Black Forest, SA: suburb profile

The population of Black Forest SA is 1,982 according to the 2021 Census. The median personal income in Black Forest is $894 per week ($46,488 per year). Median rent in Black Forest is $290 per week ($1,257 per month). Black Forest has a median age of 39 years, older than the national median of 38. Black Forest has a population density of 2,860 people per km².

The most common overseas birthplace in Black Forest is India. The most common religion is No religion (47.9% of residents). After English, the most spoken language is Greek. The median monthly mortgage repayment in Black Forest is $1,733.

There were 21 recorded offences in Black Forest in 2025-26, a rate of 11 offences per 1,000 people. The most common offence category was theft (11 offences).

Population
1,982
Census 2021
Median income
$894/wk
Personal, Census 2021
Median rent
$290/wk
Weekly, Census 2021
Median age
39years
Census 2021

Valid: Census 2021 · Source: ABS Census of Population and Housing 2021; offences from SA Government Open Data (data.sa.gov.au), 2025-26.

Black Forest vs the typical SA suburb

The median personal income in Black Forest is $894 a week, 18% above the typical SA suburb ($759). That ranks 134th of 710 SA suburbs with 200 or more residents. Median rent is $290 a week, $10 less than the typical SA suburb. Rent takes 17.4% of the median household income here, against 19.5% in the typical SA suburb. The median resident is 39, 4 years younger than in the typical SA suburb (43).

The typical suburb is the median across suburbs with 200 or more residents. ABS Census 2021, calculated by GDP.com.au.
MeasureBlack ForestTypical SADifferenceTypical Australia
Personal income$894/wk$759/wk +18%$766/wk
Household income$1,664/wk$1,494/wk +11%$1,637/wk
Rent$290/wk$300/wk −3%$330/wk
Mortgage repayment$1,733/mo$1,534/mo +13%$1,733/mo
Median age3943 −4 yrs42
Rent share of household income17.4%19.5% −2.0 pts20.3%
Income, rent and mortgage against the typical suburb Valid: Census 2021 · Source: ABS, calculated by GDP.com.au
Bar chart of median income, rent and mortgage repayment in Black Forest, the typical SA suburb and the typical Australian suburb.

Black Forest Population

1,982 residents at the 2021 Census.

Black Forest Median Income & Rent

Median Income
$894/wk
$46,488 per year
Ranked 2,207 of 14,663
Median Rent
$290/wk
$1,257 per month
Ranked 5,154 of 14,663
Median Age
39years
1 years older than the national median
Mortgage
$1,733/mo
Avg household size: 2.3 · 0.9 per bedroom

Valid: Census 2021 · Source: ABS Census of Population and Housing.

Black Forest Rent Prices & Affordability

17% of median household income goes on median rent

Marks at 25% and 35%. Band: affordable.

Household income $1,664/wk
Median rent $290/wk
Rent to income 17.4%

Rent is under 25% of household income, generally considered affordable.

Median rent in Black Forest against your income

About $7,211 a month
Median rent $290/wk
Left after rent $1,374/wk
Rent share 17.4%

Black Forest Schools

27
schools nearby
13
government
1096
avg ICSEA score
9,827
total students
Pulteney Grammar School Independent
Combined · R-12 · 839 students
1170
ICSEA
Annesley College Independent
Primary · R-6 · 292 students
1164
ICSEA
Goodwood Primary School Government
Primary · R-6 · 408 students
1147
ICSEA
Emmaus Christian College Independent
Combined · R-12 · 1,084 students
1137
ICSEA
Westbourne Park Primary School Government
Primary · R-6 · 480 students
1126
ICSEA
Richmond Primary School Government
Primary · U, R-6 · 362 students
1122
ICSEA
Colonel Light Gardens Primary School Government
Primary · R-6 · 688 students
1119
ICSEA
St Thomas' School Catholic
Primary · R-6 · 297 students
1116
ICSEA
Sturt Street Community School Government
Primary · R-6 · 162 students
1114
ICSEA
Black Forest Primary School Government
Primary · R-6 · 410 students
1108
ICSEA
Gilles Street Primary School Government
Primary · U, R-6 · 275 students
1107
ICSEA
Edwardstown Primary School Government
Primary · R-6 · 512 students
1098
ICSEA
St Anthony's School Catholic
Primary · R-6 · 116 students
1090
ICSEA
St Therese School Catholic
Primary · R-6 · 172 students
1087
ICSEA
Tenison Woods Catholic Primary School Catholic
Primary · R-6 · 262 students
1084
ICSEA

Showing 15 of 27 schools.

Source: Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority (ACARA), 2025. ICSEA is the Index of Community Socio-Educational Advantage (national average 1000).

All schools near Black Forest, with a map

Black Forest Map

Black Forest, South Australia Map data: OpenStreetMap
Loading map…

Black Forest, South Australia: 34.9607°S, 138.5768°E

Black Forest Circle size: offences per 1,000 residents Schools (27)

People in Black Forest

Demographics

Gender Split

Male 48.8% (965) Female 51.2% (1,013)

Population Density

2,860
people per km²
1,982 people · 0.7 km²

Households

2.3
Avg household size
0.9
Persons per bedroom
$2,338
Family income/wk

Age Distribution

0-4
5-9
10-14
15-19
20-24
25-29
30-34
35-39
40-44
45-49
50-54
55-59
60-64
65-69
70-74
75-79
80-84
85+
Male Female

Source: ABS Census 2021, Suburb and Locality (SAL)

Most common overseas birthplaces

India
3.8%
England
3.6%
Nepal
2.6%
China
1.9%
Greece
1.5%
Vietnam
0.8%
New Zealand
0.6%

Shares are of all residents. Source: ABS Census 2021, G09 Country of Birth by SAL

Most common languages at home other than English

Greek
3.5%
Nepali
2.4%
Mandarin
2.1%
Punjabi
1.4%
Vietnamese
0.9%
Hindi
0.7%
Sinhalese
0.7%

Shares are of all residents. Source: ABS Census 2021, G13 Language Used at Home by SAL

Ancestry

English
36.8%
Australian
32.2%
Irish
10.9%
Scottish
9.6%
German
8.3%
Greek
6.1%
Italian
4.6%
Chinese
3.4%
Indian
3.3%
Dutch
1.5%
Polish
1.5%

Shares are of the suburb population. People can report up to two ancestries, so shares add to more than 100%. Source: ABS Census 2021, G08 Ancestry by SAL

Religion

No religion
47.9%
Catholic
14.2%
Anglican
6.8%
Eastern Orthodox
6.2%
Hinduism
4.6%
Not stated
3.8%
Uniting Church
3.8%
Buddhism
2.6%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G14 Religion by SAL

Indigenous Population

0.7%
Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander

Source: ABS Census 2021, G07 Indigenous Status by SAL

Marital Status

Married
44.6% 751
Separated
2.4% 41
Divorced
9.3% 156
Widowed
2.8% 47
Never married
40.9% 690

Source: ABS Census 2021, G05 Marital Status by SAL

Family Structure

Couple: children under 15
39.0%
Couple: no children
31.8%
Couple: no children under 15
17.5%
One parent: children under 15
6.6%
One parent: no children under 15
5.0%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G29 Family Composition by SAL

Household Size

1 person
32.1%
2 persons
33.4%
3 persons
14.5%
4 persons
14.2%
5 persons
3.9%
6+ persons
1.9%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G35 Household Size by SAL

Homes in Black Forest

Housing Tenure

Of the 850 occupied private dwellings in Black Forest at the 2021 Census, 38.9% were rented, 33.4% owned outright and 24.7% owned with a mortgage.

Other tenure type
1.4% 12 dwellings
Owned outright
33.4% 284 dwellings
Owned with mortgage
24.7% 210 dwellings
Rented
38.9% 331 dwellings
Tenure type not stated
1.3% 11 dwellings

Source: ABS Census 2021, Suburb and Locality (SAL)

Dwelling Types

Separate house
86.5%
Semi-detached (1 storey)
7.3%
Semi-detached (2+ storey)
6.2%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G36 Dwelling Structure by SAL

Number of Bedrooms

1 bedroom
8.3%
2 bedrooms
35.0%
3 bedrooms
40.7%
4 bedrooms
13.2%
5 bedrooms
1.9%
6+ bedrooms
0.9%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G41 Number of Bedrooms by SAL

Monthly Mortgage Repayments

$0-$299/mo
6.5%
$300-$449/mo
4.9%
$600-$799/mo
1.6%
$800-$999/mo
7.0%
$1,000-$1,399/mo
17.3%
$1,400-$1,799/mo
19.5%
$1,800-$2,399/mo
15.7%
$2,400-$2,999/mo
13.0%
$3,000-$3,999/mo
14.6%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G38 Mortgage Repayment by SAL

Car Ownership

0 vehicles
9.9%
1 vehicle
47.1%
2 vehicles
30.6%
3 vehicles
7.9%
4+ vehicles
4.5%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G34 Motor Vehicles per Dwelling by SAL

Work, income and education in Black Forest

Employment

Employed full-time
38.0% 606 people
Employed part-time
25.5% 406 people
Unemployed
3.8% 60 people
Not in labour force
32.7% 522 people

Source: ABS Census 2021, G46 Labour Force Status by SAL

Occupation

Professionals
41.1%
Managers
12.0%
Clerical & Administrative
11.9%
Community & Personal Service
11.8%
Technicians & Trade Workers
9.4%
Sales Workers
6.0%
Labourers
5.5%
Machinery Operators & Drivers
2.2%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G51 Industry of Employment by Occupation

Weekly Household Income

Nil/Negative/wk
1.5%
$1-$149/wk
0.4%
$150-$299/wk
2.2%
$300-$399/wk
2.2%
$400-$499/wk
5.8%
$500-$649/wk
6.3%
$650-$799/wk
5.6%
$800-$999/wk
6.3%
$1,000-$1,249/wk
8.6%
$1,250-$1,499/wk
7.4%
$1,500-$1,749/wk
6.7%
$1,750-$1,999/wk
4.9%
$2,000-$2,499/wk
11.5%
$2,500-$2,999/wk
7.8%
$3,000-$3,499/wk
5.9%
$3,500-$3,999/wk
4.8%
$4,000+/wk
12.3%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G33 Household Income by SAL

Personal Weekly Income Distribution

$0 or less/wk
6.8%
$1-$149/wk
5.2%
$150-$299/wk
6.1%
$300-$399/wk
3.5%
$400-$499/wk
4.2%
$500-$649/wk
4.0%
$650-$799/wk
8.5%
$800-$999/wk
8.9%
$1,000-$1,249/wk
13.1%
$1,250-$1,499/wk
9.4%
$1,500-$1,749/wk
9.4%
$1,750-$1,999/wk
6.1%
$2,000-$2,999/wk
9.4%
$3,000-$3,499/wk
2.2%
$3,500+/wk
3.2%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G17 Personal Income by SAL

How People Get to Work

Car (driver)
63.9%
Did not go to work
11.8%
Tram/Light Rail
5.4%
Car (passenger)
4.9%
Train
4.1%
Bicycle
3.8%
Walked only
2.1%
Bus
2.0%
Other
1.1%
Truck
0.4%
Taxi/Rideshare
0.4%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G62 Method of Travel to Work by SAL

Education Level

Year 12 or equivalent
75.8%
Year 11 or equivalent
13.8%
Year 10 or equivalent
8.5%
Year 9 or equivalent
2.0%

Shares are of people whose highest year of school is Year 9 to 12 only. Source: ABS Census 2021, G16 Highest Year of School by SAL

Qualifications

Bachelor Degree
40.9%
Postgraduate Degree
18.1%
Certificate III/IV
17.4%
Advanced Diploma/Diploma
13.0%
Graduate Diploma/Certificate
8.8%
Certificate I/II
1.8%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G49 Non-School Qualification by SAL

Field of Study

Management & Commerce
24.1%
Society & Culture
16.2%
Health
14.5%
Engineering
12.7%
Education
6.8%
Creative Arts
6.0%
Natural & Physical Sciences
5.0%
Architecture & Building
4.9%
Information Technology
4.5%
Food, Hospitality & Personal Services
3.3%
Agriculture & Environment
1.9%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G51 Field of Study by SAL

School & University Attendance

Primary: Government
29.9%
Vocational Education
15.8%
Secondary: Catholic
14.1%
Secondary: Government
13.8%
Pre-school
11.1%
Primary: Catholic
5.6%
Primary: Other Non-Govt
5.0%
Secondary: Other Non-Govt
4.7%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G15 Type of Educational Institution by SAL

More from the 2021 Census

Need for Assistance

Does not have need for assistance
93.8%
Has need for assistance
4.4%
Need for assistance not stated
1.5%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G18 Core Activity Need for Assistance by SAL

Long-term Health Conditions

Mental health
210
Arthritis
61
Asthma
55
Heart disease
47
Diabetes
43
Lung condition
27
Cancer
23
Kidney disease
14
Stroke
11
Dementia
3

Source: ABS Census 2021, G19 Long-term Health Conditions by SAL

Unpaid Carers

Provided unpaid assistance
13.7% 225
Did not provide
86.3% 1,423

Source: ABS Census 2021, G25 Unpaid Assistance by SAL

Volunteering

Volunteer
20.8% 344
Not a volunteer
79.2% 1,309

Source: ABS Census 2021, G23 Voluntary Work by SAL

Military Service

Current ADF: Reserves
0.2% 4
Previously served
2.5% 41
Never served
97.3% 1,608

Source: ABS Census 2021, G22 ADF Service by SAL

Children Ever Born

No children
44.6%
1 child
13.8%
2 children
25.6%
3 children
12.6%
4 children
3.2%
5+ children
0.4%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G28 Children Ever Born by SAL

When Migrants Arrived

Before 1951
7
1951: 1960
23
1961: 1970
64
1971: 1980
33
1981: 1990
36
1991: 2000
31
2001: 2010
64
2011: 2015
63
2016
13
2017
36
2018
39
2019
60
2020
20
2021
3

Source: ABS Census 2021, G10 Year of Arrival by SAL

Population Mobility

14.9%
moved in the last year
40.1%
moved in the last 5 years
5.3%
unemployment rate (Census)
67.5%
labour force participation

Source: ABS Census 2021, G43 Summary by SAL

Where Residents Moved From

Same address
1,648
Moved from SA
180
Moved: same area (SA2)
33
Moved from overseas
22
Moved from VIC
22
Moved from NSW
13
Moved from QLD
7
Moved from WA
4

Source: ABS Census 2021, G44 Address 1 Year Ago by SAL

Unpaid Domestic Work

Less than 5 hours
22.2%
5: 14 hours
35.1%
15: 29 hours
13.4%
30+ hours
7.2%
Did not do domestic work
21.9%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G24 Unpaid Domestic Work by SAL

Family Blending

Intact family: no other children
90.7%
Step family: no other children
4.9%
Blended family: no other children
4.4%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G31 Family Blending by SAL

Black Forest Crime Statistics

21 reported offences in 2025-26, by category.

Theft
11
Property Damage
4
Break & Enter
3
Other Against Person
2
Assault
1

Total offences by year

2021
2022
2023
2024
2025

Source: SA Government Open Data (data.sa.gov.au).

Cheaper alternatives with similar incomes

Bordertown
Income: $819/wk Rent: $220/wk $70/wk less rent
Renmark West
Income: $788/wk Rent: $200/wk $90/wk less rent
Paringa
Income: $800/wk Rent: $200/wk $90/wk less rent
Ceduna
Income: $762/wk Rent: $200/wk $90/wk less rent
Moorak
Income: $817/wk Rent: $250/wk $40/wk less rent
Everard Park
Income: $744/wk Rent: $286/wk $4/wk less rent
Keith
Income: $746/wk Rent: $180/wk $110/wk less rent
Stirling North
Income: $925/wk Rent: $250/wk $40/wk less rent

Suburbs near Black Forest

The closest suburb to Black Forest is Clarence Park, 0.6 km away.

Clarence Park
0.6 km away · income $921/wk · rent $310/wk
Everard Park
0.8 km away · income $744/wk · rent $286/wk
Glandore
0.8 km away · income $799/wk · rent $290/wk
Forestville (SA)
1.1 km away · income $1,042/wk · rent $340/wk
Millswood
1.2 km away · income $1,171/wk · rent $420/wk
Ashford (SA)
1.3 km away · income $873/wk · rent $320/wk

Compare Black Forest

Frequently Asked Questions About Black Forest

What is the population of Black Forest SA?

The population of Black Forest SA is 1,982 according to the ABS Census 2021. The suburb has a population density of 2,860 people per km². Black Forest is ranked #3,043 out of 14,663 suburbs by population.

What is the median income in Black Forest?

The median personal income in Black Forest SA is $894 per week, or $46,488 per year. The median household income is $1,664 per week. Family income is $2,338 per week. Black Forest is ranked #2,207 by income out of 14,663 Australian suburbs.

How much is rent in Black Forest?

Median rent in Black Forest SA is $290 per week ($1,257 per month). Rent represents 17.4% of household income, which is considered affordable. Black Forest ranks #5,154 out of 14,663 suburbs by rent.

What are mortgage repayments in Black Forest?

The median monthly mortgage repayment in Black Forest SA is $1,733. This data comes from the ABS Census 2021 and reflects mortgage repayments for owner-occupied dwellings.

What is the median age in Black Forest?

The median age in Black Forest SA is 39 years. This is older than the national median age of 38 years.

Is Black Forest a good suburb to live in?

Black Forest is a suburb in South Australia with a population of 1,982. The median income is $894/wk, which is above the typical SA suburb ($759/wk). Rent affordability is rated as affordable (17.4% of household income). See the full suburb profile above for detailed statistics.

Explore More

Australian Average Salary Australian House Prices Adelaide Cost of Living

Data: Australian Bureau of Statistics, Census of Population and Housing 2021. SA2 area: 40111. All dollar figures in AUD.