Prospect
Statistical Area - sa2

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

Prospect's population, as of August 2025, is approximately 16,896. This figure represents a growth of 1,111 people since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 15,785. The increase is inferred from the estimated resident population of 16,746 in June 2024 and an additional 197 validated new addresses since the Census date. This results in a population density ratio of 3,083 persons per square kilometer, placing Prospect in the upper quartile relative to other locations assessed by AreaSearch. Prospect's growth rate of 7.0% since the 2021 census exceeds both the SA3 area (5.9%) and the state level, indicating it as a region of significant population growth. This growth was primarily driven by overseas migration, contributing approximately 84.6% of overall population gains during recent periods.

AreaSearch adopts ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area, released in 2024 with a base year of 2022. For areas not covered and years post-2032, the SA State Government's Regional/LGA projections by age category are used, based on 2021 data and adjusted employing a method of weighted aggregation from LGA to SA2 levels. Based on demographic trends and latest population numbers, Prospect is projected to grow by 3,676 persons to 2041, marking an increase of approximately 20.9% over the 17-year period.

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

Prospect has recorded approximately 133 residential properties granted approval annually. The Australian Bureau of Statistics produces development approval data on a financial year basis, totalling 669 approvals between FY-21 and FY-25, with 4 approvals so far in FY-26. Over the past five financial years, an average of 1.9 people have moved to the area for each dwelling built. This suggests a balanced supply and demand, maintaining stable market conditions.

The average construction cost value of new homes is $382,000. In FY-26, $43.2 million in commercial approvals have been registered, indicating high levels of local commercial activity. Compared to Greater Adelaide, Prospect has recorded 16.0% higher construction activity per person over the past five years. This balances buyer choice while supporting current property values. New building activity comprises 18.0% standalone homes and 82.0% townhouses or apartments, promoting higher-density living and affordability for downsizers, investors, and first-home buyers.

This represents a significant shift from the current housing mix of 69.0% houses, reflecting reduced development site availability and evolving lifestyle demands. The area has approximately 179 people per dwelling approval, indicating market expansion. By 2041, Prospect is projected to grow by 3,523 residents. Current development appears well-suited to meet future needs, supporting steady market conditions without extreme price pressure.

Prospect has emerging levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the 25thth percentile nationally

Changes to local infrastructure significantly affect an area's performance. AreaSearch has identified thirteen projects expected to impact this region. Notable projects include Prospect Corner, Prospect Lifestyle Precinct, Uniting on Devonport (UnitingSA Prospect Housing), and 110 Hawker Street, Ridleyton. The following list details those most relevant.

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

AreaSearch analysis places Prospect well above average for employment performance across multiple indicators

Prospect's workforce is highly educated with significant representation in essential services sectors. Its unemployment rate was 2.8% as of the past year, with an estimated employment growth of 1.6%.

As of June 2025, 10,175 residents were employed, with an unemployment rate of 1.2%, lower than Greater Adelaide's 4.0%. Workforce participation was high at 69.5% compared to Greater Adelaide's 61.7%. Key industries of employment among residents were health care & social assistance, education & training, and professional & technical services. Notably, professional & technical services had employment levels at 1.3 times the regional average, while construction showed lower representation at 6.9% versus the regional average of 8.7%.

AreaSearch analysis from June 2025 showed employment levels increased by 1.6%, labour force by 1.7%, with unemployment remaining largely unchanged. In comparison, Greater Adelaide recorded employment growth of 2.1% and labour force growth of 2.1%, with a marginal rise in unemployment. State-level data to Sep-25 showed SA employment grew by 1.06% year-on-year, adding 9,370 jobs, with the state unemployment rate at 4.5%. National forecasts from Jobs and Skills Australia projected national employment growth of 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Prospect's employment mix suggested local growth of approximately 6.8% over five years and 14.1% over ten years, though these are simple extrapolations for illustrative purposes.

The area exhibits notably strong income performance, ranking higher than 70% of areas assessed nationally through AreaSearch analysis

Prospect had a median income among taxpayers of $58,263 in financial year 2022. The average level was $77,355 during the same period. Nationally, these figures are significantly higher than the median and average incomes of $52,592 and $64,886 respectively across Greater Adelaide. Based on a Wage Price Index growth rate of 10.83% since financial year 2022, estimated current incomes as of March 2025 would be approximately $64,573 (median) and $85,733 (average). According to the 2021 Census figures, household, family, and personal incomes in Prospect are at the 71st percentile nationally. Income distribution shows that 32.4% of the population, equating to 5,474 individuals, fall within the $1,500 - $2,999 income range. This is similar to regional patterns where 31.8% occupy this income range. Housing expenses account for 13.6% of income. Strong earnings place residents within the 71st percentile for disposable income. The area's SEIFA income ranking places it in the 8th decile.

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

Prospect's dwelling structure, as per the latest Census, consisted of 68.6% houses and 31.4% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings), compared to Adelaide metro's 66.2% houses and 33.7% other dwellings. Home ownership in Prospect stood at 31.0%, with mortgaged dwellings at 34.2% and rented ones at 34.8%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $1,950, below Adelaide metro's average of $2,000. The median weekly rent was $350, compared to Adelaide metro's $345. Nationally, Prospect's mortgage repayments were higher than the Australian average of $1,863, while rents were lower than the national figure of $375.

Prospect features high concentrations of group households, with a fairly typical median household size

Family households constitute 67.7% of all households, including 32.2% couples with children, 25.4% couples without children, and 8.5% single parent families. Non-family households comprise the remaining 32.3%, with lone person households at 26.2% and group households making up 6.2%. The median household size is 2.5 people, which matches the Greater Adelaide average.

The educational profile of Prospect exceeds national averages, with above-average qualification levels and academic performance metrics

Educational attainment in Prospect is notably higher than broader benchmarks. 43.7% of residents aged 15+ have university qualifications, compared to 25.7% in South Australia (SA) and 28.9% in the Greater Adelaide area. This educational advantage positions Prospect strongly for knowledge-based opportunities. Bachelor degrees are the most common at 28.0%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (11.4%) and graduate diplomas (4.3%).

Trade and technical skills are also prominent, with 25.0% of residents aged 15+ holding vocational credentials – advanced diplomas (10.0%) and certificates (15.0%). Educational participation is high, with 31.1% of residents currently enrolled in formal education. This includes 10.2% in primary education, 8.6% in tertiary education, and 6.3% pursuing secondary education. A robust network of 6 schools operates within Prospect, educating approximately 2,387 students as of a recent report. Prospect demonstrates above-average socio-educational conditions, with an ICSEA score of 1063. The educational mix includes 3 primary schools, 2 secondary schools, and 1 K-12 school.

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

Prospect has 65 active public transport stops, serving a mix of train and bus routes. These are operated by 32 individual routes, collectively providing 2,891 weekly passenger trips. Residents have excellent transport accessibility, with an average distance of 194 meters to the nearest stop.

Service frequency averages 413 trips per day across all routes, equating to approximately 44 weekly trips per stop.

Prospect's residents are extremely healthy with prevalence of common health conditions low among the general population and nearer the nation's average across older, at risk cohorts

Analysis shows strong health metrics across Prospect. Common health conditions' prevalence is low among the general population, nearing national averages for older, at-risk cohorts.

Private health cover rate is high at 59% (9,934 people), compared to Greater Adelaide's 64%. Mental health issues and asthma are most common, affecting 7.7% and 6.7% respectively. 73.4% report no medical ailments, similar to Greater Adelaide's 72.6%. Prospect has 15.0% seniors (2,534 people), lower than Greater Adelaide's 17.9%. Senior health outcomes require more attention despite being above average.

Prospect 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

Prospect's population, as per the Australian Bureau of Statistics Census Data from June 2016, showed 30.2% were born overseas, with 30.4% speaking a language other than English at home. Christianity was the predominant religion in Prospect, accounting for 45.9%. The 'Other' category comprised 2.1%, slightly higher than Greater Adelaide's 1.9%.

Regarding ancestry, the top three groups were English (21.7%), Australian (19.0%), and Other (10.3%). Notably, Greek (5.3% vs regional 4.3%), Vietnamese (3.6% vs 2.7%), and Polish (1.2% vs 1.1%) populations were overrepresented in Prospect compared to Greater Adelaide.

Prospect's population is slightly younger than the national pattern

The median age in Prospect is 37 years, which is lower than Greater Adelaide's average of 39 years and very close to the national average of 38 years. The 25-34 cohort is notably over-represented in Prospect at 17.2%, compared to Greater Adelaide's average. Meanwhile, the 75-84 year-olds are under-represented at 4.2%. According to post-2021 Census data, the 15 to 24 age group has increased from 12.5% to 13.4% of Prospect's population, while the 55 to 64 cohort has declined from 11.9% to 10.5%. Population forecasts for the year 2041 indicate substantial demographic changes in Prospect. Notably, the 45 to 54 age group is expected to grow by 31%, adding 646 people and reaching a total of 2,704 from its previous count of 2,057.