Oakden

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

Based on analysis of ABS population updates for the broader area, as of Nov 2025, Oakden's estimated population is around 4,132. This reflects an increase of 549 people since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 3,583. The change was inferred from AreaSearch validation of new addresses following examination of ABS ERP data released in June 2024 and an additional 202 validated new addresses since the Census date. This level of population equates to a density ratio of 2,209 persons per square kilometer, above national averages assessed by AreaSearch. Oakden's growth of 15.3% since the 2021 census exceeded state (8.7%) and metropolitan area averages, marking it as a region leader in growth. Population growth was primarily driven by overseas migration contributing approximately 71.0%.

AreaSearch adopts 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, SA State Government's Regional/LGA projections by age category released in 2023 based on 2021 data are adopted with adjustments made employing weighted aggregation method from LGA to SA2 levels. Future population dynamics anticipate a significant increase, with the area expected to increase by 1,067 persons to 2041 based on aggregated SA2-level projections, reflecting an overall increase of 19.9% over the 17 years.

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

AreaSearch analysis of ABS building approval numbers for Oakden shows approximately 21 dwellings receiving development approval each year. Over the past five financial years, from FY-21 to FY-25, around 105 homes were approved, with an additional 15 approved in FY-26. This results in about 4.6 new residents arriving per dwelling constructed annually during this period.

Consequently, demand significantly exceeds new supply, leading to price growth and increased buyer competition. The average construction value of new properties is $402,000, indicating a focus on the premium market segment with higher-end properties. In FY-26, there have been $147,000 in commercial approvals, suggesting minimal commercial development activity.

Compared to Greater Adelaide, Oakden has around 66% of the construction activity per person and ranks among the 79th percentile nationally for building activity, which has accelerated in recent years. New developments consist of 85.0% standalone homes and 15.0% attached dwellings, maintaining Oakden's traditional suburban character with a focus on family homes. With around 143 people per approval, Oakden reflects an area experiencing development growth. Future projections estimate Oakden to add 824 residents by 2041, according to the latest AreaSearch quarterly estimate. Building activity is keeping pace with these growth projections, though buyers may face heightened competition as the population grows.

Oakden has emerging levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the 25thth percentile nationally

Changes to local infrastructure significantly impact an area's performance. AreaSearch has identified one major project expected to affect this region: Oakden Rise, Laing St, Northfield, Gawler Line Electrification & Level Crossing Removals (including Valley View area works), and Walkleys Road Corridor are key projects, with the following list highlighting those 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.

The employment environment in Oakden shows above-average strength when compared nationally

Oakden has an educated workforce with significant representation in essential services sectors. Its unemployment rate is 3.0%, with an estimated employment growth of 1.8% over the past year (AreaSearch data).

As of September 2025, 1,902 residents are employed, with an unemployment rate of 1.0% below Greater Adelaide's rate of 3.9%. Workforce participation in Oakden is 56.5%, compared to Greater Adelaide's 61.7%. Key industries employing residents include health care & social assistance, public administration & safety, and education & training. Public administration & safety has a particularly high employment share, at 1.5 times the regional level, while construction employs only 5.5% of local workers, below Greater Adelaide's 8.7%.

Employment opportunities locally may be limited, as indicated by Census data comparing working population to resident population. Over the year to September 2025, employment increased by 1.8%, with labour force increasing by a similar rate, keeping unemployment relatively stable. In comparison, Greater Adelaide saw employment growth of 3.0% and a slight fall in unemployment. State-level data from 25-Nov-25 shows SA employment grew by 1.19% year-on-year, with an unemployment rate of 4.0%, outperforming the national average of 0.14%. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May-25 project overall growth of 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Oakden's employment mix suggests local employment should increase by 6.7% over five years and 14.0% over ten years, although this is a simple extrapolation for illustrative purposes and does not account for localized population projections.

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

AreaSearch's latest postcode level ATO data for financial year ending June 2023 shows that median income in Oakden is $41,140 and average income stands at $46,446. This contrasts with Greater Adelaide's median income of $54,808 and average income of $66,852. Based on Wage Price Index growth from June 2023 to September 2025, estimated incomes would be approximately $44,760 (median) and $50,533 (average). Census 2021 data shows Oakden's household, family, and personal incomes rank modestly between the 19th and 33rd percentiles. Income distribution reveals that 32.6% of residents earn between $1,500 - 2,999 annually (1,347 people), similar to the surrounding region at 31.8%. After housing expenses, 85.3% of income remains for other expenses. Oakden's SEIFA income ranking places it in the fourth decile.

Oakden is characterized by a predominantly suburban housing profile, with above-average rates of outright home ownership

In Oakden, as per the latest Census evaluation, 82.2% of dwellings were houses with the remaining 17.9% comprising semi-detached properties, apartments, and other dwelling types. This contrasted with Adelaide metro's figures of 74.6% houses and 25.4% other dwellings. Home ownership in Oakden stood at 32.3%, with mortgaged dwellings at 36.4% and rented ones at 31.2%. The median monthly mortgage repayment in the area was $1,501, lower than Adelaide metro's average of $1,603. The median weekly rent figure for Oakden was $283, compared to Adelaide metro's $320. Nationally, Oakden's mortgage repayments were significantly lower than the Australian average of $1,863, while rents were substantially below the national figure of $375.

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

Family households constitute 66.8% of all households, including 29.9% couples with children, 23.8% couples without children, and 12.4% single parent families. Non-family households comprise the remaining 33.2%, with lone person households at 30.9% and group households making up 2.5%. The median household size is 2.4 people, smaller than Greater Adelaide's average of 2.5.

Oakden performs slightly above the national average for education, showing competitive qualification levels and steady academic outcomes

In Oakden, residents aged 15 and above have a notably higher educational attainment compared to broader benchmarks. Specifically, 31.4% of Oakden's residents hold university qualifications, surpassing the SA4 region's 19.8% and South Australia's 25.7%. This significant educational advantage positions the area favourably for knowledge-based opportunities. Among these university-qualified residents, bachelor degrees are most prevalent at 20.2%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (8.5%) and graduate diplomas (2.7%).

Vocational credentials are also prominent in Oakden, with 28.2% of residents aged 15 and above holding such qualifications, including advanced diplomas (10.7%) and certificates (17.5%). Educational participation is notably high in the area, with 27.2% of residents currently enrolled in formal education. This includes 9.0% in primary education, 6.9% in tertiary education, and 6.8% pursuing secondary education.

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

The analysis of public transport in Oakden shows that there are currently 15 active transport stops operating within the area. These stops serve a mix of bus routes, with a total of 12 individual routes providing service. The combined weekly passenger trips across these routes amount to 935.

Residents have excellent accessibility to transport, with an average distance of 189 meters to the nearest stop. On average, there are 133 trips per day across all routes, which translates to approximately 62 weekly trips per individual stop.

Health performance in Oakden is lower than average with prevalence of common health conditions notable across both younger and older age cohorts

Oakden faces significant health challenges, with common health conditions notably prevalent across both younger and older age cohorts. The rate of private health cover is extremely low at approximately 45% of the total population (around 1,876 people), compared to 48.6% in Greater Adelaide and the national average of 55.7%. Mental health issues and arthritis are the most common medical conditions in the area, impacting 9.7% and 9.6% of residents respectively.

Meanwhile, 66.1% of residents declare themselves completely clear of medical ailments, compared to 72.8% across Greater Adelaide. The area has 20.3% of residents aged 65 and over (838 people), which is higher than the 14.0% in Greater Adelaide. Health outcomes among seniors present some challenges, broadly in line with the general population's health profile.

Oakden was found to be more culturally diverse than the vast majority of local markets in Australia, upon assessment of a range of language and cultural background related metrics

Oakden has a high cultural diversity, with 35.1% of its population born overseas and 33.3% speaking a language other than English at home. Christianity is the predominant religion in Oakden, comprising 45.7% of the population. Notably, the 'Other' category makes up 2.7% of Oakden's population, compared to 5.3% across Greater Adelaide.

In terms of ancestry, the top three groups in Oakden are English at 22.3%, Australian at 20.9%, and Other at 11.1%. This is lower than the regional average for Other, which stands at 18.2%. Some ethnic groups show notable differences: Polish people are overrepresented at 1.9% in Oakden compared to 1.1% regionally, Hungarians at 0.7% versus 0.3%, and Russians at 0.8% against the regional average of 0.4%.

Oakden's median age exceeds the national pattern

Oakden's median age is 42, slightly higher than Greater Adelaide's figure of 39 and significantly higher than the national average of 38. The 45-54 age group comprises 14.5% of Oakden's population, notably higher than Greater Adelaide's percentage. Conversely, the 25-34 cohort makes up 11.5%, lower than Greater Adelaide's figure. According to the 2021 Census, the 35-44 age group has increased from 13.0% to 13.9% of Oakden's population, while the 25-34 cohort has decreased from 12.5% to 11.5%. By 2041, demographic modeling predicts significant changes in Oakden's age profile. The 45-54 group is projected to grow by 32%, adding 190 people and reaching a total of 790 from the current 599. Meanwhile, the 0-4 age group is expected to grow by 9%, with an increase of just 18 residents.