Salisbury North

Population growth drivers in Salisbury North are above average based on AreaSearch's ranking of recent, and medium to long-term trends

Based on AreaSearch's analysis, Salisbury North's population is around 19,204 as of Feb 2026. This reflects an increase of 717 people (3.9%) since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 18,487 people. The change is inferred from the estimated resident population of 18,997 from the ABS as of June 2024 and an additional 172 validated new addresses since the Census date. This population level equates to a density ratio of 613 persons per square kilometer, providing significant space per person and potential room for further development. Over the past decade, Salisbury North has demonstrated resilient growth patterns with a 1.2% compound annual growth rate, outpacing the SA3 area. Population growth for the area was primarily driven by overseas migration, which contributed approximately 61.6% 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. Looking at population projections moving forward, a population increase just below the median of statistical areas analysed by AreaSearch is expected, with the area expected to expand by 2,244 persons to 2041 based on the latest annual ERP population numbers, reflecting an increase of 10.6% in total over the 17 years.

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

Salisbury North has seen around 34 new homes approved annually, totalling 174 homes over the past 5 financial years. So far in FY-26, 21 approvals have been recorded. With an average of 4 people per year moving to the area for each dwelling built over the past 5 financial years (between FY-21 and FY-25), demand significantly exceeds new supply, which usually results in price growth and increased buyer competition, while new dwellings are developed at an average value of $204,000—under regional levels—indicating more accessible housing choices for buyers. There have also been $410.6 million in commercial approvals this financial year, suggesting robust local business investment.

Relative to Greater Adelaide, Salisbury North shows approximately half the construction activity per person and ranks in the 38th percentile of areas assessed nationally, meaning more limited choices for buyers and supporting demand for existing homes, though building activity has accelerated in recent years. This is also below average nationally, reflecting the area's maturity and pointing to possible planning constraints. Recent construction comprises 87.0% detached houses and 13.0% medium and high-density housing, preserving the area's low density nature with an emphasis on detached housing attracting space-seeking buyers. The estimated count of 596 people in the area per dwelling approval reflects its quiet, low activity development environment.

Looking ahead, Salisbury North is expected to grow by 2,037 residents through to 2041 (from the latest AreaSearch quarterly estimate). Construction is maintaining a reasonable pace with projected growth, although buyers could encounter growing competition as population increases.

Salisbury North has limited levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the 13thth percentile nationally

Nothing can influence an area's performance as much as changes to local infrastructure, major projects, and planning initiatives. In total, 34 projects have been identified by AreaSearch that are likely to have an impact on the area. Key projects include Riverlea Estate, Strategic Growth Framework - Waterloo Corner and Bolivar Corridor, Edinburgh Defence Precinct Mid-Term Refresh, and Delorean Anaerobic Digestion Energy Facility, 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.

Employment drivers in Salisbury North are experiencing difficulties, placing it among the bottom 20% of areas assessed across Australia

Salisbury North features a balanced workforce spanning white and blue collar employment, with manufacturing and industrial sectors strongly represented, an unemployment rate of 8.0%, and 1.0% in estimated employment growth over the past year. As of December 2025, 8,450 residents are in work while the unemployment rate is 4.2% above Greater Adelaide's rate of 3.8%, showing room for improvement, and workforce participation lags significantly (60.8% compared to Greater Adelaide's 67.2%). Based on Census responses, a low 4.5% of residents were found to work from home, though Covid-19 lockdown impacts should be considered.

Employment among residents is concentrated in health care & social assistance, manufacturing, and retail trade. The area demonstrates a particularly notable concentration in manufacturing, with employment levels at 1.7 times the regional average. Conversely, professional & technical services show lower representation at 2.7% versus the regional average of 7.3%. The ratio of 0.8 workers for each resident, as at the Census, indicates substantial local employment opportunities.

Based on AreaSearch analysis of SALM and ABS data, over the 12 months to December 2025, employment increased by 1.0% while the labour force increased by 1.0%, leaving unemployment broadly flat. This compares to Greater Adelaide, where employment grew by 4.2%, the labour force expanded by 3.9%, and unemployment fell 0.3 percentage points. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May-25 can offer further insight into potential future demand within Salisbury North. 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 Salisbury North's employment mix suggests local employment should increase by 5.6% over five years and 12.3% over ten years (please note this is a simple weighting extrapolation for illustrative purposes and does not take into account localised population projections).

Income figures position the area below 75% of locations analysed nationally by AreaSearch

According to AreaSearch's aggregation of the latest postcode level ATO data released for FY-23, the Salisbury North SA2 had a median income among taxpayers of $49,767 with the average level standing at $53,831. This is lower than average on a national basis and compares to levels of $54,808 and $66,852 across Greater Adelaide respectively. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 8.8% since FY-23, current estimates would be approximately $54,146 (median) and $58,568 (average) as of September 2025. From the 2021 Census, household, family and personal incomes in Salisbury North all fall between the 13th and 17th percentiles nationally. Income analysis reveals 32.0% of the population (6,145 individuals) fall within the $1,500 - 2,999 income range, mirroring the region where 31.8% occupy this bracket. Housing affordability pressures are severe, with only 82.0% of income remaining, ranking at the 16th percentile.

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

Dwelling structure within Salisbury North, as evaluated at the latest Census, comprised 81.5% houses and 18.5% 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 Salisbury North lagged that of Adelaide metro, at 21.4%, with the remainder of dwellings either mortgaged (43.3%) or rented (35.3%). The median monthly mortgage repayment in the area was well below the Adelaide metro average at $1,275, while the median weekly rent figure was recorded at $280, compared to Adelaide metro's $1,562 and $320. Nationally, Salisbury North's mortgage repayments are significantly lower than the Australian average of $1,863, while rents are substantially below the national figure of $375.

Salisbury North has a typical household mix, with a higher-than-average median household size

Family households dominate at 72.0% of all households, comprising 32.3% couples with children, 18.8% couples without children, and 19.2% single parent families. Non-family households make up the remaining 28.0%, with lone person households at 25.0% and group households comprising 3.1% of the total. The median household size of 2.7 people is larger than the Greater Adelaide average of 2.5.

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

The area faces educational challenges, with university qualification rates (10.1%) substantially below the Australian average of 30.4%. This represents both a challenge and an opportunity for targeted educational initiatives. Bachelor degrees lead at 7.7%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (1.6%) and graduate diplomas (0.8%). Trade and technical skills feature prominently, with 34.1% of residents aged 15+ holding vocational credentials, including advanced diplomas (6.9%) and certificates (27.2%).

Educational participation is notably high, with 31.1% of residents currently enrolled in formal education. This includes 13.3% in primary education, 7.7% in secondary education, and 3.6% pursuing tertiary education.

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

Public transport analysis reveals 78 active transport stops operating within Salisbury North, comprising a mix of trains and buses. These stops are serviced by 12 individual routes, collectively providing 1,180 weekly passenger trips. Transport accessibility is rated as good, with residents typically located 228 meters from the nearest transport stop. As a primarily residential area, most residents commute outward; the car remains the dominant mode at 91%. Vehicle ownership averages 1.4 per dwelling. A relatively low 4.5% of residents work from home (2021 Census; may reflect COVID-19 conditions).

Service frequency averages 168 trips per day across all routes, equating to approximately 15 weekly trips per individual stop.

Health performance in Salisbury North is a key challenge with a range of health conditions having marked impacts on both younger and older age cohorts

Critical health challenges are evident across Salisbury North, based on AreaSearch's assessment of mortality rates and chronic condition prevalence. A range of health conditions have marked impacts on both younger and older age cohorts, and the rate of private health cover is extremely low at approximately 47% of the total population (~8,949 people). This compares to 52.7% across Greater Adelaide and a national average of 55.7%.

The most common medical conditions in the area are mental health issues and asthma, impacting 9.5% and 9.4% of residents, respectively, while 67.0% declared themselves as completely clear of medical ailments compared to 67.9% across Greater Adelaide. The working-age population faces notable health challenges with elevated chronic condition rates. The area has 13.5% of residents aged 65 and over (2,594 people), which is lower than the 19.3% in Greater Adelaide. Health outcomes among seniors present some challenges, with national rankings broadly in line with the general population.

Salisbury North 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

Salisbury North is more culturally diverse than the vast majority of local markets, with 30.3% of its population born overseas and 30.6% speaking a language other than English at home. The main religion in Salisbury North is Christianity, which makes up 35.2% of people. However, the most apparent overrepresentation is in Buddhism, which comprises 8.1% of the population, substantially higher than the Greater Adelaide average of 2.4%.

In terms of ancestry (country of birth of parents), the top three represented groups in Salisbury North are English, comprising 25.6% of the population, Australian, comprising 24.3% of the population, and Other, comprising 17.5% of the population, which is substantially higher than the regional average of 9.7%. Additionally, there are notable divergences in the representation of certain other ethnic groups: Vietnamese is notably overrepresented at 3.3% of the population (vs 1.2% regionally), Serbian at 0.6% (vs 0.4%) and Polish at 1.0% (vs 1.0%).

Salisbury North hosts a young demographic, positioning it in the bottom quartile nationwide

At 34 years, Salisbury North's median age is considerably lower than the Greater Adelaide average of 39 and similarly substantially under the Australian median of 38. Relative to Greater Adelaide, Salisbury North has a higher concentration of 5 - 14 residents (13.8%) but fewer 75 - 84 year-olds (4.0%). Since the 2021 Census, the 15 to 24 age group has grown from 13.7% to 15.0% of the population. Conversely, the 25 to 34 cohort has declined from 15.7% to 14.1% and the 5 to 14 group dropped from 15.0% to 13.8%. Demographic modeling suggests Salisbury North's age profile will evolve significantly by 2041. The 45 to 54 cohort shows the strongest projected growth at 28%, adding 607 residents to reach 2,793. Meanwhile, the 35 to 44 cohort grows by a modest 1% (35 people).