Suburb profile · ABS Census 2021
Northern Heights suburb profile
Northern Heights, SA · Postcode 5253
This Northern Heights suburb profile summarises official Australian Bureau of Statistics Census 2021 data for Northern Heights, SA (postcode 5253). Use it as a free suburb report covering population, median rent, household income, age, housing tenure and employment, plus how those figures changed since Census 2016— then compare Northern Heights with nearby suburbs.
Northern Heights at a glance
Population
305
Median rent
$240/wk
Household income
$1,384/wk
Median age
42
Northern Heights trends (2016 → 2021)
Change since the previous Census. Historical figures are mapped from State Suburbs (SSC) to today's suburb boundaries.
Population
Census 2011 → 2016 → 2021
+5.2% over 10 years
Population
305
was 269 in 2016
+36 · +13.4%
Median rent
$240/wk
was $220/wk in 2016
+$20 · +9.1%
Household income
$1,384/wk
was $1,021/wk in 2016
+$363 · +35.6%
Median age
42
was 48 in 2016
-6 · -12.5%
Dig deeper: Northern Heights population growth · Northern Heights then and now
Northern Heights vs nearby & SA
Median Census 2021 figures for Northern Heights, nearby suburbs (8), and the SA state median (suburbs with 1,000+ people).
Rent
-25% vs area
- Northern Heights$240/wk
- Nearby$272.5/wk
- SA$320/wk
Household income
-11.2% vs area
- Northern Heights$1,384/wk
- Nearby$1,427/wk
- SA$1,559/wk
Median age
+2.4% vs area
- Northern Heights42
- Nearby42
- SA41
Personal income
-9.6% vs area
- Northern Heights$706/wk
- Nearby$700/wk
- SA$781/wk
Nearby uses the same postcode first, then larger suburbs in SA.
Socio-economic profile
How Northern Heights compares to other Australian suburbs on income, education and occupation — from official ABS SEIFA 2021 data.
Northern Heights ranks among Australia's most disadvantaged suburbs. It shows limited economic resources and lower education and occupation levels.
Relative disadvantage (IRSD)
Decile 2943.1
Lower score / decile = more relative disadvantage
Advantage & disadvantage (IRSAD)
Decile 1874
Higher score / decile = more relative advantage
Economic resources (IER)
Decile 3975
Access to economic resources (income, housing)
Education & occupation (IEO)
Decile 1834.7
Education and occupational skill levels
Source: ABS SEIFA 2021. See methodology.
Northern Heights on the map
OpenStreetMap outline for Northern Heights, SA.
Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors. Boundary matching is approximate.
Northern Heights people
- Population
- 305
- Median age
- 42
- Born overseas
- 7.2%
- Average household size
- 2.4
Total usual residents (Census 2021)
Median age of residents in years
Percentage born outside Australia
Average number of people per household
Northern Heights income
- Median household income
- $1,384/wk
- Median personal income
- $706/wk
Median total weekly household income
Median total weekly personal income
Northern Heights housing
- Median rent
- $240/wk
- Median mortgage repayment
- $1,174/mo
- Separate houses
- 93.3%
- Flats & apartments
- 0%
- Owned outright
- 27.5%
- Mortgaged
- 42.5%
- Rented
- 20.8%
- Unoccupied dwellings
- 5.8%
Median weekly rent for rented dwellings
Median monthly mortgage repayment
Percentage of dwellings that are separate houses
Percentage of dwellings that are flats or apartments
Percentage of dwellings owned without a mortgage
Percentage of dwellings with a mortgage
Percentage of dwellings rented
Percentage of private dwellings unoccupied on Census night
Northern Heights work
- Employment to population
- 52%
- Unemployment rate
- 6.6%
- Year 12 or above
- 36.6%
Employed persons as a percentage of population aged 15+
Unemployed persons as a percentage of the labour force
Percentage with Year 12 or equivalent as highest school level
Nearby suburb profiles (near 5253)
Compare Northern Heights with nearby suburbs
Northern Heights in numbers
Northern Heights had 305 residents at the 2021 Census. The median age is 42, close to the typical SA suburb. The average household has 2.4 people. 7.2% of residents were born overseas.
Among occupied homes, 27.5% own their home outright, 42.5% are paying a mortgage, 20.8% rent. Separate houses make up 93.3% of dwellings, with 0% in flats or apartments. Median rent was $240/wk, 23% below the typical SA suburb.
Median household income was $1,384/wk, 9% below the typical SA suburb. On the ABS SEIFA index of relative socio-economic disadvantage it sits in decile 2 nationally (1 is most disadvantaged, 10 least).
Between the 2016 and 2021 Censuses the population grew 13.4% (from 269 to 305). Median rent moved from $220/wk to $240/wk (+9.1%).
Northern Heights suburb FAQs
- What is the median rent in Northern Heights, SA?
- The median weekly rent in Northern Heights was $240/wk at the 2021 Census (ABS).
- How many people live in Northern Heights, SA?
- Northern Heights had 305 residents at the 2021 Census, up 13.4% from 2016.
- What is the median household income in Northern Heights?
- Median household income in Northern Heights was $1,384/wk at the 2021 Census.
- Do most people rent or own in Northern Heights?
- 20.8% of occupied homes in Northern Heights were rented, 27.5% were owned outright and 42.5% were owned with a mortgage.
About this Northern Heights suburb profile
Figures are from the ABS Census of Population and Housing 2021 (General Community Profile) for the Suburbs and Localities boundary matching Northern Heights. Where shown, 2016 values come from the 2016 State Suburbs (SSC) profile, linked via ABS geographic correspondence — boundaries are not always identical. Medians may be suppressed for very small areas. This is not financial or relocation advice — use it alongside current market data.
Source: ABS Census 2021. Methodology