suburb.guide

SA · Mount Remarkable Council

Melrose, 5483

Current weather

10.5°CLight drizzle

96% humidity · 20.7 km/h wind · 13.4° / 7.9° today · 3.4 mm rain

Updated

Desirability score

31.2/100
Below average

501st in SA

85% data confidence

How this score is calculated
  • Heritage area
  • Green suburb
  • River access
  • Education hub
  • High desirability
What Melrose is known for: Heritage area, Green suburb, River access, Education hub, High desirability

Suburb profile

In Mount Remarkable, Melrose keeps a rural calm, a smaller community with room to breathe and a strong local rhythm. Out in the wider region, it rewards those who value open country and a pace set by the land, not the clock. Tree-lined streets and leafy pockets give the suburb a noticeably green, settled character.

An older demographic makes it especially popular with retirees, with families and grandchildren still a visible part of community life. The pace is unhurried, with local businesses and community spots doing the heavy lifting. Green space is a real strength, with parks and playgrounds woven through the suburb.

The area offers approachable housing costs alongside a lifestyle that still feels complete. 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 housing affordability lag similar regional towns, despite relative strength in safety and parks and green space. Limited access to some essential local services also trimmed the result.

Population

Population
342
Median age
48
Median household income / week
$1,416
Dwelling vacancy
24%
Unoccupied private dwellings
40 of 167
Median monthly mortgage
$1,230
Employment rate
59.4%
Dwelling mix (houses / semi / flats)
10 / 0 / 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)
$350

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)
2
Against the person
1
Against property
1
Rate per 1,000 residents
5.8
Person-crime prevalence
About 1 in 342 residents
State safety percentile
1.8th (lower crime is better)
Decrease (daily rate)
-71.4%

Reported offences decreased compared with the previous period.

Reported offences by period

Most common offence types

  • Other Unlawful Entry With Intent1
  • Threatening Behaviour1

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
1,014
  • Melrose Playcentre29 Stuart StreetPlaycentres
  • Melrose Primary SchoolPrimary · ICSEA 1014

Contributes to desirability score · Education (15%)

School and preschool counts, median school ICSEA

Data sources & freshness

Public transport

1 public transport stops in this suburb

  • Nott St / Horrocks Hwy - North side (Public Toilets Melrose)

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.

65 planning-related records

2026· 6 proposals

  • May 2026

  • Build a residential home at 27 Mount Street Melrose 5483. Two story main building with an interconnection to a garage and ground floor bedroom.
    27 MOUNT ST MELROSE SA 5483Under Assessment

  • April 2026

  • Proposed development comprises the construction of a detached single-storey two-bedroom kit home with a gross floor area of 63.44m², including an associated external deck for private residential use. The dwelling will be constructed as an owner-builder project. The development will include connection to a septic system and the installation of two water tanks, with provision for a third water tank in the future if required. Mains electricity connection is not proposed at this stage; however, futu
    4 GILES ST MELROSE SA 5483Under Assessment

  • March 2026

  • 9m X 7m three bay shed with 3.5m garaport
    LOT 54 HORROCKS HWY MELROSE SA 5483Decision Made

  • February 2026

  • Change of use of existing building to a restaurant with associated car parking.
    9 -11 LAMBERT ST MELROSE SA 5483Decision Made

  • January 2026

  • Detached bathroom to the rear of the existing detached dwelling and connection to the existing septic tank and sullage tank.
    6 -8 LAMBERT ST MELROSE SA 5483Under Assessment
  • We plan to build a 15 m by 30 m shed with wet weather road base material around it. We have chosen the location because it is next to existing farm yard and infrastructure. The location will take up minimal cropping land.
    760 CAREY RD MELROSE SA 5483Decision Made
2025· 9 proposals

  • December 2025

  • I propose to install a new shed as the old one is to small and cant fit my vehicle inside
    23 MOUNT ST MELROSE SA 5483Under Assessment
  • Dwelling
    25 MOUNT ST MELROSE SA 5483Decision Made
  • Construction of a free-standing Pergola located at the rear of existing Dwelling. Dimensions - (L) 9m x (W) 5m x (H) 3m eave Colorbond roof
    9 -11 MOORHOUSE ST MELROSE SA 5483Decision Made

  • November 2025

  • Building a hay/fodder shed 12.7m x 7m x 3.6m Currently an old shed in place however we want to move the location of the new shed approximately 20m away from large gum trees.
    LOT 365 SURVEY RD MELROSE SA 5483Decision Made
  • Construct 4 bed brick veneer dwelling and associated steel frame alfresco and verandah areas.
    44 WHITBY ST MELROSE SA 5483Decision Made

  • October 2025

  • I seek approval to site my 20foot sea container on the premises, as agreed with the owner. The container will be used to store my personal household belongings. There will be no dangerous goods in the container. I purchased the container about 11 years ago from SCF Containers, Adelaide. They modified the container to include a rotating roof ventilator adding approximately 350mm to the overall height, so the overall dimensions are 6.1m long by 2.44m wide by 2.93m high. The container is not a cert
    38 STUART ST MELROSE SA 5483Decision Made
  • Repairs required due to Termite damage to an internal timber stud wall and timber lined ceiling and associated second fix timber work in the main bedroom and entrance hallway of the Caretakers Residence located at the Melrose Heritage Museum.
    13 STUART ST MELROSE SA 5483Decision Made

  • March 2025

  • Division of land into two allotments, one to contain the existing house and one to comprise vacant land
    25 NOTT ST MELROSE SA 5483Decision Made

  • February 2025

  • Division of the land into two allotments. One allotment is to contain the existing house and shed and the second allotment is to be suitable for future residential use.
    44 WHITBY ST MELROSE SA 5483Decision Made
2024· 5 proposals

  • September 2024

  • Construct timber frame dwelling and associated retaining walls
    12 MOORHOUSE ST MELROSE SA 5483Decision Made

  • August 2024

  • Create an additional allotment
    183 BROOKLYN RD MELROSE SA 5483;421 BROOKLYN RD MELROSE SA 5483;440 ROSSLYN RD MELROSE SA 5483Decision Made

  • July 2024

  • 4 new Transportable Cabins
    8 JOES RD MELROSE SA 5483Under Assessment

  • March 2024

  • Re-roof of existing dwelling
    93 DEER PARK RD MELROSE SA 5483Decision Made
  • DOMESTIC GABLE SHED
    15 NOTT ST MELROSE SA 5483Decision Made
2023· 8 proposals

  • December 2023

  • 40m x 21mx 7m Implement shed.
    507 REICHSTEIN RD MELROSE SA 5483Decision Made

  • October 2023

  • Demolition of part existing structure where walls and chimney have collapsed Demolition of existing verandah, Renovation of existing structure, Addition to existing structure,
    45 NOTT ST MELROSE SA 5483Decision Made

  • September 2023

  • Seeking to add two self contained units to the site.
    28-30 WHITBY ST MELROSE SA 5483Decision Made

  • August 2023

  • Northern addition to the brewery tower to contain a lounge/dining room, kitchen and toilets.
    9-11 LAMBERT ST MELROSE SA 5483Decision Made

  • July 2023

  • Verandah
    4-6 CHURCH ST MELROSE SA 5483Decision Made

  • May 2023

  • I wish to level the area and construct a shed measuring 6 x 9 metres on the rear of the block.
    36 STUART ST MELROSE SA 5483Decision Made

  • March 2023

  • 13484 - 1 into 3 Community Division
    28-30 WHITBY ST MELROSE SA 5483Decision Made
  • Hay Shed
    628 GIRDHAM RD MELROSE SA 5483Decision Made
2022· 12 proposals

  • November 2022

  • Installation of 20 foot shipping container for storage of water and equipment storage To be installed adjacent to existing shed.
    20 NOTT ST MELROSE SA 5483Decision Made

  • October 2022

  • Above ground pool.
    14 NOTT ST MELROSE SA 5483Decision Made

  • September 2022

  • Widespan American Barn style kit shed, concrete floor, 11m wide x 15m length, corrogated colourbond (coradeck).
    347 ARTHUR RD MELROSE SA 5483Decision Made

  • August 2022

  • This application is to change the "Property Use" status from Short Term Accommodation to a Residential Detached Dwelling. I live on-site and will be using the property as my primary residential residence and address.
    22-24 STUART ST MELROSE SA 5483Under Assessment
  • Construct 4 bedroom timber frame dwelling.
    74 CAREY RD MELROSE SA 5483Decision Made

  • July 2022

  • Shed
    553 GIRDHAM RD MELROSE SA 5483Decision Made

  • June 2022

  • Olympic Industries New 2 Bay Car shed (15240 Length 7778 Width and 3658 Height) for parking of cars next to our new house which is in the construction phase with River Gum Homes
    22471 HORROCKS HWY MELROSE SA 5483Decision Made

  • May 2022

  • Construction of new shearing shed to replace irreparable old shearing shed within 50 metres of original site at nearest suitable building site reason for movement is to move away from existing trees
    LOT 252 HILLS TRK MELROSE SA 5483Decision Made

  • April 2022

  • Domestic Storage Shed
    4 WHITBY ST MELROSE SA 5483Decision Made

  • March 2022

  • Fibreglass Swimming Pool
    87 SANDERS RD MELROSE SA 5483Decision Made
  • One allotment into two
    25 WHITBY ST MELROSE SA 5483Decision Made
  • There are three aspects to this application: 1. Reroof lean-to 2. New deck 3. New concrete floor
    9-11 LAMBERT ST MELROSE SA 5483Decision Made

Contributes to desirability score · Future Growth (7%)

Development and planning activity

Data sources & freshness

Amenities

7 nearby amenities within ~1.5 km

  • Public toilets
  • Sanitary Dump Station (2)
  • Shower (3)
  • Sports field

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)
6/10
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

Heritage

15 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

Hazards

Bushfire planning zone
Overlay applies
Bushfire safer places
1

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)
14
Parks (OSM)
4

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
31.2/100 — Below average
National rank
5015th in Australia
State rank
501st in SA
Peer rank
#76 among Country & regional · Mature suburbs
Cohort rank
#146 among Country & regional suburbs
Data confidence
85%

Data sources & freshness

  • Suburb Guide desirability index — Suburb Guide (derived score) · Period: current · Updated on site · Derived from source metrics

Recent changes

  • Other Unlawful Entry With Intentcrime1
  • Threatening Behaviourcrime1
  • Heritage placeheritageState heritage
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  • Heritage placeheritageState heritage
  • Heritage placeheritageState heritage
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  • Heritage placeheritageState heritage

Data sources & freshness

More in Mount Remarkable Council

Other suburbs in the same local government area.

Comparable suburbs

Similar population and socio-economic profile in other parts of South Australia.