SA · Alexandrina Council
Chiton, 5211
Current weather
10.6°CLight drizzle
76% humidity · 27.7 km/h wind · 12.9° / 10.4° today · 21.7 mm rain
Desirability score
Suburb snapshot
Chiton is a small locality in the Alexandrina area, home to around 440 residents (2021 Census). Available data shows 8 offences in 2024–25 (Jul–Jun) with rising year-on-year trends (+15%), roughly 18.2 offences per 1,000 residents, median weekly rent around $680, fewer mapped amenities than nearby suburbs, and notable planning and development activity on record. See the sections below for population, safety, schools and local activity.
Population
- Population
- 440
- Median age
- 63
- Median household income / week
- $1,212
- Dwelling vacancy
- 40.1%
- Unoccupied private dwellings
- 132 of 329
- Median monthly mortgage
- $1,625
- Employment rate
- 32.7%
- Dwelling mix (houses / semi / flats)
- 8 / 28 / 0
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
- Houses (01/01/26 to 31/03/26)
- $680
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 · Updated on site · Quarterly releases
Crime & safety
- Total offences (2024–25)
- 8
- Against the person
- 1
- Against property
- 7
- Rate per 1,000 residents
- 18.2
- Person-crime prevalence
- About 1 in 440 residents
- State safety percentile
- 23.8th (lower crime is better)
- Family & domestic abuse offences
- 74
- Increase (daily rate)
- +14.6%
Reported offences increased compared with the previous period.
Reported offences by period
Most common offence types
- Other Property Damage And Environmental2
- Other Theft1
- Sct - Residence2
- Serious Assault Not Resulting In Injury1
- Theft/Illegal Use Of Mv2
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
Planning & development
Development applications from PlanSA register (lodged 2020–2026) and EPA licensed activities.
139 planning-related records
2026· 14 proposals
June 2026
- Outbuilding (shed)18 MUSK DUCK AV CHITON SA 5211Decision Made
- Construction of a single-storey detached dwelling98 SUN ORCHID DR CHITON SA 5211Under Assessment
- Construction of a single storey detached dwelling and associated retaining wall63 SUN ORCHID DR CHITON SA 5211Under Assessment
- Construction of a three-storey detached dwelling and associated earthworks and retaining walls1A SEAGULL AV CHITON SA 5211Under Assessment
- Torrens Title Land Division - 1 allotment into 281 PORT ELLIOT RD CHITON SA 5211Under Assessment
April 2026
- Construction of a verandah and associated deck12 MUSK DUCK AV CHITON SA 5211Decision Made
- Construction of a single storey detached dwelling8 MANNA GUM AV CHITON SA 5211Decision Made
March 2026
- Construction of a partially enclosed carport8B ALBATROSS AV CHITON SA 5211Decision Made
- Construction of a two storey detached dwelling including associated earthworks, retaining walls and boundary fencing44 SEAGULL AV CHITON SA 5211Under Assessment
- Small Pergola15 MUSK DUCK AV CHITON SA 5211Decision Made
- Construction of a single storey detached dwelling and associated fencing100 SUN ORCHID DR CHITON SA 5211Decision Made
- Verandah3 MUSK DUCK AV CHITON SA 5211Decision Made
January 2026
- Construction of a verandah30 SUN ORCHID DR CHITON SA 5211Decision Made
- Construction of an outbuilding (domestic storage) and change in use of tourist accommodation cabin ‘’Frangipani’’ to ancillary accommodation53 MENTONE RD E CHITON SA 5211Under Assessment
2025· 26 proposals
December 2025
- Land division (1 into 2 lots) and construction of two two-storey semi-detached dwellings77 SEAGULL AV CHITON SA 5211Decision Made
November 2025
- Installation of solar photovoltaic panels (ground mounted)LOT 11 WATERPORT RD CHITON SA 5211Decision Made
- Partial demolition and extension of existing amenities block (public toilet) and alterations to existing carparkLOT 440 HINDMARSH ESP CHITON SA 5211Decision Made
- Construction of a single storey detached dwelling50 ALBATROSS AV CHITON SA 5211Decision Made
October 2025
- Construction of a single storey detached dwelling including associated earthworksLOT 11 WATERPORT RD CHITON SA 5211Decision Made
- Renovation of Ensuite including repair to structural wall, as per Engineers documents: - Carpentry - Plaster - painting - electrical - Plumbing - Tiling - Waterproofing - Cabinetmaker24 SUN ORCHID DR CHITON SA 5211Decision Made
- Carport27 SUN ORCHID DR CHITON SA 5211Decision Made
- Internal alterations, installation of internal lift & new ensuite15 SEAGULL AV CHITON SA 5211Decision Made
September 2025
- Construction of an agricultural buildingLOT 11 WATERPORT RD CHITON SA 5211Decision Made
August 2025
- Single storey detached dwelling, deck and outbuilding10 MUSK DUCK AV CHITON SA 5211Under Assessment
- Construction of an outbuilding (shed)72 ALBATROSS AV CHITON SA 5211Decision Made
July 2025
- Construction of a single storey detached dwelling86 SUN ORCHID DR CHITON SA 5211Decision Made
- Construction of a 1metre high retaining wall with a 1.8metre high fence (2.8m overall)32 MUSK DUCK AV CHITON SA 5211;34 MUSK DUCK AV CHITON SA 5211Decision Made
June 2025
- Outbuilding17 MUSK DUCK AV CHITON SA 5211Decision Made
- Verandah19 NEEDLEBUSH DR CHITON SA 5211Decision Made
- Construction of a verandah72 ALBATROSS AV CHITON SA 5211Decision Made
May 2025
- Construction of a Carport52 MUSK DUCK AV CHITON SA 5211Decision Made
April 2025
- Two-storey Detached Dwelling, Swimming Pool (and associated Safety Barriers) & Carport.4 NEW RD CHITON SA 5211;6A NEW RD CHITON SA 5211Under Assessment
- Change of land use of existing tourist accommodation unit to a dwelling53 MENTONE RD E CHITON SA 5211Decision Made
March 2025
- Installation of solar photovoltaic panels (roof mounted) to dwelling31 SUN ORCHID DR CHITON SA 5211Decision Made
- Construction of a single storey detached dwelling34 MUSK DUCK AV CHITON SA 5211Decision Made
- Construction of a single storey detached dwelling3 MUSK DUCK AV CHITON SA 5211Decision Made
- Construction of a single storey detached dwelling32 MUSK DUCK AV CHITON SA 5211Decision Made
February 2025
- Construction of a single storey detached dwelling68 SUN ORCHID DR CHITON SA 5211Decision Made
- Detached Dwelling15 ALBATROSS AV CHITON SA 5211Decision Made
- Retaining and fencing on side boundaries & feature masonry screen to courtyard17 SEAGULL AV CHITON SA 5211Decision 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
5 nearby amenities within ~1.5 km
- Bench (3)
- Playground
- Fleurieu Aquatic CentreSports centre
50 Ocean Road
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)
- 5/10
- IRSD decile (2021)
- 6/10
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
Hazards
- Bushfire planning zone
- Overlay applies
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
- 19.7/100
- National rank
- 6525th in Australia
- State rank
- 666th in SA
- Peer rank
- #52 among Coastal & beach · Mature suburbs
- Cohort rank
- #71 among Coastal & beach suburbs
- Data confidence
- 62%
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 Environmentalcrime2
- Other Theftcrime1
- Sct - Residencecrime2
- Serious Assault Not Resulting In Injurycrime1
- Theft/Illegal Use Of Mvcrime2
- Carportplanning27 SUN ORCHID DR CHITON SA 5211Lodged 16 Oct 2025 · Decision Made
- Change of land use of existing tourist accommodation unit to a dwellingplanning53 MENTONE RD E CHITON SA 5211Lodged 23 Apr 2025 · Decision Made
- Construction of a 1metre high retaining wall with a 1.8metre high fence (2.8m overall)planning32 MUSK DUCK AV CHITON SA 5211;34 MUSK DUCK AV CHITON SA 5211Lodged 09 Jul 2025 · Decision Made
- Construction of a Carportplanning52 MUSK DUCK AV CHITON SA 5211Lodged 26 May 2025 · Decision Made
- Construction of a partially enclosed carportplanning8B ALBATROSS AV CHITON SA 5211Lodged 31 Mar 2026 · Decision Made
Data sources & freshness
- PlanSA development applications & EPA licences — Government of South Australia — PlanSA · 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.