suburb.guide

SA · Charles Sturt Council

West Lakes, SA, 5021

Current weather

12.6°CThunderstorm

78% humidity · 29.9 km/h wind · 13.8° / 11.8° today · 27.7 mm rain

Desirability index

53.7/100

#153 among Metro Adelaide suburbs

How this score is calculated

Suburb snapshot

West Lakes is a smaller suburban community in the Charles Sturt area, home to around 6,768 residents (2021 Census). Recent indicators show reported crime totals of around 660 offences in 2024–25 (Jul–Jun), roughly 97.5 offences per 1,000 residents, median weekly rent around $692 (flats $600, houses $700), median house prices near $1,667,500 (up 21% recently), 1 school and preschool site in the area, strong public transport coverage with many Adelaide Metro stops, a higher concentration of local shops, services, and recreation amenities, and notable planning and development activity on record. Use the sections below for detailed population, safety, schools, and local activity data.

Population

Population
6,768
Median age
54
Median household income / week
$1,548
Dwelling vacancy
7.1%
Unoccupied private dwellings
225 of 3,162
Median monthly mortgage
$1,788
Employment rate
51.2%
Dwelling mix (houses / semi / flats)
167 / 957 / 275

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)
$600
Houses (01/01/26 to 31/03/26)
$700
All types (01/01/26 to 31/03/26)
$692.5
Rental bonds lodged (01/01/26 to 31/03/26)
35
Median house price (Q1 2026)
$1,667,500
Median price change
+21.1%

Median weekly rent from SA Housing Authority rental bond data. Figures can be unreliable where few bonds were lodged in the quarter.

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)
660
Against the person
75
Against property
585
Rate per 1,000 residents
97.5
Person-crime prevalence
About 1 in 90 residents
State safety percentile
84.7th (lower crime is better)
Family & domestic abuse offences
57
Year-on-year change
0%

Most common offence types

  • Obtain Benefit By Deception37
  • Other Property Damage And Environmental77
  • Other Theft108
  • Theft From Motor Vehicle43
  • Theft From Shop223

Data sources & freshness

  • SAPOL reported crime statistics — South Australia Police — OpenData · Period: 2024-25; 2024-25 → 2024-25 · Updated on site · Financial-year releases

Schools & preschools

Schools & preschools
1
  • West Lakes Kindergarten & Early Childhood Centre294 Sportsmans DrivePreschools

Data sources & freshness

  • Government education sites register — Government of South Australia · Period: current · Updated on site · Static register

Public transport

44 public transport stops in this suburb

  • Stop 32C Sportsmans Dr - East side
  • Stop 32C Sportsmans Dr - West side
  • Stop 33C West Lakes Blvd - North side
  • West Lakes Interchange Terminus
  • Zone C West Lakes Interchange - East side

Data sources & freshness

Planning & development

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

861 planning-related records

2026· 125 proposals

  • June 2026

  • Internal alterations
    8 COOBA WAY WEST LAKES SA 5021Under Assessment
  • Torrens Title Land Division - 1 allotment into 2.
    26 SAMOA CT WEST LAKES SA 5021Under Assessment
  • Two storey detached dwelling with associated swimming pool
    15 ANTIGUA GR WEST LAKES SA 5021Under Assessment
  • Conventional (Torrens Title) Land Division Creating One (1) Additional Allotments (1 into 2)
    28 MARAMBA AV WEST LAKES SA 5021Under Assessment
  • Redesign golf course holes 1, 9 & 14 which requires tree removal.
    26 LOCHSIDE DR WEST LAKES SA 5021Under Assessment
  • Torrens TItle Land Division - one allotment into two
    24 LOCHSIDE DR WEST LAKES SA 5021Under Assessment
  • Dwelling addition forward of the existing dwelling
    27 MCDONALD GR WEST LAKES SA 5021Under Assessment
  • Swimming pool with associated safety features to be located at the rear of the existing dwelling
    12 LYTHAM PL WEST LAKES SA 5021Under Assessment
  • Torrens title land division creating two allotments from one
    2 HUNTINGDALE AV WEST LAKES SA 5021Under Assessment
  • Torrens Title Land Division - one allotment into two
    17 BEESTON WAY WEST LAKES SA 5021Under Assessment
  • Single storey detached dwelling
    21 GOLDEN WATTLE RD WEST LAKES SA 5021Under Assessment
  • Alterations to an existing Coles tenancy
    111 WEST LAKES BVD WEST LAKES SA 5021Decision Made
  • shopfit for Kids hairdresser
    111 WEST LAKES BVD WEST LAKES SA 5021Decision Made
  • Retail Tenancy Fitout - Tenancy 318-319 (Williams x Trybe)
    111 WEST LAKES BVD WEST LAKES SA 5021Decision Made
  • 20A2427.01998 2 into 53 Land Division ***Open Space to apply, see letter and RESERVE PLAN***
    15 -21 PHILLIPS ST WEST LAKES SA 5021;LOT 1998 BASHEER DR WEST LAKES SA 5021Under Assessment
  • Variation of Development Application 25026799 change of building class - Single storey detached dwelling (supported accommodation)
    139 LOCHSIDE DR WEST LAKES SA 5021Decision Made
  • Swimming pool installation and associated safety barrier to the rear of the existing dwelling
    7 MANITOBA WAY WEST LAKES SA 5021Decision Made
  • Verandah to rear of existing dwelling
    84 LOCHSIDE DR WEST LAKES SA 5021Decision Made

  • May 2026

  • Two storey detached dwelling
    31 GOLDEN WATTLE RD WEST LAKES SA 5021Under Assessment
  • Torrens Title Land Division - one allotment into two
    3 KAMO WAY WEST LAKES SA 5021Under Assessment
  • Two, single storey detached dwellings
    25 SAMOA CT WEST LAKES SA 5021Under Assessment
  • Double Storey Detached Dwelling
    23 GOLDEN WATTLE RD WEST LAKES SA 5021Under Assessment
  • Verandah to the rear of unit 89
    60 -62 CORCORAN DR WEST LAKES SA 5021Under Assessment
  • Removal of one regulated tree on council reserve - (Washingtonia robusta)
    LOT 7 WEST LAKES BVD WEST LAKES SA 5021Decision Made
  • Torrens title land division - one allotment into two
    26 TRINIDAD CT WEST LAKES SA 5021Decision Made
  • Double storey detached dwelling
    45 GOLDEN WATTLE RD WEST LAKES SA 5021Decision Made
  • Double storey detached dwelling
    47 GOLDEN WATTLE RD WEST LAKES SA 5021Decision Made
  • Double storey detached dwelling
    49 GOLDEN WATTLE RD WEST LAKES SA 5021Decision Made
  • Double storey detached dwelling
    51 GOLDEN WATTLE RD WEST LAKES SA 5021Decision Made
  • Double storey detached dwelling
    53 GOLDEN WATTLE RD WEST LAKES SA 5021Decision Made
  • Double storey detached dwelling
    55 GOLDEN WATTLE RD WEST LAKES SA 5021Decision Made
  • Double storey detached dwelling
    57 GOLDEN WATTLE RD WEST LAKES SA 5021Decision Made
  • Double storey detached dwelling
    59 GOLDEN WATTLE RD WEST LAKES SA 5021Decision Made
  • Double storey detached dwelling
    61 GOLDEN WATTLE RD WEST LAKES SA 5021Decision Made
  • 20A2427.PCCHA - Primary Community Strata to create one additional allotment
    7 CHARLES ST WEST LAKES SA 5021Under Assessment
  • 20A2427.PCTDE : Primary Community Strata 1 into 2
    20 -30 CHARLES ST WEST LAKES SA 5021Under Assessment
  • 20A2427.SCCRS- Secondary Community Strata to create 60 residential lots on lot 1502 in DA 26015713
    20 -30 CHARLES ST WEST LAKES SA 5021Under Assessment
  • 20A2427.SCCRT- Secondary Community Strata to create 2 retail lots on lot 1501 in primary DA 26015713
    20 -30 CHARLES ST WEST LAKES SA 5021Under Assessment
  • 20A2427.SCCTD Secondary Community Strata to create one additional commercial allotment on lot 1 in PlanSA application 26015777
    7 CHARLES ST WEST LAKES SA 5021Under Assessment
  • 20A2427.SCRTD - Secondary Community Strata to create 18 residential allotments on lot 2 in Primary plan 26015777
    7 CHARLES ST WEST LAKES SA 5021Under Assessment
2025· 210 proposals

210 proposals lodged in 2025. Individual listings are kept for the most recent proposals.

2024· 142 proposals

142 proposals lodged in 2024. Individual listings are kept for the most recent proposals.

2023· 98 proposals

98 proposals lodged in 2023. Individual listings are kept for the most recent proposals.

2022· 140 proposals

140 proposals lodged in 2022. Individual listings are kept for the most recent proposals.

2021· 142 proposals

142 proposals lodged in 2021. Individual listings are kept for the most recent proposals.

Data sources & freshness

Amenities

161 nearby amenities within ~1.5 km

  • LiquorlandAlcohol
  • Bakers DelightBakery
  • Brumby'sBakery
  • BankSABank
  • Commonwealth BankBank
  • Bbq
  • Laser Clinics AustraliaBeauty salon
  • Bench (41)
  • Lakes Resort Bottle ShopBeverages
  • 99 BikesBicycle

Names and addresses from OpenStreetMap. Unnamed venues show as their type (e.g. Cafe).

Data sources & freshness

  • OpenStreetMap amenities — OpenStreetMap contributors · Period: current · Updated on site · Weekly refresh

Socio-economic (SEIFA)

IRSAD decile (2021)
8/10
IRSD decile (2021)
8/10

SEIFA indexes from ABS 2021. Decile 10 = most advantaged / least disadvantaged in Australia.

Data sources & freshness

Heritage

1 state heritage place

  • Heritage placeState heritage

Data sources & freshness

Childcare

1 childcare service from OpenStreetMap

  • West Lakes KindergartenSportsmans Drivekindergarten

Data sources & freshness

Green cover

Parks & woodland (OSM)
29
Parks (OSM)
29

OpenStreetMap parks and natural woodland features mapped within the suburb boundary.

Data sources & freshness

  • OpenStreetMap green cover features — OpenStreetMap contributors · Period: current · Updated on site · Weekly refresh

Desirability index

Desirability score
53.7/100
Cohort rank
#153 among Metro Adelaide suburbs

Data sources & freshness

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

Recent changes

  • West Lakes KindergartenchildcareSportsmans Drivekindergarten
  • Heritage placeheritageState heritage
  • 20A2427.01998 2 into 53 Land Division ***Open Space to apply, see letter and RESERVE PLAN***planning15 -21 PHILLIPS ST WEST LAKES SA 5021;LOT 1998 BASHEER DR WEST LAKES SA 5021Lodged 08 Jun 2026 · Under Assessment
  • 20A2427.PCCHA - Primary Community Strata to create one additional allotmentplanning7 CHARLES ST WEST LAKES SA 5021Lodged 21 May 2026 · Under Assessment
  • 20A2427.PCTDE : Primary Community Strata 1 into 2planning20 -30 CHARLES ST WEST LAKES SA 5021Lodged 21 May 2026 · Under Assessment
  • 20A2427.SCCRS- Secondary Community Strata to create 60 residential lots on lot 1502 in DA 26015713planning20 -30 CHARLES ST WEST LAKES SA 5021Lodged 21 May 2026 · Under Assessment
  • 20A2427.SCCRT- Secondary Community Strata to create 2 retail lots on lot 1501 in primary DA 26015713planning20 -30 CHARLES ST WEST LAKES SA 5021Lodged 21 May 2026 · Under Assessment
  • 20A2427.SCCTD Secondary Community Strata to create one additional commercial allotment on lot 1 in PlanSA application 26015777planning7 CHARLES ST WEST LAKES SA 5021Lodged 21 May 2026 · Under Assessment
  • 20A2427.SCRTD - Secondary Community Strata to create 18 residential allotments on lot 2 in Primary plan 26015777planning7 CHARLES ST WEST LAKES SA 5021Lodged 21 May 2026 · Under Assessment
  • Alterations to an existing Coles tenancyplanning111 WEST LAKES BVD WEST LAKES SA 5021Lodged 11 Jun 2026 · Decision Made

Data sources & freshness

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