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This analysis uses ABS Statistical Areas Level 2 (SA2) boundaries, which can materially differ from Suburbs and Localities (SAL) even when sharing similar names.
SA2 boundaries are defined by the Australian Bureau of Statistics and are designed to represent communities for statistical reporting (e.g., census and ERP).
Suburbs and Localities (SAL) represent commonly-used suburb/locality names (postal-style areas) and may use different geographic boundaries. For comprehensive analysis, consider reviewing both boundary types if available.
est. as @ -- *
ABS ERP | -- people | --
2021 Census | -- people
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Kadina has an estimated 5,854 residents, up from 5,414 at the 2021 Census — a change of 440 people, or 8.1%. Growth has averaged 1.0% a year over five years. Interstate and internal migration accounts for 87.9% of that increase. Density is about 15 people per square kilometre. Population is estimated from ABS Estimated Resident Population releases and GNAF address data, re-based from the 2021 Census and updated annually.
Detail
According to research conducted by AreaSearch, Kadina has an estimated population of 5,854 as of Aug 2026. Compared to the 2021 Census tally of 5,414 residents, this marks an addition of 440 people, or an expansion of 8.1%. This calculation relies upon the ABS June 2025 estimated resident population figure of 5,776 alongside 65 validated new addresses documented following the Census. With this resident count, the population density stands at 14.9 persons per square kilometer, ensuring spacious living conditions. Kadina outperformed both the broader SA4 region and Rest of SA (6.2%) with its 8.1% post-2021 Census rise, establishing itself at the forefront of regional growth.
The principal driver of this demographic growth has been interstate migration, accounting for roughly 87.9% of net additions in recent times. Projections developed by ABS/Geoscience Australia (issued in 2024 using 2022 baseline statistics) are utilized by AreaSearch across individual SA2 boundaries. Where locations lack this coverage or require figures beyond 2032, models incorporate the SA State Government's 2023 release of Regional/LGA age-bracket projections (built on 2021 numbers), applying weighted aggregation adjustments from LGA down to SA2 zones. Looking at these anticipated shifts, Kadina is projected to experience demographic growth trailing slightly behind the national regional median, adding 514 persons by 2041 relative to recent annual ERP data, which represents a total increase of 7.5% across the 16 years.
Frequently Asked Questions - Population
115 new dwellings have been approved in Kadina over the past five years, an average of 23 a year. That is 4.1 approvals per 1,000 residents. Of the 23 dwellings approved in the latest reporting year, 96% were detached houses and the rest townhouses or apartments. Figures come from ABS building approvals aggregated to this SA2 boundary and are updated monthly as the ABS releases them.
Detail
Over the past 5 financial years, residential approvals in Kadina have averaged approximately 23 dwellings each year, amounting to 115 homes in total. Across the past 5 financial years (from FY-22 to FY-26), the locality added an average of 2.4 new residents annually for every newly constructed residence, demonstrating healthy market demand that bolsters home values, alongside an average building value of $350,000 per dwelling. Furthermore, the current financial year has seen $3.1 million approved for commercial building works, demonstrating modest commercial planning activity. Relative to Rest of SA, residential construction in Kadina is comparatively subdued, sitting 62.0% below the per-capita regional benchmark.
Such restrained building volume regularly supports pricing and buyer interest for established dwellings. Standalone houses account for 96.0% of recent residential building activity while townhouses or apartments make up 4.0%, reinforcing the low-density landscape and satisfying demand from purchasers prioritizing detached space. There are currently roughly 317 people per dwelling approval, highlighting capacity for further development. According to the latest quarterly projection from AreaSearch, Kadina is anticipated to welcome 436 additional inhabitants through to 2041. Ongoing building volumes are expected to sufficiently service this influx, fostering accessible purchasing opportunities while providing scope for construction to outpace baseline growth projections.
Frequently Asked Questions - Development
Development applications around Kadina
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| Lodged | Address | Description | Type | Distance | Status |
|---|
SOURCE: Planning portals and council registers, compiled by AreaSearch. Distance & bearing measured from the suburb midpoint.
AreaSearch tracks 10 current infrastructure and development projects inside Kadina, worth an estimated $99 million. A further 76 sit in the immediately surrounding suburbs, taking the tracked pipeline within reach of the area to $24.4 billion. 33 are already under construction and 22 are due for completion within three years. The pipeline spans residential development, communities, precincts & urban renewal and tourism. Records are compiled from Infrastructure Australia, state agencies, council planning portals and public announcements, reviewed and updated daily, then ranked by proximity, construction stage, completion horizon and project scale.
Detail
Community outcomes and development trajectory are heavily driven by capital works, planning schemes, and infrastructure investments. AreaSearch has pinpointed 12 key local projects poised to influence the district. Prominent initiatives include the Kadina Central Expansion, Daddow Court and Abbott Drive Residential Development, Kadina Town Hall Restoration, and Kadina Town Centre Redevelopment (Kadina Hub), with further details outlining those carrying primary significance.
Professional plan users can use the search below to filter and access additional projects.
INFRASTRUCTURE SEARCH
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Frequently Asked Questions - Infrastructure
Kadina Central Expansion
Major mixed-use masterplanned community on the eastern side of Kadina comprising more than 115 residential allotments, a 14-home retirement village, supported disability housing, a 1000sqm medical centre, a 112-place childcare centre, commercial land and a smart park with public Wi-Fi and smart city infrastructure. Construction is progressing in stages with residential land actively being marketed.
Kadina Town Hall Restoration
Restoration of the heritage-listed Kadina Town Hall to address structural and safety issues, including roof and interior works. The hall officially reopened to the public in June 2019 and is now back in regular community use and hosts Council meetings.
Kadina Northeastern Fringe Rezoning (Daddow Court / Abbott Drive)
Rezoning of approximately 28 hectares of farming land at Lot 300 Daddow Court and Abbott Drive on Kadina's north eastern fringe from Deferred Urban to Neighbourhood (General Neighbourhood Zone) to enable around 227 low density residential allotments with associated internal roads, open space and infrastructure. Minimum allotment size is 450 square metres. The code amendment has been adopted by Minister for Planning Nick Champion, allowing proponent Lasopail Pty Ltd to progress the next stage of planning and prepare a development application.The rezoning extends existing residential streets on the site and has support from the local member and Copper Coast Council.
Kadina Wastewater Lagoons Relining
Copper Coast Council project to reline two wastewater treatment lagoons (Lagoons 2 and 3) at Kadina to meet EPA compliance requirements. Works included dewatering, shaping and compacting, adding a sand layer, installing HDPE plastic liners, pressure testing, and installation of pipe penetration sealing bands. Both lagoons were fully lined and pressure tested by 16 June 2025, with backfilling of anchor trenches and commissioning anticipated in July 2025, finalising the project.
Walter Road Swale Drain
Creation of a new swale drain to capture stormwater runoff from the road and improve the intersection of Walter and Downer Road. The project involved the installation of rocks and delineator posts.
Gawler Street Flood Mitigation
A flood mitigation project to address stormwater issues in the Gawler Street area of Kadina. The project is scheduled to begin in early 2024.
Lawrence Street Footpath & STEDs Program
Ongoing program to install new footpaths and a new sewer line along Lawrence Street, connecting to the Newtown Playground toilet upgrade. The project also includes a new sewer line to collect sewer from 19 allotments along Lawrence Street and 6 on Drain Road.
Daddow Court and Abbott Drive Residential Development
Rezoning of 28 hectares of land to accommodate at least 227 new low-density residential allotments. This privately-led rezoning aims to support the growing population and demand for housing in the Yorke Peninsula.
2,493 residents of Kadina are employed, from a labour force of 2,683. Unemployment sits at 7.1%, with participation at 55.6%. Weighted for its industry mix, the area's sectors are forecast to grow about 5.9% nationally over five years. That reflects industry composition only and makes no allowance for local population growth. Unemployment and labour force come from ABS Small Area Labour Markets, updated quarterly; the industry and occupation profile is from the 2021 Census.
Detail
The local labour market features a mix of white and blue collar occupations across diverse industries, alongside an unemployment rate of 7.1% and a 4.2% expansion in estimated employment across the prior year. By March 2026, employed residents numbered 2,493, while the jobless rate stood 1.6% higher than the Regional SA benchmark of 5.5%, and the participation rate of 55.6% remained beneath the 58.3% recorded for Regional SA. Census returns indicated that only 7.2% of workers performed their duties from home, though prevailing Covid-19 health directives at that time should be factored in.
The dominant employment sectors for local residents include health care & social assistance, retail trade, and education & training. Kadina exhibits pronounced strength in retail trade, generating a worker proportion 1.4 times that of the regional level. Conversely, agriculture, forestry & fishing accounts for only 8.1% of the workforce compared to 14.5% regionally. Despite local employment options, the ratio of Census working population to local residents suggests substantial outward commuter movement. AreaSearch analysis of ABS and SALM figures shows that over a 12-month timeframe, a 4.2% rise in employment alongside a 3.5% workforce increase helped lower the local jobless rate by 0.6 percentage points. Over the identical timeframe across Regional SA, employment rose 1.2%, the labour force grew 2.6%, and unemployment expanded by 1.4 percentage points. Forward demand prospects can be examined using the Mar-26 national employment projections from Jobs and Skills Australia. Projecting these five and ten-year sectoral estimates against Kadina's specific occupational profile offers indicative local insights: against broader nationwide gains of 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, local employment is projected to expand by 5.9% over five years and 12.8% over ten years, noting variations across sectors (derived via simple weighted extrapolation for illustration without incorporating local population projections).
Frequently Asked Questions - Employment
Median household income in Kadina is $1,155 a week (about $60,000 a year), with median personal income at $599 a week. ATO records put median taxable income at $48,709 a year against an average of $58,812. Household income is from the 2021 Census; taxable income is from ATO Taxation Statistics for the latest financial year available, indexed forward using the ABS Wage Price Index.
Detail
ATO postcode statistics for financial year 2023 compiled by AreaSearch show that earnings across the Kadina SA2 trail national averages, featuring a median income of $48,709 and an average income of $58,812. In comparison, Regional SA reported a median income of $48,920 and an average income of $58,933. Factoring in subsequent Wage Price Index expansion of 10.17% past financial year 2023, modelled values reach approximately $53,663 for median earnings and $64,793 for average income as of March 2026. The 2021 Census placed Kadina's personal, family, and household earnings within the 10th to 11th percentiles across Australia.
The $1,500 - 2,999 earnings bracket is the most prevalent locally, encompassing 29.3% of residents (1,715 people), aligning with the wider metropolitan rate of 27.5% in that tier. While housing expenditure remains contained with 87.2% of income retained, overall disposable income ranks in only the 14th percentile nationally.
Frequently Asked Questions - Income
Kadina had 2,161 occupied dwellings at the 2021 Census, 94% detached houses and 0% apartments. 33% are owned with a mortgage, 25% rented and 42% owned outright. At that Census the median rent was $250 a week and the median mortgage repayment $1,127 a month. Rent absorbs 21.6% of household income here and mortgage repayments 22.5%. Dwelling stock, tenure and housing costs are 2021 Census measures — the only source that counts dwellings at this boundary size.
Detail
At the time of the latest Census, separate houses constituted 93.9% of the residential stock in Kadina, with 6.1% classified as other dwellings including apartments and semi-detached units, compared to 88.5% houses and 11.5% other dwellings throughout Regional SA. Outright home ownership stood at 42.2%, mirroring the regional benchmark, while 32.8% of residences were being purchased under a mortgage and 25.0% were tenant-occupied. The typical monthly mortgage cost was $1,127 compared to $1,153 regionally, whereas the median weekly rental payment was $250 against $220 across Regional SA. Across the broader national context, Kadina's mortgage commitments sit well below the Australian median of $1,863, and rents remain substantially lower than the nationwide figure of $375.
Frequently Asked Questions - Housing
Kadina counted 2,161 households at the 2021 Census, an estimated 2,337 today, averaging 2.3 people each. 23% are couples with children, fewer than in 77% of areas nationally, against 32% couples without children. 30% of households are people living alone, and families average 2.0 children. Household and family composition is measured only by the Census, so these are 2021 figures.
Detail
Families constitute 68.0% of local living arrangements, comprising couples without children (32.0%), couples with children (23.0%), and single parent families (12.1%). Non-family residences account for the remaining 32.0%, led by lone person households at 29.6% and group dwellings at 2.6%. The typical household size is 2.3 people, identical to the Regional SA benchmark.
Frequently Asked Questions - Households
10.9% of adults in Kadina hold a university qualification, including 8.2% with a bachelor degree and 0.9% with postgraduate qualifications, lower than 91% of areas nationally. A further 31.6% hold a vocational qualification. 3 schools serve the area, with 1,616 enrolment places and an average ICSEA of 943 against a national benchmark of 1,000. Qualifications come from the 2021 Census; school enrolments, ICSEA and results come from ACARA's current release.
Detail
Higher education qualifications present a local challenge, as university degree attainment among residents (10.9%) trails the Australian level of 30.4%, creating opportunities for educational investment. Bachelor degrees represent 8.2% of qualifications, with graduate diplomas making up 1.8% and postgraduate qualifications accounting for 0.9%. In contrast, vocational and technical credentials are widespread, held by 39.8% of individuals aged 15+, comprising certificates (31.6%) and advanced diplomas (8.2%). A substantial proportion of the community is engaged in study, with 26.2% of residents enrolled in formal education. This proportion comprises 11.2% attending primary schools, 8.6% in secondary schooling, and 1.5% engaged in tertiary courses.
Frequently Asked Questions - Education
Schools Detail
Getting around Kadina means driving: households keep an average of 1.5 vehicles, and scheduled services reach only a handful of stops. Service data is built from operators' published GTFS timetables; vehicle ownership is from the 2021 Census.
Detail
An audit of local public transport identifies 7 active transit stops across Kadina, served across 4 distinct routes that generate 21 weekly passenger services. Accessibility remains constrained, with the average distance to the closest transit stop measuring 647 meters. Commuting patterns reflect the town's residential character with most workers travelling outwards, relying heavily on private vehicles at 92%, while 6% commute on foot. Households maintain an average of 1.5 motor vehicles. Additionally, 7.2% of the local workforce reported working from home during the 2021 Census, which coincided with pandemic restrictions.
Transport schedules deliver an average service rate of 3 trips daily across network routes, representing roughly 3 weekly journeys per individual stop.
Frequently Asked Questions - Transport
Transport Stops Detail
59.4% of residents in Kadina report no long-term health condition. 8.2% need daily assistance with core activities, and 48.4% hold private health cover. The standardised death rate runs at 5.0 per 1,000 residents. Health conditions, assistance needs and insurance are 2021 Census measures; the death rate comes from current ABS releases.
Detail
AreaSearch mortality and chronic illness data indicate notable healthcare pressures in Kadina, with common conditions observed across younger and older demographics, alongside a low private health cover rate of approximately 48% of the populace (~2,833 people). Nationally, the private health insurance proportion is 55.7%. Arthritis and asthma represent the most widespread medical diagnoses locally, reported by 10.5 and 10.0% of the population, respectively, while 59.4% of residents reported having no medical conditions, compared to 62.5% across Regional SA. Chronic health issues are elevated among working-age individuals. Seniors aged 65 and over represent 26.9% of the local population (1,571 people), experiencing health patterns that generally match broader national trends for older cohorts.
Frequently Asked Questions - Health
Kadina is largely Australian-born, at 92.6% of residents, with 1.9% speaking a language other than English at home. The largest reported ancestries are Australian (37.5%) and English (34.2%). 3.2% of residents identify as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander. Ancestry, language and country of birth are counted only by the Census, so these are 2021 figures.
Detail
Cultural diversity measures place Kadina below broader averages, with Australian citizenship recorded at 92.5%, 92.6% of residents born in Australia, and 98.1% speaking only English in the home. Christianity constitutes the leading religious affiliation, held by 41.7% of Kadina residents, compared to 45.2% across Regional SA. Parental ancestry records show that Australian heritage leads in Kadina at 37.5% (above the 31.3% regional benchmark), followed by English ancestry at 34.2% and German ancestry at 6.5%. Other ancestries exhibit specific local variations, with Australian Aboriginal background recorded at 3.2% (vs 3.3% regionally) and Dutch heritage at 1.4% (vs 1.3%).
Frequently Asked Questions - Diversity
The median resident of Kadina is 45, older than 78% of areas nationally. 21.6% of residents are aged 15 to 34. Age cohorts are not raw Census counts: the Census split is re-based to the latest ABS population estimates and state projections.
Detail
Age distributions in Kadina closely mirror Regional SA, showing a maximum variance of 2.0 percentage points across all broad age categories. The estimated median age is 45, remaining unchanged from the 2021 Census and sitting 2 years lower than the Regional SA benchmark of 47 from that Census, compared to Australia's Census median of 38. Older demographics aged 65+ have expanded since the Census from 24.4% to an estimated 26.9% of the population. By 2041, senior cohorts are forecast to drive demographic gains, growing by 382 individuals (24%) to reach 1,954, whereas youth and child demographics are expected to decline.
Frequently Asked Questions - Age
Data & MethodBoundaries, Sources & Method for Kadina
9 of 14 data sections on this page were updated within the last 12 months — the newest current to Sep 2026.
Everything is aggregated to the SA2 boundary shown above, on a 2021 Census baseline. Only 3 sections — housing, households and cultural diversity — still wait on the 2026 Census.
The ledger — source, cycle and currency by section
| Section | Source & update cycle | Currency |
|---|---|---|
| Updated within the last 12 months 9 sections | ||
| Population | ABS, GNAF, Geoscience Australia Annual (ABS ERP) | Aug 2026 last month headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Re-based to the ABS Estimated Resident Population (June 2025 release) and updated with new dwellings from GNAF address data. Current to Aug 2026, with the 2021 Census supplying the small-area baseline. | ||
| Age profile | ABS, Geoscience Australia, State governments Annual | Aug 2026 last month headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Age cohorts are re-based to the latest ABS population estimates and state projections, current to Aug 2026. Each cohort is held as a Census baseline and a current estimate. | ||
| Development & approvals | ABS, GNAF Monthly (ABS approvals) | Aug 2026 last month headline measures · Jul 2026 baseline |
| Property sales & rents | Valuer General, Rental Board, ABS Weekly sales, quarterly rents | Sep 2026 this month all 21 measures |
| Sales from the state Valuer General register, refreshed weekly, and rents from quarterly rental bond lodgements. Both are read live each time this page loads, current to Sep 2026. | ||
| Infrastructure projects | Infrastructure Australia, State agencies, Local governments Daily | Aug 2026 last month all 10 projects tracked here |
| Project pipeline maintained continuously from Infrastructure Australia, state agencies, local government and public announcements. Records are added and revised daily; this area was last updated Aug 2026. | ||
| Employment | ABS, DEWR, JSA Quarterly (ABS SALM) | Mar 2026 6 months ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Unemployment and labour force from ABS Small Area Labour Markets, current to Mar 2026. The growth outlook applies Department of Employment (now Jobs and Skills Australia) forecasts for all 19 industry divisions to the local industry mix, so it measures sector composition rather than local expansion and makes no allowance for population growth. Job demand comes from the same agency via its Internet Vacancy Index; industry and occupation structure from the 2021 Census. | ||
| Education | ABS, ACARA Annual (ACARA) | Aug 2026 last month headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Transport | ABS, State Transport Departments Each timetable release | Jul 2026 2 months ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Services & amenities | Provider directories, ACECQA Continuous | Jul 2026 2 months ago all 14 measures |
| Annual and financial-year sources 2 sections | ||
| Income | ABS, ATO Annual (ATO) | FY 2023 3 years ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| ATO taxable income statistics for FY 2023, indexed forward using the Wage Price Index. Census household income provides the distribution detail. | ||
| Health | ABS, ATO Annual | 2024 2 years ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Census-measured — next update: 2026 Census 3 sections No more current small-area source exists for these, so they are labelled as Census-measured rather than implied to be current. | ||
| Housing | ABS 5-yearly (Census) | 2021 Census next update 2026 all 30 measures |
| Households | ABS 5-yearly (Census) | 2021 Census next update 2026 all 18 measures |
| Cultural diversity | ABS, Geoscience Australia 5-yearly (Census) | 2021 Census next update 2026 all 44 measures |
"Currency" is the most recent release feeding that section. Where the Census supplies the structural baseline underneath a current headline figure, the row says so.
How the numbers are built
Population
The Census provides the small-area baseline, aggregated from mesh blocks to this boundary. It is then re-based to the ABS Estimated Resident Population (June 2025 release), and new dwellings built since Census night are counted from address data — 65 validated new addresses here. The headline figure is therefore a current estimate for Aug 2026, not a 2021 count (5,414 at the 2021 Census → 5,854 now). Annual growth rates are compound (CAGR), not simple averages.
Age profile
Cohort shares are not raw Census counts. Every cohort is held as a pair — the Census baseline and a current estimate — and the split is re-based using ERP and state population projections, current to Aug 2026. Median age is the Census median plus modelled change since. Charts that show both are labelled "2021 Census vs Current Estimate".
Property sales
Sourced from the state valuation authority's sales register — current, not Census, and refreshed weekly. Medians are calculated from settled transactions in the period shown; periods with very low transaction counts are flagged or suppressed, because a handful of sales can move a median substantially.
Rents
Derived from state rental bond lodgement data, by dwelling type and bedroom count. Bonds are lodged at the start of a new tenancy, so this reflects new lettings, not the whole rented stock.
Development & infrastructure
Building approvals come from current ABS releases; development applications are collected from council and state planning portals; the infrastructure pipeline is compiled from Infrastructure Australia and local government sources. Applications are matched to this boundary by address or coordinates, so very recent lodgements may not yet appear.
Employment & income
Industry and occupation structure comes from the Census, but the headline labour-market indicators do not. Unemployment and labour force are derived from ABS Small Area Labour Markets (quarterly). The employment outlook applies Department of Employment forecasts for all 19 industry divisions to this area's own industry mix (the agency is now Jobs and Skills Australia), as does the Internet Vacancy Index used for job demand. Because it is weighted on industry composition alone, that outlook carries no allowance for local population growth — in fast-growing areas the real rise in local jobs will typically be higher. Income combines Census household income with ATO taxable-income statistics for FY 2023, indexed forward using the Wage Price Index.
Education, transport & amenities
School enrolments, ICSEA and performance come from ACARA's current release, not the Census. Public transport stops and service frequency are derived from GTFS timetable feeds published by state transport departments. Services and amenities are proximity and count scores built from provider directories, refreshed on their own cycle. The Census contributes only the travel-to-work and qualification measures.
Rankings and benchmarks. Where we rank this area, the comparison set is every area of the same boundary type — suburbs against suburbs, SA2s against SA2s. Benchmarks compare this area against its greater capital city region and the national figure for the same measure and period.
Limits worth knowing. Small areas carry larger error margins, and the ABS introduces small random adjustments to Census counts to protect confidentiality — so totals may not sum exactly. Estimates re-based from regional data describe the area's expected trajectory, not a direct count of it. Figures are indicative for research and are not financial, planning or valuation advice.
Cross-check us. The Census baseline for this boundary is at ABS 2021 Census QuickStats (405041124). QuickStats reports 2021 only — the figures on this page are more current wherever the ledger shows a later date.