Noarlunga Downs vs Old Noarlunga

In both, most households own their home and the large majority of homes are detached houses. On these figures, Noarlunga Downs 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

Noarlunga Downs

ahead on 2 of the 6 things we measure here

  • has more schools inside the suburb (3 vs 1)
  • carries lower crime risk (65/100 vs 87/100)
  • But Old Noarlunga is already more of a family suburb (62% vs 52%)

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

First-home buyers

Too close to call

Nothing among the 2 things we measure here separates them by enough to be worth acting on.

Weighs house prices and mortgage stress.

Renters

Noarlunga Downs

ahead on 2 of the 3 things we measure here

  • has a bigger rental market to choose from (35% vs 18%)
  • has cheaper rent ($250/wk vs $305/wk)

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

Noarlunga Downs

ahead on the one thing that separates them

  • carries lower crime risk (65/100 vs 87/100)

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

Investors

Too close to call

Nothing among the 2 things we measure here separates them by enough to be worth acting on.

Weighs house yield and population growth.

Where they sit

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

Noarlunga Downs Old Noarlunga
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.

Noarlunga Downs Old Noarlunga
Walkability 48 / 44
Noarlunga Downs — Walkability: 48/100 Old Noarlunga — Walkability: 44/100
Safety 35 / 13
Noarlunga Downs — Safety: 35/100 Old Noarlunga — Safety: 13/100
Low fire risk 62 / 46
Noarlunga Downs — Low fire risk: 62/100 Old Noarlunga — Low fire risk: 46/100
Low flood risk 18 / 29
Noarlunga Downs — Low flood risk: 18/100 Old Noarlunga — Low flood risk: 29/100

Demographics

Noarlunga Downs has more residents (4,031 vs 1,531); Old Noarlunga has higher household incomes ($77,220 vs $61,828).

Noarlunga Downs Old Noarlunga
Population 4,031
+62% vs other
 1,531
Population trend (2016 → 2021) +4.8% +5.7%
Median age 39 41
Median household income $61,828/yr $77,220/yr
+25% vs other
Median weekly rent $250/wk $305/wk
+22% vs other

Age profile

Share of residents in each band, 2021 Census.

Noarlunga Downs Old Noarlunga
0-4 5.4% / 4.6%
Noarlunga Downs — 0-4: 5.4% Old Noarlunga — 0-4: 4.6%
5-14 13.0% / 13.1%
Noarlunga Downs — 5-14: 13.0% Old Noarlunga — 5-14: 13.1%
15-19 5.5% / 5.5%
Noarlunga Downs — 15-19: 5.5% Old Noarlunga — 15-19: 5.5%
20-24 6.5% / 6.5%
Noarlunga Downs — 20-24: 6.5% Old Noarlunga — 20-24: 6.5%
25-34 12.9% / 13.1%
Noarlunga Downs — 25-34: 12.9% Old Noarlunga — 25-34: 13.1%
35-44 12.4% / 12.2%
Noarlunga Downs — 35-44: 12.4% Old Noarlunga — 35-44: 12.2%
45-54 12.7% / 13.3%
Noarlunga Downs — 45-54: 12.7% Old Noarlunga — 45-54: 13.3%
55-64 13.2% / 13.5%
Noarlunga Downs — 55-64: 13.2% Old Noarlunga — 55-64: 13.5%
65-74 11.0% / 11.0%
Noarlunga Downs — 65-74: 11.0% Old Noarlunga — 65-74: 11.0%
75-84 6.1% / 5.4%
Noarlunga Downs — 75-84: 6.1% Old Noarlunga — 75-84: 5.4%
85+ 1.4% / 1.5%
Noarlunga Downs — 85+: 1.4% Old Noarlunga — 85+: 1.5%

Bars are drawn against the largest share shown (13.5%).

Who lives together

Household composition, 2021 Census.

Noarlunga Downs 42.0% lone person
Noarlunga Downs — Lone Person: 42.0% Noarlunga Downs — Couple Families: 31.5% Noarlunga Downs — One Parent Families: 20.9% Noarlunga Downs — Group Household: 4.0% Noarlunga Downs — Other Families: 1.6%
Old Noarlunga 33.9% lone person
Old Noarlunga — Lone Person: 33.9% Old Noarlunga — Couple Families: 43.6% Old Noarlunga — One Parent Families: 17.9% Old Noarlunga — Group Household: 3.1% Old Noarlunga — Other Families: 1.5%
Lone Person Couple Families One Parent Families Group Household Other Families

Who owns and who rents

Occupied private dwellings by tenure, 2021 Census.

Noarlunga Downs 34.7% renting
Noarlunga Downs — Owned Outright: 21.8% Noarlunga Downs — Mortgage: 43.6% Noarlunga Downs — Renting: 34.7%
Old Noarlunga 18.5% renting
Old Noarlunga — Owned Outright: 32.3% Old Noarlunga — Mortgage: 49.2% Old Noarlunga — Renting: 18.5%
Owned outright Mortgage Renting

Qualifications

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

Noarlunga Downs Old Noarlunga
Certificate III & IV 19.7% / 23.2%
Noarlunga Downs — Certificate III & IV: 19.7% Old Noarlunga — Certificate III & IV: 23.2%
Bachelor Degree 7.8% / 7.1%
Noarlunga Downs — Bachelor Degree: 7.8% Old Noarlunga — Bachelor Degree: 7.1%
Advanced Diploma / Diploma 6.7% / 7.0%
Noarlunga Downs — Advanced Diploma / Diploma: 6.7% Old Noarlunga — Advanced Diploma / Diploma: 7.0%
Postgraduate Degree 2.0% / 1.4%
Noarlunga Downs — Postgraduate Degree: 2.0% Old Noarlunga — Postgraduate Degree: 1.4%
Graduate Diploma / Certificate 1.1% / 0.9%
Noarlunga Downs — Graduate Diploma / Certificate: 1.1% Old Noarlunga — Graduate Diploma / Certificate: 0.9%

Bars are drawn against the largest share shown (23.2%).

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.

Noarlunga Downs Old Noarlunga
England 9.4% / 10.8%
Noarlunga Downs — England: 9.4% Old Noarlunga — England: 10.8%
New Zealand 1.1% / 1.9%
Noarlunga Downs — New Zealand: 1.1% Old Noarlunga — New Zealand: 1.9%
Scotland 1.1% / 1.0%
Noarlunga Downs — Scotland: 1.1% Old Noarlunga — Scotland: 1.0%
Germany 0.8% / 0.7%
Noarlunga Downs — Germany: 0.8% Old Noarlunga — Germany: 0.7%
India 0.9% / 0.5%
Noarlunga Downs — India: 0.9% Old Noarlunga — India: 0.5%
Philippines 0.8% / 0.3%
Noarlunga Downs — Philippines: 0.8% Old Noarlunga — Philippines: 0.3%

Bars are drawn against the largest share shown (10.8%).

What people live in

Occupied private dwellings by structure, 2021 Census.

Noarlunga Downs 88.5% houses
Noarlunga Downs — Houses: 88.5% Noarlunga Downs — Flats / Apartments: 4.1% Noarlunga Downs — Townhouses: 7.4%
Old Noarlunga 94.1% houses
Old Noarlunga — Houses: 94.1% Old Noarlunga — Flats / Apartments: 5.4% Old Noarlunga — Townhouses: 0.5%
Houses Flats / Apartments Townhouses

Property market

Noarlunga Downs Old Noarlunga
Median house price $780,000 $835,000
Median unit price $590,000 —
Median land price — $737,500
Typical days to sell (houses) 24 days
from 25 sales
 28 days
from 13 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.

Noarlunga Downs Old Noarlunga
3 bed $740K / $828K
Noarlunga Downs — 3 bed: $740K (43 sales) Old Noarlunga — 3 bed: $828K (23 sales)

43 vs 23 sales

4 bed $875K / $960K
Noarlunga Downs — 4 bed: $875K (25 sales) Old Noarlunga — 4 bed: $960K (7 sales)

25 vs 7 sales

Zoning mix

Old Noarlunga has more land zoned for conservation (51% vs 33%); Old Noarlunga has more industrially zoned land (13% vs 0%).

Noarlunga Downs Old Noarlunga
Residential 66% 28%
Environmental 33% 51%
Industrial 0% 13%
Rural and farming 0% 6%
Commercial 0% 1%
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

Noarlunga Downs Old Noarlunga
New dwellings approved 1,367
across Onkaparinga
same for both
Approvals change year on year +58%
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.

Noarlunga Downs Old Noarlunga
Houses 4.0%
$600/wk on $786K
 4.0%
$660/wk on $864K
Units —
same for both

Ranking within SA

Noarlunga Downs Old Noarlunga
House price Higher than 12% of SA Higher than 19% of SA
Income Higher than 30% of SA Higher than 52% of SA
Schools Higher than 19% of SA —
Walkability Higher than 80% of SA Higher than 79% of SA
Affordability Higher than 62% of SA Higher than 78% of SA
EV adoption Higher than 78% of SA
same for both
NBN connectivity Higher than 84% of SA Higher than 99% of SA
Rental yield (houses) Higher than 54% of SA Higher than 55% of SA

Liveability

Noarlunga Downs Old Noarlunga
Grade D
same for both
Score 20/100 19/100
Socio-economic band below-average income
decile 2/10
same for both

Risk profile

Old Noarlunga carries more bushfire risk (54 vs 38); Old Noarlunga carries more crime risk (87 vs 65).

Noarlunga Downs Old Noarlunga
Bushfire Low
38/100
 Moderate
54/100
Crime Moderate
65/100
 High
87/100
Flood High
82/100
 High
71/100
Coastal erosion None
0/100
same for both
Aircraft noise None
0/100
same for both
Industrial facilities nearby 3
within 5 km
 11
within 5 km

Schools

Noarlunga Downs Old Noarlunga
Inside the suburb 3 1
Rated above peers 0
same for both
Rated at peers 0 1
Rated below peers 2 0

Schools in Noarlunga Downs

  • Cardijn College - Marian Campus Catholic · Secondary below peers
  • Noarlunga Downs Primary School Government · Primary below peers
  • Sports College South Australia - South Adelaide Football Club Campus Independent · Secondary

Schools in Old Noarlunga

  • Old Noarlunga Primary School Government · Primary at peers

Amenities in the suburb

Noarlunga Downs Old Noarlunga
Cafes & restaurants 0 4
Parks & reserves 1
same for both
Childcare 2
same for both
Fuel stations 2
same for both
Waterways 1 0

Mobility

Noarlunga Downs Old Noarlunga
Walkability score 48/100 44/100
Distance to Adelaide 33.3 km 33.5 km
Drive time (normal traffic) 33 min 35 min
Public transport score 78/100
Bus
same for both
Peak arrivals per hour 79.5
7-9am + 5-7pm
 36.0
7-9am + 5-7pm
Median peak wait 1 min
scheduled, not actual
same for both
Electric vehicle share 1.0%
postcode 5168
same for both
Rooftop solar per 100 dwellings 69
postcode 5168
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.

Noarlunga Downs Old Noarlunga
Car (driver) 81.2% / 80.6%
Noarlunga Downs — Car (driver): 81.2% Old Noarlunga — Car (driver): 80.6%
Worked from Home 7.0% / 9.3%
Noarlunga Downs — Worked from Home: 7.0% Old Noarlunga — Worked from Home: 9.3%
Car (passenger) 5.3% / 4.4%
Noarlunga Downs — Car (passenger): 5.3% Old Noarlunga — Car (passenger): 4.4%
Train 4.1% / 3.6%
Noarlunga Downs — Train: 4.1% Old Noarlunga — Train: 3.6%
Walked Only 0.7% / 1.6%
Noarlunga Downs — Walked Only: 0.7% Old Noarlunga — Walked Only: 1.6%
Bus 1.4% / 0.5%
Noarlunga Downs — Bus: 1.4% Old Noarlunga — Bus: 0.5%

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

Setting

Noarlunga Downs Old Noarlunga
Elevation 11 m
above sea level, at the suburb centre
 8 m
above sea level, at the suburb centre
Distance to the ocean 2.4 km 3.3 km
4.7 km to a named beach

NBN connectivity

Noarlunga Downs Old Noarlunga
Connectivity score 73/100 100/100
Most common technology Fibre to the premises
same for both
Full-fibre (FTTP) share 50%
1,843 premises
 100%
680 premises

Climate

Noarlunga Downs Old Noarlunga
Annual rainfall 394 mm 786 mm
Summer max (Jan) 28.1°C —
Winter min (Jul) 7.8°C —

Air quality (annual mean)

Noarlunga Downs Old Noarlunga
PM2.5 —
same for both
PM10 19.5 µg/m³
same for both
NO₂ 0.34 pphm
same for both

Council rates

Noarlunga Downs Old Noarlunga
Average residential rate $2,008/yr
same for both
Council Onkaparinga
same for both

Federal electorate

Noarlunga Downs Old Noarlunga
Division Kingston
same for both
Member Amanda Rishworth
same for both
Party Australian Labor Party
same for both

First Home Owner Grant

Noarlunga Downs Old Noarlunga
Grant amount $15,000
same for both
Property price cap —
same for both
Eligibility New
same for both

Tags

Noarlunga Downs

Coastal Large Blocks Outer

Old Noarlunga

Acreage Outer Quiet

More comparisons

Other comparisons with Noarlunga Downs

Noarlunga Downs vs Seaford Meadows Noarlunga Downs vs Huntfield Heights Noarlunga Downs vs Hackham West Noarlunga Downs vs Port Noarlunga Noarlunga Downs vs Port Noarlunga South Noarlunga Downs vs Noarlunga Centre

Other comparisons with Old Noarlunga

Old Noarlunga vs Seaford Rise Old Noarlunga vs Seaford Meadows Old Noarlunga vs Seaford Old Noarlunga vs McLaren Vale Old Noarlunga vs Onkaparinga Hills Old Noarlunga vs Seaford Heights
Full data on Noarlunga Downs Full data on Old Noarlunga
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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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