Willunga
Statistical Area - sa2

Willunga has seen population growth performance typically on par with national averages when looking at short and medium term trends

Willunga's population as of Aug 2025 is around 3,760, reflecting an increase of 156 people since the 2021 Census which reported a population of 3,604. This growth, representing a 4.3% increase, is inferred from ABS estimated resident population figures of 3,747 in June 2024 and an additional 45 validated new addresses since the Census date. The population density ratio is 44 persons per square kilometer. Willunga's 4.3% growth since census compares to SA3 area growth of 4.8%, demonstrating competitive fundamentals. Interstate migration contributed approximately 63.6% of overall population gains during recent periods, with all drivers including overseas migration and natural growth being positive factors. 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, the SA State Government's Regional/LGA projections are adopted with adjustments made using weighted aggregation methods. Based on projected demographic shifts, Willunga is expected to grow by 286 persons to reach a population of approximately 4,046 by 2041, recording a total gain of 7.3% over the 17-year period.

AreaSearch analysis of residential development drivers sees Willunga recording a relatively average level of approval activity when compared to local markets analysed countrywide

Willunga has granted around 17 residential property approvals annually. Development approval data is produced by the ABS on a financial year basis. Over the past five financial years, from FY21 to FY25, approximately 89 homes were approved. As of FY26, two properties have been approved so far.

On average, each dwelling has attracted 2.3 new residents annually over these five years, indicating solid demand that supports property values. The average expected construction cost value for new homes in Willunga is $646,000, suggesting a focus on premium segment properties. This financial year, $1.4 million worth of commercial approvals have been registered, reflecting the area's residential nature.

Compared to Greater Adelaide, Willunga maintains similar development levels per person, consistent with broader market balance. All new construction in Willunga has comprised detached houses, preserving its low-density nature and attracting space-seeking buyers. The location has approximately 283 people per dwelling approval, indicating a low-density market. By 2041, Willunga is projected to grow by 273 residents. With current construction levels, housing supply should meet demand adequately, creating favourable conditions for buyers while potentially enabling growth that exceeds current forecasts.

Willunga has emerging levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the 33rdth percentile nationally

A total of 19 infrastructure projects have been identified by AreaSearch as potentially impacting the region's performance. Key projects include Willunga Basin Water Infrastructure Expansion, Aldinga Intersection Upgrade, Aldinga Development, and Aldinga Sports Park Master Plan Redevelopment. The following list details those likely to be most relevant.

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

AreaSearch analysis of employment trends sees Willunga performing better than 85% of local markets assessed across Australia

Willunga has a skilled workforce with essential services sectors well represented. The unemployment rate in Willunga is 1.9%, lower than Greater Adelaide's 4.0%.

Employment growth over the past year was estimated at 2.4%. As of June 2025, 2,073 residents are employed with an unemployment rate of 2.1%, similar to Greater Adelaide's workforce participation rate of 61.7%. Key employment sectors include health care & social assistance, construction, and education & training. Notably, agriculture, forestry & fishing has high representation at 5.4 times the regional average.

However, health care & social assistance is lower at 14.8% compared to the regional average of 17.7%. Employment opportunities locally may be limited, indicated by Census data comparing working population and resident population. In the past year, employment increased by 2.4%, labour force by 2.7%, raising unemployment by 0.3 percentage points. This contrasts with Greater Adelaide's marginal unemployment rise despite similar employment and labour force growth rates. Statewide in South Australia as of Sep-25, employment grew by 1.06% year-on-year, adding 9,370 jobs, with an unemployment rate of 4.5%, matching the national rate of 4.5%. National employment forecasts from Jobs and Skills Australia (May 2025) project growth of 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Willunga's employment mix suggests local growth could be approximately 6.2%% over five years and 13.1% over ten years, though this is a simple extrapolation for illustrative purposes only.

Income levels sit below national averages according to AreaSearch assessment

AreaSearch aggregated latest postcode level ATO data released for financial year ended June 2022. Willunga's median taxpayer income was $46,769 with an average of $61,955. Nationally, these figures stood at $52,592 and $64,886 respectively in Greater Adelaide. By March 2025, estimated median and average incomes would be approximately $51,834 and $68,665 respectively, accounting for a 10.83% Wage Price Index growth since June 2022. The 2021 Census ranked household, family, and personal incomes in Willunga between the 42nd and 50th percentiles. Income analysis showed 31.9% of residents (1,199 individuals) earned between $1,500 and $2,999 annually, similar to the regional average of 31.8%. After housing costs, Willunga residents retained 87.9% of their income, indicating strong purchasing power. The area's SEIFA income ranking placed it in the 6th decile.

Willunga is characterized by a predominantly suburban housing profile, with above-average rates of outright home ownership

Willunga's dwelling structure, as per the latest Census, consisted of 97.1% houses and 2.9% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings), compared to Adelaide metro's 89.2% houses and 10.7% other dwellings. Home ownership in Willunga stood at 44.4%, with mortgaged properties at 43.3% and rented ones at 12.4%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $1,733, higher than Adelaide metro's average of $1,452. Median weekly rent in Willunga was recorded at $320, compared to Adelaide metro's $314. Nationally, Willunga's mortgage repayments were lower than the Australian average of $1,863, while rents were substantially below the national figure of $375.

Willunga features high concentrations of family households, with a higher-than-average median household size

Family households account for 80.3% of all households, including 32.8% couples with children, 37.6% couples without children, and 9.3% single parent families. Non-family households constitute the remaining 19.7%, with lone person households at 18.6% and group households making up 1.0%. The median household size is 2.6 people, which is larger than the Greater Adelaide average of 2.5.

Willunga performs slightly above the national average for education, showing competitive qualification levels and steady academic outcomes

The area's educational profile is notable regionally, with university qualification rates at 28.9% for residents aged 15+, surpassing the SA3 area average of 18.9% and the state average of 25.7%. Bachelor degrees are most prevalent at 19.6%, followed by postgraduate qualifications at 5.0% and graduate diplomas at 4.3%. Vocational skills are also prominent, with 36.7% of residents aged 15+ holding credentials such as advanced diplomas (11.8%) and certificates (24.9%).

Educational participation is high, with 26.2% of residents currently enrolled in formal education, including 10.9% in primary, 7.0% in secondary, and 3.9% pursuing tertiary education. Willunga's three schools have a combined enrollment of 1,447 students, reflecting typical Australian school conditions (ICSEA: 1031) with balanced educational opportunities. The educational mix includes one primary, one secondary, and one K-12 school. The area serves as an education hub, offering 38.5 school places per 100 residents, significantly above the regional average of 13.6, attracting students from nearby communities.

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

Transport analysis shows 19 active transport stops operating within Willunga, consisting of a mix of buses. These stops are served by 6 individual routes, collectively offering 298 weekly passenger trips. Transport accessibility is rated good, with residents typically located 277 meters from the nearest stop.

Service frequency averages 42 trips per day across all routes, equating to approximately 15 weekly trips per stop.

Willunga's residents are healthier than average in comparison to broader Australia with prevalence of common health conditions quite low across both younger and older age cohorts

Health data shows positive outcomes for Willunga residents with low prevalence of common health conditions across both younger and older age cohorts. Private health cover stands at approximately 51% (about 1,902 people), compared to Greater Adelaide's 48.6%.

The most prevalent medical conditions are arthritis (affecting 9.8%) and asthma (7.8%), while 68.1% report no medical ailments, higher than Greater Adelaide's 62.9%. Willunga has a higher proportion of seniors aged 65 and over at 26.3% (988 people), compared to Greater Adelaide's 21.0%. Health outcomes among seniors are strong, performing better than the general population in health metrics.

Willunga ranks below the Australian average when compared to other local markets across a number of language and cultural background related metrics

Willunga's population was found to be predominantly Australian-born, with 79.3% having been born there. A high proportion were also citizens at 91.3%, and English speakers at home stood at 96.3%. Christianity emerged as the dominant religion in Willunga, comprising 35.0% of its population.

However, the category 'Other' was slightly overrepresented compared to Greater Adelaide, with 0.8% versus 0.7%. In terms of ancestry, English (36.7%), Australian (27.5%), and Scottish (9.0%) were the most represented groups in Willunga. Notably, Welsh (1.2%), German (6.3%), and French (0.8%) were overrepresented compared to regional averages of 0.8%, 5.4%, and 0.4% respectively.

Willunga hosts an older demographic, ranking in the top quartile nationwide

Willunga's median age was 48 years in the 2021 Census, significantly higher than Greater Adelaide's 39 years and the national average of 38 years. Compared to Greater Adelaide, Willunga had a higher proportion of residents aged 65-74 (15.2%), but fewer residents aged 25-34 (7%). This concentration of 65-74 year-olds was well above the national average of 9.4%. Between the 2016 and 2021 Censuses, Willunga's population aged 75 to 84 grew from 6.7% to 8.6%, while those aged 15 to 24 increased from 10.7% to 11.9%. Conversely, the proportion of residents aged 45 to 54 decreased from 15.4% to 13.5%, and those aged 55 to 64 dropped from 16.4% to 15.2%. By 2041, Willunga's age composition is expected to change significantly. The 75 to 84 age group is projected to grow by 53%, adding 171 people and reaching a total of 493 from 321. Residents aged 65 and older are expected to represent 74% of this growth. Conversely, the number of residents aged 0 to 4 and 45 to 54 is projected to decrease.