Kadina

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

By November 2025, the estimated population of Kadina is around 3,142. This increase of 198 people from the 2021 Census figure of 2,944 represents a growth rate of 6.7%. AreaSearch validated this estimate using ERP data released by the ABS in June 2024 and additional new addresses since the Census date. The population density is approximately 30 persons per square kilometer. Over the past decade, Kadina has shown resilience with a compound annual growth rate of 0.8%, outperforming its SA4 region. Interstate migration contributed largely to this growth, accounting for about 72% of overall population gains.

Other factors such as natural growth and overseas migration also played positive roles. AreaSearch uses ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for Kadina's 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 are adopted with adjustments made using a weighted aggregation method from LGA to SA2 levels. Future population dynamics project an above median growth for Australia's non-metropolitan areas. By 2041, Kadina is expected to increase by 403 persons, reflecting a total increase of 12.9% over the 17 years.

AreaSearch analysis of residential development drivers sees Kadina recording a relatively average level of approval activity when compared to local markets analysed countrywide

Based on AreaSearch analysis of ABS building approval numbers, allocated from statistical area data, Kadina has recorded approximately 17 residential properties granted approval each year. Over the past five financial years, from FY21 to FY25, around 87 homes were approved, with a further three approved so far in FY26. On average, about 1.9 new residents per year per dwelling constructed have been recorded during these five years.

This suggests that supply and demand are well-matched, contributing to stable market dynamics. The average construction value of new homes over this period is $389,000. In terms of commercial development, there have been $3.1 million in approvals this financial year, indicating limited focus on commercial projects compared to residential ones.

When comparing Kadina's building activity with the rest of South Australia, it records roughly half the activity per person. Nationally, Kadina ranks among the 62nd percentile of areas assessed. Recent construction comprises 93.0% detached dwellings and 7.0% attached dwellings, maintaining the area's low-density nature and appealing to space-seeking buyers. With approximately 232 people per dwelling approval, there is potential for population growth in Kadina. According to AreaSearch's latest quarterly estimate, the location is projected to add 405 residents by 2041. Given current construction levels, housing supply should meet demand adequately, creating favourable conditions for buyers and potentially enabling population growth that exceeds current forecasts.

Kadina has emerging levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the 33rdth percentile nationally

AreaSearch has identified 12 projects that could impact the area significantly. Key projects include Kadina Central Expansion, Daddow Court and Abbott Drive Residential Development, Kadina Town Hall Restoration, and Kadina Town Centre Redevelopment (Kadina Hub). The following list details those likely to be 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 Kadina face significant challenges, ranking among the bottom 10% of areas assessed nationally

Kadina's workforce is balanced across white and blue-collar jobs, with prominent essential services sectors. Its unemployment rate was 7.3% as of June 2025, according to AreaSearch data aggregation.

In June 2025, 1,234 residents were employed, with an unemployment rate 2.7% higher than Rest of SA's rate of 4.6%. Workforce participation was lower at 48.8%, compared to Rest of SA's 54.1%. Dominant employment sectors included health care & social assistance, retail trade, and education & training. Health care & social assistance had a strong representation, with an employment share 1.3 times the regional level.

Conversely, agriculture, forestry & fishing showed lower representation at 7.9%, compared to the regional average of 14.5%. The area appeared to offer limited local employment opportunities, as indicated by the Census working population vs resident population count. Between June 2024 and June 2025, the labour force increased by 0.1%, while employment declined by 1.4%, causing the unemployment rate to rise by 1.5 percentage points. In comparison, Rest of SA recorded an employment decline of 1.2%, labour force growth of 0.1%, and a 1.2 percentage point increase in unemployment. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from Sep-22 provided insights into potential future demand within Kadina. These projections suggested that national employment would expand by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, with varying growth rates across industry sectors. Applying these projections to Kadina's employment mix indicated local employment should increase by 6.2% over five years and 13.1% over ten years.

The area's income levels rank in the lower 15% nationally based on AreaSearch comparative data

AreaSearch's aggregation of the latest postcode level ATO data released for financial year 2022 shows Kadina had a median income among taxpayers of $46,020. The average income stood at $54,618. This is below the national average. In comparison, Rest of SA had levels of $46,889 and $56,582 respectively. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 12.83% since financial year 2022, current estimates would be approximately $51,924 (median) and $61,625 (average) as of September 2025. According to 2021 Census figures, household, family and personal incomes in Kadina all fall between the 6th and 11th percentiles nationally. The predominant income cohort spans 28.4% of locals (892 people) with incomes in the $400 - $799 category. This differs from patterns across regional levels where the $1,500 - $2,999 category dominates with 27.5%. Housing costs are modest, with 86.8% of income retained. However, total disposable income ranks at just the 10th percentile nationally.

Kadina is characterized by a predominantly suburban housing profile, with a higher proportion of rental properties than the broader region

Kadina's dwellings, as per the latest Census, consisted of 90.6% houses and 9.4% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings), compared to Non-Metro SA's 93.3% houses and 6.7% other dwellings. Home ownership in Kadina was 43.0%, with mortgaged dwellings at 27.7% and rented ones at 29.3%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $1,083, aligning with Non-Metro SA's average, while the median weekly rent was $250, compared to Non-Metro SA's $1,083 and $230 respectively. Nationally, Kadina's mortgage repayments were significantly lower than Australia's average of $1,863, with rents substantially below the national figure of $375.

Kadina features high concentrations of lone person households, with a higher-than-average median household size

Family households constitute 64.1% of all households, including 18.2% couples with children, 33.3% couples without children, and 11.8% single parent families. Non-family households account for the remaining 35.9%, with lone person households at 32.6% and group households comprising 3.1% of the total. The median household size is 2.2 people, larger than the Rest of SA average of 2.1.

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

The area's university qualification rate is 12.5%, substantially lower than Australia's average of 30.4%. Bachelor degrees are the most common at 9.0%, followed by graduate diplomas (2.2%) and postgraduate qualifications (1.3%). Vocational credentials are prominent, with 38.0% of residents aged 15+ holding them, including advanced diplomas (8.6%) and certificates (29.4%). A total of 23.9% of the population is actively pursuing formal education, with 10.8% in primary, 7.2% in secondary, and 1.6% in tertiary education.

Educational institutions include Kadina Memorial School and Harvest Christian College, serving a combined total of 1,517 students, with typical Australian school conditions (ICSEA: 967) indicating balanced educational opportunities. Both schools offer integrated K-12 education for academic continuity. The area functions as an education hub with 48.3 school places per 100 residents, significantly higher than the regional average of 12.1, attracting students from surrounding communities.

No public transport data available for this catchment area.

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

Kadina faces significant health challenges with various conditions affecting both younger and older residents. Approximately 49% (~1,527 people) have private health cover, lower than the national average of 55.3%.

The most prevalent medical conditions are arthritis (10.9%) and mental health issues (9.8%). Conversely, 57.3% report no medical ailments, slightly higher than the Rest of SA's 56.0%. Residents aged 65 and over comprise 32.1% (1,008 people), lower than Rest of SA's 36.2%. Despite this, health outcomes among seniors in Kadina are above average, outperforming general population metrics.

The latest Census data sees Kadina placing among the least culturally diverse areas in the country when compared across a range of language and cultural background related metrics

Kadina's cultural diversity was found to be below average, with 92.4% of its population born in Australia, 92.7% being citizens, and 98.0% speaking English only at home. The dominant religion in Kadina is Christianity, comprising 43.9% of the population. There is an overrepresentation of Judaism in Kadina, with 0.0%, compared to 0.0% across Rest of SA.

The top three ancestry groups are Australian (36.4%), English (34.5%), and German (6.4%). Notably, Dutch ethnicity is overrepresented at 1.5% in Kadina (vs 1.2% regionally), as are Australian Aboriginal at 2.7% (vs 2.6%) and Korean at 0.2% (vs 0.0%).

Kadina hosts an older demographic, ranking in the top quartile nationwide

Kadina's median age is 49, which is higher than the Rest of SA figure of 47 and substantially exceeds the national norm of 38. Compared to Rest of SA, Kadina has a higher concentration of residents aged 85 and above (5.9%) but fewer individuals aged 45 to 54 (8.5%). Between the 2021 Census and present, the proportion of those aged 85 and above has grown from 4.9% to 5.9%. Conversely, the percentage of individuals aged 45 to 54 has declined from 10.3% to 8.5%, and the group aged 25 to 34 has decreased from 10.8% to 9.4%. By 2041, demographic projections indicate significant shifts in Kadina's age structure. The number of individuals aged 85 and above is expected to grow by 100%, reaching 371 from 185. This growth is largely driven by the aging population dynamic, with those aged 65 and above comprising 76% of projected growth. Conversely, both age groups 0 to 4 and 5 to 14 are projected to decrease in number.