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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.
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2021 Census | -- people
Sales Activity
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Population
Population growth drivers in Port Noarlunga are above average based on AreaSearch's ranking of recent, and medium to long-term trends
As of May 2026, the estimated population of the suburb of Port Noarlunga is around 3,284. This figure represents an increase of 39 people since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 3,245. The current estimate is based on AreaSearch's validation of new addresses and examination of the latest ERP data release by the ABS in June 2025, indicating a resident population of 3,271 with an additional 14 validated new addresses since the Census date. This results in a population density ratio of 1,313 persons per square kilometer, which is higher than the average seen across national locations assessed by AreaSearch. Interstate migration contributed approximately 71.0% of overall population gains during recent periods.
Population projections for Port Noarlunga are based on ABS/Geoscience Australia data released in 2024 with a base year of 2022, and SA State Government's Regional/LGA projections by age category released in 2023 using 2021 data with adjustments made employing a method of weighted aggregation of population growth from LGA to SA2 levels. According to these projections, the suburb is expected to grow by 417 persons to 2041, reflecting an increase of 12.3% in total over the 16 years.
Frequently Asked Questions - Population
Development
Residential development activity is slightly higher than average within Port Noarlunga when compared nationally
Port Noarlunga has received approximately 17 dwelling approvals annually based on AreaSearch analysis of ABS building approval numbers. Around 87 homes were approved between financial years FY21 to FY25, with an additional 26 approved in FY26 so far. Each new dwelling built over the past five financial years has resulted in an average of 2.5 new residents per year.
The average construction cost value for new homes is $350,000. Approximately $3.7 million in commercial approvals have been registered in FY26, indicating limited commercial development focus. Port Noarlunga's new home approvals per person are comparable to Greater Adelaide, suggesting market stability inline with regional patterns.
New developments consist of 72% standalone homes and 28% townhouses or apartments, maintaining the area's suburban character. There are around 223 people per dwelling approval in Port Noarlunga, indicating a low density area. According to AreaSearch's latest quarterly estimate, Port Noarlunga is projected to gain 404 residents by 2041. At current development rates, new housing supply should meet demand comfortably, providing favourable conditions for buyers and potentially supporting population growth beyond current projections.
Frequently Asked Questions - Development
Development applications around Port Noarlunga
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| Lodged | Address | Description | Type | Distance | Status |
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SOURCE: Planning portals and council registers, compiled by AreaSearch. Distance & bearing measured from the suburb midpoint.
Infrastructure
Port Noarlunga has emerging levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the 20thth percentile nationally
Three projects identified by AreaSearch are expected to impact the area: Noarlunga Hospital Mental Health Expansion, Colonnades Shopping Centre Ongoing Upgrades, Noarlunga Residential Development, and Noarlunga Master Planning Housing Project.
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
SA Water Capital Work Delivery Contracts 2024-28
SA Water's record $3.3 billion capital delivery program for the 2024-28 regulatory period, covering water and wastewater infrastructure across South Australia. The program targets water main replacements, sewerage network upgrades, dam upgrades, water tank refurbishments, and treatment process upgrades across metropolitan and regional areas. A central $1.5 billion component supports the South Australian Premier's Housing Roadmap, expanding network capacity to unlock up to 40,000 new allotments, with major focus on Adelaide's northern growth corridors including Angle Vale, Riverlea, and Roseworthy. Six major framework partners (Fulton Hogan Utilities, John Holland and Guidera O'Connor JV, McConnell Dowell and Diona JV, BMD, Diona, and Leed Engineering and Construction) are delivering works across approximately 120 projects. In Year 1 (to June 2025), $681.6 million in capital was invested. The program runs to June 2028.
Noarlunga Master Planning Housing Project
A 22-hectare master-planned residential development delivering 626 new homes with a diverse mix of dwelling types including detached homes, townhouses and apartments. The project features a minimum of 28% affordable and social housing (including 80 social housing dwellings), and 12.5% new public open space. Designed by Holmes Dyer, the development targets a 5-Star Green Star Communities rating and emphasizes sustainability, extensive tree canopy coverage, and enhanced connectivity to nearby amenities including Colonnades Shopping Centre, Noarlunga TAFE, Noarlunga Hospital and Noarlunga Railway Station. Civil works by Winslow Constructors are underway with the first sales releases now on market. The community will become home to approximately 1,200 residents over a 7-10 year delivery period.
Majors Road Interchange
$120 million jointly funded project by Australian and South Australian governments creating new grade-separated interchange providing access to Southern Expressway from Majors Road. Features new on/off ramps, widening of Majors Road bridge from two lanes to six lanes with dedicated right turn lanes, signalised intersection improvements, new bike lanes and shared user paths, new underpasses for Patrick Jonker Veloway, upgraded traffic signals, widening of Majors Road from Southern Expressway to Lonsdale Highway/Ocean Boulevard to provide two through lanes in both directions, underground power lines, tree planting for 50% shade coverage, and realignment of the Patrick Jonker Veloway. Expected to support 245 full-time jobs during construction and provide improved access to Glenthorne National Park, Sam Willoughby International BMX Facility and Southern Soccer Facility. Construction by Acciona Construction Australia, completion expected end of 2025.
Adelaide Public Transport Capacity and Access
State-led program work to increase public transport capacity and access to, through and within central Adelaide. Current work is focused on the City Access Strategy (20-year movement plan for the CBD and North Adelaide) and the State Transport Strategy program, which together will shape options such as bus priority, interchange upgrades, tram and rail enhancements, and better first/last mile access.
SA Housing Trust Maintenance Contracts Review and Service Program
Statewide maintenance and service contracts for SA Housing Trust public housing properties, covering reactive maintenance, vacancy restoration and minor works across metropolitan and regional South Australia. The program is delivered by Spotless Facility Services, RTC Facilities Maintenance and Torrens Facility Management. A 2024 SA Government review examined payment, timeliness, dispute resolution and contract performance issues, and the government provided additional funding to accelerate maintenance and upgrades on vacant public housing homes.
Main South Road Duplication Stage 1 - Aldinga Project
Part of Fleurieu Connections providing safer, faster journeys from Seaford to Aldinga. Supporting local tourism and communities. Aldinga Interchange construction underway with piling works, 12 x 40-tonne girders supporting bridge deck 26m long x 27m wide. 62 architectural panels and 86m anti-throw screens.
Sunset Residential Development
A 42-hectare master-planned residential community featuring 644 allotments with land sizes up to 540m2. The development includes 15% affordable and social housing outcomes, extensive green spaces including a major north-south walking trail connecting to Onkaparinga River Recreation Park. Located in a prime coastal position with proximity to South Australian beaches and McLaren Vale wine region.
Noarlunga Residential Development
Noarlunga is a 22 hectare master planned residential community on land east and west of Lovelock Drive in Noarlunga Downs. The project will deliver more than 626 new homes including detached houses, townhomes, apartments and at least 28 percent affordable and social housing, including new SA Housing Authority homes. The plan provides new streets, public open space, green links and improved connections to Colonnades Shopping Centre, Noarlunga TAFE, Noarlunga Hospital and the rail station, and is targeting a 5 Star Green Star Communities rating. Civil works are underway, with house construction planned to commence from 2026 and full build out expected by around 2031.
Employment
The labour market in Port Noarlunga demonstrates typical performance when compared to similar areas across Australia
Port Noarlunga has a skilled workforce with essential services sectors well represented. The unemployment rate was 4.3% in the past year, with an estimated employment growth of 5.1%. As of December 2025, 1,780 residents were employed, with an unemployment rate of 4.8%, 0.5% higher than Greater Adelaide's rate of 3.8%.
Workforce participation was at 66.0%, on par with Greater Adelaide. According to Census responses, 10.8% of residents worked from home. Key industries for employment among residents were health care & social assistance, construction, and education & training. Construction had particularly notable concentration, with employment levels at 1.3 times the regional average.
In contrast, professional & technical services employed only 5.0% of local workers, below Greater Adelaide's 7.3%. The area appeared to offer limited local employment opportunities, as indicated by the count of Census working population versus resident population. Between December 2024 and December 2025, employment increased by 5.1%, while labour force grew by 4.1%, causing the unemployment rate to fall by 0.9 percentage points. In Greater Adelaide over the same period, employment rose by 4.2%, labour force grew by 3.9%, and unemployment fell by 0.3 percentage points. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May-25 suggest potential future demand within Port Noarlunga. These projections estimate that national employment should increase by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these industry-specific projections to Port Noarlunga's employment mix suggests local employment should increase by 6.5% over five years and 13.6% over ten years, though this is a simple weighting extrapolation for illustrative purposes and does not take into account localised population projections.
Frequently Asked Questions - Employment
Income
Income levels sit below national averages according to AreaSearch assessment
Port Noarlunga suburb has a median taxpayer income of $52,382 and an average of $60,118 according to the latest postcode level ATO data aggregated by AreaSearch for financial year 2023. This is lower than national averages, with Greater Adelaide having a median income of $54,808 and an average income of $66,852. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 10.17% since financial year 2023, estimated incomes as of March 2026 would be approximately $57,709 (median) and $66,232 (average). According to the 2021 Census, household, family, and personal incomes in Port Noarlunga rank modestly, between the 25th and 31st percentiles. Income brackets indicate that 28.7% of individuals earn between $1,500 and $2,999 annually, mirroring regional levels at 31.8%. Housing affordability pressures are severe, with only 83.1% of income remaining after housing costs, ranking at the 25th percentile. The area's SEIFA income ranking places it in the 4th decile.
Frequently Asked Questions - Income
Housing
Port Noarlunga is characterized by a predominantly suburban housing profile, with ownership patterns similar to the broader region
The latest Census evaluation of Port Noarlunga's dwelling structures showed 79.6% houses and 20.4% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings). In comparison, Adelaide metro had 75.2% houses and 24.9% other dwellings. Home ownership in Port Noarlunga was 32.1%, with the rest being mortgaged (40.1%) or rented (27.8%). The median monthly mortgage repayment was $1,534, below Adelaide metro's average of $1,562. Median weekly rent was $320, matching Adelaide metro's figure but significantly lower than the national average of $375. Nationally, Port Noarlunga's mortgage repayments were substantially lower at $1,863.
Frequently Asked Questions - Housing
Household Composition
Port Noarlunga features high concentrations of lone person households, with a lower-than-average median household size
Family households account for 65.9% of all households, including 25.3% couples with children, 27.5% couples without children, and 11.8% single parent families. Non-family households constitute the remaining 34.1%, with lone person households at 31.7% and group households comprising 2.3%. The median household size is 2.3 people, smaller than the Greater Adelaide average of 2.5.
Frequently Asked Questions - Households
Local Schools & Education
Port Noarlunga shows below-average educational performance compared to national benchmarks, though pockets of achievement exist
Port Noarlunga's educational qualifications trail regional benchmarks. 21.1% of residents aged 15+ hold university degrees, compared to Australia's 30.4%. Bachelor degrees are the most common at 15.0%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (3.7%) and graduate diplomas (2.4%). Trade and technical skills are prominent with 40.9% of residents aged 15+ holding vocational credentials - advanced diplomas (11.6%) and certificates (29.3%).
A substantial 23.9% of the population actively pursues formal education, including 8.0% in primary, 7.0% in secondary, and 4.1% in tertiary education.
Frequently Asked Questions - Education
Schools Detail
Nearby Services & Amenities
Transport
Transport servicing is moderate compared to other areas nationally based on assessment of service frequency, route connectivity and accessibility
Port Noarlunga has 18 active public transport stops, all of which are bus stops. These stops are served by 14 different routes that together facilitate 627 weekly passenger trips. The area's transport accessibility is rated as good, with residents on average located 207 meters from the nearest stop. In this predominantly residential region, most commuters travel outward. Cars remain the primary mode of transportation at 90%, while trains account for 6%. On average, there are 1.3 vehicles per dwelling.
According to the 2021 Census, only 10.8% of residents work from home, which may be influenced by COVID-19 conditions. The service frequency across all routes averages 89 trips per day, equating to approximately 34 weekly trips per individual stop.
Frequently Asked Questions - Transport
Transport Stops Detail
Health
Health performance in Port Noarlunga is well below average with a range of health conditions having marked impacts on both younger and older age cohorts
Port Noarlunga faces significant health challenges, as indicated by AreaSearch's assessment of mortality rates and chronic condition prevalence.
A range of health conditions affects both younger and older age groups. Private health cover is relatively low, at approximately 51% of the total population (around 1,667 people). The most common medical conditions are arthritis and mental health issues, impacting 10.4 and 10.3% of residents respectively. However, 60.9% of residents declare themselves completely clear of medical ailments, compared to 67.9% across Greater Adelaide. Working-age population faces notable health challenges with elevated chronic condition rates. The area has 22.3% of residents aged 65 and over (732 people), higher than the 19.2% in Greater Adelaide. Health outcomes among seniors present some challenges, with national rankings broadly in line with the general population.
Frequently Asked Questions - Health
Cultural Diversity
In terms of cultural diversity, Port Noarlunga records figures broadly comparable to the national average, as found in AreaSearch's assessment of a number of language and cultural background related metrics
Port Noarlunga's cultural diversity aligns with the broader region, with 72.6% born in Australia and 90.8% being citizens. English is spoken exclusively at home by 93.9%. Christianity is the predominant religion, accounting for 36.7%.
Judaism shows slight overrepresentation at 0.1%, compared to Greater Adelaide's 0.1%. Top ancestry groups are English (38.3%), Australian (22.5%), and Scottish (8.3%). Notable divergences include Dutch (2.4% vs regional 1.2%), Welsh (0.8% vs 0.6%), and German (5.8% vs 5.1%).
Frequently Asked Questions - Diversity
Age
Port Noarlunga hosts an older demographic, ranking in the top quartile nationwide
Port Noarlunga's median age is 46 years, which is significantly higher than Greater Adelaide's average of 39 years and Australia's average of 38 years. The age profile shows that individuals aged 55-64 are particularly prominent, comprising 14.4% of the population, while those aged 25-34 make up a smaller proportion at 11.6%. From 2021 to present, the 35-44 age group has increased from 11.1% to 12.6%, and the 75-84 cohort has grown from 6.2% to 7.4%. Conversely, the 45-54 age group has decreased from 15.2% to 14.1%. Population forecasts for the year 2041 indicate substantial demographic changes in Port Noarlunga. The 85+ cohort is projected to grow by 70%, adding 97 residents to reach a total of 235. Meanwhile, the 55-64 age group is expected to grow by a modest 3%, adding 14 people.