Goodwood - Millswood

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

According to the analysis by AreaSearch, the population of Goodwood - Millswood stands at approximately 18,510 as of May 2026. This represents a growth of 860 individuals (4.9%) relative to the 2021 Census, which recorded 17,650 residents. This shift is calculated using the ABS estimated resident population of 18,506 from June 2025 alongside 51 validated new addresses confirmed since the Census. Such population numbers translate to a density of 2,570 persons per square kilometer, placing the locality in the highest quartile of all Australian regions analyzed by AreaSearch. The growth rate of 4.9% since the census is within 0.5 percentage points of the broader SA3 region (5.4%), indicating robust local demand. This population rise was largely fueled by overseas migration, which accounted for roughly 99.3% of the total demographic growth in recent times.

Projections from ABS and Geoscience Australia, published in 2024 with a 2022 baseline, are utilized for each SA2 area. Where these profiles are unavailable, or for periods after 2032, regional and LGA projections by age bracket from the SA State Government (released in 2023 using 2021 data) are applied, utilizing a system of weighted aggregation to translate LGA trends to SA2 boundaries. Future expectations point to a population growth rate slightly below the national median, with the locality projected to add 1,366 residents by 2041 compared to the most recent annual ERP data, which represents an overall expansion of 7.4% over the 16 years.

AreaSearch analysis of residential development drivers sees Goodwood - Millswood recording a relatively average level of approval activity when compared to local markets analysed countrywide

Dwelling approvals in Goodwood - Millswood have run at an average of approximately 50 annually, with 251 residential approvals recorded over the 5 financial years from FY-21 to FY-25, and an additional 150 documented during FY-26 so far. Over the 5 financial years from FY-21 to FY-25, the area added an average of 2.1 new residents for each completed dwelling, pointing to healthy demand that supports local property markets. The average construction value of these new residences is $434,000, indicating that developers are prioritizing high-end, premium projects. Furthermore, the current financial year has seen $9.6 million in approvals for commercial projects, showing a steady rate of non-residential construction.

Goodwood - Millswood registers 11.0% less per capita residential building activity than Greater Adelaide, and falls in the 44th percentile of all analyzed locations across the country, suggesting restricted choices for buyers and driving interest in existing properties. This volume is also low by national standards, demonstrating the mature state of the local market and hinting at potential planning constraints. Of the new housing starts, 56.0% consist of detached houses while 44.0% are attached residences, pointing to a rising volume of medium-density choices that deliver diverse price points, spanning traditional family homes to more affordable compact options. The ratio of roughly 448 people per approval confirms the mature status of the market.

Long-term forecasts suggest Goodwood - Millswood will gain 1,362 residents by 2041, based on the latest quarterly calculations from AreaSearch. Current building volumes appear to match these future requirements, helping to maintain balanced market dynamics without significant upward pressure on prices.

Goodwood - Millswood has emerging levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the 33rdth percentile nationally

Local infrastructure updates, planning schemes, and major developments can significantly influence the performance of a suburb. AreaSearch has identified 16 active projects that are expected to impact the local area. Principal developments include Unley Central, The Locale (Forestville Project), the Goodwood Oval Sporting Precinct Revitalisation, and the Wayville Reserve Upgrade, with key details on these projects listed below.

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

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AreaSearch analysis of employment trends sees Goodwood - Millswood performing better than 90% of local markets assessed across Australia

A highly qualified workforce characterizes Goodwood - Millswood, with professional service workers highly represented, an unemployment rate of only 2.3%, and a 5.1% rise in local employment over the past year. In March 2026, the employed resident count reached 11,039, with the jobless rate sitting 1.5% below the Greater Adelaide average of 3.8%. Workforce participation stands at a solid 71.4% compared to 66.6% across Greater Adelaide. Based on Census data, a moderate 15.3% of the workforce operated from home, though this figure likely reflects the influence of pandemic lockdowns.

Resident employment is heavily weighted toward health care & social assistance, professional & technical services, and education & training. The community shows a strong concentration in professional & technical services, with its employment share reaching 1.7 times the regional benchmark. Conversely, construction plays a smaller role, representing 5.6% of local jobs compared to 8.7% across the region. Even though local jobs are available, a comparison of the Census working population against local resident numbers indicates that a significant share of residents travel outside the suburb for work.

AreaSearch analysis of SALM and ABS statistics shows that for the 12 months ending March 2026, employment expanded by 5.1% while the overall labour force grew by 5.1%, keeping the unemployment rate steady. In comparison, Greater Adelaide recorded 4.2% employment growth, a 4.0% expansion in the labour force, and a 0.2 percentage point drop in unemployment. Employment projections from Jobs and Skills Australia published in May-25 provide a guide for future labor needs in Goodwood - Millswood. These five and ten-year forecasts have been combined with the local industry breakdown to project future employment trajectories. Nationally, employment is predicted to grow by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, though individual sector growth rates vary. Projects mapped to the specific industry mix of Goodwood - Millswood suggest local job numbers could rise by 7.2% over five years and 14.7% over ten years, representing a simple weighted extrapolation for demonstration purposes that excludes localized population projections.

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

Taxpayer statistics compiled by AreaSearch at the postcode level for the 2023 financial year show a median income of $61,485 and an average income of $90,994 in the Goodwood - Millswood SA2. These figures are among the highest nationwide, contrasting with a median of $54,808 and an average of $66,852 across Greater Adelaide. Factoring in Wage Price Index growth of 10.17% since the 2023 financial year, current figures are estimated at approximately $67,738 for the median and $100,248 for the average as of March 2026. The 2021 Census indicates that household, family, and personal incomes in the area sit around the 71st percentile nationally. Income distribution data shows 29.3% of the population (5,423 individuals) earning between $1,500 - 2,999, mirroring the wider regional level of 31.8% in this category. The high proportion of top earners, with 32.1% earning over $3,000/week, highlights the substantial financial capacity of the local population. Residents retain 87.4% of their income after paying for housing, indicating excellent discretionary spending power, and the area is positioned in the 8th decile on the SEIFA index of relative advantage.

Goodwood - Millswood displays a diverse mix of dwelling types, with above-average rates of outright home ownership

According to the latest Census, the housing mix in Goodwood - Millswood was made up of 61.3% houses and 38.7% other dwellings, which includes semi-detached homes, apartments, and alternative structures, compared to 75.2% houses and 24.9% other dwellings across metro Adelaide. Home ownership in Goodwood - Millswood was recorded at 37.2%, which is higher than the Adelaide metropolitan average, while 30.3% of dwellings were mortgaged and 32.5% were rented. The median monthly mortgage payment of $2,031 was considerably higher than the Adelaide metro average of $1,562, and the median weekly rent was $340, compared to $320 across metro Adelaide. By national comparison, mortgage payments in Goodwood - Millswood are higher than the Australian average of $1,863, while weekly rents are lower than the national figure of $375.

Goodwood - Millswood features high concentrations of group households, with a lower-than-average median household size

Families represent the largest share of local households at 65.4%, consisting of couples with children at 28.1%, couples without children at 28.0%, and single parent households at 8.1%. Non-family living arrangements account for the remaining 34.6%, with single person households representing 29.9% and group households comprising 4.7%. The median household size stands at 2.3 individuals, which is slightly below the Greater Adelaide average of 2.5.

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

Academic credentials in Goodwood - Millswood are well above regional averages, with 48.9% of residents aged 15+ holding university degrees, compared to 25.7% across SA and 28.9% in Greater Adelaide. This high concentration of tertiary education positions the local workforce well for knowledge-intensive sectors. Bachelor degrees represent the largest category at 30.6%, followed by postgraduate qualifications at 13.3% and graduate diplomas at 5.0%. Vocational training is held by 22.1% of the population aged 15+, consisting of advanced diplomas at 9.4% and certificates at 12.7%.

A significant proportion of the population is engaged in learning, with 28.3% of residents enrolled in an educational institution. This includes 8.6% of the population studying at the tertiary level, 8.2% in primary school, and 6.8% attending secondary school.

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

Public transport infrastructure includes 93 active transit stops in Goodwood - Millswood, offering a combination of train, lightrail, and bus services. These stops are serviced by 58 separate routes, which combine to support 6,100 weekly passenger journeys. Accessibility is high, with residents living an average of 200 meters from the nearest transit stop. Given the residential nature of the suburb, most working residents travel out of the area for employment, with private cars remaining the primary travel mode at 73%, followed by buses at 7% and cycling at 6%. The average vehicle ownership rate is 1.2 cars per household, which is below the regional average. About 15.3% of residents work from home, based on the 2021 Census, which was likely influenced by COVID-19 pandemic guidelines.

Transit services average 871 daily runs across all routes, which translates to approximately 65 weekly departures per transit stop.

Goodwood - Millswood's residents are extremely healthy with both young and old age cohorts seeing low prevalence of common health conditions

Health indicators show positive outcomes in Goodwood - Millswood, according to AreaSearch analysis of mortality statistics and chronic disease trends, with low rates of common health conditions observed among both younger and older residents. The proportion of the population with private health insurance is high, covering approximately 66% of the population (12,198 people), compared to 52.7% across Greater Adelaide and a national average of 55.7%.

Mental health concerns and arthritis represent the most common medical diagnoses in the suburb, affecting 8.1% and 7.0% of the population, respectively, while 71.2% of residents reported having no long-term medical conditions, compared to 67.9% across Greater Adelaide. The working-age population is generally healthy, with low rates of chronic illness. Residents aged 65 and over make up 21.5% of the local population (3,983 people), which is higher than the 19.2% average for Greater Adelaide. Seniors in the area display strong health outcomes, ranking higher than national benchmarks.

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

Goodwood - Millswood displays higher levels of cultural diversity than most Australian suburbs, with 24.5% of the population born outside Australia and 18.2% speaking a non-English language at home. Christianity is the most common religious affiliation, representing 42.3% of residents. The most notable religious overrepresentation is among those identifying as Jewish, who make up 0.2% of the population compared to 0.1% across Greater Adelaide.

Regarding ethnic ancestry, the three largest groups represented in Goodwood - Millswood are English at 27.2%, Australian at 21.6%, and Other at 8.5%. There are also distinct concentrations of certain other ancestral groups, with Greek background overrepresented at 4.2% of the population compared to 2.0% regionally, Polish at 1.1% compared to 1.0%, and German heritage at 5.9% compared to 5.1%.

Goodwood - Millswood's median age exceeds the national pattern

The median age in Goodwood - Millswood is 42, which is higher than the Greater Adelaide median of 39 and the national median of 38. The 65 - 74 age group is well represented at 11.4% of the population, while the 5 - 14 cohort is less common at 10.2%. Since the 2021 Census, the 75 to 84 age bracket has risen from 5.7% to 7.5% of the population, while the 55 to 64 group has fallen from 13.1% to 12.0%, and the 45 to 54 cohort has decreased from 13.0% to 11.9%. Demographic forecasts indicate the local age distribution will change substantially by 2041, led by a 40% increase (563 people) in the 75 to 84 age group, rising from 1,393 to 1,957. This shift highlights an aging trend, with residents aged 65+ making up 74% of all projected population growth. In contrast, the 35 to 44 and 0 to 4 age cohorts are projected to experience declines.