Athol Park

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

As of February 2026, the estimated population of the suburb of Athol Park is around 2,254. This figure reflects an increase of 231 people since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 2,023. The increase is inferred from AreaSearch's estimation of the resident population at 2,136 in June 2024, based on examination of the latest ERP data release by the ABS and validation of an additional 30 new addresses since the Census date. This results in a population density ratio of 2,397 persons per square kilometer, placing Athol Park in the upper quartile relative to national locations assessed by AreaSearch. The suburb's population growth of 11.4% since the 2021 census exceeded both the state average (9.0%) and that of Greater Adelaide during this period. Overseas migration contributed approximately 87.0% of overall population gains in Athol Park recently.

AreaSearch is using 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 adjusted using weighted aggregation methods from LGA to SA2 levels. According to these projections, Athol Park is expected to experience above median population growth nationally, with an increase of 392 persons projected by 2041, reflecting a total increase of 12.2% over the 17-year period.

Residential development activity is slightly higher than average within Athol Park when compared nationally

AreaSearch analysis of ABS building approval numbers shows Athol Park had around 14 dwelling approvals annually over the past five financial years. This totals an estimated 70 homes. So far in FY26, 10 approvals have been recorded. On average, 1.9 people moved to the area each year for every dwelling built between FY21 and FY25.

New properties are constructed at an average value of $320,000. This financial year has seen $5.1 million in commercial approvals. Compared to Greater Adelaide, Athol Park shows approximately 75% of the construction activity per person and ranks among the 82nd percentile nationally. Recent construction comprises 33.0% standalone homes and 67.0% townhouses or apartments. This shift from the area's existing housing (currently 72.0% houses) indicates decreasing availability of developable sites and reflects changing lifestyles.

The location has approximately 125 people per dwelling approval, indicating an expanding market. AreaSearch quarterly estimates forecast Athol Park will gain 275 residents by 2041. Current construction levels should meet demand adequately, creating favourable conditions for buyers while potentially enabling growth that exceeds current forecasts.

Athol Park has limited levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the 17thth percentile nationally

"Changes to local infrastructure significantly influence an area's performance. AreaSearch has identified 0 projects likely to impact this area. Notable projects include Our Port, The Queen Elizabeth Hospital Redevelopment Stage Three, North South Corridor, and Adelaide Level Crossings Congestion and Safety.".

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Employment performance in Athol Park has been below expectations when compared to most other areas nationally

Athol Park has a skilled workforce with diverse sector representation. Its unemployment rate was 6.8% in the past year, with estimated employment growth of 4.0%. As of September 2025, 1,075 residents are employed while the unemployment rate is 2.9% higher than Greater Adelaide's rate of 3.9%.

Workforce participation in Athol Park is on par with Greater Adelaide at 66.4%. According to Census responses, only 5.8% of residents work from home. The dominant employment sectors among Athol Park residents are health care & social assistance, manufacturing, and accommodation & food. The area specializes particularly in manufacturing, with an employment share 1.9 times the regional level.

Conversely, education & training has limited presence at 4.2%, compared to 9.3% regionally. Many Athol Park residents commute elsewhere for work based on Census data comparing working population to local population. Between September 2024 and September 2025, employment levels increased by 4.0% and labour force grew by 3.7%, causing the unemployment rate to fall by 0.3 percentage points. National employment forecasts from Jobs and Skills Australia, released in May-25, project national employment growth of 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Athol Park's employment mix suggests local employment should increase by 6.0% over five years and 13.0% over ten years.

The area's income levels rank in the lower 15% nationally based on AreaSearch comparative data

Athol Park's median income among taxpayers was $46,074 in financial year 2023. The suburb's average income stood at $51,274 during the same period. These figures are lower than Greater Adelaide's median and average incomes of $54,808 and $66,852 respectively. By September 2025, estimated median and average incomes in Athol Park would be approximately $50,129 and $55,786 based on Wage Price Index growth of 8.8%. Census data shows that household, family, and personal incomes in Athol Park fall between the 19th and 26th percentiles nationally. The income bracket of $1,500 - 2,999 captures 33.8% of Athol Park's community, which is consistent with broader trends across the metropolitan region showing 31.8% in the same category. Housing affordability pressures are severe in Athol Park, with only 81.6% of income remaining after housing costs, ranking at the 23rd percentile nationally.

Athol Park is characterized by a predominantly suburban housing profile, with a higher proportion of rental properties than the broader region

Athol Park's dwellings, as per the latest Census evaluation, consisted of 71.5% houses and 28.5% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings). This compares to Adelaide metro's 75.2% houses and 24.9% other dwellings. Home ownership in Athol Park stood at 23.6%, with mortgaged dwellings at 35.4% and rented ones at 41.0%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $1,500, below Adelaide metro's average of $1,562. Median weekly rent in Athol Park was $320, matching Adelaide metro's figure but significantly lower than the national average of $375. Nationally, Athol Park's mortgage repayments were notably lower at $1,863.

Athol Park features high concentrations of group households, with a higher-than-average median household size

Family households account for 68.3% of all households, including 33.9% couples with children, 18.6% couples without children, and 13.8% single parent families. Non-family households constitute the remaining 31.7%, with lone person households at 26.1% and group households making up 5.2%. The median household size is 2.7 people, which is larger than the Greater Adelaide average of 2.5.

Athol Park shows strong educational performance, ranking in the upper quartile nationally when assessed across multiple qualification and achievement indicators

Athol Park's residents aged 15+ have 22.2% university degrees, compared to Australia's 30.4%. Bachelor degrees are most common at 16.6%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (4.5%) and graduate diplomas (1.1%). Vocational credentials are held by 27.9% of residents aged 15+, with advanced diplomas at 10.5% and certificates at 17.4%. Educational participation is high, with 31.0% currently enrolled in formal education: 10.5% in primary, 7.8% in secondary, and 5.5% in tertiary education.

Educational participation is notably high, with 31.0% of residents currently enrolled in formal education. This includes 10.5% in primary education, 7.8% in secondary education, and 5.5% pursuing tertiary education.

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

Public transport analysis shows 16 active stops operating within Athol Park, serving a mix of bus routes. These stops are served by 10 individual routes, providing a total of 596 weekly passenger trips. Transport accessibility is rated excellent, with residents typically located 158 meters from the nearest stop. In this primarily residential area, most commuters travel outward, with car being the dominant mode at 87%, and bus at 8%. Vehicle ownership averages 1.3 per dwelling. According to the 2021 Census, a relatively low 5.8% of residents work from home, which may reflect COVID-19 conditions.

Service frequency averages 85 trips per day across all routes, equating to approximately 37 weekly trips per stop.

The level of general health in Athol Park is notably higher than the national average with both young and old age cohorts seeing low prevalence of common health conditions

Athol Park shows better-than-average health outcomes based on AreaSearch's assessment. Both younger and older age groups have low prevalence of common health conditions. Private health cover is found to be relatively low at approximately 47% of the total population (~1,066 people), compared to 52.7% across Greater Adelaide and a national average of 55.7%.

The most prevalent medical conditions are asthma (6.7%) and mental health issues (5.8%), while 77.1% report being completely free from medical ailments, higher than the 67.9% in Greater Adelaide. Under-65 residents show better-than-average health outcomes. The area has a lower proportion of seniors aged 65 and over at 13.4% (302 people), compared to 19.3% in Greater Adelaide. Health outcomes among seniors are particularly strong, ranking higher than the general population nationally.

Athol Park is among the most culturally diverse areas in the country based on AreaSearch assessment of a range of language and cultural background related metrics

Athol Park has a population where 54.2% were born overseas, with 66.0% speaking languages other than English at home. Christianity is the predominant religion in Athol Park, comprising 36.8%. Buddhism is significantly overrepresented compared to Greater Adelaide's average of 2.4%, making up 17.6% of Athol Park's population.

The top three ancestry groups are Vietnamese (21.7%), Other (20.0%), and English (11.6%). Notably, Serbian (2.3%) is overrepresented compared to the regional average of 0.4%, as are Filipino (4.3%) and Polish (1.2%).

Athol Park hosts a young demographic, positioning it in the bottom quartile nationwide

At 34 years, Athol Park's median age is considerably lower than the Greater Adelaide average of 39 years, and substantially under the Australian median of 38 years. Relative to Greater Adelaide, Athol Park has a higher concentration of 35-44 year-olds at 17.8%, but fewer 75-84 year-olds at 3.6%. Between the 2021 Census and the present, the 65-74 age group has grown from 6.9% to 8.4% of the population. Conversely, the 45-54 cohort has declined from 11.5% to 10.3%. Demographic modeling suggests Athol Park's age profile will evolve significantly by 2041. The 45-54 cohort shows the strongest projected growth at 24%, adding 54 residents to reach 287. Meanwhile, the 0-4 cohort grows by a modest 5% (6 people).