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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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Kadina has an estimated 3,224 residents, up from 2,944 at the 2021 Census — a change of 280 people, or 9.5%. Growth has averaged 1.1% a year over five years. Interstate and internal migration accounts for 72.0% of that increase. Density is about 32 people per 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
Based on analysis of ABS population updates for the broader area, and new addresses validated by AreaSearch since the Census the suburb of Kadina's population is estimated at around 3,224 as of May 2026. This reflects an increase of 280 people (9.5%) since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 2,944 people. The change is inferred from the resident population of 3,181, estimated by AreaSearch following examination of the latest ERP data release by the ABS (June 2025) and an additional 43 validated new addresses since the Census date.
This level of population equates to a density ratio of 31 persons per square kilometer, a level providing ample space per person. the suburb of Kadina's 9.5% growth since the 2021 census exceeded the Rest of SA (5.9%), along with the SA4 region, marking it as a growth leader in the region. Population growth for the area was primarily driven by interstate migration that contributed approximately 72.0% of overall population gains during recent periods, although all drivers including natural growth and overseas migration were positive factors. Projections from the ABS and Geoscience Australia released in 2024 with 2022 as the base year are used by AreaSearch for each SA2. For SA2 territories lacking this coverage, and for years after 2032, regional and LGA age-bracket forecasts published by the SA State Government in 2023 utilizing 2021 data are applied, using weighted aggregation from local government to SA2 boundaries. Looking at upcoming demographic shifts, expansion is expected to exceed the median rate for regional Australia, with the suburb of Kadina rising by 378 residents by 2041 under consolidated SA2 projections, representing a 10.4% cumulative increase over the 16 years.
Frequently Asked Questions - Population
88 new dwellings have been approved in Kadina over the past five years, an average of 17 a year. That is 5.8 approvals per 1,000 residents. Approvals are currently running at an annualised 8, well below 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
AreaSearch evaluations of building approvals from the ABS indicate that Kadina averages roughly 17 municipal permits for new houses annually, totaling 88 residential approvals over the 5 financial years from FY-21 to FY-25, alongside 8 approvals registered in FY-26. Stable market dynamics are supported by an average influx of 2 new occupants per approved home over the 5 financial years from FY-21 to FY-25, aligning supply with demand; however, recent metrics show an uptick to 3.8 occupants per home during the last 2 financial years, pointing to rising local demand and prospective constraints in housing availability.
The average construction valuation for these developments is $389,000, illustrating a focus by builders on upscale, premium projects. Meanwhile, commercial construction activity remains subdued, with only $1.8 million in commercial development approvals recorded this financial year. Per capita construction activity in Kadina is roughly half the level recorded across the Rest of SA, placing the locality in the 50th percentile of analyzed areas across the country. Single-family detached homes make up 93.0% of the newly approved residential stock, while medium and high-density projects account for the remaining 7.0%, preserving the low-density profile sought by buyers prioritizing spacious properties. The ratio of residents to new dwelling approvals stands at approximately 333 people per approval, indicating significant potential for future expansion. Long-term forecasts suggest Kadina will gain 335 additional occupants by 2041, relative to the most recent quarterly figures from AreaSearch. Current building trends indicate that the supply of new housing is well-positioned to satisfy this demand, maintaining favorable conditions for prospective purchasers and potentially enabling population growth to outpace current projections.
Frequently Asked Questions - Development
Development applications around Kadina
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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.
AreaSearch tracks 10 current infrastructure and development projects inside Kadina, worth an estimated $99 million. A further 32 sit in the immediately surrounding suburbs, taking the tracked pipeline within reach of the area to $535 million. 14 are already under construction and 11 are due for completion within three years. The pipeline spans residential development, communities, precincts & urban renewal and sports & recreation. 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
Changes to local infrastructure, major developments, and urban planning policies are key factors in regional growth. AreaSearch has tracked a total of 12 projects positioned to influence the area. Primary developments include the Kadina Central Expansion, the Daddow Court and Abbott Drive Residential Development, the Kadina Town Hall Restoration, and the Kadina Town Centre Redevelopment (Kadina Hub), with the most significant projects detailed below.
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Frequently Asked Questions - Infrastructure
Kadina Central Expansion
Major mixed-use masterplanned community on the eastern side of Kadina comprising more than 115 residential allotments, a 14-home retirement village, supported disability housing, a 1000sqm medical centre, a 112-place childcare centre, commercial land and a smart park with public Wi-Fi and smart city infrastructure. Construction is progressing in stages with residential land actively being marketed.
Kadina Town Hall Restoration
Restoration of the heritage-listed Kadina Town Hall to address structural and safety issues, including roof and interior works. The hall officially reopened to the public in June 2019 and is now back in regular community use and hosts Council meetings.
Kadina Northeastern Fringe Rezoning (Daddow Court / Abbott Drive)
Rezoning of approximately 28 hectares of farming land at Lot 300 Daddow Court and Abbott Drive on Kadina's north eastern fringe from Deferred Urban to Neighbourhood (General Neighbourhood Zone) to enable around 227 low density residential allotments with associated internal roads, open space and infrastructure. Minimum allotment size is 450 square metres. The code amendment has been adopted by Minister for Planning Nick Champion, allowing proponent Lasopail Pty Ltd to progress the next stage of planning and prepare a development application.The rezoning extends existing residential streets on the site and has support from the local member and Copper Coast Council.
Kadina Wastewater Lagoons Relining
Copper Coast Council project to reline two wastewater treatment lagoons (Lagoons 2 and 3) at Kadina to meet EPA compliance requirements. Works included dewatering, shaping and compacting, adding a sand layer, installing HDPE plastic liners, pressure testing, and installation of pipe penetration sealing bands. Both lagoons were fully lined and pressure tested by 16 June 2025, with backfilling of anchor trenches and commissioning anticipated in July 2025, finalising the project.
Gawler Street Flood Mitigation
A flood mitigation project to address stormwater issues in the Gawler Street area of Kadina. The project is scheduled to begin in early 2024.
Walter Road Swale Drain
Creation of a new swale drain to capture stormwater runoff from the road and improve the intersection of Walter and Downer Road. The project involved the installation of rocks and delineator posts.
Lawrence Street Footpath & STEDs Program
Ongoing program to install new footpaths and a new sewer line along Lawrence Street, connecting to the Newtown Playground toilet upgrade. The project also includes a new sewer line to collect sewer from 19 allotments along Lawrence Street and 6 on Drain Road.
Daddow Court and Abbott Drive Residential Development
Rezoning of 28 hectares of land to accommodate at least 227 new low-density residential allotments. This privately-led rezoning aims to support the growing population and demand for housing in the Yorke Peninsula.
1,298 residents of Kadina are employed, from a labour force of 1,396. Unemployment sits at 7.0%, with participation at 51.3%. Weighted for its industry mix, the area's sectors are forecast to grow about 6.2% nationally over five years. That reflects industry composition only and makes no allowance for local population growth. The working-day population is estimated at 2,915, about 90% 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
Kadina features a balanced job market that includes both white collar and blue collar positions, with essential services well represented, an unemployment rate of 7.0%, and an estimated employment growth of 4.5% over the past year, according to AreaSearch aggregation of statistical area data. As of March 2026, 1,298 residents are in work while the unemployment rate is 1.6% above Regional SA's rate of 5.5%, and workforce participation lags significantly at 51.3% compared to Regional SA's 58.4%. Based on Census responses, a low 7.1% of residents were found to work from home, though Covid-19 lockdown impacts should be considered.
The primary employers for local residents are the retail trade, healthcare and social assistance, and education and training sectors. Local concentration is particularly notable in healthcare and social assistance, where the employment proportion is 1.3 times the regional average. Conversely, agricultural, forestry, and fishing enterprises account for only 7.9% of the local workforce, compared to 14.5% across Regional SA. A comparison of the Census working population against the resident workforce suggests that local employment opportunities remain somewhat restricted within the immediate area. According to AreaSearch analysis of data from SALM and the ABS, aggregated from regional statistics, the recent 12-month window experienced a 4.5% rise in employment alongside a 3.9% increase in the labor force, which lowered the local unemployment rate by 0.6 percentage points. Over the same timeframe, Regional SA recorded a 1.2% rise in employment and a 2.6% expansion in its labor force, resulting in a 1.4 percentage point increase in unemployment. National employment projections from Jobs and Skills Australia dated May-25 offer additional perspective on prospective employment trends in Kadina. These five and ten-year forecasts have been correlated with local industry distributions to estimate growth trends. Though national employment is projected to grow by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, growth rates vary significantly by sector. Mapping these industry-specific projections onto the local employment composition suggests that local jobs will grow by 6.2% over five years and 13.1% over ten years, using a simple weighted extrapolation for illustrative purposes that excludes local population dynamics.
Frequently Asked Questions - Employment
Median household income in Kadina is $1,081 a week (about $56,000 a year), with median personal income at $598 a week. ATO records put median taxable income at $46,020 a year against an average of $54,618. 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
Tax statistics from the ATO for financial year 2023, compiled by AreaSearch, show that the suburb of Kadina has income levels below the national average. Taxpayers in the suburb of Kadina have a median income of $46,020 and an average income of $54,618, compared to Regional SA benchmarks of $48,920 and $58,933. Factoring in Wage Price Index growth of 10.17% since financial year 2023, current estimates correspond to roughly $50,700 for the median and $60,173 for the average by March 2026. The 2021 Census placed household, family, and individual incomes in Kadina between the 6th and 11th percentiles nationally.
The largest earnings segment consists of the 28.4% of residents (915 individuals) who make between $400 - 799 weekly, contrasting with the broader region where the $1,500 - 2,999 category is most common at 27.5%. Although residents retain 86.8% of their income due to modest housing costs, total disposable income falls in the 10th percentile nationally.
Frequently Asked Questions - Income
Kadina had 1,238 occupied dwellings at the 2021 Census, 91% detached houses and 0% apartments. 28% are owned with a mortgage, 29% rented and 43% owned outright. At that Census the median rent was $250 a week and the median mortgage repayment $1,083 a month. Rent absorbs 23.1% of household income here and mortgage repayments 23.1%. Dwelling stock, tenure and housing costs are 2021 Census measures — the only source that counts dwellings at this boundary size.
Detail
Census data reveals that residential properties in Kadina consist of 90.6% standalone houses and 9.4% alternative formats such as townhouses and apartments, compared to Regional SA rates of 88.5% houses and 11.5% other dwellings. The rate of outright home ownership was identical to the Regional SA benchmark at 43.0%, while mortgaged properties accounted for 27.7% and rental properties made up 29.3% of local dwellings. Monthly mortgage costs were lower than the Regional SA average at $1,083, whereas weekly rent was higher at $250, compared to Regional SA figures of $1,153 and $220.
Locally, mortgage obligations are much lower than the Australian average of $1,863, and rent prices sit significantly below the national median of $375.
Frequently Asked Questions - Housing
Kadina counted 1,238 households at the 2021 Census, an estimated 1,356 today, averaging 2.2 people each. 18% are couples with children, fewer than in 91% of areas nationally, against 33% couples without children. 33% of households are people living alone, and families average 2.0 children. Household and family composition is measured only by the Census, so these are 2021 figures.
Detail
Families represent the majority of local households at 64.1%, consisting of 18.2% couples with children, 33.3% couples without children, and 11.8% single parent households. Non-family living arrangements account for the remaining 35.9% of homes, with single-person households at 32.6% and group households at 3.1%. The average household occupancy of 2.2 residents is slightly below the Regional SA average of 2.3.
Frequently Asked Questions - Households
12.5% of adults in Kadina hold a university qualification, including 9.0% with a bachelor degree and 1.3% with postgraduate qualifications, lower than 84% of areas nationally. A further 29.4% hold a vocational qualification. 2 schools serve the area, with 1,517 enrolment places and an average ICSEA of 967 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
Local education profiles present distinct challenges, with university completion rates at 12.5%, well below the national average of 30.4%. This disparity highlights a clear opportunity for targeted educational programs. Among degree holders, bachelor qualifications are the most common at 9.0%, followed by graduate diplomas at 2.2% and postgraduate degrees at 1.3%. Practical and vocational qualifications are highly prevalent, with 38.0% of residents aged 15+ holding a vocational qualification, consisting of advanced diplomas at 8.6% and certificates at 29.4%. A total of 23.9% of the local population is enrolled in formal studies.
This group comprises 10.8% in primary schooling, 7.2% in high schools, and 1.6% in higher education programs.
Frequently Asked Questions - Education
Schools Detail
Getting around Kadina means driving: households keep an average of 1.4 vehicles, and no scheduled public transport appears in the current timetable feeds. Service data is built from operators' published GTFS timetables; vehicle ownership is from the 2021 Census.
Frequently Asked Questions - Transport
Transport Stops Detail
57.3% of residents in Kadina report no long-term health condition, a less healthy profile than 83% of areas nationally. 9.4% need daily assistance with core activities, and 48.6% hold private health cover. The standardised death rate runs at 7.6 per 1,000 residents. Health conditions, assistance needs and insurance are 2021 Census measures; the death rate comes from current ABS releases.
Detail
Health assessments from AreaSearch, which analyze mortality statistics and the prevalence of chronic illnesses, highlight notable health difficulties in Kadina across both younger and older cohorts, with private health insurance coverage levels particularly low at approximately 49% of the population (~1,567 individuals), compared to the national average of 55.7%. Arthritis and mental health conditions are the most prevalent diagnoses locally, affecting 10.9 and 9.8% of the population, respectively. Meanwhile, 57.3% of residents reported having no chronic medical conditions, compared to 62.5% across Regional SA. Chronic illness rates are elevated among the working-age population.
Residents aged 65 and over make up 32.9% of the local population (1,060 individuals), which exceeds the Regional SA share of 27.1%. Senior health outcomes are favorable, with national rankings for this cohort exceeding those of the general local population.
Frequently Asked Questions - Health
Kadina is largely Australian-born, at 92.4% of residents, with 2.0% speaking a language other than English at home. The largest reported ancestries are Australian (36.4%) and English (34.5%). Ancestry, language and country of birth are counted only by the Census, so these are 2021 figures.
Detail
Cultural diversity is below national averages in Kadina, where 92.4% of residents were born in Australia, 92.7% hold citizenship, and 98.0% speak only English at home. Christianity is the dominant religious affiliation, representing 43.9% of the community. In terms of relative differences, the most notable overrepresentation is in Judaism, which accounts for no residents, matching the rate of Regional SA. Regarding ancestral origins, the three largest groups in Kadina are Australian at 36.4% of the population, which is higher than the regional average of 31.3%, English at 34.5%, and German at 6.4%.
Minor differences emerge in other ethnic backgrounds: Dutch ancestry is slightly higher at 1.5% of Kadina (compared to 1.3% regionally), Australian Aboriginal ancestry accounts for 2.7% (compared to 3.3%), and Korean ancestry is recorded at 0.2% (compared to none).
Frequently Asked Questions - Diversity
The median resident of Kadina is 49, older than 90% of areas nationally. 20.4% 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
The local median age of 49 is higher than the Regional SA average of 47 and significantly above the national median of 38. Compared to the wider region, Kadina has a larger proportion of residents aged 85 and over (6.0%) and fewer residents aged 45 - 54 (8.6%). Since the 2021 Census, the 65 to 74 demographic has increased from 14.4% to 15.5% of the total, and the 85 and over group rose from 4.9% to 6.0%. Over the same period, the 45 to 54 cohort fell from 10.3% to 8.6%.
Looking toward 2041, demographic models point to considerable changes in the age distribution of the suburb of Kadina. The 85 and over group is expected to increase by 92% (178 individuals), rising from 193 to 372. This aging trend is prominent, with seniors aged 65 and over accounting for 75% of the projected population growth. Conversely, the cohorts aged 5 to 14 and 65 to 74 are projected to shrink.
Frequently Asked Questions - Age
Data & MethodBoundaries, Sources & Method for Kadina
9 of 14 data sections on this page were updated within the last 12 months — the newest current to Aug 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) | May 2026 3 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 May 2026, with the 2021 Census supplying the small-area baseline. | ||
| Age profile | ABS, Geoscience Australia, State governments Annual | May 2026 3 months ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Age cohorts are re-based to the latest ABS population estimates and state projections, current to May 2026. Each cohort is held as a Census baseline and a current estimate. | ||
| Development & approvals | ABS, GNAF Monthly (ABS approvals) | Jun 2026 2 months ago headline measures · May 2026 baseline |
| Property sales & rents | Valuer General, Rental Board, ABS Weekly sales, quarterly rents | Aug 2026 this month all 21 measures |
| 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 Aug 2026. | ||
| Infrastructure projects | Infrastructure Australia, State agencies, Local governments Daily | Aug 2026 this month all 10 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 Aug 2026. | ||
| Employment | ABS, DEWR, JSA Quarterly (ABS SALM) | Mar 2026 5 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) | Aug 2026 this month headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Transport | ABS, State Transport Departments Each timetable release | Jul 2026 last month headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Services & amenities | Provider directories, ACECQA Continuous | Jul 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 — 43 validated new addresses here. The headline figure is therefore a current estimate for May 2026, not a 2021 count (2,944 at the 2021 Census → 3,224 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 May 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 (SAL40646). QuickStats reports 2021 only — the figures on this page are more current wherever the ledger shows a later date.