Birkenhead vs Largs Bay

Birkenhead is the younger of the two, with a median age of 39 against 46 in Largs Bay. In both, most households own their home and the large majority of homes are detached houses. Houses cost more in Largs Bay: a median of $1.14 million, against $855,000 in Birkenhead. On these figures, Birkenhead tends to suit buyers on a tighter budget.

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

Birkenhead

ahead on the one thing that separates them

  • has more schools rated above their peers (1 vs 0)

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

First-home buyers

Birkenhead

ahead on the one thing that separates them

  • has cheaper houses ($855,100 vs $1,140,000)

Weighs house prices and mortgage stress.

Renters

Too close to call

Nothing among the 3 things we measure here separates them by enough to be worth acting on.

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

Commuting to the city

Too close to call

Nothing among the 4 things we measure here separates them by enough to be worth acting on.

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

Downsizers and retirees

Largs Bay

ahead on the one thing that separates them

  • has more residents already 65 and over (21% vs 14%)

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

Investors

Birkenhead

ahead on the one thing that separates them

  • is growing faster (8.1% vs 0.6%)

Weighs population growth.

Where they sit

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

Birkenhead Largs Bay
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.

Birkenhead Largs Bay
Walkability 59 / 62
Birkenhead — Walkability: 59/100 Largs Bay — Walkability: 62/100
Safety 29 / 22
Birkenhead — Safety: 29/100 Largs Bay — Safety: 22/100
Low fire risk 100 / 100
Birkenhead — Low fire risk: 100/100 Largs Bay — Low fire risk: 100/100
Low flood risk 21 / 19
Birkenhead — Low flood risk: 21/100 Largs Bay — Low flood risk: 19/100

Demographics

Largs Bay has more residents (4,104 vs 1,798); Largs Bay has higher household incomes ($98,072 vs $83,096).

Birkenhead Largs Bay
Population 1,798 4,104
+128% vs other
Population trend (2016 → 2021) +8.1% +0.6%
Median age 39 46
Median household income $83,096/yr $98,072/yr
+18% vs other
Median weekly rent $315/wk
same for both

Age profile

Share of residents in each band, 2021 Census.

Birkenhead Largs Bay
0-4 7.4% / 5.2%
Birkenhead — 0-4: 7.4% Largs Bay — 0-4: 5.2%
5-14 9.3% / 9.8%
Birkenhead — 5-14: 9.3% Largs Bay — 5-14: 9.8%
15-19 4.4% / 5.2%
Birkenhead — 15-19: 4.4% Largs Bay — 15-19: 5.2%
20-24 5.9% / 5.4%
Birkenhead — 20-24: 5.9% Largs Bay — 20-24: 5.4%
25-34 15.6% / 10.0%
Birkenhead — 25-34: 15.6% Largs Bay — 25-34: 10.0%
35-44 13.8% / 12.0%
Birkenhead — 35-44: 13.8% Largs Bay — 35-44: 12.0%
45-54 13.8% / 14.5%
Birkenhead — 45-54: 13.8% Largs Bay — 45-54: 14.5%
55-64 15.2% / 16.5%
Birkenhead — 55-64: 15.2% Largs Bay — 55-64: 16.5%
65-74 9.5% / 11.3%
Birkenhead — 65-74: 9.5% Largs Bay — 65-74: 11.3%
75-84 3.1% / 5.3%
Birkenhead — 75-84: 3.1% Largs Bay — 75-84: 5.3%
85+ 1.8% / 4.8%
Birkenhead — 85+: 1.8% Largs Bay — 85+: 4.8%

Bars are drawn against the largest share shown (16.5%).

Who lives together

Household composition, 2021 Census.

Birkenhead 42.9% lone person
Birkenhead — Lone Person: 42.9% Birkenhead — Couple Families: 31.5% Birkenhead — One Parent Families: 19.4% Birkenhead — Group Household: 3.8% Birkenhead — Other Families: 2.4%
Largs Bay 37.5% lone person
Largs Bay — Lone Person: 37.5% Largs Bay — Couple Families: 43.3% Largs Bay — One Parent Families: 14.3% Largs Bay — Group Household: 3.6% Largs Bay — Other Families: 1.2%
Lone Person Couple Families One Parent Families Group Household Other Families

Who owns and who rents

Occupied private dwellings by tenure, 2021 Census.

Birkenhead 27.7% renting
Birkenhead — Owned Outright: 26.0% Birkenhead — Mortgage: 46.3% Birkenhead — Renting: 27.7%
Largs Bay 20.9% renting
Largs Bay — Owned Outright: 35.0% Largs Bay — Mortgage: 44.0% Largs Bay — Renting: 20.9%
Owned outright Mortgage Renting

Qualifications

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

Birkenhead Largs Bay
Certificate III & IV 18.7% / 15.9%
Birkenhead — Certificate III & IV: 18.7% Largs Bay — Certificate III & IV: 15.9%
Bachelor Degree 10.7% / 12.8%
Birkenhead — Bachelor Degree: 10.7% Largs Bay — Bachelor Degree: 12.8%
Advanced Diploma / Diploma 8.2% / 8.2%
Birkenhead — Advanced Diploma / Diploma: 8.2% Largs Bay — Advanced Diploma / Diploma: 8.2%
Postgraduate Degree 3.7% / 4.3%
Birkenhead — Postgraduate Degree: 3.7% Largs Bay — Postgraduate Degree: 4.3%
Graduate Diploma / Certificate 1.8% / 2.7%
Birkenhead — Graduate Diploma / Certificate: 1.8% Largs Bay — Graduate Diploma / Certificate: 2.7%

Bars are drawn against the largest share shown (18.7%).

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.

Birkenhead Largs Bay
England 5.4% / 6.6%
Birkenhead — England: 5.4% Largs Bay — England: 6.6%
New Zealand 1.3% / 1.0%
Birkenhead — New Zealand: 1.3% Largs Bay — New Zealand: 1.0%
Italy 1.1% / 0.5%
Birkenhead — Italy: 1.1% Largs Bay — Italy: 0.5%
Germany 0.8% / 0.7%
Birkenhead — Germany: 0.8% Largs Bay — Germany: 0.7%
Scotland — / 1.1%
Birkenhead — Scotland: not among its largest Largs Bay — Scotland: 1.1%
Greece 0.8% / —
Birkenhead — Greece: 0.8% Largs Bay — Greece: not among its largest

Bars are drawn against the largest share shown (6.6%).

What people live in

Occupied private dwellings by structure, 2021 Census.

Birkenhead 88.1% houses
Birkenhead — Houses: 88.1% Birkenhead — Flats / Apartments: 3.9% Birkenhead — Townhouses: 8.0%
Largs Bay 82.5% houses
Largs Bay — Houses: 82.5% Largs Bay — Flats / Apartments: 11.0% Largs Bay — Townhouses: 6.4%
Houses Flats / Apartments Townhouses

Property market

Birkenhead Largs Bay
Median house price $855,100 $1,140,000
Median unit price — $610,000
Median land price —
same for both
Typical days to sell (houses) 18 days
from 26 sales
 21 days
from 30 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.

Birkenhead Largs Bay
2 bed $778K / $800K
Birkenhead — 2 bed: $778K (7 sales) Largs Bay — 2 bed: $800K (5 sales)

7 vs 5 sales

3 bed $855K / $999K
Birkenhead — 3 bed: $855K (49 sales) Largs Bay — 3 bed: $999K (26 sales)

49 vs 26 sales

4 bed $982K / $1.49M
Birkenhead — 4 bed: $982K (12 sales) Largs Bay — 4 bed: $1.49M (20 sales)

12 vs 20 sales

Zoning mix

Birkenhead Largs Bay
Residential 66% 71%
Industrial 25% 23%
Commercial 8% 1%
Parks and recreation 0% 5%
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

Birkenhead Largs Bay
New dwellings approved 1,176
across Port Adelaide Enfield
same for both
Approvals change year on year +23%
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.

Birkenhead Largs Bay
Houses 3.7%
$670/wk on $950K
 —
Units —
same for both

Ranking within SA

Birkenhead Largs Bay
House price Higher than 21% of SA Higher than 46% of SA
Income Higher than 58% of SA Higher than 77% of SA
Schools —
same for both
Walkability Higher than 84% of SA Higher than 85% of SA
Affordability Higher than 84% of SA Higher than 77% of SA
EV adoption Higher than 79% of SA Higher than 69% of SA
NBN connectivity Higher than 78% of SA Higher than 80% of SA
Rental yield (houses) Higher than 36% of SA —

Liveability

Largs Bay scores higher overall (45 vs 40).

Birkenhead Largs Bay
Grade C
same for both
Score 40/100 45/100
Socio-economic band mid-range socio-economic
decile 4/10
 advantaged area
decile 7/10

Risk profile

Birkenhead Largs Bay
Bushfire None
0/100
same for both
Crime High
71/100
 High
78/100
Flood High
79/100
 High
81/100
Coastal erosion None
0/100
same for both
Aircraft noise None
0/100
same for both
Industrial facilities nearby 21
within 5 km
 19
within 5 km

Schools

Birkenhead Largs Bay
Inside the suburb 1
same for both
Rated above peers 1 0
Rated at peers 0 1
Rated below peers 0
same for both

Schools in Birkenhead

  • Le Fevre Peninsula Primary School Government · Primary above peers

Schools in Largs Bay

  • Largs Bay School Government · Primary at peers

Amenities in the suburb

Birkenhead Largs Bay
Cafes & restaurants 0 3
Parks & reserves 1 0
Childcare 2 1
Pharmacies 0 1
Banks & Bank@Post 0 1
Fuel stations 0 3
EV chargers 0 1

Mobility

Birkenhead Largs Bay
Walkability score 59/100 62/100
Distance to Adelaide 20.4 km 22 km
+8% vs other
Drive time (normal traffic) 24 min 26 min
Public transport score 45/100
Bus
 91/100
Rail · Bus
Peak arrivals per hour 13.5
7-9am + 5-7pm
 40.5
7-9am + 5-7pm
Median peak wait 1 min
scheduled, not actual
same for both
Electric vehicle share 1.0%
postcode 5015
 0.8%
postcode 5016
Rooftop solar per 100 dwellings 50
postcode 5015
 58
postcode 5016

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.

Birkenhead Largs Bay
Car (driver) 81.2% / 73.7%
Birkenhead — Car (driver): 81.2% Largs Bay — Car (driver): 73.7%
Worked from Home 7.5% / 11.7%
Birkenhead — Worked from Home: 7.5% Largs Bay — Worked from Home: 11.7%
Train 4.7% / 6.1%
Birkenhead — Train: 4.7% Largs Bay — Train: 6.1%
Car (passenger) 3.5% / 4.6%
Birkenhead — Car (passenger): 3.5% Largs Bay — Car (passenger): 4.6%
Walked Only 1.9% / 1.4%
Birkenhead — Walked Only: 1.9% Largs Bay — Walked Only: 1.4%

Bars are drawn against the largest share shown (81.2%).

Setting

Birkenhead Largs Bay
Elevation 9 m
above sea level, at the suburb centre
 7 m
above sea level, at the suburb centre
Distance to the ocean 1.8 km
3.1 km to a named beach
 876 m
3.7 km to a named beach

NBN connectivity

Birkenhead Largs Bay
Connectivity score 62/100 66/100
Most common technology Fibre to the node
same for both
Full-fibre (FTTP) share 30%
873 premises
 39%
1,989 premises

Climate

Birkenhead Largs Bay
Annual rainfall 457 mm 404 mm
Summer max (Jan) 29.1°C 30.4°C
Winter min (Jul) 8.5°C 6.5°C

Air quality (annual mean)

Birkenhead Largs Bay
PM2.5 4.5 µg/m³
same for both
PM10 20.3 µg/m³
same for both
NO₂ —
same for both

Council rates

Birkenhead Largs Bay
Average residential rate $1,311/yr
same for both
Council Port Adelaide Enfield
same for both

Federal electorate

Birkenhead Largs Bay
Division Hindmarsh
same for both
Member Mark Butler
same for both
Party Australian Labor Party
same for both

First Home Owner Grant

Birkenhead Largs Bay
Grant amount $15,000
same for both
Property price cap —
same for both
Eligibility New
same for both

Tags

Birkenhead

Coastal Middle-Ring

Largs Bay

Coastal Middle-Ring Trains Transport Hub

More comparisons

Other comparisons with Birkenhead

Birkenhead vs Port Adelaide Birkenhead vs Peterhead Birkenhead vs Exeter Birkenhead vs Glanville Birkenhead vs New Port

Other comparisons with Largs Bay

Largs Bay vs Largs North Largs Bay vs Semaphore Largs Bay vs Port Adelaide Largs Bay vs Peterhead Largs Bay vs Exeter
Full data on Birkenhead Full data on Largs Bay
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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