Parafield Gardens

Population growth drivers in Parafield Gardens are above average based on AreaSearch's ranking of recent, and medium to long-term trends

Based on AreaSearch's analysis, Parafield Gardens's population is around 18,634 as of Feb 2026. This reflects an increase of 167 people (0.9%) since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 18,467 people. The change is inferred from the estimated resident population of 18,614 from the ABS as of June 2024 and an additional 81 validated new addresses since the Census date. This population level equates to a density ratio of 2,650 persons per square kilometer, placing it in the upper quartile relative to national locations assessed by AreaSearch. Over the past decade, Parafield Gardens has demonstrated resilient growth patterns with a 1.3% compound annual growth rate, outpacing the SA3 area. Population growth for the area was primarily driven by overseas migration, which contributed approximately 65.5% of overall population gains during recent periods.

AreaSearch adopts ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area, as released in 2024 with 2022 as the base year. For any SA2 areas not covered by this data, and for years post-2032, the SA State Government's Regional/LGA projections by age category, released in 2023 and based on 2021 data, are adopted with adjustments made employing a method of weighted aggregation of population growth from LGA to SA2 levels. Regarding demographic trends, lower quartile growth of statistical areas across the nation is anticipated, with the area expected to grow by 846 persons to 2041 based on the latest annual ERP population numbers, reflecting an increase of 4.4% in total over the 17 years.

Residential development activity is lower than average in Parafield Gardens according to AreaSearch's national comparison of local real estate markets

Parafield Gardens has averaged around 65 new dwelling approvals each year, with 325 homes approved over the past 5 financial years (between FY-21 and FY-25) and 34 so far in FY-26. With an average of only 0.5 people per year moving to the area for each dwelling built over the past 5 financial years (between FY-21 and FY-25), new supply is keeping pace with or exceeding demand, offering ample buyer choice and creating capacity for population growth beyond current forecasts, while new homes are being built at an average value of $155,000—below the regional average—suggesting more affordable housing options for buyers. There have also been $13.6 million in commercial approvals this financial year, suggesting balanced commercial development activity.

Relative to Greater Adelaide, Parafield Gardens maintains similar construction rates (per person), preserving market equilibrium consistent with surrounding areas. This is likewise lower than nationally, reflecting market maturity and pointing to possible development constraints. New building activity shows 85.0% standalone homes and 15.0% townhouses or apartments, sustaining the area's suburban identity with a concentration of family homes suited to buyers seeking space. With around 478 people per dwelling approval, Parafield Gardens shows a developed market.

Future projections show Parafield Gardens adding 826 residents by 2041 (from the latest AreaSearch quarterly estimate). At current development rates, new housing supply should comfortably meet demand, providing good conditions for buyers and potentially supporting growth beyond current population projections.

Parafield Gardens has limited levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the 8thth percentile nationally

Nothing can influence an area's performance as much as changes to local infrastructure, major projects, and planning initiatives. In total 15 projects have been identified by AreaSearch that are likely to have an impact on the area. Key projects include The Glades, Parafield Gardens (Stage 8+), Mawson Lakes Road Management Plan, Public Housing Builds in Parafield Gardens, and Gardenia Drive Aged Care Expansion, with the list below detailing those likely to be of most relevance.

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.

Parafield Gardens shows employment indicators that trail behind approximately 70% of regions assessed across Australia

Parafield Gardens features a skilled workforce, with manufacturing and industrial sectors strongly represented, an unemployment rate of 5.7%, and 1.3% in estimated employment growth over the past year. As of December 2025, 8,412 residents are in work, while the unemployment rate is 1.9% above Greater Adelaide's rate of 3.8%, and workforce participation lags significantly (59.4% compared to Greater Adelaide's 67.2%). Based on Census responses, a low 5.4% of residents were found to work from home, though Covid-19 lockdown impacts should be considered.

The key industries of employment among residents are health care & social assistance, manufacturing, and retail trade. The area demonstrates a particularly notable concentration in manufacturing, with employment levels at 1.6 times the regional average. Conversely, professional & technical services show lower representation at 3.6% versus the regional average of 7.3%. The predominantly residential area appears to offer limited employment opportunities locally, as indicated by the count of the Census working population versus the resident population.

Based on AreaSearch analysis of SALM and ABS data, the 12-month period saw employment increasing by 1.3% alongside the labour force increasing by 1.0%, causing the unemployment rate to fall by 0.3 percentage points. This compares to Greater Adelaide, where employment grew by 4.2%, the labour force expanded by 3.9%, and unemployment fell 0.3 percentage points. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May-25 can offer further insight into potential future demand within Parafield Gardens. These projections, covering five and ten-year periods, have been mapped against the local employment profile to estimate growth patterns. While national employment is forecast to expand by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, growth rates differ significantly between industry sectors. Applying these industry-specific projections to Parafield Gardens's employment mix suggests local employment should increase by 6.0% over five years and 12.9% over ten years (please note this is a simple weighting extrapolation for illustrative purposes and does not take into account localised population projections).

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

According to AreaSearch's aggregation of the latest postcode level ATO data released for FY-23, the Parafield Gardens SA2 had a median income among taxpayers of $47,662 with the average level standing at $51,991. This is below the national average and compares to levels of $54,808 and $66,852 across Greater Adelaide respectively. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 8.8% since FY-23, current estimates would be approximately $51,856 (median) and $56,566 (average) as of September 2025. According to 2021 Census figures, household income ranks at the 27th percentile ($1,384 weekly), while personal income sits at the 10th percentile. Distribution data shows 34.4% of the population (6,410 individuals) fall within the $1,500 - 2,999 income range, reflecting patterns seen at regional levels where 31.8% similarly occupy this range. Housing affordability pressures are severe, with only 84.0% of income remaining, ranking at the 27th percentile.

Parafield Gardens is characterized by a predominantly suburban housing profile, with ownership patterns similar to the broader region

Dwelling structure within Parafield Gardens, as evaluated at the latest Census, comprised 89.5% houses and 10.5% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings), in comparison to Adelaide metro's 75.2% houses and 24.9% other dwellings. Meanwhile, the level of home ownership within Parafield Gardens lagged that of Adelaide metro, at 28.8%, with the remainder of dwellings either mortgaged (41.9%) or rented (29.3%). The median monthly mortgage repayment in the area was well below the Adelaide metro average at $1,382, while the median weekly rent figure was recorded at $300, compared to Adelaide metro's $1,562 and $320. Nationally, Parafield Gardens's mortgage repayments are significantly lower than the Australian average of $1,863, while rents are substantially below the national figure of $375.

Parafield Gardens has a typical household mix, with a higher-than-average median household size

Family households dominate at 76.8% of all households, comprising 38.1% couples with children, 21.9% couples without children, and 15.2% single parent families. Non-family households make up the remaining 23.2%, with lone person households at 20.4% and group households comprising 2.7% of the total. The median household size of 2.9 people is larger than the Greater Adelaide average of 2.5.

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

The area faces educational challenges, with university qualification rates (18.9%) substantially below the Australian average of 30.4%. This represents both a challenge and an opportunity for targeted educational initiatives. Bachelor degrees lead at 13.2%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (4.4%) and graduate diplomas (1.3%). Trade and technical skills feature prominently, with 29.6% of residents aged 15+ holding vocational credentials, including advanced diplomas (7.5%) and certificates (22.1%).

Educational participation is notably high, with 31.1% of residents currently enrolled in formal education. This includes 11.8% in primary education, 7.4% in secondary education, and 5.3% pursuing tertiary education.

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

Public transport analysis reveals 71 active transport stops operating within Parafield Gardens, comprising a mix of trains and buses. These stops are serviced by 18 individual routes, collectively providing 1,098 weekly passenger trips. Transport accessibility is rated as good, with residents typically located 206 meters from the nearest transport stop. As a primarily residential area, most residents commute outward; the car remains the dominant mode at 91%, with 5% by bus. Vehicle ownership averages 1.5 per dwelling. A relatively low 5.4% of residents work from home (2021 Census; may reflect COVID-19 conditions).

Service frequency averages 156 trips per day across all routes, equating to approximately 15 weekly trips per individual stop.

Health performance in Parafield Gardens is lower than average with common health conditions somewhat prevalent across the board, though to a slightly higher degree among older age cohorts

Parafield Gardens faces significant health challenges, based on AreaSearch's assessment of mortality rates and chronic condition prevalence. Common health conditions are somewhat prevalent across the board, though to a slightly higher degree among older age cohorts, and the rate of private health cover is extremely low at approximately 46% of the total population (~8,534 people). This compares to 52.7% across Greater Adelaide. The national average is 55.7%.

The most common medical conditions in the area are asthma and arthritis, impacting 8.0 and 7.8% of residents, respectively, while 70.2% declared themselves as 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 16.4% of residents aged 65 and over (3,052 people), which is lower than the 19.3% in Greater Adelaide. Health outcomes among seniors present some challenges, though ranking lower nationally than the broader population.

Parafield Gardens is among the most culturally diverse areas in the country based on AreaSearch assessment of a range of language and cultural background related metrics

Parafield Gardens scores highly on cultural diversity, with 42.5% of its population born overseas and 46.3% speaking a language other than English at home. The main religion in Parafield Gardens is Christianity, which makes up 36.4% of the population. However, the most apparent overrepresentation is in Buddhism, which comprises 7.6% of the population, substantially higher than the Greater Adelaide average of 2.4%.

In terms of ancestry (country of birth of parents), the top three represented groups in Parafield Gardens are Other, comprising 22.4% of the population, which is substantially higher than the regional average of 9.7%, English, comprising 20.2% of the population, which is notably lower than the regional average of 27.8%, and Australian, comprising 19.3% of the population. Additionally, there are notable divergences in the representation of certain other ethnic groups: Vietnamese is notably overrepresented at 5.9% of Parafield Gardens (vs 1.2% regionally), Polish at 1.3% (vs 1.0%), and Indian at 6.1% (vs 2.3%).

Parafield Gardens's population is slightly younger than the national pattern

The 36-year median age in Parafield Gardens is modestly under Greater Adelaide's average of 39 and also modestly under the Australian median of 38. Relative to Greater Adelaide, Parafield Gardens has a higher concentration of 5 - 14 residents (13.0%) but fewer 75 - 84 year-olds (5.5%). Since the 2021 Census, the 75 to 84 age group has grown from 4.7% to 5.5% of the population. Conversely, the 5 to 14 cohort has declined from 14.0% to 13.0%. By 2041, Parafield Gardens is expected to see notable shifts in its age composition. Leading the demographic shift, the 45 to 54 group will grow by 14% (289 people), reaching 2,365 from 2,075. The aging population dynamic is clear, with those 65+ comprising 67% of projected growth. On the other hand, population declines are projected for the 25 to 34 and 0 to 4 cohorts.