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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
Sales Activity
Curious about local property values? Filter the chart to assess the volume and appreciation (including resales) trends and regional comparisons, or scroll to the map below view this information at an individual property level.
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Sales Detail
Population
Black Forest is positioned among the lower quartile of areas assessed nationally for population growth based on AreaSearch's assessment of recent, and medium term trends
As of May 2026, the estimated population of the suburb of Black Forest is around 2,014. This reflects an increase of 32 people since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 1,982. The current resident population estimate of 2,012, validated by AreaSearch following examination of ABS's latest ERP data release in June 2025 and additional 8 new addresses since the Census date, indicates a population density ratio of 2,918 persons per square kilometer, placing it in the upper quartile relative to national locations assessed by AreaSearch. Population growth was primarily driven by overseas migration contributing approximately 99.0% of overall population gains during recent periods. AreaSearch adopts ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area released in 2024 with a base year of 2022, and for areas not covered by this data or years post-2032, the SA State Government's Regional/LGA projections by age category released in 2023 based on 2021 data are adopted with adjustments made employing weighted aggregation method from LGA to SA2 levels.
Based on aggregated SA2-level projections, the suburb of Black Forest is expected to grow by 95 persons by 2041, reflecting an increase of 4.6% in total over the 16 years.
Frequently Asked Questions - Population
Development
The level of residential development activity in Black Forest is very low in comparison to the average area assessed nationally by AreaSearch
AreaSearch analysis of ABS building approval numbers indicates Black Forest has recorded approximately seven residential properties granted approval per year over the past five financial years, totalling an estimated 39 homes. In FY-26 so far, nine approvals have been recorded. The area's population has declined in recent years, suggesting new supply has likely kept pace with demand, offering buyers good choice while developers target the premium market segment with higher-end properties, evidenced by an average construction value of $576,000. This year, $3.2 million in commercial approvals have been registered, reflecting Black Forest's primarily residential nature.
Compared to Greater Adelaide, Black Forest records elevated construction activity, 25.0% above the regional average per person over the past five years, balancing buyer choice with support for current property values. However, development activity has moderated in recent periods. New building activity shows 57.0% standalone homes and 43.0% townhouses or apartments, providing options across different price points.
With around 802 people per approval, Black Forest indicates a mature, established area. Looking ahead, AreaSearch estimates the area will grow by 93 residents through to 2041. Based on current development patterns, new housing supply should readily meet demand, offering good conditions for buyers and potentially facilitating population growth beyond current projections.
Frequently Asked Questions - Development
Development applications around Black Forest
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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.
Infrastructure
Black Forest has emerging levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the 27thth percentile nationally
No infrastructure changes have been identified by AreaSearch that could impact the area. Notable projects include Tram Grade Separation Projects, Goodwood Oval Sporting Precinct Revitalisation, North South Corridor, and SA Water Capital Work Delivery Contracts 2024-28.
Professional plan users can use the search below to filter and access additional projects.
INFRASTRUCTURE SEARCH
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Frequently Asked Questions - Infrastructure
SA Water Capital Work Delivery Contracts 2024-28
SA Water's record $3.3 billion capital delivery program for the 2024-28 regulatory period, covering water and wastewater infrastructure across South Australia. The program targets water main replacements, sewerage network upgrades, dam upgrades, water tank refurbishments, and treatment process upgrades across metropolitan and regional areas. A central $1.5 billion component supports the South Australian Premier's Housing Roadmap, expanding network capacity to unlock up to 40,000 new allotments, with major focus on Adelaide's northern growth corridors including Angle Vale, Riverlea, and Roseworthy. Six major framework partners (Fulton Hogan Utilities, John Holland and Guidera O'Connor JV, McConnell Dowell and Diona JV, BMD, Diona, and Leed Engineering and Construction) are delivering works across approximately 120 projects. In Year 1 (to June 2025), $681.6 million in capital was invested. The program runs to June 2028.
Tram Grade Separation Projects
A major infrastructure initiative to remove three high-traffic level crossings on the Glenelg tram line by constructing new elevated tram overpasses at Marion Road, Cross Road, and Morphett Road. The project also included the complete reconstruction of the South Road tram overpass. While tram services resumed on 26 January 2026, ongoing construction continues through mid-2026 for intersection upgrades at Anzac Highway, building shared-use paths for the Mike Turtur Bikeway, and final landscaping.
SA Housing Trust Maintenance Contracts Review and Service Program
Statewide maintenance and service contracts for SA Housing Trust public housing properties, covering reactive maintenance, vacancy restoration and minor works across metropolitan and regional South Australia. The program is delivered by Spotless Facility Services, RTC Facilities Maintenance and Torrens Facility Management. A 2024 SA Government review examined payment, timeliness, dispute resolution and contract performance issues, and the government provided additional funding to accelerate maintenance and upgrades on vacant public housing homes.
Adelaide Public Transport Capacity and Access
State-led program work to increase public transport capacity and access to, through and within central Adelaide. Current work is focused on the City Access Strategy (20-year movement plan for the CBD and North Adelaide) and the State Transport Strategy program, which together will shape options such as bus priority, interchange upgrades, tram and rail enhancements, and better first/last mile access.
Gawler Line Electrification & Level Crossing Removals
State and federal government project to electrify the 42km Gawler rail line from Adelaide CBD to Gawler, with 25kV AC overhead wiring, new signalling systems, upgrade of 14 stations, and activation of 13 pedestrian crossings. Electrified passenger services commenced June 2022. The complementary Ovingham Level Crossing Removal ($231M) replaced the high-risk Torrens Road crossing with a new overpass, public plaza and upgraded Ovingham Railway Station, completing in late 2023.
Adelaide Level Crossing Removal Planning Program
A joint Australian and South Australian Government program to conduct planning studies at priority at-grade level crossing locations across metropolitan Adelaide, and establish a ten-year Level Crossing Removal Program. Adelaide has 126 at-grade level crossings where boom gates can be closed for up to 25% of peak traffic periods. Priority sites under active planning include Cormack Road (Wingfield), Kings Road (Parafield), and Park Terrace (Salisbury). The program commenced in early 2022 and is expected to be completed by late 2026, with the first major removal project - Curtis Road, Munno Para - announced in May 2025 with a $250 million joint funding commitment and construction starting by 2027.
River Torrens to Darlington (T2D) Project
The River Torrens to Darlington (T2D) Project delivers the final 10.5 km section of Adelaide's North South Corridor, creating a 78 km non-stop motorway. The project combines southern and northern twin three-lane tunnels with lowered and surface motorways. Major works are underway at the Southern Precinct at Tonsley, which serves as the purpose-built launch site for the Tunnel Boring Machines (TBMs) for the Southern Tunnels. Tunnelling is expected to start in the second half of 2026, and the project is planned for completion by 2031.
North South Corridor
The North-South Corridor in Australia, a 78 km non-stop motorway from Gawler to Old Noarlunga through Adelaide, includes several projects like the Southern Expressway and Darlington Upgrade. Completion expected by 2031.
Employment
Employment conditions in Black Forest demonstrate strong performance, ranking among the top 35% of areas assessed nationally
Black Forest has a highly educated workforce with strong representation in professional services. Its unemployment rate was 3.1% as of December 2025. Employment growth over the past year was estimated at 3.7%.
The area's unemployment rate is 0.7% lower than Greater Adelaide's, which stands at 3.8%. Workforce participation is fairly standard at 68.9%, compared to Greater Adelaide's 66.0%. According to Census responses, 13.5% of residents work from home, though Covid-19 lockdown impacts should be considered. Key industries of employment among residents are health care & social assistance, professional & technical, and education & training.
The area has a particularly notable concentration in professional & technical services, with employment levels at 1.5 times the regional average. On the other hand, transport, postal & warehousing is under-represented, with only 2.2% of Black Forest's workforce compared to 4.3% in Greater Adelaide. The area appears to offer limited local employment opportunities, as indicated by the count of Census working population vs resident population. Over the 12 months to December 2025, employment increased by 3.7% while labour force increased by 3.8%, resulting in a slight rise in unemployment at 0.1 percentage points. In contrast, Greater Adelaide experienced employment growth of 4.2% and labour force growth of 3.9%, with a drop in unemployment at 0.3 percentage points. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May-25 suggest that Black Forest's local employment should increase by 7.0% over five years and 14.4% over ten years, based on industry-specific projections applied to the area's employment mix.
Frequently Asked Questions - Employment
Income
Income levels align closely with national averages, indicating typical economic conditions for Australian communities according to AreaSearch analysis
The suburb of Black Forest had a median income among taxpayers of $54,013 and an average income of $78,867 in the financial year 2023, according to ATO data aggregated by AreaSearch. These figures compare to Greater Adelaide's median income of $54,808 and average income of $66,852 for the same period. Based on Wage Price Index growth from financial year 2023 to March 2026, estimated current incomes are approximately $59,506 (median) and $86,888 (average). Census data shows personal income ranks at the 66th percentile ($894 weekly), with household income at the 45th percentile. Income analysis indicates that 31.0% of Black Forest's population falls within the $1,500 - 2,999 income range, consistent with surrounding regions' trends showing 31.8% in the same category. Housing costs allow for retention of 86.9% of income, though disposable income ranks below average at the 49th percentile. The suburb's SEIFA income ranking places it in the 6th decile.
Frequently Asked Questions - Income
Housing
Black Forest displays a diverse mix of dwelling types, with above-average rates of outright home ownership
The latest Census evaluated Black Forest's dwelling structure as 59.3% houses and 40.7% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings). In comparison, Adelaide metro had 75.2% houses and 24.9% other dwellings. Home ownership in Black Forest was at 34.3%, with mortgaged dwellings at 25.6% and rented ones at 40.1%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $1,733, higher than Adelaide metro's average of $1,562. The median weekly rent in Black Forest was $290, compared to Adelaide metro's $320. Nationally, Black Forest's mortgage repayments were lower at $1,733 versus Australia's average of $1,863, while rents were substantially below the national figure of $375.
Frequently Asked Questions - Housing
Household Composition
Black Forest features high concentrations of group households and lone person households, with a lower-than-average median household size
Family households account for 62.6% of all households, including 26.0% couples with children, 26.9% couples without children, and 8.5% single parent families. Non-family households constitute the remaining 37.4%, with lone person households at 32.0% and group households making up 5.1%. The median household size is 2.3 people, which is smaller than the Greater Adelaide average of 2.5.
Frequently Asked Questions - Households
Local Schools & Education
Black Forest shows strong educational performance, ranking in the upper quartile nationally when assessed across multiple qualification and achievement indicators
Educational attainment in Black Forest is notably high, with 45.8% of residents aged 15+ holding university qualifications. This compares favourably to South Australia's (SA) average of 25.7% and Greater Adelaide's 28.9%. Bachelor degrees are the most common at 27.9%, followed by postgraduate qualifications at 11.9% and graduate diplomas at 6.0%. Vocational pathways account for 23.7% of qualifications, with advanced diplomas at 9.0% and certificates at 14.7%.
Educational participation is high, with 27.2% of residents currently enrolled in formal education. This includes 8.0% in tertiary education, 7.6% in primary education, and 6.0% pursuing secondary education.
Frequently Asked Questions - Education
Schools Detail
Nearby Services & Amenities
Transport
Transport servicing is good compared to other areas nationally based on assessment of service frequency, route connectivity and accessibility
Black Forest has nine active public transport stops offering a mix of train, light rail, and bus services. These stops are served by 14 routes, collectively facilitating 1,229 weekly passenger trips. Transport accessibility is rated good with residents typically located 202 meters from the nearest stop. As a primarily residential area, most commuters travel outward. The car remains dominant at 75%, while train use stands at 6% and cycling at 4%. Vehicle ownership averages 1.0 per dwelling, below the regional average.
According to the 2021 Census, 13.5% of residents work from home, which may reflect COVID-19 conditions. Service frequency averages 175 trips daily across all routes, equating to approximately 136 weekly trips per individual stop.
Frequently Asked Questions - Transport
Transport Stops Detail
Health
The level of general health in Black Forest is notably higher than the national average with both young and old age cohorts seeing low prevalence of common health conditions
Black Forest demonstrates above-average health outcomes based on AreaSearch's assessment of mortality rates and chronic condition prevalence. Both young and old age cohorts show low prevalence of common health conditions.
The rate of private health cover is very high at approximately 58% of the total population (around 1,170 people), compared to 52.7% across Greater Adelaide. The most common medical conditions in the area are mental health issues and arthritis, impacting 9.3 and 8.2% of residents respectively. Seventy-point-one percent declare themselves completely clear of medical ailments, compared to 67.9% across Greater Adelaide. Health outcomes among the working-age population are broadly typical. The area has 20.0% of residents aged 65 and over (402 people). Health outcomes among seniors are above average, with national rankings broadly in line with the general population.
Frequently Asked Questions - Health
Cultural Diversity
The level of cultural diversity witnessed in Black Forest was found to be above average when compared nationally for a number of language and cultural background related metrics
Black Forest had a higher cultural diversity than most local markets, with 25.9% of its population born overseas and 21.6% speaking a language other than English at home. Christianity was the predominant religion in Black Forest, composing 39.1% of its population. Hinduism was notably overrepresented in Black Forest, comprising 4.9% compared to the regional average of 2.8%.
The top three ancestry groups were English (26.0%), Australian (22.7%), and Other (10.7%). There were notable differences in the representation of certain ethnic groups: Greek was overrepresented at 4.3%, German at 5.8%, and Polish at 1.0%.
Frequently Asked Questions - Diversity
Age
Black Forest's population aligns closely with national norms in age terms
Black Forest's median age in 2021 was 39 years, matching Greater Adelaide's average of 39 and closely aligned with Australia's median of 38. The 25-34 cohort was notably over-represented at 16.9% compared to the Greater Adelaide average, while the 35-44 cohort was under-represented at 12.0%. Post-2021 Census, the 75-84 age group grew from 5.1% to 7.4%, and the 15-24 cohort increased from 12.1% to 13.3%. Conversely, the 45-54 cohort declined from 12.4% to 10.9%. By 2041, demographic modeling suggests Black Forest's age profile will change significantly. The 75-84 cohort is projected to grow by 24%, adding 35 residents to reach 185. Residents aged 65 and older are expected to represent 63% of the population growth. Conversely, population declines are anticipated for the 0-4 and 15-24 cohorts.