Kadina
Statistical Area - sa2

An assessment of population growth drivers in Kadina reveals an overall ranking slightly below national averages considering recent, and medium term trends

As of Aug 2025, Kadina's population is approximately 5,725. This figure represents an increase of 311 people since the 2021 Census, which recorded a population of 5,414. The growth from Jun 2024 to Aug 2025 is inferred from ABS data showing an estimated resident population of 5,721 and validated new addresses totalling 22 since the Census date. This results in a population density ratio of 14.5 persons per square kilometer. Kadina's growth rate of 5.7% since the census is close to the SA4 region's rate of 5.8%, indicating strong growth fundamentals. Interstate migration contributed approximately 71.6% of overall population gains, with all drivers being positive factors.

AreaSearch uses ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area, released in 2024 with a base year of 2022. For areas not covered by this data and years post-2032, the SA State Government's Regional/LGA projections are adopted, adjusted using a method of weighted aggregation from LGA to SA2 levels. Based on demographic shifts, Kadina is projected to increase by 549 persons to 2041, reflecting an overall increase of approximately 9.5% over the 17-year period.

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

Kadina has recorded approximately 22 residential properties granted approval each year. Development approval data is produced by the ABS on a financial year basis: 113 homes over the past five financial years, from FY-20 to FY-25, with three recorded so far in FY-26. On average, 1.8 new residents arrive per new home annually between FY-20 and FY-25, indicating a balanced supply and demand market that supports stable conditions. New dwellings are developed at an average expected construction cost of $389,000.

In FY-26, $3.1 million in commercial development approvals have been recorded, reflecting the area's predominantly residential nature. Compared to Rest of SA, Kadina shows significantly reduced construction activity, with 58.0% below the regional average per person, typically strengthening demand and prices for existing properties. New building activity comprises 95.0% detached houses and 5.0% townhouses or apartments, preserving the area's low-density nature and attracting space-seeking buyers. Kadina has approximately 254 people per dwelling approval, indicating a low-density market.

Population forecasts project an increase of 545 residents by 2041. At current development rates, new housing supply should comfortably meet demand, providing favourable conditions for buyers and potentially supporting growth beyond current population projections.

Kadina has emerging levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the 38thth percentile nationally

Eleven projects identified by AreaSearch are expected to influence the local area's performance. Key initiatives include the Kadina Wastewater Lagoons Relining project, Kadina Central Expansion, Daddow Court and Abbott Drive Residential Development, and Kadina Town Hall Restoration. The following list details those considered most relevant.

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

Employment conditions in Kadina face significant challenges, ranking among the bottom 10% of areas assessed nationally

Kadina's workforce is balanced across white and blue-collar jobs with varied sector representation. The unemployment rate in June 2025 was 7.4%.

At that time, 2,405 residents were employed while the unemployment rate was 2.8% higher than Rest of SA's rate of 4.6%. Workforce participation was similar to Rest of SA's 54.1%. Employment is concentrated in health care & social assistance, retail trade, and education & training, with retail trade notably high at 1.4 times the regional average. Agriculture, forestry & fishing is under-represented, at 8.1% compared to 14.5% in Rest of SA.

Many residents commute elsewhere for work based on Census data. From June 2024 to June 2025, labour force levels increased by 0.2%, but employment declined by 1.4%, causing unemployment to rise by 1.5 percentage points. In contrast, Rest of SA had a 1.2% employment decline and 1.2 percentage point unemployment rise. National employment forecasts from Jobs and Skills Australia in May 2025 project national growth of 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Kadina's employment mix suggests local growth of approximately 5.9% over five years and 12.8% over ten years.

The area's income levels rank in the lower 15% nationally based on AreaSearch comparative data

AreaSearch's latest postcode level ATO data for financial year 2022 shows Kadina's median income among taxpayers is $46,097, with an average of $54,710. This is below the national average. Rest of SA has a median income of $46,889 and an average of $56,582. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 10.83% since financial year 2022, current estimates for Kadina are approximately $51,089 (median) and $60,635 (average) as of March 2025. According to the 2021 Census, household, family and personal incomes in Kadina all fall between the 10th and 12th percentiles nationally. The income distribution shows that 29.3% of individuals earn between $1,500 - 2,999, similar to the surrounding region at 27.5%. Housing costs are modest with 87.2% of income retained, but total disposable income ranks at just the 14th percentile nationally.

Kadina is characterized by a predominantly suburban housing profile, with a higher proportion of rental properties than the broader region

The dwelling structure in Kadina, as per the latest Census, consisted of 93.9% houses and 6.1% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings), compared to Non-Metro SA's 93.3% houses and 6.7% other dwellings. Home ownership in Kadina was at 42.2%, with the rest either mortgaged (32.8%) or rented (25.0%). The median monthly mortgage repayment was $1,127, above Non-Metro SA's average of $1,083. The median weekly rent figure in Kadina was $250, compared to Non-Metro SA's $230. Nationally, Kadina's mortgage repayments were significantly lower than the Australian average of $1,863, while rents were substantially below the national figure of $375.

Kadina has a typical household mix, with a higher-than-average median household size

Family households constitute 68.0% of all households, including 23.0% couples with children, 32.0% couples without children, and 12.1% single parent families. Non-family households comprise the remaining 32.0%, with lone person households at 29.6% and group households making up 2.6%. The median household size is 2.3 people, larger than the Rest of SA average of 2.1.

Kadina faces educational challenges, with performance metrics placing it in the bottom quartile of areas assessed nationally

The area's university qualification rate is 10.9%, substantially lower than Australia's average of 30.4%. Bachelor degrees are the most prevalent at 8.2%, followed by graduate diplomas (1.8%) and postgraduate qualifications (0.9%). Trade and technical skills are prominent, with 39.8% of residents aged 15+ holding vocational credentials - advanced diplomas (8.2%) and certificates (31.6%). Educational participation is high at 26.2%, including 11.2% in primary education, 8.6% in secondary education, and 1.5% pursuing tertiary education.

Kadina's three schools have a combined enrollment of 1,616 students. The educational mix includes one primary school and two K-12 schools. Kadina functions as an education hub with 28.2 school places per 100 residents, significantly above the regional average of 12.3.

No public transport data available for this catchment area.

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

Kadina faces significant health challenges, with a variety of conditions affecting both younger and older residents. Private health cover is low at approximately 47%, covering around 2,702 people, compared to the national average of 55.3%.

The most prevalent medical conditions are arthritis (10.5% of residents) and asthma (10.0%). About 59.4% of residents report no medical ailments, slightly higher than the Rest of SA's 56.0%. Approximately 26.8% of Kadina's population is aged 65 or over (1,536 people), lower than the Rest of SA's 36.2%. Despite this, health outcomes among seniors in Kadina are challenging and generally better than those of the overall population.

The latest Census data sees Kadina placing among the least culturally diverse areas in the country when compared across a range of language and cultural background related metrics

Kadina's cultural diversity was found to be below average, with 92.5% of its population being citizens and 98.1% speaking English only at home. Born in Australia, 92.6% of Kadina's residents were Australian-born. Christianity is the predominant religion in Kadina, accounting for 41.7% of the population, compared to 48.3% across the Rest of SA.

In terms of ancestry, Australians make up 37.5%, English 34.2%, and German 6.5%. Notably, Australian Aboriginal representation is higher in Kadina at 3.2% compared to 2.6% regionally, while Dutch representation stands at 1.4% versus 1.2%.

Kadina hosts an older demographic, ranking in the top quartile nationwide

Kadina has a median age of 45, which is slightly lower than the Rest of South Australia's figure of 47 but higher than Australia's median age of 38 years. Compared to the average in the Rest of South Australia, Kadina has a notably higher proportion of residents aged 85 and above (4.2%), while those aged 25-34 are under-represented at 9.5%. Between 2021 and present, the proportion of the population aged 65-74 has increased from 12.9% to 13.9%, while the percentage of residents aged 45-54 has decreased from 12.1% to 10.6%. During this period, the proportion of those aged 25-34 also dropped from 10.5% to 9.5%. By 2041, demographic projections indicate significant shifts in Kadina's age structure. The number of residents aged 85 and above is projected to increase by 233 people (97%), rising from 241 to 475. Residents aged 65 and above will contribute significantly to population growth, accounting for 68% of the increase. Conversely, population declines are projected for residents aged 0-4 and 5-14 years old.