SA · Port Adelaide Enfield Council
Birkenhead, SA, 5015
Current weather
12.6°CThunderstorm
78% humidity · 29.9 km/h wind · 13.8° / 11.8° today · 27.7 mm rain
Desirability score
Suburb snapshot
Birkenhead is a small locality in the Port Adelaide Enfield area, home to around 1,798 residents (2021 Census). Available data shows 97 offences in 2024–25 (Jul–Jun) with rising year-on-year trends (+8%), roughly 53.9 offences per 1,000 residents, median weekly rent around $605 (flats $352, houses $625), median house prices near $840,000 (down 4% recently), 2 school and preschool sites in the area, 9 public transport stops within the suburb, a reasonable spread of amenities, 1 active roadworks or transport incidents on nearby routes, and notable planning and development activity on record. See the sections below for population, safety, schools and local activity.
Population
- Population
- 1,798
- Median age
- 39
- Median household income / week
- $1,598
- Dwelling vacancy
- 6.2%
- Unoccupied private dwellings
- 50 of 812
- Median monthly mortgage
- $1,543
- Employment rate
- 65.8%
- Dwelling mix (houses / semi / flats)
- 62 / 61 / 34
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 · 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)
- $352.5
- Houses (01/01/26 to 31/03/26)
- $625
- All types (01/01/26 to 31/03/26)
- $605
- Rental bonds lodged (01/01/26 to 31/03/26)
- 15
- Median house price (Q1 2026)
- $840,000
- Median price change
- -3.6%
Median weekly rent from SA Housing Authority rental bond data. Figures can be unreliable where few bonds were lodged in the quarter.
Contributes to desirability score · Housing (15%) · Future Growth (7%)
Median price, rental yield and vacancy Recent price momentum
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)
- 97
- Against the person
- 29
- Against property
- 68
- Rate per 1,000 residents
- 53.9
- Person-crime prevalence
- About 1 in 62 residents
- State safety percentile
- 67.5th (lower crime is better)
- Family & domestic abuse offences
- 123
- Increase (daily rate)
- +8.1%
Reported offences increased compared with the previous period.
Reported offences by period
Most common offence types
- Other Property Damage And Environmental25
- Other Theft16
- Sct - Residence5
- Serious Assault Not Resulting In Injury22
- Theft From Motor Vehicle11
Contributes to desirability score · Safety (18%)
Crime rate and year-on-year trend
Data sources & freshness
- SAPOL reported crime statistics — South Australia Police — OpenData · Period: 2023-24 → 2024-25; 2024-25 · Updated on site · Financial-year releases
Schools & preschools
- Schools & preschools
- 2 (1 schools, 1 preschools)
- Median school ICSEA
- 902
- Le Fevre Kindergarten Inc14 Hughes StreetPreschools
- Le Fevre Peninsula Primary SchoolPrimary · ICSEA 902
Contributes to desirability score · Education (15%)
School and preschool counts, median school ICSEA
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
9 public transport stops in this suburb
- Stop 41C Semaphore Rd - North side
- Stop 42D Semaphore Rd - North side
- Stop 43 Fletcher Rd - East side
- Stop 44 Fletcher Rd - East side
- Stop 44 Fletcher Rd - 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) · Period: current · Updated on site · GTFS static feed
Roadworks & transport
1 active roadworks / incidents
- Rail Track MaintenanceSemaphore Road, Mead St25 Jun 2026 – 09 Jul 2026
Data sources & freshness
- Traffic SA road events — Department for Infrastructure and Transport (SA) · Period: current · Updated on site · Hourly refresh
Planning & development
Development applications from PlanSA register (lodged 2020–2026) and EPA licensed activities.
141 planning-related records
2026· 15 proposals
June 2026
- Various screening25 GUNN ST BIRKENHEAD SA 5015Decision Made
- Garage/shed26 ROSE ST BIRKENHEAD SA 5015Under Assessment
May 2026
- Carport35 MEAD ST BIRKENHEAD SA 5015Decision Made
- Dwelling additions, associated building alterations and verandah51 MEAD ST BIRKENHEAD SA 5015Under Assessment
April 2026
- New decking25 GUNN ST BIRKENHEAD SA 5015Decision Made
- Spa and safety barrier279 SEMAPHORE RD BIRKENHEAD SA 5015Decision Made
- The proposed development is a hospitality venue intended to operate as a café and private event space. The building will include an indoor dining area with approximately 60–70 seats, a service counter, commercial kitchen, dry store and dishwashing areas, staff preparation spaces, and accessible public amenities. The design references the port’s industrial and maritime character, incorporating features such as arched openings, shutter-style elements, and a coastal material palette including rendeLOT 14 NELSON ST BIRKENHEAD SA 5015Decision Made
- 1 into 3 Land division (creating 2 additional allotments)31 GUNN ST BIRKENHEAD SA 5015Decision Made
- Alterations and additions to existing dwelling5 LITTLE CRAIGIE ST BIRKENHEAD SA 5015Under Assessment
March 2026
- Verandah (louvre opening roof system)49 FLETCHER RD BIRKENHEAD SA 5015Decision Made
- Garage and attached carport ancillary to existing dwelling91 VICTORIA RD BIRKENHEAD SA 5015Decision Made
- Dwelling addition including internal building alterations, partial demolition and construction of shed and fence19 CLOSE ST BIRKENHEAD SA 5015Under Assessment
February 2026
- New 8m x 6.5m skillion roof garage positioned as close to the side boundaries as possible. Both neighboring garages are on the boundary. I would like to go as close to those garages as possible. The garage builder/installer have stated that they can go close as long as council approve it. I'm guessing the gap between my garage and both neighbors garages could be approximately 150-200mm each side so as to allow some breathing space!?80 ROBERTS ST BIRKENHEAD SA 5015Decision Made
- Three detached dwellings and removal of two Regulated trees.31 GUNN ST BIRKENHEAD SA 5015Under Assessment
January 2026
- Building alterations - internal alterations & new cladding33 GUNN ST BIRKENHEAD SA 5015Decision Made
2025· 25 proposals
December 2025
- Dwelling addition and associated building alterations18 ROSE ST BIRKENHEAD SA 5015Under Assessment
- Verandah over existing deck21 DARTON ST BIRKENHEAD SA 5015Decision Made
- Replacement verandah at rear of dwelling63 FLETCHER RD BIRKENHEAD SA 5015Decision Made
- Dwelling alterations and additions59 EMILY ST BIRKENHEAD SA 5015Under Assessment
November 2025
- Dwelling additions and building alterations with associated new carport, front porch and rear verandah35 BAKER ST BIRKENHEAD SA 5015Decision Made
- Dwelling addition and alterations, and extension of existing front and rear verandahs24 ROSE ST BIRKENHEAD SA 5015Under Assessment
- Carport78 FLETCHER RD BIRKENHEAD SA 5015Decision Made
- Outbuilding in the form of a shed and garaport14 CRAIGIE ST BIRKENHEAD SA 5015Decision Made
October 2025
- Masonry front fence with metal infills2A CLOSE ST BIRKENHEAD SA 5015Decision Made
- verandah6 CLOSE ST BIRKENHEAD SA 5015Decision Made
- Land Division - 1 Allotment into 2 Allotments; and removal of a regulated tree60 ROBERTS ST BIRKENHEAD SA 5015Decision Made
- Demolish Rear Lean-to / Rear Verandah & Class 1A outbuilding - construct a Lower & Upper Storey Addition with a Verandah57 FLETCHER RD BIRKENHEAD SA 5015Decision Made
- Dwelling alterations and addition and construction of a partially enclosed verandah and deck64 ROBERTS ST BIRKENHEAD SA 5015Decision Made
September 2025
- Domestic outbuilding (shed)33 DARTON ST BIRKENHEAD SA 5015Decision Made
August 2025
- Partial demolition works35 BAKER ST BIRKENHEAD SA 5015Decision Made
- Partial Demolition of Existing Wharf InfrastructureLOT 106 ELDER RD PETERHEAD SA 5016;LOT 201 ELDER RD LARGS BAY SA 5016;LOT 45 STIRLING ST BIRKENHEAD SA 5015;UNIT 1-2 LOT 10 ELDER RD LARGS NORTH SA 5016Decision Made
- Swimming pool and safety barriers76 FLETCHER RD BIRKENHEAD SA 5015Decision Made
July 2025
- Two, two storey detached dwellings45C MEAD ST BIRKENHEAD SA 5015;45D MEAD ST BIRKENHEAD SA 5015Decision Made
- New two storey dwelling60 EMILY ST BIRKENHEAD SA 5015Decision Made
June 2025
- Remove regulated (Melia azedarach) street tree10 LEVI ST BIRKENHEAD SA 5015Decision Made
- Building alterations and additions, replacement carport and front verandah43 HEATH ST BIRKENHEAD SA 5015Decision Made
April 2025
- Outbuilding comprising a garage and carport under the main roof172 HARGRAVE ST BIRKENHEAD SA 5015Decision Made
- Multi use development comprising function space, consulting rooms/personal establishment, indoor recreation facility (yoga and meditation)LOT 14 NELSON ST BIRKENHEAD SA 5015Under Assessment
March 2025
- Outbuilding (carport/garage)64 ROBERTS ST BIRKENHEAD SA 5015Under Assessment
February 2025
- Shed29 ROBERTS ST BIRKENHEAD SA 5015Decision 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 · Period: 2020–2026 · Updated on site
Amenities
16 nearby amenities within ~1.5 km
- Bench
- Bus stop
- Stop 42D Semaphore Road - North sideBus stop
- Stop 43 Fletcher Road - East sideBus stop
- Stop 43 Fletcher Road - West sideBus stop
- Stop 44 Fletcher Road - East sideBus stop
- Stop 44 Fletcher Road - West sideBus stop
- Stop 44A Hargrave Street - South sideBus stop
- The Candle DenHouseware
15 Heath Street
- Parking Space
Names and addresses from OpenStreetMap. Unnamed venues show as their type (e.g. Cafe).
Contributes to desirability score · Lifestyle (15%)
Food, shopping, recreation and sport (OpenStreetMap)
Data sources & freshness
- OpenStreetMap amenities — OpenStreetMap contributors · Period: current · Updated on site · Weekly refresh
Socio-economic (SEIFA)
- IRSAD decile (2021)
- 4/10
- IRSD decile (2021)
- 4/10
SEIFA indexes from ABS 2021. Decile 10 = most advantaged / least disadvantaged in Australia.
Contributes to desirability score · Community (5%)
Socio-economic advantage (IRSAD decile)
Data sources & freshness
- SEIFA 2021 (IRSAD / IRSD) — Australian Bureau of Statistics · Period: 2021 · Updated on site · 2021 SEIFA release
Heritage
7 state heritage places
- 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
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 · Period: current · Updated on site
Green cover
- Parks & woodland (OSM)
- 1
- Parks (OSM)
- 1
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 features — OpenStreetMap contributors · Period: current · Updated on site · Weekly refresh
Desirability index
- Desirability score
- 37.0/100
- National rank
- 3804th in Australia
- State rank
- 384th in SA
- Peer rank
- #7 among Coastal & beach · Established suburbs
- Cohort rank
- #41 among Coastal & beach suburbs
- Data confidence
- 96%
Data sources & freshness
- Suburb Guide desirability index — Suburb Guide (derived score) · Period: current · Updated on site · Derived from source metrics
Recent changes
- Other Property Damage And Environmentalcrime25
- Other Theftcrime16
- Sct - Residencecrime5
- Serious Assault Not Resulting In Injurycrime22
- Theft From Motor Vehiclecrime11
- Heritage placeheritageState heritage
- Heritage placeheritageState heritage
- Heritage placeheritageState heritage
- Heritage placeheritageState heritage
- Heritage placeheritageState heritage
Data sources & freshness
- SA Heritage Places database — Department for Environment and Water (SA) · Updated on site
- SAPOL reported crime statistics — South Australia Police — OpenData · Updated on site · Financial-year releases
Similar suburbs
Suburbs with a similar population, SEIFA decile and location.