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This analysis uses Suburbs and Localities (SAL) boundaries, which can materially differ from Statistical Areas (SA2) even when sharing the same name.
SAL boundaries are defined by Australia Post and the Australian Bureau of Statistics to represent commonly-known suburb names used in postal addresses.
Statistical Areas (SA2) are designed for census data collection and may combine multiple suburbs or use different geographic boundaries. For comprehensive analysis, consider reviewing both boundary types if available.
est. as @ -- *
2021 Census | -- people
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Balaklava has an estimated 2,130 residents, up from 2,083 at the 2021 Census — a change of 47 people, or 2.3%. Density is about 19 people per 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
Based on analysis of ABS population updates for the broader area, and new addresses validated by AreaSearch since the Census Balaklava's population is estimated at around 2,130 as of May 2026. This reflects an increase of 47 people (2.3%) since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 2,083 people. The change is inferred from the resident population of 2,125, estimated by AreaSearch following examination of the latest ERP data release by the ABS (June 2025) and an additional 15 validated new addresses since the Census date. This level of population equates to a density ratio of 19.0 persons per square kilometer, a level providing ample space per person.
Over the past decade, Balaklava has demonstrated resilient growth patterns with a 0.2% compound annual growth rate, outpacing the SA3 area. Population growth for the area was primarily driven by interstate migration that contributed approximately 51.0% of overall population gains during recent periods. AreaSearch is adopting ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area, as released in 2024 with 2022 as the base year. For any SA2 areas not covered by this data, and for years post-2032, the SA State Government's Regional/LGA projections by age category, released in 2023 and based on 2021 data, are adopted with adjustments made employing a method of weighted aggregation of population growth from LGA to SA2 levels. Moving forward with demographic trends, an above median population growth of Australia's regional areas is projected, with the area expected to increase by 256 persons to 2041 based on aggregated SA2-level projections, reflecting with an increase of 11.8% in total over the 16 years.
Frequently Asked Questions - Population
26 new dwellings have been approved in Balaklava over the past five years, an average of 5 a year. That is 2.4 approvals per 1,000 residents. Approvals are currently running at an annualised 2, well below that longer-run average. Figures come from ABS building approvals aggregated to this Suburb (SAL) boundary and are updated monthly as the ABS releases them.
Detail
Based on AreaSearch analysis of ABS building approval numbers, allocated from statistical area data, Balaklava has experienced around 5 dwellings receiving development approval annually, totalling an estimated 26 homes over the past 5 financial years. So far in FY-26, 2 approvals have been recorded. Given an average of only 0.3 new residents per year per dwelling constructed over the past 5 financial years (between FY-21 and FY-25), new supply is keeping pace with or exceeding demand, offering ample buyer choice and creating capacity for population growth beyond current forecasts, while new homes are being built at an average value of $359,000, demonstrating a developer focus on the premium segment with upmarket properties.
Also, $6.4 million in commercial approvals have been registered this financial year, suggesting the area's residential character. Relative to Rest of SA, Balaklava records about 68% of the building activity per person while it places among the 27th percentile of areas assessed nationally, meaning more limited choices for buyers, supporting demand for existing homes. This activity is also below average nationally, reflecting the area's maturity and pointing to possible planning constraints. Meanwhile, recent building activity consists entirely of standalone homes, maintaining the area's traditional low density character with a focus on family homes appealing to those seeking space. The estimated count of 607 people in the area per dwelling approval reflects its quiet, low activity development environment. Looking ahead, Balaklava is expected to grow by 251 residents through to 2041 (from the latest AreaSearch quarterly estimate). At current development rates, housing supply may struggle to match population growth, potentially heightening buyer competition and supporting price increases.
Frequently Asked Questions - Development
Development applications around Balaklava
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| Lodged | Address | Description | Type | Distance | Status |
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SOURCE: Planning portals and council registers, compiled by AreaSearch. Distance & bearing measured from the suburb midpoint.
AreaSearch tracks 15 current infrastructure and development projects close to Balaklava, worth an estimated $1.71 billion. 8 are already under construction and 3 are due for completion within three years. The pipeline spans residential development, retail and education & training. 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
Nothing can influence an area's performance as much as changes to local infrastructure, major projects and planning initiatives. In total 0 projects have been identified by AreaSearch that are likely to have an impact on the area. Key projects include SA Housing Trust Maintenance Contracts Review and Service Program, SA Water Capital Work Delivery Contracts 2024-28, Mid North South Australia REZ Expansion, and Northern Water, with the below list detailing those likely to be of most relevance.
Professional plan users can use the search below to filter and access additional projects.
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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
Eden Two Wells
A residential community with larger allotments, now sold out. It was developed by Land Australia.
Liberty Two Wells
A residential development offering house and land packages in a rural setting with over 6 hectares of parks and reserves.
Two Wells Primary School Infrastructure Upgrade
A $10 million investment to upgrade facilities and replace outdated buildings at Two Wells Primary School.
Grevillea Grove
A small residential development with only 30 homes on generously proportioned blocks.
Two Wells Town Centre
Leyton Property, with Adelaide Plains Council, is delivering a new mixed-use retail and community town centre on an 8 hectare site in Two Wells. The precinct is planned to include a full-line 3500 sqm Drakes supermarket, specialty retail, healthcare, hospitality, convenience retail, community services, landscaped open space, pedestrian links and a town square. Stage 1 has planning consent, while construction is now indicatively targeted to begin in late 2026, subject to infrastructure arrangements. Completion is planned in stages from 2027 to 2030.
Two Wells Main Street Masterplan
A project to revitalise the main street of Two Wells through urban design projects, including renewing the public realm, improving accessibility, and undergrounding powerlines.
Riverlea Masterplanned Community
South Australia's largest masterplanned community in Buckland Park, planned for 15,300 dwellings housing up to 40,000 residents, spanning 1,308 hectares. The development includes a town centre, schools, commercial facilities, extensive open spaces with lakes and waterways, retail centers, and comprehensive community amenities. Construction timeline spans 25 years.
Mitolo Headquarters Expansion
Expansion of the Mitolo Group headquarters in Virginia.
875 residents of Balaklava are employed, from a labour force of 928. Unemployment sits at 5.7%, with participation at 52.8%. Weighted for its industry mix, the area's sectors are forecast to grow about 5.4% nationally over five years. That reflects industry composition only and makes no allowance for local population growth. The working-day population is estimated at 1,720, about 81% 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
Balaklava features a balanced workforce spanning white and blue collar employment, with diverse sector representation, an unemployment rate of 5.7%, and 3.3% in estimated employment growth over the past year, based on AreaSearch aggregation of statistical area data. As of March 2026875 residents are in work while the unemployment rate is 0.3% above Regional SA's rate of 5.5%, and workforce participation lags significantly (52.8% compared to Regional SA's 58.4%). Based on Census responses, a low 6.0% of residents were found to work from home, though Covid-19 lockdown impacts should be considered.
The key industries of employment among residents are agriculture, forestry & fishing, education & training, and health care & social assistance. The area has particular employment specialization in education & training, with an employment share of 1.7 times the regional level. On the other hand, accommodation & food is under-represented, with only 4.0% of Balaklava's workforce compared to 7.0% in Regional SA. The area appears to offer limited employment opportunities locally, as indicated by the count of Census working population vs resident population. Based on AreaSearch analysis of SALM and ABS data, aggregated from broader statistical areas, during the year to March 2026, employment levels increased by 3.3% and labour force increased by 3.3%, keeping the unemployment rate relatively stable. In contrast, Regional SA experienced employment growth of 1.2% and labour force growth of 2.6%, with a 1.4 percentage point rise. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May-25 can offer further insight into potential future demand within Balaklava. These projections, covering five and ten-year periods, have been mapped against the local employment profile to estimate growth patterns. While national employment is forecast to expand by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, growth rates differ significantly between industry sectors. Applying these industry-specific projections to Balaklava's employment mix suggests local employment should increase by 5.4% over five years and 11.9% over ten years (please note this is a simple weighting extrapolation for illustrative purposes and does not take into account localised population projections).
Frequently Asked Questions - Employment
Median household income in Balaklava is $1,088 a week (about $57,000 a year), with median personal income at $611 a week. ATO records put median taxable income at $46,246 a year against an average of $55,869. 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
As per AreaSearch's latest postcode level ATO data released for financial year 2023, the suburb of Balaklava's median income among taxpayers is $46,246, with an average of $55,869. This is below the national average, and compares to Regional SA's median of $48,920 and average of $58,933. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 10.17% since financial year 2023, current estimates would be approximately $50,949 (median) and $61,551 (average) as of March 2026. From the 2021 Census, household, family and personal incomes in Balaklava all fall between the 6th and 13th percentiles nationally.
Income brackets indicate the predominant cohort spans 31.1% of locals (662 people) in the $400 - 799 category, contrasting with the broader area where the $1,500 - 2,999 bracket leads at 27.5%. While housing costs are modest with 87.6% of income retained, the total disposable income ranks at just the 11th percentile nationally.
Frequently Asked Questions - Income
Balaklava had 840 occupied dwellings at the 2021 Census, 87% detached houses and 0% apartments. 31% are owned with a mortgage, 26% rented and 42% owned outright. At that Census the median rent was $227 a week and the median mortgage repayment $1,035 a month. Rent absorbs 20.9% of household income here and mortgage repayments 22.0%. Dwelling stock, tenure and housing costs are 2021 Census measures — the only source that counts dwellings at this boundary size.
Detail
Dwelling structure within Balaklava, as evaluated at the latest Census, comprised 87.4% houses and 12.6% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings), in comparison to Regional SA's 88.5% houses and 11.5% other dwellings. Meanwhile, the level of home ownership within Balaklava was in line with that of Regional SA, at 42.3%, with the remainder of dwellings either mortgaged (31.4%) or rented (26.3%). The median monthly mortgage repayment in the area was well below the Regional SA average at $1,035, while the median weekly rent figure was recorded at $227, compared to Regional SA's $1,153 and $220.
Nationally, Balaklava's mortgage repayments are significantly lower than the Australian average of $1,863, while rents are substantially below the national figure of $375.
Frequently Asked Questions - Housing
Balaklava counted 840 households at the 2021 Census, averaging 2.3 people each. 24% are couples with children, fewer than in 75% of areas nationally, against 30% couples without children. 33% of households are people living alone, and families average 2.1 children. Household and family composition is measured only by the Census, so these are 2021 figures.
Detail
Family households dominate at 63.9% of all households, comprising 23.5% couples with children, 30.0% couples without children, and 10.4% single parent families. Non-family households make up the remaining 36.1%, with lone person households at 33.2% and group households comprising 2.5% of the total. The median household size of 2.3 people matches the Regional SA average.
Frequently Asked Questions - Households
12.9% of adults in Balaklava hold a university qualification, including 10.1% with a bachelor degree and 1.1% with postgraduate qualifications, lower than 91% of areas nationally. A further 27.3% hold a vocational qualification. 3 schools serve the area, with 1,162 enrolment places and an average ICSEA of 964 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 area faces educational challenges, with university qualification rates (12.9%) substantially below the Australian average of 30.4%. This represents both a challenge and an opportunity for targeted educational initiatives. Bachelor degrees lead at 10.1%, followed by graduate diplomas (1.7%) and postgraduate qualifications (1.1%). Trade and technical skills feature prominently, with 34.8% of residents aged 15+ holding vocational credentials – advanced diplomas (7.5%) and certificates (27.3%). A substantial 24.7% of the population actively pursues formal education. This includes 12.4% in primary education, 7.0% in secondary education, and 2.0% pursuing tertiary education.
Frequently Asked Questions - Education
Schools Detail
Getting around Balaklava means driving: households keep an average of 1.4 vehicles, and no scheduled public transport appears in the current timetable feeds. Service data is built from operators' published GTFS timetables; vehicle ownership is from the 2021 Census.
Frequently Asked Questions - Transport
Transport Stops Detail
59.2% of residents in Balaklava report no long-term health condition, a less healthy profile than 86% of areas nationally. 9.5% need daily assistance with core activities, and 49.1% hold private health cover. The standardised death rate runs at 6.9 per 1,000 residents. Health conditions, assistance needs and insurance are 2021 Census measures; the death rate comes from current ABS releases.
Detail
Health data reveals substantial challenges facing Balaklava, based on AreaSearch's assessment of mortality rates and chronic condition prevalence with prevalence of common health conditions notable across both younger and older age cohorts , and the rate of private health cover found to be relatively low at approximately 49% of the total population (~1,046 people). The national average is 55.7%. The most common medical conditions in the area were found to be arthritis and mental health issues, impacting 10.7 and 10.2% of residents, respectively, while 59.2% declared themselves as completely clear of medical ailments compared to 62.5% across Regional SA.
The working-age population faces notable health challenges with elevated chronic condition rates. The area has 29.7% of residents aged 65 and over (632 people), which is higher than the 27.1% in Regional SA. Health outcomes among seniors present some challenges, with national rankings broadly in line with the general population.
Frequently Asked Questions - Health
Balaklava is largely Australian-born, at 91.0% of residents, with 3.8% speaking a language other than English at home. The largest reported ancestries are Australian (35.3%) and English (33.8%). Ancestry, language and country of birth are counted only by the Census, so these are 2021 figures.
Detail
Balaklava was found to be below average in terms of cultural diversity, with 91.0% of its population born in Australia, 92.8% being citizens, and 96.2% speaking English only at home. The main religion in Balaklava was found to be Christianity, which makes up 53.4% of people in Balaklava. This compares to 45.2% across Regional SA. In terms of ancestry (country of birth of parents), the top three represented groups in Balaklava are Australian, comprising 35.3% of the population, English, comprising 33.8% of the population, and German, comprising 8.3% of the population.
Additionally, there are notable divergences in the representation of certain other ethnic groups: Filipino is notably overrepresented at 1.8% of Balaklava (vs 0.7% regionally), French at 0.4% (vs 0.3%) and Australian Aboriginal at 2.0% (vs 3.3%).
Frequently Asked Questions - Diversity
The median resident of Balaklava is 46, older than 82% of areas nationally. 21.2% 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
With a median age of 46, Balaklava is close to the Regional SA figure of 47 and well above the 38-year national average. The 85+ age group shows strong representation at 5.3% compared to Regional SA, whereas the 55 - 64 cohort is less prevalent at 11.5%. Following the 2021 Census, the 15 to 24 age group has grown from 10.3% to 11.5% of the population, while the 75 to 84 cohort increased from 8.9% to 10.0%. Conversely, the 45 to 54 cohort has declined from 11.8% to 10.7%. Demographic modeling suggests Balaklava's age profile will evolve significantly by 2041.
The 85+ age cohort is projected to increase markedly, expanding by 109 people (97%) from 112 to 222. Notably, the combined 65+ age groups will account for 68% of total population growth, reflecting the area's aging demographic profile. Conversely, population declines are projected for the 5 to 14 and 55 to 64 cohorts.
Frequently Asked Questions - Age
Data & MethodBoundaries, Sources & Method for Balaklava
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 Suburb (SAL) 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, Local governments Daily | May 2026 3 months 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 May 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 — 15 validated new addresses here. The headline figure is therefore a current estimate for May 2026, not a 2021 count (2,083 at the 2021 Census → 2,130 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 (SAL40062). QuickStats reports 2021 only — the figures on this page are more current wherever the ledger shows a later date.