SA · Adelaide Plains Council
Thompson Beach, 5501
Current weather
11.8°CLight drizzle
83% humidity · 25.7 km/h wind · 14.1° / 11° today · 9.4 mm rain
Updated
Desirability score
- Coastal
- Affordable
- Established
- Residential
- Amenities
Suburb profile
Life in Thompson Beach revolves around the coast, with the feel of a smaller community that never strays far from the water. Coastal character runs through daily life, with the wider region offering extra trips and outings when you want them. There is a lightness to the air here, with the coast never far from mind.
An older demographic makes it especially popular with retirees, with multiple generations sharing the same neighbourhood. Housing remains accessible compared with many parts of the state.
Construction and infill projects are noticeably reshaping parts of the area.
The desirability score is below average, weighed down by weaker local dining and lifestyle amenities and community and employment against similar coastal suburbs, even with transport and access holding up better. Limited access to some essential local services also trimmed the result.
Population
- Population
- 219
- Median age
- 52
- Median household income / week
- $1,013
- Dwelling vacancy
- 43.3%
- Unoccupied private dwellings
- 71 of 164
- Median monthly mortgage
- $1,018
- Employment rate
- 39%
- Dwelling mix (houses / semi / flats)
- 14 / 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)
- $650
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)
- 15
- Against the person
- 1
- Against property
- 14
- Rate per 1,000 residents
- 68.5
- Person-crime prevalence
- About 1 in 219 residents
- State safety percentile
- 75.2th (lower crime is better)
- Family & domestic abuse offences
- 88
- Increase (daily rate)
- +88%
Reported offences increased compared with the previous period.
Reported offences by period
Most common offence types
- Obtain Benefit By Deception2
- Other Property Damage And Environmental3
- Other Unlawful Entry With Intent1
- Sct - Residence1
- Theft From Motor Vehicle5
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
Planning & development
Development applications from PlanSA register (lodged 2020–2026) and EPA licensed activities.
68 planning-related records
2026· 8 proposals
June 2026
- Construction of a store17 SHEARWATER WAY THOMPSON BEACH SA 5501Under Assessment
- Retrospective approval for a rumpus room and attached garage12 TEAL CR THOMPSON BEACH SA 5501Under Assessment
May 2026
- Construction of a single storey detached dwelling9 STINT AV THOMPSON BEACH SA 5501Under Assessment
- Construction of an outbuilding28 SHEARWATER WAY THOMPSON BEACH SA 5501Decision Made
- Variation to development application 24042370 construction of a domestic outbuilding to increase wall height.23 SANDPIPER DR THOMPSON BEACH SA 5501Decision Made
- Verandah/carport34 SANDPIPER DR THOMPSON BEACH SA 5501Under Assessment
March 2026
- Verandah fro caravan parking.9 THE ESPLANADE THOMPSON BEACH SA 5501Decision Made
- Construction of an outbuilding123 THE ESPLANADE THOMPSON BEACH SA 5501Under Assessment
2025· 16 proposals
November 2025
- Construction of carport159 THE ESPLANADE THOMPSON BEACH SA 5501Under Assessment
September 2025
- Construction of a detached dwelling and an outbuilding7 GANNET CT THOMPSON BEACH SA 5501Decision Made
- Construction of dwelling additions and alterations4 PRION CT THOMPSON BEACH SA 5501Under Assessment
July 2025
- Construction of a verandah31 SANDPIPER DR THOMPSON BEACH SA 5501Decision Made
- Construction of a single storey detached dwelling27 KESTREL CR THOMPSON BEACH SA 5501Decision Made
- Construction of domestic outbuilding33 KESTREL CR THOMPSON BEACH SA 5501Decision Made
- Construction of a domestic outbuilding incorporating a garage in association with the dwelling27 KESTREL CR THOMPSON BEACH SA 5501Decision Made
June 2025
- Single storey detached dwelling5 SHEARWATER WAY THOMPSON BEACH SA 5501Decision Made
- Construction of a verandah89 THE ESPLANADE THOMPSON BEACH SA 5501Decision Made
May 2025
- Construction of a domestic outbuilding20 PETREL CR THOMPSON BEACH SA 5501Decision Made
April 2025
- Construction of an outbuilding and two verandahs32 KESTREL CR THOMPSON BEACH SA 5501Decision Made
- Placement of a shipping container (outbuilding)28 KESTREL CR THOMPSON BEACH SA 5501Decision Made
March 2025
- Constuction of a verandah87 THE ESPLANADE THOMPSON BEACH SA 5501Decision Made
February 2025
- Construction of a combined carport and garage (Garaport)5 TERN CR THOMPSON BEACH SA 5501Decision Made
January 2025
- Single storey detached dwelling5 TERN CR THOMPSON BEACH SA 5501Decision Made
- Construction of a transportable detached dwelling and an outbuilding23 SANDPIPER DR THOMPSON BEACH SA 5501Decision Made
2024· 8 proposals
December 2024
- Construction of a single storey dwelling20 PETREL CR THOMPSON BEACH SA 5501Decision Made
- Construction of a domestic outbuilding65 THE ESPLANADE THOMPSON BEACH SA 5501Decision Made
November 2024
- Construction of a single storey detached dwelling3 SHEARWATER WAY THOMPSON BEACH SA 5501Decision Made
August 2024
- proposed storage shed (60 square metres floor area)129 THE ESPLANADE THOMPSON BEACH SA 5501Decision Made
June 2024
- Detached Dwelling single storey28 KESTREL CR THOMPSON BEACH SA 5501Decision Made
- Construction of Verandah and Carport4 KESTREL CR THOMPSON BEACH SA 5501Decision Made
March 2024
- Single storey detached dwelling32 KESTREL CR THOMPSON BEACH SA 5501Decision Made
- Construction of single storey detached dwelling28 SHEARWATER WAY THOMPSON BEACH SA 5501Decision Made
2023· 8 proposals
December 2023
- Construction of a double storey detached dwelling.9 PLOVER AV THOMPSON BEACH SA 5501Decision Made
- Construction of a single storey detached dwelling10 SANDPIPER DR THOMPSON BEACH SA 5501Decision Made
November 2023
- Construction of a carport3 HERON CR THOMPSON BEACH SA 5501Decision Made
September 2023
- Construction of a verandah9 THE ESPLANADE THOMPSON BEACH SA 5501Under Assessment
July 2023
- Construction of domestic outbuilding159 THE ESPLANADE THOMPSON BEACH SA 5501Decision Made
- Construction of a dwelling6 GANNET CT THOMPSON BEACH SA 5501Under Assessment
- Construction of an elevated detached dwelling15 KESTREL CR THOMPSON BEACH SA 5501Decision Made
April 2023
- Construction of an outbuilding (shed)65 THE ESPLANADE THOMPSON BEACH SA 5501Decision 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
3 nearby amenities within ~1.5 km
- Public toilets
- Shelter (2)
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)
- 1/10
- IRSD decile (2021)
- 1/10
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
Hazards
- Bushfire planning zone
- Overlay applies
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
Desirability Index
- Desirability score
- 17.1/100 — Below average
- National rank
- 6732nd in Australia
- State rank
- 682nd in SA
- Peer rank
- #56 among Coastal & beach · Mature suburbs
- Cohort rank
- #75 among Coastal & beach suburbs
- Data confidence
- 52%
Data sources & freshness
- Suburb Guide desirability index — Suburb Guide (derived score) · Period: current · Updated on site · Derived from source metrics
Recent changes
- Obtain Benefit By Deceptioncrime2
- Other Property Damage And Environmentalcrime3
- Other Unlawful Entry With Intentcrime1
- Sct - Residencecrime1
- Theft From Motor Vehiclecrime5
- Construction of Verandah and Carportplanning4 KESTREL CR THOMPSON BEACH SA 5501Lodged 07 Jun 2024 · Decision Made
- Construction of a carportplanning3 HERON CR THOMPSON BEACH SA 5501Lodged 30 Nov 2023 · Decision Made
- Construction of a combined carport and garage (Garaport)planning5 TERN CR THOMPSON BEACH SA 5501Lodged 17 Feb 2025 · Decision Made
- Construction of a detached dwelling and an outbuildingplanning7 GANNET CT THOMPSON BEACH SA 5501Lodged 19 Sep 2025 · Decision Made
- Construction of a domestic outbuildingplanning20 PETREL CR THOMPSON BEACH SA 5501Lodged 13 May 2025 · Decision Made
Data sources & freshness
- 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 Adelaide Plains Council
Other suburbs in the same local government area.
Comparable suburbs
Similar population and socio-economic profile in other parts of South Australia.