Highbury - Dernancourt

Highbury - Dernancourt has seen population growth performance typically on par with national averages when looking at short and medium term trends

Highbury - Dernancourt's population is around 12,294 as of Feb 2026. This reflects an increase of 1,246 people since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 11,048 people. The change is inferred from the estimated resident population of 11,652 in Jun 2024 and an additional 51 validated new addresses since the Census date. This level of population equates to a density ratio of 1,024 persons per square kilometer. Highbury - Dernancourt's growth rate of 11.3% since the 2021 census exceeded the SA3 area (7.2%) and the state, marking it as a growth leader in the region. Population growth for the area was primarily driven by overseas migration, contributing approximately 47.5% of overall population gains during recent periods.

AreaSearch adopts ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area, released in 2024 with 2022 as the base year. For areas not covered and years post-2032, SA State Government's Regional/LGA projections by age category are adopted, based on 2021 data and adjusted using a method of weighted aggregation of population growth from LGA to SA2 levels. Considering projected demographic shifts, an above median population growth is projected for the area, with an expected increase of 1,866 persons to 2041 based on the latest annual ERP population numbers, reflecting a gain of 10.0% in total over the 17 years.

AreaSearch assessment of residential approval activity sees Highbury - Dernancourt among the top 30% of areas assessed nationwide

Highbury - Dernancourt has recorded approximately 66 residential properties granted approval annually. Over the past five financial years, from FY-21 to FY-25, around 332 homes were approved, with an additional 60 approved so far in FY-26. On average, each dwelling has added about 2.3 new residents per year over these five years, reflecting strong demand that supports property values.

New homes are being constructed at an average expected cost of $282,000. This financial year, there have been $805,000 in commercial approvals, indicating a primarily residential focus. Compared to Greater Adelaide, Highbury - Dernancourt demonstrates moderately higher development activity, with 25.0% more approvals per person over the five-year period.

This maintains good buyer choice while supporting existing property values. New developments consist of approximately 94.0% standalone homes and 6.0% attached dwellings, preserving the area's suburban nature and attracting space-seeking buyers. With around 211 people added per dwelling approval, Highbury - Dernancourt exhibits a growing market. According to AreaSearch's latest quarterly estimate, the area is projected to gain approximately 1,224 residents by 2041. If current development rates continue, new housing supply should comfortably meet demand, providing favorable conditions for buyers and potentially supporting growth beyond current population projections.

Highbury - Dernancourt has limited levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the 7thth percentile nationally

Changes to local infrastructure significantly impact an area's performance. AreaSearch has identified 24 projects that could affect this region. Notable projects include Modbury Hospital Redevelopment, Tea Tree Gully Township North East Road Streetscape Upgrade, Modbury Sporting Club Redevelopment, and Thorndon Park Reserve Master Plan Implementation (Ongoing). The following list details those most likely to be relevant.

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

Denotes AI-based impression for illustrative purposes only, not to be taken as definitive under any circumstances. Please follow links and conduct other investigations from the project's source for actual imagery. Developers and project owners wishing us to use original imagery please Contact Us and we will do so.

Employment conditions in Highbury - Dernancourt rank among the top 10% of areas assessed nationally

Highbury-Dernancourt has an educated workforce with key services sectors well-represented. Its unemployment rate was 1.5% as of September 2025. This is below Greater Adelaide's rate of 3.9%.

Workforce participation matches Greater Adelaide's 66.4%. Only 12.0% of residents worked from home, potentially influenced by Covid-19 lockdowns. Dominant employment sectors include health care & social assistance, education & training, and construction. Notably, education & training is strongly specialized with an employment share 1.3 times the regional level.

Conversely, health care & social assistance shows lower representation at 16.2% versus the regional average of 17.7%. Limited local employment opportunities are suggested by Census data comparing working population to resident population. Between September 2024 and September 2025, employment levels increased by 1.5%, with labour force growing by 1.4%, keeping unemployment relatively stable at 2.5%. In contrast, Greater Adelaide recorded higher employment growth of 3.0% and labour force growth of 2.9%, with a drop in unemployment to 3.8%. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May-25 project overall employment expansion by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Highbury-Dernancourt's employment mix suggests local employment should increase by similar rates over the same periods, assuming constant population growth for illustrative purposes.

The economic profile demonstrates above-average performance, with income metrics exceeding national benchmarks based on AreaSearch comparative assessment

AreaSearch's latest postcode level ATO data for financial year ending June 2023 indicates that median income in Highbury - Dernancourt SA2 is $54,541, with average income at $66,403. This compares to Greater Adelaide's median income of $54,808 and average income of $66,852 for the same period. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 8.8% from financial year ending June 2023 to September 2025, estimated median income in Highbury - Dernancourt would be approximately $59,341 and average income $72,246 by that date. According to the 2021 Census, incomes in Highbury - Dernancourt cluster around the 58th percentile nationally. The income bracket of $1,500 - 2,999 dominates with 33.9% of residents (4,167 people), slightly higher than the metropolitan region's 31.8%. After housing costs, residents retain 88.3% of their income, reflecting strong purchasing power in the area which ranks in the 7th decile based on SEIFA income rankings.

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

Highbury-Dernancourt's dwelling structure, as per the latest Census, had 94.6% houses and 5.3% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings), contrasting with Adelaide metro's 75.2% houses and 24.9% other dwellings. Home ownership in Highbury-Dernancourt stood at 42.7%, with mortgaged dwellings at 43.4% and rented ones at 13.9%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $1,733, higher than Adelaide metro's average of $1,562. Median weekly rent in Highbury-Dernancourt was $375, compared to Adelaide metro's $320. Nationally, mortgage repayments were lower at $1,863, while rents were comparable at $375.

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

Family households account for 79.7% of all households, including 36.8% that are couples with children, 31.8% that are couples without children, and 10.2% that are single parent families. Non-family households make up the remaining 20.3%, with lone person households at 18.6% and group households comprising 1.8%. The median household size is 2.7 people, which is larger than the Greater Adelaide average of 2.5.

The educational profile of Highbury - Dernancourt exceeds national averages, with above-average qualification levels and academic performance metrics

In Highbury - Dernancourt, educational attainment exceeds broader benchmarks. Among residents aged 15+, 30.8% possess university qualifications, compared to 19.8% in the SA4 region and 23.2% in the SA3 area. The most common university qualification is a bachelor degree (21.1%), followed by postgraduate qualifications (6.3%) and graduate diplomas (3.4%). Vocational credentials are also prevalent, with 33.1% of residents aged 15+ holding such qualifications, including advanced diplomas (12.0%) and certificates (21.1%).

Educational participation is high, with 27.7% of residents currently enrolled in formal education. This includes primary education (9.5%), secondary education (7.3%), and tertiary education (6.5%).

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

Highbury-Dernancourt has 49 active public transport stops serving a mix of bus routes. These stops are operated by 8 different routes, collectively facilitating 682 weekly passenger trips. Residents have good accessibility to these stops, with an average distance of 259 meters to the nearest one. The area is primarily residential and most residents commute outward daily. Car remains the dominant mode of transport at 86%, while bus accounts for 10%. On average, there are 1.7 vehicles per dwelling, higher than the regional average.

According to the 2021 Census, only 12.0% of residents work from home, which could be influenced by COVID-19 conditions. The service frequency averages 97 trips per day across all routes, translating to approximately 13 weekly trips per individual stop.

Highbury - Dernancourt's residents boast exceedingly positive health performance metrics with very low prevalence of common health conditions across all age groups

Health outcomes data shows excellent results across Highbury - Dernancourt, according to AreaSearch's assessment of mortality rates and chronic condition prevalence.

The area has a very low prevalence of common health conditions across all age groups. Approximately 52% (~6,405 people) of the total population have private health cover, slightly lower than the average SA2 area. The most prevalent medical conditions are arthritis (8.2%) and asthma (7.1%). Notably, 69.9% of residents report being completely free from medical ailments, compared to 67.9% across Greater Adelaide. The under-65 population exhibits better than average health outcomes. The area has a higher proportion of seniors aged 65 and over, at 21.8% (2,676 people), compared to 19.3% in Greater Adelaide. Health outcomes among seniors are particularly strong, aligning with national rankings for the general population.

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

Highbury-Dernancourt, surveyed between 2016-2021, had a higher overseas-born population of 25.8%, compared to the local average. 19.6% spoke languages other than English at home. Christianity dominated at 53.9%.

The 'Other' religion category was slightly overrepresented at 2.2%. Top ancestral groups were English (26.2%), Australian (21.9%), and Italian (11.8%). Notably, Polish (1.4%) and German (5.6%) groups were relatively higher than the regional averages of 1.0% and 5.1%, respectively. Russian ancestry was also slightly higher at 0.5%.

Highbury - Dernancourt's median age exceeds the national pattern

Highbury - Dernancourt has a median age of 42, which is higher than Greater Adelaide's figure of 39 and significantly exceeds the national norm of 38. The 75-84 age group makes up 8.9% of Highbury - Dernancourt's population, compared to Greater Adelaide, while the 25-34 cohort comprises 11.3%. According to the 2021 Census, the 75 to 84 age group has increased from 7.3% to 8.9%, and the 15 to 24 cohort has risen from 12.2% to 13.5%. Conversely, the 65 to 74 cohort has decreased from 12.0% to 10.1%, and the 45 to 54 group has fallen from 13.3% to 12.2%. Demographic modeling indicates that Highbury - Dernancourt's age profile will change significantly by 2041, with the 85+ group projected to grow by 141%, reaching 836 people from 346. Meanwhile, population declines are forecast for the 5 to 14 and 65 to 74 cohorts.