Onkaparinga Hills

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

By analyzing ABS population updates and new addresses validated by AreaSearch, as of Nov 2025, Onkaparinga Hills' estimated population is around 2,620. This reflects an increase of 10 people since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 2,610. This change is inferred from a resident population estimate of 2,618 by AreaSearch following examination of the latest ERP data release by the ABS (June 2024) and an additional 26 validated new addresses since the Census date. This results in a density ratio of 104 persons per square kilometer. Over the past decade, Onkaparinga Hills has shown resilient growth patterns with a compound annual growth rate of 1.1%, outpacing its SA3 area. Interstate migration contributed approximately 76.0% of overall population gains during recent periods.

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, the SA State Government's Regional/LGA projections by age category are adopted, released in 2023 based on 2021 data, with adjustments made employing a method of weighted aggregation of population growth from LGA to SA2 levels. Future population dynamics project an above median growth for the area, with Onkaparinga Hills expected to increase by 482 persons to 2041, reflecting a total increase of 24.2% over the 17 years.

Residential development activity is lower than average in Onkaparinga Hills according to AreaSearch's national comparison of local real estate markets

Based on AreaSearch analysis using ABS building approval numbers from statistical area data, Onkaparinga Hills averaged approximately 6 new dwelling approvals per year over the past 5 financial years (FY-18 to FY-22), totalling an estimated 32 homes. As of FY-26, 3 approvals have been recorded. This averages out to around 8.8 people moving to the area annually for each dwelling built between FY-21 and FY-25, indicating demand significantly exceeds new supply. New dwellings are developed at an average expected construction cost value of $305,000.

In FY-26, there have been $299,000 in commercial approvals, suggesting minimal commercial development activity. Relative to Greater Adelaide and nationally, Onkaparinga Hills records roughly half the building activity per person and places among the 21st percentile of areas assessed, indicating somewhat limited buyer options while strengthening demand for established properties. This activity is also under the national average, suggesting the area's established nature and potential planning limitations. All new construction has been standalone homes, preserving the area's low density nature and attracting space-seeking buyers, with an estimated 789 people in the area per dwelling approval.

Population forecasts indicate Onkaparinga Hills will gain approximately 633 residents by 2041 (from the latest AreaSearch quarterly estimate). If current development rates continue, housing supply may not keep pace with population growth, potentially increasing competition among buyers and supporting stronger price growth.

Onkaparinga Hills has emerging levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the 20thth percentile nationally

Changes to local infrastructure significantly impact an area's performance. AreaSearch has identified 16 projects likely affecting the region. Notable projects include Onkaparinga Heights, Noarlunga Hospital Expansion, Bains Road Reconstruction, and Woodcroft College Campus Expansions. The following list details 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.

Employment conditions in Onkaparinga Hills demonstrate exceptional strength compared to most Australian markets

Onkaparinga Hills has a diverse workforce with both white and blue collar jobs, with essential services well represented. The unemployment rate is 2.8%, lower than the national average of 4.3%.

Over the past year, employment grew by 3.9%. As of September 2025, there are 1,579 residents employed, with an unemployment rate of 1.2% below Greater Adelaide's rate of 3.9%. Workforce participation is standard at 66.6%, compared to Greater Adelaide's 61.7%. The dominant employment sectors include health care & social assistance, construction, and retail trade.

Construction stands out with employment levels at 1.6 times the regional average. However, professional & technical services are under-represented at 5.1% of the workforce compared to 7.3% in Greater Adelaide. The worker-to-resident ratio is 0.6, indicating ample local employment opportunities. Between September 2024 and September 2025, employment increased by 3.9%, labour force grew by 3.6%, reducing the unemployment rate by 0.2 percentage points. In comparison, Greater Adelaide saw employment growth of 3.0% and a reduction in unemployment of 0.1 percentage points. State-level data from 25-Nov-25 shows South Australia's employment grew by 1.19% year-on-year, with an unemployment rate of 4.0%. National forecasts project total employment to expand by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Onkaparinga Hills' employment mix suggests local employment should increase by 6.4% over five years and 13.3% over ten years.

Income metrics indicate excellent economic conditions, with the area achieving higher performance than 75% of national locations assessed by AreaSearch

The suburb of Onkaparinga Hills has an income level above the national average, according to the latest Australian Taxation Office (ATO) data aggregated by AreaSearch for the financial year 2023. The median income among taxpayers in Onkaparinga Hills is $63,246, with an average income of $71,596. These figures compare to those for Greater Adelaide, which are $54,808 and $66,852 respectively. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 8.8% since the financial year 2023, estimated incomes as of September 2025 would be approximately $68,812 (median) and $77,896 (average). According to Census 2021 income data, household income ranks at the 70th percentile ($2,078 weekly), while personal income sits at the 54th percentile. The earnings profile shows that 35.8% of the population, equating to 937 individuals, fall within the $1,500 - $2,999 income range, mirroring the surrounding region where 31.8% occupy this bracket. After accounting for housing costs, residents retain 89.1% of their income, reflecting strong purchasing power and the area's Socio-Economic Indexes for Areas (SEIFA) income ranking places it in the 6th decile.

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

The dwelling structure in Onkaparinga Hills, as per the latest Census, consisted of 99.4% houses and 0.6% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings). This compares to Adelaide metro's 89.2% houses and 10.7% other dwellings. The home ownership rate in Onkaparinga Hills was higher than that of Adelaide metro at 39.9%, with the remaining dwellings either mortgaged (55.6%) or rented (4.5%). The median monthly mortgage repayment in the area was $1,625, which is above the Adelaide metro average of $1,452. The median weekly rent figure for Onkaparinga Hills was recorded at $385, compared to Adelaide metro's $314. Nationally, Onkaparinga Hills' mortgage repayments were lower than the Australian average of $1,863, while rents exceeded the national figure of $375.

Onkaparinga Hills features high concentrations of family households, with a higher-than-average median household size

Family households account for 87.0% of all households, including 42.1% couples with children, 35.9% couples without children, and 8.2% single parent families. Non-family households constitute the remaining 13.0%, with lone person households at 11.5% and group households comprising 2.0%. The median household size is 2.9 people, which is larger than the Greater Adelaide average of 2.5.

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

The area's university qualification rate is 16.5%, significantly lower than Australia's average of 30.4%. Bachelor degrees are the most common at 11.2%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (3.0%) and graduate diplomas (2.3%). Vocational credentials are prevalent, with 44.6% of residents aged 15+ holding them - advanced diplomas at 12.2% and certificates at 32.4%. Educational participation is high, with 26.2% of residents currently enrolled in formal education.

This includes 9.6% in primary education, 8.3% in secondary education, and 4.6% pursuing tertiary education.

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

Onkaparinga Hills has four operational public transport stops, all offering bus services. These stops are served by five distinct routes that facilitate a total of 268 weekly passenger trips. The region's transport accessibility is considered moderate, with residents generally situated 441 meters away from the nearest stop.

Each route offers an average of 38 daily trips, resulting in around 67 weekly trips per individual stop.

Health performance in Onkaparinga Hills is lower than average with common health conditions somewhat prevalent across both younger and older age cohorts

Onkaparinga Hills faces significant health challenges with common health conditions prevalent across both younger and older age cohorts. The rate of private health cover is very high at approximately 55% of the total population (~1,448 people), compared to 49.1% across Greater Adelaide.

The most common medical conditions in the area are arthritis and mental health issues, impacting 9.7% and 8.3% of residents respectively. 66.8% of residents declared themselves completely clear of medical ailments, compared to 62.9% across Greater Adelaide. As of 17 September 2021, the area has 17.9% of residents aged 65 and over (468 people), which is lower than the 21.0% in Greater Adelaide. Health outcomes among seniors are above average, performing even better than the general population in health metrics.

Onkaparinga Hills ranks below the Australian average when compared to other local markets across a number of language and cultural background related metrics

Onkaparinga Hills, surveyed in 2016, had low cultural diversity with 80.7% born in Australia, 92.7% being citizens, and 95.4% speaking English only at home. Christianity was the dominant religion, comprising 40.8%. Judaism, however, was underrepresented at 0.0%, compared to Greater Adelaide's 0.1%.

Top ancestral groups were English (35.7%), Australian (30.7%), and Scottish (6.9%). Notably, Dutch (2.2% vs regional 1.7%) and German (5.3% vs 5.4%) were overrepresented, while Lebanese (0.5% vs 0.2%) had a slightly higher representation than the region's average.

Onkaparinga Hills hosts a notably older demographic compared to the national average

The median age in Onkaparinga Hills is 44 years, which is higher than Greater Adelaide's average of 39 and also exceeds the Australian median of 38. The 55-64 age cohort is notably over-represented in Onkaparinga Hills at 15.7%, compared to the Greater Adelaide average. Meanwhile, the 25-34 age group is under-represented locally at 11.1%. Between the 2021 Census and the present day, the percentage of the population aged 25 to 34 has grown from 9.1% to 11.1%, while the 75 to 84 age group has increased from 5.4% to 6.7%. Conversely, the 55 to 64 cohort has declined from 17.0% to 15.7% and the 65 to 74 age group has dropped from 12.1% to 10.9%. Population forecasts for the year 2041 indicate significant demographic changes for Onkaparinga Hills, with the 45 to 54 age cohort projected to expand by 124 people (32%) from 387 to 512.