Adelaide

Adelaide lies within the top quartile of areas nationally for population growth performance according to AreaSearch analysis of recent, and medium to long-term trends

Adelaide's population was around 22,705 as of May 2026. This figure reflects an increase of 4,503 people since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 18,202 people. The growth is inferred from ABS data showing an estimated resident population of 22,657 in June 2025 and an additional 840 validated new addresses since the Census date. This results in a population density ratio of 2,166 persons per square kilometer, higher than average national locations assessed by AreaSearch. Adelaide's growth rate of 24.7% since the 2021 census exceeded both state (7.5%) and Greater Adelaide figures, making it a growth leader in the region. Overseas migration contributed approximately 97.8% of overall population gains during recent periods.

AreaSearch uses ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area, released in 2024 with a base year of 2022. For areas not covered by this data and years post-2032, the SA State Government's Regional/LGA projections are adopted, based on 2021 data and adjusted using weighted aggregation methods. Based on latest annual ERP population numbers, Adelaide is expected to increase by approximately 2,782 persons by 2041, reflecting a total increase of about 12.0% over the 16-year period.

AreaSearch assessment of residential development activity positions Adelaide among the top 25% of areas assessed nationwide

Adelaide saw approximately 227 new homes approved annually. Between FY-21 and FY-25, 1,135 homes were approved, with an additional 107 approved in FY-26 to date. Over these five financial years, an average of 3.1 people moved to the area for each dwelling built.

This demand outpaces supply, potentially driving up prices and increasing buyer competition. Developers focus on premium market segments, with new dwellings averaging $422,000 in construction cost value. In FY-26, commercial approvals totaled $865.6 million, indicating high local commercial activity. Compared to Greater Adelaide, development levels are similar per capita, maintaining market balance. However, recent periods show moderated development activity.

Nationally, developer confidence in Adelaide is strong due to higher-than-average development levels. New building activity comprises 4.0% detached dwellings and 96.0% townhouses or apartments, favoring denser developments for accessibility and appeal to various buyer segments. The location has around 247 people per dwelling approval, suggesting room for growth. By 2041, Adelaide is projected to grow by 2,734 residents. Current development rates should comfortably meet demand, creating favorable conditions for buyers and potentially supporting population growth beyond current projections.

Adelaide has emerging levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the 34thth percentile nationally

AreaSearch has identified 57 projects that could impact the area's performance. Key projects include SA Water Capital Work Delivery Contracts from 2024 to 2028, Keystone Tower, Best Life Angas Street, and Market Square and Central Market Expansion. The following list details those most likely to be relevant.

Professional plan users can use the search below to filter and access additional projects.

Denotes AI-based impression for illustrative purposes only, not to be taken as definitive under any circumstances. Please follow links and conduct other investigations from the project's source for actual imagery. Developers and project owners wishing us to use original imagery please Contact Us and we will do so.

Adelaide shows employment indicators that trail behind approximately 70% of regions assessed across Australia

Adelaide has a highly educated workforce with professional services showing strong representation. The unemployment rate was 7.5% in December 2025. Employment growth over the past year was estimated at 6.3%.

As of December 2025, 13,030 residents were in work while the unemployment rate was 3.7% above Greater Adelaide's rate of 3.8%. Workforce participation was broadly similar to Greater Adelaide's 66.0%. According to Census responses, a moderate 14.1% of residents worked from home. Leading employment industries among residents comprised accommodation & food, professional & technical, and health care & social assistance.

The area had particularly notable concentration in accommodation & food, with employment levels at 2.4 times the regional average. Meanwhile, construction had limited presence with 4.1% employment compared to 8.7% regionally. There were 6.6 workers for every resident as at the Census, indicating the area functioned as an employment hub hosting more jobs than residents and attracting workers from surrounding areas. During the year to December 2025, employment levels increased by 6.3% and labour force increased by 5.5%, causing the unemployment rate to fall by 0.7 percentage points. This compared to Greater Adelaide where employment grew by 4.2%, labour force expanded by 3.9%, and unemployment fell 0.3 percentage points. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May-25 offered further insight into potential future demand within Adelaide. These projections, covering five and ten-year periods, suggested national employment should expand by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these industry-specific projections to Adelaide's employment mix suggested local employment should increase by 7.1% over five years and 14.3% over ten years.

Income figures position the area below 75% of locations analysed nationally by AreaSearch

AreaSearch's latest postcode level ATO data for financial year 2023 shows that Adelaide SA2 has lower income compared to national averages. The median income is $42,696 and the average income stands at $61,190. In contrast, Greater Adelaide has a median income of $54,808 and an average income of $66,852. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 10.17% since financial year 2023, estimated incomes as of March 2026 would be approximately $47,038 (median) and $67,413 (average). Census data indicates that household, family, and personal incomes in Adelaide rank modestly, between the 25th and 33rd percentiles. Income distribution shows that the largest segment comprises 29.1% earning $1,500 - $2,999 weekly, with 6,607 residents falling into this range, reflecting patterns seen in the region where 31.8% occupy this income bracket. Housing affordability pressures are severe, with only 76.1% of income remaining after housing costs, ranking at the 16th percentile. The area's SEIFA income ranking places it in the 7th decile.

Adelaide features a more urban dwelling mix with significant apartment living, with a higher proportion of rental properties than the broader region

Adelaide's dwelling structure, as per the latest Census, consisted of 4.4% houses and 95.6% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings), contrasting with Adelaide metro's 75.2% houses and 24.9% other dwellings. Home ownership in Adelaide was at 18.3%, with mortgaged dwellings at 15.7% and rented ones at 66.0%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $1,733, higher than the Adelaide metro average of $1,562. The median weekly rent in Adelaide was $400, compared to Adelaide metro's $320. Nationally, Adelaide's mortgage repayments were lower than the Australian average of $1,863, while rents exceeded the national figure of $375.

Adelaide features high concentrations of group households and lone person households, with a lower-than-average median household size

Family households account for 40.2% of all households, including 7.0% couples with children, 26.6% couples without children, and 4.7% single parent families. Non-family households constitute the remaining 59.8%, with lone person households at 45.4% and group households comprising 14.5%. The median household size is 1.8 people, which is smaller than the Greater Adelaide average of 2.5.

Adelaide shows strong educational performance, ranking in the upper quartile nationally when assessed across multiple qualification and achievement indicators

Adelaide has a notably high level of educational attainment among its residents aged 15 and above, with 52.8% holding university qualifications compared to the broader state average of 25.7% and Greater Adelaide's 28.9%. This significant educational advantage indicates strong potential for knowledge-based opportunities in the area. Bachelor degrees are the most common type of qualification at 32.8%, followed by postgraduate qualifications at 16.7% and graduate diplomas at 3.3%. Vocational pathways account for 19.2% of qualifications among those aged 15 and above, with advanced diplomas making up 9.5% and certificates 9.7%.

Educational participation is particularly high in Adelaide, with 42.7% of residents currently enrolled in formal education. This includes 30.7% in tertiary education, 3.0% in primary education, and 2.0% pursuing secondary education.

Transport servicing is high compared to other areas nationally based on assessment of service frequency, route connectivity and accessibility

The public transport analysis indicates that there are 241 active transport stops within Adelaide, consisting of a mix of train, light rail, and bus services. These stops are served by 282 individual routes, collectively facilitating 28,609 weekly passenger trips. The accessibility of transport is rated as excellent, with residents typically situated 142 meters from the nearest transport stop. As a predominantly residential area, most residents commute outward. The car remains the primary mode of transport at 38%, followed by walking at 36% and bus at 14%. The average vehicle ownership per dwelling is 0.3, which is below the regional average.

According to the 2021 Census, some 14.1% of residents work from home, a figure that may reflect COVID-19 conditions. The service frequency averages 4,087 trips per day across all routes, equating to approximately 118 weekly trips per individual stop. The accompanying map displays the 100 nearest stops to the location's centrepoint.

Adelaide's residents boast exceedingly positive health performance metrics with very low prevalence of common health conditions across all age groups

Health outcomes data shows excellent results across Adelaide, based on AreaSearch's assessment of mortality rates and chronic condition prevalence with very low prevalence of common health conditions across all age groups, and a relatively low rate of private health cover at approximately 49% of the total population (around 11,170 people). This compares to 52.7% across Greater Adelaide, with a national average of 55.7%. The most prevalent medical conditions in the area were mental health issues and asthma, affecting 9.1 and 5.5% of residents respectively, while 77.1% declared themselves completely clear of medical ailments compared to 67.9% across Greater Adelaide.

Working-age residents showed notably healthy outcomes with low chronic condition prevalence. The area has 13.6% of residents aged 65 and over (around 3,087 people), lower than the 19.2% in Greater Adelaide. Health outcomes among seniors were particularly strong, broadly aligning with national rankings for the general population.

Adelaide is among the most culturally diverse areas in the country based on AreaSearch assessment of a range of language and cultural background related metrics

Adelaide has a culturally diverse population, with 46.3% speaking a language other than English at home and 55.8% born overseas. Christianity is the main religion in Adelaide, comprising 26.6% of its population. Buddhism is overrepresented compared to Greater Adelaide's average, making up 5.6% of Adelaide's population versus 2.4%.

The top three ancestry groups are Chinese (21.4%), English (20.0%), and Australian (12.0%). Chinese representation is substantially higher than the regional average of 3.1%, while English and Australian representations are notably lower than their respective averages of 27.8% and 22.8%. Notable divergences exist in Korean, Vietnamese, and French ethnic groups: Korean is overrepresented at 1.5% versus 0.3%, Vietnamese at 1.9% versus 1.2%, and French at 0.7% versus 0.4%.

Adelaide hosts a very young demographic, ranking in the bottom 10% of areas nationwide

Adelaide's median age is 30 years, which is significantly younger than Greater Adelaide's average of 39 years and the national average of 38 years. Compared to Greater Adelaide, Adelaide has a higher percentage of residents aged 25-34 (31.0%) but fewer residents aged 5-14 (2.4%). This concentration of 25-34 year-olds is well above the national average of 14.6%. According to data from the 2021 Census, the percentage of Adelaide's population aged 25-34 has grown from 27.3% in the previous census to 31.0%, while the percentage of those aged 75-84 has increased from 3.3% to 5.1%. Conversely, the percentages of residents aged 55-64 and 45-54 have declined, from 8.5% to 7.0% and from 9.1% to 7.6%, respectively. Demographic modeling suggests that Adelaide's age profile will change significantly by 2041. The 25-34 age group is projected to grow the most, with a 12% increase adding 848 residents to reach a total of 7,883. Conversely, population declines are projected for the 5-14 and 15-24 age groups.