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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.
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ABS ERP | -- people | --
2021 Census | -- people
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Modbury Heights has an estimated 19,854 residents, up from 19,248 at the 2021 Census — a change of 606 people, or 3.1%. That puts 2,003 residents on each 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, the resident population of Modbury Heights stands at approximately 19,854 as of Aug 2026. This represents an addition of 606 people (3.1%) relative to the 2021 Census, when the count was 19,248 people. Such movement is derived from the ABS estimated resident population figure of 19,813 recorded as of June 2025 alongside 52 validated new addresses confirmed following the Census date. With 2,003 persons per square kilometer, the locality exhibits a density level exceeding the national benchmark evaluated across AreaSearch locations. Furthermore, the 3.1% local expansion rate since census trails the broader SA3 area (4.1%) by only 1.0 percentage points, underscoring resilient demographic expansion.
The primary catalyst for this influx has been overseas migration, which generated roughly 66.5% of total population increases throughout recent periods. Projections utilised by AreaSearch for each SA2 area stem from the ABS/Geoscience Australia dataset published in 2024 with 2022 serving as the baseline. For regions outside this dataset or covering timeframes after 2032, models incorporate the SA State Government's Regional/LGA age-profile forecasts released in 2023 from 2021 data, applying a weighted aggregation methodology to translate LGA trends down to the SA2 tier. In alignment with broader patterns, future growth is anticipated to sit slightly under the national median for statistical areas. Under the newest annual ERP figures, Modbury Heights is projected to add 1,055 persons by 2041, culminating in an aggregate gain of 5.1% across the 16 years.
Frequently Asked Questions - Population
313 new dwellings have been approved in Modbury Heights over the past five years, an average of 62 a year. That places the area in the 50th percentile for residential development activity nationally, about 3 approvals per 1,000 residents a year. Of the 62 dwellings approved in the latest reporting year, 87% 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
Residential building approvals in Modbury Heights have averaged roughly 62 residential properties annually, amounting to 313 homes over the past 5 financial years. A balanced ratio between FY-22 and FY-26 of approximately 1 new residents per year moving in for each newly approved dwelling points toward sound supply-demand alignment. New residential builds carry an average construction value of $294,000, which sits under regional benchmarks and highlights cost-effective housing options. In addition, the commercial sector exhibits robust building momentum, logging $30.5 million in commercial approvals throughout this financial year. Dwelling approval rates per capita across Modbury Heights track at roughly two-thirds of the Greater Adelaide level, placing the suburb in the 53rd percentile nationally.
This restrained pace relative to national figures suggests an established, mature urban environment with potential physical development constraints. Detached houses account for 87.0% of recent approvals while townhouses or apartments comprise 13.0%, reinforcing the established low-density suburban landscape favored by family households. With approximately 300 people per dwelling approval, the locality displays distinctly low density characteristics. Long-range forecasts based on the most recent AreaSearch quarterly estimate indicate that Modbury Heights will expand by 1,014 residents by 2041. Considering current construction pipelines, local residential supply appears well-positioned to absorb this influx, preserving favorable conditions for purchasers and potentially enabling population increases above baseline estimates.
Frequently Asked Questions - Development
Development applications around Modbury Heights
Loading development applications…
| Lodged | Address | Description | Type | Distance | Status |
|---|
SOURCE: Planning portals and council registers, compiled by AreaSearch. Distance & bearing measured from the suburb midpoint.
AreaSearch tracks 3 current infrastructure and development projects inside Modbury Heights, worth an estimated $71 million. A further 38 sit in the immediately surrounding suburbs, taking the tracked pipeline within reach of the area to $3.44 billion. 7 are already under construction and 6 are due for completion within three years. The pipeline spans transport & logistics, residential development and sports & recreation. 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 development and local performance are significantly shaped by major infrastructure undertakings and strategic planning projects. AreaSearch has pinpointed 23 projects with potential local relevance. Prominent works include the Wynn Vale Grove Shopping Centre Redevelopment, Tea Tree Gully Sustainable Sewers Program, Tilley Recreation Park Indoor Training Facility, and Modbury Sporting Club Building and Sportsfield Lighting.
Professional plan users can use the search below to filter and access additional projects.
INFRASTRUCTURE SEARCH
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Frequently Asked Questions - Infrastructure
Wynn Vale Grove Shopping Centre Redevelopment
Proposed expansion and refurbishment of the Wynn Vale Grove Shopping Centre including upgraded retail tenancies, expansion of the existing medical centre, improved pedestrian access, landscaping and a reconfigured car park. As of mid-2026 the proposal remains in the planning phase with no confirmed construction commencement publicly announced.
Tea Tree Gully Sustainable Sewers Program
SA Water program to transfer approximately 4,700 properties in the City of Tea Tree Gully from a council run Community Wastewater Management System with on site septic tanks to a modern sewer network. Delivery is being rolled out in zones between 2022 and 2028 to improve service reliability and public health outcomes.
Sunnybrook Estate
Sunnybrook Estate is a boutique residential land subdivision in the established Sunnybrook precinct of Wynn Vale. Earlier stages are complete and the final premium allotments are under construction, delivering around 48 new detached homes close to local shops, schools and parklands.
Modbury Sporting Club building project
Completed council-led redevelopment delivering a new two-storey clubroom facility for Modbury Sporting Club at Ridgehaven, jointly funded by the City of Tea Tree Gully and the State Government. The project delivered four unisex change rooms, umpire rooms, function space and amenities to support the Modbury Football and Cricket clubs and their 700-plus players and members.
ECH Encore Apartments Modbury
Modern retirement accommodation featuring Livable Housing Design Australia Gold Accreditation. 77 dwelling 4-8 level retirement living apartment and allied health services development featuring an integrated early childhood centre. Located within 5 minutes of local shops and public transport.
Golden Grove Neighbourhood Code Amendment
A planning policy review and code amendment initiated by the City of Tea Tree Gully to update development standards and zoning overlays for established residential areas across Golden Grove. The proposal reviews allotment sizes, setback requirements, and residential infill policies to protect neighbourhood character while accommodating measured growth.
Springbank Waters Residential Estate
A large, master-planned residential community completed in stages over two decades, featuring over 1,100 homes, wetlands, and parks. The final stage is delivering over 400 new homes and is currently under construction.
Euca Modbury Townhomes
Boutique development of 25 contemporary park-facing townhomes overlooking Australia Reserve. Features architecturally designed two-storey homes with 7-star energy rating, developed by local consortium Centina, Kolabb and Greenstate. Located just 20 minutes from Adelaide CBD and 1km from Tea Tree Plaza.
10,604 residents of Modbury Heights are employed, from a labour force of 10,868. Unemployment sits at 2.4%, with participation at 66.1%. Weighted for its industry mix, the area's sectors are forecast to grow about 6.4% nationally over five years. That reflects industry composition only and makes no allowance for local population growth. The working-day population is estimated at 15,486, about 78% of the resident population, so more people leave the area for work than travel in. Unemployment and labour force come from ABS Small Area Labour Markets, updated quarterly; the industry and occupation profile is from the 2021 Census.
Detail
Modbury Heights maintains a capable resident labor pool with strong representation in essential industries, an unemployment rate standing at only 2.4%, and annual employment growth estimated at 0.7%. By March 2026, employed residents totaled 10,604, keeping local unemployment 1.4% below the Greater Adelaide benchmark of 3.8%, while the labor participation rate matches the wider metropolitan figure of 66.4%. Additionally, Census records showed that 10.0% of workers operated from home, though this figure reflects conditions surrounding Covid-19 lockdown measures. The primary employment fields for the local workforce consist of health care & social assistance, retail trade, along with education & training.
Public administration & safety shows a distinct concentration, engaging workers at 1.2 times the Greater Adelaide average. Conversely, accommodation & food comprises merely 4.9% of employed residents compared to 6.8% across the broader metropolitan area. Given the balance between Census working population and resident workers, the district functions chiefly as a residential community with relatively limited internal job opportunities. AreaSearch evaluations of ABS and SALM figures indicate that in the year to March 2026, Modbury Heights recorded a 0.7% lift in employment alongside a 1.0% expansion in the labor pool, which pushed unemployment up by 0.3 percentage points. In comparison, Greater Adelaide experienced a 4.2% employment rise, a 4.0% labor force expansion, and a 0.2 percentage points reduction in unemployment. National outlooks published by Jobs and Skills Australia as of Mar-26 provide additional context regarding future employment trends across five and ten-year horizons. Nationally, employment is projected to climb by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, with performance varying by sector. When applied to the local industry distribution as an illustrative weighting exercise excluding localized population projections, this indicates potential local workforce growth of 6.4% over five years and 13.5% over ten years.
Frequently Asked Questions - Employment
Median household income in Modbury Heights is $1,657 a week (about $86,000 a year), with median personal income at $787 a week. ATO records put median taxable income at $54,261 a year against an average of $60,254. 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
According to AreaSearch's evaluation of ATO postcode data for financial year 2023, taxpayers in the Modbury Heights SA2 generated a median income of $54,261 and an average income of $60,254, trailing the national benchmark as well as the Greater Adelaide median of $54,808 and average of $66,852. Factoring in Wage Price Index growth of 10.17% since financial year 2023, updated estimates as of March 2026 reach approximately $59,779 for median earnings and $66,382 for the average. Based on 2021 Census benchmarks, personal, family, and household incomes place within the 44th and 46th percentiles.
The earnings bracket of $1,500 - 2,999 encompasses 35.4% of local earners (7,028 individuals), matching the regional proportion of 31.8%. Local households retain 87.0% of income after housing expenses, placing disposable earnings at the 48th percentile, while the SEIFA income score positions the area in the 5th decile.
Frequently Asked Questions - Income
Modbury Heights had 7,336 occupied dwellings at the 2021 Census, 91% detached houses and 1% apartments. 45% are owned with a mortgage, 18% rented and 37% owned outright. At that Census the median rent was $330 a week and the median mortgage repayment $1,500 a month. Rent absorbs 19.9% of household income here and mortgage repayments 20.9%. Dwelling stock, tenure and housing costs are 2021 Census measures — the only source that counts dwellings at this boundary size.
Detail
Residential stock in Modbury Heights at the latest Census was heavily concentrated in standalone houses, which accounted for 91.2% of dwellings compared to 8.8% for semi-detached, apartments, and other categories, contrasting with Adelaide metro proportions of 75.2% houses and 24.9% other dwellings. Outright property ownership was substantial at 37.0%, notably higher than metropolitan norms, while 44.6% of homes were mortgaged and 18.4% were rented. The median monthly mortgage payment stood at $1,500, below the Adelaide metro median of $1,562 and the national benchmark of $1,863. For tenants, weekly median rent was $330, compared to $320 across Adelaide metro and $375 nationwide.
Frequently Asked Questions - Housing
Modbury Heights counted 7,336 households at the 2021 Census, averaging 2.6 people each. 34% are couples with children, against 29% couples without children. 22% of households are people living alone, and families average 1.6 children. Household and family composition is measured only by the Census, so these are 2021 figures.
Detail
Family arrangements constitute 76.1% of all local households, divided between couples with children at 34.3%, couples without children at 28.5%, and single parent families at 12.5%. Non-family living situations represent the remaining 23.9%, consisting of single-person dwellings at 22.0% and group households at 1.8%. With an average of 2.6 people per home, the median household size exceeds the Greater Adelaide metric of 2.5.
Frequently Asked Questions - Households
21.8% of adults in Modbury Heights hold a university qualification, including 15.0% with a bachelor degree and 4.5% with postgraduate qualifications. A further 26.3% hold a vocational qualification. 7 schools serve the area, with 4,664 enrolment places and an average ICSEA of 1,048 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
Tertiary educational attainment among Modbury Heights residents sits below broader national benchmarks, with 21.8% of persons aged 15+ holding a university qualification against 30.4% across Australia. Within this group, bachelor degrees account for 15.0%, postgraduate degrees represent 4.5%, and graduate diplomas make up 2.3%. In contrast, vocational education is widely prevalent, with 38.3% of residents aged 15+ holding trade credentials, encompassing 12.0% with advanced diplomas and 26.3% with certificates. Engagement in formal study is substantial throughout the community, with 26.7% of residents currently attending educational institutions. This comprises 10.3% of the population enrolled in primary school, 6.9% in secondary education, and 4.5% pursuing tertiary studies.
Frequently Asked Questions - Education
Schools Detail
Public transport in Modbury Heights reaches 102 stops on 29 routes, timetabled for about 2,300 services a week. The typical home sits about 200 m from its nearest stop. Buses carry the largest share of public transport commuters. Households keep an average of 1.5 vehicles. Stop and service counts are built from operators' published GTFS timetables and refresh with each timetable release; vehicle ownership is from the 2021 Census.
Detail
Public transit infrastructure within Modbury Heights comprises 102 active transport stops, encompassing a network of bus services. These facilities accommodate 29 individual routes that collectively deliver 2,334 weekly passenger trips. Access to transit is rated as excellent, with dwellings situated an average of 199 meters from the nearest stop. Commuting patterns reflect the area's residential role, with private car travel dominating at 87% and bus transit accounting for 10%. Vehicle ownership stands at 1.5 per dwelling, while 10.0% of the workforce worked from home at the 2021 Census, subject to pandemic-related conditions.
Bus services generate a total of 333 trips per day across the network, translating to roughly 22 weekly trips per individual stop. The accompanying mapping highlights the 100 nearest stops relative to the center of the locality.
Frequently Asked Questions - Transport
Transport Stops Detail
66.9% of residents in Modbury Heights report no long-term health condition, a healthier profile than 75% of areas nationally. 5.2% need daily assistance with core activities, and 48.9% hold private health cover. The standardised death rate runs at 3.2 per 1,000 residents. Health conditions, assistance needs and insurance are 2021 Census measures; the death rate comes from current ABS releases.
Detail
Assessment of health indicators by AreaSearch demonstrates favorable outcomes across Modbury Heights, evidenced by low chronic illness prevalence and favorable mortality measures, particularly among younger residents. Approximately 49% of the population (~9,708 people) holds private health insurance, a relatively low proportion compared to 52.7% across Greater Adelaide and 55.7% nationally. Arthritis and mental health conditions represent the most prevalent diagnosed ailments, affecting 9.0 and 8.2% of residents respectively, while 66.9% reported no long-term medical conditions, comparable to 67.9% across Greater Adelaide. Working-age residents exhibit typical health patterns. Older residents aged 65 and over make up 21.6% of the population (4,282 people), exceeding the 19.1% share recorded for Greater Adelaide, with senior health outcomes ranking above average regionally despite placing lower on a national scale.
Frequently Asked Questions - Health
26.8% of Modbury Heights residents were born overseas and 16.2% speak a language other than English at home. The largest reported ancestries are English (31.0%) and Australian (24.0%). Ancestry, language and country of birth are counted only by the Census, so these are 2021 figures.
Detail
Modbury Heights displays cultural diversity above most local areas, with 26.8% of residents born abroad and 16.2% speaking a non-English language at home. Christianity stands as the primary religious affiliation, accounting for 43.4% of the population. A notable variance occurs in the Other religious category, which comprises 2.5% locally compared to 1.8% across Greater Adelaide. Regarding ancestral backgrounds based on parents' birthplaces, the most common lineages in Modbury Heights are English at 31.0%, Australian at 24.0%, and Other at 7.8%. Specific European heritages also show higher representation than regional averages, including German at 5.7% (vs 5.1%), Polish at 1.3% (vs 1.0%), and Hungarian at 0.4% (vs 0.3%).
Frequently Asked Questions - Diversity
The median resident of Modbury Heights is 41. 22.2% 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
The age distribution in Modbury Heights mirrors Greater Adelaide across primary demographic groups, with the greatest variance across the four broad cohorts being 3.8 percentage points. The median age remains estimated at 41, matching the 2021 Census level and sitting 2 years above the Greater Adelaide median of 39 recorded at that Census. Since the Census, the cohort aged 65+ has increased from 19.2% to an estimated 21.6% of the population. Long-term projections to 2041 anticipate the largest expansion within these senior brackets, rising by 688 residents (16%) to 4,971, while the young to middle-aged adult demographic is expected to contract.
Frequently Asked Questions - Age
Data & MethodBoundaries, Sources & Method for Modbury Heights
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 2 months ago 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 2 months ago 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 2 months ago headline measures · Jul 2026 baseline |
| Property sales & rents | Valuer General, Rental Board, ABS Weekly sales, quarterly rents | Sep 2026 last 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 | Jul 2026 3 months ago all 3 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 Jul 2026. | ||
| Employment | ABS, DEWR, JSA Quarterly (ABS SALM) | Mar 2026 7 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) | Sep 2026 last month headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Transport | ABS, State Transport Departments Each timetable release | Jul 2026 3 months ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Services & amenities | Provider directories, ACECQA Continuous | Sep 2026 last month 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 — 52 validated new addresses here. The headline figure is therefore a current estimate for Aug 2026, not a 2021 count (19,248 at the 2021 Census → 19,854 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 (402051053). QuickStats reports 2021 only — the figures on this page are more current wherever the ledger shows a later date.