Richmond (SA)

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

AreaSearch indicates that Richmond has a population of approximately 18,575 as of May 2026. This represents a rise of 1,553 people (9.1%) from the 2021 Census population of 17,022. This change is calculated using the June 2025 ABS estimated resident population of 18,520 and 226 validated new addresses registered after the Census. This population level yields a density of 2,080 persons per square kilometer, exceeding the typical figure for national areas analyzed by AreaSearch. With a 9.1% population rise since the 2021 census, the area outpaced the state (7.5%) and the wider SA3 region, positioning it as a local growth leader. Overseas migration was the primary driver of this growth, accounting for roughly 90.6% of the overall population gains in recent times.

Projections from the ABS and Geoscience Australia released in 2024 with a 2022 base year are used by AreaSearch for each SA2 area. For SA2 areas without this data, and for all years after 2032, population projections by age category from the SA State Government released in 2023 and based on 2021 data are used, adjusting them via weighted aggregation of growth from LGA to SA2 levels. Looking ahead, the area is projected to experience population growth above the national median, increasing by 2,747 persons by 2041 according to the most recent annual ERP data, which represents a total growth of 14.5% over the 16 years.

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

Development approvals in Richmond have averaged approximately 87 dwellings annually, resulting in 436 new homes over the last 5 financial years. There have been 86 approvals documented in FY-26 so far. The area has gained an average of 2.4 new residents per year for each built dwelling between FY-21 and FY-25, pointing to solid demand that helps sustain property values, with new residential projects built at an average cost of $264,000. Furthermore, commercial approvals have reached $114.3 million this financial year, demonstrating solid development momentum in the commercial sector.

Richmond exhibits about three-quarters of the per capita building activity seen in Greater Adelaide, though it ranks in the 71st percentile among all localities assessed across the nation. The mix of new construction consists of 54.0% detached houses and 46.0% medium and high-density housing, showing a growing variety of attached properties that provide options across different price ranges, ranging from large family residences to smaller, more affordable options. The area displays growth characteristics with roughly 185 people for each approved dwelling.

According to the latest quarterly estimate from AreaSearch, population projections indicate Richmond will add 2,692 residents by 2041. While new construction is progressing at a reasonable rate relative to this anticipated growth, buyers could experience rising competition as the population increases.

Richmond has limited levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the 14thth percentile nationally

Local infrastructure projects, planning initiatives, and major developments have a significant impact on local area performance. AreaSearch has identified 13 key projects likely to affect this locality. Key developments of note include Southwark Grounds, North South Corridor, Southwark Grounds, and the Frank Norton Reserve Redevelopment, with the list below highlighting the most relevant ones.

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.

AreaSearch analysis of employment trends sees Richmond performing better than 85% of local markets assessed across Australia

Richmond is characterized by a highly educated workforce, a strong representation of essential services, an unemployment rate of only 2.7%, and an estimated job growth of 7.2% over the past year. In March 2026, employed residents numbered 11,548, while the local unemployment rate sat 1.1% below the 3.8% recorded for Greater Adelaide. The participation rate of 73.4% is significantly higher than the Greater Adelaide average of 66.6%. Census data indicates that a small proportion of residents (10.7%) worked from home, though this may have been influenced by COVID-19 restrictions.

The primary employment sectors for local residents are health care & social assistance, retail trade, and accommodation & food. Accommodation & food is highly specialized here, representing a share of employment that is 1.4 times the regional level. By contrast, the construction sector is less represented, accounting for 6.7% of the workforce compared to the regional average of 8.7%. The area acts as a employment center, attracting commuting workers from nearby neighborhoods and hosting more jobs than resident workers, with a ratio of 1.2 workers for every resident at the time of the Census.

AreaSearch analysis of SALM and ABS statistics shows that for the 12 months ending March 2026, the number of employed persons grew by 7.2% and the labor force expanded by 6.0%, leading to a decrease in the unemployment rate of 1.1 percentage points. Over the same timeframe, Greater Adelaide saw employment grow by 4.2% and the labor force expand by 4.0%, with the unemployment rate dropping by 0.2 percentage points. National employment projections from Jobs and Skills Australia published in May-25 offer additional context on future demand patterns in Richmond. Mapped against local industry profiles to estimate growth, these projections cover five and ten-year horizons. Nationally, employment is projected to grow by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, though rates vary by sector. Applying these national projections to Richmond's specific industry mix suggests a local employment increase of 6.8% over five years and 14.1% over ten years, based on a simple weighting extrapolation for illustrative purposes that excludes localized population forecasts.

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

According to the most recent postcode level ATO statistics released for financial year 2023, the median taxpayer income in the Richmond SA2 is $55,517, while the average stands at $64,885. This is lower than the national average, and compares to a median of $54,808 and an average of $66,852 in Greater Adelaide. Adjusted for Wage Price Index growth of 10.17% since financial year 2023, estimated incomes as of March 2026 would be around $61,163 (median) and $71,484 (average). Income measures from the 2021 Census indicate household, family, and individual incomes are modest in Richmond, ranking in the 38th to 43rd percentiles. The largest income cohort contains 31.6% of residents (5,869 people) earning in the $1,500 - 2,999 range, which is very similar to the regional proportion of 31.8% in the same bracket. Housing affordability presents a significant challenge, with residents retaining only 83.5% of their income, which ranks in the 39th percentile, and the local SEIFA income score falls into the 5th decile.

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

The housing profile in Richmond at the latest Census consisted of 66.2% detached houses and 33.8% other dwelling structures such as semi-detached homes, apartments, and alternative housing types, compared to 75.2% houses and 24.9% other dwellings across the Adelaide metro area. Home ownership in Richmond was lower than the Adelaide metro average at 27.9%, with the remaining properties being mortgaged (29.3%) or rented (42.8%). The median monthly mortgage payment of $1,733 was notably higher than the Adelaide metro average of $1,562, while the median weekly rent was $325, compared to $320 in Adelaide metro. Looking nationally, mortgage repayments in Richmond are lower than the Australian average of $1,863, and weekly rents are much lower than 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 represent the majority of homes at 59.3%, which includes 23.0% couples with children, 23.5% couples without children, and 10.9% single parent families. The remaining 40.7% consist of non-family households, with single person households accounting for 31.6% and group households making up 9.1% of the total. The median household size is 2.3 people, which is slightly lower 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

Residents of Richmond have higher levels of educational attainment than the wider region, with 37.5% of those aged 15+ holding a university degree, compared to 25.7% across SA and 28.9% in Greater Adelaide. This education profile positions the community well for knowledge-based employment. Bachelor degrees are the most common higher qualification at 24.9%, followed by postgraduate degrees at 9.3% and graduate diplomas at 3.3%. Vocational qualifications are also common, with 26.0% of residents aged 15+ holding credentials consisting of advanced diplomas (9.3%) and certificates (16.7%).

A high proportion of the population participates in education, with 28.1% of residents enrolled in formal study. This student population includes 10.1% in tertiary studies, 7.2% in primary school, and 4.9% in high school.

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

Analysis of public transport shows 88 active bus stops operating in Richmond. These stops support 54 distinct routes, delivering a combined total of 4,353 weekly passenger trips. Transport accessibility is good, with residents living an average of 222 meters from the nearest stop. The area is mostly residential, meaning most commuters travel outside the suburb, with private cars being the primary mode of travel at 75% and buses at 12%. Average vehicle ownership is 1.1 per household, which is below the regional average. A low 10.7% of residents worked from home, according to the 2021 Census, which may reflect pandemic-era dynamics.

Public transport services average 621 daily trips across all active routes, which translates to roughly 49 weekly trips for each individual stop.

Richmond's residents are relatively healthy in comparison to broader Australia with the level of common health conditions among the general population somewhat typical, though higher than the nation's average among older cohorts

Health indicators in Richmond are close to national averages according to AreaSearch analysis of death rates and chronic illness, with general health conditions being typical, though somewhat higher than national levels among older age groups. The rate of private health insurance is relatively low, covering approximately 51% of the population (~9,510 people).

The most prevalent health conditions recorded locally were mental health challenges and arthritis, affecting 9.0 and 7.0% of the population, respectively. Meanwhile, 70.4% of residents reported having no long-term medical conditions, compared to 67.9% across Greater Adelaide. Health indicators for working-age residents are typical. Residents aged 65 and older make up 15.5% of the local population (2,888 people), which is lower than the 19.2% average for Greater Adelaide. Seniors face some health challenges, though these rank lower nationally than the general 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 displays high levels of cultural diversity, with 33.0% of the population born outside of Australia and 34.6% using a non-English language at home. Christianity is the primary religion, representing 43.0% of the population. The most notable difference is in the Other category, which accounts for 2.6% of the population compared to the 1.8% average for Greater Adelaide.

In terms of parent country of birth, the three most common ancestries in Richmond are English at 20.2% of the population (which is lower than the regional average of 27.8%), Australian at 18.1%, and Other at 11.9%. There are also notable differences in other backgrounds, with Greek ancestry significantly higher at 9.5% of the population (compared to 2.0% regionally), Polish at 1.1% (compared to 1.0%), and Italian at 6.9% (compared to 5.2%).

Richmond's population is slightly younger than the national pattern

The median age of 36 years in Richmond is slightly lower than the Greater Adelaide average of 39 and the national median of 38. Richmond has a higher proportion of young adults aged 25 - 34 (22.4%) than Greater Adelaide, but fewer children aged 5 - 14 (7.8%). This concentration of 25 - 34 year-olds is significantly higher than the national average of 14.6%. The 25 to 34 age group increased from 20.6% to 22.4% of the population since the 2021 Census, while the 45 to 54 demographic fell from 12.7% to 11.0%. By 2041, Richmond is projected to experience major changes in its age profile, led by a 54% increase (453 people) in the 75 to 84 age bracket, growing from 845 to 1,299. In contrast, the 0 to 4 group is projected to grow by just 8%, adding 71 residents.