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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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Northfield has an estimated 5,075 residents, up from 5,043 at the 2021 Census. That puts 2,296 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
Based on analysis of ABS population updates for the broader area, and new addresses validated by AreaSearch since the Census Northfield's population is estimated at around 5,075 as of Aug 26. This reflects an increase of 32 people (0.6%) since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 5,043 people. The change is inferred from the resident population of 5,058, estimated by AreaSearch following examination of the latest ERP data release by the ABS (June 2025) and an additional 15 validated new addresses since the Census date. This level of population equates to a density ratio of 2,296 persons per square kilometer, which is above the average seen across national locations assessed by AreaSearch.
Over the past decade, Northfield has demonstrated resilient growth patterns with a 1.2% compound annual growth rate, outpacing the state. Population growth for the area was primarily driven by overseas migration that contributed approximately 71.0% of overall population gains during recent periods. For individual SA2 locations, AreaSearch utilises ABS/Geoscience Australia projections released in 2024 using 2022 as a base year. Where SA2 figures are absent, or for timeframes beyond 2032, figures incorporate the SA State Government's 2023 Regional/LGA age category projections (grounded in 2021 data), adjusted via weighted population growth aggregation from LGA down to SA2 boundaries. On the basis of these expected demographic shifts, the suburb of Northfield is projected to achieve population growth above the median of statistical areas assessed by AreaSearch, adding 1,101 persons by 2041 under aggregated SA2 projections and generating an overall 16-year increase of 21.4%.
Frequently Asked Questions - Population
56 new dwellings have been approved in Northfield over the past five years, an average of 11 a year. That is 2.4 approvals per 1,000 residents. Approvals are currently running at an annualised 5, 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
ABS building approval statistics compiled by AreaSearch indicate that Northfield has averaged approximately 11 approved dwellings annually, delivering roughly 56 homes across the prior 5 financial years. In FY-25 to date, 5 approvals have been documented. Because essentially no new residents per year have arrived per new dwelling across the last 5 financial years (from FY-21 to FY-25), building activity is matching or surpassing demand, broadening choice for purchasers and allowing headroom for future demographic expansion. The average construction cost of these new residences stands at $449,000, marginally higher than the regional benchmark to reflect an emphasis on higher-quality builds.
Additionally, approvals for commercial construction have reached $138,000 during the current financial year, underlining the predominantly residential focus of the locality. Dwelling construction per capita in Northfield is considerably restrained compared to Greater Adelaide, sitting 69.0% below the regional average. This limited pace of new building tends to strengthen values and demand across the established dwelling market. Approval volumes also track below national levels, reflecting a mature urban environment and possible planning constraints. Compositionally, residential approvals comprise 83.0% detached houses alongside 17.0% medium and high-density housing, preserving the suburban character and offering standalone houses for families desiring more room. Accounting for around 781 people per approved dwelling, Northfield displays the profile of an established housing market. According to forward estimates, Northfield is set to absorb 1,084 additional residents through to 2041, based on the latest AreaSearch quarterly estimate. Should the prevailing pace of construction persist, residential building might struggle to accommodate population growth, which could heighten buyer competition and stimulate greater price appreciation.
Frequently Asked Questions - Development
Development applications around Northfield
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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 2 current infrastructure and development projects inside Northfield, worth an estimated $183 million. A further 8 sit in the immediately surrounding suburbs, taking the tracked pipeline within reach of the area to $3.16 billion. 5 are already under construction and 4 are due for completion within three years. The pipeline spans residential development, communities 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
Regional outcomes are heavily shaped by planning frameworks, strategic initiatives, and local infrastructure enhancements. AreaSearch has pinpointed 4 major developments likely to impact the district, including Northern Suburbs High School at Eyre, Oakden Rise, Laing St, Northfield, and the Walkleys Road Corridor, which are among the most prominent undertakings.
Professional plan users can use the search below to filter and access additional projects.
INFRASTRUCTURE SEARCH
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Frequently Asked Questions - Infrastructure
5 Laing Street Specialist Disability Accommodation
A purpose-built specialist disability accommodation (SDA) residential community comprising five buildings and 60 accessible self-contained apartments. The development is designed to High Physical Support and Fully Accessible NDIS standards, featuring integrated support facilities, landscaped communal areas, and high-efficiency assistive technology. Delivery is spearheaded by Angelo Property Group in collaboration with specialist NDIS care providers.
The Parks (Enfield) Residential Estate
Master-planned residential community by AVJennings (now part of AVID Property Group) delivering over 300 homes including townhouses and apartments across multiple stages, with parks, pathways and direct connection to the Enfield Community Centre in the City of Port Adelaide Enfield.
Oakden Rise
A 52-hectare master-planned community delivering up to 1,500 new homes in Adelaide's north-east by Villawood Properties in partnership with Renewal SA. The development includes diverse housing formats, a residents' club with a pool and gym, extensive landscaped parklands, and a future village retail centre. Civil earthworks and residential construction are actively progressing across multiple delivery stages.
Pooraka Enterprise Park Expansion - Stage 2 (Various Sites)
Established industrial precinct in Pooraka, Adelaide's inner north, originally developed by Australasian Property Developments as a 50,000 sqm greenfield site with commitments from Cavpower, Best Bar and Mechvac. The flagship 35-37 Maxwell Road estate (2.70ha, 7,917 sqm GLA) was acquired by Realside Ovest in 2022 as part of the Ovest Industrial Fund 2 and is now a fully leased asset. More recent additions across the precinct include a brand-new five-unit office/warehouse development at 17-21 Maxwell Road, which has since sold, and a recently completed warehouse at 23-25 Maxwell Road available for occupancy in April 2026.The precinct benefits from strong access to Main North Road, Port Wakefield Road, Grand Junction Road and the Northern Expressway, supporting continued employment growth in Adelaide's northern industrial corridor.
Montague Farm Estate
Large master-planned residential community delivering over 1000 new homes including townhouses, apartments and detached dwellings in the heart of Pooraka, with integrated parks and community facilities.
Pooraka Triangle Masterplan Redevelopment
A major urban renewal initiative proposed to transform the approximately 40-hectare Pooraka Triangle precinct - bounded by Main North Road, Montague Road and Maxwell Road - into a vibrant mixed-use community. Plans include up to 2,000 new dwellings alongside commercial, retail and community facilities, with significant public realm improvements. The project is led by Renewal SA and remains in the planning and masterplanning phase with no confirmed construction timeline.
Enfield Memorial Park - Evergreen Community Precinct & Redevelopment
Major redevelopment of Enfield Memorial Park anchored by the $25 million Evergreen Community Precinct, a multi-function building designed by Walter Brooke & Associates featuring function spaces, reflection rooms, retail outlets and a cafe. The new crematorium meets European environmental standards, reducing emissions by up to 90%. The precinct opened in 2023 and won multiple AIA SA Chapter architecture awards. Ongoing works include new interment areas, a Mausoleum Precinct expansion, and landscaping upgrades across the 50-year masterplan for South Australia's largest inner-northern open green space.
Prospect Corner
A 2.36-hectare master-planned community delivering 208 new homes, including 108 multi-storey townhouses and 100 affordable rental apartments. It aims for a minimum of 55% affordable housing. Features extensive tree planting, a community garden, barbecue facilities, an outdoor gym, and a nature play area. Located seven kilometres from the Adelaide CBD, at the intersection of Churchill and Regency Roads. Expected completion in 2028.
Median household income in Northfield is $1,420 a week (about $74,000 a year), with median personal income at $679 a week. ATO records put median taxable income at $43,042 a year against an average of $48,593. 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
According to AreaSearch postcode data from the ATO for financial year 2023, taxpayers in the suburb of Northfield earned a median income of $43,042 and an average income of $48,593. These figures trail national benchmarks as well as Greater Adelaide, where the median reaches $54,808 and the average is $66,852. Factoring in a Wage Price Index expansion of 10.17% following financial year 2023, updated estimates reach roughly $47,419 for median earnings and $53,535 for average earnings as of March 2026. The 2021 Census placed personal, family, and household earnings within Northfield at modest levels, sitting between the 24th and 30th percentiles.
The primary income bracket covers 35.7% of the population (1,811 people) earning between $1,500 - 2,999, mirroring broader regional distributions where 31.8% fall in this band. Affordability is constrained, with 81.5% of income remaining uncommitted, ranking in the 27th percentile.
Frequently Asked Questions - Income
Northfield had 1,573 occupied dwellings at the 2021 Census, 81% detached houses and 2% apartments. 37% are owned with a mortgage, 42% rented and 21% owned outright. At that Census the median rent was $307 a week and the median mortgage repayment $1,580 a month. Rent absorbs 21.6% of household income here and mortgage repayments 25.7%. 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 shows that separate houses accounted for 80.8% of Northfield dwellings while 19.2% were other dwellings such as apartments and semi-detached properties, contrasting with Adelaide metro where houses represented 75.2% and other dwellings made up 24.9%. Outright home ownership in Northfield lagged the metropolitan benchmark at 21.2%, with remaining residences divided between mortgaged properties at 37.0% and rental accommodation at 41.8%. Typical mortgage payments in the suburb were higher than the metropolitan standard at $1,580 per month compared to $1,562, whereas median weekly rent was lower at $307 against $320 across Adelaide metro.
Looking nationally, mortgage repayments in Northfield remain well below the Australian average of $1,863, and weekly rents sit substantially under the national level of $375.
Frequently Asked Questions - Housing
Northfield counted 1,573 households at the 2021 Census, averaging 2.6 people each. 35% are couples with children, against 18% couples without children. 28% of households are people living alone, and families average 1.5 children. Household and family composition is measured only by the Census, so these are 2021 figures.
Detail
Family units constitute 66.8% of local households, comprising couples with children at 34.7%, couples without children at 18.0%, and single parent families at 12.1%. The remaining 33.2% consists of non-family living arrangements, where single-person households account for 28.3% and group households represent 4.6%. The typical household size stands at 2.6 people, slightly higher than the Greater Adelaide figure of 2.5.
Frequently Asked Questions - Households
28.5% of adults in Northfield hold a university qualification, including 17.9% with a bachelor degree and 9.1% with postgraduate qualifications. A further 15.9% hold a vocational qualification. 1 school serves the area, with 343 enrolment places and an average ICSEA of 987 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 in the locality is distinguished regionally, as 28.5% of individuals aged 15+ hold tertiary qualifications compared to the SA4 region benchmark of 19.8%. Bachelor degrees represent the highest proportion at 17.9%, followed by postgraduate degrees at 9.1% and graduate diplomas at 1.5%. In addition, vocational education accounts for 23.1% of qualifications among residents aged 15+, consisting of certificates (15.9%) and advanced diplomas (7.2%). A significant 42.0% of the local population is engaged in formal studies. By sector, 14.9% attend primary education, 8.6% are in tertiary education, and 8.3% are enrolled in secondary education.
Frequently Asked Questions - Education
Schools Detail
Public transport in Northfield reaches 14 stops on 11 routes, timetabled for about 550 services a week. The typical home sits about 290 m from its nearest stop. Buses carry the largest share of public transport commuters. Households keep an average of 1.3 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
Local public transit infrastructure comprises 14 operational transport stops within Northfield providing bus connections. These locations are served across 11 separate routes that deliver a combined 546 weekly passenger trips. Network access is favourable, with residents situated an average of 287 meters from their nearest transit stop. Reflecting its suburban character, commuting is outward-directed, with private vehicles accounting for 85% of journeys and buses taking 11%. Households own an average of 1.3 vehicles per dwelling, while a modest 7.2% of workers worked from home according to the 2021 Census, which may reflect COVID-19 conditions.
Bus services run at an average rate of 78 trips per day across the collective network, which translates to roughly 39 weekly trips for each individual stop.
Frequently Asked Questions - Transport
Transport Stops Detail
72.3% of residents in Northfield report no long-term health condition, a less healthy profile than 75% of areas nationally. 6.0% need daily assistance with core activities, and 46.3% hold private health cover. The standardised death rate runs at 5.9 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 in Northfield highlight notable challenges according to AreaSearch data on mortality and chronic illnesses, with ailments slightly more concentrated in older demographics, while private health insurance coverage is notably restricted at around 46% of residents (~2,348 people). This compares unfavourably with Greater Adelaide at 52.7% and the national standard of 55.7%. Mental health conditions and arthritis represent the primary diagnosed illnesses, affecting 8.2 and 7.2% of the local population respectively, while 72.3% of residents reported having no long-term medical conditions, higher than the 67.9% recorded across Greater Adelaide.
Working-age residents display typical health patterns. Seniors aged 65 and over account for 11.7% of the community (593 people), below the Greater Adelaide share of 19.1%, with older cohorts facing health hurdles that nonetheless rank lower nationally than the overall community.
Frequently Asked Questions - Health
42.5% of Northfield residents were born overseas and 51.5% speak a language other than English at home, more culturally diverse than 87% of areas nationally. The largest reported ancestries are English (17.3%) and Australian (16.3%). Ancestry, language and country of birth are counted only by the Census, so these are 2021 figures.
Detail
Northfield exhibits substantial cultural diversity, with 42.5% of residents having been born overseas and 51.5% using a language other than English in their homes. Christianity is the predominant faith, practiced by 30.9% of residents. The suburb also features a strong concentration of Hinduism at 16.7% of the population, markedly surpassing the Greater Adelaide proportion of 2.8%. Regarding parental country of birth, the leading ancestral backgrounds in Northfield are Other at 22.7% (compared to the regional level of 9.7%), English at 17.3% (below the wider regional figure of 27.8%), and Australian at 16.3% (trailing the regional proportion of 22.8%).
Significant variations also appear among other cultural communities, including Indian residents at 14.1% of the population (against 2.3% regionally), Vietnamese at 2.2% (against 1.2%), and Russian at 0.5% (against 0.3%).
Frequently Asked Questions - Diversity
The median resident of Northfield is 35, younger than 76% of areas nationally. 30.7% 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
Northfield displays a younger demographic structure than Greater Adelaide. Persons aged 25 - 44 represent 41.6% of the population as at August 2026, compared to 28.9% throughout Greater Adelaide, while older residents aged 65+ comprise 11.7% against 19.1% regionally. The median age is estimated at 35 as at August 2026, identical to the 2021 Census and 4 years lower than the Greater Adelaide figure of 39 recorded at that time. The share of youth aged 0 - 24 has decreased from 28.4% at the Census to an estimated 27.0%. Between now and 2041, the largest absolute population increase is anticipated in the 45 - 64 cohort, rising by 317 residents (32%) to 1,312, while the highest percentage gain will occur in the 65+ age group, advancing 42% to 843.
Frequently Asked Questions - Age
Data & MethodBoundaries, Sources & Method for Northfield
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, State agencies, Local governments Daily | Sep 2026 last month 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 Sep 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 — 15 validated new addresses here. The headline figure is therefore a current estimate for Aug 2026, not a 2021 count (5,043 at the 2021 Census → 5,075 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 (SAL41050). QuickStats reports 2021 only — the figures on this page are more current wherever the ledger shows a later date.