🔍

Birkenhead

SA 5015 • Greater Adelaide

1,798
Population (2021)
$83,096
Median Household Income
0.91 km²
Area
$315/wk
Median Rent
CoastalEstablishedHistoricAffordable

About Birkenhead

Birkenhead is a compact coastal suburb in the City of Port Adelaide Enfield, located approximately 14 kilometres north-west of the Adelaide CBD on the shores of Gulf St Vincent. With a population of 1,798 at the 2021 Census and a land area of just 0.9 square kilometres, it is a tightly settled, predominantly residential community. The suburb's median household income of around $1,598 per week and a median age of 39 reflect a predominantly working-to-middle-class demographic with long community ties to the Port Adelaide area.

Birkenhead offers residents a distinctly maritime character, situated near the historic Port Adelaide precinct with its museums, heritage wharves, waterfront restaurants, and the Port Adelaide Lighthouse. The suburb is well served by bus routes and is close to the Outer Harbor train line, providing connections to Adelaide's city centre. The nearby Birkenhead Bridge connects the area across the Port River to LeFevre Peninsula, and residents enjoy proximity to coastal parks, the Port Adelaide River, and the broader waterfront lifestyle of the region.

Birkenhead falls under postcode 5015 and is governed by the Port Adelaide Enfield Council (Local Government Area). For federal elections, residents vote in the electorate of Hindmarsh, while state elections fall under the Port Adelaide electorate.

📍 Location

State
South Australia
Postcode
5015
Urban Area
Port Adelaide - Enfield - Coast
LGA / Council
Port Adelaide Enfield
Federal Electorate
Hindmarsh
State Electorate
Port Adelaide
Type
Major Urban
Timezone
Adelaide (UTC+9:30)
Coordinates
-34.84°, 138.50°
Statistical Area
Greater Adelaide
Area
0.91 km²
Population Density
1,976 /km²
Elevation
5m

📣 Ad

🏷️ Property Prices March quarter 2026

Median sale prices in Birkenhead for the March quarter 2026. Median house sale prices published by the Office of the Valuer-General SA (Adelaide metropolitan area).

🏡House
$840K
11 sales · ▼ 3.6% YoY

Source: Office of the Valuer-General SA — Metropolitan Median House Sales. Houses only — South Australia does not publish a unit/apartment series. Medians are for the latest quarter; year-on-year change is shown only where both quarters had at least 10 sales.

🏠 Housing 2021 Census

Median Rent (weekly)
$315
Median Mortgage (monthly)
$1,543
Avg Household Size
2.3 people
Median Age
39 years
Social Housing (% of dwellings)
8.7%

54 state housing + 12 community housing dwellings (ABS 2021 Census)

🚌 Transport & Commute

Nearest Train Stations

Port Adelaide
1.2 km
15 min

Bus Services

  • Route 151, 154 — Adelaide CBD (King William Street) 35-45 min

Commute to Adelaide CBD

Distance
14 km
By Train
Approx. 30 min to Adelaide Station via Outer Harbor Line from Port Adelaide Station
By Car (Peak)
25-35 min
By Car (Off-Peak)
20-25 min

🛣️ Port River Expressway provides main road link to Adelaide CBD; Birkenhead Bridge connects to LeFevre Peninsula

Walkability Somewhat Walkable

Some daily errands are walkable, with local shops nearby and bus access to Port Adelaide's more comprehensive services

🛒 Supermarkets Nearby

No major supermarkets listed for this suburb.

🎓 Schools

🎓 Educational Institution Attending 2021 Census

School Sector Breakdown

👥 Demographics

Census 2016
1,663
Census 2021
1,798
▲ 8.1% growth

Population Growth

Gender Distribution (Census 2021)

Personal Income 2016
$35,776
Personal Income 2021
$44,616
▲ 24.7% increase

2021 Census income breakdown

Personal = median for one earner. Household = all members of a dwelling pooled. Family = related members only. Annual = weekly × 52.

Personal
$44,616 / yr
$858/wk
Household
$83,096 / yr
$1598/wk
Family
$105,924 / yr
$2037/wk

Personal Income Comparison (2016 vs 2021)

📊 Population: ABS Census 2021
💰 Income: ABS Census 2021

🌍 Country of Birth 2021 Census

Born in Australia 1,446
Born Overseas 286

Top Countries of Birth (excl. Australia)

  • 1. England 97
  • 2. New Zealand 24
  • 3. Italy 19
  • 4. Greece 15
  • 5. Germany 14
  • 6. Ireland 14
  • 7. Philippines 13
  • 8. South Africa 8
  • 9. Scotland 6
  • 10. Malta 5

🧬 Ancestry 2021 Census

Top ancestries reported (people may report up to two)

English 796
Australian 617
Irish 244
Scottish 202
German 130
Italian 101
Australian Aboriginal 81
Greek 61
Dutch 20
Filipino 19

👨‍👩‍👧 Parents' Birthplace 2021 Census

1,077
Both parents born in Australia
407
Both parents born overseas
242
One parent AU, one overseas

🛐 Religion 2021 Census

No Religion
57.4%
Christianity
35.0%
Islam
0.8%
Buddhism
0.6%
Sikhism
0.2%

📊 Age Distribution 2021 Census

0-4 years
133 (7.4%)
5-14 years
168 (9.3%)
15-19 years
80 (4.4%)
20-24 years
106 (5.9%)
25-34 years
280 (15.6%)
35-44 years
248 (13.8%)
45-54 years
248 (13.8%)
55-64 years
273 (15.2%)
65-74 years
171 (9.5%)
75-84 years
55 (3.1%)
85+ years
33 (1.8%)

Nearby Suburbs

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Birkenhead known for? +

Birkenhead is known for its coastal location near the historic Port Adelaide precinct, with access to heritage wharves, maritime museums, waterfront restaurants, and the Port Adelaide Lighthouse. The suburb has a strong working-class heritage tied to the shipping and industrial history of Port Adelaide.

How far is Birkenhead from Adelaide CBD? +

Birkenhead is approximately 14 kilometres north-west of the Adelaide CBD, about a 20-25 minute drive off-peak or 25-35 minutes during peak hour via the Port River Expressway.

Does Birkenhead have public transport? +

Yes, Birkenhead is served by Adelaide Metro bus routes connecting to Port Adelaide and the city, and is approximately 1.2 kilometres from Port Adelaide Station on the Outer Harbor Line, providing train services to Adelaide CBD in around 30 minutes.

What is the population of Birkenhead? +

According to the 2021 Census, Birkenhead has a population of 1,798 residents across approximately 0.9 square kilometres, making it a dense but small urban community within Port Adelaide Enfield.

Is Birkenhead a good place to live? +

Birkenhead offers an affordable coastal lifestyle with genuine maritime character and easy access to Port Adelaide's heritage and amenity. It suits those who value a sense of history, waterfront surrounds, and proximity to Adelaide without paying premium inner-city prices.

What is the postcode for Birkenhead? +

The postcode for Birkenhead, SA is 5015.

What is the average income in Birkenhead? +

Based on the 2021 Census, the median personal income in Birkenhead is about $858 per week (around $44,600 per year). The median household income is $1,598 per week and the median family income is $2,037 per week.

What is the median house price in Birkenhead? +

As of March quarter 2026, the median house price is $840,000, down 3.6% year-on-year. Figures are based on Office of the Valuer-General SA — Metropolitan Median House Sales.

What is the age profile of Birkenhead? +

The median age in Birkenhead is 39. The largest age group is 25–34 (280 residents, around 16%). Around 21% of residents are under 20 and about 14% are aged 65 or older. (2021 Census)

How much is rent in Birkenhead? +

In Birkenhead, the median weekly rent is $315, and the median monthly mortgage repayment is $1,543 (2021 Census).