SA · West Torrens Council
Cowandilla, 5033
Current weather
11°CRain showers
83% humidity · 22.8 km/h wind · 13.2° / 10.8° today · 26.2 mm rain
Updated
Desirability score
- Transport
- Schools
- Shops
- Metro
- Established
Suburb profile
Cowandilla is a practical smaller community in West Torrens, well placed for families who want metro access without the inner-city squeeze. Neighbouring suburbs are within easy reach, so the wider metro area always feels accessible. Working households and growing families are the backbone of local life, with family life visible on every street.
Local shops and services cover the basics well, with more choice a short trip into neighbouring suburbs. Public transport links make it easy to move between neighbouring suburbs without relying on the car. Homes here are sought-after, with many people drawn to the lifestyle the area offers.
Active development is adding new homes and refreshed pockets throughout the suburb.
On the desirability index, the suburb sits below average overall, mainly because local dining and lifestyle amenities and growth momentum lag similar metro suburbs, despite relative strength in schools and education. Limited access to some essential local services also trimmed the result.
Population
- Population
- 1,455
- Median age
- 41
- Median household income / week
- $1,310
- Dwelling vacancy
- 8.5%
- Unoccupied private dwellings
- 50 of 586
- Median monthly mortgage
- $1,733
- Employment rate
- 51.7%
- Dwelling mix (houses / semi / flats)
- 42 / 59 / 66
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)
- $450
- Houses (01/01/26 to 31/03/26)
- $670
- All types (01/01/26 to 31/03/26)
- $550
- Rental bonds lodged (01/01/26 to 31/03/26)
- 20
- Median house price (Q1 2026)
- $965,000
- Median price change
- +6.9%
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)
- 82
- Against the person
- 19
- Against property
- 63
- Rate per 1,000 residents
- 56.4
- Person-crime prevalence
- About 1 in 77 residents
- State safety percentile
- 69th (lower crime is better)
- Family & domestic abuse offences
- 65
- Increase (daily rate)
- +30.5%
Reported offences increased compared with the previous period.
Reported offences by period
Most common offence types
- Other Property Damage And Environmental17
- Other Theft15
- Sct - Residence11
- Serious Assault Not Resulting In Injury6
- Theft From Motor Vehicle6
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
- 4 (3 schools, 1 preschools)
- Median school ICSEA
- 1,051
- Cowandilla Children's Centre34 Wilson StreetIntegrated Centres
- Cowandilla Learning Centre14 Brooker TerraceSupport Services
- Cowandilla Primary SchoolPrimary · ICSEA 1051
- Cowandilla PS Intensive English Lang Centre21 Jenkins StreetSpecialist Facilities
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
8 public transport stops in this suburb
- Stop 6 Sir Donald Bradman Dr - North side
- Stop 6 Sir Donald Bradman Dr - South side
- Stop 6A Sir Donald Bradman Dr - South side
- Stop 6B Sir Donald Bradman Dr - North side
- Stop 8D Marion Rd - 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) · Period: current · Updated on site · GTFS static feed
Planning & development
Development applications from PlanSA register (lodged 2020–2026) and EPA licensed activities.
80 planning-related records
2026· 4 proposals
May 2026
- Demolition of existing facility and cricket practice nets and construction of a double storey indoor recreation facility with associated carparking and landscaping and the installation of oval lighting (6 lights with 12m high poles and 4 lights with 22m high poles), removal of one significant tree and six regulated trees, sports fencing and nettings and three outbuildings.61 -79 MARION RD COWANDILLA SA 5033;79 MARION RD COWANDILLA SA 5033;LOT 1 HOUNSLOW AV COWANDILLA SA 5033Under Assessment
April 2026
- Dwelling alterations and additions with partial demolition to the rear of an existing dwelling45 HOUNSLOW AV COWANDILLA SA 5033Under Assessment
March 2026
- Outbuilding8 WILSON ST COWANDILLA SA 5033Decision Made
February 2026
- Classroom building associated with existing place of worship, verandah, and removal of a Significant tree (palm species)10 BROOKER TCE COWANDILLA SA 5033;8 BROOKER TCE COWANDILLA SA 5033Under Assessment
2025· 13 proposals
December 2025
- Dwelling alterations and single storey dwelling additions23 WILSON ST COWANDILLA SA 5033Under Assessment
November 2025
- Four (4) group dwellings, boundary fencing and retaining walls and associated landscaping43 WILSON ST COWANDILLA SA 5033Under Assessment
August 2025
- Verandah12 NEILL RD COWANDILLA SA 5033Decision Made
- Outbuilding for the use of a shed18 BROOKER TCE COWANDILLA SA 5033Decision Made
July 2025
- Verandah3 WILSON ST COWANDILLA SA 5033Decision Made
- Outbuilding (shed)267 SIR DONALD BRADMAN DR COWANDILLA SA 5033Decision Made
May 2025
- Replacement of existing fence on and adjacent the southern allotment boundary240 -242 SIR DONALD BRADMAN DR COWANDILLA SA 5033Decision Made
April 2025
- Land division - Community - 1 into 2 allotments; with associated common driveway, landscaping, and carport to rear of existing dwelling226 SIR DONALD BRADMAN DR COWANDILLA SA 5033Decision Made
February 2025
- Verandah37A JENKINS ST COWANDILLA SA 5033Decision Made
- Removal of a Regulated Chamaecyparis Lawsoniana and a Significant Agonis Flexuosa.13 SPENCER ST COWANDILLA SA 5033Decision Made
January 2025
- Alteration and addition to existing dwelling including a verandah and a carport49 HOUNSLOW AV COWANDILLA SA 5033Decision Made
- Outbuilding (shed)45 HOUNSLOW AV COWANDILLA SA 5033Decision Made
- build a flat roof colorbond verandah at rear of an existing house.31 TURNER ST COWANDILLA SA 5033Decision Made
2024· 16 proposals
December 2024
- Verandah11A POYNTON ST COWANDILLA SA 5033Decision Made
November 2024
- Verandah1C FENNER AV COWANDILLA SA 5033Decision Made
- 2 into 3 Torrens Title Division14 GOLDFINCH AV COWANDILLA SA 5033;86 BAGOT AV COWANDILLA SA 5033Decision Made
October 2024
- Single storey dwelling alterations and additions including partial demolition; reinstatement of and extension to existing verandah and deck14 FRANCIS ST COWANDILLA SA 5033Decision Made
- VerandahUNIT 3 40A JENKINS ST COWANDILLA SA 5033Decision Made
September 2024
- Front fence270 SIR DONALD BRADMAN DR COWANDILLA SA 5033Decision Made
- Verandah31 SPENCER ST COWANDILLA SA 5033Decision Made
July 2024
- Ancillary accommodation to rear of dwelling32 JENKINS ST COWANDILLA SA 5033Decision Made
- Construction of a 2.1m masonry front fence272 SIR DONALD BRADMAN DR COWANDILLA SA 5033Decision Made
June 2024
- Addition to front of existing dwelling30 TURNER ST COWANDILLA SA 5033Decision Made
May 2024
- Two-storey detached dwelling (Dwelling 2) and two (2) carports in association with existing dwellings (Dwelling 1 and Dwelling 3)14 GOLDFINCH AV COWANDILLA SA 5033;86 BAGOT AV COWANDILLA SA 5033Under Assessment
April 2024
- Carport and Garage (Outbuilding)10 TURNER ST COWANDILLA SA 5033Decision Made
January 2024
- Front fence to a height of 1.1 metres and side fence to a height of 2.1 metres32 TURNER ST COWANDILLA SA 5033Decision Made
- Ancillary accommodation3 FRANCIS ST COWANDILLA SA 5033Decision Made
- Outbuilding and verandah in association with existing educational facility1-35 JENKINS ST COWANDILLA SA 5033Decision Made
- Construction of new verandah11 BLACKBURN AV COWANDILLA SA 5033Decision Made
2023· 7 proposals
November 2023
- Construction of a granny flat (retrospective)7 AUGUSTA ST COWANDILLA SA 5033Decision Made
October 2023
- Pergola > A pergola structure to be added onto the back of the existing dwelling Carport > Demolition of existing carport structure and new carport structure to be added > Installation of a double roller door to enclose carport structure Fence > Demolition of boundary fence (brick breeze block wall) and replace with new fence for privacy/security as well as a seamless look with new carport structure > Addition of wall along boundary (neighbour side) for privacy/security of new carport/garage3 NEILL RD COWANDILLA SA 5033Decision Made
- verandah12A SPENCER ST COWANDILLA SA 5033Decision Made
- Two-storey detached dwelling3B NEILL RD COWANDILLA SA 5033Decision Made
September 2023
- Addition to rear of existing dwelling and extension to existing carport13 WILSON ST COWANDILLA SA 5033Decision Made
August 2023
- Dwelling addition (verandah to habitable room)31 TURNER ST COWANDILLA SA 5033Decision Made
- Replacement Verandah5 NEILL RD COWANDILLA SA 5033Decision 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
17 nearby amenities within ~1.5 km
- Bench (3)
- Bicycle Parking (2)
- Stop 6 Sir Donald Bradman Drive - North sideBus stop
- Stop 6 Sir Donald Bradman Drive - South sideBus stop
- Stop 6A Sir Donald Bradman Drive - North sideBus stop
- Stop 6A Sir Donald Bradman Drive - South sideBus stop
- Stop 6B Sir Donald Bradman Drive - North sideBus stop
- Stop 6B Sir Donald Bradman Drive - South sideBus stop
- Stop 8C Marion Road - East sideBus stop
- Stop 8D Marion Road - East sideBus stop
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)
- 3/10
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
2 state heritage places
- 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
- 30.8/100 — Below average
- National rank
- 5087th in Australia
- State rank
- 503rd in SA
- Peer rank
- #75 among Metro Adelaide · Established suburbs
- Cohort rank
- #312 among Metro Adelaide 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 Environmentalcrime17
- Other Theftcrime15
- Sct - Residencecrime11
- Serious Assault Not Resulting In Injurycrime6
- Theft From Motor Vehiclecrime6
- Heritage placeheritageState heritage
- Heritage placeheritageState heritage
- 2 into 3 Torrens Title Divisionplanning14 GOLDFINCH AV COWANDILLA SA 5033;86 BAGOT AV COWANDILLA SA 5033Lodged 02 Nov 2024 · Decision Made
- Addition to front of existing dwellingplanning30 TURNER ST COWANDILLA SA 5033Lodged 21 Jun 2024 · Decision Made
- Addition to rear of existing dwelling and extension to existing carportplanning13 WILSON ST COWANDILLA SA 5033Lodged 22 Sep 2023 · Decision Made
Data sources & freshness
- SA Heritage Places database — Department for Environment and Water (SA) · Updated on site
- 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
More in West Torrens Council
Other suburbs in the same local government area.
Comparable suburbs
Similar population and socio-economic profile in other parts of South Australia.