Para Hills

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

Para Hills' population, as of May 2026, is approximately 15,566. This figure represents an increase of 472 people since the 2021 Census, which recorded a population of 15,094. The growth is inferred from ABS data showing an estimated resident population of 15,507 in June 2025 and the validation of 159 new addresses since the Census date. This results in a population density of 1,530 persons per square kilometer, higher than the average across national locations assessed by AreaSearch. Para Hills' growth rate of 3.1% since the census is within 0.8 percentage points of the SA3 area's growth rate of 3.9%. Overseas migration contributed approximately 67.6% of overall population gains during recent periods.

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, based on 2021 data and adjusted using weighted aggregation methods. Based on projected demographic shifts, Para Hills is expected to grow by approximately 712 persons by 2041, reflecting a total growth of about 4.2% over the 16-year period, as per the latest annual ERP population numbers.

Recent residential development output has been above average within Para Hills when compared nationally

Para Hills has recorded approximately 93 residential properties granted approval annually. Over the past five financial years, from FY21 to FY25, around 468 homes were approved, with an additional 92 approved in FY26 so far. On average, about 0.9 new residents per year have been added per dwelling constructed during these years.

This suggests that new construction is meeting or exceeding demand, offering buyers more options and potentially driving population growth beyond current expectations. The average expected construction cost of new properties in Para Hills is $223,000, which is below regional norms, indicating more affordable housing options. In FY26, there have been $6.7 million worth of commercial approvals, suggesting limited focus on commercial development compared to residential growth. When comparing development activity per person with Greater Adelaide, Para Hills shows 69.0% higher activity, providing buyers with ample choice in the area.

New development in Para Hills consists predominantly of standalone homes, with approximately 92.0% being detached dwellings and 8.0% attached dwellings. This preserves the area's suburban nature and attracts space-seeking buyers. With around 158 people per dwelling approval, Para Hills exhibits characteristics of a low-density area. According to the latest AreaSearch quarterly estimate, Para Hills is projected to gain approximately 653 residents by 2041. Given current development rates, new housing supply should comfortably meet demand, creating favorable conditions for buyers and potentially supporting growth beyond current population projections.

Para Hills has limited levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the 9thth percentile nationally

Changes to local infrastructure significantly influence an area's performance. AreaSearch has identified 25 projects likely impacting the area. Notable projects include Springbank Waters Residential Estate, The Heights Estate Para Hills, Keswick Gardens Retirement Village Expansion, and Para Hills West Urban Renewal Precinct. Relevant details are listed below.

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

Denotes AI-based impression for illustrative purposes only, not to be taken as definitive under any circumstances. Please follow links and conduct other investigations from the project's source for actual imagery. Developers and project owners wishing us to use original imagery please Contact Us and we will do so.

The labour market in Para Hills demonstrates typical performance when compared to similar areas across Australia

Para Hills has a skilled workforce with essential services sectors well represented. The unemployment rate was 3.8% in December 2025, with an estimated employment growth of 1.2% over the past year. As of this date, 7,959 residents were employed, and the unemployment rate aligned with Greater Adelaide's rate of 3.8%.

Workforce participation was also broadly similar to Greater Adelaide's 66.0%. According to Census responses, only 7.3% of residents worked from home in December 2025, though Covid-19 lockdown impacts should be considered. The dominant employment sectors among residents included health care & social assistance, construction, and retail trade. Para Hills showed strong specialization in construction, with an employment share of 1.3 times the regional level.

However, professional & technical services had lower representation at 4.3% compared to the regional average of 7.3%. The predominantly residential area appeared to offer limited local employment opportunities, as indicated by the count of Census working population versus resident population. During the year to December 2025, employment levels increased by 1.2%, and labour force increased by 1.0%, causing the unemployment rate to fall by 0.2 percentage points. By comparison, Greater Adelaide recorded employment growth of 4.2%, labour force growth of 3.9%, with unemployment falling by 0.3 percentage points. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May-25 projected national employment expansion by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, but growth rates differed significantly between industry sectors. Applying these projections to Para Hills' employment mix suggested local employment should increase by 6.3% over five years and 13.2% over ten years, though these are simple weighting extrapolations for illustrative purposes and do not consider localized population projections.

Income levels sit below national averages according to AreaSearch assessment

AreaSearch's latest postcode level ATO data for financial year 2023 shows that income in Para Hills SA2 is below the national average. The median assessed income is $51,633 and the average income stands at $58,203. This contrasts with Greater Adelaide's figures of a median income of $54,808 and an average income of $66,852. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 10.17% since financial year 2023, current estimates would be approximately $56,884 (median) and $64,122 (average) as of March 2026. From the 2021 Census, household, family and personal incomes all rank modestly in Para Hills, between the 27th and 32nd percentiles. Income brackets indicate that the $1,500 - 2,999 bracket dominates with 34.4% of residents (5,354 people), consistent with broader trends across the metropolitan region showing 31.8% in the same category. After housing expenses, 85.8% of income remains for other expenses.

Para Hills is characterized by a predominantly suburban housing profile, with above-average rates of outright home ownership

Para Hills' residential structures, as recorded in the latest Census, consisted of 90.9% houses and 9.2% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings). This contrasts with Adelaide metro's figures of 75.2% houses and 24.9% other dwellings. Home ownership in Para Hills was at 33.2%, similar to Adelaide metro, with the remaining dwellings either mortgaged (44.3%) or rented (22.5%). The median monthly mortgage repayment in Para Hills was $1,322, lower than Adelaide metro's average of $1,562. Median weekly rent in Para Hills was recorded at $310, compared to Adelaide metro's figure of $320. Nationally, Para Hills' mortgage repayments are significantly lower than the Australian average of $1,863, while rents are substantially below the national figure of $375.

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

Family households account for 73.6% of all households, including 31.8% couples with children, 26.1% couples without children, and 14.3% single parent families. Non-family households constitute the remaining 26.4%, with lone person households at 23.6% and group households comprising 2.7% of the total. The median household size is 2.6 people, which is larger than the Greater Adelaide average of 2.5.

Educational outcomes in Para Hills fall within the lower quartile nationally, indicating opportunities for improvement in qualification attainment

The area's university qualification rate is 17.5%, significantly lower than Australia's average of 30.4%. Bachelor degrees are the most common at 12.1%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (3.7%) and graduate diplomas (1.7%). Vocational credentials are prevalent, with 37.4% of residents aged 15+ holding them, including advanced diplomas (9.1%) and certificates (28.3%). Educational participation is high, with 28.2% currently enrolled in formal education, comprising 10.4% in primary, 7.1% in secondary, and 4.7% in tertiary education.

Educational participation is notably high, with 28.2% of residents currently enrolled in formal education. This includes 10.4% in primary education, 7.1% in secondary education, and 4.7% pursuing tertiary education.

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

Para Hills has 106 operational public transport stops, all of which are bus services. These stops are served by 32 different routes, offering a total of 2,093 weekly passenger trips. Transport accessibility is deemed good, with residents generally located 207 meters from the nearest stop. As a predominantly residential area, most commuters travel outward. Cars remain the primary mode of transport at 90%, while buses account for 7%. On average, there are 1.5 vehicles per dwelling.

According to the 2021 Census, only 7.3% of residents work from home, which may be influenced by COVID-19 conditions. The service frequency averages 299 trips daily across all routes, translating to roughly 19 weekly trips per individual stop. A map accompanies this data, displaying the 100 nearest stops to the location's central point.

Para Hills's residents are relatively healthy in comparison to broader Australia with the level of common health conditions among the general population somewhat typical, though higher than the nation's average among older cohorts

Para Hills' health metrics are close to national benchmarks. The prevalence of common health conditions among the general population is somewhat typical but higher than the national average among older cohorts. Private health cover is very low at approximately 48% of the total population (~7,502 people), compared to 52.7% across Greater Adelaide and a national average of 55.7%.

The most common medical conditions are arthritis and mental health issues, impacting 8.5% and 8.5% of residents respectively, while 67.2% declare themselves completely clear of medical ailments compared to 67.9% across Greater Adelaide. Working-age residents show an above-average prevalence of chronic health conditions. The area has 17.1% of residents aged 65 and over (2,658 people), which is lower than the 19.2% in Greater Adelaide. Health outcomes among seniors present some challenges but rank lower nationally than the broader population.

Para Hills was found to be more culturally diverse than the vast majority of local markets in Australia, upon assessment of a range of language and cultural background related metrics

Para Hills had a higher cultural diversity than most local areas, with 31.7% of its population born overseas and 25.7% speaking languages other than English at home. Christianity was the dominant religion in Para Hills, accounting for 41.3% of the population. However, the category 'Other' showed the highest overrepresentation, comprising 3.3% compared to 1.8% across Greater Adelaide.

The top three ancestry groups were English (27.4%), Australian (22.6%), and Other (13.3%). Some ethnic groups had notable differences: Polish was at 1.0%, Hungarian at 0.4%, and Lebanese at 0.9%, compared to regional figures of 1.0%, 0.3%, and 0.3% respectively.

Para Hills's population is slightly younger than the national pattern

Para Hills has a median age of 38, closely matching Greater Adelaide's figure of 39 and Australia's median age of 38. Compared to the Greater Adelaide average, Para Hills has an over-representation of the 35-44 age cohort (14.9% locally) and an under-representation of those aged 75-84 (5.8%). Between 2021 and present, the 35-44 age group has increased from 13.6% to 14.9%, while the 5-14 cohort has decreased from 12.9% to 12.0%. By 2041, Para Hills' age profile is projected to change significantly. The 85+ age group is expected to grow by 262 people (77%), from 339 to 602. Notably, the combined 65+ age groups are projected to account for 59% of total population growth, reflecting the area's aging demographic profile. Meanwhile, the 5-14 and 0-4 cohorts are expected to experience population declines.