Morphett Vale - East
Statistical Area - sa2

Morphett Vale - East is positioned among the lower quartile of areas assessed nationally for population growth based on AreaSearch's assessment of recent, and medium term trends

As of August 2025, Morphett Vale - East's population is approximately 14,176. This figure represents an increase of 313 people since the 2021 Census, which recorded a population of 13,863. The growth is inferred from ABS estimates: 14,165 residents in June 2024 and 98 new addresses validated after the Census date. This results in a population density of 1,845 persons per square kilometer, higher than the average across national locations assessed by AreaSearch. Morphett Vale - East's growth rate of 2.3% since the census is within 2.5 percentage points of its SA3 area (4.8%), indicating strong growth fundamentals. Overseas migration contributed approximately 54.5% to overall population gains during recent periods, with all drivers including interstate migration and natural growth 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 by age category are adopted, based on 2021 data and adjusted using weighted aggregation from LGA to SA2 levels. Future population projections indicate an increase just below the median of statistical areas analysed by AreaSearch. By 2041, Morphett Vale - East is expected to grow by 986 persons, representing a total gain of 6.8% over the 17 years.

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

Morphett Vale - East has received approximately 46 dwelling approvals annually. The Australian Bureau of Statistics reports that from FY-21 to FY-25, around 230 homes were approved annually. As of FY-26, about 7 dwellings have been approved so far. On average, 1.7 people move to the area per year for each dwelling built over these five financial years.

This indicates a balanced supply and demand, with stable market conditions. The average construction cost value for new properties is $303,000, which is below regional levels, suggesting more affordable housing options for buyers. In FY-26, commercial development approvals totaled $29.6 million, indicating strong local business investment. Comparatively, Morphett Vale - East shows around 67% of the construction activity per person when measured against Greater Adelaide, and it ranks at approximately the 55th percentile nationally for construction activity.

This suggests market maturity and potential development constraints. New developments consist of 81.0% detached dwellings and 19.0% attached dwellings, maintaining the area's suburban identity with a concentration of family homes suited to buyers seeking space. The population density is relatively low at around 292 people per approval. Future projections estimate that Morphett Vale - East will add approximately 969 residents by 2041. With current construction levels, housing supply should meet demand adequately, creating favorable conditions for buyers and potentially enabling growth that exceeds current forecasts.

Morphett Vale - East has emerging levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the 29thth percentile nationally

AreaSearch has identified three key infrastructure projects that could significantly impact the local area. These are: YAS Property Development's Morphett Vale Project, Noarlunga Hospital Expansion, Woodcroft College Campus Expansions, and The Green at Woodcroft.

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

Employment performance in Morphett Vale - East has been below expectations when compared to most other areas nationally

Morphett Vale - East has a balanced workforce with both white and blue collar jobs. Key sectors include essential services, with an unemployment rate of 6.4% as of June 2025.

Employment growth over the past year was estimated at 2.8%. There are 6,938 residents in work, with an unemployment rate of 7.4%, which is 3.4 percentage points higher than Greater Adelaide's rate of 4.0%. Workforce participation is lower at 57.4% compared to Greater Adelaide's 61.7%. Major employment areas for residents are health care & social assistance, retail trade, and construction.

Retail trade has a particularly strong presence with an employment share 1.3 times the regional level, while professional & technical services have limited representation at 3.3%, compared to 7.3% regionally. The area appears to offer limited local employment opportunities, as indicated by Census data comparing working population and resident population. Between June 2024 and June 2025, employment increased by 2.8% while labour force grew by 2.7%, leading to a slight fall in unemployment rate of 0.1 percentage points. In contrast, Greater Adelaide saw employment grow by 2.1% with a marginal rise in unemployment. State-level data from Sep-25 shows South Australia's employment growth at 1.06% year-on-year, adding 9,370 jobs, and an unemployment rate of 4.5%, matching the national average. National employment forecasts by Jobs and Skills Australia project overall growth of 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Morphett Vale - East's current employment mix suggests local growth could be approximately 6.4% over five years and 13.5% over ten years, although these are simple extrapolations for illustrative purposes only.

Income figures position the area below 75% of locations analysed nationally by AreaSearch

AreaSearch's latest postcode level ATO data released in financial year 2022 shows Morphett Vale - East had a median income among taxpayers of $50,587 and an average of $55,328. This is below the national average. Greater Adelaide's median income was $52,592 with an average of $64,886. As of March 2025, estimates based on Wage Price Index growth would be approximately $56,066 (median) and $61,320 (average). Census 2021 income data indicates that Morphett Vale - East's household, family, and personal incomes fall between the 15th and 21st percentiles nationally. Income analysis reveals that 31.5% of individuals in Morphett Vale - East earn within the $1,500 - $2,999 range, similar to regional levels where 31.8% fall into this band. Housing affordability pressures are severe with only 82.7% of income remaining, ranking at the 15th percentile.

Morphett Vale - East is characterized by a predominantly suburban housing profile, with a higher proportion of rental properties than the broader region

Morphett Vale - East's dwelling structures, as per the latest Census, comprised 84.1% houses and 16.0% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings), compared to Adelaide metro's 84.1% houses and 10.7% other dwellings. Home ownership in Morphett Vale - East stood at 29.3%, with mortgaged dwellings at 43.8% and rented ones at 26.9%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $1,300, lower than Adelaide metro's average of $1,452. Median weekly rent in Morphett Vale - East was $300, compared to Adelaide metro's $314. Nationally, mortgage repayments averaged $1,863 and rents were $375.

Morphett Vale - East features high concentrations of lone person households, with a lower-than-average median household size

Family households account for 66.0% of all households, consisting of 24.8% couples with children, 25.9% couples without children, and 14.1% single parent families. Non-family households comprise the remaining 34.0%, with lone person households at 30.9% and group households making up 3.1% of the total. The median household size is 2.3 people, which is smaller than the Greater Adelaide average of 2.5.

Educational outcomes in Morphett Vale - East fall within the lower quartile nationally, indicating opportunities for improvement in qualification attainment

The area has lower university qualification rates at 12.9%, compared to the Australian average of 30.4%. This presents both a challenge and an opportunity for targeted educational initiatives. Bachelor degrees are most common at 9.5%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (1.8%) and graduate diplomas (1.6%). Vocational credentials are prominent, with 42.1% of residents aged 15+ holding them - advanced diplomas at 9.3% and certificates at 32.8%.

Educational participation is high, with 25.0% of residents currently enrolled in formal education. This includes 9.3% in primary, 6.8% in secondary, and 3.8% pursuing tertiary education. There are 10 schools operating within Morphett Vale - East, educating approximately 4760 students. The area serves as an education hub with 33.6 school places per 100 residents, significantly above the regional average of 13.6, attracting students from surrounding communities.

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

Morphett Vale - East has 73 operational public transport stops, all of which are bus stops. These stops are served by 22 unique routes that together facilitate 1,171 weekly passenger trips. The area's transport accessibility is deemed good, with residents on average being 212 meters away from the nearest stop.

Across all routes, an average of 167 trips per day is maintained, translating to roughly 16 weekly trips per individual stop.

Health performance in Morphett Vale - East is well below average with prevalence of common health conditions notable across both younger and older age cohorts

Morphett Vale - East faces significant health challenges, as indicated by health data. Both younger and older age groups exhibit high prevalence rates for common health conditions.

Only 48% of the total population (~6,747 people) have private health cover, compared to the national average of 55.3%. Mental health issues and arthritis are the most prevalent medical conditions in the area, affecting 10.8 and 10.4% of residents respectively. Conversely, 59.0% of residents claim to be completely free from medical ailments, which is lower than the Greater Adelaide average of 62.9%. The area has a higher proportion of seniors aged 65 and over (21.7%, or 3,073 people), with their health outcomes presenting challenges broadly in line with the general population's health profile.

In terms of cultural diversity, Morphett Vale - East records figures broadly comparable to the national average, as found in AreaSearch's assessment of a number of language and cultural background related metrics

Morphett Vale - East had a cultural diversity profile roughly matching the wider region's average, with 78.5% of residents born in Australia, 90.1% being citizens, and 91.2% speaking English only at home. Christianity was the dominant religion, comprising 37.6% of Morphett Vale - East population. The most significant overrepresentation was observed in the 'Other' category, which constituted 1.0% compared to the region's 0.7%.

Top ancestry groups were English (34.3%), Australian (28.2%), and Scottish (7.1%). Notable divergences included German at 5.1% (versus regional 5.4%), Hungarian at 0.4% (versus 0.3%), and Polish at 0.9% (matching regionally).

Morphett Vale - East hosts an older demographic, ranking in the top quartile nationwide

Morphett Vale - East has a median age of 42, which is slightly higher than Greater Adelaide's figure of 39 and significantly higher than the national norm of 38. The 65-74 age group constitutes 11.3% of its population, outpacing Greater Adelaide's representation. Conversely, the 15-24 cohort makes up only 11.1%. According to the 2021 Census, the 75-84 age group has increased from 6.6% to 7.8%, while the 65-74 cohort has decreased from 12.5% to 11.3%. By 2041, demographic modeling indicates significant changes in Morphett Vale - East's age profile. Notably, the 85+ group is projected to double (from 354 to 709 people). The population aged 65 and above is expected to comprise 62% of this growth. Meanwhile, the 55-64 and 65-74 cohorts are forecasted to experience population declines.