Adelaide – the bustling state capital of South Australia, and home to its sixth most populous city! While everyone will agree that there are tons of great places to live there, which are the worst suburbs in Adelaide?
It’s a must-see hotspot for tourists, with its wide array of museums, aboriginal art and vineyards. There truly is something for everyone – no wonder it’s such a popular destination on the continent.
But as any visitor should always keep in mind – some suburbs might not be as safe as others.
While exploring the suburbs in Adelaide, it’s essential to note that the term ‘worst’ is subjective and may carry different meanings for different individuals. This article aims to provide an analysis based on specific criteria the highest crime rates, based on recent data and metrics from sources such as aucrimerate.com.
We’ll be ranking these suburbs based on their crime rank and also sharing their median house or unit prices. Every suburb possesses its unique charm and potential and we do not intend to undervalue any community or region.
Adelaide’s more dangerous suburbs
Living in Adelaide’s less-than-safe suburbs would mean exercising a few more safety measures. With rising crime rates in some places, it pays to know which areas to avoid.
To help you find your perfect home sweet home, we’ve got a roundup of neighbourhoods in Adelaide where the crime rate is on the higher side. We’ll be using the crime statistics from redsuburbs.com.au to assess these over a value of 100. The higher the number, the safer the suburb.
Red Suburbs’ sources crime data from the State Police Service public datasets and population data comes from 2021 ABS Census.
“Crime Rank is % of how many suburbs are better based on number of crimes and their severity proportionate to the suburb population.”
Red Suburbs
Before diving in, it’s crucial to point out that Adelaide is a pretty safe city overall. It’s actually one of Australia’s more secure cities.
Worst Suburbs in Adelaide
source of the images: redsuburbs
The suburbs south and north of Adelaide CBD have higher crime rates than others with a particularity for nighttime crime.
Hindley Street in Adelaide’s northern suburbs has also gained some exposure in recent times because of its crime rate.
To delve in further, here are the Adelaide suburbs with the higher than average crime rates.
Adelaide CBD
- Crime Rank: 100/100
- Total crimes: 7,330
- Top crime: theft
The Adelaide CBD is described as much quieter than expected for city living with some areas especially quiet like the east end close to Rundle Street and the south of the city featuring row cottages and town houses.
Adelaide is noted for its clean air, being one of the least polluted cities in Australia, with everything within walking distance in the CBD.
The pace of life is slower compared to cities like Sydney, making it a pleasant place for visitors and residents.
However, there have been reports of anti-social behavior including intoxication, large gatherings, street harassment, and shop theft, although the crime statistics have been generally steady over the past six years
Wingfield
- Crime Rank: 100/100
- Total crimes: 190
- Top crime: theft
Wingfield is majorly an industrial suburb with activities such as recycling, manufacturing, and freight forwarding.
A significant area is the Wingfield Waste & Recycling Centre which was formerly operated as a landfill dump but now serves as a waste and recycling transfer centre.
It is noted that theft is a common crime in Wingfield with a total of 98 theft crimes out of 190 crimes reported.
Gepps Cross
- Crime Rank: 100/100
- Total crimes: 423
- Top crime: theft
Gepps Cross is situated in the north of Adelaide and marks the transition from inner suburbs to the outer northern suburbs. It is recognised for its significant open spaces, even though it houses various facilities like a velodrome, hockey stadium, a Croatian soccer club, and karate training facilities.
Gepps Cross, along with Bolivar and Elizabeth, tops the list for the most crimes per 100 residents in Adelaide, with a notable increase in offences reported in the 2021-22 financial year.
Over the last 10 years, there has been a stark increase in offending in Gepps Cross, with an 89.8% rise reported, which is significant when compared to other suburbs in Greater Adelaide.
The crime rate in Gepps Cross is associated with socio-economic factors, as suburbs with higher crime rates tend to have lower weekly household incomes and higher unemployment rates.
Glenelg
- Crime Rank: 69/100
- Total crimes: 727
- Top crime: theft
Glenelg is known for its beach, attracting both tourists and locals alike, and offers a laid-back lifestyle. It’s a lively area with several hotels, dozens of restaurants, and a vibrant social scene, making it a desirable place for many people.
Theft is the most committed crime in Glenelg followed by assault and related offences.
Port Adelaide
- Crime Rank: 100/100
- Total crimes: 641
- Top crime: theft
Port Adelaide is considered a suburb with potential, although some locals feel it has been “waiting to pick up” for a long time. The area might lack some amenities compared to other suburbs, which are easily accessible within a short drive from Port Adelaide.
Theft is the most committed crime in Port Adelaide followed by assault and related offences and property damage.
Bolivar
- Crime Rank: 100/100
- Total crimes: 311
- Top crime: theft
Bolivar, an outer northern suburb of Adelaide, South Australia, was established in 1956 and named after the General Bolivar Hotel. The suburb has a rich history, with the Bolivar Post Office opening in 1905 and closing in 1930.
Bolivar seems to be a quiet suburb with a notable wastewater treatment facility, providing a significant service to the metropolitan area of Adelaide. The lack of some amenities might affect its liveability, particularly for families or individuals seeking a vibrant social scene or extensive local services.
Oaklands Park
- Crime Rank: 61/100
- Total crimes: 1150
- Top crime: theft
Oaklands Park, located in the southern part of Adelaide, South Australia, within the City of Marion, offers a blend of residential living and commercial activities.
In Oaklands Park, a notable increase of 6% (63 offences) in total criminal offences was observed for the year ending 2023 compared to the previous year. However, there were no criminal offences of burglary or theft reported in 2023.
Elizabeth
- Crime Rank: 100/100
- Total crimes: 1,530
- Top crime: theft
Elizabeth offers a mix of residential areas with some having well-presented houses and others featuring public housing. The infrastructure in the suburb is noted to be quite decent, with good roads, shopping facilities, and solidly built houses available at reasonable prices.
However, like many places, there’s room for improvement in the sectors of healthcare, education, and transportation.
For the year ending 2023, Elizabeth saw a 4% increase in total criminal offences, amounting to 122 additional offences compared to the previous year.
The crime statistics detail various offences with the most significant being offences against property such as theft and related offences (1527 incidents), property damage and environmental offences (612 incidents), and serious criminal trespass (238 incidents).
There were also 741 incidents of acts intended to cause injury. However, there were no reported cases of burglary, theft, homicide, or robbery for the year ending 2023.
How does the crime rate in Adelaide compare to Sydney’s and Melbourne’s?
Adelaide has the lowest crime rate of the three cities. The crime index in Adelaide is 32.91, which means that there are 32.91 crimes per 100,000 people. The safety scale in Adelaide is 67.09, which means that people feel safe in the city.
Sydney has the second lowest crime rate. The crime index in Sydney is 34.17, which means that there are 34.17 crimes per 100,000 people. The safety scale in Sydney is 65.83, which means that people feel safe in the city.
Melbourne has the highest crime rate of the three cities. The crime index in Melbourne is 43.97, which means that there are 43.97 crimes per 100,000 people. The safety scale in Melbourne is 56.03, which means that people feel less safe in the city compared to Adelaide and Sydney.
You can find more detailed information and rankings on the Numbeo website.
Living Safely in Adelaide
Despite areas with heightened crime rates, Adelaide overall offers a high quality of life with its clean air, ample services, and friendly communities. By staying informed and taking sensible precautions, residents and visitors can fully enjoy all that Adelaide has to offer.
Conclusion: Navigating Adelaide with Confidence
Awareness of the suburbs that present higher crime rates is essential for making informed decisions about where to live, work, and explore in Adelaide. With the right precautions and a proactive approach to safety, Adelaide continues to be a welcoming and vibrant city for all.
Questions people ask about the worst suburbs in Adelaide
Suggested reading: Want to know which are the worst suburbs in Brisbane? Read Soho’s article for more.
Is Adelaide safe?
Adelaide is a great place to live in and generally safe. However, like in all cities, there are some areas with a higher crime rate, like the Adelaide CBD and Gepps Cross.
Is it expensive to live in Adelaide?
You may be wondering why rent is so expensive in Adelaide? But, it’s actually way lower than the other mainland Australian capital cities. That means living there gets you more bang for your buck than in cities like Sydney and Brisbane.
When it comes to the median house price in Adelaide, you’re looking at $847,000 for houses to $450,000 for units.
Is Adelaide cheap?
When you compare Adelaide to cities like Sydney and Melbourne, it’s generally less expensive! You can save up to 12% on transportation and accommodation. Plus, the lively city and all its attractions are sure to put a smile on your face. This means that the cost of living in Adelaide is pretty fair.
Are overseas students safe in Adelaide?
Adelaide is a pretty safe place to be, but you’d still do well to take some sensible precautions. Don’t hesitate to call on the South Australian Police Force if ever you feel like your safety is at risk.
