Athol Park vs Pennington

Athol Park is the younger of the two, with a median age of 34 against 41 in Pennington. In both, most households own their home and most homes are detached houses. Pennington is closer to the city centre: 12 km, against 13.8 km. On these figures, Pennington tends to suit people living alone.

Which one suits you?

There is no overall winner — the suburb that suits a family with school-age kids is routinely the wrong one for someone commuting into the city. So each of these answers its own question, against a checklist you can see, using the same figures in the tables below.

Families with school-age kids

Pennington

ahead on 2 of the 6 things we measure here

  • has more childcare (4 vs 0)
  • has more schools inside the suburb (2 vs 0)
  • But Athol Park carries lower crime risk (77/100 vs 88/100)

Weighs schools, house stock, crime, parks, childcare, and who already lives there.

First-home buyers

Athol Park

ahead on the one thing that separates them

  • has cheaper units ($567,500 vs $625,000)

Weighs house prices, unit prices, and mortgage stress.

Renters

Pennington

ahead on the one thing that separates them

  • has cheaper rent ($250/wk vs $320/wk)

Weighs rent, rental stress, and how much is for rent.

Commuting to the city

Pennington

ahead on the one thing that separates them

  • is more walkable (86/100 vs 70/100)

Weighs distance, drive time, rail access, and walkability.

Downsizers and retirees

Pennington

ahead on 2 of the 5 things we measure here

  • has more residents already 65 and over (19% vs 12%)
  • is more walkable (86/100 vs 70/100)
  • But Athol Park carries lower crime risk (77/100 vs 88/100)

Weighs smaller dwellings, who already lives there, GPs, walkability, and crime.

Investors

Pennington

ahead on the one thing that separates them

  • is growing faster (3.5% vs -2.9%)

Weighs house yield and population growth.

Where they sit

Athol Park and Pennington drawn to the same scale. Both outlines are shown together, so the map answers whether they share a border and how their areas compare.

Athol Park Pennington
Hides rows where both suburbs match

Bars start at zero. Scores, risks and rankings are drawn against their full 0–100 range; other rows are drawn in proportion to the larger of the two.

Side by side, out of 100

Risks are inverted — shown as safety and low exposure — so a longer bar always means better.

Athol Park Pennington
Walkability 70 / 86
Athol Park — Walkability: 70/100 Pennington — Walkability: 86/100
Safety 23 / 12
Athol Park — Safety: 23/100 Pennington — Safety: 12/100
Low fire risk 100 / 100
Athol Park — Low fire risk: 100/100 Pennington — Low fire risk: 100/100
Low flood risk 26 / 20
Athol Park — Low flood risk: 26/100 Pennington — Low flood risk: 20/100

Demographics

Pennington has more residents (3,773 vs 2,023); Athol Park rents higher ($320/wk vs $250/wk).

Athol Park Pennington
Population 2,023 3,773
+87% vs other
Population trend (2016 → 2021) -2.9% +3.5%
Median age 34 41
Median household income $71,760/yr
+8% vs other
 $66,352/yr
Median weekly rent $320/wk
+22% vs other
 $250/wk

Age profile

Share of residents in each band, 2021 Census.

Athol Park Pennington
0-4 6.6% / 5.6%
Athol Park — 0-4: 6.6% Pennington — 0-4: 5.6%
5-14 12.7% / 10.2%
Athol Park — 5-14: 12.7% Pennington — 5-14: 10.2%
15-19 6.1% / 5.8%
Athol Park — 15-19: 6.1% Pennington — 15-19: 5.8%
20-24 8.0% / 6.4%
Athol Park — 20-24: 8.0% Pennington — 20-24: 6.4%
25-34 16.8% / 14.0%
Athol Park — 25-34: 16.8% Pennington — 25-34: 14.0%
35-44 16.9% / 12.4%
Athol Park — 35-44: 16.9% Pennington — 35-44: 12.4%
45-54 11.5% / 12.9%
Athol Park — 45-54: 11.5% Pennington — 45-54: 12.9%
55-64 9.7% / 13.8%
Athol Park — 55-64: 9.7% Pennington — 55-64: 13.8%
65-74 6.9% / 9.2%
Athol Park — 65-74: 6.9% Pennington — 65-74: 9.2%
75-84 3.0% / 5.4%
Athol Park — 75-84: 3.0% Pennington — 75-84: 5.4%
85+ 1.8% / 4.1%
Athol Park — 85+: 1.8% Pennington — 85+: 4.1%

Bars are drawn against the largest share shown (16.9%).

Who lives together

Household composition, 2021 Census.

Athol Park 41.9% couple families
Athol Park — Couple Families: 41.9% Athol Park — Lone Person: 31.3% Athol Park — One Parent Families: 18.0% Athol Park — Group Household: 6.3% Athol Park — Other Families: 2.5%
Pennington 34.0% couple families
Pennington — Couple Families: 34.0% Pennington — Lone Person: 39.4% Pennington — One Parent Families: 19.2% Pennington — Group Household: 4.8% Pennington — Other Families: 2.7%
Couple Families Lone Person One Parent Families Group Household Other Families

Who owns and who rents

Occupied private dwellings by tenure, 2021 Census.

Athol Park 39.9% renting
Athol Park — Owned Outright: 24.2% Athol Park — Mortgage: 35.9% Athol Park — Renting: 39.9%
Pennington 39.7% renting
Pennington — Owned Outright: 25.6% Pennington — Mortgage: 34.7% Pennington — Renting: 39.7%
Owned outright Mortgage Renting

Qualifications

Highest non-school qualification, residents 15+, 2021 Census.

Athol Park Pennington
Certificate III & IV 9.9% / 13.8%
Athol Park — Certificate III & IV: 9.9% Pennington — Certificate III & IV: 13.8%
Bachelor Degree 11.7% / 9.4%
Athol Park — Bachelor Degree: 11.7% Pennington — Bachelor Degree: 9.4%
Advanced Diploma / Diploma 7.4% / 5.8%
Athol Park — Advanced Diploma / Diploma: 7.4% Pennington — Advanced Diploma / Diploma: 5.8%
Postgraduate Degree 3.2% / 2.2%
Athol Park — Postgraduate Degree: 3.2% Pennington — Postgraduate Degree: 2.2%
Graduate Diploma / Certificate 0.8% / 1.1%
Athol Park — Graduate Diploma / Certificate: 0.8% Pennington — Graduate Diploma / Certificate: 1.1%

Bars are drawn against the largest share shown (13.8%).

Where residents were born

Largest overseas birthplaces, as a share of all residents, 2021 Census. A dash means that country is not among the suburb's own eight largest.

Athol Park Pennington
Vietnam 18.6% / 11.4%
Athol Park — Vietnam: 18.6% Pennington — Vietnam: 11.4%
India 5.5% / 3.9%
Athol Park — India: 5.5% Pennington — India: 3.9%
Philippines 4.4% / 2.8%
Athol Park — Philippines: 4.4% Pennington — Philippines: 2.8%
England 1.1% / 2.4%
Athol Park — England: 1.1% Pennington — England: 2.4%
China 1.7% / 0.6%
Athol Park — China: 1.7% Pennington — China: 0.6%
Greece — / 1.2%
Athol Park — Greece: not among its largest Pennington — Greece: 1.2%

Bars are drawn against the largest share shown (18.6%).

What people live in

Occupied private dwellings by structure, 2021 Census.

Athol Park 71.2% houses
Athol Park — Houses: 71.2% Athol Park — Townhouses: 27.3% Athol Park — Flats / Apartments: 1.5%
Pennington 70.2% houses
Pennington — Houses: 70.2% Pennington — Townhouses: 28.0% Pennington — Flats / Apartments: 1.9%
Houses Townhouses Flats / Apartments

Property market

Athol Park Pennington
Median house price $860,000 $870,000
Median unit price $567,500 $625,000
Median land price —
same for both
Typical days to sell (houses) 17 days
from 13 sales
 16 days
from 22 sales

House price by bedroom count

Only bed counts both suburbs published enough sales for. Sale counts are shown because the buckets differ in depth.

Athol Park Pennington
3 bed $815K / $851K
Athol Park — 3 bed: $815K (23 sales) Pennington — 3 bed: $851K (20 sales)

23 vs 20 sales

4 bed $894K / $980K
Athol Park — 4 bed: $894K (8 sales) Pennington — 4 bed: $980K (9 sales)

8 vs 9 sales

Zoning mix

Athol Park has more industrially zoned land (46% vs 9%).

Athol Park Pennington
Residential 53% 89%
Industrial 46% 9%
Commercial 1%
same for both
Zoning sets what may be built, not what is there today. A single address can sit in a different zone to the suburb around it. Zones as at 2026-09.

Development activity

Athol Park Pennington
New dwellings approved 1,636
across Charles Sturt
same for both
Approvals change year on year +109%
same for both

Gross rental yield

Gross — before strata, rates, management, insurance and vacancy. From median advertised rents and median asking prices over the last 6 months. How we calculate.

Athol Park Pennington
Houses 4.3%
$625/wk on $750K
 4.1%
$650/wk on $819K
Units —
same for both

Ranking within SA

Athol Park Pennington
House price Higher than 24% of SA Higher than 23% of SA
Income Higher than 45% of SA Higher than 34% of SA
Schools —
same for both
Walkability Higher than 88% of SA Higher than 96% of SA
Affordability Higher than 65% of SA Higher than 56% of SA
EV adoption Higher than 63% of SA Higher than 47% of SA
NBN connectivity Higher than 91% of SA
same for both
Rental yield (houses) Higher than 82% of SA Higher than 68% of SA

Liveability

Pennington is more walkable (86 vs 70).

Athol Park Pennington
Grade C
same for both
Score 35/100 36/100
Socio-economic band below-average income
decile 2/10
same for both

Risk profile

Pennington carries more crime risk (88 vs 77).

Athol Park Pennington
Bushfire None
0/100
same for both
Crime High
77/100
 High
88/100
Flood High
74/100
 High
80/100
Coastal erosion None
0/100
same for both
Aircraft noise None
0/100
same for both
Industrial facilities nearby 42
within 5 km
 33
within 5 km

Schools

Athol Park Pennington
Inside the suburb 0 2
Rated above peers 0
same for both
Rated at peers 0
same for both
Rated below peers 0 1
Universities within 10 km 3
Adelaide University, Mawson Lakes Campus, 8.0 km
 1
Adelaide University, Mawson Lakes Campus, 8.9 km
Full-time students aged 15–24 2.7% 2.9%

Schools in Athol Park

No schools recorded inside this suburb's boundary. Children here will be zoned to schools nearby.

Schools in Pennington

  • Pennington School R-6 Government · Primary below peers
  • Mount Carmel College Primary Campus Catholic · Primary

Amenities in the suburb

Athol Park Pennington
Supermarkets 2 0
Cafes & restaurants 1 2
Parks & reserves 1 2
Childcare 0 4
GPs 1
same for both
Pharmacies 1
same for both
Fuel stations 0 1

Mobility

Athol Park Pennington
Walkability score 70/100 86/100
Distance to Adelaide 13.8 km
+13% vs other
 12 km
Drive time (normal traffic) 21 min 20 min
Public transport score 79/100
Bus
same for both
Peak arrivals per hour 45.5
7-9am + 5-7pm
 45.8
7-9am + 5-7pm
Median peak wait 1 min
scheduled, not actual
same for both
Electric vehicle share 0.7%
postcode 5012
 0.4%
postcode 5013
Rooftop solar per 100 dwellings 57
postcode 5012
 61
postcode 5013

How people get to work

Method of travel on census day 2021 — which fell during COVID restrictions, so working from home is inflated and every travel mode understated.

Athol Park Pennington
Car (driver) 78.1% / 77.2%
Athol Park — Car (driver): 78.1% Pennington — Car (driver): 77.2%
Worked from Home 6.1% / 7.6%
Athol Park — Worked from Home: 6.1% Pennington — Worked from Home: 7.6%
Car (passenger) 7.3% / 6.0%
Athol Park — Car (passenger): 7.3% Pennington — Car (passenger): 6.0%
Bus 6.1% / 3.6%
Athol Park — Bus: 6.1% Pennington — Bus: 3.6%
Train 0.5% / 3.1%
Athol Park — Train: 0.5% Pennington — Train: 3.1%
Walked Only 1.5% / 1.2%
Athol Park — Walked Only: 1.5% Pennington — Walked Only: 1.2%

Bars are drawn against the largest share shown (78.1%).

Setting

Athol Park Pennington
Elevation 8 m
above sea level, at the suburb centre
 4 m
above sea level, at the suburb centre
Distance to the ocean 5.3 km 5.0 km

NBN connectivity

Athol Park Pennington
Connectivity score 77/100
same for both
Most common technology Fibre to the premises
same for both
Full-fibre (FTTP) share 43%
972 premises
 48%
1,743 premises

Climate

Athol Park Pennington
Annual rainfall 457 mm
same for both
Summer max (Jan) 29.1°C
same for both
Winter min (Jul) 8.5°C
same for both

Air quality (annual mean)

Athol Park Pennington
PM2.5 4.5 µg/m³
same for both
PM10 20.3 µg/m³
same for both
NO₂ —
same for both

Council rates

Athol Park Pennington
Average residential rate $1,726/yr
same for both
Council Charles Sturt
same for both

Federal electorate

Athol Park Pennington
Division Hindmarsh
same for both
Member Mark Butler
same for both
Party Australian Labor Party
same for both

First Home Owner Grant

Athol Park Pennington
Grant amount $15,000
same for both
Property price cap —
same for both
Eligibility New
same for both

Tags

Athol Park

Middle-Ring Multicultural Quiet Townhouses

Pennington

Middle-Ring Multicultural Parks Townhouses

More comparisons

Other comparisons with Athol Park

Athol Park vs Mansfield Park Athol Park vs Ottoway Athol Park vs Woodville North Athol Park vs Wingfield

Other comparisons with Pennington

Pennington vs Rosewater Pennington vs Ottoway Pennington vs Woodville North Pennington vs St Clair Pennington vs Cheltenham
Full data on Athol Park Full data on Pennington
Unlock full address-level data — $29/month

Information shown is provided as-is from Australian government and commercial data sources.
Always verify with the relevant authority before making property decisions.
See Data Sources and How We Calculate for details.

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