation and outbuilding to the rear of the existing dwelling
83 SANSOM RD WEST LAKES SHORE SA 5020Under Assessment
August 2026
Shed (Outbuilding)
LOT 94 VARRAM WAY WEST LAKES SHORE SA 5020Under Assessment
Torrens Title Land Division - 1 allotment into 2
70 RECREATION PDE WEST LAKES SHORE SA 5020Decision Made
Torrens Title Land Division - one allotment into two
34 GREENFIELD CR WEST LAKES SHORE SA 5020Decision Made
Installation of four new 25 metre tall lighting towers to the West Lakes Shore Primary School oval.
LOT 2 EDWIN ST WEST LAKES SHORE SA 5020Under Assessment
Carport to side of existing dwelling
48 CORMORANT CT WEST LAKES SHORE SA 5020Decision Made
Alterations and additions to existing dwelling and construction of a verandah and pool safety fencing
9 DRYSDALE CT WEST LAKES SHORE SA 5020Under Assessment
July 2026
Single storey detached dwelling
70 FAIRFORD TCE WEST LAKES SHORE SA 5020Under Assessment
Single storey detached dwelling
70 FAIRFORD TCE WEST LAKES SHORE SA 5020Under Assessment
Torrens Title Land Division - one allotment into two
5 NOLAN PL WEST LAKES SHORE SA 5020Decision Made
Torrens Title Land Division - 1 allotment into 2
36 GREENFIELD CR WEST LAKES SHORE SA 5020Decision Made
Two storey detached dwelling
18 SANTIAGO ST WEST LAKES SHORE SA 5020Under Assessment
Verandah to the side and the outbuilding to the rear of the existing dwelling.
7 YAMBA GR WEST LAKES SHORE SA 5020Decision Made
Swimming pool & safety fences
17 DALY CR WEST LAKES SHORE SA 5020Decision Made
June 2026
Removal of a Regulated tree - Norfolk Pine
16 MANLY CCT WEST LAKES SHORE SA 5020Under Assessment
Two (2) Single-Storey Detached Dwellings.
2 KIRRA AV WEST LAKES SHORE SA 5020Under Assessment
Torrens title land division creating two allotments from one
18 SANTIAGO ST WEST LAKES SHORE SA 5020Decision Made
Alterations and additions to existing two storey dwelling.
14 SHORE CT WEST LAKES SHORE SA 5020Under Assessment
May 2026
Shade sail to the rear of the associated dwelling
6A KARUMBA PL WEST LAKES SHORE SA 5020Decision Made
Swimming Pool sited at the rear of the existing dwelling
6 TODD PL WEST LAKES SHORE SA 5020Decision Made
Two-storey detached dwelling
17A DALY CR WEST LAKES SHORE SA 5020Decision Made
April 2026
Torrens Title Land Division - one allotment into two
70 FAIRFORD TCE WEST LAKES SHORE SA 5020Decision Made
Torrens Title Land Division - one allotment into two
14 GREENFIELD CR WEST LAKES SHORE SA 5020Decision Made
Swimming pool and safety barrier to the rear of the existing dwelling
55A THE ANNIE WATT CCT WEST LAKES SHORE SA 5020Decision Made
Two storey detached dwelling. (Future Lot 30)
11 MACQUARRIE CT WEST LAKES SHORE SA 5020Decision Made
Single storey detached dwelling
21 THE ANNIE WATT CCT WEST LAKES SHORE SA 5020Under Assessment
Replacement of existing baseball protective netting structure and installation of two new football protective netting structures.
233 BARTLEY TCE WEST LAKES SHORE SA 5020Decision Made
Land Division comprising 1 into 2 Torrens Title allotments
2 MANLY CCT WEST LAKES SHORE SA 5020Decision Made
March 2026
Illuminated pylon sign 6 metres high
68 -92 BARTLEY TCE WEST LAKES SHORE SA 5020Decision Made
Carport to be located forward of the existing building
UNIT 1 6 ANGLERS CT WEST LAKES SHORE SA 5020Decision Made
Verandah to the rear of the existing dwelling
12 KEESING PL WEST LAKES SHORE SA 5020Decision Made
Swimming pool with associated safety features to be located at the rear of the existing dwelling
6A KARUMBA PL WEST LAKES SHORE SA 5020Decision Made
Torrens Title Land Division - one allotment into two
25 THE ANNIE WATT CCT WEST LAKES SHORE SA 5020Decision Made
Variation to Development Application 25032310 - changes to building form, windows, alfresco and boundary walls with the garage parapet on the western boundary at a height of 3.26 and the garage wall on the eastern boundary for a length of 13.38 metres and height of 3.1 metres
25 THE ANNIE WATT CCT WEST LAKES SHORE SA 5020Under Assessment
February 2026
Swimming pool and associated safety features to be located at the rear of the dwelling
47 ASHBURTON AV WEST LAKES SHORE SA 5020Decision Made
Swimming Pool and Safety barrier to the rear of the existing dwelling
5 KARUMBA PL WEST LAKES SHORE SA 5020Decision Made
Viewing platform located within the sand dunes west of Mirani Court
-34.8647113 :138.4782361;LOT 700 MIRANI CT WEST LAKES SHORE SA 5020;LOT 94 THIRD AV SEMAPHORE PARK SA 5019Under Assessment
Swimming Pool and associated safety barrier to the rear of the existing dwelling
24 MANLY CCT WEST LAKES SHORE SA 5020Decision Made
2025· 10 proposals
December 2025
Verandah and deck to be constructed at the front and rear of the existing dwelling with internal building alterations. Stage 1: Deck and verandah Stage 2: Remainder of works
14 KEESING PL WEST LAKES SHORE SA 5020Under Assessment
Three level detached dwelling including undercroft garaging and storage area and swimming pool together with front masonry fence
47 THE ANNIE WATT CCT WEST LAKES SHORE SA 5020Under Assessment
Two storey detached dwelling.
24A LAMBERT AV WEST LAKES SHORE SA 5020Under Assessment
November 2025
Two storey detached dwelling
5 NEWCOMBE AV WEST LAKES SHORE SA 5020Decision Made
Verandah
35 HEYSEN CR WEST LAKES SHORE SA 5020Decision Made
Demolition of the carport attached to the dwelling and construction of the carport to the side
30 MANLY CCT WEST LAKES SHORE SA 5020Decision Made
Torrens title land division creating two allotments from one
5 SANTIAGO ST WEST LAKES SHORE SA 5020Decision Made
Swimming pool.
3A TODD PL WEST LAKES SHORE SA 5020Decision Made
Torrens title land division - one alloment into two
19 BERMUDA AV WEST LAKES SHORE SA 5020Decision Made
Single Storey Detached Dwelling
7 HEYSEN CR WEST LAKES SHORE SA 5020Under Assessment
Bushfire overlay checked at suburb centroid against all current SA Planning risk layers (high, medium, general, urban interface, regional, outback). Flood cover is the share of the suburb boundary overlapping current SA Planning flood overlays (flooding and evidence required). Safer places from CFS designated locations.
Estimated from 8 nearby ordinary polling places (up to 2.9 km away).
Coalition 36.6%Labor 63.4%
3.0 percentage points more Coalition-leaning than the electorate
Estimated swing since 2022: +7.9 pp toward Labor
Nearest polling places
West Lakes ShoreLabor 61.8% · Coalition 38.2% TPP (2025)0.4 km away
Semaphore ParkLabor 74.5% · Coalition 25.5% TPP (2025)1.9 km away
Semaphore Park WestLabor 67.1% · Coalition 32.9% TPP (2025)2.0 km away
Semaphore SouthLabor 76.5% · Coalition 23.5% TPP (2025)2.4 km away
Royal ParkLabor 67.3% · Coalition 32.7% TPP (2025)2.6 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.
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 (12%)