Para Hills West

Para Hills West is positioned among the lower quartile of areas assessed nationally for population growth based on AreaSearch's assessment of recent, and medium term trends

Population estimates for the suburb of Para Hills West indicate a figure of around 3,869 as of May 2026. This represents an increase of 574 people since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 3,295. The latest estimate is based on AreaSearch's validation of new addresses following examination of the ABS's ERP data release in June 2025, and includes an additional 85 validated new addresses since the Census date. This results in a population density ratio of 1,417 persons per square kilometer, higher than the average across national locations assessed by AreaSearch. Para Hills West's population growth of 17.4% since the 2021 census exceeds both the SA3 area (3.9%) and the state level, positioning it as a growth leader in the region. Overseas migration contributed approximately 62.0% of overall population gains during recent periods.

AreaSearch uses 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 by age category are adopted, based on 2021 data and adjusted using a method of weighted aggregation from LGA to SA2 levels. Future population dynamics anticipate an increase just below the median of statistical areas across the nation, with Para Hills West expected to expand by 174 persons to reach a total population of 3,869 by 2041, reflecting an overall increase of 4.2% over the 16-year period.

Recent residential development output has been above average within Para Hills West when compared nationally

Para Hills West experienced approximately 41 dwelling approvals annually, with 206 approved between FY-21 and FY-25, and 42 in FY-26. This resulted in an average of 1.1 people moving to the area per dwelling built over these years. The average construction cost was $329,000.

In FY-26, commercial approvals totaled $2.7 million, indicating a primarily residential nature. Compared to Greater Adelaide, Para Hills West had 231.0% more development activity per person. New developments consisted of 91.0% detached houses and 9.0% attached dwellings, maintaining the area's suburban character. There were approximately 105 people per dwelling approval, suggesting an expanding market. Future projections estimate Para Hills West to add 161 residents by 2041.

Current construction levels should meet demand adequately, creating favourable conditions for buyers and potential growth exceeding current forecasts.

Para Hills West has emerging levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the 30thth percentile nationally

Changes to local infrastructure significantly impact an area's performance. AreaSearch has identified six projects likely affecting the region. Notable ones are Springbank Waters Residential Estate, The Heights Estate Para Hills, Keswick Gardens Retirement Village Expansion, and Para Hills West Urban Renewal Precinct. Relevant projects are detailed below.

Professional plan users can use the search below to filter and access additional projects.

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AreaSearch analysis reveals Para Hills West recording weaker employment conditions than most comparable areas nationwide

Para Hills West has a balanced workforce with both white and blue collar jobs. Key sectors include essential services, with an unemployment rate of 6.1% as of the past year. Employment growth was estimated at 4.5%.

As of December 2025, 1,825 residents were employed, with an unemployment rate of 2.3%, higher than Greater Adelaide's rate of 3.8%. Workforce participation in Para Hills West was 59.9%, lower than the regional average of 66.0%. Only 6.0% of residents worked from home, although Covid-19 lockdown impacts may have influenced this figure. Employment is concentrated in health care & social assistance, retail trade, and manufacturing, with a strong specialization in manufacturing at 1.4 times the regional level.

Professional & technical services had limited presence, with only 3.8% employment compared to 7.3% regionally. The worker-to-resident ratio was 0.7, indicating above-average local employment opportunities. Over the past year, employment increased by 4.5%, while labour force grew by 4.4%, leading to a slight decrease in unemployment of 0.1 percentage points. In comparison, Greater Adelaide saw employment grow by 4.2% and unemployment fall by 0.3 percentage points. National employment forecasts from Jobs and Skills Australia project growth of 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Para Hills West's employment mix suggests local employment should increase by 6.3% over five years and 13.4% over ten years, though these are simple extrapolations for illustrative purposes only.

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

AreaSearch's data for financial year 2023 shows median income in Para Hills West was $42,365 and average income was $48,039. This is below Greater Adelaide's median of $54,808 and average of $66,852. By March 2026, estimated incomes are approximately $46,674 (median) and $52,925 (average), based on a 10.17% Wage Price Index growth since financial year 2023. Census 2021 data indicates Para Hills West's income percentiles range from the 8th to 11th nationally for households, families and individuals. Income brackets show 30.0% of locals (1,160 people) earn between $800 - 1,499, unlike metropolitan trends where 31.8% fall within $1,500 - 2,999. Housing affordability is severe with only 81.1% of income remaining, ranking at the 8th percentile.

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

Para Hills West's dwellings, as per the latest Census, consisted of 70.2% houses and 29.7% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings), compared to Adelaide metro's 70.2% houses and 29.8% other dwellings. Home ownership in Para Hills West stood at 25.9%, with mortgaged dwellings at 35.7% and rented ones at 38.4%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $1,300, below Adelaide metro's average of $1,562. Median weekly rent in Para Hills West was $275, compared to Adelaide metro's $320. Nationally, Para Hills West's mortgage repayments were lower than the Australian average of $1,863, and rents were substantially below the national figure of $375.

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

Family households account for 63.2% of all households, including 24.6% couples with children, 21.5% couples without children, and 15.3% single parent families. Non-family households make up the remaining 36.8%, with lone person households at 34.2% and group households comprising 2.9%. The median household size is 2.3 people, which is smaller than the Greater Adelaide average of 2.5.

Para Hills West faces educational challenges, with performance metrics placing it in the bottom quartile of areas assessed nationally

The area's university qualification rate is 15.9%, significantly lower than the Australian average of 30.4%. Bachelor degrees are most common among qualifications, at 10.4%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (3.9%) and graduate diplomas (1.6%). Vocational credentials are prevalent, with 35.2% of residents aged 15+ holding them, including advanced diplomas (7.9%) and certificates (27.3%). Educational participation is high, with 26.8% of residents currently enrolled in formal education, comprising 9.9% in primary, 5.7% in secondary, and 5.1% in tertiary education.

Educational participation is notably high, with 26.8% of residents currently enrolled in formal education. This includes 9.9% in primary education, 5.7% in secondary education, and 5.1% pursuing tertiary education.

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

Para Hills West has 21 active public transport stops, all serving buses. These stops are covered by 19 different routes, offering a total of 1,116 weekly passenger trips. Transport accessibility is rated good, with residents located an average of 278 meters from the nearest stop. Most residents commute outward daily. Cars remain the primary mode of transport at 91%, while buses account for 6%. The area has an average vehicle ownership of 1.2 per dwelling, below the regional average.

According to the 2021 Census, only 6% of residents work from home, which may be influenced by COVID-19 conditions. On average, there are 159 trips per day across all routes, equating to approximately 53 weekly trips per individual stop.

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

Para Hills West faces significant health challenges, according to AreaSearch's assessment. Mortality rates and chronic condition prevalence are substantial across both younger and older age groups. Private health cover is extremely low, at approximately 46% of the total population (around 1,781 people), compared to 52.7% in Greater Adelaide and the national average of 55.7%.

Mental health issues affect 10.8% of residents, while arthritis impacts 8.1%. About 63.2% of residents report being completely clear of medical ailments, compared to 67.9% across Greater Adelaide. Working-age residents face notable health challenges due to elevated chronic condition rates. The area has 19.5% of residents aged 65 and over (754 people), with senior health outcomes presenting some challenges, broadly in line with national rankings for the general population.

Para Hills West 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 West has high cultural diversity, with 31.3% speaking a language other than English at home and 37.4% born overseas. Christianity is the main religion, comprising 35.9%. The 'Other' religious category is overrepresented at 4.4%, compared to Greater Adelaide's 1.8%.

For ancestry, the top groups are English (25.7%), Australian (22.2%), and Other (17.0%), significantly higher than regional averages. Polish (1.2% vs 1.0%), Serbian (0.5% vs 0.4%), and Indian (4.4% vs 2.3%) groups are notably overrepresented in Para Hills West compared to Greater Adelaide.

Para Hills West's population aligns closely with national norms in age terms

Para Hills West has a median age of 38, closely matching Greater Adelaide's figure of 39 and Australia's median age of 38. Compared to the Greater Adelaide average, the 35-44 cohort is notably over-represented in Para Hills West at 14.9%, while the 15-24 age group is under-represented at 11.5%. Between 2021 and present, the 35-44 age group has grown from 13.3% to 14.9% of the population. Conversely, the 5-14 cohort has declined from 11.7% to 11.0%. By 2041, Para Hills West's age profile is projected to change significantly. The 85+ age group is expected to grow by 79 people (71%), from 112 to 192. Notably, the combined 65+ age groups are projected to account for 65% of total population growth, reflecting the area's aging demographic profile. Meanwhile, the 5-14 and 25-34 cohorts are expected to experience population declines.