Richmond (SA)

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

Based on AreaSearch's analysis, Richmond's population is around 18,547 as of Feb 2026. This reflects an increase of 1,525 people (9.0%) since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 17,022 people. The change is inferred from the estimated resident population of 18,248 from the ABS as of June 2024 and an additional 201 validated new addresses since the Census date. This population level equates to a density ratio of 2,076 persons per square kilometer, which is above the average seen across national locations assessed by AreaSearch. Richmond's 9.0% growth since the census positions it within 0.6 percentage points of Greater Adelaide (9.6%), demonstrating competitive growth fundamentals. Population growth for the area was primarily driven by overseas migration, which contributed approximately 89.2% of overall population gains during recent periods.

AreaSearch is adopting 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. As we examine future population trends, an above-median population growth of national areas is projected, with the area expected to grow by 3,122 persons to 2041 based on the latest annual ERP population numbers, reflecting an increase of 15.2% in total over the 17 years.

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

Richmond has seen around 87 new homes approved each year, with 436 homes approved over the past 5 financial years (between FY-21 and FY-25) and 74 so far in FY-26. With an average of 2.2 people per year moving to the area per new home constructed over the past 5 financial years (between FY-21 and FY-25), indicating healthy demand that should support property values, new homes are being built at an average value of $264,000. Additionally, $114.3 million in commercial approvals have been registered this financial year, indicating strong commercial development momentum.

Relative to Greater Adelaide, Richmond records about three-quarters of the building activity per person while it places in the 71st percentile of areas assessed nationally. New building activity consists of 54.0% detached houses and 46.0% medium and high-density housing, featuring an increasing blend of attached housing types offering choices across price ranges, from spacious family homes to more accessible compact options. With around 182 people per dwelling approval, Richmond shows characteristics of a growth area.

Population forecasts indicate Richmond will gain 2,823 residents through to 2041 (from the latest AreaSearch quarterly estimate). Development is keeping a reasonable pace with projected growth, though buyers may face increasing competition as the population expands.

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

Nothing can influence an area's performance as much as changes to local infrastructure, major projects, and planning initiatives. In total 13 projects have been identified by AreaSearch that are likely to have an impact on the area. Key projects include Southwark Grounds (Thebarton Technology Hub), North South Corridor, Southwark Grounds, and Frank Norton Reserve Redevelopment, 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.

Richmond ranks among the top 25% of areas assessed nationally for overall employment performance

Richmond possesses a well-educated workforce, with essential services sectors well represented, an unemployment rate of only 3.1%, and 6.4% in estimated employment growth over the past year. As of December 2025, 11,359 residents are in work, while the unemployment rate is 0.7% below Greater Adelaide's rate of 3.8%, and workforce participation is well beyond standard (73.6% compared to Greater Adelaide's 67.2%). Based on Census responses, a low 10.7% of residents were found to work from home, though Covid-19 lockdown impacts should be considered.

Leading employment industries among residents comprise health care & social assistance, retail trade, and accommodation & food. The area shows particularly strong specialization in accommodation & food, with an employment share of 1.4 times the regional level. Conversely, construction shows lower representation at 6.7% versus the regional average of 8.7%. With 1.2 workers for every resident, as at the Census, the area functions as an employment hub, hosting more jobs than residents and attracting workers from surrounding areas.

Based on AreaSearch analysis of SALM and ABS data, over the 12 months to December 2025, employment increased by 6.4% while the labour force increased by 5.6%, resulting in unemployment falling by 0.7 percentage points. In contrast, Greater Adelaide experienced employment growth of 4.2% and labour force growth of 3.9%, with a 0.3 percentage point drop. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May-25 can offer further insight into potential future demand within Richmond. 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 Richmond's employment mix suggests local employment should increase by 6.8% over five years and 14.1% over ten years (please note this is a simple weighting extrapolation for illustrative purposes and does not take into account localised population projections).

Income levels align closely with national averages, indicating typical economic conditions for Australian communities according to AreaSearch analysis

As per AreaSearch's latest postcode level ATO data released for FY-23, the Richmond SA2's median income among taxpayers is $55,517, with an average of $64,885. This is below the national average, and compares to Greater Adelaide's median of $54,808 and average of $66,852. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 8.8% since FY-23, current estimates would be approximately $60,402 (median) and $70,595 (average) as of September 2025. According to 2021 Census figures, household, family and personal incomes all rank modestly in Richmond, between the 38th and 43rd percentiles. Distribution data shows the predominant cohort spans 31.6% of locals (5,860 people) in the $1,500 - 2,999 category, mirroring regional levels where 31.8% occupy this bracket. Housing affordability pressures are severe, with only 83.5% of income remaining, ranking at the 39th percentile, and the area's SEIFA income ranking places it in the 5th decile.

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

Dwelling structure within Richmond, as evaluated at the latest Census, comprised 66.2% houses and 33.8% 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 Richmond lagged that of Adelaide metro, at 27.9%, with the remainder of dwellings either mortgaged (29.3%) or rented (42.8%). The median monthly mortgage repayment in the area was well above the Adelaide metro average at $1,733, while the median weekly rent figure was recorded at $325, compared to Adelaide metro's $1,562 and $320. Nationally, Richmond's mortgage repayments are lower than the Australian average of $1,863, while rents are substantially below the national figure of $375.

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

Family households dominate at 59.3% of all households, comprising 23.0% couples with children, 23.5% couples without children, and 10.9% single parent families. Non-family households make up the remaining 40.7%, with lone person households at 31.6% and group households comprising 9.1% of the total. The median household size of 2.3 people is smaller than the Greater Adelaide average of 2.5.

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

Educational attainment in Richmond significantly surpasses broader benchmarks, with 37.5% of residents aged 15+ holding university qualifications compared to 25.7% in SA and 28.9% in Greater Adelaide. This substantial educational advantage positions the area strongly for knowledge-based opportunities. Bachelor degrees lead at 24.9%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (9.3%) and graduate diplomas (3.3%). Trade and technical skills feature prominently, with 26.0% of residents aged 15+ holding vocational credentials, including advanced diplomas (9.3%) and certificates (16.7%).

Educational participation is notably high, with 28.1% of residents aged 15+ currently enrolled in formal education. This includes 10.1% in tertiary education, 7.2% in primary education, and 4.9% pursuing secondary education.

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

Public transport analysis reveals 88 active transport stops operating within Richmond, comprising a mix of buses. These stops are serviced by 54 individual routes, collectively providing 4,353 weekly passenger trips. Transport accessibility is rated as good, with residents typically located 222 meters from the nearest transport stop. As a primarily residential area, most residents commute outward; the car remains the dominant mode at 75%, with 12% by bus. Vehicle ownership averages 1.1 per dwelling, below the regional average. A relatively low 10.7% of residents work from home (2021 Census; may reflect COVID-19 conditions).

Service frequency averages 621 trips per day across all routes, equating to approximately 49 weekly trips per individual stop.

Richmond's residents are healthier than average in comparison to broader Australia with prevalence of common health conditions quite low among the general population though higher than the nation's average across older, at risk cohorts

Health data indicates relatively positive outcomes for Richmond residents. AreaSearch's analysis of mortality rates and health conditions shows results broadly in line with national benchmarks, with the prevalence of common health conditions remaining low among the general population, though higher than the national average across older, at-risk cohorts. The rate of private health cover is relatively low at approximately 51% of the total population (~9,496 people).

The most common medical conditions in the area are mental health issues and arthritis, impacting 9.0% and 7.0% of residents, respectively, while 70.4% declared themselves as completely clear of medical ailments compared to 67.9% across Greater Adelaide. Health outcomes among the working-age population are broadly typical. The area has 15.8% of residents aged 65 and over (2,937 people), which is lower than the 19.3% in Greater Adelaide. Health outcomes among seniors present some challenges, though they rank lower nationally than the broader population.

Richmond 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

Richmond scores highly on cultural diversity, with 33.0% of its population born overseas and 34.6% speaking a language other than English at home. The main religion in Richmond is Christianity, which makes up 43.0% of the population. However, the most apparent overrepresentation is in Other, which comprises 2.6% of the population, compared to 1.8% across Greater Adelaide.

In terms of ancestry (country of birth of parents), the top three represented groups in Richmond are English, comprising 20.2% of the population, which is notably lower than the regional average of 27.8%, Australian, comprising 18.1% of the population, and Other, comprising 11.9% of the population. Additionally, there are notable divergences in the representation of certain other ethnic groups: Greek is notably overrepresented at 9.5% of Richmond (vs 2.0% regionally), Polish at 1.1% (vs 1.0%) and Italian at 6.9% (vs 5.2%).

Richmond's population is slightly younger than the national pattern

The 36-year median age in Richmond is modestly under Greater Adelaide's average of 39 and also modestly under the Australian median of 38. Relative to Greater Adelaide, Richmond has a higher concentration of 25 - 34 residents (21.9%) but fewer 5 - 14 year-olds (7.8%). This 25 - 34 concentration is well above the national 14.4%. Since the 2021 Census, the 25 to 34 age group has grown from 20.6% to 21.9% of the population. Conversely, the 45 to 54 cohort has declined from 12.7% to 10.9%. By 2041, Richmond is expected to see notable shifts in its age composition. Leading the demographic shift, the 75 to 84 group will grow by 55% (460 people), reaching 1,303 from 842. The 0 to 4 group displays more modest growth at 9%, adding only 81 residents.