Glenelg (SA)

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

As of Nov 2025, the estimated population for the Glenelg (SA) statistical area (Lv2) is around 3,825. This reflects an increase of 385 people since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 3,440. The change was inferred from AreaSearch's estimated resident population of 3,635 in Jun 2024 and four additional validated new addresses since the Census date. This results in a population density ratio of 3,984 persons per square kilometer, placing Glenelg (SA) among the top 10% of national locations assessed by AreaSearch. Between the 2021 Census and Nov 2025, Glenelg (SA)'s population grew by 11.2%, outpacing both its SA4 region (7.3%) and SA3 area. This growth was primarily driven by overseas migration.

AreaSearch's projections for Glenelg (SA) are based on ABS/Geoscience Australia data released in Jun 2024 with a base year of 2022, and for years post-2032, they adopt SA State Government projections adjusted using weighted aggregation methods. By 2041, the Glenelg (SA) area is projected to grow by an above median national rate, adding 576 persons to its population. This reflects a total increase of 10.5% over the 17-year period from Nov 2025.

Recent residential development output has been above average within Glenelg when compared nationally

Based on AreaSearch analysis using ABS building approval numbers from statistical area data, Glenelg has seen approximately 26 dwellings receiving development approval annually. Over the past five financial years, from FY-21 to FY-25, around 132 homes were approved, with an additional 13 approved so far in FY-26. This results in an average of about 1.6 new residents per year per dwelling constructed during this period.

This balance between supply and demand supports stable market conditions. The average expected construction cost value for new homes is approximately $631,000, indicating a focus on the premium segment with upmarket properties. In FY-26, Glenelg has recorded around $4.7 million in commercial development approvals, reflecting its primarily residential nature. Comparatively, Glenelg shows moderately higher new home approvals than Greater Adelaide, with 20.0% above the regional average per person over the past five years.

This preserves reasonable buyer options while sustaining existing property demand. New building activity in Glenelg is dominated by townhouses or apartments (59.0%), with detached houses accounting for 41.0%. This focus on higher-density living creates more affordable entry points, suiting downsizers, investors, and first-home buyers. Notably, developers are constructing more detached housing than the existing pattern implies (16.0% at Census), reflecting strong demand for family homes despite densification trends. Glenelg reflects a developing area with around 125 people per approval. According to AreaSearch's latest quarterly estimate, Glenelg is forecasted to gain approximately 402 residents by 2041. With current construction levels, housing supply should meet demand adequately, creating favourable conditions for buyers and potentially enabling growth that exceeds current forecasts.

Glenelg has emerging levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the 27thth percentile nationally

Changes to local infrastructure significantly impact an area's performance. AreaSearch has identified 13 projects likely to affect the area. Notable projects include Tram Grade Separation at Marion Road and Cross Road in Plympton, Transforming Jetty Road Glenelg, Dusk Glenelg, and the River Torrens to Darlington (T2D) Project. The following list details 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.

The labour market in Glenelg shows considerable strength compared to most other Australian regions

Glenelg's workforce is highly educated with professional services well-represented. Its unemployment rate was 2.7% in the past year, lower than Greater Adelaide's 3.9%.

Employment growth was estimated at 3.5%. As of September 2025, 1,872 residents were employed, with an unemployment rate of 1.3% below Greater Adelaide's. Workforce participation was 52.6%, compared to Greater Adelaide's 61.7%. Key employment sectors included health care & social assistance, professional & technical services, and retail trade.

Glenelg showed strong specialization in professional & technical services at 1.4 times the regional level, but lower representation in health care & social assistance at 15.5% versus the regional average of 17.7%. The worker-to-resident ratio was 1:1, indicating substantial local employment opportunities. Over the year to September 2025, employment increased by 3.5%, labour force by 3.0%, and unemployment fell by 0.5 percentage points. In comparison, Greater Adelaide recorded employment growth of 3.0% and unemployment falling by 0.1 percentage points. State-level data from 25-Nov-25 showed SA's employment grew by 1.19% year-on-year, with an unemployment rate of 4.0%, outperforming the national average of 4.3%. Jobs and Skills Australia's projections forecast national employment growth of 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Glenelg's employment mix suggests local employment should increase by 6.7% over five years and 13.8% over ten years, though this is a simplified extrapolation for illustrative purposes only.

Income levels align closely with national averages, indicating typical economic conditions for Australian communities according to AreaSearch analysis

According to AreaSearch's aggregation of latest postcode level ATO data released for financial year ended June 2023, Glenelg had a median income among taxpayers of $56,954 and an average income of $80,322. Nationally, these figures are high compared to the national median of $54,808 and average of $66,852 for Greater Adelaide. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 8.8% since financial year ended June 2023, current estimates as of September 2025 would be approximately $61,966 (median) and $87,390 (average). According to the 2021 Census, Glenelg's personal income ranks at the 69th percentile ($915 weekly), while household income sits at the 31st percentile. The predominant income cohort spans 27.4% of locals (1,048 people) in the $1,500 - $2,999 category, consistent with broader trends across the region showing 31.8% in the same category. Housing affordability pressures are severe, with only 84.7% of income remaining after housing costs, ranking at the 32nd percentile. The area's SEIFA income ranking places it in the 6th decile.

Glenelg features a more urban dwelling mix with significant apartment living, with above-average rates of outright home ownership

In Glenelg, as per the latest Census evaluation, 15.8% of dwellings were houses while 84.2% were other types such as semi-detached homes, apartments, and 'other' dwellings. In comparison, Adelaide metro had 52.9% houses and 47.2% other dwellings. Home ownership in Glenelg was at 39.6%, similar to Adelaide metro's level, with the remaining dwellings either mortgaged (15.3%) or rented (45.1%). The median monthly mortgage repayment in Glenelg was $1,733, lower than Adelaide metro's average of $1,950 and the Australian average of $1,863. The median weekly rent figure in Glenelg was recorded at $350, slightly higher than Adelaide metro's $340 but still below the national average of $375.

Glenelg features high concentrations of lone person households and group households, with a lower-than-average median household size

Family households constitute 49.7% of all households, including 11.2% couples with children, 33.1% couples without children, and 4.7% single parent families. Non-family households account for the remaining 50.3%, with lone person households at 46.4% and group households comprising 3.8%. The median household size is 1.8 people, which is smaller than the Greater Adelaide average of 2.2.

Glenelg shows strong educational performance, ranking in the upper quartile nationally when assessed across multiple qualification and achievement indicators

Educational attainment in Glenelg is notable, with 37.4% of residents aged 15 and above holding university qualifications. This compares to 25.7% in South Australia (SA) as a whole and 28.1% in the SA4 region. Bachelor degrees are the most common at 24.5%, followed by postgraduate qualifications at 9.7% and graduate diplomas at 3.2%. Vocational credentials are also prevalent, with 28.8% of residents aged 15 and above holding such qualifications - advanced diplomas account for 12.2% and certificates for 16.6%.

School and university attendance encompasses 18.4% of the community, including 6.5% in tertiary education, 4.1% in primary education, and 3.1% pursuing secondary education.

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

Glenelg has 14 active public transport stops, all of which are bus stops. These stops are served by 32 different routes that together facilitate 3652 weekly passenger trips. Glenelg's transport accessibility is rated excellent, with residents on average being located 162 meters from the nearest stop.

The service frequency averages 521 trips per day across all routes, equating to about 260 weekly trips per individual stop.

Health performance in Glenelg is well below average with prevalence of common health conditions notable across both younger and older age cohorts

Glenelg faces significant health challenges, with common conditions prevalent across both younger and older age groups.

Private health cover is notably high at approximately 59% of the total population (2,245 people). The most frequent medical conditions are arthritis, affecting 10.6% of residents, and mental health issues, impacting 8.9%. Conversely, 61.0% of residents report no medical ailments, compared to 65.9% in Greater Adelaide. Glenelg has a higher proportion of seniors aged 65 and over at 37.5% (1,434 people), compared to 28.3% in Greater Adelaide. Despite this, health outcomes among seniors are strong, even outperforming the general population in health metrics.

The level of cultural diversity witnessed in Glenelg was found to be above average when compared nationally for a number of language and cultural background related metrics

Glenelg, as per data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics Census 2016, exhibited higher cultural diversity compared to most local areas. Specifically, 15.8% of Glenelg's population spoke a language other than English at home, and 31.0% were born overseas. Christianity was identified as the dominant religion in Glenelg, with 50.3% adherents.

Notably, Judaism was overrepresented in Glenelg compared to Greater Adelaide, comprising 0.2% of its population versus the regional average of 0.1%. Regarding ancestry, the top three groups were English (29.8%), Australian (20.3%), and Irish (9.0%). Some ethnicities showed notable differences: German was slightly overrepresented at 5.8% compared to the regional figure of 5.5%, Polish at 1.0% versus 0.9%, and Russian at 0.5% against a regional average of 0.3%.

Glenelg ranks among the oldest 10% of areas nationwide

Glenelg's median age at 55 years is significantly higher than the Greater Adelaide average of 39 and the Australian median of 38. The 65-74 cohort is notably over-represented in Glenelg at 18.6%, compared to the Greater Adelaide average, while those aged 5-14 are under-represented at 4.0%. This concentration of the 65-74 age group is well above the national average of 9.4%. Post-2021 Census data shows that the 75-84 age group has grown from 12.0% to 13.6%, while the 55-64 cohort has declined from 14.2% to 12.7% and the 45-54 group has dropped from 11.1% to 9.7%. By 2041, Glenelg's age composition is expected to shift notably. The 85+ group will grow by 109%, reaching 423 people from 202. Those aged 65 and above will comprise 89% of the projected growth. Conversely, both the 0-4 and 35-44 age groups are expected to decrease in numbers.