Christie Downs

An assessment of population growth drivers in Christie Downs reveals an overall ranking slightly below national averages considering recent, and medium term trends

Christie Downs' population is approximately 9,734 as of November 2025. This figure represents an increase of 259 people, a 2.7% rise since the 2021 Census which recorded a population of 9,475. The growth is inferred from the estimated resident population of 9,673 in June 2024 and the addition of 42 validated new addresses since the Census date. This results in a population density ratio of 1,135 persons per square kilometer, comparable to averages seen across locations assessed by AreaSearch. Christie Downs' growth rate places it within 2.2 percentage points of its SA3 area (4.9%), indicating strong growth fundamentals. Overseas migration contributed approximately 57.5% of the 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 a base year of 2022. For areas not covered by this data and years post-2032, the SA State Government's Regional/LGA projections by age category are adopted, based on 2021 data and adjusted using a weighted aggregation method from LGA to SA2 levels. Based on projected demographic shifts, Christie Downs is expected to grow by approximately 891 persons by 2041, reflecting an 8.4% increase over the 17-year period.

Residential development activity is lower than average in Christie Downs according to AreaSearch's national comparison of local real estate markets

Christie Downs has recorded approximately 23 residential properties granted approval annually. Over the past five financial years, from FY-21 to FY-25117 homes were approved, with an additional 28 approved so far in FY-26. On average, these developments have attracted 1.4 new residents per year per dwelling constructed during this period.

The average construction value of these dwellings is $192,000, which is below regional norms, indicating more affordable housing options for purchasers. This financial year has seen $50.3 million in commercial approvals, suggesting strong commercial development momentum. Compared to Greater Adelaide, Christie Downs shows significantly reduced construction activity, with 51.0% fewer new homes per person than the regional average. This scarcity typically strengthens demand and prices for existing properties. Additionally, this activity is below national averages, reflecting the area's maturity and potential planning constraints.

Recent construction comprises 88.0% standalone homes and 12.0% townhouses or apartments, maintaining the area's suburban identity with a concentration of family homes suited to buyers seeking space. The location has approximately 478 people per dwelling approval, indicating an established area. According to AreaSearch's latest quarterly estimate, Christie Downs is expected to grow by 823 residents through to 2041. Development activity appears to be keeping pace with projected growth, though increasing competition among buyers can be anticipated as the population expands.

Christie Downs has limited levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the 6thth percentile nationally

Six projects identified by AreaSearch are likely to impact the area significantly. These include the Noarlunga Master Planning Housing Project, Noarlunga Residential Development, Main South Road Duplication Stage 1 - Aldinga Project, and Noarlunga Hospital Mental Health Expansion. The following list details those expected to be most relevant.

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The labour market performance in Christie Downs lags significantly behind most other regions nationally

Christie Downs has a diverse workforce with both white and blue collar jobs, with essential services well represented. As of September 2025, the unemployment rate was 12.8%, showing an employment growth of 4.7% over the past year compared to Greater Adelaide's 3.9%.

The area had 3,918 residents in work, while its unemployment rate was 8.9% higher than Greater Adelaide's. Workforce participation lagged at 49.3%, compared to Greater Adelaide's 61.7%. Employment is concentrated in health care & social assistance, retail trade, and construction, with retail trade notably high at 1.4 times the regional average. Professional & technical services showed lower representation at 3.8% versus the regional average of 7.3%.

The worker-to-resident ratio was 0.7, indicating above-normal local employment opportunities. Between September 2024 and September 2025, employment increased by 4.7%, while labour force grew by 3.2%, reducing the unemployment rate by 1.2 percentage points. In comparison, Greater Adelaide saw employment grow by 3.0%, labour force expand by 2.9%, and unemployment fall by 0.1 percentage points. State-level data to 25-Nov-25 shows SA employment grew by 1.19% year-on-year, with the state unemployment rate at 4.0%. National employment forecasts from May-25 project a growth of 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Christie Downs's employment mix suggests local employment should increase by 6.4% over five years and 13.5% over ten years, assuming constant population projections.

Income metrics place the area in the bottom 10% of locations nationally according to AreaSearch analysis

According to AreaSearch's aggregation of ATO data released for financial year 2022, Christie Downs SA2 had a median taxpayer income of $44,995 and an average income of $49,309. These figures are lower than the national averages of $52,592 and $64,886 respectively for Greater Adelaide. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 12.83% since financial year 2022, estimated median income as of September 2025 is approximately $50,768, with average income estimated at $55,635. The 2021 Census showed household, family and personal incomes in Christie Downs falling between the 3rd and 7th percentiles nationally. Income analysis revealed that 29.1% of the population (2,832 individuals) had incomes ranging from $800 to $1,499, contrasting with the regional leading bracket of $1,500 to $2,999 at 31.8%. Housing affordability pressures were severe, with only 79.3% of income remaining, ranking at the 4th percentile nationally.

Christie Downs is characterized by a predominantly suburban housing profile, with a higher proportion of rental properties than the broader region

Dwelling structure in Christie Downs, as evaluated at the latest Census, consisted of 81.1% houses and 18.9% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings). In comparison, Adelaide metro had 89.2% houses and 10.7% other dwellings. Home ownership in Christie Downs was at 22.8%, with the remainder of dwellings either mortgaged (34.8%) or rented (42.3%). The median monthly mortgage repayment in the area was $1,250, while the median weekly rent figure was recorded at $250. Nationally, Christie Downs's mortgage repayments were significantly lower than the Australian average of $1,863, and rents were substantially below the national figure of $375.

Christie Downs features high concentrations of lone person households, with a lower-than-average median household size

Family households constitute 60.4% of all households, including 20.4% couples with children, 21.5% couples without children, and 17.0% single parent families. Non-family households account for the remaining 39.6%, with lone person households at 35.8% and group households comprising 3.8%. The median household size is 2.2 people, smaller than the Greater Adelaide average of 2.5.

Christie Downs faces educational challenges, with performance metrics placing it in the bottom quartile of areas assessed nationally

The area's university qualification rate is 12.6%, significantly lower than Australia's average of 30.4%. Bachelor degrees are the most common at 9.2%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (2.2%) and graduate diplomas (1.2%). Vocational credentials are prevalent, with 41.4% of residents aged 15+ holding them, including advanced diplomas (8.6%) and certificates (32.8%). Educational participation is high at 28.9%, with 12.2% in primary education, 7.3% in secondary education, and 3.8% pursuing tertiary education.

Educational participation is notably high, with 28.9% of residents currently enrolled in formal education. This includes 12.2% in primary education, 7.3% in secondary education, and 3.8% pursuing tertiary education.

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

Christie Downs has 96 active public transport stops offering a mix of train and bus services. These stops are served by 38 unique routes, facilitating 2,731 weekly passenger trips in total. Transport accessibility is deemed good with residents on average located 202 meters from their nearest stop.

Service frequency averages 390 trips per day across all routes, translating to approximately 28 weekly trips per individual stop.

Health performance in Christie Downs is a key challenge with a range of health conditions having marked impacts on both younger and older age cohorts

Christie Downs faces significant health challenges, with various conditions affecting both younger and older age groups. Private health cover is low, at approximately 46% of the total population (~4,487 people), compared to 48.6% across Greater Adelaide and the national average of 55.3%. Mental health issues and arthritis are the most common medical conditions in the area, affecting 13.2 and 10.6% of residents respectively.

However, 56.1% of residents report being completely clear of medical ailments, compared to 62.9% across Greater Adelaide. The area has 21.0% of residents aged 65 and over (2,043 people), with health outcomes among seniors presenting challenges broadly in line with the general population's health profile.

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

Christie Downs' cultural diversity was found to be roughly in line with the wider region's average, with 86.2% of its population being citizens, 77.7% born in Australia, and 91.5% speaking English only at home. Christianity was the main religion in Christie Downs, comprising 36.5% of people. The most apparent overrepresentation was in Other, which comprised 0.7% of the population compared to 0.7% across Greater Adelaide.

In terms of ancestry, the top three represented groups were English (34.6%), Australian (28.1%), and Scottish (6.1%). There were notable divergences in the representation of certain ethnic groups: Welsh was notably overrepresented at 0.8%, Hungarian at 0.4% (vs 0.3%), and Dutch at 1.7%.

Christie Downs's population is slightly older than the national pattern

Christie Downs' median age of 40 is similar to Greater Adelaide's average of 39, both somewhat older than Australia's median age of 38. The 75-84 age group makes up 8.0% of Christie Downs' population, higher than Greater Adelaide's percentage, while the 35-44 cohort comprises 12.6%, lower than Greater Adelaide's figure. Post-Census data from 2021 shows an increase in the 75 to 84 age group from 6.3% to 8.0%. Conversely, the 65 to 74 cohort declined from 11.9% to 10.6%. By 2041, population forecasts indicate significant demographic changes for Christie Downs. The 85+ age group is projected to grow by 123%, reaching 523 people from 234. Notably, the combined 65+ age groups will account for 61% of total population growth, reflecting the area's aging demographic profile. In contrast, the 5-14 cohort is projected to decline by 9 people.