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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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Payneham has an estimated 2,459 residents. That puts 3,074 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 evaluations combining broader ABS population revisions and 10 validated new addresses added post-Census, the suburb of Payneham is estimated to have a resident count of approximately 2,459 as of Aug 2026. This represents a gain of 21 people (0.9%) compared to the 2,438 people documented in the 2021 Census. This adjustment stems from an initial resident baseline of 2,438 determined from the June 2025 ABS ERP figures alongside the post-Census address additions. The resulting density stands at 3,073 persons per square kilometer, placing the suburb in the upper quartile across nationally evaluated territories.
Net overseas arrivals served as essentially the exclusive catalyst underpinning recent population growth. Projections for the suburb of Payneham incorporate 2024 ABS/Geoscience Australia SA2 models anchored to 2022 baseline figures, complemented beyond 2032 and across unmapped SA2 sections by 2023 SA State Government Regional/LGA age-cohort forecasts (grounded in 2021 numbers) translated via weighted LGA-to-SA2 aggregation. Demographic projections indicate growth trailing slightly under the median benchmark of AreaSearch locations, with aggregated SA2 figures pointing to an expansion of 273 persons through to 2041, representing an overall rise of 10.2% over the 16 years.
Frequently Asked Questions - Population
77 new dwellings have been approved in Payneham over the past five years, an average of 15 a year. That places the area in the 57th percentile for residential development activity nationally, about 6 approvals per 1,000 residents a year. Approvals are currently running at an annualised 17, 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 evaluations of ABS building consent statistics show that development approvals in Payneham average roughly 15 dwellings per annum, totaling an estimated 77 homes across the prior 5 financial years (between FY-21 and FY-25), with 17 approved to date in FY-25. An influx of 1.9 people per year per completed home across the past 5 financial years (between FY-21 and FY-25) highlights balanced supply and demand dynamics that sustain market stability. Meanwhile, mean construction costs reach $513,000 per dwelling, indicating that builders are concentrating on upscale, premium residential offerings. Furthermore, commercial approvals totaling $713,000 recorded in the current financial year emphasize the predominantly residential character of the precinct.
Over the 5 year period, building activity in Payneham sits 21.0% above the per-capita average across Greater Adelaide, sustaining buyer choices without compromising local valuations. Residential consents comprise 61.0% detached houses alongside 39.0% attached dwellings, broadening the supply of medium-density formats to suit varied budgets ranging from traditional houses to compact, affordable options. Builders are delivering a higher share of detached homes than the historical baseline (42.0% at Census), underscoring enduring demand for standalone family properties despite broader urban densification. Yielding roughly 134 people per approval, the area exhibits low-density attributes. Projections indicate that Payneham will add 252 residents up to 2041 relative to the latest AreaSearch quarterly estimate. Current construction pipelines appear well positioned to satisfy anticipated demand, fostering favorable buyer conditions and potentially supporting population expansion ahead of projected baselines.
Frequently Asked Questions - Development
Development applications around Payneham
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| Lodged | Address | Description | Type | Distance | Status |
|---|
SOURCE: Planning portals and council registers, compiled by AreaSearch. Distance & bearing measured from the suburb midpoint.
AreaSearch tracks 8 current infrastructure and development projects close to Payneham, worth an estimated $245 million. 4 are already under construction and 2 are due for completion within three years. The pipeline spans sports & recreation, residential development and communities. 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
Local capital works, major developments, and planning schemes significantly shape regional performance. AreaSearch has pinpointed 1 specific project expected to influence the district. Prominent developments include the Trinity Valley Stormwater Drainage Upgrade, Felixstow Intergenerational Community, O-Bahn City Access Project, and Adelaide Level Crossing Removal Planning Program, with priority initiatives listed below.
Professional plan users can use the search below to filter and access additional projects.
INFRASTRUCTURE SEARCH
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.
Frequently Asked Questions - Infrastructure
Felixstow Intergenerational Community
Proposed six-storey intergenerational community village developed by Uniting Communities. The development integrates independent retirement living, disability accommodation, affordable and build-to-rent family housing, community facilities, and open green space. The project is being progressed through a Code Amendment on the former church and community landholding.
Norwood Green
A $120 million master-planned mixed-use community at 100 Magill Road, Norwood, built on the former Caroma factory site. The precinct comprises 111 apartments across five seven-storey buildings and 33 townhouses, arranged around a communal village green. Ground-floor retail includes an ALDI supermarket, East End Cellars, cafes and specialty tenants. Designed by Tectvs architects and jointly developed by Buildtec Group and Catcorp. Final stage apartments are now available, with earlier stages completed and occupied.
East Marden Primary School Major Upgrades
East Marden Primary School is undergoing a facility upgrade, including a new administration building with reception/foyer, leadership offices, meeting rooms, staff preparation space, a staff room, and unisex staff and student amenities. Additionally, two new buildings will comprise general learning areas, withdrawal areas, teacher preparation space, and unisex student amenities. The project also involves the demolition of ageing infrastructure. Project budget is $8.91 million.
Payneham Memorial Swimming Centre Redevelopment
The $60 million redevelopment of the Payneham Memorial Swimming Centre into a state-of-the-art aquatic facility. It includes a 10-lane 50m outdoor pool, two indoor pools (learn to swim pool and 25m pool), a 14m high water slide, outdoor splash play area, new change rooms, a multi-purpose meeting room, and kiosk. Expected completion early 2026.
Trinity Valley Stormwater Drainage Upgrade
A multi-stage project involving the installation of new stormwater drainage infrastructure across St Morris, Trinity Gardens, Maylands, and Stepney. Designed to reduce flood risk, increase capacity for 1-in-100-year storm events, and utilise Council reserves for temporary stormwater detention. Stages 2 and 3 completed May 2024. Stages 1 and 4 are scheduled for 2025.
Marden Connect Development
Marden Connect is an urban renewal residential project delivered by Qattro in partnership with the South Australian Housing Authority. The development replaced obsolete public housing with 170 contemporary dwellings, including 66 designated affordable homes, terrace houses, and apartments. The precinct integrates comprehensive Water Sensitive Urban Design (WSUD) systems and bio-retention swales.
Broad Street Reserve Playground Upgrade
City of Norwood Payneham and St Peters completed an upgrade of the playground equipment and park amenities at Broad Street Reserve in Marden. The project delivered modern, accessible play equipment, nature play elements, park furniture, and landscaping. Practical completion was achieved and the park reopened to the public.
Gilberton Swing Bridge Redevelopment Project
Redevelopment of the heritage-listed Gilberton Swing Bridge, located within the River Torrens Linear Park, connecting St Peters and Gilberton. The project involved a total refurbishment to meet modern safety and design standards while retaining historical significance. Opened in January 2018, the new bridge incorporated recycled plastic bags for decking.
1,372 residents of Payneham are employed, from a labour force of 1,410. Unemployment sits at 2.7%, with participation at 67.9%. Weighted for its industry mix, the area's sectors are forecast to grow about 7.1% nationally over five years. That reflects industry composition only and makes no allowance for local population growth. The working-day population is estimated at 1,822, about 74% of the resident population, so more people leave the area for work than travel in. Unemployment and labour force come from ABS Small Area Labour Markets, updated quarterly; the industry and occupation profile is from the 2021 Census.
Detail
Payneham maintains an exceptionally qualified workforce with strong representation across essential services, exhibiting an unemployment rate of only 2.7% and annual employment growth estimated at 2.9% via AreaSearch aggregated data. In March 2026, 1,372 residents were employed, while the local jobless rate sat 1.1% below the 3.8% recorded across Greater Adelaide, and overall labor participation closely tracked the regional benchmark of 66.4%. Census figures showed that a modest 9.9% of local workers operated from home, though pandemic lockdowns during that period must be noted. Resident employment centers primarily on health care & social assistance, education & training, as well as professional & technical disciplines.
In contrast, construction accounts for a smaller footprint at 6.4%, falling behind the 8.7% regional benchmark. Comparing the Census resident labor pool against internal jobs highlights that this largely residential enclave provides a limited volume of local employment opportunities. According to AreaSearch examination of ABS and SALM metrics over the 12 months leading to March 2026, resident employment expanded by 2.9% against a 2.5% rise in the labor pool, reducing unemployment by 0.4 percentage points. By comparison, Greater Adelaide recorded a 4.2% lift in employment, a 4.0% increase in the labor force, and a 0.2 percentage point drop in joblessness. National outlooks from Jobs and Skills Australia dated Mar-26 provide supplementary context regarding future workforce requirements. While national projections anticipate employment expansions of 6.6% across five years and 13.7% across ten years, trajectories vary across specific industries. Mapping these sectoral forecasts against the local labor structure suggests Payneham could see employment growth of 7.1% over five years and 14.7% over ten years (representing an illustrative weighted calculation that excludes localized population changes).
Frequently Asked Questions - Employment
Median household income in Payneham is $1,414 a week (about $74,000 a year), with median personal income at $874 a week. ATO records put median taxable income at $60,949 a year against an average of $84,079. 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
Postcode ATO records from financial year 2023 compiled by AreaSearch demonstrate elevated income metrics in Payneham relative to national standards, showing a median of $60,949 alongside a mean of $84,079. These results exceed Greater Adelaide benchmarks of $54,808 (median) and $66,852 (average). Accounting for a 10.17% increase in the Wage Price Index since financial year 2023, updated estimates reach roughly $67,148 for the median and $92,630 for the average by March 2026. The 2021 Census placed individual earnings in the 63rd percentile ($874 weekly), whereas household figures landed in the 30th percentile.
A notable 30.7% of residents (754 people) fall within the $1,500 - 2,999 bracket, mirroring the 31.8% metropolitan share. Housing costs present significant hurdles, leaving just 83.1% of disposable income (28th percentile), with the SEIFA income index positioning the suburb in the 6th decile.
Frequently Asked Questions - Income
Payneham had 1,162 occupied dwellings at the 2021 Census, 42% detached houses and 35% apartments. 29% are owned with a mortgage, 42% rented and 29% owned outright. At that Census the median rent was $300 a week and the median mortgage repayment $1,700 a month. Rent absorbs 21.2% of household income here and mortgage repayments 27.7%. Dwelling stock, tenure and housing costs are 2021 Census measures — the only source that counts dwellings at this boundary size.
Detail
At the most recent Census, Payneham's housing inventory comprised 41.5% standalone houses and 58.4% other dwelling types including apartments and townhouses, contrasting sharply with the 75.2% houses and 24.9% other formats observed across the Adelaide metro region. Outright ownership stood at 29.2%, trailing the metropolitan standard, while mortgaged properties accounted for 29.1% and rental accommodations represented 41.7%. Typical monthly mortgage commitments stood at $1,700, exceeding the Adelaide metro median of $1,562, whereas weekly median rents sat at $300, below the metropolitan figure of $320. On a national level, local mortgage costs remain lower than the Australian benchmark of $1,863, with weekly rent sitting significantly underneath the national metric of $375.
Frequently Asked Questions - Housing
Payneham counted 1,162 households at the 2021 Census, averaging 2.0 people each. 20% are couples with children, fewer than in 86% of areas nationally, against 24% couples without children. 41% of households are people living alone, and families average 1.2 children. Household and family composition is measured only by the Census, so these are 2021 figures.
Detail
Families constitute 54.9% of local living arrangements, consisting of couples without children (24.0%), couples with offspring (20.3%), and single parent families (9.2%). Non-family setups make up the remaining 45.1%, dominated by single-person households at 40.7% alongside group arrangements at 4.6%. The typical household size sits at 2.0 people, below the Greater Adelaide benchmark of 2.5.
Frequently Asked Questions - Households
42.9% of adults in Payneham hold a university qualification, including 27.5% with a bachelor degree and 11.0% with postgraduate qualifications, higher than 98% of areas nationally. A further 14.9% hold a vocational qualification. Qualifications come from the 2021 Census.
Detail
Tertiary attainment among Payneham residents aged 15+ is substantial at 42.9%, noticeably outperforming the 25.7% state level in SA and 28.9% across Greater Adelaide, underpinning a strong knowledge economy profile. Bachelor qualifications represent 27.5% of the cohort, complemented by 11.0% in postgraduate studies and 4.4% holding graduate diplomas. Vocational credentials are also prevalent among 25.7% of residents aged 15+, consisting of 14.9% with certificates and 10.8% with advanced diplomas. Student participation is substantial, encompassing 25.8% of the local population engaged in structured study. Primary education accounts for 7.8% of residents, tertiary courses engage 7.1%, and secondary programs involve 4.3%.
Frequently Asked Questions - Education
Schools Detail
Public transport in Payneham reaches 7 stops on 16 routes, timetabled for about 980 services a week. The typical home sits about 220 m from its nearest stop. Buses carry the largest share of public transport commuters. Households keep an average of 0.9 vehicles. Stop and service counts are built from operators' published GTFS timetables and refresh with each timetable release; vehicle ownership is from the 2021 Census.
Detail
Within Payneham, 7 active bus stops operate across 16 different routes, delivering 983 weekly passenger trips. Transit access is favorable, placing residents an average of 222 meters from their closest boarding point. With the suburb functioning primarily as a residential district, daily commuting is outbound; private vehicle travel comprises 82%, buses handle 12%, and cycling represents 2%. Vehicle ownership averages 0.9 per dwelling, below regional numbers, while a comparatively modest 9.9% worked from home at the 2021 Census (which may reflect prevailing COVID-19 settings). Transit services maintain an average frequency of 140 trips per day across the network, translating to roughly 140 weekly trips per individual stop.
Frequently Asked Questions - Transport
Transport Stops Detail
70.2% of residents in Payneham report no long-term health condition. 5.6% need daily assistance with core activities, and 60.2% hold private health cover. The standardised death rate runs at 5.9 per 1,000 residents. Health conditions, assistance needs and insurance are 2021 Census measures; the death rate comes from current ABS releases.
Detail
Health metrics for Payneham residents align closely with national averages, displaying generally low incidence rates for common conditions among the wider population, though rates are elevated among senior vulnerable cohorts. Private health insurance membership is high at roughly 60% (1,479 people), exceeding the 52.7% figure seen in Greater Adelaide. Arthritis and mental health conditions represent the most prevalent diagnoses, recorded at 8.2% and 7.4% of residents, respectively, whereas 70.2% report no chronic ailments compared to 67.9% across Greater Adelaide. Working-age cohorts maintain robust general health. Those aged 65 and over comprise 18.0% of the community (442 people), slightly under the 19.1% metropolitan benchmark, with senior health indicators presenting certain challenges that score below broad population levels.
Frequently Asked Questions - Health
36.1% of Payneham residents were born overseas and 32.8% speak a language other than English at home, more culturally diverse than 79% of areas nationally. The largest reported ancestries are English (21.9%) and Australian (17.9%). Ancestry, language and country of birth are counted only by the Census, so these are 2021 figures.
Detail
Payneham exhibits substantial cultural diversity, with 36.1% of residents born abroad and 32.8% communicating in a language other than English at home. Christianity forms the largest faith group at 49.7%, while the Other religious classification demonstrates notable overrepresentation at 3.0% relative to the 1.8% recorded across Greater Adelaide. Looking at parental lineage, the leading reported heritages comprise English at 21.9% (under the 27.8% regional mark), Australian at 17.9%, and Italian at 14.2% (substantially higher than the 5.2% Greater Adelaide figure). Further ancestral variations include German at 4.9% (versus 5.1% regionally), Croatian at 0.8% (against 0.5%), and Korean at 0.6% (compared to 0.3%).
Frequently Asked Questions - Diversity
The median resident of Payneham is 37. That is 1 year younger than at the 2021 Census. 30.0% 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
Demographics in the suburb of Payneham lean toward younger cohorts. Estimates updated to August 2026 place 37.3% of residents in the 25 - 44 bracket compared to 28.9% in Greater Adelaide, while the 0 - 24 youth segment represents 25.2% against a regional benchmark of 29.0%. As at August 2026, the median age is estimated at 37, having declined from 38 recorded in the 2021 Census and sitting 2 years below the Greater Adelaide median of 39 from that same Census. The 25 - 44 age cohort demonstrated the clearest growth post-Census, rising from 34.2% to 37.3%.
Long-term forecasts to 2041 suggest that retirees and seniors aged 65+ will account for the bulk of growth, gaining 97 residents (22%) to reach 540.
Frequently Asked Questions - Age
Data & MethodBoundaries, Sources & Method for Payneham
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, Local governments Daily | May 2026 5 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 May 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 — 10 validated new addresses here. The headline figure is therefore a current estimate for Aug 2026, not a 2021 count (2,438 at the 2021 Census → 2,459 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 (SAL41123). QuickStats reports 2021 only — the figures on this page are more current wherever the ledger shows a later date.