Colonel Light Gardens

Colonel Light Gardens is positioned among the lower quartile of areas assessed nationally for population growth based on AreaSearch's assessment of recent, and medium term trends

Colonel Light Gardens' population was 15,842 as of the 2021 Census. By May 2026, it had increased to around 16,240, a rise of 398 people (2.5%). This growth is inferred from an estimated resident population of 16,212 in June 2025 and the addition of 20 validated new addresses since the Census date. The population density as of May 2026 was approximately 2,402 persons per square kilometer, placing Colonel Light Gardens in the upper quartile relative to national locations assessed by AreaSearch. Overseas migration was the primary driver of this growth during recent periods.

For projections, AreaSearch uses ABS/Geoscience Australia data released in 2024 with a base year of 2022 for each SA2 area. For areas not covered and years post-2032, it adopts the SA State Government's Regional/LGA projections by age category, released in 2023 based on 2021 data, with adjustments made using weighted aggregation methods. Future population growth is anticipated to be at lower quartile national statistical area levels, with Colonel Light Gardens expected to increase by 547 persons to reach a total of 2041 based on the latest annual ERP population numbers, reflecting an overall increase of 3.2% over the 16-year period.

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

Colonel Light Gardens has seen approximately 37 dwelling approvals per year. Between financial years FY21 and FY25186 homes were approved, with a further 22 approved in FY26 to date. On average, 0.5 new residents arrived annually for each new home built between FY21 and FY25.

This suggests that new construction is keeping pace with or exceeding demand, providing more options for buyers and potentially driving population growth beyond current projections. The average expected construction cost of these properties was $333,000. In the current financial year, $131.8 million in commercial approvals have been registered, indicating strong local business investment. Compared to Greater Adelaide, Colonel Light Gardens has approximately 68% of the construction activity per person and ranks at the 42nd percentile nationally, suggesting limited buyer options but increasing demand for established properties.

This activity is below the national average, reflecting the area's established nature and potential planning constraints. Recent construction in Colonel Light Gardens comprised 69.0% standalone homes and 31.0% townhouses or apartments, indicating a growing range of medium-density housing options that cater to various price brackets. With around 389 people per dwelling approval, it shows a developed market with adequate housing supply to meet demand. According to the latest AreaSearch quarterly estimate, Colonel Light Gardens is projected to gain 519 residents by 2041. With current construction levels, housing supply should adequately meet demand, creating favorable conditions for buyers and potentially enabling population growth that exceeds current forecasts.

Colonel Light Gardens has limited levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the 13thth percentile nationally

AreaSearch has identified ten projects that could impact the area, with key ones being SA Health's Building a Bigger Health System in the South (including Daw Park Urgent Care Hub upgrades), Tram Grade Separation Projects, Springbank Road Pedestrian Actuated Crossing, and Hotel Panorama. The following list provides details on those most relevant.

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

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AreaSearch analysis of employment trends sees Colonel Light Gardens performing better than 90% of local markets assessed across Australia

Colonel Light Gardens has a highly educated workforce with professional services well represented. The unemployment rate in the area was 1.6% as of December 2025. This is lower than Greater Adelaide's rate of 3.8%.

Employment growth over the past year was estimated at 4.7%. As of December 2025, 9,597 residents were employed with an unemployment rate of 2.2%, below Greater Adelaide's rate. Workforce participation in Colonel Light Gardens was 72.9%, higher than Greater Adelaide's 66.0%. According to Census responses, 14.3% of residents worked from home as of December 2025.

Key industries of employment include health care & social assistance, education & training, and professional & technical services. The area has a specialization in professional & technical services with an employment share 1.4 times the regional level. Manufacturing employs only 4.7% of local workers compared to Greater Adelaide's 7.0%. Many residents commute elsewhere for work based on Census data. Over the year to December 2025, employment increased by 4.7%, labour force grew by 4.6%, and unemployment fell by 0.2 percentage points in Colonel Light Gardens. In comparison, Greater Adelaide recorded employment growth of 4.2%, labour force growth of 3.9%, with a decrease in unemployment by 0.3 percentage points. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May-25 project national employment to expand by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Colonel Light Gardens' employment mix suggests local employment should increase by 7.0% over five years and 14.5% over ten years, though this is a simple extrapolation for illustrative purposes only.

The area exhibits notably strong income performance, ranking higher than 70% of areas assessed nationally through AreaSearch analysis

The median income among taxpayers in Colonel Light Gardens SA2 was $59,526 in financial year 2023. The average income stood at $75,112 during the same period. These figures compare to those for Greater Adelaide, which were $54,808 and $66,852 respectively. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 10.17% since financial year 2023, current estimates would be approximately $65,580 (median) and $82,751 (average) as of March 2026. According to Census 2021 income data, incomes in Colonel Light Gardens cluster around the 66th percentile nationally. The largest income segment comprises 28.8% earning $1,500 - 2,999 weekly, with 4,677 residents falling into this category. This is consistent with broader trends across the surrounding region, where 31.8% fall into the same category. Higher earners represent a substantial presence in Colonel Light Gardens, with 31.6% exceeding $3,000 weekly. After housing costs, residents retain 86.8% of their income. The area's SEIFA income ranking places it in the 8th decile.

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

Colonel Light Gardens' dwellings, as per the latest Census, consisted of 73.5% houses and 26.4% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other'). Adelaide metro had 75.2% houses and 24.9% other dwellings. Home ownership in Colonel Light Gardens was 35.7%, with mortgaged dwellings at 41.3% and rented ones at 23.0%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $2,000, above Adelaide metro's average of $1,863. Median weekly rent was $320, the same as Adelaide metro's figure but lower than the national average of $375.

Colonel Light Gardens has a typical household mix, with a higher-than-average median household size

Family households constitute 70.4% of all households, including 36.7% that are couples with children, 23.3% that are couples without children, and 9.2% that are single parent families. Non-family households account for the remaining 29.6%, with lone person households making up 26.2% and group households comprising 3.3%. The median household size is 2.6 people, which is larger than the Greater Adelaide average of 2.5.

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

In Colonel Light Gardens, the proportion of residents aged 15 and above with university qualifications is significantly higher than broader benchmarks, standing at 39.7% compared to 25.7% in South Australia (SA) as a whole and 28.1% in the SA4 region. This educational advantage is led by bachelor degrees, held by 26.5% of residents, followed by postgraduate qualifications at 8.7%, and graduate diplomas at 4.5%. Vocational credentials are also prominent, with 27.2% of residents aged 15 and above holding such qualifications – advanced diplomas account for 10.9%, while certificates make up 16.3%. Educational participation is notably high in the area, with 29.6% of residents currently enrolled in formal education.

This includes 10.0% in primary education, 7.5% in secondary education, and 7.1% pursuing tertiary education.

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

Colonel Light Gardens has 87 active public transport stops, all of which are bus stops. These stops are served by 52 different routes that together facilitate 3,238 weekly passenger trips. The area's transport accessibility is rated as excellent, with residents typically located 188 meters from the nearest stop. Most residents commute outward due to Colonel Light Gardens being primarily residential. Car remains the dominant mode of transportation at 83%, followed by bus at 8% and cycling at 3%. On average, there are 1.4 vehicles per dwelling.

According to the 2021 Census, 14.3% of residents work from home, which may be due to COVID-19 conditions. The service frequency averages 462 trips per day across all routes, resulting in approximately 37 weekly trips per individual stop.

Health performance in Colonel Light Gardens is lower than average with prevalence of common health conditions notable across both younger and older age cohorts

Colonel Light Gardens faces significant health challenges based on AreaSearch's assessment. Mortality rates and chronic condition prevalence are notable across both younger and older age cohorts.

The rate of private health cover is very high at approximately 57% of the total population (~9,191 people), compared to 52.7% across Greater Adelaide. The most common medical conditions in the area were mental health issues (7.8%) and arthritis (7.6%). 70.8% of residents declared themselves completely clear of medical ailments, compared to 67.9% across Greater Adelaide. The under-65 population demonstrates better than average health outcomes. The area has 18.4% of residents aged 65 and over (2,986 people). Health outcomes among seniors present some challenges, with national rankings broadly in line with the general population.

The level of cultural diversity witnessed in Colonel Light Gardens was found to be slightly above average when compared nationally for a number of language and cultural background related metrics

Colonel Light Gardens, surveyed in 2016, had a cultural diversity index above average. Overseas-born residents constituted 20.2%, with 16.7% speaking languages other than English at home. Christianity was the predominant religion, accounting for 44.1%.

Hinduism, though a minority at 2.3%, was slightly overrepresented compared to Greater Adelaide's 2.8%. Ancestral origins showed English at 28.4%, Australian at 24.6%, and Irish at 7.2% as the top three groups. Notable divergences included Greek residents at 3.8% (vs regional 2.0%), German at 5.6% (vs 5.1%), and Polish at 1.0% (vs 1.0%).

Colonel Light Gardens's population is slightly older than the national pattern

The median age in Colonel Light Gardens is 40 years, similar to Greater Adelaide's average of 39. It is somewhat older than Australia's median age of 38 years. The 45-54 age group constitutes a strong 12.9% of the population compared to Greater Adelaide, while the 25-34 cohort is less prevalent at 12.2%. According to post-2021 Census data, the 75-84 age group has increased from 4.9% to 6.1% of the population. Conversely, the 45-54 cohort has decreased from 14.5% to 12.9%, and the 85+ group has dropped from 3.5% to 2.5%. Population forecasts for 2041 indicate substantial demographic changes in Colonel Light Gardens. The 85+ age group is projected to grow by 80% (320 people), reaching 718 from 397. Notably, the combined 65+ age groups will account for 75% of total population growth, reflecting the area's aging demographic profile. In contrast, the 0-4 and 65-74 cohorts are expected to experience population declines.