Chart Color Schemes
This analysis uses Suburbs and Localities (SAL) boundaries, which can materially differ from Statistical Areas (SA2) even when sharing the same name.
SAL boundaries are defined by Australia Post and the Australian Bureau of Statistics to represent commonly-known suburb names used in postal addresses.
Statistical Areas (SA2) are designed for census data collection and may combine multiple suburbs or use different geographic boundaries. For comprehensive analysis, consider reviewing both boundary types if available.
est. as @ -- *
2021 Census | -- people
Curious about local property values? Filter the chart to assess the volume and appreciation (including resales) trends and regional comparisons, or scroll to the map below view this information at an individual property level.
Find a Recent Sale
Sales Detail
Malvern (SA) has an estimated 2,766 residents, up from 2,713 at the 2021 Census — a change of 53 people, or 2.0%. That puts 2,561 residents on each square kilometre. Population is estimated from ABS Estimated Resident Population releases and GNAF address data, re-based from the 2021 Census and updated annually.
Detail
According to AreaSearch's assessment of broader ABS demographic releases and post-Census address validations, the suburb of Malvern (SA) has an estimated resident population of around 2,766 as of Aug 2026. Compared to the 2021 Census tally of 2,713 people, this represents a gain of 53 people (2.0%). This update stems from the 2,766 resident estimate generated by AreaSearch after reviewing the ABS ERP release from June 2025 alongside subsequent address confirmations. With 2,561 persons per square kilometer, the locality ranks in the top quartile for population density across Australia. Overseas migration served as virtually the exclusive catalyst for recent local population additions.
AreaSearch applies the 2024 ABS/Geoscience Australia SA2 projections based on 2022 benchmarks, while utilizing the 2023 SA State Government Regional/LGA age-cohort models (derived from 2021 data) via weighted aggregation for unrepresented SA2 zones and dates after 2032. Over the 16 years running to 2041, aggregated SA2 projections indicate the suburb of Malvern (SA) will grow by 281 persons (a 10.2% overall rise), placing its anticipated expansion pace marginally beneath the national median of tracked statistical locations.
Frequently Asked Questions - Population
Detail
Evaluating ABS residential consent records mapped from statistical divisions, AreaSearch identifies that property developers have faced very limited activity in Malvern, with an estimated 4 homes approved across the last 5 financial years (between FY-21 and FY-25), including 2 so far in FY-25. Amid prior population declines, residential stock has satisfied local demand adequately to maintain balanced conditions and sound buyer choice, while newly approved residential builds average an expected construction cost of $751,000, underscoring an emphasis on high-end, premium housing. Additionally, commercial approvals reached $1.9 million this financial year, pointing to a restrained commercial construction environment.
Per-capita building activity in Malvern lags 89.0% below the regional average across Greater Adelaide. This restricted flow of new dwelling construction typically bolsters pricing and competition for established real estate. Such output sits under broader nationwide benchmarks, reflecting established urban development patterns alongside potential planning constraints.
Frequently Asked Questions - Development
Development applications around Malvern (SA)
Loading development applications…
| Lodged | Address | Description | Type | Distance | Status |
|---|
SOURCE: Planning portals and council registers, compiled by AreaSearch. Distance & bearing measured from the suburb midpoint.
AreaSearch tracks 2 current infrastructure and development projects inside Malvern (SA), worth an estimated $19 million. A further 16 sit in the immediately surrounding suburbs, taking the tracked pipeline within reach of the area to $264 million. 4 are already under construction and 5 are due for completion within three years. The pipeline spans residential development, communities, precincts & urban renewal and health & medical. Records are compiled from Infrastructure Australia, state agencies, council planning portals and public announcements, reviewed and updated daily, then ranked by proximity, construction stage, completion horizon and project scale.
Detail
Local capital works, major development schemes, and strategic planning adjustments play a critical role in shaping regional outcomes. AreaSearch has pinpointed 5 projects positioned to influence the surrounding district, featuring prominent initiatives such as Parkside Place, Ridge Park Master Plan, 400 Fullarton Road Residential Development, and 322-324 Fullarton Road Townhouses.
Professional plan users can use the search below to filter and access additional projects.
INFRASTRUCTURE SEARCH
Denotes AI-based impression for illustrative purposes only, not to be taken as definitive under any circumstances. Please follow links and conduct other investigations from the project's source for actual imagery. Developers and project owners wishing us to use original imagery please Contact Us and we will do so.
Frequently Asked Questions - Infrastructure
400 Fullarton Road Residential Development
Construction of a three-storey residential flat building comprising 13 residential apartments with associated basement and ground-level car parking, landscaping, and tree removal works. The development application was assessed and granted planning consent under the South Australian Planning and Design Code via the PlanSA portal for the City of Burnside.
Unley Central
A transformative 150 million dollar mixed-use precinct on the former Target site. The nine-storey development integrates 130 luxury apartments with a diverse commercial hub including a six-screen boutique cinema, supermarkets, cafes, and medical services. As South Australia's first fully integrated mixed-use development on a single site, it provides significant local employment and modernizes the Unley Road corridor.
Regis Aged Care Parkside
Construction of a five-storey residential aged care facility (supported accommodation) comprising 156 accommodation units with ancillary communal areas, solar photovoltaic panels, water tanks, car parking, and landscaping. The site, formerly approved for a mixed-use development, was acquired and repurposed by Regis Aged Care.
Estia Health Myrtle Bank Expansion
Expansion of the existing Estia Health residential aged care home in Myrtle Bank. The development involves construction of a two-storey facility addition accommodating 46 residential care beds and independent suites, increasing total capacity to 118 beds. Planning assessment and development approvals were managed through the City of Burnside and SA Planning system.
Highgate Village Streetscape Upgrade
The Highgate Village Streetscape Upgrade delivers physical and public realm enhancements along the Fullarton Road commercial precinct. Stage 1 works include new continuous footpath paving, tree plantings, landscaped garden beds, integrated street furniture, and improved pedestrian safety. The project is led and managed by the City of Unley as part of its ongoing precinct streetscape program.
Belair Road Retaining Walls Maintenance
Essential maintenance works on the retaining walls along Belair Road, below the Windy Point Lookout, to ensure the long-term structural integrity of the road.
322-324 Fullarton Road Townhouses
A residential development comprising 10 multi-level luxury townhouses featuring flexible layouts and premium finishes. Developed by Auta Group, the project provides medium-density housing situated along the Fullarton Road corridor in Adelaide's inner south.
Unley 108 Apartments
Catcorp's project features a seven-storey mixed-use tower with residential units and a commercial space in Unley.
1,483 residents of Malvern (SA) are employed, from a labour force of 1,513. Unemployment sits at 2.0%, with participation at 64.1%. Weighted for its industry mix, the area's sectors are forecast to grow about 7.3% nationally over five years. That reflects industry composition only and makes no allowance for local population growth. Unemployment and labour force come from ABS Small Area Labour Markets, updated quarterly; the industry and occupation profile is from the 2021 Census.
Detail
Workforce analysis by AreaSearch across statistical boundaries reveals Malvern maintains an exceptionally qualified labour pool with substantial representation in professional roles, alongside a jobless rate of just 2.0% and annual job growth estimated at 3.9%. As of March 2026, 1,483 residents are employed, the local unemployment rate sits 1.8% lower than the 3.8% recorded in Greater Adelaide, and the local labour participation rate is 64.1% (compared to 66.4% across the broader metro area). Furthermore, Census records showed that 17.9% of local workers performed their duties from home, mindful of prevailing Covid-19 restrictions at that time.
The primary industry sectors employing local residents comprise health care & social assistance, professional & technical, and retail trade. Local engagement in professional & technical fields is particularly pronounced, tracking at 1.9 times the Greater Adelaide norm. By comparison, construction accounts for only 4.8% of the resident workforce, trailing the wider metropolitan mark of 8.7%. Census comparisons between workplace positions and resident worker counts suggest the suburb is predominantly residential with restricted local job generation. Based on AreaSearch analysis of SALM and ABS data, aggregated from broader statistical areas, during the year to March 2026, employment levels increased by 3.9% and labour force increased by 3.9%, with unemployment remaining essentially unchanged. This contrasts with Greater Adelaide, where employment rose by 4.2%, the labour force grew by 4.0%, and unemployment fell 0.2 percentage points. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from Mar-26 can offer further insight into potential future demand within Malvern. These projections, covering five and ten-year periods, have been mapped against the local employment profile to estimate growth patterns. While national employment is forecast to expand by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, growth rates differ significantly between industry sectors. Applying these industry-specific projections to Malvern's employment mix suggests local employment should increase by 7.3% over five years and 14.8% over ten years (please note this is a simple weighting extrapolation for illustrative purposes and does not take into account localised population projections).
Frequently Asked Questions - Employment
Median household income in Malvern (SA) is $2,655 a week (about $138,000 a year), with median personal income at $1,117 a week. ATO records put median taxable income at $70,601 a year against an average of $111,384. The average runs 58% above the median, a wider spread than most areas and a sign of a concentrated group of high earners. Household income is from the 2021 Census; taxable income is from ATO Taxation Statistics for the latest financial year available, indexed forward using the ABS Wage Price Index.
Detail
ATO postcode statistics compiled by AreaSearch for financial year 2023 place Malvern's median taxpayer earnings at $70,601 and the average at $111,384, positioning the area within the highest national percentile compared to Greater Adelaide's median of $54,808 and average of $66,852. Factoring in a Wage Price Index expansion of 10.17% since financial year 2023 yields updated estimates of approximately $77,781 (median) and $122,712 (average) as of March 2026. The 2021 Census ranks household, family, and individual incomes between the 86th and 93rd percentiles across Australia. Locally, 34.2% of residents (945 people) earn in the top $4000+ weekly bracket, in contrast to the regional concentration in the $1,500 - 2,999 range (31.8%).
Overall, 46.0% receive over $3,000/week, residents retain 89.6% of income after paying for housing, and the suburb achieves a 10th decile SEIFA ranking.
Frequently Asked Questions - Income
Malvern (SA) had 982 occupied dwellings at the 2021 Census, 80% detached houses and 7% apartments. 31% are owned with a mortgage, 19% rented and 49% owned outright. At that Census the median rent was $380 a week and the median mortgage repayment $2,800 a month. Rent absorbs 14.3% of household income here and mortgage repayments 24.3%. Dwelling stock, tenure and housing costs are 2021 Census measures — the only source that counts dwellings at this boundary size.
Detail
According to the latest Census, separate houses made up 79.9% of dwellings in Malvern, with remaining residential property types (apartments, semi-detached, and 'other' dwellings) comprising 20.0%, compared to 75.2% houses and 24.9% other dwellings across Adelaide metro. Outright ownership stood at 49.3%, exceeding regional levels, while mortgaged residences constituted 31.3% and rental accommodations represented 19.4%. Monthly mortgage payments commanded a median of $2,800 (versus $1,562 across Adelaide metro and $1,863 nationally), while weekly rental payments averaged a median of $380 (compared to $320 across Adelaide metro and $375 across Australia).
Frequently Asked Questions - Housing
Malvern (SA) counted 982 households at the 2021 Census, averaging 2.6 people each. 39% are couples with children, more than in 77% of areas nationally, against 31% couples without children. 19% of households are people living alone, and families average 1.5 children. Household and family composition is measured only by the Census, so these are 2021 figures.
Detail
Families constitute 79.3% of all households in the locality, made up of couples with children (39.0%), childless couples (30.9%), and single parent families (8.5%). Non-family living arrangements account for the remaining 20.7%, comprising lone person households (19.2%) and group households (1.3%). The suburb's median household size is 2.6 people, slightly higher than the Greater Adelaide figure of 2.5.
Frequently Asked Questions - Households
50.2% of adults in Malvern (SA) hold a university qualification, including 33.0% with a bachelor degree and 12.3% with postgraduate qualifications, higher than 88% of areas nationally. A further 8.4% hold a vocational qualification. 1 school serves the area, with 461 enrolment places and an average ICSEA of 1,142 against a national benchmark of 1,000. Qualifications come from the 2021 Census; school enrolments, ICSEA and results come from ACARA's current release.
Detail
Malvern demonstrates outstanding educational metrics, with 50.2% of persons aged 15+ holding tertiary degrees, outstripping Greater Adelaide (28.9%) and SA (25.7%). Bachelor degrees account for the largest share at 33.0%, followed by postgraduate qualifications at 12.3% and graduate diplomas at 4.9%. Technical and vocational credentials represent 18.5% of qualifications among residents aged 15+, consisting of advanced diplomas (10.1%) and certificates (8.4%). Academic engagement is strong throughout the community, with 29.3% of the population actively enrolled in an educational program. Broken down by tier, 9.3% attend primary school, 8.2% are in secondary education, and 8.1% attend tertiary institutions.
Frequently Asked Questions - Education
Schools Detail
Public transport in Malvern (SA) reaches 16 stops on 22 routes, timetabled for about 1,200 services a week. The typical home sits about 160 m from its nearest stop. Buses carry the largest share of public transport commuters. Households keep an average of 1.6 vehicles. Stop and service counts are built from operators' published GTFS timetables and refresh with each timetable release; vehicle ownership is from the 2021 Census.
Detail
Public transit infrastructure in Malvern includes 16 active bus stops connected across 22 routes that deliver 1,198 weekly passenger trips. Commuter access is rated excellent, with properties situated an average of 156 meters from the closest stop. Outbound travel dominates among local commuters, with private vehicles accounting for 86% of journeys, followed by bus patronage at 7% and cycling at 3%. Households maintain an above-average vehicle rate of 1.6 per dwelling, while 17.9% of residents worked remotely during the 2021 Census (under potential COVID-19 influences). Transit service schedules deliver an average frequency of 171 trips per day across the collective network, generating roughly 74 weekly trips for each transport stop.
Frequently Asked Questions - Transport
Transport Stops Detail
71.1% of residents in Malvern (SA) report no long-term health condition, a healthier profile than 93% of areas nationally. 5.4% need daily assistance with core activities, and 70.9% hold private health cover. The standardised death rate runs at 3.6 per 1,000 residents. Health conditions, assistance needs and insurance are 2021 Census measures; the death rate comes from current ABS releases.
Detail
AreaSearch evaluations of mortality statistics and chronic disease distribution show exceptional health profiles across Malvern, characterized by an extremely low occurrence of major medical conditions across all age cohorts. Private health insurance membership is remarkably widespread at approximately 71% of the total population (1,960 people), surpassing both the Greater Adelaide mark of 52.7% and the national baseline of 55.7%. Arthritis and asthma represent the most widespread chronic ailments locally, diagnosed in 7.4 and 7.2% of residents, respectively, while 71.1% of the populace reported no chronic medical conditions whatsoever (compared to 67.9% across Greater Adelaide).
Residents aged 65 and over make up 23.9% of the population (661 people), exceeding the Greater Adelaide share of 19.1%, with older residents demonstrating particularly robust health metrics relative to nationwide cohorts.
Frequently Asked Questions - Health
Malvern (SA) is largely Australian-born, at 77.0% of residents, with 18.4% speaking a language other than English at home. The largest reported ancestries are English (27.5%) and Australian (23.0%). Ancestry, language and country of birth are counted only by the Census, so these are 2021 figures.
Detail
Cultural diversity metrics show Malvern tracking above wider standards, with 23.0% of residents born abroad and 18.4% speaking a non-English language at home. Christianity represents the primary religious affiliation, accounting for 51.7% of the populace. Judaism accounts for 0.1% of the local community, matching the 0.1% proportion recorded across Greater Adelaide. Regarding parental lineage, the three leading ancestries recorded across Malvern are English (27.5%), Australian (23.0%), and Other (6.9%). Specific background concentrations include Greek heritage at 4.9% (versus 2.0% across the region), German at 5.4% (versus 5.1%), and Welsh at 0.9% (versus 0.6% regionally).
Frequently Asked Questions - Diversity
The median resident of Malvern (SA) is 45, older than 82% of areas nationally. That is 1 year younger than at the 2021 Census. 25.0% of residents are aged 15 to 34. Age cohorts are not raw Census counts: the Census split is re-based to the latest ABS population estimates and state projections.
Detail
The demographic structure in Malvern skews older than Greater Adelaide. Updating estimates to August 2026, retiree and elderly cohorts (65+) constitute 23.9% of the community compared to 19.1% across the wider capital, whereas young to middle aged adults (25 - 44) represent 19.4% against 28.9% regionally. As at August 2026, the estimated median age is 45, shifting down from 46 at the 2021 Census, yet sitting above the Greater Adelaide median of 39 and the Australian figure of 38 at that Census. Middle aged and young retiree cohorts (45 - 64) reduced their local share from 28.6% to an estimated 26.3% post-Census.
By 2041, senior brackets are projected to experience the greatest growth, increasing by 127 (19%) to reach 788.
Frequently Asked Questions - Age
Data & MethodBoundaries, Sources & Method for Malvern (SA)
9 of 14 data sections on this page were updated within the last 12 months — the newest current to Sep 2026.
Everything is aggregated to the Suburb (SAL) boundary shown above, on a 2021 Census baseline. Only 3 sections — housing, households and cultural diversity — still wait on the 2026 Census.
The ledger — source, cycle and currency by section
| Section | Source & update cycle | Currency |
|---|---|---|
| Updated within the last 12 months 9 sections | ||
| Population | ABS, GNAF, Geoscience Australia Annual (ABS ERP) | Aug 2026 2 months ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Re-based to the ABS Estimated Resident Population (June 2025 release) and updated with new dwellings from GNAF address data. Current to Aug 2026, with the 2021 Census supplying the small-area baseline. | ||
| Age profile | ABS, Geoscience Australia, State governments Annual | Aug 2026 2 months ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Age cohorts are re-based to the latest ABS population estimates and state projections, current to Aug 2026. Each cohort is held as a Census baseline and a current estimate. | ||
| Development & approvals | ABS, GNAF Monthly (ABS approvals) | Aug 2026 2 months ago headline measures · Jul 2026 baseline |
| Property sales & rents | Valuer General, Rental Board, ABS Weekly sales, quarterly rents | Sep 2026 last month all 21 measures |
| Sales from the state Valuer General register, refreshed weekly, and rents from quarterly rental bond lodgements. Both are read live each time this page loads, current to Sep 2026. | ||
| Infrastructure projects | Infrastructure Australia, State agencies, Local governments Daily | Sep 2026 last month all 2 projects tracked here |
| Project pipeline maintained continuously from Infrastructure Australia, state agencies, local government and public announcements. Records are added and revised daily; this area was last updated Sep 2026. | ||
| Employment | ABS, DEWR, JSA Quarterly (ABS SALM) | Mar 2026 7 months ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Unemployment and labour force from ABS Small Area Labour Markets, current to Mar 2026. The growth outlook applies Department of Employment (now Jobs and Skills Australia) forecasts for all 19 industry divisions to the local industry mix, so it measures sector composition rather than local expansion and makes no allowance for population growth. Job demand comes from the same agency via its Internet Vacancy Index; industry and occupation structure from the 2021 Census. | ||
| Education | ABS, ACARA Annual (ACARA) | Sep 2026 last month headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Transport | ABS, State Transport Departments Each timetable release | Jul 2026 3 months ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Services & amenities | Provider directories, ACECQA Continuous | Sep 2026 last month all 14 measures |
| Annual and financial-year sources 2 sections | ||
| Income | ABS, ATO Annual (ATO) | FY 2023 3 years ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| ATO taxable income statistics for FY 2023, indexed forward using the Wage Price Index. Census household income provides the distribution detail. | ||
| Health | ABS, ATO Annual | 2024 2 years ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Census-measured — next update: 2026 Census 3 sections No more current small-area source exists for these, so they are labelled as Census-measured rather than implied to be current. | ||
| Housing | ABS 5-yearly (Census) | 2021 Census next update 2026 all 30 measures |
| Households | ABS 5-yearly (Census) | 2021 Census next update 2026 all 18 measures |
| Cultural diversity | ABS, Geoscience Australia 5-yearly (Census) | 2021 Census next update 2026 all 44 measures |
"Currency" is the most recent release feeding that section. Where the Census supplies the structural baseline underneath a current headline figure, the row says so.
How the numbers are built
Population
The Census provides the small-area baseline, aggregated from mesh blocks to this boundary. It is then re-based to the ABS Estimated Resident Population (June 2025 release), and new dwellings built since Census night are counted from address data. The headline figure is therefore a current estimate for Aug 2026, not a 2021 count (2,713 at the 2021 Census → 2,766 now). Annual growth rates are compound (CAGR), not simple averages.
Age profile
Cohort shares are not raw Census counts. Every cohort is held as a pair — the Census baseline and a current estimate — and the split is re-based using ERP and state population projections, current to Aug 2026. Median age is the Census median plus modelled change since. Charts that show both are labelled "2021 Census vs Current Estimate".
Property sales
Sourced from the state valuation authority's sales register — current, not Census, and refreshed weekly. Medians are calculated from settled transactions in the period shown; periods with very low transaction counts are flagged or suppressed, because a handful of sales can move a median substantially.
Rents
Derived from state rental bond lodgement data, by dwelling type and bedroom count. Bonds are lodged at the start of a new tenancy, so this reflects new lettings, not the whole rented stock.
Development & infrastructure
Building approvals come from current ABS releases; development applications are collected from council and state planning portals; the infrastructure pipeline is compiled from Infrastructure Australia and local government sources. Applications are matched to this boundary by address or coordinates, so very recent lodgements may not yet appear.
Employment & income
Industry and occupation structure comes from the Census, but the headline labour-market indicators do not. Unemployment and labour force are derived from ABS Small Area Labour Markets (quarterly). The employment outlook applies Department of Employment forecasts for all 19 industry divisions to this area's own industry mix (the agency is now Jobs and Skills Australia), as does the Internet Vacancy Index used for job demand. Because it is weighted on industry composition alone, that outlook carries no allowance for local population growth — in fast-growing areas the real rise in local jobs will typically be higher. Income combines Census household income with ATO taxable-income statistics for FY 2023, indexed forward using the Wage Price Index.
Education, transport & amenities
School enrolments, ICSEA and performance come from ACARA's current release, not the Census. Public transport stops and service frequency are derived from GTFS timetable feeds published by state transport departments. Services and amenities are proximity and count scores built from provider directories, refreshed on their own cycle. The Census contributes only the travel-to-work and qualification measures.
Rankings and benchmarks. Where we rank this area, the comparison set is every area of the same boundary type — suburbs against suburbs, SA2s against SA2s. Benchmarks compare this area against its greater capital city region and the national figure for the same measure and period.
Limits worth knowing. Small areas carry larger error margins, and the ABS introduces small random adjustments to Census counts to protect confidentiality — so totals may not sum exactly. Estimates re-based from regional data describe the area's expected trajectory, not a direct count of it. Figures are indicative for research and are not financial, planning or valuation advice.
Cross-check us. The Census baseline for this boundary is at ABS 2021 Census QuickStats (SAL40814). QuickStats reports 2021 only — the figures on this page are more current wherever the ledger shows a later date.