West Lakes Shore, SA: suburb profile

The population of West Lakes Shore SA is 3,236 according to the 2021 Census. The median personal income in West Lakes Shore is $849 per week ($44,148 per year). Median rent in West Lakes Shore is $390 per week ($1,690 per month). West Lakes Shore has a median age of 48 years, older than the national median of 38. West Lakes Shore has a population density of 1,969 people per km².

The most common overseas birthplace in West Lakes Shore is England. The most common religion is No religion (38.8% of residents). After English, the most spoken language is Greek. The median monthly mortgage repayment in West Lakes Shore is $1,950.

There were 68 recorded offences in West Lakes Shore in 2025-26, a rate of 21 offences per 1,000 people. The most common offence category was theft (36 offences).

Population
3,236
Census 2021
Median income
$849/wk
Personal, Census 2021
Median rent
$390/wk
Weekly, Census 2021
Median age
48years
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.

West Lakes Shore vs the typical SA suburb

The median personal income in West Lakes Shore is $849 a week, 12% above the typical SA suburb ($759). That ranks 192nd of 710 SA suburbs with 200 or more residents. Median rent is $390 a week, $90 more than the typical SA suburb. Rent takes 22.2% of the median household income here, against 19.5% in the typical SA suburb. The median resident is 48, 5 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.
MeasureWest Lakes ShoreTypical SADifferenceTypical Australia
Personal income$849/wk$759/wk +12%$766/wk
Household income$1,758/wk$1,494/wk +18%$1,637/wk
Rent$390/wk$300/wk +30%$330/wk
Mortgage repayment$1,950/mo$1,534/mo +27%$1,733/mo
Median age4843 +5 yrs42
Rent share of household income22.2%19.5% +2.7 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 West Lakes Shore, the typical SA suburb and the typical Australian suburb.

West Lakes Shore Population

3,236 residents at the 2021 Census.

West Lakes Shore Median Income & Rent

Median Income
$849/wk
$44,148 per year
Ranked 2,798 of 14,663
Median Rent
$390/wk
$1,690 per month
Ranked 2,258 of 14,663
Median Age
48years
10 years older than the national median
Mortgage
$1,950/mo
Avg household size: 2.5 · 0.7 per bedroom

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

West Lakes Shore Rent Prices & Affordability

22% of median household income goes on median rent

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

Household income $1,758/wk
Median rent $390/wk
Rent to income 22.2%

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

Median rent in West Lakes Shore against your income

About $7,618 a month
Median rent $390/wk
Left after rent $1,368/wk
Rent share 22.2%

West Lakes Shore Schools

10
schools nearby
7
government
1002
avg ICSEA score
3,968
total students
Portside Christian College Independent
Combined · R-12 · 626 students
1067
ICSEA
West Lakes Shore School Government
Primary · R-6 · 554 students
1060
ICSEA
Dominican School Catholic
Primary · R-6 · 230 students
1048
ICSEA
Westport Primary School Government
Primary · R-6 · 421 students
1025
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
Le Fevre High School Government
Secondary · U, 7-12 · 456 students
951
ICSEA
Le Fevre Peninsula Primary School Government
Primary · U, R-6 · 232 students
902
ICSEA
Indie School Port Adelaide Campus Independent
Secondary

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

All schools near West Lakes Shore, with a map

West Lakes Shore Map

West Lakes Shore, South Australia Map data: OpenStreetMap
Loading map…

West Lakes Shore, South Australia: 34.8669°S, 138.4875°E

West Lakes Shore Circle size: offences per 1,000 residents Schools (10)

People in West Lakes Shore

Demographics

Gender Split

Male 47.6% (1,538) Female 52.4% (1,696)

Population Density

1,969
people per km²
3,236 people · 1.6 km²

Households

2.5
Avg household size
0.7
Persons per bedroom
$2,126
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
6.1%
Italy
1.3%
Scotland
1.1%
China
0.9%
Greece
0.9%
India
0.8%
Germany
0.8%

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

Most common languages at home other than English

Greek
1.6%
Italian
1.4%
Mandarin
1.1%
Russian
1.1%
Croatian
0.8%
German
0.7%
Serbian
0.6%

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

Ancestry

English
38.8%
Australian
31.9%
Scottish
9.2%
Italian
9.1%
Irish
8.7%
German
7.5%
Greek
3.7%
Chinese
2.6%
Polish
2.3%
Croatian
1.9%
Dutch
1.9%

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
38.8%
Catholic
24.4%
Anglican
9.3%
Uniting Church
5.4%
Eastern Orthodox
3.9%
Not stated
3.4%
Christian (other)
3.1%
Pentecostal
2.4%

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
55.5% 1,503
Separated
2.9% 79
Divorced
8.9% 242
Widowed
6.8% 184
Never married
25.8% 699

Source: ABS Census 2021, G05 Marital Status by SAL

Family Structure

Couple: children under 15
36.1%
Couple: no children
33.8%
Couple: no children under 15
17.6%
One parent: no children under 15
6.6%
One parent: children under 15
5.8%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G29 Family Composition by SAL

Household Size

1 person
23.0%
2 persons
39.3%
3 persons
15.7%
4 persons
16.0%
5 persons
4.1%
6+ persons
1.9%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G35 Household Size by SAL

Homes in West Lakes Shore

Housing Tenure

Of the 1,279 occupied private dwellings in West Lakes Shore at the 2021 Census, 14.5% were rented, 47.5% owned outright and 34.1% owned with a mortgage.

Other tenure type
2.2% 28 dwellings
Owned outright
47.5% 608 dwellings
Owned with mortgage
34.1% 436 dwellings
Rented
14.5% 185 dwellings
Tenure type not stated
1.5% 19 dwellings

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

Dwelling Types

Separate house
70.9%
Semi-detached (1 storey)
15.0%
Semi-detached (2+ storey)
14.1%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G36 Dwelling Structure by SAL

Number of Bedrooms

1 bedroom
1.4%
2 bedrooms
14.1%
3 bedrooms
52.6%
4 bedrooms
28.4%
5 bedrooms
3.5%

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

Monthly Mortgage Repayments

$0-$299/mo
3.9%
$300-$449/mo
3.7%
$450-$599/mo
2.1%
$600-$799/mo
2.4%
$800-$999/mo
4.7%
$1,000-$1,399/mo
14.4%
$1,400-$1,799/mo
15.5%
$1,800-$2,399/mo
29.1%
$2,400-$2,999/mo
15.0%
$3,000-$3,999/mo
9.2%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G38 Mortgage Repayment by SAL

Car Ownership

0 vehicles
3.2%
1 vehicle
34.0%
2 vehicles
44.0%
3 vehicles
13.3%
4+ vehicles
5.5%

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

Work, income and education in West Lakes Shore

Employment

Employed full-time
36.0% 920 people
Employed part-time
22.2% 567 people
Unemployed
2.0% 52 people
Not in labour force
39.8% 1,018 people

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

Occupation

Professionals
31.5%
Managers
18.3%
Technicians & Trade Workers
15.0%
Clerical & Administrative
12.3%
Community & Personal Service
10.9%
Sales Workers
6.5%
Labourers
3.6%
Machinery Operators & Drivers
1.9%

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

Weekly Household Income

Nil/Negative/wk
0.8%
$1-$149/wk
0.2%
$150-$299/wk
0.7%
$300-$399/wk
1.5%
$400-$499/wk
5.9%
$500-$649/wk
4.2%
$650-$799/wk
6.5%
$800-$999/wk
7.9%
$1,000-$1,249/wk
8.6%
$1,250-$1,499/wk
7.6%
$1,500-$1,749/wk
6.0%
$1,750-$1,999/wk
6.6%
$2,000-$2,499/wk
10.3%
$2,500-$2,999/wk
8.7%
$3,000-$3,499/wk
6.3%
$3,500-$3,999/wk
5.4%
$4,000+/wk
12.7%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G33 Household Income by SAL

Personal Weekly Income Distribution

$0 or less/wk
7.4%
$1-$149/wk
4.4%
$150-$299/wk
5.9%
$300-$399/wk
4.0%
$400-$499/wk
3.8%
$500-$649/wk
3.5%
$650-$799/wk
8.7%
$800-$999/wk
9.9%
$1,000-$1,249/wk
12.0%
$1,250-$1,499/wk
8.9%
$1,500-$1,749/wk
8.2%
$1,750-$1,999/wk
6.6%
$2,000-$2,999/wk
10.2%
$3,000-$3,499/wk
2.9%
$3,500+/wk
3.6%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G17 Personal Income by SAL

How People Get to Work

Car (driver)
76.5%
Did not go to work
13.6%
Car (passenger)
4.1%
Bus
2.4%
Train
1.4%
Walked only
0.8%
Bicycle
0.7%
Motorbike/Scooter
0.2%
Other
0.2%
Truck
0.2%

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

Education Level

Year 12 or equivalent
61.1%
Year 11 or equivalent
19.4%
Year 10 or equivalent
15.3%
Year 9 or equivalent
4.1%

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

Certificate III/IV
34.7%
Bachelor Degree
28.1%
Advanced Diploma/Diploma
20.8%
Postgraduate Degree
10.4%
Graduate Diploma/Certificate
4.2%
Certificate I/II
1.8%

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

Field of Study

Management & Commerce
25.0%
Engineering
16.9%
Society & Culture
12.7%
Health
12.5%
Education
8.5%
Architecture & Building
7.6%
Food, Hospitality & Personal Services
5.7%
Natural & Physical Sciences
3.6%
Creative Arts
3.4%
Information Technology
2.3%
Agriculture & Environment
1.7%

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

School & University Attendance

Primary: Government
32.0%
Secondary: Catholic
11.8%
Pre-school
11.4%
Primary: Catholic
11.2%
Vocational Education
10.3%
Secondary: Government
10.3%
Primary: Other Non-Govt
6.6%
Secondary: Other Non-Govt
6.4%

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
92.3%
Has need for assistance
5.7%
Need for assistance not stated
2.1%

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

Long-term Health Conditions

Mental health
235
Arthritis
114
Asthma
104
Heart disease
100
Diabetes
95
Cancer
74
Lung condition
62
Kidney disease
34
Stroke
33
Dementia
10

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

Unpaid Carers

Provided unpaid assistance
16.9% 445
Did not provide
83.1% 2,185

Source: ABS Census 2021, G25 Unpaid Assistance by SAL

Volunteering

Volunteer
16.7% 441
Not a volunteer
83.3% 2,204

Source: ABS Census 2021, G23 Voluntary Work by SAL

Military Service

Current ADF: Regular
0.3% 8
Current ADF: Reserves
0.2% 6
Previously served
3.6% 95
Never served
95.9% 2,532

Source: ABS Census 2021, G22 ADF Service by SAL

Children Ever Born

No children
26.8%
1 child
11.9%
2 children
40.5%
3 children
15.4%
4 children
4.6%
5+ children
0.8%

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

When Migrants Arrived

Before 1951
27
1951: 1960
91
1961: 1970
120
1971: 1980
69
1981: 1990
60
1991: 2000
66
2001: 2010
118
2011: 2015
74
2016
9
2017
19
2018
24
2019
20
2020
11

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

Population Mobility

13.7%
moved in the last year
33.4%
moved in the last 5 years
3.6%
unemployment rate (Census)
60.2%
labour force participation

Source: ABS Census 2021, G43 Summary by SAL

Where Residents Moved From

Same address
2,706
Moved from SA
289
Moved: same area (SA2)
70
Moved from overseas
23
Moved from WA
12
Moved from ACT
10
Moved from VIC
8
Moved from QLD
7
Moved from NSW
5

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

Unpaid Domestic Work

Less than 5 hours
20.8%
5: 14 hours
32.3%
15: 29 hours
15.5%
30+ hours
8.6%
Did not do domestic work
22.8%

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

Family Blending

Intact family: no other children
85.7%
Step family: no other children
9.4%
Blended family: no other children
4.2%
Other couple: children only
0.8%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G31 Family Blending by SAL

West Lakes Shore Crime Statistics

68 reported offences in 2025-26, by category.

Theft
36
Break & Enter
9
Assault
8
Fraud
7
Property Damage
7
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

Mount Pleasant (SA)
Income: $687/wk Rent: $250/wk $140/wk less rent
Tanunda
Income: $777/wk Rent: $300/wk $90/wk less rent
Exeter (SA)
Income: $849/wk Rent: $310/wk $80/wk less rent
Joslin
Income: $943/wk Rent: $310/wk $80/wk less rent
Somerton Park
Income: $908/wk Rent: $335/wk $55/wk less rent
Penola
Income: $804/wk Rent: $198/wk $192/wk less rent
Jamestown
Income: $730/wk Rent: $215/wk $175/wk less rent
Monash (SA)
Income: $755/wk Rent: $230/wk $160/wk less rent

Suburbs near West Lakes Shore

The closest suburb to West Lakes Shore is West Lakes, 1.0 km away.

West Lakes
1.0 km away · income $791/wk · rent $370/wk
Semaphore Park
1.1 km away · income $656/wk · rent $250/wk
Royal Park
1.8 km away · income $751/wk · rent $330/wk
Ethelton
2.1 km away · income $787/wk · rent $300/wk
Tennyson (SA)
2.2 km away · income $1,032/wk · rent $340/wk
Queenstown (SA)
2.2 km away · income $623/wk · rent $270/wk

Compare West Lakes Shore

Frequently Asked Questions About West Lakes Shore

What is the population of West Lakes Shore SA?

The population of West Lakes Shore SA is 3,236 according to the ABS Census 2021. The suburb has a population density of 1,969 people per km². West Lakes Shore is ranked #2,270 out of 14,663 suburbs by population.

What is the median income in West Lakes Shore?

The median personal income in West Lakes Shore SA is $849 per week, or $44,148 per year. The median household income is $1,758 per week. Family income is $2,126 per week. West Lakes Shore is ranked #2,798 by income out of 14,663 Australian suburbs.

How much is rent in West Lakes Shore?

Median rent in West Lakes Shore SA is $390 per week ($1,690 per month). Rent represents 22.2% of household income, which is considered affordable. West Lakes Shore ranks #2,258 out of 14,663 suburbs by rent.

What are mortgage repayments in West Lakes Shore?

The median monthly mortgage repayment in West Lakes Shore SA is $1,950. This data comes from the ABS Census 2021 and reflects mortgage repayments for owner-occupied dwellings.

What is the median age in West Lakes Shore?

The median age in West Lakes Shore SA is 48 years. This is older than the national median age of 38 years.

Is West Lakes Shore a good suburb to live in?

West Lakes Shore is a suburb in South Australia with a population of 3,236. The median income is $849/wk, which is above the typical SA suburb ($759/wk). Rent affordability is rated as affordable (22.2% 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: 41569. All dollar figures in AUD.