Pooraka - Cavan
Statistical Area - sa2

An assessment of population growth drivers in Pooraka - Cavan reveals an overall ranking slightly below national averages considering recent, and medium term trends

As of August 2025, Pooraka - Cavan's population is approximately 8,371, marking a 3.6% increase from the 2021 Census figure of 8,080 people. This growth is inferred from the estimated resident population of 8,371 in June 2024 and an additional 34 validated new addresses since the Census date. The population density stands at 1,117 persons per square kilometer, aligning with averages across assessed locations. Pooraka - Cavan's growth rate is competitive, being within 0.1 percentage points of the SA3 area (3.7%). Overseas migration contributed approximately 67.6% to recent population gains in the area. AreaSearch employs 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, SA State Government's Regional/LGA projections are used, adjusted via weighted aggregation from LGA to SA2 levels. Demographic trends indicate an expected population increase below the national median statistical areas' average by 2041, with Pooraka - Cavan projected to expand by 636 persons, representing a total gain of 7.6% over the 17 years.

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

Pooraka - Cavan has seen approximately 31 new home approvals annually. The Australian Bureau of Statistics produces development approval data on a financial year basis, totalling 155 approvals between the financial years 2021 and 2025. As of June 2026, there have been 11 approvals this financial year. On average, over the past five financial years, 1.8 new residents have arrived per new home approved.

This balance between supply and demand supports stable market conditions. The average construction cost value for new homes is $283,000, which is below regional levels, indicating more affordable housing options for buyers. In the current financial year, $20.1 million in commercial development approvals have been recorded, suggesting balanced commercial development activity in the area.

Compared to Greater Adelaide, Pooraka - Cavan shows comparable building activity per capita, maintaining market equilibrium consistent with surrounding areas. The new building activity comprises 73.0% standalone homes and 27.0% townhouses or apartments, preserving the area's suburban nature with an emphasis on detached housing that attracts space-seeking buyers. With around 348 people per dwelling approval, Pooraka - Cavan indicates a developed market. Looking ahead, projections suggest the area will grow by approximately 636 residents by the year 2041. Given current construction levels, housing supply is expected to adequately meet demand, creating favourable conditions for buyers while potentially facilitating growth that exceeds current forecasts.

Pooraka - Cavan has emerging levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the 33rdth percentile nationally

Twelve projects have been identified by AreaSearch as potentially impacting the area's performance. Key projects include Mawson Lakes Technology Precinct Expansion, Northern Suburbs High School at Eyre, Walkleys Road Corridor Housing Development, and SDA High Physical Support Home in Ingle Farm. The following list details those considered most relevant.

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

Employment performance in Pooraka - Cavan has been below expectations when compared to most other areas nationally

Pooraka - Cavan has a skilled workforce with notable representation in essential services sectors. The unemployment rate was 5.1% as of June 2025.

Employment growth over the past year was estimated at 1.1%. There were 4,010 residents employed while the unemployment rate was 1.1% higher than Greater Adelaide's rate of 4.0%. Workforce participation was lower at 57.7% compared to Greater Adelaide's 61.7%. Employment is concentrated in health care & social assistance, manufacturing, and retail trade.

Manufacturing employment levels are particularly high, at 1.5 times the regional average. Education & training is under-represented with only 7.0% of workforce compared to 9.3% in Greater Adelaide. The worker-to-resident ratio was substantial at 0.9 as at the Census. Between June 2024 and June 2025, employment levels increased by 1.1% while labour force grew by 1.3%, leading to a slight rise in unemployment rate of 0.1 percentage points. In contrast, Greater Adelaide saw employment growth of 2.1%. State-level data from Sep-25 shows SA employment grew by 1.06% year-on-year with an unemployment rate of 4.5%, aligning with the national rate of 4.5%. National employment forecasts project a 6.6% increase over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Pooraka - Cavan's employment mix suggests local growth could be approximately 6.1%% over five years and 13.2% over ten years, though this is an illustrative extrapolation not accounting for localized population projections.

Income levels sit below national averages according to AreaSearch assessment

AreaSearch's latest postcode level ATO data for financial year 2022 shows Pooraka - Cavan's median income among taxpayers is $52,047, with an average of $59,831. This is lower than the national average and compares to Greater Adelaide's median of $52,592 and average of $64,886. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 10.83% since financial year 2022, current estimates would be approximately $57,684 (median) and $66,311 (average) as of March 2025. Census data reveals household, family and personal incomes in Pooraka - Cavan all fall between the 11th and 18th percentiles nationally. The data shows the $1,500 - $2,999 earnings band captures 31.2% of the community (2,611 individuals), reflecting patterns seen in the region where 31.8% similarly occupy this range. Housing affordability pressures are severe, with only 83.9% of income remaining after housing costs, ranking at the 18th percentile.

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

In Pooraka - Cavan, as per the latest Census evaluation, 85.9% of dwellings were houses, with the remaining 14.0% consisting of semi-detached units, apartments, and other types. In comparison, Adelaide metro had 83.9% houses and 16.0% other dwellings. Home ownership in Pooraka - Cavan stood at 33.1%, with mortgaged dwellings at 36.3% and rented ones at 30.6%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $1,335, higher than Adelaide metro's average of $1,300. The median weekly rent in Pooraka - Cavan was $300, matching Adelaide metro's figure. Nationally, Pooraka - Cavan's mortgage repayments were lower at $1,335 compared to Australia's average of $1,863, and rents were substantially lower at $300 versus the national average of $375.

Pooraka - Cavan has a typical household mix, with a lower-than-average median household size

Family households constitute 67.9% of all households, including 30.4% couples with children, 22.3% couples without children, and 13.6% single parent families. Non-family households account for the remaining 32.1%, composed of 28.4% lone person households and 3.6% group households. The median household size is 2.5 people, which is smaller than the Greater Adelaide average of 2.7.

Educational outcomes in Pooraka - Cavan fall within the lower quartile nationally, indicating opportunities for improvement in qualification attainment

In Pooraka-Cavan region, 20.5% of residents aged 15 and above hold university degrees, compared to Australia's 30.4%. Bachelor degrees are the most common at 13.4%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (5.8%) and graduate diplomas (1.3%). Vocational credentials are also prevalent, with 31.1% of residents holding such qualifications - advanced diplomas at 8.4% and certificates at 22.7%. Educational participation is high, with 29.1% of residents currently enrolled in formal education: primary (9.6%), secondary (7.0%), and tertiary (5.7%).

The region has three schools with a combined enrollment of 202 students, offering balanced educational opportunities (ICSEA score: 972). It includes one primary school and two K-12 schools. School capacity is limited, with 2.4 places per 100 residents compared to the regional average of 13.9, leading many families to travel for schooling.

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

The analysis of public transport in Pooraka - Cavan shows that there are 71 active transport stops currently operating. These stops serve a mix of bus routes, with a total of 39 individual routes providing service to the area. The collective weekly passenger trips facilitated by these routes amount to 2,352.

Residents in this region enjoy excellent transport accessibility, with an average distance of 149 meters to the nearest transport stop. The service frequency across all routes averages at 336 trips per day, which equates to approximately 33 weekly trips per individual stop.

Health performance in Pooraka - Cavan is lower than average with common health conditions somewhat prevalent across both younger and older age cohorts

Pooraka - Cavan faces significant health challenges. Common health conditions are somewhat prevalent across both younger and older age cohorts. The rate of private health cover is relatively low at approximately 50% of the total population (~4143 people), compared to 47.1% across Greater Adelaide, which is lower than the national average of 55.3%.

The most common medical conditions in the area are mental health issues and arthritis, impacting 8.1 and 7.9% of residents respectively. Meanwhile, 69.0% of residents declare themselves completely clear of medical ailments, compared to 68.1% across Greater Adelaide. The area has 18.4% of residents aged 65 and over (1538 people), which is higher than the 16.1% in Greater Adelaide. Health outcomes among seniors present some challenges, broadly in line with the general population's health profile.

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

Pooraka-Cavan has high cultural diversity, with 39.8% of its population born overseas and 41.6% speaking a language other than English at home. The predominant religion is Christianity, accounting for 43.1%. Notably, the 'Other' category comprises 4.0%, higher than Greater Adelaide's 2.8%.

Top ancestry groups include English (20.5%), Australian (19.0%), and Other (17.9%). Vietnamese (6.7%) Polish (1.4%) and Serbian (0.8%) are overrepresented compared to regional averages of 3.1%, 1.1% and 0.5% respectively.

Pooraka - Cavan's population is slightly younger than the national pattern

The median age in Pooraka - Cavan is 38, closely matching Greater Adelaide's figure of 39 and Australia's median age of 38. The 25-34 age group comprises 15.2% of the local population, higher than the Greater Adelaide average, while those aged 75-84 make up 5.8%, lower than the average. Between 2021 and present, the proportion of 25-34 year-olds has increased from 14.3% to 15.2%. Conversely, the 45-54 age group has decreased from 12.1% to 11.2%. By 2041, demographic projections indicate significant changes in Pooraka - Cavan's age profile. The 75-84 age cohort is expected to grow by 202 people (42%), from 485 to 688. Notably, the combined 65+ age groups are projected to account for 61% of total population growth, reflecting the area's aging demographic trend. Meanwhile, the 5-14 age cohort is projected to decline by 16 people.