Port Adelaide
Statistical Area - sa2

Population growth drivers in Port Adelaide are strong compared to national averages based on AreaSearch's ranking of recent, and medium to long-term trends

Port Adelaide's population, as of August 2025, is approximately 12,859. This figure represents an increase of 1,270 people since the 2021 Census, which recorded a population of 11,589. The growth is inferred from the ABS estimated resident population of 12,598 in June 2024 and an additional 306 validated new addresses since the Census date. This results in a population density ratio of 991 persons per square kilometer, comparable to averages across locations assessed by AreaSearch. Port Adelaide's growth rate of 11.0% since the 2021 census exceeds both the state (6.7%) and metropolitan area rates, positioning it as a region with significant population growth. Overseas migration contributed approximately 55.5% of overall population gains during recent periods, although all drivers including interstate migration and natural growth were positive factors.

AreaSearch adopts 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 by age category are used, based on 2021 data and adjusted employing weighted aggregation methods from LGA to SA2 levels. Based on projected demographic shifts, an above median population growth is expected for Australian statistical areas. By 2041, Port Adelaide's population is projected to increase by 2,339 persons, reflecting a total increase of 15.9% over the 17-year period.

AreaSearch assessment of residential development activity positions Port Adelaide among the top 25% of areas assessed nationwide

Port Adelaide has averaged approximately 138 new dwelling approvals annually. The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) produces development approval data on a financial year basis, with 693 homes approved over the past five financial years (between FY-21 and FY-25), and 31 approved so far in FY-26. On average, 1.9 new residents per year have arrived for each new home built over the past five financial years (FY-21 to FY-25). However, this rate has intensified recently, with 4.5 people moving into each dwelling over the past two financial years, indicating growing popularity and potential undersupply. The average expected construction cost value of new homes is $363,000.

Commercial development approvals totaling $52.6 million have been recorded in Port Adelaide during FY-26, suggesting robust local business investment. Compared to Greater Adelaide, Port Adelaide shows moderately higher construction activity, with 40.0% more approvals per person over the five-year period (FY-17 to FY-21). This preserves reasonable buyer options while sustaining existing property demand. However, construction activity has eased recently when measured against the national average, indicating robust developer interest in the area. New building activity in Port Adelaide consists of 44.0% standalone homes and 56.0% medium and high-density housing. This shift towards compact living offers affordable entry pathways and attracts downsizers, investors, and first-time purchasers.

This represents a significant change from the current housing mix, which is currently 65.0% houses, reflecting reduced availability of development sites and addressing shifting lifestyle demands and affordability requirements. With approximately 211 people moving into Port Adelaide for each dwelling approval, the area shows a developing market. Future projections indicate that Port Adelaide will add around 2,040 residents by 2041. At current development rates, new housing supply should comfortably meet demand, providing good conditions for buyers and potentially supporting growth beyond current population projections.

Port Adelaide has moderate levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the top 50% nationally

Changes to local infrastructure significantly influence an area's performance. AreaSearch identified 18 projects likely impacting the area. Notable projects include Quest Hotel Port Adelaide (Second Quest), Large Retail Precinct, Dock One Residential Development, Our Port, and Rosewater Loop Project. The following list details those most relevant.

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

Employment drivers in Port Adelaide are experiencing difficulties, placing it among the bottom 20% of areas assessed across Australia

Port Adelaide has a skilled workforce with essential services sectors well represented. The unemployment rate was 8.5% in June 2021, with an estimated employment growth of 2.2% over the past year.

As of June 2025, 6,310 residents are employed while the unemployment rate is 4.5%, which is 0.5 percentage points higher than Greater Adelaide's rate of 4%. Workforce participation in Port Adelaide is similar to Greater Adelaide's at 61.7%. The leading employment industries among Port Adelaide residents are health care & social assistance, retail trade, and construction. The area has a specialization in manufacturing, with an employment share 1.3 times the regional level.

However, professional & technical services are under-represented, comprising only 4.4% of Port Adelaide's workforce compared to 7.3% in Greater Adelaide. During the year to June 2025, employment levels in Port Adelaide increased by 2.2%, while the labour force grew by 3.2%, resulting in an unemployment rise of 1 percentage point. In contrast, Greater Adelaide saw employment and labour force growth of 2.1% each, with a marginal increase in unemployment. State-level data from Sep-25 shows that SA employment grew by 1.06% year-on-year, adding 9,370 jobs, with the state unemployment rate at 4.5%, broadly in line with the national rate of 4.5%. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May 2025 project a growth of 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Port Adelaide's employment mix suggests local growth of approximately 6.2% over five years and 13.3% over ten years, based on simple weighting extrapolation for illustrative purposes.

Income levels sit below national averages according to AreaSearch assessment

Port Adelaide had a median taxpayer income of $51,984 and an average of $56,987 in the financial year 2022, according to postcode level ATO data aggregated by AreaSearch. This was below the national average, with Greater Adelaide's median income being $52,592 and average income being $64,886. By March 2025, estimates suggest the median income would be approximately $57,614 and the average $63,159, based on Wage Price Index growth of 10.83% since financial year 2022. Census 2021 data shows incomes in Port Adelaide fall between the 17th and 23rd percentiles nationally for households, families, and individuals. Income analysis reveals that 29.9% of locals (3,844 people) have incomes in the $1,500 - 2,999 category, similar to the surrounding region's 31.8%. Housing affordability pressures are severe, with only 81.9% of income remaining, ranking at the 15th percentile.

Port Adelaide displays a diverse mix of dwelling types, with a higher proportion of rental properties than the broader region

Port Adelaide's dwelling structure, as per the latest Census, consisted of 64.9% houses and 35.1% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings). In contrast, Adelaide metro had 69.1% houses and 30.9% other dwellings. Home ownership in Port Adelaide stood at 27.3%, with mortgaged dwellings at 36.8% and rented ones at 35.8%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $1,495, below the Adelaide metro average of $1,517. Median weekly rent was $275, compared to Adelaide metro's $295. Nationally, Port Adelaide's mortgage repayments were significantly lower than the Australian average of $1,863, and rents were substantially below the national figure of $375.

Port Adelaide features high concentrations of lone person households and group households, with a lower-than-average median household size

Family households account for 59.7% of all households, including 23.0% that are couples with children, 21.1% consisting of couples without children, and 13.4% that are single parent families. Non-family households make up the remaining 40.3%, with lone person households at 36.4% and group households comprising 4.0%. The median household size is 2.2 people, which is smaller than the Greater Adelaide average of 2.3.

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

The area's university qualification rate in 2016 was 20.3%, significantly lower than the Australian average of 30.4%. This presents both a challenge and an opportunity for targeted educational initiatives. Bachelor degrees were most common at 14.4%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (3.9%) and graduate diplomas (2.0%). Vocational credentials were prevalent, with 34.0% of residents aged 15+ holding them - advanced diplomas accounted for 8.8% while certificates made up 25.2%.

Educational participation was high at 25.7%, including 8.5% in primary education, 6.1% in secondary education, and 5.0% pursuing tertiary education. Port Adelaide's four schools had a combined enrollment of 1,552 students as of 2021. The area demonstrated typical Australian school conditions (ICSEA: 998) with balanced educational opportunities. Educational provision was split between two primary and two secondary institutions. School capacity exceeded residential needs (12.1 places per 100 residents vs 8.9 regionally), indicating the area served as an educational center for the broader region. Note: where schools show 'n/a' for enrolments, please refer to the parent campus.

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

Port Adelaide has 96 active public transport stops. These stops offer a mix of train and bus services, with 28 different routes operating in total. Each week, these routes provide 2,309 passenger trips collectively.

The average distance between residents' homes and the nearest transport stop is 189 meters, indicating excellent accessibility. On average, there are 329 trips per day across all routes, which translates to approximately 24 weekly trips per individual stop.

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

Port Adelaide faces significant health challenges, with common health conditions prevalent across both younger and older age cohorts. The rate of private health cover is very low at approximately 48% of the total population (~6,210 people), compared to the national average of 55.3%.

The most common medical conditions in the area are mental health issues and arthritis, impacting 10.0 and 9.1% of residents respectively. Conversely, 64.8% of residents declare themselves completely clear of medical ailments, compared to 66.1% across Greater Adelaide. As of 2021, 19.2% of Port Adelaide's residents are aged 65 and over (2,472 people). Health outcomes among seniors present some challenges, broadly in line with the general population's health profile.

Port Adelaide 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

Port Adelaide's population shows higher cultural diversity than most local areas, with 28.8% born overseas and 27.1% speaking languages other than English at home. Christianity is the predominant religion in Port Adelaide, accounting for 42.3%. Notably, Buddhism appears more prevalent in Port Adelaide at 5.5%, compared to Greater Adelaide's 6.1%.

In terms of ancestry, the top groups are English (23.8%), Australian (20.9%), and Other (8.8%). Some ethnic groups show significant differences: Russian is overrepresented at 1.8% in Port Adelaide versus 0.6% regionally, Polish at 1.8% versus 1.4%, and Vietnamese at 5.2% versus 5.9%.

Port Adelaide's median age exceeds the national pattern

The median age in Port Adelaide is 41 years, which is higher than Greater Adelaide's average of 39 and also exceeds the national average of 38 years. The age profile shows that individuals aged 65-74 are particularly prominent, comprising 11.2% of the population, while those aged 5-14 are comparatively smaller at 9.5%. Between 2021 and present, the proportion of individuals aged 35 to 44 has grown from 13.5% to 15.1%, whereas the age groups 55 to 64 have declined from 14.7% to 12.9% and those aged 45 to 54 have dropped from 13.3% to 12.2%. By the year 2041, demographic projections indicate significant shifts in Port Adelaide's age structure. The number of individuals aged 75-84 is projected to rise substantially by 518 people (an increase of 70%), from 739 to 1,258. Meanwhile, the age group of 5-14 is expected to grow modestly by 3%, an increase of 34 people.