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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.
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2021 Census | -- people
Sales Activity
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Population
Population growth drivers in Gilles Plains are strong compared to national averages based on AreaSearch's ranking of recent, and medium to long-term trends
The population of Gilles Plains is estimated at around 4510 as of May 2026, reflecting an increase of 409 people since the 2021 Census. This growth represents a 10% rise from the previous figure of 4101 residents. The change was inferred from AreaSearch's estimation of the resident population at 4507 following examination of ABS data in June 2025, along with validation of an additional 14 new addresses since the Census date. This results in a population density ratio of 2562 persons per square kilometer, placing Gilles Plains in the upper quartile relative to national locations assessed by AreaSearch. The suburb's growth rate of 10% since the 2021 census exceeded both the state average (7.5%) and that of Greater Adelaide. Overseas migration contributed approximately 87% of overall population gains during recent periods, driving this growth.
AreaSearch adopts ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area as 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 released in 2023. These projections are adjusted using a method of weighted aggregation of population growth from LGA to SA2 levels. Considering projected demographic shifts, Gilles Plains is expected to experience a population increase just below the median of national areas by 2041. Based on aggregated SA2-level projections, the suburb is expected to grow by 472 persons over this period, reflecting an overall increase of approximately 10.4%.
Frequently Asked Questions - Population
Development
Residential development activity is slightly higher than average within Gilles Plains when compared nationally
AreaSearch analysis of ABS building approval numbers shows Gilles Plains has averaged around 20 residential properties granted approval per year over the past five financial years. This totals an estimated 102 homes. So far in FY-26, 19 approvals have been recorded. Based on historical data from FY-21 to FY-25, there were approximately 1.9 new residents per year per dwelling constructed. However, recent data shows this has moderated to 0.8 people per dwelling over the past two financial years.
The average construction value of new homes is $337,000. In FY-26, there have been $64,000 in commercial approvals, indicating a predominantly residential focus. Compared to Greater Adelaide, Gilles Plains has approximately 56% of the construction activity per person and ranks among the 77th percentile nationally.
Recent construction comprises 91.0% detached houses and 9.0% medium and high-density housing, maintaining the area's suburban character. There are approximately 154 people per dwelling approval in Gilles Plains, indicating an expanding market. Future projections estimate the location will add 469 residents by 2041. At current development rates, new housing supply should meet demand comfortably, providing good conditions for buyers and potentially supporting growth beyond current population projections.
Frequently Asked Questions - Development
Development applications around Gilles Plains
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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
Gilles Plains has emerging levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the 21stth percentile nationally
No changes can significantly affect a region's performance like alterations to local infrastructure, major projects, and planning initiatives. A total of 0 projects have been identified by AreaSearch that are expected to impact the area. Notable projects include Gawler Line Electrification & Level Crossing Removals, Walkleys Road Corridor, Valley View Secondary School upgrade, and Chain of Trails Master Plan, with the following list outlining those likely most relevant.
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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.
Northern Adelaide Irrigation Scheme
The Northern Adelaide Irrigation Scheme (NAIS) is a recycled water scheme delivering high-quality treated water from the Bolivar Wastewater Treatment Plant to agribusinesses across the Northern Adelaide Plains. Stage 1 infrastructure was built to provide up to 12 gigalitres per year of climate-independent recycled water for horticulture, floriculture, fruit and nut orchards, table and wine grapes, and high-value broad-acre crops, with the network designed to enable future expansion to 20 gigalitres. Key infrastructure includes an advanced water recycling plant at Bolivar, a transfer pipeline, pump stations, an above-ground earth-banked storage at Korunye, managed aquifer recharge, and a distribution network with farm-gate connection points. Construction began in 2018 and the scheme is operational. As of 2025 around 35 per cent of the contracted volume has been sold, and SA Water has been undertaking a review to assess current and forecast demand and identify potential opportunities for the scheme.
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.
Chain of Trails Master Plan
A strategic master plan endorsed by the City of Campbelltown in 2014 to guide staged upgrades to around 10 km of creek line trails along Third, Fourth and Fifth Creeks, creating a safer and more accessible trail network from the foothills to the River Torrens Linear Park. The plan addresses existing conditions, access and safety issues, proposing new alignments, materials, furniture, biodiversity improvements, and upgraded signage. Implementation is underway through various projects, including the Fourth Creek Morialta Parri Trail (partly funded by the SA Government's Planning and Development Fund) and other works funded through Council's open space strategy and annual business plans.
Tea Tree Gully Sustainable Sewers Program
SA Water program to transfer about 4,700 properties in the City of Tea Tree Gully from a council run Community Wastewater Management System with on site septic tanks to a modern sewer network. The project includes staged construction of new wastewater mains, gravity and low pressure sewer connections, new pump stations and on property works, followed by decommissioning and backfilling of septic tanks. Delivery is being rolled out in zones between 2022 and 2028, improving service reliability, reducing overflows and supporting long term water and public health outcomes for the north eastern suburbs of Adelaide.
O-Bahn City Access Project
Completed SA Government public transport project extending the O-Bahn from Gilberton into Adelaide city via centrally aligned priority bus lanes on Hackney Road and a dedicated 670 m bus-only tunnel to Grenfell Street. The works improved bus travel time reliability, reduced Inner Ring Route congestion, reconfigured Rundle Road and East Terrace, and added pedestrian and cycling improvements including a shared path and bridge over the River Torrens.
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.
Employment
Gilles Plains has seen below average employment performance when compared to national benchmarks
Gilles Plains has an educated workforce with prominent representation in essential services sectors. The unemployment rate was 4.7% as of the past year, with estimated employment growth of 2.7%. As of December 2025, 2,241 residents were employed, with an unemployment rate of 4.7%, 0.9% higher than Greater Adelaide's rate of 3.8%.
Workforce participation was similar to Greater Adelaide's at 66.0%. According to Census responses, only 8.7% of residents worked from home. Dominant employment sectors included health care & social assistance, retail trade, and public administration & safety, while construction was under-represented at 6.7% compared to Greater Adelaide's 8.7%.
Many residents commuted elsewhere for work based on Census data. Between December 2024 and December 2025, employment levels increased by 2.7%, labour force by 2.4%, reducing the unemployment rate by 0.2 percentage points. In comparison, Greater Adelaide recorded employment growth of 4.2% and a reduction in unemployment of 0.3 percentage points. National employment forecasts from Jobs and Skills Australia, published in May-25, project national employment growth of 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Gilles Plains' employment mix suggests local employment should increase by 6.6% over five years and 13.8% over ten years, based on a simple weighting extrapolation for illustrative purposes.
Frequently Asked Questions - Employment
Income
Income figures position the area below 75% of locations analysed nationally by AreaSearch
According to AreaSearch's aggregation of the latest postcode level ATO data released in financial year ended June 2023, the suburb of Gilles Plains had a median income among taxpayers of $48,727. The average income stood at $53,964. This was below the national average and compared to levels of $54,808 and $66,852 across Greater Adelaide respectively. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 10.17% since financial year ended June 2023, current estimates would be approximately $53,683 (median) and $59,452 (average) as of March 2026. Census data reveals household income ranks at the 24th percentile, family income at the 27th percentile, and personal income at the 32nd percentile in Gilles Plains. Income distribution shows that the largest segment comprises 35.8% earning $1,500 - 2,999 weekly, with 1,614 residents falling into this category, aligning with regional levels where this cohort represents 31.8%. Housing affordability pressures are severe in Gilles Plains, with only 82.3% of income remaining after housing costs, ranking at the 30th percentile.
Frequently Asked Questions - Income
Housing
Gilles Plains is characterized by a predominantly suburban housing profile, with a higher proportion of rental properties than the broader region
In Gilles Plains, as per the latest Census, 77.6% of dwellings were houses, with the remaining 22.4% comprising semi-detached homes, apartments, and other types. This is compared to Adelaide metro's figures of 75.2% houses and 24.9% other dwellings. Home ownership in Gilles Plains stood at 21.0%, with mortgaged properties at 37.6% and rented ones at 41.4%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $1,536, lower than Adelaide metro's average of $1,562. Median weekly rent in the area was $295, compared to Adelaide metro's $320. Nationally, Gilles Plains' mortgage repayments were significantly lower than the Australian average of $1,863, and rents were substantially below the national figure of $375.
Frequently Asked Questions - Housing
Household Composition
Gilles Plains features high concentrations of group households, with a higher-than-average median household size
Family households account for 68.7% of all households, including 32.6% couples with children, 22.0% couples without children, and 12.6% single parent families. Non-family households constitute the remaining 31.3%, with lone person households at 26.0% and group households making up 5.0%. The median household size is 2.6 people, larger than the Greater Adelaide average of 2.5.
Frequently Asked Questions - Households
Local Schools & Education
Educational attainment in Gilles Plains aligns closely with national averages, showing typical qualification patterns and performance metrics
In Gilles Plains, residents aged 15+ exhibit higher educational attainment compared to broader benchmarks. Specifically, 32.1% hold university qualifications, surpassing the SA4 region's 19.8% and South Australia's 25.7%. This advantage is attributed to a significant number of bachelor degrees (20.4%), postgraduate qualifications (9.7%), and graduate diplomas (2.0%). Vocational credentials are also prominent, with 29.5% of residents holding such qualifications, including advanced diplomas (9.8%) and certificates (19.7%).
Educational participation is notably high, at 31.2%, with residents currently enrolled in primary education (10.3%), tertiary education (6.7%), and secondary education (6.6%).
Frequently Asked Questions - Education
Schools Detail
Nearby Services & Amenities
Transport
Transport servicing is high compared to other areas nationally based on assessment of service frequency, route connectivity and accessibility
Gilles Plains has 24 active public transport stops, all of which are bus stops. These stops are served by 20 different routes that together facilitate 1,984 weekly passenger trips. The area's transport accessibility is rated as excellent, with residents typically living just 175 meters from the nearest stop. Most residents commute outwards daily due to its residential nature. Cars remain the primary mode of transportation at 82%, while buses account for 14%. On average, there are 1.2 vehicles per dwelling, which is below the regional average.
According to the 2021 Census, only 8.7% of residents work from home, a figure that might be influenced by COVID-19 conditions. Across all routes, service frequency averages 283 trips per day, equating to roughly 82 weekly trips per individual stop.
Frequently Asked Questions - Transport
Transport Stops Detail
Health
Health performance in Gilles Plains is lower than average with common health conditions somewhat prevalent across the board, though to a considerably higher degree among older age cohorts
Gilles Plains faces significant health challenges based on AreaSearch's assessment. Mortality rates and chronic condition prevalence are high, with common health conditions prevalent across all age cohorts but more so among older adults. Private health cover is low at approximately 48% of the total population (around 2,181 people), compared to 52.7% in Greater Adelaide and a national average of 55.7%.
The most common medical conditions are mental health issues affecting 8.3% of residents and arthritis impacting 8.1%. About 70.5% of residents claim to be free from medical ailments, compared to 67.9% in Greater Adelaide. Health outcomes among working-age adults are typical. The area has 14.1% of residents aged 65 and over (635 people), lower than the 19.2% in Greater Adelaide. Health outcomes among seniors present some challenges, ranking lower nationally compared to the broader population.
Frequently Asked Questions - Health
Cultural Diversity
Gilles Plains is among the most culturally diverse areas in the country based on AreaSearch assessment of a range of language and cultural background related metrics
Gilles Plains has a high level of cultural diversity, with 44.1% of its population born overseas and 45.2% speaking a language other than English at home. Christianity is the predominant religion in Gilles Plains, comprising 36.8% of people. However, Islam is overrepresented compared to Greater Adelaide's average, making up 13.2%.
The top three ancestry groups are Other (21.5%), English (18.8%), and Australian (18.4%). Notably, Sri Lankan (0.9%), Indian (7.5%), and Filipino (2.4%) ethnicities are overrepresented compared to regional averages.
Frequently Asked Questions - Diversity
Age
Gilles Plains's population is slightly younger than the national pattern
The median age in Gilles Plains is 36 years, which is slightly below Greater Adelaide's average of 39 years and also slightly below Australia's median age of 38 years. Compared to Greater Adelaide, Gilles Plains has a higher proportion of residents aged 35-44 (18.3%) but fewer residents aged 65-74 (6.6%). Between the 2021 Census and now, the percentage of the population aged 35-44 has increased from 16.7% to 18.3%, while the percentage of those aged 65-74 has decreased from 8.3% to 6.6%. By 2041, Gilles Plains is projected to experience significant changes in its age distribution. Notably, the 45-54 age group is expected to grow by 22%, adding 116 people and reaching a total of 635 from 518. Conversely, the 75-84 age group is anticipated to decrease by 10 residents.