It is a residential suburb within the local government area of City of Port Adelaide Enfield, adjacent to the suburbs of Semaphore, Semaphore South, Glanville and New Port.

[citation needed] The John Hart Reserve and Oval at the north-western corner is the main recreational facility in the suburb.

[1][7][8] The 333 bus, which runs between North Haven and Port Adelaide, services Bower Road and Hart Street.

The suburb is also served by the 651, 657, 662, 665, and 672 school bus services, however, these are not accessible to the general public.

[9] Ethelton is located in the federal division of Hindmarsh, the state electoral district of Port Adelaide and the local government area of the City of Port Adelaide Enfield.