Norwood (SA)

Population growth drivers in Norwood are slightly above average based on AreaSearch's ranking of recent, and medium term trends

Based on ABS population updates, AreaSearch validated new addresses for the Norwood (SA) statistical area (Lv2), estimating its population around 7,437 as of Nov 2025. This reflects an increase of 1,083 people since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 6,354. The change is inferred from AreaSearch's estimated resident population of 7,395 following examination of ABS's latest ERP data release (June 2024) and an additional 186 validated new addresses since the Census date. This level of population equates to a density ratio of 3,365 persons per square kilometer, placing it in the upper quartile relative to national locations assessed by AreaSearch. Norwood's 17.0% growth since the 2021 census exceeded both state (8.7%) and metropolitan area averages, marking it as a growth leader in the region. Overseas migration contributed approximately 94.0% of overall population gains during recent periods.

AreaSearch adopts ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area, released in 2024 with 2022 as the base year. For areas not covered by this data and years post-2032, the SA State Government's Regional/LGA projections are adopted with adjustments made employing a method of weighted aggregation of population growth from LGA to SA2 levels. Population projections indicate an above median growth for Australian statistical areas, with the Norwood (SA) (SA2) expected to increase by 1,010 persons to 2041 based on aggregated SA2-level projections, reflecting a gain of 7.8% in total over the 17 years.

AreaSearch assessment of residential development activity positions Norwood among the top 25% of areas assessed nationwide

AreaSearch analysis of ABS building approval numbers in Norwood shows approximately 75 new homes approved annually over the past five financial years, totalling around 375 homes. As of FY-26, five approvals have been recorded. On average, 1.8 new residents per year are associated with each dwelling constructed between FY-21 and FY-25, indicating a balanced supply and demand market. The average construction cost for new homes is $759,000, suggesting developers target the premium market segment.

In FY-26, Norwood has registered $130.0 million in commercial approvals, reflecting high levels of local commercial activity. Compared to Greater Adelaide, Norwood records 74.0% more construction activity per person. New building activity comprises 22.0% detached dwellings and 78.0% townhouses or apartments, favouring compact living options. The location has approximately 97 people per dwelling approval, suggesting an expanding market. According to AreaSearch's latest quarterly estimate, Norwood is projected to gain 578 residents by 2041. At current development rates, new housing supply should comfortably meet demand, providing favourable conditions for buyers and potentially supporting population growth beyond current projections.

Population forecasts indicate Norwood will gain 578 residents through to 2041 (from the latest AreaSearch quarterly estimate). At current development rates, new housing supply should comfortably meet demand, providing good conditions for buyers and potentially supporting growth beyond current population projections.

Norwood has emerging levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the 29thth percentile nationally

Changes in local infrastructure significantly affect an area's performance. AreaSearch has identified six projects that could impact the region. Notable projects are Osmond Terrace Mixed-Use Development, Glenside Development, Norwood Oval Redevelopment, and The Parade Quarter. Relevant projects are listed below.

Professional plan users can use the search below to filter and access additional projects.

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Norwood ranks among the top 25% of areas assessed nationally for overall employment performance

Norwood has an educated workforce with strong professional services representation. Its unemployment rate was 2.6% in the past year, with estimated employment growth of 3.2%.

As of September 2025, 4,218 residents were employed at a 1.3% lower unemployment rate than Greater Adelaide's 3.9%. Workforce participation was 64.2%, slightly higher than Greater Adelaide's 61.7%. Leading industries include health care & social assistance and professional & technical services, with the latter being particularly specialized (2.0 times the regional level). Manufacturing is under-represented at 4.0% compared to Greater Adelaide's 7.0%.

The area hosts more jobs than residents, with a worker-to-resident ratio of 1.2. Employment levels increased by 3.2% and labour force grew by 3.2% in the year to September 2025, keeping unemployment stable. In comparison, Greater Adelaide had employment growth of 3.0%, labour force growth of 2.9%, and a 0.1 percentage point decrease in unemployment. State-level data from 25-Nov shows SA employment grew by 1.19% year-on-year with an unemployment rate of 4.0%. National forecasts project national employment to expand by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, but local projections suggest Norwood's employment should increase by 7.2% over five years and 14.7% over ten years based on its industry mix.

Income analysis reveals strong economic positioning, with the area outperforming 60% of locations assessed nationally by AreaSearch

AreaSearch's latest postcode level ATO data for financial year 2023 shows that Norwood suburb has a median income of $62,991 and an average income of $95,216. This is higher than Greater Adelaide's median income of $54,808 and average income of $66,852. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 8.8% since financial year 2023, estimated incomes as of September 2025 would be approximately $68,534 (median) and $103,595 (average). The 2021 Census data ranks Norwood's personal income at the 78th percentile ($1,002 weekly) and household income at the 50th percentile. Income distribution shows that 30.3% of individuals earn between $1,500 and $2,999, consistent with the broader regional trend of 31.8%. Housing costs consume 16.0% of income, but strong earnings place disposable income at the 50th percentile. Norwood's SEIFA income ranking places it in the 8th decile.

Norwood displays a diverse mix of dwelling types, with a higher proportion of rental properties than the broader region

Norwood's dwelling structure, as recorded in the latest Census, consisted of 34.8% houses and 65.2% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings). In contrast, Adelaide metro had 51.7% houses and 48.4% other dwellings. Home ownership in Norwood was at 32.3%, with mortgaged dwellings at 21.5% and rented dwellings at 46.2%. The median monthly mortgage repayment in Norwood was $2,000, aligning with Adelaide metro's average. However, the median weekly rent in Norwood was $390, higher than Adelaide metro's $340. Nationally, Norwood's median monthly mortgage repayment exceeded the Australian average of $1,863, while its median weekly rent surpassed the national figure of $375.

Norwood features high concentrations of lone person households and group households, with a lower-than-average median household size

Family households constitute 54.8% of all households, including 17.8% couples with children, 28.2% couples without children, and 7.5% single parent families. Non-family households account for 45.2%, with lone person households at 38.1% and group households comprising 6.9%. The median household size is 2.0 people, which is smaller than the Greater Adelaide average of 2.2.

Norwood shows strong educational performance, ranking in the upper quartile nationally when assessed across multiple qualification and achievement indicators

Norwood's educational attainment is notably higher than broader standards. Among residents aged 15 and above, 53.6% possess university qualifications, compared to 25.7% in South Australia (SA) and 28.9% in Greater Adelaide. Bachelor degrees are the most common at 33.0%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (16.0%) and graduate diplomas (4.6%). Vocational pathways account for 21.1% of qualifications, with advanced diplomas at 9.3% and certificates at 11.8%.

Educational participation is high, with 27.9% currently enrolled in formal education. This includes 11.1% in tertiary education, 7.8% in primary education, and 4.5% pursuing secondary education.

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

Norwood has 29 active public transport stops operating within its boundaries. These are served by a mix of bus routes totalling 33 individual services. Together, these provide a weekly passenger trip count of 2,387.

The accessibility of transport in Norwood is rated as excellent, with residents located an average of 188 meters from the nearest transport stop. On average, there are 341 trips per day across all routes, which equates to approximately 82 weekly trips per individual stop.

The level of general health in Norwood is notably higher than the national average with both young and old age cohorts seeing low prevalence of common health conditions

Norwood demonstrates above-average health outcomes with both young and old age cohorts seeing low prevalence of common health conditions. The rate of private health cover is exceptionally high at approximately 65% of the total population (4799 people), compared to 62.2% across Greater Adelaide, which is higher than the national average of 55.7%. The most common medical conditions in the area are mental health issues and arthritis, impacting 8.7% and 7.4% of residents respectively, while 70.8% declare themselves completely clear of medical ailments compared to 70.4% across Greater Adelaide.

The area has 22.1% of residents aged 65 and over (1643 people), which is higher than the 20.9% in Greater Adelaide. Health outcomes among seniors are particularly strong, performing even better than the general population in health metrics.

The level of cultural diversity witnessed in Norwood was found to be above average when compared nationally for a number of language and cultural background related metrics

Norwood's population is more culturally diverse than most local markets, with 24.0% speaking a language other than English at home and 32.3% born overseas. Christianity is the predominant religion in Norwood, accounting for 40.5% of its population. Judaism, however, is overrepresented compared to Greater Adelaide, comprising 0.2% versus 0.2%.

The top three ancestry groups are English (25.8%), Australian (17.7%), and Other (9.0%). Some ethnic groups have notable differences in representation: Hungarian at 0.5% (regional average is 0.3%), Italian at 7.0% (versus 11.1%), and Polish at 1.0% (compared to 0.9%).

Norwood's population is slightly older than the national pattern

The median age in Norwood is 40 years, similar to Greater Adelaide's average of 39 years but somewhat older than Australia's median age of 38 years. The age group of 25-34 has a strong representation at 19.1% compared to Greater Adelaide, while the age group of 5-14 is less prevalent at 7.5%. According to data from the post-2021 Census, the age group of 15 to 24 has grown from 11.2% to 12.6%, and the age group of 75 to 84 has increased from 6.8% to 8.2%. Conversely, the age group of 55 to 64 has declined from 12.4% to 11.1%. Population forecasts for the year 2041 indicate significant demographic changes in Norwood. Leading this shift is the age group of 85 and above, which is expected to grow by 111%, reaching 393 people from 185. Notably, the combined age groups of 65 and above will account for 68% of total population growth, reflecting Norwood's aging demographic profile. In contrast, the age groups of 15 to 24 and 5 to 14 are expected to experience population declines.