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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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West Beach has an estimated 5,503 residents, up from 5,175 at the 2021 Census — a change of 328 people, or 6.3%. Growth has averaged 1.0% a year over five years. Overseas migration accounts for 90.8% of that increase. That puts 1,220 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 findings by AreaSearch, the population of West Beach stands at approximately 5,503 as of May 2026. This represents a growth of 328 individuals (6.3%) compared to the 2021 Census, which recorded 5,175 residents. This demographic shift is calculated using the ABS estimated resident population of 5,487 from June 2025 and 42 validated new addresses registered after the Census. This population level yields a density of 1,220 persons per square kilometer, which exceeds the typical average of national areas analyzed by AreaSearch. West Beach's post-census growth of 6.3% is within 1.2 percentage points of the state average (7.5%), showing competitive expansion trends.
Net overseas migration was the primary driver of population growth, accounting for roughly 90.8% of the recent population increase. AreaSearch utilizes ABS/Geoscience Australia projections released in 2024 with a 2022 baseline for each SA2. For areas lacking this coverage, and for projections beyond 2032, the SA State Government's Regional/LGA projections by age cohort from 2023 (utilizing 2021 data) are applied, adjusting via a weighted aggregation of growth from the LGA to the SA2 level. Future trends point to a population growth rate slightly below the national median, with the locality projected to add 520 residents by 2041 relative to current annual ERP figures, representing a 9.2% increase over the 16 years.
Frequently Asked Questions - Population
131 new dwellings have been approved in West Beach over the past five years, an average of 26 a year. That places the area in the 57th percentile for residential development activity nationally, about 5 approvals per 1,000 residents a year. Of the 21 dwellings approved in the latest reporting year, 76% were detached houses and the rest townhouses or apartments. Approvals are currently running at an annualised 29, broadly in line with 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
An average of 26 residential dwellings receive building approvals in West Beach annually, totaling 131 homes during the past 5 financial years (FY-21 to FY-25) and 27 during the current FY-26. Over the past 5 financial years (FY-21 to FY-25), the area added an average of 2.1 new residents per approved dwelling, pointing to solid demand that underpins property valuations. Newly constructed homes average $455,000 in value, reflecting a developer focus on high-end, premium properties. Meanwhile, commercial approvals total $3.9 million for the current financial year, representing a minor focus on commercial expansion.
Per capita construction activity in West Beach is approximately three-quarters of the level observed in Greater Adelaide, though it ranks in the 67th percentile of locations nationally. Modern housing construction is comprised of 76.0% detached houses and 24.0% multi-dwelling units or apartments, maintaining a classic suburban environment focused on spacious family living. The area averages roughly 237 people for each dwelling approval, suggesting capacity for further building expansion. Looking forward, the population of West Beach is projected to increase by 504 residents by 2041, based on the most recent quarterly estimate from AreaSearch. The current pace of residential development is expected to easily accommodate this demand, creating favorable buyer conditions and potentially driving gains that exceed current baseline projections.
Frequently Asked Questions - Development
Development applications around West Beach
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| Lodged | Address | Description | Type | Distance | Status |
|---|
SOURCE: Planning portals and council registers, compiled by AreaSearch. Distance & bearing measured from the suburb midpoint.
AreaSearch tracks 2 current infrastructure and development projects inside West Beach, worth an estimated $9 million. A further 34 sit in the immediately surrounding suburbs, taking the tracked pipeline within reach of the area to $17.6 billion. 11 are already under construction and 12 are due for completion within three years. The pipeline spans residential development, sports & recreation and transport & logistics. 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, major works, and urban planning decisions are key drivers of regional performance. AreaSearch has tracked 3 major developments expected to influence this location. Notable works include the Adelaide Airport Industrial Development, Project Flight - Adelaide Airport Terminal Expansion, the West Beach Surf Life Saving Club Rebuild, and Apex Park Stage 2 Redevelopment, with the most relevant detailed in the list below.
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
West Beach Surf Life Saving Club Rebuild
$8.5M redevelopment delivering a new two-storey clubhouse with first aid room (with ambulance access), patrol control room, gym, training and conference rooms, accessible change rooms, and expanded storage to house lifesaving equipment. Officially opened May 2024 after works that commenced in late 2022. Jointly funded by Federal and State Governments, City of Charles Sturt, Surf Life Saving SA and West Beach SLSC.
Apex Park Stage 2 Redevelopment
Stage 2 redevelopment of Apex Park, a project funded by a grant of $1,000,000, enhancing community recreation facilities.
Fulham Gardens Shopping Centre Redevelopment
Proposed upgrade and expansion of the existing Fulham Gardens Shopping Centre including additional retail tenancies and improved parking.
21 Adelphi Terrace Carbon-Neutral Development
Proposed 9-storey, 55-apartment carbon-neutral development by Barrio Developments. Features an affordable housing component (15 apartments), premium upper-level residences, communal wellness space, and extensive sustainability features including a 7.5-star NatHERS rating and full electrification. Includes studio to 3-bedroom apartments.
Northshore Glenelg
Boutique apartment complex overlooking the Glenelg Marina. Features 40 architecturally designed apartments with spacious living, unique views of the bay, onsite health facilities including indoor pool, sauna, private gym, and communal rooftop terraces.
Calibre Glenelg
Boutique 11-level residential development featuring 18 apartments with ocean views through pine trees. Mix of one, two and three bedroom apartments located just 300m from Glenelg Beach. Designed with premium materials, floor-to-ceiling windows, and energy-efficient features including double glazing.
Grange Lakes Corridor Shared Use Path (Stages 7, 8 & 9)
A shared-use walking and cycling path through local reserves and along waterways in the City of Charles Sturt, connecting West Lakes to the River Torrens Linear Park near Findon and Grange. The 2.5m wide all-weather path includes new lighting, safety barrier fencing, street crossings, a boardwalk with raingardens, and biodiversity and tree canopy protection measures. Stages 1-6 and 9 are complete. Stage 7 (Marlborough Street to North Street) is under construction, with Stage 8 (North Street to Atkin Street) construction planned for 2026/27.
Transforming Jetty Road Glenelg
A $40 million redevelopment of Glenelg's main street divided into three zones: City, Transition, and Coast. The project upgrades stormwater infrastructure, installs new traffic lights at Moseley Street for pedestrian safety, reduces speed limits to 30 km/h, and introduces continuous accessible footpaths. Construction was accelerated in 2025 to align with the state tram line suspension, bringing the expected completion forward by 18 months.
3,190 residents of West Beach are employed, from a labour force of 3,221. Unemployment sits at 1.0%, with participation at 69.3%. Weighted for its industry mix, the area's sectors are forecast to grow about 6.7% nationally over five years. That reflects industry composition only and makes no allowance for local population growth. The working-day population is estimated at 4,527, about 82% of the resident population, so more people leave the area for work than travel in. 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 West Beach is highly qualified, with strong representation in critical service fields, an unemployment rate of only 1.0%, and a yearly jobs growth estimate of 6.9%. In March 2026, 3,190 local residents were employed. The unemployment rate sits 2.9% below the Greater Adelaide benchmark of 3.8%, and the participation rate is relatively typical at 69.3% compared to 66.6% in Greater Adelaide. According to Census data, 14.3% of the working population performed their duties from home, though this figure was likely influenced by COVID-19 containment measures. The primary employment sectors for local residents are healthcare & social assistance, education & training, and construction.
However, healthcare & social assistance accounts for only 16.3% of local employment, which is lower than the Greater Adelaide level of 17.7%. Comparing the Census working population against the resident population indicates that this largely residential enclave provides a limited volume of local jobs. AreaSearch analysis of SALM and ABS statistics shows that during the 12-month period, local employment rose by 6.9% and the labour force grew by 6.0%, resulting in a 0.8 percentage point reduction in the unemployment rate. Over the same timeframe, Greater Adelaide saw employment rise by 4.2%, labour force expand by 4.0%, and unemployment drop by 0.2 percentage points. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment projections from May-25 offer additional context on future demand trends in West Beach. These five and ten-year forecasts have been applied to the local workforce structure to model potential growth. Nationally, employment is projected to grow by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, though rates vary by industry. Projecting these industry trends onto the West Beach labor mix indicates local jobs would grow by 6.7% over five years and 13.8% over ten years, representing a basic weighted extrapolation for comparison that does not incorporate local demographic forecasts.
Frequently Asked Questions - Employment
Median household income in West Beach is $1,746 a week (about $91,000 a year), with median personal income at $896 a week. ATO records put median taxable income at $57,701 a year against an average of $72,471. 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
Data from the ATO at the postcode level, aggregated by AreaSearch for financial year 2023, shows West Beach SA2 has a median taxpayer income of $57,701 and an average income of $72,471. These figures exceed national benchmarks and compare to a median of $54,808 and an average of $66,852 in Greater Adelaide. Adjusted for a 10.17% rise in the Wage Price Index since financial year 2023, estimated incomes as of March 2026 are approximately $63,569 for the median and $79,841 for the average. In the 2021 Census, individual income was in the 66th percentile ($896 per week), while household earnings sat in the 49th percentile.
The largest income cohort contains 28.2% of residents (1,551 people) earning between $1,500 - 2,999, which aligns with the wider region where 31.8% fall into this range. Discretionary income remaining after housing costs stands at 86.2%, and the SEIFA index for income places the area in the 7th decile.
Frequently Asked Questions - Income
West Beach had 2,052 occupied dwellings at the 2021 Census, 66% detached houses and 21% apartments. 33% are owned with a mortgage, 27% rented and 40% owned outright. At that Census the median rent was $320 a week and the median mortgage repayment $2,000 a month. Rent absorbs 18.3% of household income here and mortgage repayments 26.4%. Dwelling stock, tenure and housing costs are 2021 Census measures — the only source that counts dwellings at this boundary size.
Detail
According to the latest Census, residential dwellings in West Beach consisted of 66.0% separate houses and 34.0% other housing forms (including townhouses, semi-detached properties, and apartments), compared to 75.2% houses and 24.9% other dwellings across the Adelaide metropolitan region. The home ownership rate in West Beach was significantly higher than the metropolitan benchmark, standing at 39.6%, with the remaining properties being mortgaged (33.4%) or rented (27.0%). The median monthly mortgage payment of $2,000 was higher than the Adelaide metropolitan average of $1,562, while the median weekly rent was $320, matching the metropolitan median of $320.
Compared to national figures, West Beach mortgage payments exceed the Australian median of $1,863, while weekly rental rates are lower than the national average of $375.
Frequently Asked Questions - Housing
West Beach counted 2,052 households at the 2021 Census, an estimated 2,182 today, averaging 2.4 people each. 31% are couples with children, against 29% couples without children. 29% of households are people living alone, and families average 1.5 children. Household and family composition is measured only by the Census, so these are 2021 figures.
Detail
Families make up the majority of local households at 69.2%, consisting of couples with children at 31.4%, couples without children at 29.4%, and single-parent homes at 7.5%. The remaining 30.8% are non-family households, which are mostly single-person households at 28.5% and group households at 2.2%. The average household size is 2.4 individuals, slightly below the Greater Adelaide average of 2.5.
Frequently Asked Questions - Households
33.1% of adults in West Beach hold a university qualification, including 22.4% with a bachelor degree and 7.1% with postgraduate qualifications. A further 20.7% hold a vocational qualification. 1 school serves the area, with 317 enrolment places and an average ICSEA of 1,083 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 educational profile of this community is distinct, with university graduation rates (33.1% of residents aged 15+) sitting above the SA benchmark of 25.7% and the Greater Adelaide average of 28.9%, showing a strong local orientation toward tertiary studies. Bachelor degrees are the most common higher qualification at 22.4%, followed by postgraduate degrees (7.1%) and graduate diplomas (3.6%). Vocational and technical training is also highly represented, with 31.5% of residents aged 15+ holding qualifications, consisting of advanced diplomas (10.8%) and certificates (20.7%). Enrolment rates in education are high, with 25.8% of the population engaged in formal studies.
This cohort includes 8.8% in primary schools, 6.6% in high schools, and 5.7% attending tertiary institutions.
Frequently Asked Questions - Education
Schools Detail
Public transport in West Beach reaches 50 stops on 16 routes, timetabled for about 630 services a week. The typical home sits about 130 m from its nearest stop. Buses carry the largest share of public transport commuters. Households keep an average of 1.4 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 transport infrastructure includes 50 active stops within West Beach, consisting of bus services. These stops are connected to 16 separate routes that provide 631 weekly passenger services. Transport accessibility is high, with the average distance to a stop being 133 meters. The neighborhood is largely residential, leading to high rates of outward commuting, with cars being the primary mode of travel at 90%, and bicycle commuters at 2%. Vehicle ownership stands at 1.4 cars per household. Additionally, 14.3% of workers worked from home, according to 2021 Census data which was potentially affected by COVID-19 restrictions.
Bus routes provide an average frequency of 90 daily trips across all services, translating to roughly 12 weekly trips per individual stop.
Frequently Asked Questions - Transport
Transport Stops Detail
69.7% of residents in West Beach report no long-term health condition. 5.4% need daily assistance with core activities, and 54.9% hold private health cover. The standardised death rate runs at 4.9 per 1,000 residents. Health conditions, assistance needs and insurance are 2021 Census measures; the death rate comes from current ABS releases.
Detail
West Beach exhibits positive health metrics in AreaSearch's evaluation of mortality and chronic disease rates, showing low rates of common illnesses across youth and senior cohorts. Approximately 55% of the population (~3,021 individuals) holds private health insurance, compared to 52.7% across Greater Adelaide. Arthritis and asthma are the most prevalent diagnosed conditions, affecting 8.6% and 6.5% of the population, respectively. However, 69.7% of residents reported having no chronic medical conditions, compared to 67.9% in Greater Adelaide. The population under 65 demonstrates better than average health profiles. Residents aged 65 and over make up 21.5% of the population (1,181 people), compared to 19.2% in Greater Adelaide.
Health profiles for these older residents are favorable, with national standings generally matching the trends of the broader population.
Frequently Asked Questions - Health
West Beach is largely Australian-born, at 76.3% of residents, with 15.4% speaking a language other than English at home. The largest reported ancestries are English (28.5%) and Australian (23.9%). Ancestry, language and country of birth are counted only by the Census, so these are 2021 figures.
Detail
Cultural diversity in West Beach is above average, with 23.7% of the population born outside Australia and 15.4% using a non-English language at home. Christianity is the primary religious affiliation, representing 52.4% of residents. The most notable difference from regional averages is in the Other category, which accounts for 1.1% of the population, compared to 1.8% across Greater Adelaide. Regarding parental country of birth, the three largest ancestral groups are English at 28.5%, Australian at 23.9%, and Other at 7.3%. There are also specific ethnic cohorts with notable representation: Greek ancestry makes up 4.2% of the local population (compared to 2.0% regionally), Polish is at 1.1% (compared to 1.0%), and Russian is at 0.6% (compared to 0.3%).
Frequently Asked Questions - Diversity
The median resident of West Beach is 44, older than 78% of areas nationally. That is 1 year younger than at the 2021 Census. 23.5% 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 West Beach is higher than the Greater Adelaide average of 39 and the national median of 38. The 55 - 64 age cohort is highly represented at 13.1% locally, while the 25 - 34 bracket is lower than average at 12.0%. Since the 2021 Census, the 35 to 44 age cohort grew from 12.3% to 13.7% of the population, and the 25 to 34 group rose from 10.7% to 12.0%. Conversely, the 45 to 54 cohort fell from 14.0% to 12.9%. Projections for 2041 suggest notable demographic shifts, with the cohort aged 85 and over expected to increase by 52% (adding 100 people, rising from 192 to 293), while the 0 to 4 group is forecast to grow by a smaller 4%, adding 10 children.
Frequently Asked Questions - Age
Data & MethodBoundaries, Sources & Method for West Beach
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 | Aug 2025 about a year ago all 2 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 Aug 2025. | ||
| 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 — 42 validated new addresses here. The headline figure is therefore a current estimate for May 2026, not a 2021 count (5,175 at the 2021 Census → 5,503 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 (404031109). QuickStats reports 2021 only — the figures on this page are more current wherever the ledger shows a later date.