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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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Para Hills has an estimated 15,608 residents, up from 15,094 at the 2021 Census — a change of 514 people, or 3.4%. Growth has averaged 0.5% a year over five years. 156 new addresses have been validated here since Census night. That puts 1,535 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 from AreaSearch, the resident count of Para Hills stands at approximately 15,608 as of Aug 2026. This reflects an addition of 514 people (3.4%) above the 15,094 people recorded at the 2021 Census. Such movement is calculated from the ABS Estimated Resident Population of 15,507 noted as of June 2025 alongside 156 validated new addresses documented following the Census date. Consequently, the local population density reaches 1,534 persons per square kilometer, outpacing the national average across regions evaluated by AreaSearch. With a 3.4% expansion since the census, Para Hills remains within 0.7 percentage points of the wider SA3 area (4.1%), highlighting resilient growth characteristics.
Net overseas migration was the central catalyst for local demographic expansion, generating roughly 67.6% of total population additions over recent timeframes. AreaSearch utilizes projections for each SA2 area produced by ABS/Geoscience Australia, which were published in 2024 using 2022 as their baseline year. Across SA2 localities outside that dataset, as well as for timeframes post-2032, figures incorporate the SA State Government's Regional/LGA age-cohort projections published in 2023 from 2021 data, adjusted via a weighted aggregation approach converting LGA figures to SA2 boundaries. Looking ahead, demographic modeling points to a population trajectory sitting slightly under the median for national statistical areas, projecting the locality will expand by 705 persons to 2041 according to the most recent annual ERP figures, amounting to a 3.9% total rise across the 16 years.
Frequently Asked Questions - Population
474 new dwellings have been approved in Para Hills over the past five years, an average of 94 a year. That places the area in the 68th percentile for residential development activity nationally, about 6 approvals per 1,000 residents a year. Of the 95 dwellings approved in the latest reporting year, 86% 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 approvals within Para Hills average approximately 94 properties annually, accumulating to 474 homes over the past 5 financial years. With an influx of only 0.8 new residents per year per newly approved residence across the past 5 financial years (between FY-22 and FY-26), local home construction matches or exceeds incoming demand, widening buyer opportunities and facilitating population expansion that could outpace current projections. Meanwhile, newly approved residential builds record an average construction value of $302,000, sitting below regional benchmarks to deliver relatively attainable price points for purchasers. In addition, $6.7 million in commercial approvals was logged during this financial year, pointing to a restrained emphasis on commercial development.
Per capita construction activity in Para Hills exceeds Greater Adelaide by 53.0%, providing purchasers with expanded choice. The composition of new residential building activity is split between 86.0% detached houses and 14.0% townhouses or apartments, reinforcing a low-density suburban landscape oriented toward detached properties that appeal to buyers desiring space. Furthermore, recording roughly 130 people per dwelling approval reflects the low-density profile of Para Hills. Demographic projections indicate that Para Hills will add 604 residents through to 2041, based on the latest AreaSearch quarterly estimate. Given existing building volumes, residential additions are positioned to comfortably absorb demand, creating advantageous conditions for buyers and potentially supporting expansion rates beyond current projections.
Frequently Asked Questions - Development
Development applications around Para Hills
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 4 current infrastructure and development projects inside Para Hills, worth an estimated $915 million. A further 48 sit in the immediately surrounding suburbs, taking the tracked pipeline within reach of the area to $6.11 billion. 14 are already under construction and 13 are due for completion within three years. The pipeline spans residential development, transport & logistics and education & training. 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
Local infrastructure investment, urban planning frameworks, and major development initiatives exert a substantial influence on community outcomes. AreaSearch has identified 25 projects expected to impact the surrounding area, with major initiatives including Springbank Waters Residential Estate, The Heights Estate Para Hills, Keswick Gardens Retirement Village Expansion, and Para Hills West Urban Renewal Precinct, with key details summarized below.
Professional plan users can use the search below to filter and access additional projects.
INFRASTRUCTURE SEARCH
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Frequently Asked Questions - Infrastructure
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.
Para Hills West Urban Renewal Precinct
State Government-led urban renewal initiative to transform underutilised former Housing SA land in Para Hills West into a mixed-use precinct with up to 1,000 new homes including affordable and social housing. Led by Renewal SA, the project targets medium-density development over approximately a decade. As of April 2026, the project does not appear in Renewal SA's current active projects portfolio and the dedicated project page has been removed, indicating it may be under strategic review or absorbed into a broader northern Adelaide housing program.
Main North Road and Target Hill Road Junction Upgrade
Junction upgrade at Main North Road and Target Hill Road in Salisbury Heights to improve access and traffic flow. Enhanced safety features and intersection capacity improvements.
Para Hills Community Hub
Multi-function community hub at 18-22 Wilkinson Road, Para Hills featuring library, community centre, meeting rooms and recreational facilities. Modern facility serving the local Para Hills community with modern amenities supporting local community needs and activities.
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.
The Lakeside Project
The Lakeside Project is Endeavour College's $35 million expansion to create a new three-storey Reception to Year 6 junior school connected to the existing secondary campus by a pedestrian footbridge across Mawson Lakes Boulevard. The development includes 14 general learning areas, STEM facilities, library, music rooms, outdoor learning spaces and a multi-purpose community hub. Construction commenced in 2025 and remains on schedule for completion in late 2026 ahead of opening for the 2027 school year.
Base Mawson Lakes
A $25 million defence and high-tech business precinct in Adelaide Technology Park delivering 22 architecturally designed, high-performance warehouse units from 101 to 523 sqm. The estate features high-spec finishes, integrated solar systems, and is tailored for component manufacturers, clean-tech suppliers, and defence supply-chain SMEs due to its close proximity to major defence primes.
Montague Farm Estate
Large master-planned residential community delivering over 1000 new homes including townhouses, apartments and detached dwellings in the heart of Pooraka, with integrated parks and community facilities.
7,977 residents of Para Hills are employed, from a labour force of 8,316. Unemployment sits at 4.1%, with participation at 64.9%. Weighted for its industry mix, the area's sectors are forecast to grow about 6.3% nationally over five years. That reflects industry composition only and makes no allowance for local population growth. The working-day population is estimated at 13,091, about 84% 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
Para Hills features a skilled local workforce characterized by steady employment levels over the prior year, substantial representation across essential services, and an unemployment rate of 4.1%. As of March 2026, employed residents total 7,977, while the local jobless rate sits 0.2% above the 3.8% recorded for Greater Adelaide, and overall labor participation closely mirrors the 66.4% seen across Greater Adelaide. Based on Census findings, only 7.3% of workers carried out their duties from home, though historical Covid-19 restrictions should be factored into this figure. Local employment is predominantly clustered within health care & social assistance, construction, and retail trade.
The community displays a marked concentration in construction, where its workforce share is 1.3 times the regional benchmark. Conversely, professional & technical roles account for only 4.3% of local employment, trailing the 7.3% observed across Greater Adelaide. Given the disparity between the Census working population and resident counts, this largely residential district provides comparatively few local workplace opportunities. AreaSearch evaluation of ABS and SALM figures shows that across the 12 months to March 2026, local employment grew by 0.5% against a 1.0% expansion in the labour force, lifting local unemployment by 0.5 percentage points. In comparison, Greater Adelaide experienced a 4.2% lift in employment, a 4.0% increase in the labour force, and a 0.2 percentage points reduction in unemployment. Additional guidance on potential workplace demand in Para Hills is available from Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts released in Mar-26, which project five and ten-year paths against the local sector profile. Nationally, employment is projected to expand by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, with performance diverging widely by sector. Applying these sector weights to the local workforce suggests employment in Para Hills may increase by 6.3% over five years and 13.2% over ten years, representing a basic weighting extrapolation for illustrative analysis without factoring in localized population estimates.
Frequently Asked Questions - Employment
Median household income in Para Hills is $1,444 a week (about $75,000 a year), with median personal income at $697 a week. ATO records put median taxable income at $51,633 a year against an average of $58,203. 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 latest postcode ATO figures released for financial year 2023, the Para Hills SA2 recorded a median taxpayer income of $51,633 and an average of $58,203, placing it below nationwide benchmarks as well as Greater Adelaide's median of $54,808 and average of $66,852. Factoring in Wage Price Index growth of 10.17% since financial year 2023 produces updated estimates of roughly $56,884 (median) and $64,122 (average) as of March 2026. Census metrics position family, personal, and household earnings modestly within the 27th to 32nd percentiles. In terms of earnings distribution, the largest cohort falls into the $1,500 - 2,999 bracket, comprising 34.4% of residents (5,369 people), which closely aligns with the 31.8% recorded across the broader region.
Following housing costs, 85.8% of household earnings is retained for other living expenses.
Frequently Asked Questions - Income
Para Hills had 5,598 occupied dwellings at the 2021 Census, 91% detached houses and 1% apartments. 44% are owned with a mortgage, 23% rented and 33% owned outright. At that Census the median rent was $310 a week and the median mortgage repayment $1,322 a month. Rent absorbs 21.5% of household income here and mortgage repayments 21.1%. Dwelling stock, tenure and housing costs are 2021 Census measures — the only source that counts dwellings at this boundary size.
Detail
According to the latest Census, the housing stock in Para Hills consisted of 90.9% houses alongside 9.2% other dwellings, including semi-detached dwellings, apartments, and alternative structures, compared to Adelaide metro where the breakdown stood at 75.2% houses and 24.9% other dwellings. Full home ownership in Para Hills matched the Adelaide metro rate at 33.2%, while remaining residences were occupied with a mortgage (44.3%) or leased by tenants (22.5%). Median monthly mortgage costs of $1,322 were noticeably below the Adelaide metro figure of $1,562, while median weekly rent stood at $310 against $320 across Adelaide metro.
On a nationwide basis, local mortgage payments remain well below the Australian average of $1,863, and weekly rents are markedly lower than the national benchmark of $375.
Frequently Asked Questions - Housing
Para Hills counted 5,598 households at the 2021 Census, averaging 2.6 people each. 32% are couples with children, against 26% couples without children. 24% of households are people living alone, and families average 1.7 children. Household and family composition is measured only by the Census, so these are 2021 figures.
Detail
Families constitute the clear majority of local living arrangements at 73.6%, comprising couples with children at 31.8%, couples without children at 26.1%, and single parent families representing 14.3%. Non-family households account for the remaining 26.4%, composed of lone person households at 23.6% and group households at 2.7%. The typical household size sits at a median of 2.6 people, slightly higher than the Greater Adelaide average of 2.5.
Frequently Asked Questions - Households
17.5% of adults in Para Hills hold a university qualification, including 12.1% with a bachelor degree and 3.7% with postgraduate qualifications. A further 28.3% hold a vocational qualification. 5 schools serve the area, with 1,712 enrolment places and an average ICSEA of 974 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
Educational attainment in the district presents room for improvement, as university qualification rates of 17.5% sit well below the Australian benchmark of 30.4%, creating a valuable opening for targeted educational programs. Among degree holders, Bachelor degrees lead at 12.1%, with postgraduate qualifications at 3.7% and graduate diplomas at 1.7%. Meanwhile, technical and trade expertise is well established, with 37.4% of residents aged 15+ possessing vocational credentials, including certificates (28.3%) and advanced diplomas (9.1%). Participation in study is prominent locally, with 28.2% of the population actively enrolled in formal education programs.
This cohort is divided into 10.4% attending primary education, 7.1% in secondary education, and 4.7% undertaking tertiary education.
Frequently Asked Questions - Education
Schools Detail
Public transport in Para Hills reaches 106 stops on 30 routes, timetabled for about 2,100 services a week. The typical home sits about 210 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 across Para Hills encompasses 106 active transport stops offering bus connections. These locations are served by 30 individual routes that deliver a combined 2,089 weekly passenger trips. Access to public transit is rated as good, with residents situated an average of 207 meters from the nearest stop. Due to the area's residential character, commuting is predominantly outward, with private vehicles serving as the primary mode of travel for 90% of commuters compared to 7% utilizing bus services. Dwellings average 1.5 vehicles each, while a modest 7.3% of residents work from home according to the 2021 Census, which may reflect COVID-19 conditions.
Transit service across all routes delivers an average frequency of 298 trips per day, translating to roughly 19 weekly trips per individual stop. The accompanying mapping illustrates the 100 nearest stops surrounding the central reference point.
Frequently Asked Questions - Transport
Transport Stops Detail
67.2% of residents in Para Hills report no long-term health condition. 6.7% need daily assistance with core activities, and 48.2% hold private health cover. The standardised death rate runs at 5.1 per 1,000 residents. Health conditions, assistance needs and insurance are 2021 Census measures; the death rate comes from current ABS releases.
Detail
Health indicators in Para Hills generally align with nationwide benchmarks according to AreaSearch's review of chronic conditions and mortality rates. While common health conditions across the general population are typical, higher rates emerge among older age cohorts, and private health cover is notably low at roughly 48% of residents (~7,523 people). By comparison, coverage stands at 52.7% across Greater Adelaide and 55.7% at the national level. Arthritis and mental health issues represent the most prevalent medical conditions locally, each affecting 8.5% and 8.5% of residents, while 67.2% reported no diagnosed medical ailments compared to 67.9% across Greater Adelaide.
Chronic conditions show elevated prevalence among working-age individuals. Seniors aged 65 and over comprise 17.0% of the community (2,659 people), below the 19.1% share recorded in Greater Adelaide, with senior health outcomes showing certain challenges despite ranking lower nationally than the wider population.
Frequently Asked Questions - Health
31.7% of Para Hills residents were born overseas and 25.7% speak a language other than English at home. The largest reported ancestries are English (27.4%) and Australian (22.6%). Ancestry, language and country of birth are counted only by the Census, so these are 2021 figures.
Detail
Cultural diversity in Para Hills sits higher than in most surrounding areas, with 31.7% of the community born overseas and 25.7% speaking a language other than English in their households. Christianity is the primary religion, accounting for 41.3% of local residents. The most noticeable variation is among those identifying with Other religions, who represent 3.3% of the local population compared to 1.8% across Greater Adelaide. Evaluating parental country of birth, the three most common ancestries across Para Hills are English (27.4%), Australian (22.6%), and Other (13.3%). Notable differences also appear among specific communities, with Polish residents accounting for 1.0% (vs 1.0% regionally), Hungarian backgrounds representing 0.4% (vs 0.3%), and Lebanese ancestry comprising 0.9% (vs 0.3%).
Frequently Asked Questions - Diversity
The median resident of Para Hills is 38. 27.2% 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 demographic profile of Para Hills aligns closely with Greater Adelaide across every broad age band, with the largest variance spanning only 2.1 percentage points. AreaSearch calculates a median age of 38 as at August 2026, matching the 2021 Census figure and sitting 1 year younger than the Greater Adelaide median of 39 logged at that Census. Since the Census, the share of young to middle aged adults (25 - 44) grew from 27.8% to an estimated 29.5%. Looking ahead to 2041, senior and elderly cohorts (65+) will account for the bulk of population growth, expanding by 340 residents (13%) to reach 3,000.
Frequently Asked Questions - Age
Data & MethodBoundaries, Sources & Method for Para Hills
9 of 14 data sections on this page were updated within the last 12 months — the newest current to Aug 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 · Jun 2026 baseline |
| Property sales & rents | Valuer General, Rental Board, ABS Weekly sales, quarterly rents | Aug 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 Aug 2026. | ||
| Infrastructure projects | Infrastructure Australia, State agencies, Local governments Daily | Jun 2026 3 months ago all 6 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 Jun 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 — 156 validated new addresses here. The headline figure is therefore a current estimate for Aug 2026, not a 2021 count (15,094 at the 2021 Census → 15,608 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 (402041041). QuickStats reports 2021 only — the figures on this page are more current wherever the ledger shows a later date.