Tennyson, SA: suburb profile

The population of Tennyson SA is 1,137 according to the 2021 Census. The median personal income in Tennyson is $1,032 per week ($53,664 per year). Median rent in Tennyson is $340 per week ($1,473 per month). Tennyson has a median age of 55 years, older than the national median of 38. Tennyson has a population density of 1,640 people per km².

The most common overseas birthplace in Tennyson is England. The most common religion is No religion (36.9% of residents). After English, the most spoken language is Greek. The median monthly mortgage repayment in Tennyson is $2,167.

There were 17 recorded offences in Tennyson in 2025-26, a rate of 15 offences per 1,000 people. The most common offence category was theft (8 offences).

Population
1,137
Census 2021
Median income
$1,032/wk
Personal, Census 2021
Median rent
$340/wk
Weekly, Census 2021
Median age
55years
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.

Tennyson vs the typical SA suburb

The median personal income in Tennyson is $1,032 a week, 36% above the typical SA suburb ($759). That ranks 46th of 710 SA suburbs with 200 or more residents. Median rent is $340 a week, $40 more than the typical SA suburb. Rent takes 16.5% of the median household income here, against 19.5% in the typical SA suburb. The median resident is 55, 12 years older 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.
MeasureTennysonTypical SADifferenceTypical Australia
Personal income$1,032/wk$759/wk +36%$766/wk
Household income$2,061/wk$1,494/wk +38%$1,637/wk
Rent$340/wk$300/wk +13%$330/wk
Mortgage repayment$2,167/mo$1,534/mo +41%$1,733/mo
Median age5543 +12 yrs42
Rent share of household income16.5%19.5% −3.0 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 Tennyson, the typical SA suburb and the typical Australian suburb.

Tennyson Population

1,137 residents at the 2021 Census.

Tennyson Median Income & Rent

Median Income
$1,032/wk
$53,664 per year
Ranked 1,025 of 14,663
Median Rent
$340/wk
$1,473 per month
Ranked 3,592 of 14,663
Median Age
55years
17 years older than the national median
Mortgage
$2,167/mo
Avg household size: 2.2 · 0.7 per bedroom

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

Tennyson Rent Prices & Affordability

16% of median household income goes on median rent

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

Household income $2,061/wk
Median rent $340/wk
Rent to income 16.5%

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

Median rent in Tennyson against your income

About $8,931 a month
Median rent $340/wk
Left after rent $1,721/wk
Rent share 16.5%

Tennyson Schools

8
schools nearby
6
government
1040
avg ICSEA score
5,604
total students
Star of the Sea School Catholic
Primary · R-6 · 558 students
1108
ICSEA
Grange Primary School Government
Primary · R-6 · 702 students
1075
ICSEA
St Michael's College Catholic
Combined · R-12 · 2,193 students
1064
ICSEA
West Lakes Shore School Government
Primary · R-6 · 554 students
1060
ICSEA
Fulham Gardens Primary School Government
Primary · U, R-6 · 148 students
1042
ICSEA
Alberton Primary School Government
Primary · R-6 · 262 students
1002
ICSEA
Seaton High School Government
Secondary · U, 7-12 · 917 students
1001
ICSEA
Hendon Primary School Government
Primary · U, R-6 · 270 students
965
ICSEA

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

All schools near Tennyson, with a map

Tennyson Map

Tennyson, South Australia Map data: OpenStreetMap
Loading map…

People in Tennyson

Demographics

Gender Split

Male 49.1% (559) Female 50.9% (580)

Population Density

1,640
people per km²
1,137 people · 0.7 km²

Households

2.2
Avg household size
0.7
Persons per bedroom
$2,715
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

England
4.5%
Scotland
2.0%
India
1.5%
Vietnam
1.3%
Malaysia
1.2%
Italy
1.1%
United States of America
1.0%

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

Most common languages at home other than English

Greek
3.6%
Italian
1.6%
Vietnamese
1.3%
Arabic
1.0%
Mandarin
0.6%
French
0.5%
German
0.5%

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

Ancestry

English
36.4%
Australian
26.6%
Scottish
12.3%
Irish
10.3%
Italian
10.1%
Greek
6.2%
German
6.0%
Indian
2.2%
Dutch
1.8%
Vietnamese
1.8%
Polish
1.8%

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
36.9%
Catholic
25.5%
Anglican
10.9%
Eastern Orthodox
5.8%
Uniting Church
3.7%
Not stated
3.7%
Buddhism
2.6%
Christian (other)
1.6%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G14 Religion by SAL

Indigenous Population

0.4%
Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander

Source: ABS Census 2021, G07 Indigenous Status by SAL

Marital Status

Married
55.5% 581
Separated
2.5% 26
Divorced
10.0% 105
Widowed
4.3% 45
Never married
27.6% 289

Source: ABS Census 2021, G05 Marital Status by SAL

Family Structure

Couple: no children
45.6%
Couple: no children under 15
25.0%
Couple: children under 15
22.0%
One parent: no children under 15
4.7%
One parent: children under 15
2.8%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G29 Family Composition by SAL

Household Size

1 person
28.4%
2 persons
47.0%
3 persons
11.1%
4 persons
9.5%
5 persons
4.0%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G35 Household Size by SAL

Homes in Tennyson

Housing Tenure

Of the 503 occupied private dwellings in Tennyson at the 2021 Census, 18.9% were rented, 45.9% owned outright and 32.8% owned with a mortgage.

Owned outright
45.9% 231 dwellings
Owned with mortgage
32.8% 165 dwellings
Rented
18.9% 95 dwellings

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

Dwelling Types

Separate house
61.1%
Semi-detached (2+ storey)
36.7%
Semi-detached (1 storey)
2.2%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G36 Dwelling Structure by SAL

Number of Bedrooms

1 bedroom
1.4%
2 bedrooms
28.1%
3 bedrooms
37.3%
4 bedrooms
25.9%
5 bedrooms
6.6%
6+ bedrooms
0.6%

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

Monthly Mortgage Repayments

$0-$299/mo
8.9%
$300-$449/mo
4.5%
$450-$599/mo
4.5%
$600-$799/mo
2.7%
$800-$999/mo
8.0%
$1,000-$1,399/mo
11.6%
$1,400-$1,799/mo
11.6%
$1,800-$2,399/mo
18.8%
$2,400-$2,999/mo
8.0%
$3,000-$3,999/mo
21.4%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G38 Mortgage Repayment by SAL

Car Ownership

0 vehicles
2.2%
1 vehicle
34.6%
2 vehicles
40.5%
3 vehicles
14.7%
4+ vehicles
7.9%

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

Work, income and education in Tennyson

Employment

Employed full-time
38.6% 384 people
Employed part-time
22.5% 224 people
Unemployed
1.8% 18 people
Not in labour force
37.1% 369 people

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

Occupation

Professionals
33.2%
Managers
26.1%
Clerical & Administrative
13.9%
Technicians & Trade Workers
8.6%
Community & Personal Service
6.6%
Sales Workers
6.1%
Machinery Operators & Drivers
3.0%
Labourers
2.5%

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

Weekly Household Income

Nil/Negative/wk
2.3%
$1-$149/wk
1.9%
$300-$399/wk
2.1%
$400-$499/wk
4.2%
$500-$649/wk
3.4%
$650-$799/wk
3.8%
$800-$999/wk
9.1%
$1,000-$1,249/wk
8.0%
$1,250-$1,499/wk
6.5%
$1,500-$1,749/wk
4.4%
$1,750-$1,999/wk
4.9%
$2,000-$2,499/wk
11.6%
$2,500-$2,999/wk
5.3%
$3,000-$3,499/wk
4.6%
$3,500-$3,999/wk
3.2%
$4,000+/wk
24.7%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G33 Household Income by SAL

Personal Weekly Income Distribution

$0 or less/wk
8.4%
$1-$149/wk
3.2%
$150-$299/wk
6.3%
$300-$399/wk
1.9%
$400-$499/wk
1.8%
$500-$649/wk
3.4%
$650-$799/wk
5.4%
$800-$999/wk
10.7%
$1,000-$1,249/wk
11.3%
$1,250-$1,499/wk
7.9%
$1,500-$1,749/wk
7.2%
$1,750-$1,999/wk
5.6%
$2,000-$2,999/wk
12.4%
$3,000-$3,499/wk
3.0%
$3,500+/wk
11.6%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G17 Personal Income by SAL

How People Get to Work

Car (driver)
79.2%
Did not go to work
9.1%
Car (passenger)
4.0%
Train
2.8%
Bus
2.3%
Other
0.9%
Motorbike/Scooter
0.6%
Bicycle
0.6%
Walked only
0.6%

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

Education Level

Year 12 or equivalent
64.9%
Year 11 or equivalent
19.4%
Year 10 or equivalent
13.0%
Year 9 or equivalent
2.7%

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
34.6%
Certificate III/IV
27.0%
Advanced Diploma/Diploma
20.2%
Postgraduate Degree
11.3%
Graduate Diploma/Certificate
4.2%
Certificate I/II
2.6%

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

Field of Study

Management & Commerce
25.7%
Society & Culture
15.8%
Health
15.6%
Engineering
13.7%
Education
8.3%
Architecture & Building
6.4%
Food, Hospitality & Personal Services
5.0%
Creative Arts
3.8%
Natural & Physical Sciences
3.1%
Information Technology
1.9%
Agriculture & Environment
0.9%

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

School & University Attendance

Secondary: Other Non-Govt
18.3%
Primary: Government
17.4%
Secondary: Catholic
15.6%
Secondary: Government
14.7%
Primary: Catholic
12.8%
Primary: Other Non-Govt
9.2%
Pre-school
6.4%
Vocational Education
5.5%

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
93.2%
Has need for assistance
3.9%
Need for assistance not stated
2.6%

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

Long-term Health Conditions

Mental health
73
Heart disease
45
Arthritis
38
Asthma
35
Diabetes
32
Cancer
22
Stroke
13
Lung condition
13
Kidney disease
9
Dementia
7

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

Unpaid Carers

Provided unpaid assistance
14.5% 146
Did not provide
85.5% 858

Source: ABS Census 2021, G25 Unpaid Assistance by SAL

Volunteering

Volunteer
17.8% 180
Not a volunteer
82.2% 831

Source: ABS Census 2021, G23 Voluntary Work by SAL

Military Service

Current ADF: Regular
0.7% 7
Current ADF: Reserves
0.4% 4
Previously served
4.1% 42
Never served
94.8% 968

Source: ABS Census 2021, G22 ADF Service by SAL

Children Ever Born

No children
32.9%
1 child
11.1%
2 children
37.2%
3 children
15.6%
4 children
3.1%

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

When Migrants Arrived

Before 1951
3
1951: 1960
23
1961: 1970
64
1971: 1980
28
1981: 1990
31
1991: 2000
33
2001: 2010
39
2011: 2015
18
2016
3
2017
6
2018
7
2019
6
2020
7

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

Population Mobility

12.6%
moved in the last year
35.3%
moved in the last 5 years
2.3%
unemployment rate (Census)
62.2%
labour force participation

Source: ABS Census 2021, G43 Summary by SAL

Where Residents Moved From

Same address
961
Moved from SA
78
Moved: same area (SA2)
32
Moved from overseas
13
Moved from QLD
11
Moved from NSW
5
Moved from VIC
4

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

Unpaid Domestic Work

Less than 5 hours
21.5%
5: 14 hours
33.7%
15: 29 hours
14.7%
30+ hours
8.8%
Did not do domestic work
21.3%

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

Family Blending

Intact family: no other children
88.2%
Step family: no other children
6.4%
Blended family: no other children
2.7%
Intact family: other children present
2.7%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G31 Family Blending by SAL

Tennyson Crime Statistics

17 reported offences in 2025-26, by category.

Theft
8
Break & Enter
5
Assault
2
Property Damage
1
Other Against Person
1

Total offences by year

2021
2022
2023
2024
2025

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

Cheaper alternatives with similar incomes

Suburbs near Tennyson

The closest suburb to Tennyson is Grange (SA), 1.3 km away.

Grange (SA)
1.3 km away · income $824/wk · rent $334/wk
West Lakes
1.7 km away · income $791/wk · rent $370/wk
West Lakes Shore
2.2 km away · income $849/wk · rent $390/wk
Seaton (SA)
2.7 km away · income $696/wk · rent $310/wk
Royal Park
2.7 km away · income $751/wk · rent $330/wk
Hendon (SA)
3.0 km away · income $681/wk · rent $285/wk

Frequently Asked Questions About Tennyson

What is the population of Tennyson SA?

The population of Tennyson SA is 1,137 according to the ABS Census 2021. The suburb has a population density of 1,640 people per km². Tennyson is ranked #3,783 out of 14,663 suburbs by population.

What is the median income in Tennyson?

The median personal income in Tennyson SA is $1,032 per week, or $53,664 per year. The median household income is $2,061 per week. Family income is $2,715 per week. Tennyson is ranked #1,025 by income out of 14,663 Australian suburbs.

How much is rent in Tennyson?

Median rent in Tennyson SA is $340 per week ($1,473 per month). Rent represents 16.5% of household income, which is considered affordable. Tennyson ranks #3,592 out of 14,663 suburbs by rent.

What are mortgage repayments in Tennyson?

The median monthly mortgage repayment in Tennyson SA is $2,167. This data comes from the ABS Census 2021 and reflects mortgage repayments for owner-occupied dwellings.

What is the median age in Tennyson?

The median age in Tennyson SA is 55 years. This is older than the national median age of 38 years.

Is Tennyson a good suburb to live in?

Tennyson is a suburb in South Australia with a population of 1,137. The median income is $1,032/wk, which is above the typical SA suburb ($759/wk). Rent affordability is rated as affordable (16.5% of household income). See the full suburb profile above for detailed statistics.

Data: Australian Bureau of Statistics, Census of Population and Housing 2021. SA2 area: 41436. All dollar figures in AUD.