Highland Valley vs Strathalbyn

In both, the large majority of households own their home and the large majority of homes are detached houses. In Highland Valley, most households are couple families. Highland Valley is closer to the city centre: 46.8 km, against 55.8 km. On these figures, Highland Valley tends to suit couples, while Strathalbyn suits people living alone and older residents.

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

They split

one each way, out of the 6 things we measure here

  • Highland Valley carries lower crime risk (10/100 vs 33/100)
  • Strathalbyn has more childcare (7 vs 0)

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

First-home buyers

Highland Valley

ahead on the one thing that separates them

  • leaves households under less mortgage stress (20% vs 28%)

Weighs mortgage stress.

Renters

Highland Valley

ahead on 2 of the 2 things we measure here

  • leaves renters under less rental stress (11% vs 24%)
  • has cheaper rent ($250/wk vs $300/wk)

Weighs rent and rental stress.

Commuting to the city

Highland Valley

ahead on 2 of the 3 things we measure here

  • sits closer to the CBD (46.8 km vs 55.8 km)
  • has a shorter drive in (48 min vs 54 min)
  • But Strathalbyn is more walkable (73/100 vs 0/100)

Weighs distance, drive time, and walkability.

Downsizers and retirees

Strathalbyn

ahead on 2 of the 4 things we measure here

  • is more walkable (73/100 vs 0/100)
  • has more residents already 65 and over (26% vs 18%)
  • But Highland Valley carries lower crime risk (10/100 vs 33/100)

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

Investors

Too close to call

Nothing among the 1 things we measure here separates them by enough to be worth acting on.

Weighs population growth.

Where they sit

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

Highland Valley Strathalbyn
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.

Highland Valley Strathalbyn
Walkability 0 / 73
Highland Valley — Walkability: 0/100 Strathalbyn — Walkability: 73/100
Safety 90 / 67
Highland Valley — Safety: 90/100 Strathalbyn — Safety: 67/100
Low fire risk 41 / 39
Highland Valley — Low fire risk: 41/100 Strathalbyn — Low fire risk: 39/100

Demographics

Strathalbyn has more residents (7,246 vs 384); Highland Valley has higher household incomes ($119,132 vs $65,208).

Highland Valley Strathalbyn
Population 384 7,246
+1787% vs other
Population trend (2016 → 2021) +13.3% +11.4%
Median age 47
same for both
Median household income $119,132/yr
+45% vs other
 $65,208/yr
Median weekly rent $250/wk $300/wk
+20% vs other

Age profile

Share of residents in each band, 2021 Census.

Highland Valley Strathalbyn
0-4 3.4% / 5.0%
Highland Valley — 0-4: 3.4% Strathalbyn — 0-4: 5.0%
5-14 11.7% / 12.4%
Highland Valley — 5-14: 11.7% Strathalbyn — 5-14: 12.4%
15-19 7.6% / 5.5%
Highland Valley — 15-19: 7.6% Strathalbyn — 15-19: 5.5%
20-24 5.5% / 4.9%
Highland Valley — 20-24: 5.5% Strathalbyn — 20-24: 4.9%
25-34 7.0% / 9.9%
Highland Valley — 25-34: 7.0% Strathalbyn — 25-34: 9.9%
35-44 10.9% / 9.9%
Highland Valley — 35-44: 10.9% Strathalbyn — 35-44: 9.9%
45-54 18.0% / 12.7%
Highland Valley — 45-54: 18.0% Strathalbyn — 45-54: 12.7%
55-64 16.1% / 13.3%
Highland Valley — 55-64: 16.1% Strathalbyn — 55-64: 13.3%
65-74 13.0% / 14.1%
Highland Valley — 65-74: 13.0% Strathalbyn — 65-74: 14.1%
75-84 3.1% / 9.3%
Highland Valley — 75-84: 3.1% Strathalbyn — 75-84: 9.3%
85+ 1.6% / 3.0%
Highland Valley — 85+: 1.6% Strathalbyn — 85+: 3.0%

Bars are drawn against the largest share shown (18.0%).

Who lives together

Household composition, 2021 Census.

Highland Valley 61.0% couple families
Highland Valley — Couple Families: 61.0% Highland Valley — Lone Person: 22.0% Highland Valley — One Parent Families: 17.1% Highland Valley — Group Household: 0.0% Highland Valley — Other Families: 0.0%
Strathalbyn 38.9% couple families
Strathalbyn — Couple Families: 38.9% Strathalbyn — Lone Person: 39.9% Strathalbyn — One Parent Families: 17.6% Strathalbyn — Group Household: 2.5% Strathalbyn — Other Families: 1.0%
Couple Families Lone Person One Parent Families Group Household Other Families

Who owns and who rents

Occupied private dwellings by tenure, 2021 Census.

Highland Valley 0.0% renting
Highland Valley — Owned Outright: 37.3% Highland Valley — Mortgage: 62.7% Highland Valley — Renting: 0.0%
Strathalbyn 20.7% renting
Strathalbyn — Owned Outright: 40.1% Strathalbyn — Mortgage: 39.2% Strathalbyn — Renting: 20.7%
Owned outright Mortgage Renting

Qualifications

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

Highland Valley Strathalbyn
Certificate III & IV 21.6% / 19.1%
Highland Valley — Certificate III & IV: 21.6% Strathalbyn — Certificate III & IV: 19.1%
Bachelor Degree 16.4% / 8.4%
Highland Valley — Bachelor Degree: 16.4% Strathalbyn — Bachelor Degree: 8.4%
Advanced Diploma / Diploma 9.4% / 8.1%
Highland Valley — Advanced Diploma / Diploma: 9.4% Strathalbyn — Advanced Diploma / Diploma: 8.1%
Postgraduate Degree 3.4% / 1.6%
Highland Valley — Postgraduate Degree: 3.4% Strathalbyn — Postgraduate Degree: 1.6%
Graduate Diploma / Certificate 2.6% / 1.3%
Highland Valley — Graduate Diploma / Certificate: 2.6% Strathalbyn — Graduate Diploma / Certificate: 1.3%

Bars are drawn against the largest share shown (21.6%).

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.

Highland Valley Strathalbyn
England 9.6% / 6.2%
Highland Valley — England: 9.6% Strathalbyn — England: 6.2%
New Zealand 1.0% / 0.6%
Highland Valley — New Zealand: 1.0% Strathalbyn — New Zealand: 0.6%
South Africa 0.8% / 0.3%
Highland Valley — South Africa: 0.8% Strathalbyn — South Africa: 0.3%
Canada 0.8% / —
Highland Valley — Canada: 0.8% Strathalbyn — Canada: not among its largest
Brazil 0.8% / —
Highland Valley — Brazil: 0.8% Strathalbyn — Brazil: not among its largest
Scotland — / 0.7%
Highland Valley — Scotland: not among its largest Strathalbyn — Scotland: 0.7%
Germany — / 0.5%
Highland Valley — Germany: not among its largest Strathalbyn — Germany: 0.5%
Netherlands — / 0.5%
Highland Valley — Netherlands: not among its largest Strathalbyn — Netherlands: 0.5%

Bars are drawn against the largest share shown (9.6%).

What people live in

Occupied private dwellings by structure, 2021 Census.

Highland Valley 100.0% houses
Highland Valley — Houses: 100.0% Highland Valley — Townhouses: 0.0% Highland Valley — Flats / Apartments: 0.0%
Strathalbyn 93.4% houses
Strathalbyn — Houses: 93.4% Strathalbyn — Townhouses: 5.4% Strathalbyn — Flats / Apartments: 1.2%
Houses Townhouses Flats / Apartments

Property market

Highland Valley Strathalbyn
Median house price — $755,000
Median unit price — $470,000
Median land price — $700,000
Typical days to sell (houses) — 20 days
from 71 sales

Zoning mix

Highland Valley Strathalbyn
Rural and farming 100% 93%
Residential 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

Highland Valley Strathalbyn
New dwellings approved 429
across Alexandrina
same for both
Approvals change year on year +25%
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.

Highland Valley Strathalbyn
Houses — 3.9%
$620/wk on $835K
Units —
same for both

Ranking within SA

Highland Valley Strathalbyn
House price —
same for both
Income Higher than 92% of SA Higher than 33% of SA
Schools — Higher than 34% of SA
Walkability Higher than 28% of SA Higher than 90% of SA
Affordability —
same for both
EV adoption Higher than 64% of SA Higher than 65% of SA
NBN connectivity Higher than 42% of SA Higher than 98% of SA
Rental yield (houses) — Higher than 45% of SA

Liveability

Strathalbyn is more walkable (73 vs 0).

Highland Valley Strathalbyn
Grade — C
Score — 36/100
Socio-economic band very advantaged area
decile 9/10
 below-average income
decile 3/10

Risk profile

Strathalbyn carries more crime risk (33 vs 10).

Highland Valley Strathalbyn
Bushfire Moderate
59/100
 Moderate
61/100
Crime Low
10/100
 Low
33/100
Flood —
same for both
Coastal erosion None
0/100
same for both
Aircraft noise None
0/100
same for both
Industrial facilities nearby 0
within 5 km
same for both

Schools

Highland Valley Strathalbyn
Inside the suburb 0 4
Rated above peers 0
same for both
Rated at peers 0 1
Rated below peers 0 1

Schools in Highland Valley

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

Schools in Strathalbyn

  • Eastern Fleurieu R-12 School Government · Combined at peers
  • Tyndale Christian School Strathalbyn Independent · Combined below peers
  • Eastern Fleurieu R-12 School - Strathalbyn 7-12 Campus Government · Combined
  • Eastern Fleurieu R-12 School - Strathalbyn R-6 Campus Government · Combined

Amenities in the suburb

Highland Valley Strathalbyn
Supermarkets 0 1
Cafes & restaurants 0 1
Parks & reserves 7 5
Childcare 0 7
GPs 0 1
Pharmacies 0 2
Hospitals 0 1
Police stations 0 1
Banks & Bank@Post 0 2
Fuel stations 0 1
EV chargers 0 1
Waterways 1 3

Mobility

Strathalbyn sits further from the CBD (55.8 km vs 46.8 km).

Highland Valley Strathalbyn
Walkability score 0/100 73/100
Distance to Adelaide 46.8 km 55.8 km
+19% vs other
Drive time (normal traffic) 48 min 54 min
Electric vehicle share 0.7%
postcode 5255
same for both
Rooftop solar per 100 dwellings 85
postcode 5255
same for both

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.

Highland Valley Strathalbyn
Car (driver) 80.7% / 80.1%
Highland Valley — Car (driver): 80.7% Strathalbyn — Car (driver): 80.1%
Worked from Home 14.8% / 10.6%
Highland Valley — Worked from Home: 14.8% Strathalbyn — Worked from Home: 10.6%
Car (passenger) 4.5% / 4.4%
Highland Valley — Car (passenger): 4.5% Strathalbyn — Car (passenger): 4.4%
Walked Only — / 2.7%
Highland Valley — Walked Only: not among its largest Strathalbyn — Walked Only: 2.7%
Bus — / 1.8%
Highland Valley — Bus: not among its largest Strathalbyn — Bus: 1.8%

Bars are drawn against the largest share shown (80.7%).

Setting

Highland Valley Strathalbyn
Elevation 244 m
above sea level, at the suburb centre
 72 m
above sea level, at the suburb centre
Distance to the ocean 40.4 km 31.3 km

NBN connectivity

Highland Valley Strathalbyn
Connectivity score 28/100 95/100
Most common technology Fixed wireless Fibre to the premises
Full-fibre (FTTP) share 0%
136 premises
 93%
4,013 premises

Climate

Highland Valley Strathalbyn
Annual rainfall 466 mm
same for both
Summer max (Jan) —
same for both
Winter min (Jul) —
same for both

Council rates

Highland Valley Strathalbyn
Average residential rate $2,523/yr
same for both
Council Alexandrina
same for both

Federal electorate

Highland Valley Strathalbyn
Division Mayo
same for both
Member Rebekha Sharkie
same for both
Party Centre Alliance
same for both

First Home Owner Grant

Highland Valley Strathalbyn
Grant amount $15,000
same for both
Property price cap —
same for both
Eligibility New
same for both

Tags

Highland Valley

Outer

Strathalbyn

Acreage Outer Retirees River

More comparisons

Other comparisons with Highland Valley

Highland Valley vs Bugle Ranges Highland Valley vs Wistow Highland Valley vs Woodchester Highland Valley vs Red Creek Highland Valley vs Gemmells

Other comparisons with Strathalbyn

Strathalbyn vs Macclesfield Strathalbyn vs Willyaroo Strathalbyn vs Ashbourne Strathalbyn vs Woodchester Strathalbyn vs Paris Creek Strathalbyn vs Belvidere
Full data on Highland Valley Full data on Strathalbyn
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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