Craigmore

An assessment of population growth drivers in Craigmore reveals an overall ranking slightly below national averages considering recent, and medium term trends

Based on analysis of ABS population updates for the broader area and new addresses validated by AreaSearch, as of May 2026, the estimated population of Craigmore is around 11,412. This reflects an increase of 469 people since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 10,943. The change was inferred from the resident population of 11,317 estimated by AreaSearch following examination of the latest ERP data release by the ABS in June 2025 and an additional 17 validated new addresses since the Census date. This level of population equates to a density ratio of 2,338 persons per square kilometer, placing Craigmore in the upper quartile relative to national locations assessed by AreaSearch. Population growth was primarily driven by interstate migration contributing approximately 49.0% of overall population gains during recent periods, although all drivers including natural growth and overseas migration were 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 by age category are adopted, released in 2023 and based on 2021 data, with adjustments made employing a method of weighted aggregation of population growth from LGA to SA2 levels. Moving forward with demographic trends, Craigmore is forecast to experience significant population increase, expected to grow by 3,871 persons to 2041 based on aggregated SA2-level projections, reflecting an increase of 33.1% in total over the 16 years.

Residential development activity is lower than average in Craigmore according to AreaSearch's national comparison of local real estate markets

AreaSearch analysis of ABS building approval numbers indicates that Craigmore has annually granted around 14 residential properties since FY-21. Over the past five financial years, from FY-21 to FY-25, approximately 72 homes were approved, with an additional 18 approved in FY-26 so far. This averages out to about 4.3 new residents per year for every home built during this period.

The demand for housing significantly outpaces supply, which typically exerts upward pressure on prices and intensifies competition among buyers. New properties are constructed at an average expected cost of $329,000. In FY-26, $10.1 million in commercial development approvals have been recorded, indicating moderate levels of commercial development. Compared to Greater Adelaide, Craigmore has significantly less development activity, with 93.0% below the regional average per person. This constrained new construction usually reinforces demand and pricing for existing dwellings.

The area's population density is approximately 1424 people per dwelling approval, reflecting an established market. Population forecasts suggest that Craigmore will gain 3776 residents by 2041, according to the latest AreaSearch quarterly estimate. If current construction levels persist, housing supply may lag behind population growth, potentially intensifying buyer competition and supporting price growth. Recent development has been entirely comprised of standalone homes, preserving the area's suburban nature and attracting space-seeking buyers.

Craigmore has moderate levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the 43rdth percentile nationally

Infrastructure changes significantly influence an area's performance. AreaSearch identified eight projects likely impacting the region, with key initiatives including Playford Alive Urban Renewal Project, Angle Vale Residential Growth Area, Catherine McAuley School Upgrade, and Bentley Road Affordable Housing Development. The following list details those most relevant.

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

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

Craigmore's workforce is balanced across white and blue-collar jobs, with prominent essential services sectors. The unemployment rate was 5.5% as of December 2025. This rate is 1.7% higher than Greater Adelaide's rate of 3.8%.

Workforce participation in Craigmore is lower at 62.9%, compared to Greater Adelaide's 66.0%. According to Census responses, only 5.7% of residents work from home, though Covid-19 lockdown impacts should be considered. Key industries for employment among residents are health care & social assistance, retail trade, and manufacturing. Manufacturing stands out with employment levels at 1.6 times the regional average.

Conversely, professional & technical services show lower representation at 2.6% compared to the regional average of 7.3%. The area appears to offer limited local employment opportunities based on Census data comparing working population to resident population. Over a 12-month period ending in December 2025, Craigmore's labour force increased by 0.0%, while employment declined by 0.1%, leading to an unemployment rate rise of 0.2 percentage points. In contrast, Greater Adelaide saw employment grow by 4.2% and unemployment fall by 0.3 percentage points during the same period. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May-25 project a 6.6% increase in employment over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Craigmore's employment mix suggests local employment should grow by 5.9% over five years and 12.6% over ten years, based on simple weighting extrapolation for illustrative purposes only.

Income figures position the area below 75% of locations analysed nationally by AreaSearch

The suburb of Craigmore's income level is below the national average according to the latest ATO data aggregated by AreaSearch for financial year 2023. The median income among taxpayers in Craigmore is $45,835 and the average income stands at $50,236. In comparison, Greater Adelaide's figures are $54,808 (median) and $66,852 (average). Based on Wage Price Index growth of 10.17% since financial year 2023, current estimates for Craigmore would be approximately $50,496 (median) and $55,345 (average) as of March 2026. According to the 2021 Census, household, family, and personal incomes in Craigmore rank modestly, between the 25th and 36th percentiles. The largest segment comprises 36.9% earning $1,500 - $2,999 weekly (4,211 residents), mirroring regional levels where 31.8% occupy this bracket. After housing expenses, 85.4% of income remains for other expenses.

Craigmore is characterized by a predominantly suburban housing profile, with ownership patterns similar to the broader region

Craigmore's dwelling structure, as per the latest Census data, consisted of 99.4% houses and 0.7% other dwellings such as semi-detached properties, apartments, and 'other' dwellings. This is in contrast to Adelaide metro's figures of 75.2% houses and 24.9% other dwellings. Home ownership in Craigmore stood at 26.5%, with the remaining dwellings either mortgaged (52.8%) or rented (20.7%). The median monthly mortgage repayment in Craigmore was $1,300, significantly lower than Adelaide metro's average of $1,562 and the national figure of $1,863. Meanwhile, the median weekly rent in Craigmore was recorded at $300, substantially below Adelaide metro's $320 and the national average of $375.

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

Family households constitute 78.6% of all households, including 34.7% couples with children, 26.8% couples without children, and 16.5% single parent families. Non-family households account for the remaining 21.4%, with lone person households at 19.0% and group households comprising 2.2%. The median household size is 2.8 people, which is larger than the Greater Adelaide average of 2.5.

Craigmore faces educational challenges, with performance metrics placing it in the bottom quartile of areas assessed nationally

The area's university qualification rate is 8.9%, significantly lower than Australia's average of 30.4%. This disparity presents both a challenge and an opportunity for targeted educational initiatives. Bachelor degrees are the most common at 6.4%, followed by graduate diplomas (1.3%) and postgraduate qualifications (1.2%). Vocational credentials are prevalent, with 39.7% of residents aged 15+ holding such qualifications, including advanced diplomas (9.1%) and certificates (30.6%).

Educational participation is high, with 28.8% of residents currently enrolled in formal education. This includes 12.1% in primary education, 7.8% in secondary education, and 3.4% pursuing tertiary education.

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

Craigmore has 44 active public transport stops, all of which are bus stops. These stops are served by four different routes that together facilitate 348 weekly passenger trips. The accessibility of these transport services is rated as good, with residents typically living within 241 meters of the nearest stop. Most residents in this primarily residential area commute outward. Cars remain the primary mode of transportation, used by 94% of residents. On average, there are 1.6 vehicles per dwelling, which exceeds the regional average.

According to the 2021 Census, only 5.7% of Craigmore's residents work from home, a figure that may be influenced by COVID-19 conditions. The service frequency across all routes averages 49 trips per day, equating to approximately seven weekly trips per individual stop.

Health performance in Craigmore is a key challenge with a range of health conditions having marked impacts on both younger and older age cohorts

Craigmore faces significant health challenges as per AreaSearch's assessment. Mortality rates and chronic condition prevalence are high across various health conditions affecting both younger and older age groups. Private health cover is low at approximately 47% of Craigmore's total population (~5,353 people), compared to Greater Adelaide's 52.7% and the national average of 55.7%.

Mental health issues and arthritis are the most common medical conditions in Craigmore, affecting 10.5% and 10.1% of residents respectively. However, 62.1% of residents report being completely clear of medical ailments, compared to Greater Adelaide's 67.9%. The working-age population faces notable health challenges due to elevated chronic condition rates. Craigmore has a lower proportion of seniors aged 65 and over at 17.0%, with approximately 1,940 people in this age group compared to Greater Adelaide's 19.2%. Health outcomes among seniors present some challenges but generally align with national rankings for the general population.

In terms of cultural diversity, Craigmore records figures broadly comparable to the national average, as found in AreaSearch's assessment of a number of language and cultural background related metrics

Craigmore's population was found to align with the wider area's average in cultural diversity, with 78.8% born in Australia, 91.2% being citizens, and 90.3% speaking English only at home. Christianity was the predominant religion, comprising 39.8%. Islam, however, was overrepresented at 1.6%, compared to Greater Adelaide's 3.0%.

In terms of ancestry, Craigmore had significantly higher proportions of English (35.8%), Australian (28.1%), and Other (7.5%) groups than the regional averages of 27.8%, 22.8%, and 6.4% respectively. Notably, Welsh was overrepresented at 0.7%, German at 4.7%, and Russian at 0.4%.

Craigmore's population is slightly younger than the national pattern

The median age in Craigmore is 37 years, which is lower than Greater Adelaide's average of 39 years and close to the national average of 38 years. The 5-14 age cohort is over-represented in Craigmore at 13.8%, compared to Greater Adelaide's average. Meanwhile, the 25-34 age group is under-represented at 11.4%. Post-2021 Census data shows that the 65-74 age group has grown from 7.7% to 9.3% of Craigmore's population, while the 0-4 cohort has declined from 6.3% to 5.3%. By 2041, population forecasts indicate significant demographic changes for Craigmore, with the 45-54 age group expected to grow by 46%, reaching 2,061 people from 1,415.