🔍

Payneham

SA 5070 • Greater Adelaide

2,438
Population (2021)
$45,448
Median Income
0.80 km²
Area
$300/wk
Median Rent
MulticulturalSuburbanCBD-AdjacentEstablishedDiverse

About Payneham

Payneham is a compact inner-eastern suburb of Adelaide, located approximately 5 kilometres from the CBD within the City of Norwood Payneham & St Peters. Covering just 0.795 square kilometres, it is one of Adelaide's denser urban localities with a population of 2,438, predominantly concentrated in residential streets and apartment buildings. The suburb has a median age of 38 and a median household income of around $1,414 per week, attracting a mix of young professionals, couples, and long-established multicultural families.

Payneham has a distinctly multicultural character, with a particularly strong Italian heritage that has shaped the suburb's food culture and community identity — reflected in local delis, bakeries, and businesses along Payneham Road. Residents benefit from excellent connectivity via the O-Bahn busway at the nearby Paradise interchange, providing fast links to Adelaide City in around 20-30 minutes. The suburb sits close to the linear parks of the River Torrens and Payneham Reserve, and is well positioned for access to Norwood's cosmopolitan Parade shopping strip. It remains one of Adelaide's more affordable inner-eastern addresses while retaining a strong community character.

Payneham falls under postcode 5070 and is governed by Norwood Payneham St Peters Council (LGA). For state elections, residents vote in the Dunstan electorate.

📍 Location

State
South Australia
Postcode
5070
Urban Area
Norwood - Payneham - St Peters
LGA / Council
Norwood Payneham St Peters
Federal Electorate
Sturt
State Electorate
Dunstan
Type
Major Urban
Timezone
Adelaide (UTC+9:30)
Coordinates
-34.90°, 138.64°
Statistical Area
Greater Adelaide
Area
0.80 km²
Elevation
60m

🚌 Transport & Commute

Bus Services

  • Adelaide Metro O-Bahn (Routes 160, 161, 162, 163) — Adelaide City (Grenfell Street) 20-30 min
  • Routes 174, 175 — Adelaide City via Payneham Road 20-25 min

Commute to Adelaide CBD

Distance
5 km
By Train
No direct rail; O-Bahn busway from Paradise interchange provides rapid bus transit to the city
By Car (Peak)
15-25 min
By Car (Off-Peak)
10-15 min

🛣️ Payneham Road provides direct access to the CBD. O-Bahn busway at Paradise interchange is the main rapid transit corridor.

Walkability Somewhat Walkable

Payneham Road provides local shops, cafes, and services within walking distance; most daily errands can be completed on foot or by bus.

🛒 Supermarkets Nearby

No major supermarkets listed for this suburb.

🎓 Schools

🏠 Housing 2021 Census

Median Rent (weekly)
$300
Median Mortgage (monthly)
$1,700
Avg Household Size
2 people
Median Age
38 years
Social Housing (% of dwellings)
4.2%

32 state housing + 17 community housing dwellings (ABS 2021 Census)

🎓 Educational Institution Attending 2021 Census

School Sector Breakdown

👥 Demographics

Census 2016
2,293
Census 2021
2,438
▲ 6.3% growth

Population Growth

Gender Distribution (Census 2021)

Income 2016
$34,892
Income 2021
$45,448
▲ 30.3% increase

Income Comparison

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

🌍 Country of Birth 2021 Census

Born in Australia 1,511
Born Overseas 852

Top Countries of Birth (excl. Australia)

  • 1. Italy 134
  • 2. India 109
  • 3. China 102
  • 4. England 83
  • 5. Nepal 52
  • 6. Malaysia 31
  • 7. South Korea 26
  • 8. Philippines 22
  • 9. Vietnam 20
  • 10. New Zealand 17

🧬 Ancestry 2021 Census

Top ancestries reported (people may report up to two)

English 699
Australian 569
Italian 454
Chinese 166
Irish 165
Scottish 159
German 156
Indian 121
Greek 65
Dutch 33

👨‍👩‍👧 Parents' Birthplace 2021 Census

940
Both parents born in Australia
1,143
Both parents born overseas
287
One parent AU, one overseas

🛐 Religion 2021 Census

Christianity
47.4%
No Religion
36.5%
Hinduism
4.3%
Islam
2.9%
Sikhism
2.4%
Buddhism
2.1%

📊 Age Distribution 2021 Census

0-4 years
128 (5.3%)
5-14 years
232 (9.5%)
15-19 years
69 (2.8%)
20-24 years
167 (6.8%)
25-34 years
476 (19.5%)
35-44 years
358 (14.7%)
45-54 years
264 (10.8%)
55-64 years
256 (10.5%)
65-74 years
200 (8.2%)
75-84 years
179 (7.3%)
85+ years
106 (4.3%)

Nearby Suburbs

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Payneham known for? +

Payneham is known for its multicultural community, particularly its strong Italian heritage reflected in local delis, bakeries, and businesses along Payneham Road. It is also known for its proximity to Norwood and easy access to Adelaide CBD via the O-Bahn busway.

How far is Payneham from Adelaide CBD? +

Payneham is approximately 5 kilometres east of Adelaide CBD, a drive of around 10-25 minutes depending on traffic via Payneham Road.

Does Payneham have public transport? +

Payneham is well served by Adelaide Metro bus routes along Payneham Road, as well as the O-Bahn busway at the nearby Paradise interchange which provides rapid transit into Adelaide City in around 20-30 minutes. There is no rail or tram service directly serving the suburb.

What is the population of Payneham? +

According to the 2021 Census, Payneham has a population of 2,438 residents, with a median age of 38 — younger than the Adelaide average — reflecting its popularity with working-age professionals and couples.

Is Payneham a good place to live? +

Payneham offers a solid inner-city lifestyle close to Adelaide CBD with relatively affordable rents and house prices. Its multicultural character, good bus connections, and proximity to the Norwood Parade strip make it attractive to young professionals and established families alike.

What is the postcode for Payneham? +

The postcode for Payneham, SA is 5070.