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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
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Hawthorndene has an estimated 3,926 residents, up from 3,389 at the 2021 Census — a change of 537 people, or 15.8%. Growth has averaged 2.9% a year over five years, faster than 85% of areas nationally. Overseas migration accounts for 55.0% of that increase. That puts 718 residents on each square kilometre. Population is estimated from ABS Estimated Resident Population releases and GNAF address data, re-based from the 2021 Census and updated annually.
Detail
In the suburb of Hawthorndene, the population reached roughly 3,926 as of Aug 2026, according to AreaSearch's evaluation of regional ABS updates alongside post-Census validated address counts. Compared with the 2021 Census tally of 3,389 people, this represents an addition of 537 people (15.8%). The figure is calculated using an estimated resident population of 3,920 from the ABS ERP figures of June 2025, combined with 6 validated new addresses recorded after the Census. The local population density stands at 717 persons per square kilometer, aligning closely with broader AreaSearch benchmark averages.
Notably, the 15.8% expansion recorded in the suburb of Hawthorndene since the 2021 census outpaced both the SA3 area (5.6%) and the wider SA4 region, positioning it at the forefront of local growth. Net overseas migration served as the core driver, generating approximately 55.00000000000001% of overall population gains in recent times, supplemented by positive inflows from natural increase and interstate migration. Population projections for the suburb of Hawthorndene draw upon ABS/Geoscience Australia SA2 figures published in 2024 (benchmarked to 2022), with gaps and post-2032 horizons supplemented by 2023 SA State Government Regional/LGA age-cohort models (utilising 2021 data) converted to SA2 boundaries via weighted population growth aggregation. Forward-looking estimates suggest population growth exceeding the national statistical area median, with the suburb of Hawthorndene anticipated to expand by 557 persons by 2041 under aggregated SA2 projections, representing a cumulative rise of 14.0% over the 16 years.
Frequently Asked Questions - Population
64 new dwellings have been approved in Hawthorndene over the past five years, an average of 12 a year. That places the area in the 74th percentile for residential development activity nationally, about 3 approvals per 1,000 residents a year. Approvals are currently running at an annualised 21, running ahead of that longer-run average. Figures come from ABS building approvals aggregated to this Suburb (SAL) boundary and are updated monthly as the ABS releases them.
Detail
An evaluation of ABS building approval figures by AreaSearch reveals that new residential development in Hawthorndene has run at approximately 12 new homes per year, accumulating an estimated 64 homes across the preceding 5 financial years. Within FY-25 to date, 21 approvals have been documented. Over the 5 financial years spanning FY-21 and FY-25, roughly 7 new residents arrived for every dwelling built, indicating that construction has lagged population influx and fostered competitive purchasing conditions that bolster prices. Approved dwellings show an average construction value of $669,000, pointing toward an emphasis on upmarket, higher-tier builds.
Concurrently, $311,000 in commercial approvals has been registered during the current financial year, highlighting the predominantly residential character of the neighborhood. Building activity in Hawthorndene tracks moderately ahead of Greater Adelaide, running 26.0% above regional average per person across the 5 year period, which maintains supply options while protecting established property values. Recent development is heavily weighted toward detached housing, with standalone homes comprising 87.0% and attached dwellings accounting for 13.0%, reinforcing low-density neighborhood appeal for buyers seeking larger properties. Delivering around 164 people per approval, the locality displays typical features of an expanding market. Demographic projections indicate an addition of 551 residents in Hawthorndene through to 2041 relative to the most recent AreaSearch quarterly figure. If building activity continues at its current rate, residential construction could trail behind population increases, thereby heightening buyer competition and underpinning property value appreciation.
Frequently Asked Questions - Development
Development applications around Hawthorndene
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| Lodged | Address | Description | Type | Distance | Status |
|---|
SOURCE: Planning portals and council registers, compiled by AreaSearch. Distance & bearing measured from the suburb midpoint.
AreaSearch tracks 9 current infrastructure and development projects close to Hawthorndene, worth an estimated $1.22 billion. The pipeline spans residential development, transport & logistics and environmental & disaster management. Records are compiled from Infrastructure Australia, state agencies, council planning portals and public announcements, reviewed and updated daily, then ranked by proximity, construction stage, completion horizon and project scale.
Detail
Infrastructure upgrades, major planning policies, and development initiatives are vital elements influencing regional performance. AreaSearch has identified no major projects with a direct bearing on the local area. Relevant broader initiatives include SA Water Capital Work Delivery Contracts 2024-28, South Eastern Freeway Upgrade, Adelaide's Inner And Outer Ring Route Capacity Improvements, and Adelaide Public Transport Capacity and Access, with key details summarized below.
Professional plan users can use the search below to filter and access additional projects.
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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.
Frequently Asked Questions - Infrastructure
Adelaide's Inner And Outer Ring Route Capacity Improvements
Enhancement of Adelaide's Inner and Outer Ring Routes to alleviate congestion, aiming for integrated urban mobility and addressing impacts from population growth, economic activity, and travel demand.
Kalyra Belair Village
A retirement village in Belair with 119 homes, offering a range of amenities and activities for residents. Villas are available for sale.
Hotel Panorama
Hotel Panorama is a $60 million, five-storey hospitality destination by the Hurley Hotel Group. Strategically located to support visitation for Flinders University, Flinders Medical Centre, and the Tonsley Innovation Precinct, the venue features 77 accommodation rooms, including 26 serviced apartments and two premium suites. The ground floor hosts a casual cafe bar, restaurant with a sunken fire lounge, and the Sideline sports bar. The fifth floor features a rooftop bar called Wonderland with a gold disco ball pizza oven and panoramic views from the coast to the Adelaide Hills.The project replaced the former Tonsley Hotel and officially opened on May 8, 2026.
Panorama Place Estate
A residential development offering 56 new homes, including land for sale and house and land packages, designed for contemporary living.
Flagstaff Pines Residential Development
A 37 hectare residential community at Flagstaff Hill delivered by Adelaide Development Company, with open space, wildlife corridors, landscaped reserves, watercourses and walking trails. Around 300 home sites were created with a focus on preserving the natural setting. Estate fully delivered and occupied.
Springbank Secondary College upgrade
Refurbishment to the main building for contemporary learning spaces on both the ground and first floor, circulation spaces, new disability unit classes and a new fully assisted toilet amenities.
Living Choice Flagstaff Hill
South Australia's first integrated golf course and retirement community. Stage 1 (42 villas and The Range with 17 apartments) is complete, and Stage 2 (The Summit and The Fairway) with a new golf clubhouse and wellness facilities is now open. The village features a wellness centre, indoor heated pool, cinema, restaurant and bar, and other resident amenities.
Flagstaff Hill Reserve Revegetation Project
Environmental restoration project focusing on native vegetation revegetation, erosion control, biodiversity enhancement, and habitat creation. Includes community education components and ongoing monitoring to ensure ecosystem restoration success.
2,342 residents of Hawthorndene are employed, from a labour force of 2,365. Unemployment sits at 1.0%, with participation at 72.8%. Weighted for its industry mix, the area's sectors are forecast to grow about 7.0% nationally over five years. That reflects industry composition only and makes no allowance for local population growth, so in an area growing as fast as this one it understates the likely rise in local jobs. The working-day population is estimated at 3,329, about 85% of the resident population, so more people leave the area for work than travel in. Unemployment and labour force come from ABS Small Area Labour Markets, updated quarterly; the industry and occupation profile is from the 2021 Census.
Detail
Hawthorndene possesses an educated local workforce with considerable representation across essential services, a jobless rate of just 1.0%, and annual employment growth estimated at 6.8% via AreaSearch statistical area aggregations. By March 2026, employed residents numbered 2,342, with unemployment sitting 2.9% lower than the Greater Adelaide benchmark of 3.8%. Labor force participation is also elevated at 72.8%, well above the 66.4% recorded across Greater Adelaide. Meanwhile, Census figures show a moderate 15.4% of employed locals working from home, a metric potentially shaped by Covid-19 restrictions. Local resident employment is concentrated primarily in health care & social assistance, education & training, along with professional & technical services.
The area displays pronounced occupational specialization in education & training, where its workforce share is 1.6 times the regional level. Conversely, retail trade accounts for a smaller proportion of workers at 7.6%, compared with 10.0% in Greater Adelaide. Comparing the Census working population against resident numbers indicates that local employment opportunities within the immediate area remain relatively limited. Based on AreaSearch analysis of SALM and ABS data, aggregated from broader statistical areas, during the year to March 2026, employment levels increased by 6.8% and labour force increased by 6.4%, causing the unemployment rate to fall by 0.4 percentage points. This contrasts with Greater Adelaide, where employment rose by 4.2%, the labour force grew by 4.0%, and unemployment fell 0.2 percentage points. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from Mar-26 can offer further insight into potential future demand within Hawthorndene. These projections, covering five and ten-year periods, have been mapped against the local employment profile to estimate growth patterns. While national employment is forecast to expand by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, growth rates differ significantly between industry sectors. Applying these industry-specific projections to Hawthorndene's employment mix suggests local employment should increase by 7.0% over five years and 14.4% over ten years (please note this is a simple weighting extrapolation for illustrative purposes and does not take into account localised population projections).
Frequently Asked Questions - Employment
Median household income in Hawthorndene is $2,139 a week (about $111,000 a year), with median personal income at $928 a week. ATO records put median taxable income at $58,081 a year against an average of $72,463. Household income is from the 2021 Census; taxable income is from ATO Taxation Statistics for the latest financial year available, indexed forward using the ABS Wage Price Index.
Detail
Postcode-level ATO data compiled by AreaSearch for financial year 2023 indicates that Hawthorndene recorded a median taxpayer income of $58,081 and an average taxpayer income of $72,463. These figures sit above national norms and exceed Greater Adelaide's median of $54,808 and average of $66,852. Factoring in Wage Price Index growth of 10.17% since financial year 2023 yields updated estimates of approximately $63,988 (median) and $79,832 (average) as of March 2026. Across the 2021 Census, individual, family, and household earnings aligned around the 72nd percentile across Australia. In terms of earnings brackets, the largest segment includes 34.6% of residents (1,358 people) taking home between $1,500 - 2,999, mirroring the regional proportion of 31.8%.
Furthermore, 30.6% receive weekly earnings exceeding $3,000, underscoring affluent cohorts that support local spending. Households retain 88.0% of their income once housing costs are covered, and the locality sits within the 8th decile on the SEIFA income scale.
Frequently Asked Questions - Income
Hawthorndene had 1,198 occupied dwellings at the 2021 Census, 96% detached houses and 1% apartments. 53% are owned with a mortgage, 8% rented and 39% owned outright. At that Census the median rent was $400 a week and the median mortgage repayment $1,842 a month. Rent absorbs 18.7% of household income here and mortgage repayments 19.9%. Dwelling stock, tenure and housing costs are 2021 Census measures — the only source that counts dwellings at this boundary size.
Detail
Data from the latest Census indicates that separate houses made up 96.4% of residential properties in Hawthorndene, with semi-detached dwellings, apartments, and other configurations accounting for 3.6%, compared with 75.2% houses and 24.9% other dwellings across Adelaide metro. Outright home ownership reached 39.3%, markedly exceeding metro levels, while mortgaged properties accounted for 53.0% and rentals made up 7.7%. Typical monthly mortgage payments stood at $1,842, higher than the Adelaide metro median of $1,562 but below the Australian benchmark of $1,863. Median weekly rents were recorded at $400, surpassing both the Adelaide metro level of $320 and the nationwide figure of $375.
Frequently Asked Questions - Housing
Hawthorndene counted 1,198 households at the 2021 Census, an estimated 1,388 today, averaging 2.8 people each. 43% are couples with children, more than in 84% of areas nationally, against 29% couples without children. 18% of households are people living alone, and families average 1.6 children. Household and family composition is measured only by the Census, so these are 2021 figures.
Detail
Families constitute the vast majority of local households at 81.3%, consisting of couples with children (42.5%), couples without children (29.4%), and single parent families (8.7%). Non-family living arrangements account for the remaining 18.7%, primarily made up of lone person households (17.5%) along with group households (1.2%). The area records a median household size of 2.8 people, exceeding the Greater Adelaide benchmark of 2.5.
Frequently Asked Questions - Households
42.6% of adults in Hawthorndene hold a university qualification, including 28.4% with a bachelor degree and 8.8% with postgraduate qualifications, higher than 97% of areas nationally. A further 18.9% hold a vocational qualification. 1 school serves the area, with 321 enrolment places and an average ICSEA of 1,113 against a national benchmark of 1,000. Qualifications come from the 2021 Census; school enrolments, ICSEA and results come from ACARA's current release.
Detail
Educational attainment among Hawthorndene residents is exceptionally high, with 42.6% of individuals aged 15+ possessing university degrees, compared to 25.7% across SA and 28.1% across the SA4 region. Bachelor degrees represent the largest segment at 28.4%, while postgraduate qualifications account for 8.8% and graduate diplomas comprise 5.4%. In addition, technical and trade qualifications are widely held, with vocational credentials held by 30.5% of residents aged 15+, consisting of certificates (18.9%) and advanced diplomas (11.6%). Engagement in formal study is substantial throughout the community, with 30.7% of residents actively enrolled in educational programs.
Breaking this down by level, primary schooling accounts for 11.5%, secondary education represents 8.1%, and tertiary courses encompass 6.2%.
Frequently Asked Questions - Education
Schools Detail
Public transport in Hawthorndene reaches 26 stops on 18 routes, timetabled for about 580 services a week. The typical home sits about 240 m from its nearest stop. Buses carry the largest share of public transport commuters. Households keep an average of 1.8 vehicles. Stop and service counts are built from operators' published GTFS timetables and refresh with each timetable release; vehicle ownership is from the 2021 Census.
Detail
Public transport connectivity in Hawthorndene comprises 26 active transport stops across train and bus modes, accommodating 18 individual routes that generate 578 weekly passenger trips. Stop accessibility is favorable, with residents living an average of 239 meters from the closest boarding point. Commuters predominantly travel outside the residential suburb, with private car travel representing 87% of journeys and train transport accounting for 6%. Household motor vehicle ownership stands at 1.8 vehicles per dwelling, above regional averages, while 15.4% of workers operated from home during the 2021 Census under potential COVID-19 influences.
Public transport services run at an average rate of 82 trips per day across the network, providing approximately 22 weekly trips for each designated stop.
Frequently Asked Questions - Transport
Transport Stops Detail
70.6% of residents in Hawthorndene report no long-term health condition. 3.0% need daily assistance with core activities, and 55.6% hold private health cover. The standardised death rate runs at 4.4 per 1,000 residents. Health conditions, assistance needs and insurance are 2021 Census measures; the death rate comes from current ABS releases.
Detail
Health indicators across Hawthorndene remain strong based on AreaSearch's evaluation of mortality patterns and chronic illness rates, with low incidence of standard health issues observed in both younger and older cohorts. Private health insurance coverage is extensive, encompassing approximately 56% of the local population (~2,183 people), compared to 52.7% throughout Greater Adelaide. Arthritis and asthma are the most prevalent long-term conditions recorded locally, affecting 7.9% and 7.6% of residents, respectively. Meanwhile, 70.6% of the population reported no medical ailments, outperforming the Greater Adelaide rate of 67.9%. Favorable health metrics are evident among residents under 65, while seniors aged 65 and over make up 20.7% of the community (812 people), compared with 19.1% across Greater Adelaide, maintaining solid national health standings.
Frequently Asked Questions - Health
Hawthorndene is largely Australian-born, at 81.2% of residents, with 6.2% speaking a language other than English at home. The largest reported ancestries are English (34.1%) and Australian (26.5%). Ancestry, language and country of birth are counted only by the Census, so these are 2021 figures.
Detail
Cultural diversity metrics for Hawthorndene sit below regional norms, with Australian-born residents comprising 81.2% of the population, Australian citizens making up 93.7%, and 93.8% using only English at home. Christianity constitutes the primary religious affiliation, accounting for 37.4% of the population. Notably, no residents identified with Judaism, in contrast to 0.1% recorded across Greater Adelaide. Looking at parental country of birth, the three most common ancestries in Hawthorndene are English at 34.1% (surpassing the 27.8% regional mark), Australian at 26.5%, and Scottish at 8.5%. Other ancestries also show varied representation relative to the broader region, including Dutch at 2.2% (vs 1.2%), Polish at 1.3% (vs 1.0%), and Welsh at 0.9% (vs 0.6%).
Frequently Asked Questions - Diversity
The median resident of Hawthorndene is 41. 22.4% of residents are aged 15 to 34. Age cohorts are not raw Census counts: the Census split is re-based to the latest ABS population estimates and state projections.
Detail
Age distributions in Hawthorndene align closely with Greater Adelaide benchmarks across all four major demographic cohorts, with the largest variance standing at 6.3 percentage points. The median age is estimated at 41, matching the level observed in the 2021 Census and remaining 2 years older than the Greater Adelaide figure of 39 recorded at that time. The proportion of residents aged 65+ has increased from 18.9% at the Census to an estimated 20.7%. Over the period to 2041, the 45 - 64 age group is projected to record the largest expansion, growing by 215 residents (21%) to reach 1,259.
Frequently Asked Questions - Age
Data & MethodBoundaries, Sources & Method for Hawthorndene
9 of 14 data sections on this page were updated within the last 12 months — the newest current to Oct 2026.
Everything is aggregated to the Suburb (SAL) boundary shown above, on a 2021 Census baseline. Only 3 sections — housing, households and cultural diversity — still wait on the 2026 Census.
The ledger — source, cycle and currency by section
| Section | Source & update cycle | Currency |
|---|---|---|
| Updated within the last 12 months 9 sections | ||
| Population | ABS, GNAF, Geoscience Australia Annual (ABS ERP) | Aug 2026 2 months ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Re-based to the ABS Estimated Resident Population (June 2025 release) and updated with new dwellings from GNAF address data. Current to Aug 2026, with the 2021 Census supplying the small-area baseline. | ||
| Age profile | ABS, Geoscience Australia, State governments Annual | Aug 2026 2 months ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Age cohorts are re-based to the latest ABS population estimates and state projections, current to Aug 2026. Each cohort is held as a Census baseline and a current estimate. | ||
| Development & approvals | ABS, GNAF Monthly (ABS approvals) | Aug 2026 2 months ago headline measures · Jul 2026 baseline |
| Property sales & rents | Valuer General, Rental Board, ABS Weekly sales, quarterly rents | Oct 2026 this month headline measures · Sep 2026 baseline |
| Sales from the state Valuer General register, refreshed weekly, and rents from quarterly rental bond lodgements. Both are read live each time this page loads, current to Oct 2026. | ||
| Infrastructure projects | Infrastructure Australia, Local governments Daily | May 2026 5 months ago all 2 projects tracked here |
| Project pipeline maintained continuously from Infrastructure Australia, state agencies, local government and public announcements. Records are added and revised daily; this area was last updated May 2026. | ||
| Employment | ABS, DEWR, JSA Quarterly (ABS SALM) | Mar 2026 7 months ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Unemployment and labour force from ABS Small Area Labour Markets, current to Mar 2026. The growth outlook applies Department of Employment (now Jobs and Skills Australia) forecasts for all 19 industry divisions to the local industry mix, so it measures sector composition rather than local expansion and makes no allowance for population growth. Job demand comes from the same agency via its Internet Vacancy Index; industry and occupation structure from the 2021 Census. | ||
| Education | ABS, ACARA Annual (ACARA) | Sep 2026 last month headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Transport | ABS, State Transport Departments Each timetable release | Jul 2026 3 months ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Services & amenities | Provider directories, ACECQA Continuous | Sep 2026 last month all 14 measures |
| Annual and financial-year sources 2 sections | ||
| Income | ABS, ATO Annual (ATO) | FY 2023 3 years ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| ATO taxable income statistics for FY 2023, indexed forward using the Wage Price Index. Census household income provides the distribution detail. | ||
| Health | ABS, ATO Annual | 2024 2 years ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Census-measured — next update: 2026 Census 3 sections No more current small-area source exists for these, so they are labelled as Census-measured rather than implied to be current. | ||
| Housing | ABS 5-yearly (Census) | 2021 Census next update 2026 all 30 measures |
| Households | ABS 5-yearly (Census) | 2021 Census next update 2026 all 18 measures |
| Cultural diversity | ABS, Geoscience Australia 5-yearly (Census) | 2021 Census next update 2026 all 44 measures |
"Currency" is the most recent release feeding that section. Where the Census supplies the structural baseline underneath a current headline figure, the row says so.
How the numbers are built
Population
The Census provides the small-area baseline, aggregated from mesh blocks to this boundary. It is then re-based to the ABS Estimated Resident Population (June 2025 release), and new dwellings built since Census night are counted from address data — 6 validated new addresses here. The headline figure is therefore a current estimate for Aug 2026, not a 2021 count (3,389 at the 2021 Census → 3,926 now). Annual growth rates are compound (CAGR), not simple averages.
Age profile
Cohort shares are not raw Census counts. Every cohort is held as a pair — the Census baseline and a current estimate — and the split is re-based using ERP and state population projections, current to Aug 2026. Median age is the Census median plus modelled change since. Charts that show both are labelled "2021 Census vs Current Estimate".
Property sales
Sourced from the state valuation authority's sales register — current, not Census, and refreshed weekly. Medians are calculated from settled transactions in the period shown; periods with very low transaction counts are flagged or suppressed, because a handful of sales can move a median substantially.
Rents
Derived from state rental bond lodgement data, by dwelling type and bedroom count. Bonds are lodged at the start of a new tenancy, so this reflects new lettings, not the whole rented stock.
Development & infrastructure
Building approvals come from current ABS releases; development applications are collected from council and state planning portals; the infrastructure pipeline is compiled from Infrastructure Australia and local government sources. Applications are matched to this boundary by address or coordinates, so very recent lodgements may not yet appear.
Employment & income
Industry and occupation structure comes from the Census, but the headline labour-market indicators do not. Unemployment and labour force are derived from ABS Small Area Labour Markets (quarterly). The employment outlook applies Department of Employment forecasts for all 19 industry divisions to this area's own industry mix (the agency is now Jobs and Skills Australia), as does the Internet Vacancy Index used for job demand. Because it is weighted on industry composition alone, that outlook carries no allowance for local population growth — in fast-growing areas the real rise in local jobs will typically be higher. Income combines Census household income with ATO taxable-income statistics for FY 2023, indexed forward using the Wage Price Index.
Education, transport & amenities
School enrolments, ICSEA and performance come from ACARA's current release, not the Census. Public transport stops and service frequency are derived from GTFS timetable feeds published by state transport departments. Services and amenities are proximity and count scores built from provider directories, refreshed on their own cycle. The Census contributes only the travel-to-work and qualification measures.
Rankings and benchmarks. Where we rank this area, the comparison set is every area of the same boundary type — suburbs against suburbs, SA2s against SA2s. Benchmarks compare this area against its greater capital city region and the national figure for the same measure and period.
Limits worth knowing. Small areas carry larger error margins, and the ABS introduces small random adjustments to Census counts to protect confidentiality — so totals may not sum exactly. Estimates re-based from regional data describe the area's expected trajectory, not a direct count of it. Figures are indicative for research and are not financial, planning or valuation advice.
Cross-check us. The Census baseline for this boundary is at ABS 2021 Census QuickStats (SAL40575). QuickStats reports 2021 only — the figures on this page are more current wherever the ledger shows a later date.