SA · Marion Council
Dover Gardens, 5048
Current weather
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83% humidity · 22.8 km/h wind · 13.2° / 10.8° today · 26.2 mm rain
Updated
Desirability score
- Emerging
- Transport
- Green space
- Shops
- Metro
Suburb profile
In Marion, Dover Gardens 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. Families and commuters make up much of the community, with plenty of young families in the mix.
Local shops and services cover the basics well, with more choice a short trip into neighbouring suburbs. Green space is a real strength, with parks and playgrounds woven through the suburb. Buses and trains connect the area to surrounding suburbs, keeping the wider city within easy reach.
Property is in demand, reflecting the appeal of living in a place people actively choose. Active development is adding new homes and refreshed pockets throughout the suburb.
On the desirability index, the suburb sits around average overall, mainly because local dining and lifestyle amenities and schools and education lag similar metro suburbs, despite relative strength in safety and transport and access. Limited access to some essential local services also trimmed the result.
Population
- Population
- 3,062
- Median age
- 39
- Median household income / week
- $1,423
- Dwelling vacancy
- 8.6%
- Unoccupied private dwellings
- 122 of 1,417
- Median monthly mortgage
- $1,733
- Employment rate
- 58.3%
- Dwelling mix (houses / semi / flats)
- 80 / 401 / 15
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)
- $700
- Houses (01/01/26 to 31/03/26)
- $685
- All types (01/01/26 to 31/03/26)
- $685
- Rental bonds lodged (01/01/26 to 31/03/26)
- 25
- Median house price (Q1 2026)
- $1,050,000
- Median price change
- +11.7%
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)
- 93
- Against the person
- 41
- Against property
- 52
- Rate per 1,000 residents
- 30.4
- Person-crime prevalence
- About 1 in 75 residents
- State safety percentile
- 44.7th (lower crime is better)
- Family & domestic abuse offences
- 99
- Decrease (daily rate)
- -36.6%
Reported offences decreased compared with the previous period.
Reported offences by period
Most common offence types
- Common Assault6
- Other Property Damage And Environmental15
- Other Theft12
- Sct - Residence8
- Serious Assault Not Resulting In Injury29
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
Public transport
17 public transport stops in this suburb
- Stop 32 Morphett Rd - West side
- Stop 33 Morphett Rd - West side
- Stop 33 Sturt Rd - South side
- Stop 35 Seacombe Rd - North side
- Stop 36 Seacombe Rd - North 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
- Storm Water UpgradeSeacombe Road, Morphett Rd16 Feb 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.
228 planning-related records
2026· 34 proposals
June 2026
- Verandah56 BRANKSOME TCE DOVER GARDENS SA 5048Under Assessment
- Three single-storey detached dwellings with associated retaining walls and fencing19 FELIX ST DOVER GARDENS SA 5048Under Assessment
- Single storey detached dwelling and fencing1 DANAE ST DOVER GARDENS SA 5048Under Assessment
- Verandah16 LAURENCE ST DOVER GARDENS SA 5048Decision Made
- Two storey detached dwelling and remove regulated Umbrella Tree10 KATHLEEN ST DOVER GARDENS SA 5048Under Assessment
- Single-storey detached dwelling5 BESSIE ST DOVER GARDENS SA 5048Under Assessment
May 2026
- Verandah1C QUINTUS TCE DOVER GARDENS SA 5048Under Assessment
- Three (3) two storey detached dwellings in a terrace arrangement, with associated fences1 KATHLEEN ST DOVER GARDENS SA 5048Under Assessment
- Verandah8 DOVER CT DOVER GARDENS SA 5048Decision Made
- Excavation & installation of fiberglass swimming pool & associated safety barrier1C QUINTUS TCE DOVER GARDENS SA 5048Decision Made
April 2026
- Two single storey detached dwelllings and associated fencing550 MORPHETT RD DOVER GARDENS SA 5048Under Assessment
- Torrens title Land Division - 1 into 2 allotments9 MCKAY ST DOVER GARDENS SA 5048Decision Made
- Two (2) single storey detached dwellings, fences and removal of two (2) Significant Trees (White Cedar and Norfolk Island Pine)546 MORPHETT RD DOVER GARDENS SA 5048Under Assessment
- Remove significant tree, Melia azedarach (White Cedar)115 SEACOMBE RD DOVER GARDENS SA 5048Decision Made
- Land Division (Torrens title 1 into 3 allotments)8 DUNEDIN ST DOVER GARDENS SA 5048Decision Made
- Two-storey detached dwelling10 KATHLEEN ST DOVER GARDENS SA 5048Under Assessment
- Three single-storey detached dwellings in a terrace arrangement as well as the removal of 1 Regulated and 3 Significant trees.2 KATHLEEN ST DOVER GARDENS SA 5048Under Assessment
- Verandah16 BESSIE ST DOVER GARDENS SA 5048Decision Made
March 2026
- Verandah to rear of dwelling28 LAURENCE ST DOVER GARDENS SA 5048Decision Made
- Land division (boundary alignment)1 SEAVIEW CR DOVER GARDENS SA 5048;1A SEAVIEW CR DOVER GARDENS SA 5048;3 SEAVIEW CR DOVER GARDENS SA 5048Decision Made
- 1 into 2 Torrens Title Land Division7 DANAE ST DOVER GARDENS SA 5048Decision Made
- Two x new double storey detached dwellings with southern dwelling to have a swimming pool & safety fence46 VINALL ST DOVER GARDENS SA 5048Under Assessment
February 2026
- Land division one into three allotments including common driveway6 DUNEDIN ST DOVER GARDENS SA 5048Decision Made
- Verandah2B CLACTON RD DOVER GARDENS SA 5048Decision Made
- Land Division (Torrens title 1 into 2 allotments)3 VINALL ST DOVER GARDENS SA 5048Decision Made
- Single storey detached dwelling, fencing and retaining walls (Future Lot 702)1 SEAVIEW CR DOVER GARDENS SA 5048Decision Made
- Land Division (Torrens title 1 into 2 allotments), removal of 2 x Significant Trees (Melia Azedarach - White Cedar and Norfolk Island Pine)546 MORPHETT RD DOVER GARDENS SA 5048Under Assessment
- three (3) detached dwellings in a terrace arrangement with associated fencing and retaining8 DUNEDIN ST DOVER GARDENS SA 5048Under Assessment
- Construction of a single-storey detached dwelling including associated retaining, fencing and ground works within the root zone of a Significant Tree14 HOPE ST DOVER GARDENS SA 5048Decision Made
- Construction of a single-storey detached dwelling including associated retaining, fencing and ground works within the root zone of a Significant Tree14 HOPE ST DOVER GARDENS SA 5048Decision Made
- Verandah59 QUINTUS TCE DOVER GARDENS SA 5048Decision Made
January 2026
- Land Division 1 into 5 Community Title in association with Development Application ID 250308039 RUGBY ST DOVER GARDENS SA 5048Decision Made
- Carport extension28 SCARBOROUGH TCE DOVER GARDENS SA 5048Decision Made
- Verandah10 LAURENCE ST DOVER GARDENS SA 5048Decision Made
2025· 6 proposals
December 2025
- 2 x Single Storey Detached Dwelling Single Garage7 DANAE ST DOVER GARDENS SA 5048Decision Made
- 2 x two storey dwellings9 MCKAY ST DOVER GARDENS SA 5048Under Assessment
- Construction of three-level supported accommodation (aged care) facility comprising 150 beds and associated car parking, water tanks (6 x 25kL), retaining walls, fencing, masonry walls, removal of a Significant Tree and pruning of two Significant Trees, and 2 outbuildings.LOT 104 FOLKESTONE RD DOVER GARDENS SA 5048Under Assessment
- Construction of five, two-storey residential flat buildings, one comprising six (6) dwellings, one comprising eleven (11) dwellings, three each comprising two (2) dwellings as well as one two-storey group dwelling (twenty-four (24) dwellings in total) including four dwellings for the purposes of affordable housing, as well as removal of two Significant Trees and impacts to root zones of other Significant Trees, along with an associated common driveway and landscaping including an underground detLOT 101 YARMOUTH ST DOVER GARDENS SA 5048Under Assessment
November 2025
- Boundary realignment (2 into 2 land division)3 MARY ST DOVER GARDENS SA 5048;3 SEAFORTH AV DOVER GARDENS SA 5048Decision Made
- Remove significant tree, agonis flexuosa (Willow Myrtle)10 KATHLEEN ST DOVER GARDENS SA 5048Decision 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
27 nearby amenities within ~1.5 km
- Bench
- Stop 32 Morphett Road - West sideBus stop
- Stop 32 Sturt Road - South sideBus stop
- Stop 33 Morphett Road - West sideBus stop
- Stop 33 Sturt Road - South sideBus stop
- Stop 34 Laurence Street - East sideBus stop
- Stop 34 Laurence Street - West sideBus stop
- Stop 34 Morphett Road - West sideBus stop
- Stop 34 Sturt Road - South sideBus stop
- Stop 35 Laurence Street - 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)
- 5/10
- 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
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
Childcare
1 childcare service from OpenStreetMap
- kindergartenSeacombe Roadkindergarten
Contributes to desirability score · Education (15%)
Childcare centre count
Data sources & freshness
- Childcare services (SA) — OpenStreetMap + SA Education · 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)
- 5
- Parks (OSM)
- 5
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
- 44.7/100 — Average
- State standing
- Top 31% of South Australia's suburbs
- National rank
- 2485th in Australia
- State rank
- 219th in SA
- Peer rank
- #48 among Metro Adelaide · Emerging suburbs
- Cohort rank
- #161 among Metro Adelaide suburbs
- Data confidence
- 87%
Data sources & freshness
- Suburb Guide desirability index — Suburb Guide (derived score) · Period: current · Updated on site · Derived from source metrics
Recent changes
- Common Assaultcrime6
- Other Property Damage And Environmentalcrime15
- Other Theftcrime12
- Sct - Residencecrime8
- Serious Assault Not Resulting In Injurycrime29
- kindergartenchildcareSeacombe Roadkindergarten
- Heritage placeheritageState heritage
- Heritage placeheritageState heritage
- 1 into 2 Torrens Title Land Divisionplanning7 DANAE ST DOVER GARDENS SA 5048Lodged 18 Mar 2026 · Decision Made
- 2 x Single Storey Detached Dwelling Single Garageplanning7 DANAE ST DOVER GARDENS SA 5048Lodged 24 Dec 2025 · Decision Made
Data sources & freshness
- Childcare services (SA) — OpenStreetMap + SA Education · Updated on site
- 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 Marion Council
Other suburbs in the same local government area.
Comparable suburbs
Similar population and socio-economic profile in other parts of South Australia.