Salisbury

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

As of November 2025, Salisbury's population is approximately 19,092 people. This figure represents an increase of 498 individuals since the 2021 Census, which recorded a population of 18,594. The estimated resident population from the ABS in June 2024 was 19,012, with an additional 173 validated new addresses since the Census date contributing to this increase. This results in a population 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 exhibited resilient growth patterns with a compound annual growth rate of 1.0%, outperforming its SA3 area. Overseas migration accounted for approximately 89.7% of overall population gains during recent periods.

AreaSearch employs ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area, released in 2024 using 2022 as the base year. For areas not covered by this data and years post-2032, the SA State Government's Regional/LGA projections by age category are adopted with adjustments made via a weighted aggregation method from LGA to SA2 levels. Future population trends suggest lower quartile growth for Australian statistical areas, with Salisbury projected to grow by 884 persons to reach approximately 20,976 people by 2041 based on the latest annual ERP population numbers, reflecting a total gain of 4.2% over the 17-year period.

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 FY26, 69 approvals have been recorded. On average, 1.3 new residents per year arrived per new home between FY21 and FY25, indicating balanced supply and demand dynamics. The average construction cost for new properties was $201,000, below the regional average, suggesting affordable housing options.

In FY26, commercial approvals amounted to $19.2 million, reflecting moderate commercial development levels compared to Greater Adelaide. Salisbury's development levels per capita are similar to surrounding areas, maintaining market equilibrium. However, they are lower than national averages, implying market maturity and potential development constraints. Detached dwellings accounted for 75% of new developments, with townhouses or apartments making up the remaining 25%, preserving Salisbury's suburban character.

With around 235 people per approval, Salisbury reflects a low-density area. According to AreaSearch's latest quarterly estimate, Salisbury is projected to add 804 residents by 2041. At current development rates, new housing supply should comfortably meet demand, creating favourable conditions for buyers and potentially supporting population growth beyond existing projections.

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

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

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

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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% in the past year.

Employment growth was estimated at 1.9%. As of September 2025, 7,541 residents are employed, with an unemployment rate of 5.6%, higher than Greater Adelaide's 3.9%. Workforce participation is lower at 50.1% compared to Greater Adelaide's 61.7%. Employment is concentrated in health care & social assistance, manufacturing, and retail trade.

Manufacturing has a notable concentration, with employment levels at 1.8 times the regional average. Professional & technical services have limited presence, at 3.0% compared to the regional 7.3%. Many residents commute elsewhere for work based on Census data. Between September 2024 and 2025, employment increased by 1.9%, labour force grew by 1.3%, reducing unemployment by 0.5 percentage points. In contrast, Greater Adelaide saw employment rise by 3.0% and unemployment fall by 0.1%. State-level data to 25-Nov-25 shows SA employment grew by 1.19% year-on-year, with a state unemployment rate of 4.0%, outperforming the national average of 0.14%. National employment forecasts from May-25 project growth of 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Salisbury's employment mix suggests local employment could increase by 5.9% over five years and 12.8% over ten years, though this is a simplified 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 $47,258 and the average income stood at $50,284 according to latest ATO data aggregated by AreaSearch for financial year 2022. This compares to figures for Greater Adelaide of $52,592 (median) and $64,886 (average). Based on Wage Price Index growth of 12.83% since financial year 2022, current estimates would be approximately $53,321 (median) and $56,735 (average) as of September 2025. Census data shows household, family and personal incomes in Salisbury all fall between the 5th percentile nationally. Income distribution reveals that 31.0% of the population (5,918 individuals) have income within the $800 - $1,499 range, differing from surrounding regions where the $1,500 - $2,999 range dominates with 31.8%. Housing affordability pressures are severe in Salisbury, with only 81.4% of income remaining, 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

In Salisbury, as per the latest Census evaluation, 73.2% of dwellings were houses, with the remaining 26.8% being other types such as semi-detached homes and apartments. In comparison, Adelaide metro had a higher proportion of houses at 83.9%, with only 16.0% being other dwellings. Home ownership in Salisbury was similar to Adelaide metro, standing at 28.2%. The majority of dwellings were either mortgaged (32.9%) or rented (38.8%). The median monthly mortgage repayment in Salisbury was $1,246, which is lower than the Adelaide metro average of $1,300 and significantly below the national average of $1,863. The median weekly rent in Salisbury was recorded at $270, substantially lower than both the Adelaide metro figure of $300 and the national average of $375.

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

Family households account for 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 make up 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 is smaller than the Greater Adelaide average of 2.7.

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 at 9.5%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (2.3%) and graduate diplomas (1.0%). 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% 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 analysis of public transport in Salisbury shows that there are currently 104 active transport stops operating within the city. These stops include a mix of train stations and bus stops, serviced by 49 individual routes. Collectively, these routes provide a total of 3,665 weekly passenger trips.

The report rates transport accessibility as good, with residents typically located approximately 210 meters from their nearest transport stop. On average, service frequency across all routes is around 523 trips per day, which equates to roughly 35 weekly trips per individual stop.

Health performance in Salisbury is well below average with considerably higher than average prevalence of common health conditions and to an even higher degree among older age cohorts

Salisbury has a notably high prevalence of common health conditions compared to the average, with an even greater proportion affecting older age groups. Only approximately 46% of Salisbury's total population (~8,820 people) have private health cover, significantly lower than the national average of 55.3%.

Mental health issues and arthritis are the most prevalent medical conditions in the area, impacting 9.1% and 8.9% of residents respectively. However, 66.0% of Salisbury residents declare themselves completely clear of medical ailments, compared to 68.1% across Greater Adelaide. The proportion of seniors aged 65 and over is higher in Salisbury at 18.1% (3,465 people) than in Greater Adelaide at 16.1%. Health outcomes among seniors require more attention due to the challenges they present compared to the broader 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 main religion in Salisbury, comprising 42.5% of people. Islam, however, is overrepresented compared to Greater Adelaide, making up 9.6% of Salisbury's population versus 8.0%.

The top three ancestry groups are Other (24.2%), English (22.7%), and Australian (19.0%). Notably, Vietnamese (3.2%), Serbian (0.6%), and Italian (5.1%) ethnic groups are overrepresented in Salisbury compared to regional averages of 3.1%, 0.5%, and 3.8% respectively.

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 and close to Australia's national average of 38 years. Locally, those aged 5-14 make up 12.8% of the population, higher than Greater Adelaide's average, while those aged 15-24 constitute 11.8%, lower than the Greater Adelaide average. Post-2021 Census data shows that the 35 to 44 age group grew from 13.0% to 13.8% of Salisbury's population, while the 45 to 54 cohort declined from 11.8% to 11.1%. By 2041, Salisbury's population is forecasted to undergo significant demographic changes. 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 are anticipated to account for 75% of this growth. Conversely, the 35 to 44 and 0 to 4 age groups are projected to experience population declines.