Blackwood
Statistical Area - sa2

Population growth drivers in Blackwood are strong compared to national averages based on AreaSearch's ranking of recent, and medium to long-term trends

Blackwood's population was approximately 13,717 as of November 2025. This figure represents an increase of 754 people since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 12,963. The change is inferred from ABS estimates showing an estimated resident population of 13,688 in June 2024 and an additional 69 validated new addresses since the Census date. This results in a population density ratio of 810 persons per square kilometer. Blackwood's growth rate of 5.8% since the 2021 census exceeded both the SA3 area (4.4%) and the SA4 region, indicating it as a growth leader in the region. Overseas migration contributed approximately 54.6% of overall population gains during recent periods, with all drivers including natural growth and interstate migration being positive factors.

AreaSearch adopts ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area, released in 2024 using 2022 as the base year. For areas not covered by this data and years post-2032, SA State Government's Regional/LGA projections by age category are adopted with adjustments made employing a method of weighted aggregation of population growth from LGA to SA2 levels. Based on demographic trends and latest population numbers, Blackwood is expected to increase by 1,724 persons to reach approximately 15,441 by 2041, recording a gain of 12.4% in total over the 17-year period.

AreaSearch assessment of residential approval activity sees Blackwood among the top 30% of areas assessed nationwide

Blackwood has received approximately 49 dwelling approvals annually. Over the past five financial years, from FY-21 to FY-25, a total of 248 homes were approved, with an additional 19 approved in FY-26. Each dwelling built attracted an average of 4 people moving to the area over these five years.

This indicates that supply has been lagging behind demand, potentially leading to heightened buyer competition and pricing pressures. The average construction cost value for new properties is $421,000, suggesting developers are targeting the premium market segment with higher-end properties. In FY-26, there have been $3.5 million in commercial approvals, reflecting the area's residential character.

Compared to Greater Adelaide, Blackwood has slightly more development activity, with 11.0% above the regional average per person over the past five years. This balance supports buyer choice while maintaining current property values. The building activity shows a focus on detached houses, with 92.0% of approvals for this type and only 8.0% for medium and high-density housing. This maintains Blackwood's traditional low density character, appealing to those seeking family homes and space. With around 296 people per dwelling approval, Blackwood indeed displays characteristics of a low density area. Population forecasts indicate that Blackwood will gain approximately 1,695 residents by the year 2041. Building activity is currently keeping pace with these growth projections, although buyers may still experience heightened competition as the population grows.

Blackwood has emerging levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the 32ndth percentile nationally

Five projects identified by AreaSearch are expected to impact the area significantly: Adelaide Public Transport Capacity and Access, Adelaide's Inner And Outer Ring Route Capacity Improvements, Flagstaff Pines Residential Development, and Living Choice Flagstaff Hill.

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

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The exceptional employment performance in Blackwood places it among Australia's strongest labour markets

Blackwood's workforce is highly educated with significant representation in professional services. The unemployment rate was 1.3% as of June 2025.

Employment growth over the past year was estimated at 2.7%. In June 2025, 7,565 residents were employed while the unemployment rate was 2.7% lower than Greater Adelaide's rate of 4.0%. Workforce participation was 65.6%, compared to Greater Adelaide's 61.7%. Leading employment industries among residents included health care & social assistance, education & training, and professional & technical services.

Education & training showed strong specialization with an employment share 1.5 times the regional level. Conversely, manufacturing had lower representation at 4.7% versus the regional average of 7.0%. Over the 12 months to June 2025, employment increased by 2.7% while labour force also increased by 2.7%, with unemployment remaining largely unchanged. Greater Adelaide recorded employment growth of 2.1% during this period. National employment forecasts from Jobs and Skills Australia, issued in May 2025, project national employment growth of 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Blackwood's employment mix suggests local growth could be approximately 7.1% over five years and 14.5% over ten years.

Income metrics indicate excellent economic conditions, with the area achieving higher performance than 75% of national locations assessed by AreaSearch

AreaSearch's latest postcode level ATO data for financial year 2022 shows Blackwood's median income among taxpayers is $59,709. The average income is $74,494. Nationally, this is very high compared to the Greater Adelaide median of $52,592 and average of $64,886. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 12.83% since financial year 2022, current estimates for Blackwood would be approximately $67,370 (median) and $84,052 (average) as of September 2025. According to Census 2021 income data, household, family and personal incomes in Blackwood cluster around the 73rd percentile nationally. Income analysis reveals that the largest segment comprises 31.0% earning $1,500 - 2,999 weekly (4,252 residents), similar to the metropolitan region where 31.8% occupy this bracket. A substantial proportion of high earners, 32.6%, are above $3,000/week, indicating strong economic capacity throughout the suburb. After housing costs, residents retain 87.8% of their income, reflecting strong purchasing power. The area's SEIFA income ranking places it in the 8th decile.

Blackwood is characterized by a predominantly suburban housing profile, with above-average rates of outright home ownership

Blackwood's dwellings, as per the latest Census, consisted of 91.1% houses and 8.9% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings), contrasting with Adelaide metro's 78.8% houses and 21.2% other dwellings. Home ownership in Blackwood stood at 40.9%, similar to Adelaide metro, with mortgaged dwellings at 49.0% and rented ones at 10.1%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $1,950, lower than Adelaide metro's $1,992. Median weekly rent in Blackwood was $370, higher than Adelaide metro's $335. Nationally, Blackwood's mortgage repayments exceeded the Australian average of $1,863, while rents were below the national figure of $375.

Blackwood features high concentrations of family households, with a higher-than-average median household size

Family households account for 78.0% of all households, including 39.4% couples with children, 29.7% couples without children, and 8.4% single parent families. Non-family households comprise the remaining 22.0%, with lone person households at 20.2% and group households making up 1.7% of the total. The median household size is 2.7 people, larger than the Greater Adelaide average of 2.6.

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

Educational attainment in Blackwood is notably high with 42.0% of residents aged 15 and above holding university qualifications compared to the broader benchmarks of 25.7% in South Australia (SA) and 28.1% in the SA4 region. Bachelor degrees are the most prevalent at 26.5%, followed by postgraduate qualifications at 10.2% and graduate diplomas at 5.3%. Vocational credentials are also prominent with 29.6% of residents holding such qualifications, including advanced diplomas (11.8%) and certificates (17.8%). Educational participation is high with 29.0% of residents currently enrolled in formal education, comprising 10.7% in primary, 7.7% in secondary, and 6.0% pursuing tertiary education.

The area has two schools serving 405 students: Concordia College (St Peters Campus, Blackwood) and Hawthorndene Primary School. Both schools focus exclusively on primary education with secondary options available in nearby areas. However, limited local school capacity (3.0 places per 100 residents compared to the regional average of 21.2) means many families travel outside the area for schooling.

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

Transport analysis shows 99 active transport stops in Blackwood. These include both train and bus services. There are 32 routes serving these stops, providing a total of 957 weekly passenger trips.

Transport accessibility is rated good, with residents typically located 256 meters from the nearest stop. Service frequency averages 136 trips per day across all routes, equating to approximately 9 weekly trips per individual stop.

Blackwood's residents are healthier than average in comparison to broader Australia with a fairly standard level of common health conditions seen across both young and old age cohorts

Blackwood residents show relatively positive health outcomes, with common conditions seen evenly across young and old age groups.

Private health cover is high at approximately 56% of the total population (~7,750 people). The most prevalent medical conditions are arthritis (8.0%) and asthma (7.9%). A majority, 68.3%, report no medical ailments, close to Greater Adelaide's 69.3%. As of 2016-17, 21.1% of residents are aged 65 and over (~2,888 people). Seniors' health outcomes are particularly strong, outperforming the general population in health metrics.

In terms of cultural diversity, Blackwood records figures broadly comparable to the national average, as found in AreaSearch's assessment of a number of language and cultural background related metrics

Blackwood's population was found to be approximately in line with the broader area's average regarding cultural diversity, with 77.8% born in Australia, 93.5% being citizens, and 91.3% speaking English only at home. Christianity was the predominant religion in Blackwood, making up 38.9% of its population. However, Judaism showed a notable overrepresentation, comprising 0.2% compared to 0.1% across Greater Adelaide.

In terms of ancestry, the top three groups were English (34.6%), Australian (24.8%), and Scottish (8.2%). There were also significant differences in the representation of certain other ethnicities: German was overrepresented at 6.1%, Polish at 1.1%, and Dutch at 1.7%.

Blackwood hosts an older demographic, ranking in the top quartile nationwide

The median age in Blackwood is 43 years, which is significantly higher than Greater Adelaide's average of 39 years and Australia's median age of 38 years. Compared to Greater Adelaide, Blackwood has a higher percentage of residents aged 45-54 (14.5%) but fewer residents aged 25-34 (8.2%). According to the 2021 Census, the population aged 15-24 has increased from 11.1% to 12.3%, while the population aged 65-74 has decreased from 11.3% to 10.3%. By 2041, demographic projections indicate significant changes in Blackwood's age structure. The population aged 85 and above is expected to grow by 134% (515 people), reaching 901 from 385. Conversely, the population aged 65-74 is projected to decrease by 57 people.