Kilkenny

Population growth drivers in Kilkenny are strong compared to national averages based on AreaSearch's ranking of recent, and medium to long-term trends

As per AreaSearch's analysis of ABS population updates and new addresses validated since May 2026, Kilkenny's estimated population is around 1,893. This shows a rise of 47 people (2.5%) from the 2021 Census figure of 1,846. The increase is inferred from AreaSearch's estimate of 1,886 residents based on June 2025 ABS ERP data and 12 additional validated addresses since the Census date. Kilkenny's population density stands at 1,736 persons per square kilometer, exceeding national averages assessed by AreaSearch. Overseas migration accounted for approximately 87.0% of recent population gains in the suburb.

AreaSearch employs 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 are used, adjusted employing weighted aggregation from LGA to SA2 levels. Based on projected demographic shifts, Kilkenny is expected to exhibit above median population growth nationally. By 2041, the suburb is projected to increase by 405 persons, reflecting a total rise of 21.0% over the 16-year period.

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

AreaSearch analysis of ABS building approval numbers in Kilkenny shows an average of around 11 new dwelling approvals per year over the past five financial years, totalling an estimated 59 homes from FY-20 to FY-24. As of FY-26, 14 approvals have been recorded. The average number of people moving to the area for each dwelling built has moderated from 1.6 per year between FY-21 and FY-25 to 0.8 over the past two financial years, suggesting an improved supply-demand balance. New homes are being built at an average expected construction cost value of $320,000. There have been $2.9 million in commercial approvals this financial year, indicating Kilkenny's residential character compared to Greater Adelaide, where it records about three-quarters the building activity per person while placing among the 86th percentile nationally.

New development consists of 29.0% standalone homes and 71.0% attached dwellings, offering affordable entry pathways for downsizers, investors, and first-time purchasers. This represents a notable shift from Kilkenny's existing housing composition, currently at 66.0% houses, indicating decreasing availability of developable sites and reflecting changing lifestyles and the need for more diverse, affordable housing options. With around 106 people per dwelling approval, Kilkenny shows characteristics of a low density area. According to AreaSearch's latest quarterly estimate, Kilkenny is expected to grow by 398 residents through to 2041, with development keeping reasonable pace with projected growth despite increasing competition among buyers as the population expands.

Looking ahead, Kilkenny is expected to grow by 398 residents through to 2041 (from the latest AreaSearch quarterly estimate). Development is keeping reasonable pace with projected growth, though buyers may face increasing competition as the population expands.

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

No changes were identified by AreaSearch that could impact the area's performance. Key projects include Regency Park Industrial Precinct Renewal, The Parks Recreation and Sports Centre Redevelopment, The Queen Elizabeth Hospital Redevelopment Stage Three, Findon High School Upgrade.

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Kilkenny has seen below average employment performance when compared to national benchmarks

Kilkenny has a well-educated workforce with essential services sectors well represented. The unemployment rate was 5.8% in the past year, with an estimated employment growth of 5.5%. As of December 2025961 residents were in work while the unemployment rate was 2.0% higher than Greater Adelaide's rate of 3.8%.

Workforce participation was lower at 62.6%, compared to Greater Adelaide's 66.0%. According to Census responses, only 8.6% of residents worked from home. The key industries of employment were health care & social assistance, accommodation & food, and education & training. Kilkenny had a particular employment specialization in accommodation & food, with an employment share 1.8 times the regional level.

Conversely, health care & social assistance showed lower representation at 14.4% versus the regional average of 17.7%. There were 1.2 workers for every resident as at the Census, indicating Kilkenny functioned as an employment hub hosting more jobs than residents and attracting workers from surrounding areas. During the year to December 2025, employment levels increased by 5.5% while labour force increased by 4.0%, causing the unemployment rate to fall by 1.4 percentage points. In comparison, Greater Adelaide recorded employment growth of 4.2%, labour force growth of 3.9%, with unemployment falling by 0.3 percentage points. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May-25 projected national employment expansion by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, with varying growth rates between industry sectors. Applying these projections to Kilkenny's employment mix suggested local employment should increase by 6.4% over five years and 13.4% over ten years, though this was a simple weighting extrapolation for illustrative purposes and did not take into account localised population projections.

Income figures position the area below 75% of locations analysed nationally by AreaSearch

The suburb of Kilkenny had a median taxpayer income of $46,429 and an average income of $51,669 in the financial year 2023, according to postcode level ATO data aggregated by AreaSearch. This is lower than the national averages for the same period, which were $54,808 median and $66,852 average for Greater Adelaide. By March 2026, based on a 10.17% Wage Price Index growth since financial year 2023, estimated incomes would be approximately $51,151 median and $56,924 average in Kilkenny. In the 2021 Census, household, family, and personal incomes in Kilkenny fell between the 20th and 28th percentiles nationally. Income distribution data shows that 32.8% of locals (620 people) had incomes ranging from $1,500 to $2,999, similar to the broader area where 31.8% fell within this range. Housing affordability pressures are severe in Kilkenny, with only 84.2% of income remaining after housing costs, ranking at the 28th percentile nationally.

Kilkenny displays a diverse mix of dwelling types, with above-average rates of outright home ownership

In Kilkenny, as per the latest Census evaluation, 65.7% of dwellings were houses while 34.4% consisted of other types such as semi-detached homes, apartments, and 'other' dwellings. In comparison, Adelaide metro had 75.2% houses and 24.9% other dwellings. Home ownership in Kilkenny stood at 34.1%, with mortgaged properties accounting for 31.0% and rented dwellings making up 35.0%. The median monthly mortgage repayment in Kilkenny was $1,517, lower than Adelaide metro's average of $1,562. Weekly rent in Kilkenny was recorded at $320, matching the Adelaide metro figure. Nationally, Kilkenny's mortgage repayments were significantly lower than the Australian average of $1,863, and rents were substantially below the national figure of $375.

Kilkenny features high concentrations of group households, with a fairly typical median household size

Family households comprise 65.9% of all households, including 26.9% couples with children, 23.1% couples without children, and 14.0% single parent families. Non-family households account for the remaining 34.1%, with lone person households at 28.5% and group households comprising 5.3% of the total. The median household size is 2.5 people, which matches the Greater Adelaide average.

Educational outcomes in Kilkenny fall within the lower quartile nationally, indicating opportunities for improvement in qualification attainment

University qualifications in Kilkenny (28.7% of residents aged 15+) exceed the South Australian average (25.7%), indicating robust educational foundations. Bachelor degrees are most common at 20.3%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (5.8%) and graduate diplomas (2.6%). Vocational pathways account for 24.8% of qualifications among those aged 15+, with advanced diplomas (8.3%) and certificates (16.5%) being the primary components.

Educational participation is high, with 27.4% of residents currently enrolled in formal education. This includes 8.5% in primary education, 8.0% in tertiary education, and 5.4% pursuing secondary education.

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

The analysis of public transport in Kilkenny shows that there are 20 active transport stops currently operating. These consist of a mix of train and bus services. There are 30 individual routes servicing these stops, collectively providing 2745 weekly passenger trips. Transport accessibility is rated as good, with residents typically located approximately 200 meters from the nearest transport stop. As Kilkenny is primarily residential, most residents commute outward. The dominant mode of transport remains the car at 80%, with train at 8% and bus at 5%.

Vehicle ownership averages 1.1 per dwelling, which is below the regional average. According to the 2021 Census, a relatively low 8.6% of residents work from home, which may reflect COVID-19 conditions. Service frequency averages 392 trips per day across all routes, equating to approximately 137 weekly trips per individual stop.

Health performance in Kilkenny is lower than average with common health conditions somewhat prevalent across the board, though to a considerably higher degree among older age cohorts

Kilkenny faces significant health challenges based on AreaSearch's assessment. Mortality rates and chronic condition prevalence are high, with common health conditions prevalent across all age groups but more so among older cohorts. Private health cover is low at approximately 47% of the total population (around 898 people), compared to 52.7% in Greater Adelaide and a national average of 55.7%.

The most common medical conditions are arthritis and asthma, affecting 8.0 and 7.3% of residents respectively. However, 69.3% of residents claim to have no medical ailments, compared to 67.9% in Greater Adelaide. The under-65 population has better health outcomes than average. Kilkenny has a higher proportion of residents aged 65 and over at 21.2% (401 people), compared to 19.2% in Greater Adelaide. Health outcomes among seniors present some challenges, ranking lower nationally than the broader population.

Kilkenny is among the most culturally diverse areas in the country based on AreaSearch assessment of a range of language and cultural background related metrics

Kilkenny has a high level of cultural diversity, with 39.0% of its population born overseas and 43.0% speaking a language other than English at home. Christianity is the predominant religion in Kilkenny, accounting for 50.0% of people. Notably, Buddhism comprises 6.5% of Kilkenny's population, which is higher than the Greater Adelaide average of 2.4%.

The top three ancestry groups are English (17.5%), Australian (16.9%), and Other (13.7%). Some ethnic groups show significant differences in representation: Serbian at 2.5% compared to 0.4% regionally, Polish at 1.5% versus 1.0%, and Vietnamese at 6.2% compared to 1.2%.

Kilkenny's population aligns closely with national norms in age terms

Kilkenny's median age is 39 years, matching Greater Adelaide's average of 39 and closely aligned with Australia's median of 38. Compared to Greater Adelaide, Kilkenny has a notably higher proportion of the 75-84 age group (8.9% locally) and a lower proportion of 5-14 year-olds (9.9%). Post-2021 Census, the 75-84 cohort grew from 7.8% to 8.9%, while the 65-74 cohort increased from 8.1% to 9.2%. Conversely, the 85+ cohort declined from 3.9% to 3.1%. By 2041, demographic modeling projects significant changes in Kilkenny's age profile, with the 75-84 cohort expected to grow by 75%, adding 126 residents to reach 295.