In 2009, demographer Bernard Salt of the Sunday Mail judged Glenalta to be Adelaide's most liveable suburb, citing its "affordability, access and ambience".

[4] In 1869, the Blackwood Inn (renamed the Belair Hotel in 1880) was opened by Robert Burfield, one of the earlier settlers in the area and a trustee of the Inebriates Retreat in nearby Belair.

[3][5] The suburb was initially divided in 62 allotments in 1926, then subdivided further in the 1950s and 1960s.

[3] The suburb is served by Glenalta railway station on the Belair line.

Bus routes 195, 195F, 196 and 196F operate to and from the city from nearby Blackwood Interchange, and routes 893 and 894 operate to and from Aldgate from Blackwood Interchange.