Revealed: SA's nappy valleys and tombstone towns – realestate.com.au

SA's Nappy Valleys and Tombstone Towns revealed, ABS data paints an in-depth picture of our thriving family-friendly regions and retirement hotspots.

If you're looking to put down roots surrounded by other young, growing families, Adelaide's northern suburbs are the place to do it, analysis firm KPMG's area-by-area analysis of Australian Bureau of Statistics births and deaths data for 2023 shows.

Munno Para West – Angle Vale has been named the state's Nappy Valley, with births outnumbering recorded deaths in 2023.

According to information, 382 people were born in the area, only 48 people died, the difference was 334.

Davoren Park came second, with 199 more births than deaths in the suburb.

The data only compares birth and death rates and does not account for population growth through movement into the suburbs and out of the city.

While third-placed Enfield – Blair Athol recorded 368 more births than Davoren Park, it also recorded significantly more deaths – 182 – bringing the gap to 186.

Terry Rawnsley, urban economist at KPMG, said areas that had seen significant growth were magnets for young families, so many northern suburbs were included, and Mt Barker was also recording a high number of births.

“Established middle ring locations such as Windsor Gardens, Enfield and Blair Athol have also seen large numbers of births in recent years as new families have moved into these areas,” he said.

“These types of places offer suitable housing for families, as well as access to good local amenities, jobs and services.”

Mike Lao of Edge Realty. is given

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Edge Realty's Mike Lao, who sells in the northern suburbs that dominate the list, said he was not surprised to hear the region was responsible for Adelaide's highest number of births.

“A lot of young families are buying into the area looking to put down roots, and they're attracted here primarily because of the price, but also because of the great amenities in the area,” he said.

“There are lots of parks, playgrounds, shopping, transport, medical facilities, nurseries and schools, and these are very attractive to young families and couples looking to start one.

Imogen Jiggins and her partner Wade Matthews moved into their Munno Para home last year and have since welcomed their son Dakota.

Imogen Jiggins and baby Dakota Munno at home in Para West. Image/Russell Millard Photography

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Ms Jiggins said that although they were initially intrigued by the suburb's affordability, they have since fallen in love with what the suburb has to offer.

“The amenity is great – everything is new so it's nice and the schools are great,” he said.

“It's going to be a wonderful place for Dakota to grow up, and there are a lot of other young families around.”

Imogen Jiggins and baby Dakota Munno at home in Para West. Image/Russell Millard Photography

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For decades, Victor Harbour, colloquially known as 'God's waiting room', had the biggest discrepancy between births and deaths, with 152 more deaths than births last year.

According to information, in 2023, 256 people died there, and 104 births were registered in the suburb.

Unley – Parkside had the second-highest difference between deaths and births, with 149 more residents dying in the suburb than were born there in 2023, but recorded the highest number of total deaths of any area in the state.

In 2023, 290 people died and 141 people were born there.

Mr Rawnsley said Victor Harbor and nearby Goolwa – Port Elliot ranked fourth was not surprising given the age of its residents and the inclusion of suburbs could easily be explained.

“Unlike other states, Adelaide's inner suburbs – those within 5km of the CBD – have more deaths than births,” he said.

Terry Rawnsley of KPMG. is given

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“Suburbs such as Unley – Parkside, North Adelaide and Toorak Gardens saw very little new housing development, which prevented younger people from entering the housing market and resulted in fewer babies being born to compensate for the number of deaths.”

According to the data, Morphettville had 95 more deaths, West Lakes 92, Brighton 80 and Glenelg 70.

The northern York Peninsula saw almost double the number of deaths as births during the year, with coastal Moonta and the Barossa Valley town of Nuriootpa also designated as havens for retirees.

Hope Valley – Modbury also made the list with 258 deaths and 207 births in 2023; Like nearby St Agnes – Ridgehaven with 160 deaths and 123 births.

Robert Lonie of Boffo Real Estate, who specializes in these suburbs, said he was not surprised by the statistics, particularly the smaller difference between births and deaths.

“There are a lot of huge senior care facilities in this area,” he said.

“What you're seeing is these older residents moving out of their homes and moving into these facilities, and young families moving in and having a child or two.

“Many of these residents who bought into the suburbs soon after they were created are now in their 70s and are moving into retirement or aged care.”

Nappy Valleys of SA

Tombstone towns of SA