🔍

Tennyson

SA 5022 • Greater Adelaide

1,137
Population (2021)
$53,664
Median Income
0.69 km²
Area
$340/wk
Median Rent
CoastalBeachsideQuietRetiree-HavenEstablished

About Tennyson

Tennyson is a small beachside suburb located approximately 11 kilometres north-west of the Adelaide CBD within the City of Charles Sturt, on the western coastal fringe of Greater Adelaide. The suburb is compact at just 0.69 square kilometres, bordered by the Gulf St Vincent foreshore and the Tennyson Dunes coastal reserve. With a population of 1,137 at the 2021 Census and a median age of 55, Tennyson is home to an established, older demographic, reflecting the suburb's appeal to long-term residents and downsizers seeking a quiet seaside address.

Tennyson is best known for its coastal dunes, which form part of a protected reserve offering walking tracks and direct beach access along the Gulf St Vincent. Residents enjoy proximity to Semaphore's café and shopping strip to the north, and Henley Beach's vibrant restaurant precinct to the south, with Adelaide Metro bus services connecting the suburb to both areas and the city. The neighbourhood has a relaxed, low-key character popular with retirees and established families who value the beachside lifestyle, quiet streets, and easy access to Adelaide's inner-west amenities.

Tennyson falls under postcode 5022 and is governed by Charles Sturt Council (LGA). For state elections, residents vote in the Lee electorate.

📍 Location

State
South Australia
Postcode
5022
Urban Area
Charles Sturt - Coast
LGA / Council
Charles Sturt
Federal Electorate
Hindmarsh
State Electorate
Lee
Type
Major Urban
Timezone
Adelaide (UTC+9:30)
Coordinates
-34.89°, 138.49°
Statistical Area
Greater Adelaide
Area
0.69 km²
Elevation
12m

🚌 Transport & Commute

Bus Services

  • Adelaide Metro Route 115, 116 — Adelaide CBD (City) 35-45 min

Commute to Adelaide CBD

Distance
11 km
By Train
No direct train service; bus to Adelaide CBD recommended
By Car (Peak)
20-30 min
By Car (Off-Peak)
15-20 min

🛣️ Primarily bus-served suburb; car or bus to city is most practical; near West Lakes and Port Adelaide commercial areas

Walkability Somewhat Walkable

Local beach access and dunes are walkable, but most shopping and services require a bus or car trip to Semaphore or Henley Beach

🛒 Supermarkets Nearby

No major supermarkets listed for this suburb.

🎓 Schools

🏠 Housing 2021 Census

Median Rent (weekly)
$340
Median Mortgage (monthly)
$2,167
Avg Household Size
2.2 people
Median Age
55 years

🎓 Educational Institution Attending 2021 Census

School Sector Breakdown

👥 Demographics

Census 2016
1,166
Census 2021
1,137
▼ 2.5% decline

Population Growth

Gender Distribution (Census 2021)

Income 2016
$46,488
Income 2021
$53,664
▲ 15.4% increase

Income Comparison

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

🌍 Country of Birth 2021 Census

Born in Australia 833
Born Overseas 268

Top Countries of Birth (excl. Australia)

  • 1. England 51
  • 2. Scotland 23
  • 3. India 17
  • 4. Vietnam 15
  • 5. Malaysia 14
  • 6. Italy 12
  • 7. United States 11
  • 8. Germany 10
  • 9. Greece 10
  • 10. New Zealand 10

🧬 Ancestry 2021 Census

Top ancestries reported (people may report up to two)

English 414
Australian 303
Scottish 140
Irish 117
Italian 115
Greek 70
German 68
Indian 25
Dutch 21
Vietnamese 21

👨‍👩‍👧 Parents' Birthplace 2021 Census

520
Both parents born in Australia
414
Both parents born overseas
165
One parent AU, one overseas

🛐 Religion 2021 Census

Christianity
53.6%
No Religion
37.5%
Buddhism
2.6%
Hinduism
0.9%
Islam
0.7%
Sikhism
0.5%

📊 Age Distribution 2021 Census

0-4 years
30 (2.6%)
5-14 years
66 (5.8%)
15-19 years
51 (4.5%)
20-24 years
65 (5.7%)
25-34 years
112 (9.9%)
35-44 years
88 (7.7%)
45-54 years
160 (14.1%)
55-64 years
224 (19.7%)
65-74 years
214 (18.8%)
75-84 years
105 (9.2%)
85+ years
32 (2.8%)

Nearby Suburbs

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Tennyson known for? +

Tennyson is best known for its coastal dunes — the Tennyson Dunes — a protected reserve along the Gulf St Vincent foreshore offering walking tracks and direct beach access. The suburb is prized for its quiet, beachside residential character close to Adelaide's city centre.

How far is Tennyson from Adelaide CBD? +

Tennyson is approximately 11 kilometres north-west of the Adelaide CBD, making it a 20–30 minute drive in off-peak conditions, or around 35–45 minutes by public bus.

Does Tennyson have public transport? +

Tennyson is served by Adelaide Metro bus routes connecting to the Adelaide CBD and surrounding suburbs. There is no direct train station in the suburb; the former Grange railway line that once served the area was closed in 1978, with the nearest train access at Port Adelaide station approximately 6km away.

What is the population of Tennyson? +

According to the 2021 Census, Tennyson has a population of 1,137 residents. The suburb has an older demographic profile with a median age of 55, and the population has remained relatively stable due to its small, built-out footprint of just 0.69 square kilometres.

Is Tennyson a good place to live? +

Tennyson offers a desirable beachside lifestyle very close to Adelaide, making it well-suited to retirees, downsizers, and established families who value coastal access, a quiet community atmosphere, and proximity to both Semaphore and Henley Beach's amenities. Household incomes are above average and the suburb has a strong owner-occupier character.

What is the postcode for Tennyson? +

The postcode for Tennyson, South Australia is 5022, which it shares with the neighbouring suburbs of Semaphore, Exeter, Largs Bay, Largs North, and North Haven.