Salisbury

Salisbury has seen population growth performance typically on par with national averages when looking at short and medium term trends

Salisbury's population is 19,089 as of November 2025. This shows an increase of 495 people since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 18,594. The change is inferred from the estimated resident population of 19,012 in June 2024 and an additional 173 validated new addresses since the Census date. This results in a density ratio of 1,772 persons per square kilometer, higher than the average across national locations assessed by AreaSearch. Over the past decade, Salisbury has shown resilient growth patterns with a compound annual growth rate of 1.0%, outperforming the SA3 area. Overseas migration contributed approximately 89.7% of overall population gains during recent periods.

AreaSearch uses 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 adopted, based on 2021 data and adjusted using weighted aggregation from LGA to SA2 levels. Future population trends indicate lower quartile growth for Australian statistical areas, with Salisbury expected to grow by 884 persons to 2041, reflecting a total gain of 4.2% over the 17 years based on the latest annual ERP population numbers.

Recent residential development output has been above average within Salisbury when compared nationally

Salisbury averaged approximately 67 new dwelling approvals annually over the past five financial years, totalling 336 homes. As of FY26116 approvals have been recorded. On average, 1.3 new residents per year arrived for each new home between FY21 and FY25, suggesting balanced supply and demand dynamics. The average construction cost of new properties was $201,000, lower than the regional average, indicating more affordable housing options.

This financial year has seen $19.2 million in commercial approvals, reflecting moderate levels of commercial development. Compared to Greater Adelaide, Salisbury's development levels per capita are similar, maintaining market equilibrium with surrounding areas. However, nationally, development levels are lower, possibly due to market maturity or development constraints. Detached dwellings accounted for 75% and townhouses/apartments 25% of new developments, preserving the suburban nature of the area.

With around 235 people per approval, Salisbury reflects a low-density area. According to AreaSearch's latest quarterly estimate, Salisbury is projected to add 807 residents by 2041. At current development rates, new housing supply should comfortably meet demand, potentially supporting growth beyond current population projections.

Salisbury has limited levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the 4thth percentile nationally

Changes in local infrastructure significantly affect an area's performance. AreaSearch has identified 24 projects that could impact the area. Notable projects include Salisbury City Centre Redevelopment - Salisbury Square Precinct, Salisbury Park Estate, Salisbury City Centre Redevelopment, and Salisbury Park Estate. The following list details those likely to be most relevant.

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.

The labour market performance in Salisbury lags significantly behind most other regions nationally

Salisbury's workforce is balanced across white and blue-collar jobs. Manufacturing and industrial sectors are prominent, with an unemployment rate of 9.6% as of September 2025. Employment growth over the past year was estimated at 1.9%.

There are 7,541 employed residents, with an unemployment rate of 5.6%, higher than Greater Adelaide's 3.9%. Workforce participation is lower at 54.1% compared to Greater Adelaide's 66.5%. Census data shows 4.9% of residents work from home. Employment concentrations are in health care & social assistance, manufacturing, and retail trade, with manufacturing particularly notable at 1.8 times the regional average.

Professional & technical employment is limited at 3.0%, compared to the regional average of 7.3%. Many residents commute elsewhere for work based on Census data. Between September 2024 and 2025, employment levels increased by 1.9% and labour force grew by 1.3%, reducing unemployment by 0.5 percentage points. In contrast, Greater Adelaide saw employment rise by 3.0%. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May-25 project a 6.6% increase over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Salisbury's employment mix suggests local employment should grow by 5.9% over five years and 12.8% over ten years, based on simple weighting extrapolation for illustrative purposes.

The area's income levels rank in the lower 15% nationally based on AreaSearch comparative data

The median income among taxpayers in Salisbury SA2 was $48,913 in financial year 2023. The average income stood at $52,229 during the same period. These figures are lower than those for Greater Adelaide, which were $54,808 and $66,852 respectively. By September 2025, estimates suggest median and average incomes in Salisbury will be approximately $53,217 and $56,825 respectively, based on an 8.8% growth rate since financial year 2023. Census data shows that household, family, and personal incomes in Salisbury fall between the 5th and 5th percentiles nationally. In income distribution, 31.0% of the population (5,917 individuals) earn within the $800 - $1,499 range, differing from surrounding regions where the dominant range is $1,500 - $2,999 with 31.8%. Housing affordability pressures are severe in Salisbury, with only 81.4% of income remaining after housing costs, ranking at the 6th percentile nationally.

Salisbury is characterized by a predominantly suburban housing profile, with a higher proportion of rental properties than the broader region

Salisbury's dwelling structure, as per the latest Census, consisted of 73.2% houses and 26.8% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings). In comparison, Adelaide metro had 75.2% houses and 24.9% other dwellings. Home ownership in Salisbury stood at 28.2%, with the remaining dwellings being mortgaged (32.9%) or rented (38.8%). The median monthly mortgage repayment was $1,246, below Adelaide metro's average of $1,562. The median weekly rent figure in Salisbury was $270, compared to Adelaide metro's $320. Nationally, Salisbury's mortgage repayments were significantly lower than the Australian average of $1,863, and rents were substantially below the national figure of $375.

Salisbury features high concentrations of lone person households, with a fairly typical median household size

Family households constitute 64.6% of all households, including 27.7% couples with children, 19.7% couples without children, and 15.6% single parent families. Non-family households account for the remaining 35.4%, with lone person households at 31.6% and group households comprising 3.8%. The median household size is 2.5 people, which corresponds to the Greater Adelaide average.

Salisbury faces educational challenges, with performance metrics placing it in the bottom quartile of areas assessed nationally

The area's university qualification rate is 12.8%, significantly lower than Australia's average of 30.4%. Bachelor degrees are the most common (9.5%), followed by postgraduate qualifications (2.3%) and graduate diplomas (1%). Vocational credentials are prevalent, with 32.7% of residents aged 15+ holding them, including advanced diplomas (7.3%) and certificates (25.4%). Educational participation is high, with 30.1% currently enrolled in formal education: 11.0% in primary, 7.6% in secondary, and 4.4% in tertiary education.

Educational participation is notably high, with 30.1% of residents currently enrolled in formal education. This includes 11.0% in primary education, 7.6% in secondary education, and 4.4% pursuing tertiary education.

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

The public transport analysis indicates that Salisbury has 104 active transport stops, consisting of both train and bus services. These stops are served by 50 individual routes, facilitating a total of 3,667 weekly passenger trips. Transport accessibility is considered good, with residents typically residing within 210 meters from the nearest transport stop. Primarily residential, most Salisbury residents commute outward using their cars at a rate of 90%, while only 6% use buses. Vehicle ownership averages 1.2 per dwelling, lower than the regional average. According to the 2021 Census, a relatively low 4.9% of residents work from home, which may reflect COVID-19 conditions.

On average, service frequency is 523 trips per day across all routes, equating to approximately 35 weekly trips per individual stop. The accompanying map illustrates the locations of the 100 nearest stops to the location's centrepoint.

Health performance in Salisbury is well below average with a range of health conditions having marked impacts on both younger and older age cohorts

Salisbury's health data indicates significant challenges. AreaSearch's assessment shows marked impacts on both younger and older age cohorts from a range of health conditions. Private health cover is extremely low at approximately 46% of the total population (~8,742 people), compared to 52.7% across Greater Adelaide and the national average of 55.7%.

Mental health issues and arthritis are the most common medical conditions in the area, impacting 9.1 and 8.9% of residents respectively. 66.0% of residents declare themselves completely clear of medical ailments, compared to 67.9% across Greater Adelaide. Working-age residents have an above average prevalence of chronic health conditions. The area has 18.1% of residents aged 65 and over (3,464 people). Health outcomes among seniors present some challenges, with national rankings broadly in line with the general population.

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

Salisbury has a high level of cultural diversity, with 41.7% of its population born overseas and 41.1% speaking a language other than English at home. Christianity is the predominant religion in Salisbury, making up 42.5% of people. However, Islam is notably overrepresented, comprising 9.6% of the population compared to the Greater Adelaide average of 3.0%.

In terms of ancestry, the top three groups are Other (24.2%), English (22.7%), and Australian (19.0%). Notably, Vietnamese people make up 3.2% of Salisbury's population compared to the regional average of 1.2%, Serbian people comprise 0.6% versus 0.4%, and Italian people account for 5.1% compared to 5.2%.

Salisbury's population is slightly younger than the national pattern

The median age in Salisbury is 37 years, which is lower than Greater Adelaide's average of 39 years, but close to the national average of 38 years. Locally, the 5-14 age cohort is over-represented at 12.8%, while the 15-24 age group is under-represented at 11.8%. Post-2021 Census data shows that the 35 to 44 age group has grown from 13.0% to 13.8% of Salisbury's population, while the 45 to 54 cohort has declined from 11.8% to 11.1%. By 2041, population forecasts indicate significant demographic changes for Salisbury. Notably, the 75 to 84 age group is expected to grow by 28%, reaching 1,524 people from 1,193. Residents aged 65 and older will represent 75% of this growth. Conversely, the 35 to 44 and 0 to 4 age cohorts are anticipated to experience population declines.