Morphett Vale - East

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

AreaSearch's analysis indicates Morphett Vale - East's population was approximately 14,178 as of Nov 2025. This figure represents an increase of 315 people (2.3%) since the 2021 Census, which recorded a population of 13,863. The change is inferred from ABS' estimated resident population of 14,167 in June 2024 and an additional 98 validated new addresses since the Census date. This results in a density ratio of 1,846 persons per square kilometer, exceeding the average seen across national locations assessed by AreaSearch. Morphett Vale - East's growth rate of 2.3% since census is within 2.6 percentage points of the SA3 area (4.9%), suggesting competitive growth fundamentals. Overseas migration contributed approximately 54.5% of overall population gains during recent periods, with all drivers including interstate migration and natural growth being positive factors.

AreaSearch adopts ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area, released in 2024 using 2022 as the base year. For areas not covered by this data and years post-2032, SA State Government's Regional/LGA projections by age category are adopted with adjustments made employing a method of weighted aggregation of population growth from LGA to SA2 levels. Looking ahead, a population increase just below the median of statistical areas analysed is expected, with Morphett Vale - East projected to grow by 986 persons to 2041 based on latest annual ERP population numbers, reflecting a gain of 6.8% in total 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 seen approximately 46 dwellings granted development approval annually. Over the past five financial years, from FY21 to FY25, around 230 homes were approved, with an additional 27 approved in FY26 so far. On average, about 1.7 people have moved to the area each year for every dwelling built during these years.

This suggests a balanced supply and demand, maintaining stable market conditions. The average expected construction cost of new homes is $216,000, which is below regional levels, indicating more affordable housing options for buyers. In FY26, commercial development approvals totalled $29.6 million, reflecting strong commercial development activity in the area. Compared to Greater Adelaide, Morphett Vale - East has around 67% of the construction activity per person and ranks at approximately the 54th percentile nationally, suggesting a level lower than the national average, possibly due to market maturity or development constraints.

New developments consist of 81.0% detached dwellings and 19.0% attached dwellings, maintaining the area's suburban character with a focus on family homes suited for buyers seeking space. With around 292 people per approval, Morphett Vale - East is considered a low-density area. According to AreaSearch's latest quarterly estimate, the area is projected to add approximately 967 residents by 2041. Given current construction levels, housing supply should meet demand adequately, creating favourable conditions for buyers while potentially allowing for growth that exceeds current forecasts.

Morphett Vale - East has limited levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the 16thth percentile nationally

Area infrastructure changes significantly influence local performance. AreaSearch identified three key projects impacting the area: YAS Property Development's Morphett Vale Project, Woodcroft College Campus Expansions, The Green at Woodcroft, and Noarlunga Hospital Expansion.

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

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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 white and blue collar jobs. Key sectors include health care & social assistance, retail trade, and construction.

As of September 2025, 6957 residents are employed, with an unemployment rate of 6.0%. This is 2.1% higher than Greater Adelaide's rate of 3.9%, and workforce participation is lower at 57.4%. Employment growth over the past year was estimated at 4.0%. The area specializes in retail trade, with employment share 1.3 times the regional level.

Professional & technical services have limited presence, at 3.3% compared to 7.3% regionally. From September 2024 to September 2025, employment increased by 4.0%, labour force by 3.2%, reducing unemployment by 0.8 percentage points. In Greater Adelaide, employment grew by 3.0%, labour force expanded by 2.9%, and unemployment fell by 0.1 percentage points. State-level data to 25-Nov-25 shows SA employment grew by 1.19% year-on-year, with an unemployment rate of 4.0%. National forecasts from May-25 suggest total employment growth of 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Morphett Vale - East's industry mix indicates local employment should increase by 6.4% over five years and 13.5% over ten years, though this is a simplified extrapolation for illustrative purposes only.

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

AreaSearch's latest postcode level ATO data for financial year 2022 shows Morphett Vale - East SA2 had a median taxpayer income of $50,587 and an average of $55,328. This is below the national average. Greater Adelaide had a median income of $52,592 and an average of $64,886. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 12.83% since financial year 2022, current estimates for Morphett Vale - East are approximately $57,077 (median) and $62,427 (average) as of September 2025. Census 2021 income data places Morphett Vale - East between the 15th and 21st percentiles nationally for household, family, and personal incomes. Income analysis reveals that 31.5% of individuals in Morphett Vale - East earn between $1,500 and $2,999 annually, reflecting patterns seen at regional levels where 31.8% occupy this earnings band. Housing affordability pressures are severe, with only 82.7% of income remaining after housing costs, ranking at the 14th percentile nationally.

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, consisted of 84.1% houses and 16.0% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings). In comparison, Adelaide metro had 89.2% houses and 10.7% other dwellings. Home ownership in Morphett Vale - East was at 29.3%, with mortgaged dwellings at 43.8% and rented ones at 26.9%. The median monthly mortgage repayment in the area was $1,300, below 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 were significantly lower than the Australian average of $1,863, and rents were substantially below the national figure of $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, including 24.8% couples with children, 25.9% couples without children, and 14.1% single parent families. Non-family households constitute 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's university qualification rate is 12.9%, significantly lower than the Australian average of 30.4%. Bachelor degrees are most common at 9.5%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (1.8%) and graduate diplomas (1.6%). Vocational credentials are prevalent, with 42.1% of residents aged 15+ holding them, including advanced diplomas (9.3%) and certificates (32.8%). Educational participation is high at 25.0%, with 9.3% in primary education, 6.8% in secondary education, and 3.8% pursuing tertiary education.

Educational participation is notably high, with 25.0% of residents currently enrolled in formal education. This includes 9.3% in primary education, 6.8% in secondary education, and 3.8% pursuing tertiary education.

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

Morphett Vale - East has 73 active public transport stops, all of which are bus stops. These stops are served by 22 different routes that together facilitate 1,171 weekly passenger trips. The area's transport accessibility is rated as good, with residents located an average of 212 meters from the nearest stop.

On average, there are 167 bus trips per day across all routes, which equates to approximately 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 its health data. Both younger and older age groups exhibit high prevalence rates of common health conditions.

Private health cover is low in this area, with approximately 48% coverage (~6,748 people), compared to the national average of 55.3%. Mental health issues and arthritis are the most prevalent medical conditions, affecting 10.8% and 10.4% of residents respectively. Conversely, 59.0% of residents report being completely free from medical ailments, compared to 62.9% in Greater Adelaide. The area has a high proportion of seniors, with 21.7% aged 65 and over (3,073 people). Health outcomes among seniors present some challenges, generally aligning with the overall 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 showed cultural diversity roughly in line with the broader region, with 78.5% born in Australia, 90.1% being citizens, and 91.2% speaking English only at home. Christianity was the predominant religion at 37.6%. The category 'Other' comprised 1.0%, slightly higher than Greater Adelaide's 0.7%.

Top ancestral groups were English (34.3%), Australian (28.2%), and Scottish (7.1%). Notably, German ancestry was overrepresented at 5.1% compared to the regional 5.4%, while Hungarian and Polish showed minimal divergence from regional figures.

Morphett Vale - East's median age exceeds the national pattern

Morphett Vale - East 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 65-74 age group makes up 11.3% of the population in Morphett Vale - East, compared to Greater Adelaide, while the 15-24 cohort represents 11.1%. According to the 2021 Census, the 75 to 84 age group has increased from 6.6% to 7.8%, and the 65 to 74 cohort has decreased from 12.5% to 11.3%. By 2041, demographic modeling suggests Morphett Vale - East's age profile will change significantly. The 85+ group is projected to grow by 100%, reaching 709 people from the current 354. Those aged 65 and above are expected to comprise 62% of the population growth, while the 55-64 and 65-74 cohorts are anticipated to experience population declines.