Para Hills

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

As of Nov 2025, the estimated population of Para Hills is around 6,967, reflecting an increase of 174 people since the 2021 Census. This growth represents a 2.6% rise from the previous population count of 6,793. The latest estimate is based on AreaSearch's validation of new addresses and their examination of ABS ERP data released in June 2024, which indicated a resident population of 6,948 for Para Hills. This increase brings the population density to approximately 2,170 persons per square kilometer, higher than the average seen across national locations assessed by AreaSearch. Para Hills's growth since the Census positions it close to the SA3 area's growth rate of 3.7%, demonstrating competitive fundamentals. Overseas migration contributed around 62.0% of overall population gains during recent periods in Para Hills.

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, based on 2021 data and adjusted using a method of weighted aggregation from LGA to SA2 levels. Future population trends indicate an expected increase just below the median for statistical areas analysed by AreaSearch. Para Hills is projected to expand by 351 persons to reach 7,318 by 2041, reflecting a total gain of approximately 5.0% over the 17-year period.

AreaSearch analysis of residential development drivers sees Para Hills recording a relatively average level of approval activity when compared to local markets analysed countrywide

AreaSearch analysis of ABS building approval numbers shows Para Hills had approximately 39 dwelling approvals per year over the past five financial years, totalling around 196 homes. In FY26 so far, 13 approvals have been recorded. The average population increase per dwelling built in the area was 0.9 people annually between FY21 and FY25. This suggests supply is meeting or exceeding demand, providing more buyer choice and potentially supporting population growth above projections.

The average construction value of new homes was $329,000, aligning with broader regional development trends. This financial year, Para Hills has seen $1.7 million in commercial development approvals, indicating its residential nature. Compared to Greater Adelaide, Para Hills had 57.0% more new home approvals per capita as of recent data. Recent construction comprised 93.0% standalone homes and 7.0% medium to high-density housing, preserving the area's suburban character with an emphasis on detached housing.

Para Hills has a population density of around 176 people per approval, reflecting its low-density nature. According to AreaSearch's latest quarterly estimate, the area is projected to gain 348 residents by 2041. With current construction levels, housing supply should adequately meet demand, creating favourable conditions for buyers and potentially enabling population growth that exceeds current forecasts.

Para Hills has moderate levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the top 50% nationally

The performance of an area can significantly influenced by changes in local infrastructure, major projects, and planning initiatives. AreaSearch has identified a total of 8 projects that are expected to impact the area. Notable projects include Springbank Waters Residential Estate, Keswick Gardens Retirement Village Expansion, The Heights Estate Para Hills, and Para Hills West Urban Renewal Precinct. The following list details those projects considered 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 landscape in Para Hills shows performance that lags behind national averages across key labour market indicators

Para Hills has a skilled workforce with 4.0% unemployment rate as of June 2025, mirroring Greater Adelaide's rate. Employment growth over the past year was estimated at 1.8%.

The area had 3,549 residents in work, with workforce participation at 61.7%, similar to Greater Adelaide. Dominant employment sectors include health care & social assistance, construction, and retail trade. Construction shows notable concentration, with levels at 1.3 times the regional average. Conversely, professional & technical services have lower representation at 4.1% versus the regional average of 7.3%.

The area offers limited local employment opportunities, as indicated by Census data comparing working population to resident population. Between June 2024 and June 2025, employment increased by 1.8%, while labour force grew by 1.3%, reducing the unemployment rate by 0.5 percentage points. In contrast, Greater Adelaide experienced employment growth of 2.1% over the same period. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from Sep-22 project overall employment growth of 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Para Hills' employment mix suggests local employment should increase by 6.3% over five years and 13.2% over ten years, though 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 data for financial year 2022 shows median income in Para Hills at $48,438 and average income at $54,925. In Greater Adelaide, the median was $52,592 with an average of $64,886. By September 2025, estimated incomes would be approximately $54,653 (median) and $61,972 (average), based on a 12.83% Wage Price Index growth since financial year 2022. The 2021 Census indicates household, family, and personal incomes in Para Hills rank modestly, between the 25th and 30th percentiles. Income distribution shows 36.9% of residents earning $1,500 - 2,999 annually, similar to the regional average of 31.8%. Post-housing expenses account for 85.3% of income.

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

Para Hills' dwellings, as per the latest Census, were 97.5% houses and 2.4% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other'). Adelaide metro had 83.9% houses and 16.0% other dwellings. Home ownership in Para Hills was 32.3%, with mortgaged dwellings at 45.8% and rented ones at 21.9%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $1,300, aligning with Adelaide metro's average. Median weekly rent was $325, compared to Adelaide metro's $300. Nationally, Para Hills' mortgage repayments were lower at $1,300 versus Australia's average of $1,863, and rents were substantially below the national figure of $375.

Para Hills has a typical household mix, with a lower-than-average median household size

Family households comprise 73.3% of all households, including 29.7% couples with children, 25.3% couples without children, and 16.2% single parent families. Non-family households account for the remaining 26.7%, with lone person households at 23.0% and group households comprising 3.6%. The median household size is 2.6 people, which is smaller than the Greater Adelaide average of 2.7.

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

The area has lower university qualification rates at 16.9% compared to the Australian average of 30.4%. This presents both a challenge and an opportunity for targeted educational initiatives. Bachelor degrees are the most common at 11.8%, followed by postgraduate qualifications at 3.6% and graduate diplomas at 1.5%. Trade and technical skills are prominent, with 38.0% of residents aged 15+ holding vocational credentials - advanced diplomas at 9.2% and certificates at 28.8%.

Educational participation is high at 29.5%, including 11.0% in primary education, 7.2% in secondary education, and 4.5% pursuing tertiary education. Para Hills School and East Para Primary School serve a total of 483 students, with typical Australian school conditions (ICSEA: 986) offering balanced educational opportunities. Both schools focus exclusively on primary education, while secondary options are available in surrounding areas. Local school capacity is limited at 6.9 places per 100 residents compared to the regional average of 13.9, leading many families to travel for schooling.

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

Para Hills has 58 active public transport stops operating within its boundaries. These stops are served by a mix of buses on 24 individual routes. Together, these routes facilitate 1,851 weekly passenger trips.

The accessibility of public transport in Para Hills is rated as excellent, with residents typically located just 155 meters from the nearest transport stop. On average, there are 264 trips per day across all routes, which equates to approximately 31 weekly trips per individual stop.

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

Para Hills faces significant health challenges. Common health conditions are prevalent across both younger and older age cohorts.

The rate of private health cover is very low at approximately 49% of the total population (~3,396 people), compared to the national average of 55.3%. The most common medical conditions in the area are arthritis and mental health issues, impacting 8.8 and 8.5% of residents respectively. 67.5% of residents declare themselves completely clear of medical ailments, compared to 68.1% across Greater Adelaide. As of 2016, 15.6% of residents are aged 65 and over (1,086 people). Health outcomes among seniors present some challenges, broadly in line with the general population's health profile.

Para Hills 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

Para Hills, surveyed in July-August 2016, had a higher cultural diversity than most local areas, with 32.9% of its population born overseas and 27.8% speaking languages other than English at home. Christianity was the predominant religion, accounting for 38.1%. Islam was overrepresented compared to Greater Adelaide, making up 9.6% versus 8.0%.

The top three ancestral groups were English (27.3%), Australian (22.0%), and Other (15.3%). Notably, Hungarian (0.5% vs 0.3%), Serbian (0.5% vs 0.5%), and Lebanese (1.0% vs 0.4%) groups had higher representations than the regional averages.

Para Hills's population is slightly younger than the national pattern

The median age in Para Hills is 36 years, which is slightly below Greater Adelaide's average of 39 and also slightly below Australia's median age of 38. Compared to Greater Adelaide, Para Hills has a higher proportion of residents aged 25-34 (15.9%) but fewer residents aged 65-74 (7.6%). Between the 2021 Census and now, the population aged 35-44 has increased from 14.0% to 15.3%, while the population aged 45-54 has decreased from 11.8% to 10.8%. By 2041, Para Hills is projected to experience significant changes in its age composition. The number of people aged 85 and above is expected to grow by 89%, reaching 276 from 146. This growth will be driven primarily by an aging population, with those aged 65 and above accounting for 60% of the projected growth. Conversely, the numbers in the 65-74 age range are expected to decrease by 29%.