Smithfield - Elizabeth North
Statistical Area - sa2

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 12,968 as of August 2025, according to AreaSearch's analysis. This figure represents an increase of 522 people since the 2021 Census, which recorded a population of 12,446. The growth is inferred from ABS data showing an estimated resident population of 12,870 in June 2024 and an additional 194 validated new addresses since the census date. This results in a population density ratio of 1,623 persons per square kilometer, higher than the average across national locations assessed by AreaSearch. The area's 4.2% growth since the census places it within 2.5 percentage points of the state's 6.7%, indicating competitive growth fundamentals. Overseas migration contributed approximately 55.2% of overall population gains during recent periods, driving primary population growth in the area.

AreaSearch adopts 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, it uses the SA State Government's Regional/LGA projections by age category, released in 2023 and based on 2021 data, with adjustments made through weighted aggregation of population growth from LGA to SA2 levels. Future demographic trends anticipate an above median population growth for Australian statistical areas, with Smithfield - Elizabeth North expected to grow by 2,667 persons to reach a total of 15,635 by 2041, reflecting a 19.8% increase over the 17-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. The Australian Bureau of Statistics produces development approval data on a financial year basis, with a total of 509 approvals recorded across the past five financial years (between FY-21 and FY-25). As of FY-26, 38 approvals have been recorded so far. Over these five years, an average of 0.7 new residents per year per dwelling constructed has been observed.

This suggests that supply is meeting or surpassing demand, offering greater buyer choice while supporting potential population growth above projections. The average construction value of new properties during this period was $269,000, which is below regional norms, indicating more affordable housing options for purchasers. In FY-26, $2.1 million in commercial approvals have been registered, reflecting a predominantly residential focus in the area compared to Greater Adelaide. Smithfield - Elizabeth North records significantly lower building activity than the regional average, with 55.0% fewer approvals per person.

This scarcity of new properties typically strengthens demand and prices for existing properties. Recent construction in the area comprises 93.0% detached dwellings and 7.0% townhouses or apartments, sustaining its suburban identity with a concentration of family homes suited to buyers seeking space. This trend favours detached housing more than current patterns suggest (70.0% at Census), indicating robust demand for family homes. Smithfield - Elizabeth North reflects a low-density area, with approximately 139 people per approval. Future projections show the area adding around 2,568 residents by 2041. At current development rates, new housing supply should comfortably meet demand, providing good conditions for buyers and potentially supporting growth beyond current population projections.

Smithfield - Elizabeth North has emerging levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the 29thth percentile nationally

Changes to local infrastructure significantly impact an area's performance. AreaSearch has identified 19 projects that could affect the area. Notable ones include Riverbanks College Angle Vale, Playford Health and Wellbeing Precinct, Blakes Crossing Master Planned Community, and Newton Boulevard Extension. The following list details those most relevant.

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

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 consisting of both white and blue collar jobs. Manufacturing and industrial sectors are prominent, with an unemployment rate of 16.4% as of June 2025.

The area has seen estimated employment growth of 2.3% over the past year. There are currently 4,321 residents employed, but the unemployment rate is significantly higher than Greater Adelaide's at 12.4%. Workforce participation is also lower at 44.9%, compared to Greater Adelaide's 61.7%. The dominant employment sectors among residents include health care & social assistance, retail trade, and manufacturing.

Manufacturing stands out with an employment share of 1.7 times the regional level. However, education & training has limited presence with only 4.3% employment compared to the regional average of 9.3%. AreaSearch analysis shows that between June 2024 and June 2025, employment increased by 2.3%, while the labour force grew by 1.3%. This resulted in a decrease in unemployment rate by 0.8 percentage points. In contrast, Greater Adelaide saw employment rise by 2.1% and the labour force grow by 2.1%, with a marginal increase in unemployment. State-level data from Sep-25 shows that South Australia's employment grew by 1.06% year-on-year, adding 9,370 jobs, with an unemployment rate of 4.5%. This is broadly in line with the national rate of 4.5%, and the state's employment growth outpaces the national average of 0.26%. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May 2025 suggest that employment is expected to expand by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years nationally. However, growth rates differ significantly between industry sectors. Applying these projections to Smithfield - Elizabeth North's employment mix suggests local growth of approximately 5.7%% over five years and 12.5% over ten years. These projections are illustrative and do not take into account localised population projections.

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

AreaSearch's latest postcode level ATO data for financial year 2022 indicates Smithfield - Elizabeth North's median income among taxpayers is $43,496. The average income in the area during this period was $46,794. Nationally, these figures are lower than the average. In comparison, Greater Adelaide had a median income of $52,592 and an average of $64,886. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 10.83% since financial year 2022, current estimates suggest the median income in Smithfield - Elizabeth North would be approximately $48,207 by March 2025, with an average of around $51,862. According to the 2021 Census, household, family and personal incomes in Smithfield - Elizabeth North all fall between the 2nd and 3rd percentiles nationally. The earnings profile shows that 32.4% of the population (4,201 individuals) earn within the $800 - $1,499 income range, which differs from patterns across the metropolitan region where the $1,500 - $2,999 range dominates with 31.8%. The prevalence of lower-income residents (42.0% earning under $800/week) indicates constrained household budgets across much of Smithfield - Elizabeth North. Housing affordability pressures are severe in the area, with only 79.7% of income remaining after housing costs, ranking at the 4th 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, consisted of 69.7% houses and 30.3% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings). This contrasts with Adelaide metro's dwelling structure, which comprised 83.7% houses and 16.2% other dwellings. Home ownership in Smithfield - Elizabeth North stood at 19.7%, with the remaining dwellings being mortgaged (31.0%) or rented (49.2%). The median monthly mortgage repayment in the area was $975, lower than Adelaide metro's average of $1,300 and significantly below the national average of $1,863. The median weekly rent figure in Smithfield - Elizabeth North was recorded at $245, compared to Adelaide metro's $265 and 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 account for 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 comprise the remaining 38.9%, with lone person households at 34.6% and group households at 4.3%. The median household size is 2.4 people, smaller than the Greater Adelaide average of 2.6.

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

The area has educational challenges, with university qualification rates at 7.0%, significantly lower than the Australian average of 30.4%. This presents both a challenge and an opportunity for targeted educational initiatives. Bachelor degrees are the most prevalent at 5.4%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (0.9%) and graduate diplomas (0.7%). Trade and technical skills are prominent, with 38.1% of residents aged 15+ holding vocational credentials - advanced diplomas (6.6%) and certificates (31.5%).

Educational participation is high at 31.9%, including 14.4% in primary education, 7.8% in secondary education, and 3.2% pursuing tertiary education. As of the 2016 Census, Smithfield - Elizabeth North's 4 schools had a combined enrollment of 1,356 students. These schools focus exclusively on primary education, with secondary options available in surrounding areas. School places per 100 residents stood at 10.5, below the regional average of 17.1, indicating some students may attend schools in adjacent areas.

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

Smithfield - Elizabeth North has 106 operational public transport stops. These are a mix of train and bus services, with 24 different routes in total. The weekly passenger trips facilitated by these routes amount to 2947.

Residents' proximity to transport is excellent, with an average distance of 198 meters to the nearest stop. Daily service frequency averages 421 trips across all routes, translating to approximately 27 weekly trips per individual stop.

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, with various conditions affecting both younger and older residents. Approximately 46% (~5,965 people) have private health cover, compared to the national average of 55.3%.

Mental health issues and asthma are the most common conditions, affecting 13.2% and 11.0% of residents respectively. 56.1% of residents report no medical ailments, compared to 63.4% across Greater Adelaide. The area has a higher proportion of seniors (16.1%, or 2,082 people) than Greater Adelaide (13.3%). Senior health outcomes largely align with the general population's health profile.

The level of cultural diversity witnessed in Smithfield - Elizabeth North was found to be above average when compared nationally for a number of language and cultural background related metrics

Smithfield - Elizabeth North had a cultural diversity index above average, with 22.2% of its population born overseas and 12.7% speaking a language other than English at home. Christianity was the predominant religion in Smithfield - Elizabeth North, comprising 34.3% of the population. Islam's representation was notably higher than the Greater Adelaide average, making up 3.9% compared to 4.0%.

The top three ancestry groups were English (33.3%), Australian (28.1%), and Other (9.4%). German ancestry was overrepresented at 4.6%, while Australian Aboriginal was 4.3% and Welsh was 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 5-14 age group represents 14.2% of the population in Smithfield - Elizabeth North, compared to Greater Adelaide. Meanwhile, the 75-84 cohort makes up 4.6% of the population. Between 2021 and present, the 15-24 age group has increased from 13.1% to 14.8%. Conversely, the 45-54 age group has declined from 11.7% to 10.6%. Looking ahead to 2041, demographic projections indicate significant shifts in Smithfield - Elizabeth North's age structure. Notably, the 45-54 age group is projected to grow by 35%, adding 484 people and reaching a total of 1,860 from its current figure of 1,375.