Median house price
$760k
+20% change
SA · Gawler Council
Willaston, 5118
Est. population · Jun 2025
3,704
Growth (1 yr)
+1.9%
Growth (5 yr)
+8.7%
Median age
42
Median income
$1,254/wk
Employment rate
54.8%
Median house price · Q1 2026
$760,000
Languages at home
3.1%non-English
Most common: Mandarin, Sinhalese, Cantonese
2021 Census · usual residence
Desirability score
- Heritage area
- Excellent transport
- High desirability
Suburb profile
In Gawler Council, Willaston is a settled mid-sized suburb with a familiar suburban feel and good links to the wider city. Connections to the wider metro area are straightforward, with neighbouring communities close at hand. Established families and long-term residents give the suburb a settled feel, with a strong presence of young families throughout.
Fitness and outdoor sport options are a real part of local life, not just a distant club trip away. Green space punches above what many metro suburbs offer, with parks and playgrounds woven through the suburb. Buses connect the area to surrounding suburbs, keeping the wider city within easy reach.
Homes are relatively cheap compared with the wider market, which keeps entry costs lower. Period homes and heritage streetscapes give the area a character that newer suburbs rarely match.
The overall desirability read is around average, pulled by softer community and employment compared with similar metro suburbs, though growth momentum remain brighter spots. Limited access to some essential local services also trimmed the result.
At a glance
Willaston snapshot
A quick read of housing, growth, livability, and risk
Median rent
$520/wk
Houses $550 · Units $490
Population (ERP)
3,704
+1.9% 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
#87
among Metro Adelaide · Emerging
Safety
58th
percentile in state (higher = safer)
Pop. growth
92nd
percentile in SA
Advantage (IRSAD)
2/10
national SEIFA decile
School ICSEA
49th
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
- 45.4/100 — Average
- State standing
- Top 41% of South Australia's suburbs
- National rank
- 2865th in Australia
- State rank
- 287th in SA
- Peer rank
- #87 among Metro Adelaide · Emerging suburbs
- Cohort rank
- #216 among Metro Adelaide suburbs
- Data confidence
- 89%
Data sources & freshness
- Suburb Guide desirability index — Suburb Guide (derived) · current · Updated
Housing
- Flats / units (01/01/26 to 31/03/26)
- $490
- Houses (01/01/26 to 31/03/26)
- $550
- All types (01/01/26 to 31/03/26)
- $520
- Rental bonds lodged (01/01/26 to 31/03/26)
- 20
- Median house price (Q1 2026)
- $760,000
- Median price change
- +20.2%
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.
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
3,704(June 2025)
+1.9% annual · +8.7% over 5 years · 92th percentile in SA
Growth figures & methodology
- Annual growth
- +1.9%
- 5-year growth
- +8.7%
- Change in 1 year
- +68
- Change in 5 years
- +295
- Growth rank in SA
- 92th 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 (~3,900), extrapolated at +1.1% average annual growth since 2011. It is illustrative only — not an official ABS forecast.
2021 Census figures
2021 Census
- Population
- 3,458
- Median age
- 42
- Median household income / week
- $1,254
- Dwelling vacancy
- 6.1%
- Unoccupied private dwellings
- 95 of 1,567
- Median monthly mortgage
- $1,213
- Employment rate
- 54.8%
- Dwelling mix (houses / semi / flats)
- 1,262 / 199 / 5
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)
- 154
- Against the person
- 26
- Against property
- 128
- Rate per 1,000 residents
- 41.6
- Person-crime prevalence
- About 1 in 133 residents
- State safety percentile
- 57.8th (lower crime is better)
- Family & domestic abuse offences
- 139
- Decrease (daily rate)
- -8.1%
Most common offence types
- Other Property Damage And Environmental34
- Other Theft26
- Serious Assault Not Resulting In Injury12
- Theft From Motor Vehicle13
- Theft From Shop32
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
- Median school ICSEA (4 schools)
- 1,003.5
- Median ICSEA percentile
- 49th
School list
- Gawler Primary SchoolPrimary · Government · ICSEA 954 · 26th percentile · LBOTE 5% · 168 students · Top SEA quarter 5% · 1.2 km awayView on My School →
- Xavier CollegeCombined · Catholic · ICSEA 1001 · 47th percentile · LBOTE 4% · 2,532 students · Top SEA quarter 7% · 1.3 km awayView on My School →
- Hewett Primary SchoolPrimary · Government · ICSEA 1006 · 50th percentile · LBOTE 2% · 400 students · Top SEA quarter 10% · 1.4 km awayView on My School →
- Immanuel GawlerPrimary · Independent · ICSEA 1038 · 63th percentile · LBOTE 5% · 353 students · Top SEA quarter 17% · 1.5 km awayView on My School →
Contributes to desirability score · Education (15%)
School and preschool counts, median school ICSEA
Data sources & freshness
- School ICSEA (ACARA) — Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority · 2025 · Updated · Annual release
Public transport
19 public transport stops in this suburb
- Main North Road / Murray Rd - East side (Hewett Shops)
- Redbanks Rd / Jane St - North East side (Willaston)
- Redbanks Rd / Jane St - South West side (Willaston)
- Stop 107 Jarvis St - West side
- Stop 114 Dawkins Ave - North West 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
126 nearby amenities within ~1.5 km
1 pubs · 3 playgrounds · 1 dog parks · 26 swimming pools · 1 petrol stations · 1 post offices
Local character & venue list
Local character
- A car helps for daily errands
- Great for outdoor family life — 2 parks mapped in suburb, 3 playgrounds nearby
- Well connected by public transport — 19 public transport stops
- Strong local sport and recreation — 32 sport and outdoor facilities nearby
- Walkability proxy
- 31/100
- Cafés per 1,000 residents
- 0
- Food & drink per 1,000 residents
- 0.29
- Parks per 1,000 residents
- 0.58
Food & drink(1)
- Willaston HotelPub
33 Main North Road
Health & services(1)
- Gawler Veterinary ClinicVeterinary
8-12 Redbanks Road, Willaston
Sport & outdoors(34)
- Dog park
- Clonlea ParkPark
- Elliot Goodger Memorial ParkPark
- Playground (3)
- Sports field
- Willaston OvalSports field
- Swimming pool (26)
Transport(12)
12 bus stops
Other(33)
- BWSAlcohol
33 Main North Road
- DC paymentsATM
- Bench (3)
- Gawler BooksBooks
7 Main North Road
- Gawler BodyworksCar repair
16B Paxton Street
- Les Haldane MechanicalCar repair
3 Redbanks Road
- Northern Star Diesel ServiceCar repair
86 Main North Road
- Willaston Auto Body RepairsCar repair
84 Main North Road
- Bohemian BeansCoffee
- Stratco GawlerDoityourself
16 Main North Road
- Independent Battery DistributorsElectronics
32 Main North Road
- The ChurchGuest House
37A Main North Road
- Adorè Hair Body BeautyHairdresser
15A Main North Road
- Hair by Stephanie WhalesHairdresser
10 Main North Road
- Les Haldane MechanicalParking
- Parking (44)
- Coffee with CaninesPet
Unit Shop 2 5 Main North Road
- AM/PM WillastonPetrol station
24-30 Main North Road
- The Injury HubPhysiotherapist
6-8 Main North Road
- Australia PostPost Box
- Willaston Post OfficePost office
- Sonder Centre - GawlerPsychotherapist
36 Main North Road
- Public toilets
- Scout Recycling CentreRecycling
10 Paxton Street
- Shelter
- KompleteCare Community and Home Care GawlerSocial Facility
34 Main North Road
- Keira Stone Speech PathologySpeech Therapist
52 Paxton Street
- Telephone
- Track
- Reece Plumbing CentreTrade
10B Paxton Street
- TradelinkTrade
12 Paxton Street
- Vacant
- Waste Basket
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)
- 2
- Parks (OSM)
- 2
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
- Gawler Health Service (1.5 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)
- 160
- Participants per 1,000 residents
- 43.2
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° / 13°
- Rainfall
- 69 mm · ~9 rainy days
Autumn (Mar–May)
- Usual max / min
- 22° / 9°
- Rainfall
- 80 mm · ~10 rainy days
Winter (Jun–Aug)
- Usual max / min
- 14° / 5°
- Rainfall
- 142 mm · ~18 rainy days
Spring (Sep–Nov)
- Usual max / min
- 21° / 8°
- Rainfall
- 125 mm · ~16 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· 42 proposals
July 2026
- Verandah (freestanding)24 PRINCESS ST WILLASTON SA 5118Under Assessment
- Land Division - 1 into 13 (with associated common property) - Community Title78 MAIN NORTH RD WILLASTON SA 5118Under Assessment
- Tree-Damaging Activity (removal of One (1) Significant Tree)10 JANE ST WILLASTON SA 5118Decision Made
- Carport5 BARKER ST WILLASTON SA 5118Decision Made
- Swimming Pool and Safety Fence1 KIMPTON CL WILLASTON SA 5118Under Assessment
- Tree-damaging Activity (Removal of One Regulated Tree)39 PANTER ST WILLASTON SA 5118Decision Made
June 2026
- Land Division - 1 into 7 - Community Title2 PAXTON ST WILLASTON SA 5118Decision Made
- Construction of Six (6) Group Dwellings (with Garage and Verandah under main roof) for independent living within an existing Retirement Facility, with associated Retaining Walls and Fencing, Driveway, Carparking and LandscapingLOT 1 DAWKINS AV WILLASTON SA 5118Under Assessment
- patio8 WILLS CL WILLASTON SA 5118Decision Made
- Erect Black Granite MemorialLOT 17 DAWKINS AV WILLASTON SA 5118Under Assessment
- Five (5) Single Storey Group Dwellings and Removal of One (1) Significant Tree and Five (5) Regulated Trees and retaining and fencing with a maximum combined height of 2.2m34 HAINES RD WILLASTON SA 5118Under Assessment
- Verandahs to rear39 PANTER ST WILLASTON SA 5118Decision Made
- amendment to Form 1 ESP Schedule only25 -33 MAIN NORTH RD WILLASTON SA 5118Decision Made
May 2026
- Ancillary Accommodation2 PARKERS CT WILLASTON SA 5118Decision Made
- Verandah made to order -3800mm wide x 6810mm long x 2690mm highUNIT 2 18 BROWN ST WILLASTON SA 5118Decision Made
- Detached Dwelling (transportable) and garageLOT 101 COLVILLE DR WILLASTON SA 5118Under Assessment
- Land Division - 1 into 3 (together with common driveway) - Community Title, over the balance of Lot 740 of DA Ref: 26012070; and associated Tree-Damaging Activity (removal of four (4) Regulated Trees)12 DAWKINS AV WILLASTON SA 5118Under Assessment
- Land Division - 1 into 4 - Torrens Title12 DAWKINS AV WILLASTON SA 5118Decision Made
- Variation to 24003349 - Demolition of existing verandah and garage, additions and alterations to existing dwelling including new verandah and new outbuilding (garage) - changes to proposed garage33 REDBANKS RD WILLASTON SA 5118Decision Made
- Colorbond Verandah attached to timber framed home3A PANTER ST WILLASTON SA 5118Decision Made
- Construction of Light Industry building comprising two (2) tenancies (together with mezzanine levels), with associated Car Parking and Landscaping, and Advertising Signs12 LITTLE PAXTON ST WILLASTON SA 5118Under Assessment
- Construction of two (2) buildings comprising seven (7) Light Industry tenancies with associated Fencing, retaining walls, car parking, and landscaping2 PAXTON ST WILLASTON SA 5118Under Assessment
- Outbuilding (shed)9 CHAMBERLAIN RD WILLASTON SA 5118Decision Made
April 2026
- Land Division - 1 into 4 (with additional common driveway) - Community Title9 JANE ST WILLASTON SA 5118Under Assessment
- Outbuilding (shed)32B DAWKINS AV WILLASTON SA 5118Decision Made
- Community Title Land Division (1 into 4) with common driveway7 DAVIES ST WILLASTON SA 5118Decision Made
- Torrens Title Land Division (1 into 4) with rear hammerhead allotment7 DAVIES ST WILLASTON SA 5118Decision Made
- Dwelling additions and alterations1A AYLING ST WILLASTON SA 5118Decision Made
- Change of Use (Unit 1 only) - Warehouse to Light Industry (Commercial Laundry) and Office Alterations with Additional Level in Units 1 & 221 LITTLE PAXTON ST WILLASTON SA 5118Decision Made
- Verandah - 6.04m (w) x 8m (l) x 2.35m (h)35 PANTER ST WILLASTON SA 5118Decision Made
March 2026
- VerandahUNIT 1 33 DRURY ST WILLASTON SA 5118Decision Made
- Alterations to existing carport34 EDWARD ST WILLASTON SA 5118Decision Made
- Temporary food truck (3 months), outdoor dining, change of use from vacant tenancy to store and shop, and advertisement9 MAIN NORTH RD WILLASTON SA 5118Decision Made
- Outbuilding (Shed) - 9.156m (w) x 15.238m (l) x 3.635m (h)29 JANE ST WILLASTON SA 5118Decision Made
- Verandah Dimension - 3980mm Wide x 2305mm Long x 2378mm High - Roof Pitch Degree - 1 degree (Flat Roof) Verandah Dimension - 5195mm Wide x 3300mm Long x 2590mm High -Roof Pitch Degree - 20 degree (Gable)16 HARKNESS ST WILLASTON SA 5118Decision Made
February 2026
- Change of use to an Indoor Recreation Facility9 THEEN AV WILLASTON SA 5118Decision Made
- Outback Gable Verandah26 HAINES RD WILLASTON SA 5118Decision Made
January 2026
- Local Heritage Place Building Alterations5 MAIN NORTH RD WILLASTON SA 5118Decision Made
- Community Title Land Division - 1 into 5113 MAIN NORTH RD WILLASTON SA 5118Under Assessment
- Outbuilding (shed)43 CHAMBERLAIN RD WILLASTON SA 5118Decision Made
2025· 1 proposal
December 2025
- Torrens Title Land Division (1 into 3)41 CHAMBERLAIN RD WILLASTON SA 5118Decision 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
54 heritage places
- Boundary stone wall41 Redbanks Road WILLASTONContributory item
- ClonleaMurray Road WILLASTONLocal heritage
- Dwelling2 Burrows Street WILLASTONContributory item
- Dwelling49 Paxton Street WILLASTONLocal heritage
- Dwelling52 Paxton Street WILLASTONContributory item
- Dwelling4 Princess Street WILLASTONContributory item
- Dwelling25 Redbanks Road WILLASTONContributory item
- Dwelling27 Redbanks Road WILLASTONContributory item
- Dwelling31 Redbanks Road WILLASTONContributory item
- Dwelling32 Redbanks Road WILLASTONLocal 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 safer places
- 1
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
- Spence
- Member of Parliament
- Matt BURNELL (Australian Labor Party)
- Results from
- 2025 federal election
- Electorate enrolment (2025)
- 138,898
- Turnout (2025)
- 87.5%
- Swing since 2022 (2025)
- +2.4 pp toward Labor
Two-party preferred (2025)
Coalition 34.7%Labor 65.3%
Estimated suburb voting profile
Estimated from 8 nearby ordinary polling places (up to 4.7 km away).
Coalition 39.0%Labor 61.0%
4.4 percentage points more Coalition-leaning than the electorate
Estimated swing since 2022: +5.9 pp toward Labor
Nearest polling places
- WillastonLabor 61.3% · Coalition 38.7% TPP (2025)0.5 km away
- Gawler WestLabor 59.4% · Coalition 40.6% TPP (2025)1.4 km away
- HewettLabor 59.5% · Coalition 40.5% TPP (2025)1.4 km away
- GawlerLabor 65.0% · Coalition 35.0% TPP (2025)1.9 km away
- Gawler EastLabor 56.7% · Coalition 43.3% TPP (2025)2.4 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)
- 2/10
- IRSD decile (2021)
- 2/10
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 Gawler Council
Other suburbs in the same local government area.
Comparable suburbs
Similar population and socio-economic profile in other parts of South Australia.