Hindmarsh Valley vs Lower Inman Valley

Hindmarsh Valley is the younger of the two, with a median age of 45 against 50 in Lower Inman Valley. In both, the large majority of households own their home, the large majority of homes are detached houses, and most households are couple families. Houses cost more in Lower Inman Valley: a median of $1.31 million, against $1.1 million in Hindmarsh Valley, though rent is higher in Hindmarsh Valley. On these figures, Hindmarsh Valley 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

Hindmarsh Valley

ahead on the one thing that separates them

  • has more parks and reserves (18 vs 1)

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

First-home buyers

Hindmarsh Valley

ahead on 2 of the 3 things we measure here

  • has cheaper land ($309,880 vs $1,030,000)
  • has cheaper houses ($1,098,000 vs $1,309,000)

Weighs house prices, land prices, and mortgage stress.

Renters

Lower Inman Valley

ahead on 2 of the 3 things we measure here

  • leaves renters under less rental stress (15% vs 20%)
  • has cheaper rent ($265/wk vs $305/wk)

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

Commuting to the city

Hindmarsh Valley

ahead on 2 of the 3 things we measure here

  • has a shorter drive in (71 min vs 81 min)
  • sits closer to the CBD (80.1 km vs 91.2 km)
  • But Lower Inman Valley is more walkable (10/100 vs 0/100)

Weighs distance, drive time, and walkability.

Downsizers and retirees

Lower Inman Valley

ahead on the one thing that separates them

  • is more walkable (10/100 vs 0/100)

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

Investors

Hindmarsh Valley

ahead on the one thing that separates them

  • is growing faster (36.1% vs 15.1%)

Weighs population growth.

Where they sit

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

Hindmarsh Valley Lower Inman Valley
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.

Hindmarsh Valley Lower Inman Valley
Walkability 0 / 10
Hindmarsh Valley — Walkability: 0/100 Lower Inman Valley — Walkability: 10/100
Safety 77 / 86
Hindmarsh Valley — Safety: 77/100 Lower Inman Valley — Safety: 86/100
Low fire risk 73 / 100
Hindmarsh Valley — Low fire risk: 73/100 Lower Inman Valley — Low fire risk: 100/100
Low flood risk 75 / 71
Hindmarsh Valley — Low flood risk: 75/100 Lower Inman Valley — Low flood risk: 71/100

Demographics

Hindmarsh Valley has more residents (648 vs 517); Lower Inman Valley has higher household incomes ($94,224 vs $77,220).

Hindmarsh Valley Lower Inman Valley
Population 648
+20% vs other
 517
Population trend (2016 → 2021) +36.1% +15.1%
Median age 45 50
Median household income $77,220/yr $94,224/yr
+22% vs other
Median weekly rent $305/wk
+13% vs other
 $265/wk

Age profile

Share of residents in each band, 2021 Census.

Hindmarsh Valley Lower Inman Valley
0-4 5.4% / 3.3%
Hindmarsh Valley — 0-4: 5.4% Lower Inman Valley — 0-4: 3.3%
5-14 13.0% / 13.5%
Hindmarsh Valley — 5-14: 13.0% Lower Inman Valley — 5-14: 13.5%
15-19 5.6% / 9.1%
Hindmarsh Valley — 15-19: 5.6% Lower Inman Valley — 15-19: 9.1%
20-24 5.7% / 2.3%
Hindmarsh Valley — 20-24: 5.7% Lower Inman Valley — 20-24: 2.3%
25-34 10.3% / 5.2%
Hindmarsh Valley — 25-34: 10.3% Lower Inman Valley — 25-34: 5.2%
35-44 9.6% / 9.5%
Hindmarsh Valley — 35-44: 9.6% Lower Inman Valley — 35-44: 9.5%
45-54 13.9% / 17.0%
Hindmarsh Valley — 45-54: 13.9% Lower Inman Valley — 45-54: 17.0%
55-64 17.4% / 19.7%
Hindmarsh Valley — 55-64: 17.4% Lower Inman Valley — 55-64: 19.7%
65-74 14.2% / 15.7%
Hindmarsh Valley — 65-74: 14.2% Lower Inman Valley — 65-74: 15.7%
75-84 2.8% / 4.6%
Hindmarsh Valley — 75-84: 2.8% Lower Inman Valley — 75-84: 4.6%
85+ — / 1.7%
Hindmarsh Valley — 85+: not among its largest Lower Inman Valley — 85+: 1.7%

Bars are drawn against the largest share shown (19.7%).

Who lives together

Household composition, 2021 Census.

Hindmarsh Valley 57.7% couple families
Hindmarsh Valley — Couple Families: 57.7% Hindmarsh Valley — Lone Person: 30.0% Hindmarsh Valley — One Parent Families: 10.0% Hindmarsh Valley — Group Household: 2.3%
Lower Inman Valley 63.5% couple families
Lower Inman Valley — Couple Families: 63.5% Lower Inman Valley — Lone Person: 26.0% Lower Inman Valley — One Parent Families: 6.2% Lower Inman Valley — Group Household: 4.2%
Couple Families Lone Person One Parent Families Group Household

Who owns and who rents

Occupied private dwellings by tenure, 2021 Census.

Hindmarsh Valley 11.3% renting
Hindmarsh Valley — Owned Outright: 42.3% Hindmarsh Valley — Mortgage: 46.5% Hindmarsh Valley — Renting: 11.3%
Lower Inman Valley 6.4% renting
Lower Inman Valley — Owned Outright: 46.8% Lower Inman Valley — Mortgage: 46.8% Lower Inman Valley — Renting: 6.4%
Owned outright Mortgage Renting

Qualifications

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

Hindmarsh Valley Lower Inman Valley
Certificate III & IV 21.0% / 18.2%
Hindmarsh Valley — Certificate III & IV: 21.0% Lower Inman Valley — Certificate III & IV: 18.2%
Bachelor Degree 8.8% / 13.0%
Hindmarsh Valley — Bachelor Degree: 8.8% Lower Inman Valley — Bachelor Degree: 13.0%
Advanced Diploma / Diploma 9.6% / 9.9%
Hindmarsh Valley — Advanced Diploma / Diploma: 9.6% Lower Inman Valley — Advanced Diploma / Diploma: 9.9%
Postgraduate Degree 2.2% / 1.5%
Hindmarsh Valley — Postgraduate Degree: 2.2% Lower Inman Valley — Postgraduate Degree: 1.5%
Graduate Diploma / Certificate 1.5% / 1.9%
Hindmarsh Valley — Graduate Diploma / Certificate: 1.5% Lower Inman Valley — Graduate Diploma / Certificate: 1.9%

Bars are drawn against the largest share shown (21.0%).

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.

Hindmarsh Valley Lower Inman Valley
England 7.9% / 8.1%
Hindmarsh Valley — England: 7.9% Lower Inman Valley — England: 8.1%
New Zealand 1.1% / 1.9%
Hindmarsh Valley — New Zealand: 1.1% Lower Inman Valley — New Zealand: 1.9%
Netherlands 0.5% / 1.2%
Hindmarsh Valley — Netherlands: 0.5% Lower Inman Valley — Netherlands: 1.2%
Germany 0.5% / 0.6%
Hindmarsh Valley — Germany: 0.5% Lower Inman Valley — Germany: 0.6%
China 0.8% / —
Hindmarsh Valley — China: 0.8% Lower Inman Valley — China: not among its largest
Scotland 0.8% / —
Hindmarsh Valley — Scotland: 0.8% Lower Inman Valley — Scotland: not among its largest
Thailand 0.8% / —
Hindmarsh Valley — Thailand: 0.8% Lower Inman Valley — Thailand: not among its largest

Bars are drawn against the largest share shown (8.1%).

What people live in

Occupied private dwellings by structure, 2021 Census.

Hindmarsh Valley 98.2% houses
Hindmarsh Valley — Houses: 98.2% Hindmarsh Valley — Townhouses: 1.4% Hindmarsh Valley — Flats / Apartments: 0.5%
Lower Inman Valley 100.6% houses
Lower Inman Valley — Houses: 100.6% Lower Inman Valley — Townhouses: 0.0% Lower Inman Valley — Flats / Apartments: 0.0%
Houses Townhouses Flats / Apartments

Property market

Hindmarsh Valley Lower Inman Valley
Median house price $1,098,000 $1,309,000
Median unit price —
same for both
Median land price $309,880 $1,030,000
Typical days to sell (houses) 36 days
from 9 sales
 —

Zoning mix

Hindmarsh Valley Lower Inman Valley
Rural and farming 92% 100%
Environmental 3% 0%
Other and special use 3% 0%
Residential 1% 0%
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

Hindmarsh Valley Lower Inman Valley
New dwellings approved 347
across Victor Harbor
same for both
Approvals change year on year -26%
same for both

Ranking within SA

Hindmarsh Valley Lower Inman Valley
House price —
same for both
Income Higher than 52% of SA Higher than 73% of SA
Schools —
same for both
Walkability Higher than 7% of SA Higher than 64% of SA
Affordability —
same for both
EV adoption Higher than 63% of SA
same for both
NBN connectivity Higher than 76% of SA Higher than 63% of SA

Liveability

Lower Inman Valley is more walkable (10 vs 0); Lower Inman Valley scores higher overall (61 vs 53).

Hindmarsh Valley Lower Inman Valley
Grade B
same for both
Score 53/100 61/100
Socio-economic band advantaged area
decile 7/10
 advantaged area
decile 8/10

Risk profile

Hindmarsh Valley carries more bushfire risk (27 vs 0).

Hindmarsh Valley Lower Inman Valley
Bushfire Low
27/100
 None
0/100
Crime Low
23/100
 Low
14/100
Flood Low
25/100
 Low
29/100
Coastal erosion None
0/100
same for both
Aircraft noise None
0/100
same for both
Industrial facilities nearby 0
within 5 km
 2
within 5 km

Schools

Hindmarsh Valley Lower Inman Valley
Inside the suburb 0
same for both
Rated above peers 0
same for both
Rated at peers 0
same for both
Rated below peers 0
same for both

Amenities in the suburb

Hindmarsh Valley Lower Inman Valley
Parks & reserves 18 1
Waterways 5 1

Mobility

Lower Inman Valley sits further from the CBD (91.2 km vs 80.1 km).

Hindmarsh Valley Lower Inman Valley
Walkability score 0/100 10/100
Distance to Adelaide 80.1 km 91.2 km
+14% vs other
Drive time (normal traffic) 71 min 81 min
Electric vehicle share 0.7%
postcode 5211
same for both
Rooftop solar per 100 dwellings 70
postcode 5211
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.

Hindmarsh Valley Lower Inman Valley
Car (driver) 71.7% / 76.8%
Hindmarsh Valley — Car (driver): 71.7% Lower Inman Valley — Car (driver): 76.8%
Worked from Home 19.4% / 16.1%
Hindmarsh Valley — Worked from Home: 19.4% Lower Inman Valley — Worked from Home: 16.1%
Car (passenger) 4.6% / 7.1%
Hindmarsh Valley — Car (passenger): 4.6% Lower Inman Valley — Car (passenger): 7.1%
Bicycle 1.8% / —
Hindmarsh Valley — Bicycle: 1.8% Lower Inman Valley — Bicycle: not among its largest
Walked Only 1.4% / —
Hindmarsh Valley — Walked Only: 1.4% Lower Inman Valley — Walked Only: not among its largest

Bars are drawn against the largest share shown (76.8%).

Setting

Hindmarsh Valley Lower Inman Valley
Elevation 50 m
above sea level, at the suburb centre
 101 m
above sea level, at the suburb centre
Distance to the ocean 8.1 km 6.5 km

NBN connectivity

Hindmarsh Valley Lower Inman Valley
Connectivity score 58/100 30/100
Most common technology Fixed wireless
same for both
Full-fibre (FTTP) share 42%
360 premises
 0%
207 premises

Climate

Hindmarsh Valley Lower Inman Valley
Annual rainfall 786 mm
same for both
Summer max (Jan) —
same for both
Winter min (Jul) —
same for both

Council rates

Hindmarsh Valley Lower Inman Valley
Average residential rate $2,533/yr
same for both
Council Victor Harbor
same for both

Federal electorate

Hindmarsh Valley Lower Inman Valley
Division Mayo
same for both
Member Rebekha Sharkie
same for both
Party Centre Alliance
same for both

First Home Owner Grant

Hindmarsh Valley Lower Inman Valley
Grant amount $15,000
same for both
Property price cap —
same for both
Eligibility New
same for both

Tags

Hindmarsh Valley

River Rural

Lower Inman Valley

Rural

More comparisons

Other comparisons with Hindmarsh Valley

Hindmarsh Valley vs Victor Harbor Hindmarsh Valley vs Port Elliot Hindmarsh Valley vs Hayborough Hindmarsh Valley vs McCracken Hindmarsh Valley vs Chiton Hindmarsh Valley vs Inman Valley

Other comparisons with Lower Inman Valley

Lower Inman Valley vs Victor Harbor Lower Inman Valley vs Inman Valley Lower Inman Valley vs Back Valley
Full data on Hindmarsh Valley Full data on Lower Inman Valley
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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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