SA · Alexandrina Council
Middleton, 5213
Current weather
8.6°CLight drizzle
89% humidity · 30.9 km/h wind · 12.3° / 8.2° today · 25.4 mm rain
Updated
Desirability score
- Coastal
- High desirability
- Green suburb
Suburb profile
Life in Middleton revolves around the coast, with the feel of a smaller community that never strays far from the water. Sea and sand are the main draw, with neighbouring coastal communities easy to explore on a free afternoon. Sea breezes and coastal air are part of everyday life, especially on warmer evenings.
Retirees and empty-nesters are well represented here, with families and grandchildren still a visible part of community life. Housing carries a premium, but residents tend to feel the lifestyle justifies the commitment.
A busy pipeline of new development is gradually changing the look and feel of the streets.
The desirability score is below average, weighed down by weaker local dining and lifestyle amenities and housing affordability against similar coastal suburbs, even with growth momentum holding up better. Limited access to some essential local services also trimmed the result.
Population
- Population
- 1,298
- Median age
- 49
- Median household income / week
- $1,330
- Dwelling vacancy
- 58.2%
- Unoccupied private dwellings
- 723 of 1,243
- Median monthly mortgage
- $1,300
- Employment rate
- 54.3%
- Dwelling mix (houses / semi / flats)
- 44 / 7 / 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)
- $555
- Rental bonds lodged (01/01/26 to 31/03/26)
- 10
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)
- 42
- Against the person
- 7
- Against property
- 35
- Rate per 1,000 residents
- 32.4
- Person-crime prevalence
- About 1 in 185 residents
- State safety percentile
- 47.1th (lower crime is better)
- Family & domestic abuse offences
- 6
- Increase (daily rate)
- +20.3%
Reported offences increased compared with the previous period.
Reported offences by period
Most common offence types
- Other Property Damage And Environmental7
- Other Theft9
- Other Unlawful Entry With Intent5
- Sct - Non Residence5
- Serious Assault Not Resulting In Injury5
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
2 public transport stops in this suburb
- Stop 12 Goolwa Rd - South East side (Middleton General Store)
- Stop 12 Goolwa Rd / William St - North West side (Middleton)
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.
396 planning-related records
2026· 34 proposals
June 2026
- Construction of a two-storey detached dwelling including alterations to the existing garage and construction of a retaining wall17 SEAVIEW AV MIDDLETON SA 5213Under Assessment
- Construction of an outbuilding42 HERO AV MIDDLETON SA 5213Under Assessment
- Construction of an outbuilding (garage) with associated verandah and decking, with a verandah attached to the existing dwelling.18 SEAVIEW AV MIDDLETON SA 5213Under Assessment
- Construction of a two storey detached dwelling4 CHAPMAN RD MIDDLETON SA 5213Under Assessment
- Single storey dwelling extension20 NEWELL AV MIDDLETON SA 5213Under Assessment
May 2026
- Construction of a single storey detached dwelling with garage, detached outbuilding (studio), partial conversion of existing shed to ancillary accommodation with associated storage, studio and deck.28 WILLIAM ST MIDDLETON SA 5213Under Assessment
- Installation of a swimming pool and associated swimming pool safety features107 KELTYS RD MIDDLETON SA 5213Decision Made
- Verandah12 HAYNES RD MIDDLETON SA 5213Decision Made
- Construction of a single storey detached dwelling with deck and freestanding verandahLOT 171 LINES RD MIDDLETON SA 5213Under Assessment
- Installation of an above-ground spa pool and associated safety features518 GLENFORD GULLY RD MIDDLETON SA 5213Decision Made
April 2026
- Construction of an outbuilding (garage) to replace existing2 HEWETT ST MIDDLETON SA 5213Under Assessment
- Outbuilding - Shipping Container Domestic Storage7 MIAMI BVD MIDDLETON SA 5213Decision Made
- Construction of a split level, single storey detached dwelling64 OCEAN PDE MIDDLETON SA 5213Under Assessment
- Dwelling alteration and additions -new balcony and alteration to dwelling roof2 HEWETT ST MIDDLETON SA 5213Decision Made
- Construction of an outbuilding (shed) and carport107 KELTYS RD MIDDLETON SA 5213Under Assessment
- Outbuilding (garage)12 HAYNES RD MIDDLETON SA 5213Decision Made
- Verandah26 MORRISON AV MIDDLETON SA 5213Decision Made
March 2026
- Construction of Outbuilding - garage and associated arbour and landscaping15 SEAVIEW AV MIDDLETON SA 5213Decision Made
- Swimming Pool & Safety Barrier44 -46 PADMAN CR MIDDLETON SA 5213Decision Made
- Construction of a two-storey detached dwelling and associated retaining walls9 PADMAN CR MIDDLETON SA 5213Under Assessment
- Tourist accommodation (trailer-based)103 OLD TELEGRAPH RD W MIDDLETON SA 5213Under Assessment
- Construction of an outbuilding (cladded shipping container) for domestic storage130 SURFERS PDE MIDDLETON SA 5213Decision Made
- Construction of an outbuilding (garage)10 HAYNES RD MIDDLETON SA 5213Decision Made
- Two storey dwelling alterations and additions1 MIAMI BVD MIDDLETON SA 5213Under Assessment
February 2026
- Two storey dwelling alterations and additions37 NEWELL AV MIDDLETON SA 5213Under Assessment
- Dwelling addition comprising balcony and verandah2 TONGAN WAY MIDDLETON SA 5213Decision Made
- Construction of three (3) verandahs and internal building alterations31 ENCOUNTER CR MIDDLETON SA 5213Decision Made
- Replace existing balcony and stairs with new208 SURFERS PDE MIDDLETON SA 5213Decision Made
- Two storey detached dwelling7 DAY AV MIDDLETON SA 5213Under Assessment
- Construction of a verandah14 HAYNES RD MIDDLETON SA 5213Decision Made
- Partial demolition and reconstruction of an existing carport with associated building alterations1 HARGREAVES RD MIDDLETON SA 5213Decision Made
January 2026
- Construction of a second-storey dwelling addition8 PADMAN CR MIDDLETON SA 5213Under Assessment
- Construction of a verandah (partially enclosed)14 MORRISON AV MIDDLETON SA 5213Under Assessment
- Dwelling addition - balcony extension106 MORRISON AV MIDDLETON SA 5213Decision Made
2025· 6 proposals
December 2025
- Variation to DA 25005376 - Construction of four (4) additional tourist accommodation cabins (total eight (8) cabins) including associated infrastructure and landscapingLOT 7 GLENFORD GULLY RD MIDDLETON SA 5213Under Assessment
- Construction of a two-storey detached dwelling41 HARGREAVES RD MIDDLETON SA 5213Decision Made
- Variation of Development Application 23031142 (boundary realignment 2 into 2 lots)2 SURF ST MIDDLETON SA 5213;46 OCEAN PDE MIDDLETON SA 5213Decision Made
November 2025
- Storage building in association with existing service trade premises.1118A PORT ELLIOT RD MIDDLETON SA 5213Under Assessment
- Construction of a verandah1 CHIBNALL RD MIDDLETON SA 5213Decision Made
- Single Storey Detached Dwelling477 KESSELL RD MIDDLETON SA 5213Decision 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
1 nearby amenities within ~1.5 km
- 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)
- 7/10
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
4 state heritage places
- Heritage placeState heritage
- Heritage placeState heritage
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 20.4/100 — Below average
- National rank
- 6529th in Australia
- State rank
- 660th in SA
- Peer rank
- #53 among Coastal & beach · Mature suburbs
- Cohort rank
- #72 among Coastal & beach suburbs
- Data confidence
- 70%
Data sources & freshness
- Suburb Guide desirability index — Suburb Guide (derived score) · Period: current · Updated on site · Derived from source metrics
Recent changes
- Sports fieldamenitiespitch
- Other Property Damage And Environmentalcrime7
- Other Theftcrime9
- Other Unlawful Entry With Intentcrime5
- Sct - Non Residencecrime5
- Serious Assault Not Resulting In Injurycrime5
- Heritage placeheritageState heritage
- Heritage placeheritageState heritage
- Heritage placeheritageState heritage
- Heritage placeheritageState heritage
Data sources & freshness
- OpenStreetMap amenities — OpenStreetMap contributors · Updated on site · Weekly refresh
- SA Heritage Places database — Department for Environment and Water (SA) · Updated on site
- SAPOL reported crime statistics — South Australia Police — OpenData · Updated on site · Financial-year releases
More in Alexandrina Council
Other suburbs in the same local government area.
Comparable suburbs
Similar population and socio-economic profile in other parts of South Australia.