Smithfield - Elizabeth North

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

Smithfield - Elizabeth North's population was around 13,175 as of May 2026. This figure represents an increase of 729 people since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 12,446. The growth is inferred from the estimated resident population of 13,041 in June 2025 and an additional 196 validated new addresses since the Census date. This results in a population density of 1,648 persons per square kilometer, higher than the national average assessed by AreaSearch. The area's growth rate of 5.9% since the census is within 1.6 percentage points of the state's rate of 7.5%, indicating strong growth fundamentals. Overseas migration contributed approximately 60.1% of overall population gains during recent periods, driving primary population growth in the area.

AreaSearch uses ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area, released in 2024 with a base year of 2022. For areas not covered by this data and years post-2032, the SA State Government's Regional/LGA projections by age category are adopted, based on 2021 data and released in 2023, with adjustments made using a method of weighted aggregation of population growth from LGA to SA2 levels. Future demographic trends forecast a significant population increase in the top quartile of statistical areas across the nation. Smithfield - Elizabeth North is expected to grow by 2,675 persons to 2041 based on the latest annual ERP population numbers, reflecting an overall increase of 19.3% over the 16-year period.

AreaSearch assessment of residential approval activity sees Smithfield - Elizabeth North among the top 30% of areas assessed nationwide

Smithfield - Elizabeth North has seen approximately 101 new homes approved annually over the past five financial years, totalling 509 homes. As of FY26115 approvals have been recorded. The average number of new residents per year per dwelling constructed between FY21 and FY25 is 0.7. This pace of construction matches or outpaces demand, providing more housing options and enabling population growth that could exceed current expectations.

The average construction value of new properties is $221,000, which is below regional levels, indicating more affordable housing choices for buyers. In FY26, there have been $2.1 million in commercial approvals, reflecting the area's residential nature. Compared to Greater Adelaide, Smithfield - Elizabeth North shows substantially reduced construction, with 54.0% fewer approvals per person than the regional average. This constrained new construction typically reinforces demand and pricing for existing homes.

The majority of new development consists of standalone homes (93.0%), with a smaller proportion being medium and high-density housing (7.0%). This maintains the area's traditional suburban character, focusing on family homes appealing to those seeking space. Despite increasing density pressures, new construction favours detached housing more than current patterns suggest (70.0% at Census), indicating ongoing robust demand for family homes. Smithfield - Elizabeth North reflects a low-density area, with approximately 139 people per approval. Looking ahead, the area is expected to grow by 2,541 residents through to 2041, according to the latest AreaSearch quarterly estimate. Existing development levels appear aligned with future requirements, maintaining stable market conditions without significant price pressures.

Smithfield - Elizabeth North has emerging levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the 24thth percentile nationally

Infrastructure changes significantly influence an area's performance. AreaSearch identified 23 projects likely impacting the area. Key projects include Playford Alive, Riverbanks College Angle Vale, Playford Health and Wellbeing Precinct, and Tudor Vale Shopping Centre in Munno Para West. 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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Employment conditions in Smithfield - Elizabeth North face significant challenges, ranking among the bottom 10% of areas assessed nationally

Smithfield - Elizabeth North has a balanced workforce with white and blue collar jobs, strongly represented by manufacturing and industrial sectors. The unemployment rate was 17.4% in the past year, with an estimated employment growth of 1.6%. As of December 2025, 4,247 residents were employed while the unemployment rate stood at 13.5%, significantly higher than Greater Adelaide's rate of 3.8%.

Workforce participation was lower at 49.3% compared to Greater Adelaide's 66.0%. Only 4.4% of residents worked from home, though Covid-19 lockdown impacts should be considered. Key industries of employment were health care & social assistance, retail trade, and manufacturing, with a notable concentration in manufacturing at 1.7 times the regional average. Education & training was under-represented, with only 4.3% of Smithfield - Elizabeth North's workforce compared to 9.3% in Greater Adelaide.

Limited local employment opportunities were indicated by the count of Census working population versus resident population. Between December 2024 and December 2025, employment levels increased by 1.6%, labour force increased by 1.0%, and unemployment fell by 0.5 percentage points. In comparison, Greater Adelaide saw employment grow by 4.2%, labour force expand by 3.9%, and unemployment fall by 0.3 percentage points. National employment forecasts from May-25 project a 6.6% growth over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Smithfield - Elizabeth North's employment mix suggests local employment should increase by 5.7% over five years and 12.5% over ten years, based on a simple weighting extrapolation for illustrative purposes.

Income metrics place the area in the bottom 10% of locations nationally according to AreaSearch analysis

The Smithfield - Elizabeth North SA2 had a median taxpayer income of $46,492 and an average of $49,395 in the financial year 2023, according to postcode level ATO data aggregated by AreaSearch. This was lower than the national average, with Greater Adelaide's median income being $54,808 and average income being $66,852. By March 2026, estimates suggest the median income would be approximately $51,220 and the average income around $54,418, based on a 10.17% growth in wages since the financial year 2023. Census data shows that incomes in Smithfield - Elizabeth North fall between the 1st and 3rd percentiles nationally for households, families, and individuals. Income analysis reveals that 32.4% of the population (4,268 individuals) have incomes within the $800-$1,499 range, unlike the broader area where incomes in the $1,500-$2,999 range dominate with 31.8%. Economic circumstances indicate widespread financial pressure, with 42.0% of households operating on weekly budgets below $800. Housing affordability pressures are severe, with only 79.7% of income remaining after housing costs, ranking at the 3rd percentile nationally.

Smithfield - Elizabeth North displays a diverse mix of dwelling types, with a higher proportion of rental properties than the broader region

Smithfield - Elizabeth North's dwelling structure, as per the latest Census, had 69.7% houses and 30.3% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings). In comparison, Adelaide metro had 75.2% houses and 24.9% other dwellings. Home ownership in Smithfield - Elizabeth North was at 19.7%, with mortgaged dwellings at 31.0% and rented ones at 49.2%. The median monthly mortgage repayment in the area was $975, below Adelaide metro's average of $1,562. The median weekly rent figure was $245, compared to Adelaide metro's $320. Nationally, Smithfield - Elizabeth North's mortgage repayments were significantly lower than the Australian average of $1,863, and rents were substantially below the national figure of $375.

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

Family households comprise 61.1% of all households, including 19.5% couples with children, 17.3% couples without children, and 22.4% single parent families. Non-family households make up the remaining 38.9%, with lone person households at 34.6% and group households comprising 4.3%. The median household size is 2.4 people, which is smaller than the Greater Adelaide average of 2.5.

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

The area's university qualification rate is 7.0%, significantly lower than Australia's average of 30.4%. Bachelor degrees are the most common at 5.4%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (0.9%) and graduate diplomas (0.7%). Vocational credentials are prevalent, with 38.1% of residents aged 15+ holding such qualifications - advanced diplomas at 6.6% and certificates at 31.5%. Educational participation is high, with 31.9% of residents currently enrolled in formal education.

This includes 14.4% in primary education, 7.8% in secondary education, and 3.2% pursuing tertiary education.

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

Smithfield - Elizabeth North has 106 active public transport stops offering a mix of train and bus services. These are serviced by 24 routes, collectively providing 2,947 weekly passenger trips. Residents have excellent transport accessibility, with an average distance of 198 meters to the nearest stop. Most residents commute outward from this primarily residential area. Car remains the dominant mode of transport at 89%, while bus accounts for 7%. Vehicle ownership averages 0.9 per dwelling, below the regional average.

According to the 2021 Census, a relatively low 4.4% of residents work from home, which may reflect COVID-19 conditions. Service frequency averages 421 trips per day across all routes, equating to approximately 27 weekly trips per individual stop. The provided map shows the 100 nearest stops to the location's centrepoint.

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

Smithfield - Elizabeth North faces significant health challenges based on AreaSearch's assessment. Mortality rates and chronic condition prevalence are critical issues affecting both younger and older age cohorts. The rate of private health cover is extremely low at approximately 46% of the total population (~6,060 people), compared to 52.7% across Greater Adelaide and a national average of 55.7%.

Mental health issues and asthma are the most common medical conditions in the area, impacting 13.2 and 11.0% of residents respectively. Conversely, 56.1% of residents declare themselves 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 16.2% of residents aged 65 and over (2,131 people), lower than the 19.2% in Greater Adelaide. Health outcomes among seniors present some challenges, with national rankings broadly in line with the general population.

In terms of cultural diversity, Smithfield - Elizabeth North records figures broadly comparable to the national average, as found in AreaSearch's assessment of a number of language and cultural background related metrics

Smithfield - Elizabeth North had a cultural diversity above average, with 22.2% of its population born overseas and 12.7% speaking a language other than English at home. Christianity was the main religion in Smithfield - Elizabeth North, comprising 34.3% of people there. However, Islam was overrepresented at 3.9%, compared to the Greater Adelaide average of 3.0%.

In terms of ancestry, the top three groups were English (33.3%), Australian (28.1%), and Other (9.4%). Notably, German ancestry was overrepresented at 4.6% in Smithfield - Elizabeth North compared to 5.1% regionally. Also, Australian Aboriginal ancestry was higher at 4.3% versus the regional average of 1.2%, and Welsh ancestry was slightly lower at 0.5%.

Smithfield - Elizabeth North's population is younger than the national pattern

Smithfield - Elizabeth North has a median age of 35, which is younger than Greater Adelaide's figure of 39 and slightly below Australia's median age of 38. The age group of 5-14 years old represents 13.8% of the population in Smithfield - Elizabeth North, compared to Greater Adelaide. However, the 75-84 age cohort is less prevalent at 4.8%. Between 2021 and now, the 15-24 age group has grown from 13.1% to 14.9% of the population. Conversely, the 45-54 age group has declined from 11.7% to 10.6%. By 2041, demographic projections indicate significant shifts in Smithfield - Elizabeth North's age structure. The 45-54 age group is expected to grow by 35%, adding 493 people and reaching a total of 1,887 from the previous figure of 1,393. Meanwhile, the 0-4 age cohort is projected to grow by a modest 9%, an increase of 76 people.