Port Adelaide

Population growth drivers in Port Adelaide are slightly above average based on AreaSearch's ranking of recent, and medium term trends

Analysis of ABS population updates and AreaSearch validation reveals that as of February 2026, the estimated population of Port Adelaide is around 1,656. This represents a growth of 318 people since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 1,338. The increase is inferred from AreaSearch's estimation of the resident population at 1,470 in June 2024, along with an additional 258 validated new addresses since the Census date. This results in a density ratio of 350 persons per square kilometer. Port Adelaide's growth rate of 23.8% since the 2021 census exceeds the state average of 9.0%. Overseas migration contributed approximately 56% to overall population gains recently, although all factors including interstate migration and natural growth were positive.

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 used, based on 2021 data and adjusted employing weighted aggregation from LGA to SA2 levels. Demographic trends project an above median population growth for Port Adelaide, with an expected increase of 255 persons by 2041, reflecting a total increase of 3.1% over the 17-year period.

Recent residential development output has been above average within Port Adelaide when compared nationally

Port Adelaide has seen approximately 22 residential properties granted approval per year based on AreaSearch analysis of ABS building approval numbers. Over the past five financial years, this totals an estimated 114 homes. As of FY-26, 11 approvals have been recorded. On average, 1.4 people move to the area for each dwelling built over these five years (FY-21 to FY-25), indicating balanced supply and demand with stable market conditions.

The average construction cost value of new homes is $363,000, slightly above the regional average, suggesting a focus on quality developments. In this financial year, Port Adelaide has registered $7.7 million in commercial approvals, reflecting its primarily residential nature. Compared to Greater Adelaide, Port Adelaide records 99.0% more new home approvals per person, offering buyers greater choice. However, development activity has moderated in recent periods. This high level of developer confidence is also evident when compared nationally. New development consists of 48.0% detached houses and 52.0% medium to high-density housing, appealing to downsizers, investors, and entry-level buyers.

Interestingly, developers are building more traditional houses than the current mix suggests (28.0% at Census), indicating strong demand for family homes despite density pressures. With around 102 people per approval, Port Adelaide reflects a developing area. According to AreaSearch's latest quarterly estimate, the population is forecasted to gain 52 residents by 2041. At current development rates, new housing supply should comfortably meet demand, providing good conditions for buyers and potentially supporting growth beyond current population projections.

Port Adelaide has emerging levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the 27thth percentile nationally

Changes to local infrastructure significantly impact an area's performance. AreaSearch has identified 11 projects likely to influence the area. Notable projects include Dock One, Our Port, Quest Hotel Port Adelaide (Second Quest), Large Retail Precinct, and Port Civic Precinct. 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.

Port Adelaide shows employment indicators that trail behind approximately 70% of regions assessed across Australia

Port Adelaide has a skilled workforce with prominent representation in essential services sectors. Its unemployment rate was 10.9% as of an unspecified past year. Employment growth over the same period was estimated at 4.3%.

As of September 2025783 residents were employed while the unemployment rate stood at 7.0%, higher than Greater Adelaide's rate of 3.9%. Workforce participation in Port Adelaide was similar to Greater Adelaide's 66.4%. According to Census responses, a low 11.8% of residents worked from home. Key industries of employment among residents were public administration & safety, health care & social assistance, and retail trade.

Public administration & safety had notable concentration with employment levels at 1.9 times the regional average. Conversely, health care & social assistance showed lower representation at 13.4% compared to the regional average of 17.7%. There were 4.0 workers for every resident as per Census data, indicating Port Adelaide functions as an employment hub hosting more jobs than residents and attracting workers from surrounding areas. Between September 2024 and September 2025, employment increased by 4.3% while labour force grew by 3.8%, causing the unemployment rate to fall by 0.4 percentage points. In comparison, Greater Adelaide recorded employment growth of 3.0%, labour force growth of 2.9%, with unemployment falling by 0.1 percentage points. National employment forecasts from Jobs and Skills Australia projected national employment expansion at 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Port Adelaide's employment mix suggested local employment should increase by 6.1% over five years and 12.9% over ten years, based on a simple weighting extrapolation for illustrative purposes.

The area's income profile falls below national averages based on AreaSearch analysis

In financial year 2023, Port Adelaide had a median taxpayer income of $58,414 and an average income of $64,036. These figures are below the national averages of $67,090 (median) and $70,266 (average). In Greater Adelaide, the median income was $54,808 and the average was $66,852. By September 2025, estimated incomes would be approximately $63,554 (median) and $69,671 (average), based on an 8.8% Wage Price Index growth since financial year 2023. According to the 2021 Census, household income in Port Adelaide is at the 15th percentile while personal income is at the 39th percentile. Income distribution shows that 27.4% of residents fall within the $1,500 - $2,999 range, similar to regional levels where 31.8% occupy this range. Housing affordability pressures are severe in Port Adelaide, with only 79.4% of income remaining after housing costs, ranking at the 12th percentile.

Port Adelaide displays a diverse mix of dwelling types, with a higher proportion of rental properties than the broader region

In Port Adelaide, as per the latest Census evaluation, 28.5% of dwellings were houses while 71.4% were other types such as semi-detached homes, apartments, and 'other' dwellings. In contrast, Adelaide metropolitan area had 75.2% houses and 24.9% other dwellings. Home ownership in Port Adelaide stood at 20.9%, with mortgaged dwellings at 23.4% and rented ones at 55.7%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $1,672, exceeding the Adelaide metro average of $1,562. The median weekly rent in Port Adelaide was recorded as $293, lower than Adelaide metro's $320. Nationally, Port Adelaide's mortgage repayments were significantly lower than the Australian average of $1,863, and rents were substantially below the national figure of $375.

Port Adelaide features high concentrations of lone person households and group households, with a lower-than-average median household size

Family households comprise 50.7% of all households, including 11.3% couples with children, 26.2% couples without children, and 11.3% single parent families. Non-family households make up the remaining 49.3%, consisting of 43.5% lone person households and 5.8% group households. The median household size is 1.9 people, which is smaller than the Greater Adelaide average of 2.5.

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

Port Adelaide's residents aged 15 and above have lower university degree attainment compared to national averages: 25.0% versus Australia's 30.4%. The most common educational qualification is bachelor degrees (17.0%), followed by postgraduate qualifications (5.0%) and graduate diplomas (3.0%). Vocational credentials are prevalent, with 36.5% of residents holding such qualifications: advanced diplomas at 11.7% and certificates at 24.8%. Educational participation is high in Port Adelaide, with 25.4% of residents currently enrolled in formal education.

This includes 6.8% in primary education, 6.5% in tertiary education, and 6.0% pursuing secondary education.

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

Port Adelaide has 36 active public transport stops, offering a mix of train and bus services. These stops are served by 26 different routes, collectively facilitating 2,191 weekly passenger trips. Transport accessibility is excellent, with residents typically residing 186 meters from the nearest stop. Most residents commute outward daily. Car remains the dominant mode of transport at 81%, followed by walking at 8% and train at 5%. Vehicle ownership averages 0.9 per dwelling, below the regional average.

According to the 2021 Census, only 11.8% of residents work from home, which may be influenced by COVID-19 conditions. Service frequency averages 313 trips per day across all routes, equating to approximately 60 weekly trips per stop.

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

Port Adelaide faces significant health challenges, as assessed by AreaSearch's analysis of mortality rates and chronic condition prevalence.

Common health conditions are somewhat prevalent across both younger and older age cohorts. The rate of private health cover is approximately 52% of the total population (~866 people), slightly higher than the average SA2 area. Mental health issues impact 10.8% of residents, while arthritis affects 9.5%. Conversely, 62.1% of residents declare themselves completely clear of medical ailments, compared to 67.9% across Greater Adelaide. The working-age population faces notable health challenges due to elevated chronic condition rates. The area has 20.4% of residents aged 65 and over (337 people), higher than the 19.3% in Greater Adelaide. Health outcomes among seniors present some challenges, with national rankings broadly in line with the general population.

The level of cultural diversity witnessed in Port Adelaide was found to be slightly above average when compared nationally for a number of language and cultural background related metrics

Port Adelaide's cultural diversity was above average, with 14.3% speaking a language other than English at home and 25.2% born overseas. Christianity dominated as the main religion in Port Adelaide, comprising 40.4%. However, Islam showed an overrepresentation at 2.9%, compared to Greater Adelaide's 3.0%.

The top three ancestry groups were English (29.7%), Australian (22.7%), and Other (8.3%). Notably, Russian was overrepresented at 0.9% versus the regional average of 0.3%, Welsh at 0.8% versus 0.6%, and Serbian at 0.6% versus 0.4%.

Port Adelaide hosts a notably older demographic compared to the national average

Port Adelaide's median age is 45 years, which is higher than Greater Adelaide's average of 39 years and exceeds the national average of 38 years. The 65-74 age group comprises 14.0% of Port Adelaide's population, compared to Greater Adelaide, while the 5-14 cohort makes up 7.0%. According to post-2021 Census data, the 35-44 age group has increased from 13.5% to 15.3%, and the 65-74 cohort has risen from 12.7% to 14.0%. Conversely, the 55-64 cohort has decreased from 17.7% to 15.5%. By 2041, demographic modeling suggests Port Adelaide's age profile will change significantly. The 75-84 cohort is projected to grow by 53%, adding 45 residents to reach 132. Residents aged 65 and above will drive 65% of population growth, reflecting demographic aging trends. Meanwhile, population declines are projected for the 0-4 and 15-24 cohorts.