Ottoway

Population growth drivers in Ottoway are above average based on AreaSearch's ranking of recent, and medium to long-term trends

As of Feb 2026, the estimated population of the suburb of Ottoway is around 3,333. This reflects a growth of 550 people since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 2,783. The increase was inferred from AreaSearch's estimate of 2,975 residents based on examination of ABS ERP data release in June 2024 and an additional 13 validated new addresses since the Census date. This results in a population density ratio of 2,544 persons per square kilometer, placing Ottoway in the upper quartile relative to national locations assessed by AreaSearch. The suburb's growth rate of 19.8% since the 2021 census exceeds both the state's (9.0%) and Greater Adelaide's growth rates, marking it as a growth leader in the region. Overseas migration contributed approximately 56.00000000000001% of overall population gains during recent periods, although all drivers including interstate migration and natural growth were positive factors.

AreaSearch adopts ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area, released in 2024 with a base year of 2022. 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. Considering projected demographic shifts, an above median population growth is projected for the suburb of Ottoway, with an expected increase of 525 persons by 2041 based on aggregated SA2-level projections, reflecting an overall increase of 5.7% over the 17 years.

AreaSearch assessment of residential approval activity sees Ottoway among the top 30% of areas assessed nationwide

AreaSearch analysis of ABS building approval numbers indicates Ottoway has received approximately 23 dwelling approvals annually over the past five financial years, totalling around 117 homes. Up to FY-26, 14 approvals have been recorded. On average, 2.7 people moved to the area per new home constructed between FY-21 and FY-25. New homes are constructed at an average cost of $363,000.

In FY-26, $10.2 million in commercial approvals have been registered. Ottoway's development levels are similar to Greater Adelaide on a per capita basis. Detached dwellings make up 47.0% and attached dwellings 53.0% of new developments, marking a shift from the current housing pattern of 74.0% houses. There are around 137 people per approval in Ottoway. By 2041, Ottoway is projected to grow by approximately 189 residents based on AreaSearch's latest quarterly estimate.

Current development patterns suggest new housing supply will meet demand, potentially facilitating further population growth.

Ottoway has limited levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the 17thth percentile nationally

Area infrastructure significantly impacts local performance. AreaSearch identified 0 key projects influencing the area: Our Port, The Queen Elizabeth Hospital Redevelopment Stage Three, North South Corridor, Adelaide Level Crossings Congestion and Safety.

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Employment performance in Ottoway has been below expectations when compared to most other areas nationally

Ottoway's workforce consists of both white and blue-collar jobs, with manufacturing and industrial sectors prominent. The unemployment rate in Ottoway was 8.3% as of September 2024, showing a 4.5% growth from the previous year based on AreaSearch data aggregation. As of September 2025, 1,450 residents are employed while the unemployment rate has decreased to 4.3%, still higher than Greater Adelaide's rate of 3.9%.

Workforce participation in Ottoway is lower at 63.1% compared to Greater Adelaide's 66.4%. According to Census responses, only 4.4% of residents work from home, although Covid-19 lockdown impacts may have affected this figure. The leading employment industries among Ottoway residents are health care & social assistance, manufacturing, and accommodation & food. Manufacturing is particularly specialized in the area, with an employment share of 1.9 times the regional level.

Conversely, education & training employs only 4.1% of local workers, lower than Greater Adelaide's 9.3%. The predominantly residential nature of Ottoway suggests limited local employment opportunities, as indicated by the difference between Census working population and resident population numbers. Between September 2024 and September 2025, employment levels in Ottoway increased by 4.5% while labour force grew by 4.4%, resulting in a 0.2 percentage point decrease in unemployment rate. In comparison, Greater Adelaide recorded employment growth of 3.0% and labour force growth of 2.9%, with a 0.1 percentage point reduction in unemployment. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May-25 project overall employment growth of 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Ottoway's employment mix suggests local employment should increase by 5.8% over five years and 12.8% over ten years, although these extrapolations are illustrative and do not account for localized population projections.

Income metrics place the area in the bottom 10% of locations nationally according to AreaSearch analysis

According to AreaSearch's aggregation of the latest postcode level ATO data released for financial year 2023, Ottoway had a median income among taxpayers of $42,997 and an average level of $47,135. This is lower than national averages which stood at $54,808 and $66,852 respectively across Greater Adelaide during the same period. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 8.8% since financial year 2023, current estimates for Ottoway would be approximately $46,781 (median) and $51,283 (average) as of September 2025. Census data from 2021 shows household, family and personal incomes in Ottoway all fall between the 7th and 14th percentiles nationally. Income brackets indicate that the largest segment comprises 32.9% earning $1,500 - 2,999 weekly (1,096 residents), which is similar to the broader area where 31.8% occupy this range. Housing affordability pressures are severe in Ottoway, with only 82.2% of income remaining after housing costs, ranking at the 13th percentile nationally.

Ottoway is characterized by a predominantly suburban housing profile, with a higher proportion of rental properties than the broader region

In Ottoway, as per the latest Census evaluation, 73.8% of dwellings were houses, with the remaining 26.2% being other types such as semi-detached homes, apartments, and 'other' dwellings. This is compared to Adelaide metro's figures of 75.2% houses and 24.9% other dwellings. Home ownership in Ottoway stood at 27.6%, with mortgaged dwellings at 37.4% and rented ones at 35.0%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $1,408, below Adelaide metro's average of $1,562. The median weekly rent in Ottoway was $275, compared to Adelaide metro's $320. Nationally, Ottoway's mortgage repayments were significantly lower than the Australian average of $1,863, and rents were substantially below the national figure of $375.

Ottoway features high concentrations of group households, with a higher-than-average median household size

Family households account for 66.9% of all households, including 29.5% that are couples with children, 17.4% that are couples without children, and 17.2% that are single parent families. Non-family households make up the remaining 33.1%, with lone person households at 28.8% and group households comprising 4.1%. The median household size is 2.6 people, which is larger than the Greater Adelaide average of 2.5.

Educational outcomes in Ottoway fall within the lower quartile nationally, indicating opportunities for improvement in qualification attainment

The area's university qualification rate is 15.8%, significantly lower than the Australian average of 30.4%. Bachelor degrees are most common at 11.8%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (3.1%) and graduate diplomas (0.9%). Vocational credentials are prevalent, with 31.3% of residents aged 15+ holding them, including advanced diplomas (7.7%) and certificates (23.6%). Educational participation is high at 28.7%, with 9.6% in primary education, 6.7% in secondary education, and 5.5% pursuing tertiary education.

Educational participation is notably high, with 28.7% of residents currently enrolled in formal education. This includes 9.6% in primary education, 6.7% in secondary education, and 5.5% pursuing tertiary education.

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

Ottoway has 14 active public transport stops, all offering bus services. These stops are served by 8 different routes, together facilitating 686 weekly passenger trips. Residents have good access to transport, with an average distance of 246 meters to the nearest stop. Most residents commute outside Ottoway, primarily by car (90%), with only 5% using buses. On average, there are 1.4 vehicles per dwelling. According to the 2021 Census, 4.4% of residents work from home, which may be influenced by COVID-19 conditions.

Across all routes, service frequency averages 98 trips per day, resulting in approximately 49 weekly trips per stop.

Health performance in Ottoway is well below average with prevalence of common health conditions notable across both younger and older age cohorts

Ottoway faces significant health challenges, as assessed by AreaSearch. Mortality rates and chronic condition prevalence are substantial among both younger and older residents. Private health cover is extremely low at approximately 46%, compared to 52.7% in Greater Adelaide and a national average of 55.7%.

Mental health issues and asthma are the most common conditions, affecting 8.5% and 8.2% respectively. However, 68.3% report no medical ailments, similar to Greater Adelaide's 67.9%. Working-age residents have an above-average prevalence of chronic conditions. The area has 16.8% of residents aged 65 and over (559 people), lower than Greater Adelaide's 19.3%, but still higher than the national average.

Ottoway is among the most culturally diverse areas in the country based on AreaSearch assessment of a range of language and cultural background related metrics

Ottoway has a high level of cultural diversity, with 39.6% of its population born overseas and 46.1% speaking a language other than English at home. Christianity is the predominant religion in Ottoway, comprising 43.3% of the population. However, Buddhism is significantly overrepresented in Ottoway compared to the Greater Adelaide average, making up 12.9% of the population versus 2.4%.

The top three ancestry groups in Ottoway are English at 17.3%, Australian at 16.0%, and Vietnamese at 15.4%. These percentages are notably lower than the regional averages for English (27.8%) and Australian (22.8%), but substantially higher for Vietnamese (1.2%). Other ethnic groups with notable overrepresentation in Ottoway include Polish at 2.4% versus 1.0%, Filipino at 5.9% versus 1.0%, and Russian at 0.6% versus 0.3%.

Ottoway's population is slightly younger than the national pattern

The median age in Ottoway as of 2021 was 36 years, which is slightly lower than Greater Adelaide's average of 39 years and also lower than Australia's median age of 38 years. Compared to Greater Adelaide, Ottoway had a higher proportion of residents aged 25-34 (16.3%) but fewer residents aged 75-84 (5.1%). Between the 2016 Census and the 2021 Census, the population aged 35-44 grew from 13.0% to 14.7%, while the 75-84 age group increased from 3.6% to 5.1%. Conversely, the 55-64 age group decreased from 13.1% to 10.8%, and the 45-54 age group dropped from 13.8% to 12.5%. By 2041, Ottoway's population is expected to experience significant changes in its age composition. The 75-84 age group is projected to grow by 45%, increasing from 169 people to 246. Those aged 65 and above are expected to comprise 56% of the total population growth. Meanwhile, population declines are projected for the 55-64 and 0-4 age groups.