Hackham - Onkaparinga Hills

Population growth drivers in Hackham - Onkaparinga Hills are slightly above average based on AreaSearch's ranking of recent, and medium term trends

Hackham - Onkaparinga Hills' population was approximately 7,386 as of May 2026, reflecting a growth of 511 people (7.4%) since the 2021 Census which recorded a population of 6,875. This increase is inferred from the estimated resident population of 7,376 in June 2025 and an additional 244 validated new addresses since the Census date. The population density was around 312 persons per square kilometer. The area's growth exceeded both its SA3 area (5.8%) and SA4 region, indicating it as a growth leader. Interstate migration contributed approximately 58.5% of overall population gains recently. AreaSearch uses ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area, released in 2024 with a base year of 2022.

For areas not covered and years post-2032, the SA State Government's Regional/LGA projections by age category are adopted, based on 2021 data and adjusted using weighted aggregation from LGA to SA2 levels. Future demographic trends project an above median population growth for national statistical areas, with Hackham - Onkaparinga Hills expected to increase by 1,398 persons to 2041, reflecting a total increase of 18.8% over the 16 years.

AreaSearch assessment of residential development activity positions Hackham - Onkaparinga Hills among the top 25% of areas assessed nationwide

Hackham - Onkaparinga Hills has received approximately 57 dwelling approvals per year over the past five financial years, totalling 287 homes. As of FY-26, 32 approvals have been recorded. Each new dwelling built between FY-21 and FY-25 attracted an average of 2.9 new residents annually. The average construction cost for new homes is $167,000, reflecting more affordable housing options compared to regional norms.

In the current financial year, $1.2 million in commercial development approvals have been recorded, indicating the area's residential focus. Compared to Greater Adelaide, Hackham - Onkaparinga Hills has seen 70.0% more new home approvals per capita. Building activity has slowed recently, with all recent projects consisting of standalone homes, maintaining the area's low-density character and attracting space-seeking buyers. The population density is around 228 people per approval, suggesting a shifting market dynamic.

By 2041, Hackham - Onkaparinga Hills is projected to add approximately 1,388 residents (AreaSearch Q2 estimate). Current construction levels should meet housing demand adequately, creating favourable conditions for buyers and potentially facilitating population growth that exceeds current forecasts.

Hackham - Onkaparinga Hills has limited levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the 17thth percentile nationally

Eleven infrastructure projects identified by AreaSearch are expected to influence the local area's performance significantly. These include Onkaparinga Heights project, Noarlunga Hospital Expansion (scheduled for completion in 2023), Noarlunga Master Planning Housing Project (commenced on 15th March 2021), and Woodcroft College Campus Expansions (expected to finish by end-2022).

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Hackham - Onkaparinga Hills has seen below average employment performance when compared to national benchmarks

Hackham - Onkaparinga Hills has a balanced workforce with both white and blue collar jobs. Essential services sectors are well represented, with an unemployment rate of 4.9% as of December 2025. The area experienced an estimated employment growth of 5.5% over the past year.

There are 3,803 residents in work currently, with an unemployment rate of 4.9%, which is 1.1% higher than Greater Adelaide's rate of 3.8%. Workforce participation is similar to Greater Adelaide's 66.0%. According to Census responses, only 8.5% of residents work from home. Employment is concentrated in health care & social assistance, retail trade, and construction.

The area has a strong specialization in construction, with an employment share 1.4 times the regional level. However, professional & technical services have limited presence with only 4.2% employment compared to the regional average of 7.3%. AreaSearch analysis shows that during the year to December 2025, employment levels increased by 5.5%, and labour force grew by 4.5%, causing a fall in unemployment rate by 0.8 percentage points. In comparison, Greater Adelaide saw employment grow by 4.2% and labour force expand by 3.9%, with unemployment falling by 0.3 percentage points. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May-25 indicate that national employment is projected to expand by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Hackham - Onkaparinga Hills' employment mix suggests local employment should increase by 6.4% over five years and 13.5% over ten years, based on a simple weighting extrapolation for illustrative purposes.

Income levels sit below national averages according to AreaSearch assessment

According to AreaSearch's aggregation of ATO data released for financial year 2023, Hackham - Onkaparinga Hills SA2 had a median income among taxpayers of $55,266. The average income stood at $60,433. This was lower than the national average and compared to levels of $54,808 and $66,852 across Greater Adelaide respectively. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 10.17% since financial year 2023, current estimates would be approximately $60,887 (median) and $66,579 (average) as of March 2026. Census 2021 income data shows household, family and personal incomes in Hackham - Onkaparinga Hills all fall between the 22nd and 24th percentiles nationally. Looking at income distribution, 32.9% of the population (2,429 individuals) fall within the $1,500 - 2,999 income range, aligning with the broader area where this cohort likewise represents 31.8%. Housing affordability pressures are severe, with only 83.9% of income remaining after housing costs, ranking at the 25th percentile.

Hackham - Onkaparinga Hills is characterized by a predominantly suburban housing profile, with ownership patterns similar to the broader region

In Hackham - Onkaparinga Hills, as per the latest Census evaluation, 90.9% of dwellings were houses with the remaining 9.1% consisting of semi-detached homes, apartments, and other types. This contrasts with Adelaide metro's figures of 75.2% houses and 24.9% other dwellings. Home ownership in Hackham - Onkaparinga Hills stood at 31.4%, mirroring Adelaide metro's rate, with mortgaged properties at 50.7% and rented dwellings at 18.0%. The median monthly mortgage repayment in the area was $1,400, lower than Adelaide metro's average of $1,562. Weekly rent in Hackham - Onkaparinga Hills was recorded at $300, compared to Adelaide metro's figure of $320. Nationally, mortgage repayments were significantly lower than the Australian average of $1,863, and rents were substantially below the national figure of $375.

Hackham - Onkaparinga Hills has a typical household mix, with a fairly typical median household size

Family households constitute 71.5% of all households, including 28.6% couples with children, 28.2% couples without children, and 14.0% single parent families. Non-family households comprise the remaining 28.5%, with lone person households at 25.8% and group households comprising 2.9%. The median household size is 2.5 people, aligning with the Greater Adelaide average.

Hackham - Onkaparinga Hills faces educational challenges, with performance metrics placing it in the bottom quartile of areas assessed nationally

The area's university qualification rate is 13.0%, significantly lower than Australia's average of 30.4%. Bachelor degrees are the most common at 9.5%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (1.9%) and graduate diplomas (1.6%). Vocational credentials are prevalent, with 43.9% of residents aged 15+ holding them, including advanced diplomas (10.0%) and certificates (33.9%). Educational participation is high at 26.9%, with 10.1% in primary education, 7.7% in secondary education, and 3.9% pursuing tertiary education.

Educational participation is notably high, with 26.9% of residents currently enrolled in formal education. This includes 10.1% in primary education, 7.7% in secondary education, and 3.9% pursuing tertiary education.

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

Public transport analysis shows 25 active transport stops operating within Hackham - Onkaparinga Hills. These stops serve a mix of bus routes, totalling six individual routes that provide 283 weekly passenger trips combined. Transport accessibility is rated as good, with residents typically located 245 meters from the nearest transport stop. As a primarily residential area, most residents commute outward. The car remains the dominant mode of transport at 92%. Vehicle ownership averages 1.6 per dwelling, which is above the regional average.

According to the 2021 Census, only 8.5% of residents work from home, possibly reflecting COVID-19 conditions. Service frequency averages 40 trips per day across all routes, equating to approximately 11 weekly trips per individual stop.

Health performance in Hackham - Onkaparinga Hills is a key challenge with a range of health conditions having marked impacts on both younger and older age cohorts

Hackham - Onkaparinga Hills faces significant health challenges, as indicated by AreaSearch's assessment of mortality rates and chronic condition prevalence. A variety of health conditions affect both younger and older age groups. Private health cover is relatively low in the area, at approximately 49% of the total population (~3,633 people), compared to 52.7% across Greater Adelaide and a national average of 55.7%.

Mental health issues and arthritis are the most common medical conditions, affecting 10.4% and 9.9% of residents respectively. However, 60.7% of residents claim to be completely free from medical ailments, compared to 67.9% across Greater Adelaide. The working-age population faces notable health challenges due to elevated chronic condition rates. The area has a higher proportion of seniors aged 65 and over, at 21.2% (1,567 people), than Greater Adelaide's 19.2%. Health outcomes among seniors present additional challenges, with national rankings even worse than the general population.

Hackham - Onkaparinga Hills ranks below the Australian average when compared to other local markets across a number of language and cultural background related metrics

Hackham-Onkaparinga Hills, as per the 2016 Census, had a cultural diversity index below average. The area's population was predominantly Australian-born, with 80.9%, and citizens, at 90.5%. English was spoken at home by 94.9% of residents.

Christianity was the dominant religion, practiced by 37.4% of people in Hackham-Onkaparinga Hills. The 'Other' religious category comprised only 0.5% of the population, compared to 1.8% across Greater Adelaide. In terms of ancestry, English heritage was most prevalent at 35.8%, significantly higher than the regional average of 27.8%. Australian ancestry followed at 29.1%, also above the regional average of 22.8%. Scottish ancestry stood at 7.4%. Notably, German ancestry was slightly overrepresented at 5.6% compared to 5.1% regionally, Dutch at 1.7% versus 1.2%, and Welsh remained steady at 0.6%.

Hackham - Onkaparinga Hills's population is slightly older than the national pattern

The median age in Hackham - Onkaparinga Hills is 40 years, similar to Greater Adelaide's average of 39 years but somewhat older than Australia's median age of 38 years. The 65-74 age group represents 11.4% of the population compared to Greater Adelaide, while the 85+ cohort is less prevalent at 1.7%. Post-2021 Census data shows that the 75 to 84 age group has grown from 6.7% to 8.2%, and the 25 to 34 cohort has increased from 12.3% to 13.8%. Conversely, the 45 to 54 cohort has declined from 12.7% to 11.2%, and the 55 to 64 group has dropped from 12.8% to 11.8%. Population forecasts for 2041 indicate substantial demographic changes in Hackham - Onkaparinga Hills, with the 45 to 54 age group expected to grow by 27%, reaching 1,055 people from 828. In contrast, the 65 to 74 cohort is projected to show minimal growth of just 3%, adding 27 people.