Gilles Plains

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

Based on ABS population updates and AreaSearch validations, as of Nov 2025, the Gilles Plains statistical area's population is estimated at around 4,305. This reflects an increase of 204 people since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 4,101. The change is inferred from AreaSearch's estimate of 4,177 residents following examination of ABS ERP data released in Jun 2024 and 14 validated new addresses since the Census date. This results in a density ratio of 2,446 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 87.0% 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. For areas not covered and 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 employing weighted aggregation from LGA to SA2 levels. Moving forward, demographic trends suggest a population increase just below the median of statistical areas analysed by AreaSearch, with the area expected to expand by 506 persons to reach approximately 4,811 by 2041 based on aggregated SA2-level projections, reflecting an overall increase of 10.5% over the 17-year period.

Residential development activity is slightly higher than average within Gilles Plains when compared nationally

AreaSearch analysis of ABS building approval numbers shows Gilles Plains granted around 20 residential property approvals per year over the past five financial years, totalling an estimated 102 homes. In FY-26 so far, 10 approvals have been recorded. The area has seen an average of 1.8 people moving in annually for each dwelling built between FY-21 and FY-25, indicating a balanced supply and demand fostering stable market conditions. New properties are constructed at an average expected cost of $337,000.

This financial year, $64,000 in commercial approvals have been registered, suggesting a predominantly residential focus. Compared to Greater Adelaide, Gilles Plains records approximately 57% of the building activity per person. Nationally, it ranks at the 76th percentile of areas assessed.

Recently, construction activity has intensified. New building activity comprises 91.0% standalone homes and 9.0% medium and high-density housing, maintaining the area's traditional suburban character with a focus on family homes. With around 157 people per dwelling approval, Gilles Plains is considered a low density area. According to AreaSearch's latest quarterly estimate, the area is projected to add 451 residents by 2041. Given current construction levels, housing supply should adequately meet demand, creating favourable conditions for buyers while potentially enabling growth that exceeds current forecasts.

Gilles Plains has emerging levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the 23rdth percentile nationally

No changes can influence an area's performance more than alterations to local infrastructure, major projects, and planning initiatives. AreaSearch has identified a total of 0 projects that are likely to impact the area. Key projects include Springbank Waters Residential Estate, Gawler Line Electrification & Level Crossing Removals (includes Valley View area works), Walkleys Road Corridor, and Valley View Secondary School upgrade, with the following list detailing those most relevant.

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

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.

Employment conditions in Gilles Plains remain below the national average according to AreaSearch analysis

Gilles Plains has a well-educated workforce with significant representation in essential services sectors. The unemployment rate was 4.3% as of September 2025, with an estimated employment growth of 1.6% over the past year, according to AreaSearch's aggregation of statistical area data.

As of that date, 2,119 residents were employed, while the unemployment rate was 0.4% higher than Greater Adelaide's rate of 3.9%. Workforce participation in Gilles Plains was broadly similar to Greater Adelaide's 61.7%. The leading employment industries among residents were health care & social assistance, retail trade, and public administration & safety.

However, construction was under-represented, with only 6.7% of Gilles Plains' workforce compared to 8.7% in Greater Adelaide. Many residents appear to commute elsewhere for work based on the count of Census working population to local population. Between September 2024 and September 2025, employment levels increased by 1.6%, and labour force increased by 1.4% in Gilles Plains, resulting in a fall of 0.2 percentage points in unemployment. In contrast, Greater Adelaide saw employment rise by 3.0%, the labour force grow by 2.9%, and unemployment fall by 0.1 percentage points during the same period. State-level data from 25-Nov shows SA employment grew by 1.19% year-on-year, adding 10,710 jobs, with the state unemployment rate at 4.0%. This compares favourably to the national unemployment rate of 4.3%, with SA's employment growth outpacing the national average of 0.14%. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May-25 suggest that national employment should expand by 6.6% over five years and 13.8% over ten years, though growth rates differ significantly between industry sectors. Applying these projections to Gilles Plains' employment mix suggests local employment should increase by a similar rate over the same periods.

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 for financial year 2023, the suburb of Gilles Plains had a median income among taxpayers of $48,727. The average income stood at $53,964. This is lower than national averages, which were $54,808 and $66,852 across Greater Adelaide respectively. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 8.8% since financial year 2023, current estimates for September 2025 would be approximately $53,015 (median) and $58,713 (average). According to 2021 Census figures, household income ranks at the 24th percentile, family income at the 29th percentile, and personal income at the 32nd percentile in Gilles Plains. The earnings profile shows that 35.8% of individuals earn between $1,500 and $2,999 annually (1,541 individuals), which aligns with the regional average of 31.8%. Housing affordability pressures are severe, with only 82.3% of income remaining after housing costs, ranking at the 30th percentile.

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 evaluation, 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 74.6% houses and 25.4% other dwellings. Home ownership in Gilles Plains stood at 21.0%, with mortgaged dwellings at 37.6% and rented ones at 41.4%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $1,536, lower than Adelaide metro's $1,603. The median weekly rent in the area was $295, compared to Adelaide metro's $320. Nationally, Gilles Plains' mortgage repayments were significantly lower at $1,536 versus Australia's average of $1,863, and rents were substantially lower at $295 compared to the national figure of $375.

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

Family households constitute 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 comprise the remaining 31.3%, with lone person households at 26.0% and group households making up 5.0% of the total. The median household size is 2.6 people, larger than the Greater Adelaide average of 2.5.

Educational attainment in Gilles Plains aligns closely with national averages, showing typical qualification patterns and performance metrics

Educational attainment in Gilles Plains is notably high, with 32.1% of residents aged 15 and above holding university qualifications, compared to 19.8% in the SA4 region and 25.7% in South Australia overall. This educational advantage is reflected in various credentials: Bachelor degrees are held by 20.4%, postgraduate qualifications by 9.7%, and graduate diplomas by 2.0%. Vocational skills are also prominent, with 29.5% of residents aged 15 and above holding such credentials, including advanced diplomas (9.8%) and certificates (19.7%). Educational participation is high, with 31.2% of residents currently enrolled in formal education, comprising 10.3% in primary education, 6.7% in tertiary education, and 6.6% pursuing secondary education.

Educational participation is notably high, with 31.2% of residents currently enrolled in formal education. This includes 10.3% in primary education, 6.7% in tertiary education, and 6.6% pursuing secondary education.

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

Public transport analysis reveals 24 active transport stops operating within Gilles Plains as of 15th March 2022. These stops serve a mix of bus routes, totaling 20 individual routes. Together, they facilitate 1,984 weekly passenger trips.

Transport accessibility is rated excellent, with residents typically located 175 meters from the nearest transport stop. Service frequency averages 283 trips per day across all routes, equating to approximately 82 weekly trips per individual stop.

Health outcomes in Gilles Plains are marginally below the national average with the level of common health conditions among the general population somewhat typical, though higher than the nation's average among older cohorts

Gilles Plains shows below-average health indicators. Common health conditions are somewhat typical but higher than national averages among older cohorts.

Private health cover is very low at approximately 48% of the total population (~2,082 people), compared to the national average of 55.7%. Mental health issues and arthritis are the most common medical conditions in the area, affecting 8.3 and 8.1% of residents respectively. 70.5% of residents declare themselves completely clear of medical ailments, compared to 72.8% across Greater Adelaide. The area has 13.7% of residents aged 65 and over (589 people). Health outcomes among seniors require more attention than the broader population.

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 main religion in Gilles Plains, comprising 36.8% of the population. Islam is overrepresented in Gilles Plains compared to Greater Adelaide, making up 13.2% versus 8.9%.

The top three ancestry groups are Other (21.5%), English (18.8%), and Australian (18.4%). Notably, Sri Lankan (0.9%) and Indian (7.5%) ethnicities are overrepresented in Gilles Plains compared to regional averages of 0.4% and 8.3%, respectively. Filipino ethnicity is also notably present at 2.4%.

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 and also slightly below Australia's median of 38. Compared to Greater Adelaide, Gilles Plains has a higher proportion of residents aged 35-44 (18.3%) but fewer residents aged 65-74 (6.5%). According to the 2021 Census, the age group of 35 to 44 has increased from 16.7% to 18.3%, while the age group of 65 to 74 has decreased from 8.3% to 6.5%. By the year 2041, Gilles Plains is projected to experience significant changes in its age composition. The demographic shift will be led by the 45 to 54 age group, which is expected to grow by 22%, increasing from 486 to 595 residents. Conversely, the 75 to 84 age group is anticipated to decrease by 10 residents.