suburb.guide

SA · Norwood Payneham and St Peters Council

Kensington (SA), SA, 5068

Current weather

11.2°CThunderstorm

87% humidity · 20.3 km/h wind · 12.9° / 10.2° today · 27.9 mm rain

Desirability score

42.9/100

2730th in Australia

96% data confidence

How this score is calculated

Suburb snapshot

Kensington (SA) is a small locality in the Norwood Payneham and St Peters area, home to around 1,808 residents (2021 Census). Available data shows 65 offences in 2024–25 (Jul–Jun) with falling year-on-year trends (-13%), roughly 36.0 offences per 1,000 residents, median weekly rent around $590 (flats $550, houses $700), median house prices near $1,290,000 (up 10% recently), 2 school and preschool sites in the area, 8 public transport stops within the suburb, a reasonable spread of amenities, and notable planning and development activity on record. See the sections below for population, safety, schools and local activity.

Population

Population
1,808
Median age
43
Median household income / week
$1,355
Dwelling vacancy
10.8%
Unoccupied private dwellings
104 of 960
Median monthly mortgage
$1,817
Employment rate
57.8%
Dwelling mix (houses / semi / flats)
47 / 366 / 232

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)
$550
Houses (01/01/26 to 31/03/26)
$700
All types (01/01/26 to 31/03/26)
$590
Rental bonds lodged (01/01/26 to 31/03/26)
25
Median house price (Q1 2026)
$1,290,000
Median price change
+10.3%

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)
65
Against the person
13
Against property
52
Rate per 1,000 residents
36
Person-crime prevalence
About 1 in 139 residents
State safety percentile
51.7th (lower crime is better)
Family & domestic abuse offences
39
Decrease (daily rate)
-13.1%

Reported offences decreased compared with the previous period.

Reported offences by period

Most common offence types

  • Other Property Damage And Environmental15
  • Other Theft10
  • Sct - Residence5
  • Serious Assault Not Resulting In Injury8
  • Theft From Motor Vehicle7

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 (2 schools)
1,102
  • Marryatville Primary SchoolPrimary · ICSEA 1127
  • Mary MacKillop CollegeSecondary · ICSEA 1077
  • McKellar Stewart Kindergarten17A Regent PlacePreschools

Contributes to desirability score · Education (15%)

School and preschool counts, median school ICSEA

Data sources & freshness

Public transport

8 public transport stops in this suburb

  • Stop 11 The Parade - South side
  • Stop 12 The Parade - South side
  • Stop 8 Portrush Rd - East side
  • Stop 9 Kensington Rd - North side
  • Stop 9 Portrush Rd / Phillips St - East side

Contributes to desirability score · Accessibility (15%)

Public transport stop coverage

Data sources & freshness

Planning & development

Development applications from PlanSA register (lodged 2020–2026) and EPA licensed activities.

127 planning-related records

2026· 16 proposals

  • June 2026

  • Variation to Development Application 24029273 (which constituted dwelling alterations & additions (including partial demolition), demolition of outbuilding and carport, construction of new carport and outbuilding), to move the proposed outbuilding to the opposite side of the site
    2 HUGHES AV KENSINGTON SA 5068Under Assessment
  • operable roof verandah
    4 SALTER ST KENSINGTON SA 5068Under Assessment
  • carport
    UNIT 1 223 KENSINGTON RD KENSINGTON SA 5068Under Assessment

  • May 2026

  • Variation to Development Application 25016922 comprising a reduction in the garage setback and the addition of a sunshade to the Hill St elevation
    2 BRIDGE ST KENSINGTON SA 5068Under Assessment
  • Remove front and dividing fencing and install front fencing in steel frame and with picket fencing at 1.5 and dividing fencing between properties on 21 and 21a bridge street kensinton remove front canopies on 21 and 21a bridge street kesington and render and texture coating to the front Dwellings on 21 and 21a bridge street Kesington
    21 BRIDGE ST KENSINGTON SA 5068Under Assessment
  • Building alterations - Replace balcony AAC flooring with Hardie - Scyon sheeting, with the addition of additional timber and steel supports
    UNIT 1 6 HILL ST KENSINGTON SA 5068;UNIT 2 6 HILL ST KENSINGTON SA 5068;UNIT 3 6 HILL ST KENSINGTON SA 5068;UNIT 4 6 HILL ST KENSINGTON SA 5068;UNIT 5 6 HILL ST KENSINGTON SA 5068;UNIT 6 6 HILL ST KENSINGTON SA 5068;UNIT 7 6 HILL ST KENSINGTON SA 5068Decision Made

  • April 2026

  • Re-paint Local Heritage Place
    23 REGENT ST KENSINGTON SA 5068Decision Made
  • Torrens Title Land Division (2 into 2) - formalise existing arrangement with party wall rights
    21 BRIDGE ST KENSINGTON SA 5068;21A BRIDGE ST KENSINGTON SA 5068Decision Made
  • Installation of stand alone portable above ground swim spa to be located at rear of the property.
    49 MAESBURY ST KENSINGTON SA 5068Decision Made
  • Change of use to office within existing dwelling
    306 THE PARADE KENSINGTON SA 5068Decision Made
  • Conversion of existing Strata Title into Community Title (2 into 2)
    19 bridge st;UNIT 1 19 BRIDGE ST KENSINGTON SA 5068;UNIT 2 19A BRIDGE ST KENSINGTON SA 5068Decision Made
  • Extension to existing residence & replacement garage
    308 THE PARADE KENSINGTON SA 5068Under Assessment

  • March 2026

  • Shed
    22 BRIDGE ST KENSINGTON SA 5068Decision Made
  • Louvre verandah and pergola
    24 MAESBURY ST KENSINGTON SA 5068Decision Made

  • January 2026

  • Demolition of existing dwelling and construction of a two-storey detached dwelling
    43A BRIDGE ST KENSINGTON SA 5068Under Assessment
  • Single-storey detached dwelling
    300 PORTRUSH RD KENSINGTON SA 5068Decision Made
2025· 17 proposals

  • December 2025

  • Pergola & part verandah
    UNIT 2 17 BISHOPS PL KENSINGTON SA 5068Decision Made

  • November 2025

  • Partial change of use involving conversion of existing takeaway coffee shop to tanning studio (personal services establishment)
    324 THE PARADE KENSINGTON SA 5068Decision Made
  • Removal of a Regulated Tree (River Red Gum) within Trenorden Reserve
    LOT 2 MAESBURY ST KENSINGTON SA 5068;Trenordan ReserveDecision Made

  • October 2025

  • outbuilding (shed)
    51 REGENT ST KENSINGTON SA 5068Decision Made
  • replacement of an outbuilding (shed)
    320 THE PARADE KENSINGTON SA 5068Under Assessment

  • September 2025

  • single storey dwelling addition
    22 BRIDGE ST KENSINGTON SA 5068Decision Made

  • August 2025

  • 1.8m high side boundary fence
    27A REGENT ST KENSINGTON SA 5068Decision Made
  • Office Tenancy Split – Carnegie Property
    17 PHILLIPS ST KENSINGTON SA 5068Decision Made

  • July 2025

  • Two-storey alterations and additions to existing dwelling (Representative Building) with new fencing on both street frontages, including partial demolition of existing dwelling and demolition of ancillary structures
    2 BRIDGE ST KENSINGTON SA 5068Under Assessment

  • May 2025

  • Louvered roof verandah
    43 HIGH ST KENSINGTON SA 5068Decision Made

  • April 2025

  • Torrens Title Land Division creation one (1) additional allotment - 1 into 2 - in a hammerhead configuration
    13 BRIDGE ST KENSINGTON SA 5068Decision Made
  • Verandah
    22 BRIDGE ST KENSINGTON SA 5068Decision Made
  • Outbuilding
    7 PHILLIPS ST KENSINGTON SA 5068Decision Made

  • March 2025

  • Building alterations
    UNIT 1 62 MAESBURY ST KENSINGTON SA 5068Decision Made
  • Swimming pool with surrounding deck and associated safety features
    53 THORNTON ST KENSINGTON SA 5068Decision Made

  • February 2025

  • Dwelling alterations
    UNIT 1 21 SHIPSTERS RD KENSINGTON SA 5068Decision Made
  • Demolition of a dwelling (Local Heritage Place)
    69 HIGH ST KENSINGTON SA 5068Decision Made
2024· 7 proposals

  • December 2024

  • Construction of a dwelling addition and outbuilding (garage) with associated internal alterations and fencing, and removal of a regulated tree
    8 WELLINGTON ST KENSINGTON SA 5068Under Assessment
  • Verandah
    48 MAESBURY ST KENSINGTON SA 5068Decision Made
  • alterations to an outbuilding
    16 THORNTON ST KENSINGTON SA 5068Decision Made
  • Replacement pylon sign, with alterations to existing canopy signage
    294 THE PARADE KENSINGTON SA 5068Decision Made

  • November 2024

  • Climbing frame structure
    UNIT 2 17 BISHOPS PL KENSINGTON SA 5068Under Assessment
  • Installation of new windows in existing facade and new lantern roof over existing dining
    23 REGENT ST KENSINGTON SA 5068Decision Made
  • Verandah over Council footpath
    56 THORNTON ST KENSINGTON SA 5068Decision Made

Contributes to desirability score · Future Growth (7%)

Development and planning activity

Data sources & freshness

Amenities

27 nearby amenities within ~1.5 km

  • Bbq
  • Bench (3)
  • Bicycle Parking (2)
  • Stop 11 The Parade - South sideBus stop
  • Stop 12 The Parade - South sideBus stop
  • Stop 13 The Parade - South sideBus stop
  • Stop 7 Kensington Road - North sideBus stop
  • Stop 8 Kensington Road - North sideBus stop
  • Stop 8 Portrush Road - East sideBus stop
  • Stop 9 Kensington Road - North 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)
7/10
IRSD decile (2021)
5/10

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

Heritage

319 state heritage places

  • Heritage placeState heritage
  • Heritage placeState heritage
  • Heritage placeState heritage
  • Heritage placeState heritage
  • Heritage placeState heritage
  • Heritage placeState heritage
  • Heritage placeState heritage
  • Heritage placeState heritage
  • Heritage placeState heritage
  • Heritage placeState heritage

Data sources & freshness

Childcare

1 childcare service from OpenStreetMap

  • McKellar Stewart Kindergartenkindergarten

Contributes to desirability score · Education (15%)

Childcare centre count

Data sources & freshness

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

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
42.9/100
National rank
2730th in Australia
State rank
264th in SA
Peer rank
#12 among Coastal & beach · Emerging suburbs
Cohort rank
#47 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 Environmentalcrime15
  • Other Theftcrime10
  • Sct - Residencecrime5
  • Serious Assault Not Resulting In Injurycrime8
  • Theft From Motor Vehiclecrime7
  • McKellar Stewart Kindergartenchildcarekindergarten
  • Heritage placeheritageState heritage
  • Heritage placeheritageState heritage
  • Heritage placeheritageState heritage
  • Heritage placeheritageState heritage

Data sources & freshness

Similar suburbs

Suburbs with a similar population, SEIFA decile and location.