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, as per AreaSearch's analysis, was approximately 13,137 by November 2025. This figure represents an increase of 691 individuals (5.6%) since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 12,446 people. The change is inferred from the estimated resident population of 12,869 in June 2024 and an additional 195 validated new addresses since the Census date. This results in a population density ratio of 1,644 persons per square kilometer, exceeding the average across national locations assessed by AreaSearch. Overseas migration contributed approximately 55.2% of overall population gains during recent periods, driving primary growth for 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 weighted aggregation method from LGA to SA2 levels. Future population dynamics project an above median growth for Australian statistical areas, with the area expected to grow by 2,667 persons to 2041 based on the latest annual ERP population numbers, reflecting an increase of 18.3% over the 17 years.

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 FY-26, 73 approvals have been recorded. On average, 0.7 new residents per year per dwelling were constructed between FY-21 and FY-25. This suggests that new construction is meeting or exceeding demand, providing buyers with more options and enabling population growth that could surpass current expectations.

The average construction value of these properties is $221,000, which is below regional levels, indicating more affordable housing choices for buyers. Additionally, $2.1 million in commercial approvals have been recorded this financial year, reflecting the area's residential nature. Comparatively, Smithfield - Elizabeth North shows substantially reduced construction compared to Greater Adelaide, with 55.0% fewer approvals per person. This constrained new construction typically reinforces demand and pricing for existing homes.

The development consists of 93.0% standalone homes and 7.0% medium and high-density housing, maintaining the area's traditional suburban character focused on family homes. However, new construction favours detached housing more than current patterns suggest (70.0% at Census), indicating robust demand for family homes despite increasing density pressures. With approximately 139 people per approval, Smithfield - Elizabeth North reflects a low-density area. According to the latest AreaSearch quarterly estimate, the area is expected to grow by 2,399 residents through to 2041. Given current construction levels, housing supply should adequately meet demand, creating favourable conditions for buyers while potentially enabling growth that exceeds current forecasts.

Smithfield - Elizabeth North has emerging levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the 27thth percentile nationally

Changes to local infrastructure significantly influence an area's performance. AreaSearch has identified 24 projects likely to impact the area. Notable projects include Playford Alive, Riverbanks College Angle Vale, Playford Health and Wellbeing Precinct, and Tudor Vale Shopping Centre. 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, dominated by manufacturing and industrial sectors. Its unemployment rate was 17.0% in September 2025, with an estimated employment growth of 2.6% over the past year. This is significantly higher than Greater Adelaide's unemployment rate of 3.9%.

Workforce participation is also lower at 50.2%, compared to Greater Adelaide's 66.5%. Only 4.4% of residents work from home, though Covid-19 lockdown impacts may have influenced this figure. Key industries for employment among residents are health care & social assistance, retail trade, and manufacturing. Manufacturing is particularly notable, with employment levels at 1.7 times the regional average.

However, education & training is under-represented, with only 4.3% of Smithfield - Elizabeth North's workforce compared to Greater Adelaide's 9.3%. The area offers limited local employment opportunities, as indicated by the count of Census working population versus resident population. Between September 2024 and September 2025, employment levels increased by 2.6%, while labour force grew by 1.3%, causing a decrease in unemployment rate by 1.0 percentage points. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May-25 suggest that over five years, employment should increase by 5.7% locally, and by 12.5% over ten years. These projections are based on industry-specific growth rates applied to Smithfield - Elizabeth North's current employment mix.

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 financial year 2023, according to postcode level ATO data aggregated by AreaSearch. This was below the national averages of $54,808 (median) and $66,852 (average) for Greater Adelaide. By September 2025, estimated median income in Smithfield - Elizabeth North would be approximately $50,583 and average income $53,742, based on an 8.8% increase since financial year 2023. Census data showed incomes in Smithfield - Elizabeth North were between the 1st and 3rd percentiles nationally for households, families, and individuals. In this area, 32.4% of people (4,256 individuals) earned within the $800-$1,499 range, differing from broader area patterns where the $1,500-$2,999 range dominated with 31.8%. Economic conditions indicated widespread financial pressure, with 42.0% of households having weekly budgets below $800. Housing affordability pressures were 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, consisted of 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, lower than Adelaide metro's average of $1,562. The median weekly rent figure was recorded at $245, compared to Adelaide metro's $320. Nationally, Smithfield - Elizabeth North's mortgage repayments were significantly lower than the Australian average of $1,863, while 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 account for 61.1% of all households, consisting of 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% of the total. 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 them, including advanced diplomas (6.6%) and certificates (31.5%). Educational participation is high at 31.9%, with 14.4% in primary education, 7.8% in secondary education, and 3.2% pursuing tertiary education.

Educational participation is notably 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

The analysis of public transport in Smithfield - Elizabeth North indicates that there are 106 active transport stops operating within the area. These include a mix of train and bus services. The stops are serviced by 24 individual routes, collectively providing 2,947 weekly passenger trips. Transport accessibility is rated as excellent, with residents typically located 198 meters from the nearest transport stop. As a primarily residential area, most residents commute outward. Car remains the dominant mode of transport at 89%, with 7% using bus services.

Vehicle ownership averages 0.9 per dwelling, which is 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 accompanying map shows the 100 nearest stops to the location 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, as indicated by AreaSearch's assessment of mortality rates and chronic condition prevalence. A variety of health conditions impact both younger and older age groups. Private health cover is extremely low at approximately 46% of the total population (~6,043 people), compared to 52.7% in Greater Adelaide and the national average of 55.7%.

Mental health issues affect 13.2% of residents, while asthma impacts 11.0%. Conversely, 56.1% report no medical ailments, compared to 67.9% across Greater Adelaide. Working-age population health is notably challenged by high chronic condition rates. The area has 16.1% of residents aged 65 and over (2,109 people), lower than Greater Adelaide's 19.0%. Senior health outcomes present challenges, with national rankings generally aligning with the broader 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 index above average, with 22.2% of its population born overseas and 12.7% speaking languages other than English at home. Christianity was the predominant religion in Smithfield - Elizabeth North, comprising 34.3% of its population. Islam, however, was overrepresented compared to Greater Adelaide, making up 3.9% versus 3.0%.

In terms of ancestry, the top three groups were English (33.3%, regional average: 27.8%), Australian (28.1%, regional average: 22.8%), and Other (9.4%). Notable variations included German at 4.6% (regional average: 5.1%), Australian Aboriginal at 4.3% (regional average: 1.2%), and Welsh at 0.5% (regional average: 0.6%).

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 years. The 5-14 age group constitutes 14.2%, higher than Greater Adelaide's percentage, while the 75-84 cohort makes up 4.6%. Between 2021 and now, the 15 to 24 age group has increased from 13.1% to 14.8%. Conversely, the 45 to 54 age group has decreased from 11.7% to 10.6%. By 2041, demographic projections show significant shifts in Smithfield - Elizabeth North's age structure. The 45 to 54 group is projected to grow by 33%, adding 466 people and reaching a total of 1,860 from the current figure of 1,393. Meanwhile, the 0 to 4 cohort is expected to grow by a modest 9%, an increase of 71 people.