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This analysis uses ABS Statistical Areas Level 2 (SA2) boundaries, which can materially differ from Suburbs and Localities (SAL) even when sharing similar names.
SA2 boundaries are defined by the Australian Bureau of Statistics and are designed to represent communities for statistical reporting (e.g., census and ERP).
Suburbs and Localities (SAL) represent commonly-used suburb/locality names (postal-style areas) and may use different geographic boundaries. For comprehensive analysis, consider reviewing both boundary types if available.
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ABS ERP | -- people | --
2021 Census | -- people
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Unley - Parkside has an estimated 22,229 residents, up from 20,998 at the 2021 Census — a change of 1,231 people, or 5.9%. Growth has averaged 0.7% a year over five years. 217 new addresses have been validated here since Census night. Overseas migration accounts for 100.0% of that increase. That puts 3,144 residents on each square kilometre. Population is estimated from ABS Estimated Resident Population releases and GNAF address data, re-based from the 2021 Census and updated annually.
Detail
According to investigations by AreaSearch, the population of Unley - Parkside stands at approximately 22,229 in May 2026. This represents a growth of 1,231 individuals (5.9%) from the 2021 Census, which documented 20,998 residents. This population shift is calculated from the June 2025 ABS estimated resident population of 22,225 along with 217 validated new addresses identified after the Census. The resulting population density is 3,144 persons per square kilometer, placing the suburb in the top quartile of all Australian areas analyzed by AreaSearch. The 5.9% expansion rate since the 2021 census paced ahead of the broader SA3 area (5.4%), establishing the locality as a leader in regional growth.
The expansion was primarily fueled by overseas migration, which acted as the solitary contributor to population increases in recent times. Projections from ABS/Geoscience Australia released in 2024 with a 2022 baseline are utilized by AreaSearch for each SA2 region. In instances where these figures are unavailable, or for periods extending past 2032, regional and LGA projections by age bracket published by the SA State Government in 2023 (utilizing 2021 data) are applied, using weighted aggregation techniques to transition population expansion from LGA to SA2 boundaries. Moving forward, population growth is projected to track slightly below the median of all locations studied by AreaSearch, with the district set to add 2,402 people by 2041 relative to the most recent annual ERP statistics, indicating a total rise of 10.8% over the 16 years.
Frequently Asked Questions - Population
367 new dwellings have been approved in Unley - Parkside over the past five years, an average of 73 a year. That places the area in the 60th percentile for residential development activity nationally, about 3 approvals per 1,000 residents a year. Of the 53 dwellings approved in the latest reporting year, 57% were detached houses and the rest townhouses or apartments. Approvals are currently running at an annualised 148, running ahead of that longer-run average. Figures come from ABS building approvals aggregated to this SA2 boundary and are updated monthly as the ABS releases them.
Detail
Approximately 73 building approvals for new dwellings are issued annually in Unley - Parkside, totaling 367 residential approvals over the 5 financial years from FY-21 to FY-25, and 136 during FY-26 so far. With an average of 2 new residents added per year per completed home over the 5 financial years between FY-21 and FY-25, demand and supply remain well-aligned to foster stable market dynamics, while new residential projects command an average construction value of $465,000, indicating that builders are targeting upmarket, premium projects. Furthermore, commercial building approvals have reached $39.8 million this fiscal year, pointing to high levels of commercial investment in the area.
Relative to Greater Adelaide, the per-capita rate of new home approvals in Unley - Parkside is similar, supporting local market stability in line with broader metropolitan trends. However, this approval rate remains below the national average, reflecting the mature, established character of the area and indicating potential planning constraints. The mix of new housing approvals consists of 57.0% detached houses and 43.0% attached dwellings, offering a growing selection of medium-density choices that span various price levels, from conventional houses for families to more budget-friendly compact layouts. There are roughly 350 people for every residential approval, which highlights the built-out character of the suburb. Demographic projections indicate that Unley - Parkside will add 2,398 residents by 2041, measured from the latest quarterly estimate by AreaSearch. Home building is progressing at a reasonable speed relative to this anticipated growth, though property buyers may face rising competition as the resident population expands.
Frequently Asked Questions - Development
Development applications around Unley - Parkside
Loading development applications…
| Lodged | Address | Description | Type | Distance | Status |
|---|
SOURCE: Planning portals and council registers, compiled by AreaSearch. Distance & bearing measured from the suburb midpoint.
AreaSearch tracks 16 current infrastructure and development projects inside Unley - Parkside, worth an estimated $235 million. A further 50 sit in the immediately surrounding suburbs, taking the tracked pipeline within reach of the area to $19.9 billion. 25 are already under construction and 27 are due for completion within three years. The pipeline spans residential development, tourism and communities, precincts & urban renewal. Records are compiled from Infrastructure Australia, state agencies, council planning portals and public announcements, reviewed and updated daily, then ranked by proximity, construction stage, completion horizon and project scale.
Detail
Local infrastructure projects, planning choices, and development initiatives are major factors in regional performance. AreaSearch has identified a total of 19 projects that are expected to influence the local area. Key developments include Unley Central, the mixed-use development at 12-16 Glen Osmond Road, the townhouses at 322-324 Fullarton Road, and the Unley 108 Apartments, with the list below detailing those most relevant.
Professional plan users can use the search below to filter and access additional projects.
INFRASTRUCTURE SEARCH
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.
Frequently Asked Questions - Infrastructure
Unley Central
A transformative 150 million dollar mixed-use precinct on the former Target site. The nine-storey development integrates 130 luxury apartments with a diverse commercial hub including a six-screen boutique cinema, supermarkets, cafes, and medical services. As South Australia's first fully integrated mixed-use development on a single site, it provides significant local employment and modernizes the Unley Road corridor.
Regis Aged Care Parkside
Construction of a five-storey residential aged care facility (supported accommodation) comprising 156 accommodation units with ancillary communal areas, solar photovoltaic panels, water tanks, car parking, and landscaping. The site, formerly approved for a mixed-use development, was acquired and repurposed by Regis Aged Care.
Unley 108 Apartments
Catcorp's project features a seven-storey mixed-use tower with residential units and a commercial space in Unley.
Unley Road Public Realm Streetscape Upgrade
Council project to revitalise Unley Road between Park Street and Thomas Street. Works include new street furniture, planting beds, way-finding signage, and renewal of footpaths and kerbing.
322-324 Fullarton Road Townhouses
Collection of 10 luxurious two-storey townhouses with flexible floor plan options, modern design features, and Bosch kitchen appliances. Located in high-demand Fullarton suburb with easy access to amenities.
Highgate Village Streetscape Upgrade
Stage 1 upgrade of the Highgate Village Business Precinct, including new footpath paving, garden beds, street furniture, shade trees, and improved pedestrian access.
Glen Osmond Road Pedestrian Crossing Safety Upgrade
Safety improvements at the pedestrian crossing on Glen Osmond Road near Parkside Primary School to enhance pedestrian safety and traffic flow management for school children and families.
Best Life Angas Street
An 18-storey vertical land lease village providing affordable retirement living for over 50s in the Adelaide CBD. The development features 155 one and two-bedroom apartments with premium finishes, designed to facilitate aging in place. Amenities include three levels of secure parking, a community terrace, gym, library, and dedicated activities rooms.
12,282 residents of Unley - Parkside are employed, from a labour force of 12,559. Unemployment sits at 2.2%, with participation at 66.1%. Weighted for its industry mix, the area's sectors are forecast to grow about 7.3% nationally over five years. That reflects industry composition only and makes no allowance for local population growth. Unemployment and labour force come from ABS Small Area Labour Markets, updated quarterly; the industry and occupation profile is from the 2021 Census.
Detail
The local workforce in Unley - Parkside is characterized by high levels of education, strong representation in professional services, an unemployment rate of only 2.2%, and an estimated job growth rate of 5.1% over the past year. In March 2026, there were 12,282 employed locals, with the unemployment rate sitting 1.6% lower than the 3.8% recorded across Greater Adelaide, while labor force participation matched the metropolitan average of 66.6% closely. According to Census data, a moderate 16.4% of residents worked from home, although these figures should be interpreted in light of COVID-19 restriction measures.
The primary employment sectors for local residents are health care & social assistance, professional & technical, and education & training. The area exhibits a significant concentration in professional & technical services, with its share of employment reaching 1.9 times the metropolitan average. Conversely, the construction sector accounts for only 5.3% of local employment, lower than the 8.7% average for Greater Adelaide. A Census-derived ratio of 0.6 local jobs for each resident suggests a higher-than-average volume of local employment options. AreaSearch analysis of SALM and ABS statistics shows that in the year ending March 2026, the count of employed individuals rose by 5.1% and the total labor force grew by 5.1%, which kept local unemployment levels steady. In contrast, Greater Adelaide experienced a 4.2% rise in employment, a 4.0% increase in the labor force, and a 0.2 percentage point decline in the unemployment rate. Projections for national employment starting May-25 from Jobs and Skills Australia provide further context regarding future labor demand in Unley - Parkside. These five and ten-year forecasts have been applied to the local workforce structure to model future growth. Nationally, employment is projected to rise by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, though these growth trajectories vary widely by industry. Applying these sectoral trends to the local employment composition suggests Unley - Parkside could expect a 7.3% employment expansion over five years and a 14.9% increase over ten years, noting that this is a simple weighted projection for illustration that does not account for local population changes.
Frequently Asked Questions - Employment
Median household income in Unley - Parkside is $1,998 a week (about $104,000 a year), with median personal income at $968 a week. ATO records put median taxable income at $62,189 a year against an average of $97,610. The average runs 57% above the median, a wider spread than most areas and a sign of a concentrated group of high earners. Household income is from the 2021 Census; taxable income is from ATO Taxation Statistics for the latest financial year available, indexed forward using the ABS Wage Price Index.
Detail
According to the latest ATO statistics compiled by AreaSearch for the 2023 financial year, taxpayer income levels in the Unley - Parkside SA2 rank in the top percentile nationwide. Taxpayers in the Unley - Parkside SA2 record a median income of $62,189 and an average income of $97,610, which compares to $54,808 and $66,852 respectively for Greater Adelaide. Factoring in Wage Price Index growth of 10.17% since the 2023 financial year, current estimates would translate to roughly $68,514 for median income and $107,537 for average income as of March 2026.
Census statistics show that household, family, and personal incomes in Unley - Parkside sit near the 70th percentile nationally. The distribution of earnings shows 27.2% of residents (6,046 individuals) earning between $1,500 - 2,999, which is comparable to the metropolitan rate of 31.8%. The high proportion of top-tier earners (32.9% earning more than $3,000/week) points to robust financial capacity in the community. Residents retain 86.6% of their income for non-housing costs, and the SEIFA index for income places the area in the 8th decile.
Frequently Asked Questions - Income
Unley - Parkside had 8,333 occupied dwellings at the 2021 Census, 57% detached houses and 20% apartments. 30% are owned with a mortgage, 32% rented and 38% owned outright. At that Census the median rent was $370 a week and the median mortgage repayment $2,167 a month. Rent absorbs 18.5% of household income here and mortgage repayments 25.0%. Dwelling stock, tenure and housing costs are 2021 Census measures — the only source that counts dwellings at this boundary size.
Detail
Dwelling options in Unley - Parkside at the time of the latest Census consisted of 57.2% detached houses and 42.7% other residential options (including semi-detached dwellings, apartments, and alternative housing types), compared to the metropolitan Adelaide split of 75.2% houses and 24.9% other dwellings. Home ownership rates in Unley - Parkside stood higher than the Adelaide metro average at 38.3%, while the remaining properties were held with a mortgage (30.0%) or rented (31.7%). The median monthly mortgage payment of $2,167 was considerably higher than the Adelaide metropolitan average of $1,562, while the median weekly rental cost was $370 compared to $320 across metropolitan Adelaide.
On a national scale, mortgage payments in Unley - Parkside are notably higher than the Australian median of $1,863, whereas rental costs sit slightly below the national figure of $375.
Frequently Asked Questions - Housing
Unley - Parkside counted 8,333 households at the 2021 Census, an estimated 8,822 today, averaging 2.3 people each. 29% are couples with children, against 27% couples without children. 30% of households are people living alone, and families average 1.4 children. Household and family composition is measured only by the Census, so these are 2021 figures.
Detail
Families represent the majority of local households at 65.5%, which is made up of couples with children (29.4%), couples without children (26.5%), and single parent families (8.6%). The remaining 34.5% consists of non-family households, with lone person households representing 30.4% and group households comprising 4.1% of the total. The median size of households is 2.3 people, which is smaller than the Greater Adelaide average of 2.5.
Frequently Asked Questions - Households
50.8% of adults in Unley - Parkside hold a university qualification, including 31.8% with a bachelor degree and 14.0% with postgraduate qualifications, higher than 85% of areas nationally. A further 10.2% hold a vocational qualification. 8 schools serve the area, with 3,414 enrolment places and an average ICSEA of 1,131 against a national benchmark of 1,000. Qualifications come from the 2021 Census; school enrolments, ICSEA and results come from ACARA's current release.
Detail
The level of education in Unley - Parkside is substantially higher than state and national benchmarks, with 50.8% of residents aged 15+ holding a university degree compared to 25.7% in SA and 28.9% across Greater Adelaide. This elevated educational profile positions the population well to capitalize on knowledge-intensive industries. Bachelor degrees are the most common credential at 31.8%, followed by postgraduate degrees (14.0%) and graduate diplomas (5.0%). Vocational education represents 20.1% of qualifications for those aged 15 and over, split between advanced diplomas (9.9%) and certificates (10.2%). There is a high level of educational enrollment locally, with 28.8% of the population currently engaged in study.
This includes 9.3% attending primary school, 8.1% enrolled in tertiary institutions, and 6.9% in secondary school.
Frequently Asked Questions - Education
Schools Detail
Public transport in Unley - Parkside reaches 79 stops on 57 routes, timetabled for about 3,800 services a week. The typical home sits about 210 m from its nearest stop. Buses carry the largest share of public transport commuters. Households keep an average of 1.2 vehicles. Stop and service counts are built from operators' published GTFS timetables and refresh with each timetable release; vehicle ownership is from the 2021 Census.
Detail
Public transit data shows 79 active transport stops in Unley - Parkside, offering a combination of light rail and bus services. These stops are served by 57 distinct routes, which provide 3,781 passenger trips every week. Accessibility is rated favorably, with residents living an average of 205 meters from their nearest transit stop. Given the suburb's residential nature, most workers commute out of the area; private vehicles are the primary mode of travel at 77%, followed by buses at 8% and walking at 6%. Average vehicle ownership is 1.2 per household, which is below the metropolitan average.
Additionally, 16.4% of residents worked from home according to the 2021 Census, which may have been influenced by COVID-19 pandemic conditions. Transit service frequency averages 540 daily trips across all routes, which corresponds to approximately 47 weekly trips per transit stop.
Frequently Asked Questions - Transport
Transport Stops Detail
68.7% of residents in Unley - Parkside report no long-term health condition. 7.1% need daily assistance with core activities, and 69.7% hold private health cover. The standardised death rate runs at 6.1 per 1,000 residents. Health conditions, assistance needs and insurance are 2021 Census measures; the death rate comes from current ABS releases.
Detail
Public health metrics indicate favorable conditions for Unley - Parkside residents, with AreaSearch analyses of mortality rates and health conditions showing outcomes that align closely with national averages. Common health conditions are distributed standardly across different age groups, while the rate of private health insurance is exceptionally high, covering about 70% of the population (15,493 people). This compares to 52.7% for Greater Adelaide and a national average of 55.7%. The most prevalent health issues recorded locally were mental health conditions and arthritis, affecting 8.3 and 7.8% of the population, respectively.
Meanwhile, 68.7% of residents reported having no long-term medical conditions, compared to 67.9% across Greater Adelaide. The working-age population is particularly healthy with a low frequency of chronic illnesses. The area has 23.8% of its population aged 65 and over (5,292 people), higher than the 19.2% average in Greater Adelaide, with national health rankings closely matching the general population.
Frequently Asked Questions - Health
27.5% of Unley - Parkside residents were born overseas and 21.3% speak a language other than English at home. The largest reported ancestries are English (26.8%) and Australian (20.8%). Ancestry, language and country of birth are counted only by the Census, so these are 2021 figures.
Detail
Unley - Parkside displays a higher level of cultural diversity than most local property markets, with 27.5% of residents born outside Australia and 21.3% speaking a non-English language at home. Christianity is the primary religion, representing 45.2% of the local population. However, the most pronounced religious overrepresentation is in Judaism, which accounts for 0.3% of the community compared to 0.1% across metropolitan Adelaide. Regarding ancestral backgrounds based on parent country of birth, the three largest groups in Unley - Parkside are English at 26.8%, Australian at 20.8%, and Other at 8.2%.
There are also distinct concentrations of other ethnic heritages, with Greek heritage representing 3.8% of Unley - Parkside (compared to 2.0% across the region), German at 5.5% (compared to 5.1%), and Italian at 5.1% (compared to 5.2%).
Frequently Asked Questions - Diversity
The median resident of Unley - Parkside is 44. 25.6% of residents are aged 15 to 34. Age cohorts are not raw Census counts: the Census split is re-based to the latest ABS population estimates and state projections.
Detail
The median age of 44 years in Unley - Parkside is higher than the Greater Adelaide average of 39 and the Australian average of 38. Relative to metropolitan Adelaide, the 75 - 84 age cohort is notably larger (8.7% locally), while the 25 - 34 bracket is smaller (12.3%). Since the 2021 Census, the 15 to 24 age bracket has risen from 11.1% to 13.3% of the population, and the 75 to 84 cohort has grown from 7.6% to 8.7%. Meanwhile, the 85+ cohort decreased from 5.3% to 4.4%. Population forecasts for 2041 point to significant changes, with the 85+ age group expected to expand by 662 people (68%) from 975 to 1,638.
This aging trend is prominent, with residents aged 65 and over representing 52% of the projected growth, while the 65 to 74 and 5 to 14 cohorts are expected to contract.
Frequently Asked Questions - Age
Data & MethodBoundaries, Sources & Method for Unley - Parkside
9 of 14 data sections on this page were updated within the last 12 months — the newest current to Aug 2026.
Everything is aggregated to the SA2 boundary shown above, on a 2021 Census baseline. Only 3 sections — housing, households and cultural diversity — still wait on the 2026 Census.
The ledger — source, cycle and currency by section
| Section | Source & update cycle | Currency |
|---|---|---|
| Updated within the last 12 months 9 sections | ||
| Population | ABS, GNAF, Geoscience Australia Annual (ABS ERP) | May 2026 3 months ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Re-based to the ABS Estimated Resident Population (June 2025 release) and updated with new dwellings from GNAF address data. Current to May 2026, with the 2021 Census supplying the small-area baseline. | ||
| Age profile | ABS, Geoscience Australia, State governments Annual | May 2026 3 months ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Age cohorts are re-based to the latest ABS population estimates and state projections, current to May 2026. Each cohort is held as a Census baseline and a current estimate. | ||
| Development & approvals | ABS, GNAF Monthly (ABS approvals) | Jun 2026 2 months ago headline measures · May 2026 baseline |
| Property sales & rents | Valuer General, Rental Board, ABS Weekly sales, quarterly rents | Aug 2026 this month all 21 measures |
| Sales from the state Valuer General register, refreshed weekly, and rents from quarterly rental bond lodgements. Both are read live each time this page loads, current to Aug 2026. | ||
| Infrastructure projects | Infrastructure Australia, State agencies, Local governments Daily | Jun 2026 2 months ago all 16 projects tracked here |
| Project pipeline maintained continuously from Infrastructure Australia, state agencies, local government and public announcements. Records are added and revised daily; this area was last updated Jun 2026. | ||
| Employment | ABS, DEWR, JSA Quarterly (ABS SALM) | Mar 2026 5 months ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Unemployment and labour force from ABS Small Area Labour Markets, current to Mar 2026. The growth outlook applies Department of Employment (now Jobs and Skills Australia) forecasts for all 19 industry divisions to the local industry mix, so it measures sector composition rather than local expansion and makes no allowance for population growth. Job demand comes from the same agency via its Internet Vacancy Index; industry and occupation structure from the 2021 Census. | ||
| Education | ABS, ACARA Annual (ACARA) | Aug 2026 this month headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Transport | ABS, State Transport Departments Each timetable release | Jul 2026 last month headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Services & amenities | Provider directories, ACECQA Continuous | Jul 2026 last month all 14 measures |
| Annual and financial-year sources 2 sections | ||
| Income | ABS, ATO Annual (ATO) | FY 2023 3 years ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| ATO taxable income statistics for FY 2023, indexed forward using the Wage Price Index. Census household income provides the distribution detail. | ||
| Health | ABS, ATO Annual | 2024 2 years ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Census-measured — next update: 2026 Census 3 sections No more current small-area source exists for these, so they are labelled as Census-measured rather than implied to be current. | ||
| Housing | ABS 5-yearly (Census) | 2021 Census next update 2026 all 30 measures |
| Households | ABS 5-yearly (Census) | 2021 Census next update 2026 all 18 measures |
| Cultural diversity | ABS, Geoscience Australia 5-yearly (Census) | 2021 Census next update 2026 all 44 measures |
"Currency" is the most recent release feeding that section. Where the Census supplies the structural baseline underneath a current headline figure, the row says so.
How the numbers are built
Population
The Census provides the small-area baseline, aggregated from mesh blocks to this boundary. It is then re-based to the ABS Estimated Resident Population (June 2025 release), and new dwellings built since Census night are counted from address data — 217 validated new addresses here. The headline figure is therefore a current estimate for May 2026, not a 2021 count (20,998 at the 2021 Census → 22,229 now). Annual growth rates are compound (CAGR), not simple averages.
Age profile
Cohort shares are not raw Census counts. Every cohort is held as a pair — the Census baseline and a current estimate — and the split is re-based using ERP and state population projections, current to May 2026. Median age is the Census median plus modelled change since. Charts that show both are labelled "2021 Census vs Current Estimate".
Property sales
Sourced from the state valuation authority's sales register — current, not Census, and refreshed weekly. Medians are calculated from settled transactions in the period shown; periods with very low transaction counts are flagged or suppressed, because a handful of sales can move a median substantially.
Rents
Derived from state rental bond lodgement data, by dwelling type and bedroom count. Bonds are lodged at the start of a new tenancy, so this reflects new lettings, not the whole rented stock.
Development & infrastructure
Building approvals come from current ABS releases; development applications are collected from council and state planning portals; the infrastructure pipeline is compiled from Infrastructure Australia and local government sources. Applications are matched to this boundary by address or coordinates, so very recent lodgements may not yet appear.
Employment & income
Industry and occupation structure comes from the Census, but the headline labour-market indicators do not. Unemployment and labour force are derived from ABS Small Area Labour Markets (quarterly). The employment outlook applies Department of Employment forecasts for all 19 industry divisions to this area's own industry mix (the agency is now Jobs and Skills Australia), as does the Internet Vacancy Index used for job demand. Because it is weighted on industry composition alone, that outlook carries no allowance for local population growth — in fast-growing areas the real rise in local jobs will typically be higher. Income combines Census household income with ATO taxable-income statistics for FY 2023, indexed forward using the Wage Price Index.
Education, transport & amenities
School enrolments, ICSEA and performance come from ACARA's current release, not the Census. Public transport stops and service frequency are derived from GTFS timetable feeds published by state transport departments. Services and amenities are proximity and count scores built from provider directories, refreshed on their own cycle. The Census contributes only the travel-to-work and qualification measures.
Rankings and benchmarks. Where we rank this area, the comparison set is every area of the same boundary type — suburbs against suburbs, SA2s against SA2s. Benchmarks compare this area against its greater capital city region and the national figure for the same measure and period.
Limits worth knowing. Small areas carry larger error margins, and the ABS introduces small random adjustments to Census counts to protect confidentiality — so totals may not sum exactly. Estimates re-based from regional data describe the area's expected trajectory, not a direct count of it. Figures are indicative for research and are not financial, planning or valuation advice.
Cross-check us. The Census baseline for this boundary is at ABS 2021 Census QuickStats (401071024). QuickStats reports 2021 only — the figures on this page are more current wherever the ledger shows a later date.