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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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Onkaparinga Hills has an estimated 2,634 residents. Growth has averaged 0.5% a year over five years, slower than 87% of areas nationally. That puts 105 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
According to AreaSearch's evaluation of broader ABS demographic releases alongside post-Census validated address counts, the suburb of Onkaparinga Hills has a population of approximately 2,634 as of Aug 2026. Relative to the 2021 Census tally of 2,610 people, this represents an addition of 24 people (0.9%). This estimate builds on an ERP figure of 2,632 derived from the ABS June 2025 update, combined with 27 validated new addresses identified following the Census. The resulting population density stands at 105 persons per square kilometer, indicating generous living space and room for prospective expansion.
Net interstate migration served as the core driver of local expansion, accounting for roughly 76.0% of recent population additions. Population projections utilise 2024 ABS/Geoscience Australia SA2 modeling with a 2022 baseline, supplemented where needed (and for periods following 2032) by 2023 South Australian Government LGA projections based on 2021 numbers, adjusted via weighted LGA-to-SA2 aggregations. Looking ahead, population trajectory for the suburb of Onkaparinga Hills is anticipated to track slightly under the national median, gaining 312 persons by 2041 across aggregated SA2 boundaries, which equates to an overall growth rate of 11.8% over the 16 years.
Frequently Asked Questions - Population
29 new dwellings have been approved in Onkaparinga Hills over the past five years, an average of 5 a year. That is 2.3 approvals per 1,000 residents. Approvals are currently running at an annualised 4, broadly in line with 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's review of ABS building approval figures allocated locally indicates that Onkaparinga Hills averages roughly 5 dwellings approved for construction each year, totaling approximately 29 homes across the past 5 financial years (between FY-21 and FY-25), with 4 recorded to date in FY-25. An influx of 1.9 people per year per completed home across the 5 financial years (between FY-21 and FY-25) has kept supply and demand relatively even, while the last 2 financial years recorded -3.5 people per dwelling, demonstrating an increasingly balanced environment. Residential building approvals indicate an average expected construction cost of $360,000 per dwelling.
Furthermore, commercial building approvals reached $299,000 this financial year, underscoring the suburb's primarily residential character. Residential building activity in Onkaparinga Hills is considerably subdued compared with Greater Adelaide, lagging 53.0% below the regional per capita figure. This limited supply of new dwellings generally underpins buyer interest and property valuations across established stock. The approval rate also trails the national benchmark, pointing to the established status of the neighborhood alongside potential planning restrictions. Every approved dwelling has been a standalone home, sustaining the low-density landscape and continuing to draw buyers pursuing open space. A ratio of 528 people per dwelling approval further highlights the calm, constrained pace of local development. According to demographic projections from the most recent AreaSearch quarterly update, Onkaparinga Hills is projected to add 310 residents through to 2041. Should building approvals remain at current volumes, residential completions could fall short of resident growth, which may heighten buyer competition and reinforce upward pressure on local home values.
Frequently Asked Questions - Development
Development applications around Onkaparinga Hills
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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 Onkaparinga Hills, worth an estimated $824 million. A further 17 sit in the immediately surrounding suburbs, taking the tracked pipeline within reach of the area to $2.17 billion. 6 are already under construction and 6 are due for completion within three years. The pipeline spans health & medical, education & training and residential development. 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
Capital investments, planning schemes, and local infrastructure works play a pivotal role in shaping community development. AreaSearch has identified 16 key initiatives with potential local relevance. Prominent works include Onkaparinga Heights, Noarlunga Hospital Expansion, Bains Road Reconstruction, and Woodcroft College Campus Expansions, with specific details set out below.
Professional plan users can use the search below to filter and access additional projects.
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Frequently Asked Questions - Infrastructure
Noarlunga Hospital Expansion
The $74 million Noarlunga Hospital expansion, part of the Southern Redevelopment Stage 1, was officially completed in November 2025. This project increased the hospital's capacity by over 65 per cent, growing from 92 to 152 beds. Key additions include a new 24-bed General Medicine Ward and a purpose-built 24-bed Mental Health Rehabilitation Unit. The redevelopment also delivered an expanded SA Pharmacy, enhanced kitchen and linen facilities, and additional dedicated car parking. The design features a facade inspired by the local coastline and incorporates sustainable elements and cultural flora relevant to the Kaurna community.
Onkaparinga Heights
A 235-hectare masterplanned community in Adelaide's southern suburbs delivering approximately 2,000 to 2,300 new homes. The project includes a 67.6-hectare site managed by Renewal SA, partnered with YAS Property & Development to deliver 1,000 homes, alongside adjacent private developments. The community features a minimum of 20% affordable housing, sustainable urban design, and high connectivity via the Southern Expressway. Civil works commenced in late 2025, with first home constructions slated for late 2026.
Woodcroft College Campus Expansions
Independent Anglican co-educational school serving ELC to Year 12. Major educational facility with modern learning environments, sports facilities and technology centers. Ongoing campus improvements to support growing student population.
YAS Property Development - Morphett Vale Project
Proposed residential development in Morphett Vale featuring modern family homes with sustainable design principles. YAS Property & Development was founded in 2015 by Adelaide-based businessman and entrepreneur Tim Shahin. The company focuses largely on sub-divisions and unique housing developments and is one of the fastest-growing property development companies in South Australia.
The Green at Woodcroft
Premium residential development adjacent to Thaxted Park Golf Course by Metro Property Development. Master-planned community offering house and land packages in established area with golf course frontage and parkland access.
Bains Road Reconstruction
Reconstruction of Bains Road between Investigator Drive and Panalatinga Road, Woodcroft. The project includes reconstruction of selected sections of kerbing and guttering, road pavement reconstruction, installation of a new 1.5m wide footpath on the northern side, and installation of new pedestrian refuges to improve road safety and accessibility. Construction commenced in October 2025 with an estimated 8-week completion period, subject to weather conditions.
Noarlunga Master Planning Housing Project
A 22-hectare master-planned residential development delivering more than 626 new homes across two land parcels on either side of Lovelock Drive in Port Noarlunga and Noarlunga Downs. The project features a minimum of 28% affordable and social housing (including 80 social housing dwellings), and 12.5% new public open space with a target of 25% overall tree canopy. Designed by Holmes Dyer, the development targets a 5-Star Green Star Communities rating. Civil works by Winslow Constructors commenced in 2025, with house construction planned to begin in 2026 and first residents expected by end of 2026.Multiple sales releases are underway including the Wirra and Kauwi Releases. The community will become home to approximately 1,200 residents over a 7-10 year delivery period through to 2031.
Pine Reserve Development - Aberfoyle Park
Open space development at Pine Reserve funded through Federal Government Local Roads and Community Infrastructure program. Includes playground upgrades, walking paths, landscaping and community gathering spaces.
1,503 residents of Onkaparinga Hills are employed, from a labour force of 1,551. Unemployment sits at 3.1%, with participation at 69.2%. Weighted for its industry mix, the area's sectors are forecast to grow about 6.4% nationally over five years. That reflects industry composition only and makes no allowance for local population growth. Unemployment and labour force come from ABS Small Area Labour Markets, updated quarterly; the industry and occupation profile is from the 2021 Census.
Detail
The workforce in Onkaparinga Hills demonstrates an even distribution between professional and vocational roles, underpinned by a solid presence in essential services. AreaSearch aggregations of local statistical figures show an unemployment rate of only 3.1% alongside 3.9% annual job growth. In March 2026, 1,503 residents were employed, while local unemployment sat 0.7% below the Greater Adelaide benchmark of 3.8%. The labor force participation rate reached 69.2%, outperforming Greater Adelaide's 66.4%. Census figures recorded 10.4% of workers based at home, though this coincided with Covid-19 pandemic restrictions. The primary employment sectors for local residents consist of health care & social assistance, construction, and retail trade.
Construction represents a notable local specialization, engaging a workforce proportion 1.6 times that of the broader region. Conversely, professional & technical roles are less prevalent locally, comprising 5.1% of the workforce compared to 7.3% across Greater Adelaide. At the Census, the local economy provided 0.6 workers for each resident, reflecting a relatively strong supply of local employment. An examination of aggregated ABS and SALM figures indicates that throughout the 12 months leading to March 2026, resident employment rose by 3.9% against a 3.5% increase in the labor pool, reducing the unemployment rate by 0.4 percentage points. Across Greater Adelaide, employment grew by 4.2% and the labor force expanded by 4.0%, yielding a 0.2 percentage point decline. Long-term outlooks can also be assessed through national forecasts published by Jobs and Skills Australia in Mar-26. Nationally, employment is projected to expand by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, with performance varying widely by sector. When applied to the industrial composition of Onkaparinga Hills, these sector trajectories indicate potential local employment gains of 6.4% over five years and 13.3% over ten years (representing a baseline weighting exercise that excludes local population adjustments).
Frequently Asked Questions - Employment
Median household income in Onkaparinga Hills is $2,078 a week (about $108,000 a year), with median personal income at $825 a week. ATO records put median taxable income at $63,246 a year against an average of $71,596. 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
ATO taxation statistics from financial year 2023 at the postcode level show that personal earnings in Onkaparinga Hills surpass the national standard, recording a median of $63,246 and an average of $71,596. These figures exceed Greater Adelaide, where the median stands at $54,808 and the average reaches $66,852. Adjusting for 10.17% growth in the Wage Price Index since financial year 2023, local earnings are estimated at roughly $69,678 (median) and $78,877 (average) as of March 2026. Census metrics place weekly household earnings at the 70th percentile ($2,078 weekly) and individual earnings at the 54th percentile.
The largest earnings segment accounts for 35.8% of residents (942 people) earning between $1,500 - 2,999, mirroring the metropolitan proportion of 31.8%. After meeting housing commitments, households preserve 89.1% of their income, highlighting solid disposable financial capacity, while the SEIFA income measure places the suburb in the 6th decile.
Frequently Asked Questions - Income
Onkaparinga Hills had 870 occupied dwellings at the 2021 Census, 99% detached houses and 0% apartments. 56% are owned with a mortgage, 5% rented and 40% owned outright. At that Census the median rent was $385 a week and the median mortgage repayment $1,625 a month. Rent absorbs 18.5% of household income here and mortgage repayments 18.0%. Dwelling stock, tenure and housing costs are 2021 Census measures — the only source that counts dwellings at this boundary size.
Detail
The housing landscape in Onkaparinga Hills at the most recent Census was overwhelmingly dominated by separate houses at 99.4%, with semi-detached homes, units, and other housing forms accounting for 0.6%, whereas Adelaide metro recorded 75.2% houses and 24.9% other dwellings. Outright homeownership was also significantly higher than the metropolitan benchmark, standing at 39.9%, with 55.6% of homes carrying a mortgage and 4.5% occupied by tenants. Median monthly mortgage obligations of $1,625 exceeded the Adelaide metro figure of $1,562, while median weekly rent was $385 against $320 regionally. Compared nationally, local mortgage commitments are well below the Australian average of $1,863, whereas local rent surpasses the national benchmark of $375.
Frequently Asked Questions - Housing
Onkaparinga Hills counted 870 households at the 2021 Census, averaging 2.9 people each. 42% are couples with children, more than in 83% of areas nationally, against 36% couples without children. 12% of households are people living alone, and families average 1.7 children. Household and family composition is measured only by the Census, so these are 2021 figures.
Detail
Families make up the vast majority of local living arrangements at 87.0%, consisting of couples with children (42.1%), couples without children (35.9%), and single parent families (8.2%). Non-family arrangements account for the remaining 13.0%, split between single-occupant households (11.5%) and group households (2.0%). The median household size of 2.9 people exceeds the Greater Adelaide standard of 2.5.
Frequently Asked Questions - Households
16.5% of adults in Onkaparinga Hills hold a university qualification, including 11.2% with a bachelor degree and 3.0% with postgraduate qualifications, higher than 81% of areas nationally. A further 32.4% hold a vocational qualification. Qualifications come from the 2021 Census.
Detail
Attainment of higher education degrees in the area is comparatively low, with tertiary qualifications held by 16.5% of residents compared to the national rate of 30.4%. Bachelor degrees account for 11.2% of qualifications, followed by postgraduate degrees at 3.0% and graduate diplomas at 2.3%. Vocational and applied technical training is widespread, with 44.6% of the population aged 15+ holding practical qualifications, including advanced diplomas (12.2%) and certificates (32.4%). Formal study engagement is substantial throughout the community, with 26.2% of residents enrolled in an educational program. This total comprises 9.6% attending primary school, 8.3% in secondary education, and 4.6% undertaking tertiary studies.
Frequently Asked Questions - Education
Schools Detail
Getting around Onkaparinga Hills means driving: households keep an average of 2.2 vehicles, and scheduled services reach only a handful of stops. Service data is built from operators' published GTFS timetables; vehicle ownership is from the 2021 Census.
Detail
Public transport provision within the suburb of Onkaparinga Hills includes 4 operating passenger stops serviced by buses across 5 routes, delivering a combined total of 268 weekly passenger trips. Overall public transport access is moderate, with residents located an average of 441 meters from their nearest stop. Given the area's residential profile, outward commuting is standard, and private vehicles account for 94% of trips. Households maintain an average of 2.2 vehicles, exceeding regional norms, while 10.4% worked from home at the 2021 Census under prevailing pandemic circumstances. Public transport services run at an average rate of 38 trips per day across the network, translating to roughly 67 weekly trips for each individual stop.
Frequently Asked Questions - Transport
Transport Stops Detail
66.8% of residents in Onkaparinga Hills report no long-term health condition. 4.3% need daily assistance with core activities, and 55.3% hold private health cover. The standardised death rate runs at 4.1 per 1,000 residents. Health conditions, assistance needs and insurance are 2021 Census measures; the death rate comes from current ABS releases.
Detail
Health outcomes for residents in Onkaparinga Hills remain favorable, with AreaSearch evaluations of health conditions and mortality rates aligning closely with national standards. Common ailments are distributed normally across both younger and older demographics, while private health insurance coverage is notably strong at roughly 55% of residents (~1,456 people), surpassing the Greater Adelaide average of 52.7%. Arthritis and mental health conditions represent the most prevalent diagnoses locally, affecting 9.7 and 8.3% of the community respectively, while 66.8% of residents report no diagnosed chronic health conditions, compared to 67.9% across Greater Adelaide.
Working-age adults display a higher rate of chronic conditions than average. Seniors aged 65 and over constitute 18.3% of the population (482 people) and demonstrate positive health measures, achieving national rankings that exceed the broader community average.
Frequently Asked Questions - Health
Onkaparinga Hills is largely Australian-born, at 80.7% of residents, with 4.6% speaking a language other than English at home. The largest reported ancestries are English (35.7%) and Australian (30.7%). Ancestry, language and country of birth are counted only by the Census, so these are 2021 figures.
Detail
Cultural diversity in Onkaparinga Hills is comparatively restrained, with Australian-born residents comprising 80.7% of the community, 92.7% holding citizenship, and 95.4% speaking only English at home. Christianity is the predominant faith, representing 40.8% of residents. The suburb records virtually no net representation of Judaism at no recorded adherents, compared to 0.1% across Greater Adelaide. Looking at parental lineage, the three most common ancestral backgrounds are English (35.7% versus 27.8% regionally), Australian (30.7% versus 22.8% regionally), and Scottish (6.9%). Other cultural backgrounds show distinctive variations, with Dutch ancestry accounting for 2.2% of the local population (compared to 1.2% across the wider region), German ancestry at 5.3% (against 5.1%), and Lebanese background at 0.5% (relative to 0.3%).
Frequently Asked Questions - Diversity
The median resident of Onkaparinga Hills is 45, older than 80% of areas nationally. 24.1% 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 age distribution of Onkaparinga Hills tracks closely alongside Greater Adelaide, with the greatest variance across the four broad cohorts reaching only 7.9 percentage points. AreaSearch calculates the local median age at 45 as at August 2026, holding steady with the 2021 Census result while sitting 6 years above the Greater Adelaide median of 39 and higher than the national figure of 38 from that same Census. Since then, residents aged 25 - 44 have increased their share from 19.9% to an estimated 22.0%. The 45 - 64 demographic is projected to experience the highest numeric growth through 2041, increasing by 124 (15%) to 938 residents.
Frequently Asked Questions - Age
Data & MethodBoundaries, Sources & Method for Onkaparinga Hills
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 | Aug 2026 2 months ago 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 Aug 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 — 27 validated new addresses here. The headline figure is therefore a current estimate for Aug 2026, not a 2021 count (2,610 at the 2021 Census → 2,634 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 (SAL41076). QuickStats reports 2021 only — the figures on this page are more current wherever the ledger shows a later date.