Suburb profile · ABS Census 2021
Semaphore suburb profile
Semaphore, SA · Postcode 5019
This Semaphore suburb profile summarises official Australian Bureau of Statistics Census 2021 data for Semaphore, SA (postcode 5019). 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 Semaphore with nearby suburbs.
Semaphore at a glance
Population
2,749
Median rent
$320/wk
Household income
$1,718/wk
Median age
50
Semaphore 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
-2.7% over 10 years
Population
2,749
was 2,764 in 2016
-15 · -0.5%
Median rent
$320/wk
was $285/wk in 2016
+$35 · +12.3%
Household income
$1,718/wk
was $1,460/wk in 2016
+$258 · +17.7%
Median age
50
was 46 in 2016
+4 · +8.7%
Dig deeper: Semaphore population growth · Semaphore then and now
Semaphore vs nearby & Greater Adelaide
Median Census 2021 figures for Semaphore, nearby suburbs (8), and the Adelaide metro median (suburbs with 1,000+ people).
Rent
-1.8% vs area
- Semaphore$320/wk
- Nearby$315/wk
- Adelaide$326/wk
Household income
+6.9% vs area
- Semaphore$1,718/wk
- Nearby$1,472.5/wk
- Adelaide$1,607/wk
Median age
+25% vs area
- Semaphore50
- Nearby47
- Adelaide40
Personal income
+7.3% vs area
- Semaphore$857/wk
- Nearby$774.5/wk
- Adelaide$799/wk
Nearby uses the same postcode first, then larger suburbs in SA. See Adelaide rankings.
Socio-economic profile
How Semaphore compares to other Australian suburbs on income, education and occupation — from official ABS SEIFA 2021 data.
Semaphore sits above average for socio-economic advantage compared with suburbs Australia-wide.
Relative disadvantage (IRSD)
Decile 61,027.5
Lower score / decile = more relative disadvantage
Advantage & disadvantage (IRSAD)
Decile 71,020.6
Higher score / decile = more relative advantage
Economic resources (IER)
Decile 4993.2
Access to economic resources (income, housing)
Education & occupation (IEO)
Decile 81,036
Education and occupational skill levels
Source: ABS SEIFA 2021. See methodology.
Semaphore on the map
OpenStreetMap outline for Semaphore, SA.
Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors. Boundary matching is approximate.
Semaphore people
- Population
- 2,749
- Median age
- 50
- Born overseas
- 21.8%
- Average household size
- 2.2
Total usual residents (Census 2021)
Median age of residents in years
Percentage born outside Australia
Average number of people per household
Semaphore income
- Median household income
- $1,718/wk
- Median personal income
- $857/wk
Median total weekly household income
Median total weekly personal income
Semaphore housing
- Median rent
- $320/wk
- Median mortgage repayment
- $1,733/mo
- Separate houses
- 58.9%
- Flats & apartments
- 10.1%
- Owned outright
- 31.7%
- Mortgaged
- 29.9%
- Rented
- 27.3%
- Unoccupied dwellings
- 9.2%
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
Semaphore work
- Employment to population
- 59.6%
- Unemployment rate
- 4.1%
- Year 12 or above
- 59.1%
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 5019)
Compare Semaphore with nearby suburbs
Semaphore in numbers
Semaphore had 2,749 residents at the 2021 Census, making it the 223rd most populous suburb or locality in SA out of 1,624. The median age is 50, 19% above the typical SA suburb. The average household has 2.2 people. 21.8% of residents were born overseas.
Among occupied homes, 31.7% own their home outright, 29.9% are paying a mortgage, 27.3% rent. Separate houses make up 58.9% of dwellings, with 10.1% in flats or apartments. Median rent was $320/wk, 3% above the typical SA suburb.
Median household income was $1,718/wk, 12% above the typical SA suburb. The unemployment rate on Census night was 4.1%. 59.1% of adults had completed Year 12 or above. On the ABS SEIFA index of relative socio-economic disadvantage it sits in decile 6 nationally (1 is most disadvantaged, 10 least).
Between the 2016 and 2021 Censuses the population fell 0.5% (from 2,764 to 2,749). Median rent moved from $285/wk to $320/wk (+12.3%).
Semaphore suburb FAQs
- What is the median rent in Semaphore, SA?
- The median weekly rent in Semaphore was $320/wk at the 2021 Census (ABS).
- How many people live in Semaphore, SA?
- Semaphore had 2,749 residents at the 2021 Census, down 0.5% from 2016.
- What is the median household income in Semaphore?
- Median household income in Semaphore was $1,718/wk at the 2021 Census.
- Do most people rent or own in Semaphore?
- 27.3% of occupied homes in Semaphore were rented, 31.7% were owned outright and 29.9% were owned with a mortgage.
About this Semaphore suburb profile
Figures are from the ABS Census of Population and Housing 2021 (General Community Profile) for the Suburbs and Localities boundary matching Semaphore. 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 · Richest suburbs in Adelaide