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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
Port Willunga has seen population growth performance typically on par with national averages when looking at short and medium term trends
Based on analysis of ABS population updates for the broader area, and new addresses validated by AreaSearch, the suburb of Port Willunga's population is estimated at around 1,838 as of May 2026. This reflects an increase of 53 people (3.0%) since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 1,785 people. The change is inferred from the resident population of 1,821, estimated by AreaSearch following examination of the latest ERP data release by the ABS in June 2025, and an additional 17 validated new addresses since the Census date. This level of population equates to a density ratio of 862 persons per square kilometer, which is relatively in line with averages seen across locations assessed by AreaSearch. Port Willunga's 3.0% growth since census positions it within 2.8 percentage points of the SA3 area (5.8%), demonstrating competitive growth fundamentals. Population growth for the suburb was primarily driven by overseas migration that contributed approximately 50.0% of overall population gains during recent periods, although all drivers including natural growth and interstate migration were positive factors.
AreaSearch is adopting ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area, as released in 2024 with 2022 as the base year. For any SA2 areas not covered by this data, and for years post-2032, the SA State Government's Regional/LGA projections by age category, released in 2023 and based on 2021 data, are adopted with adjustments made employing a method of weighted aggregation of population growth from LGA to SA2 levels. Moving forward with demographic trends, a population increase just below the median of statistical areas across the nation is expected, with the suburb expected to increase by 166 persons to 2041 based on aggregated SA2-level projections, reflecting an increase of 8.1% in total over the 16 years.
Frequently Asked Questions - Population
Development
AreaSearch analysis of residential development drivers sees Port Willunga recording a relatively average level of approval activity when compared to local markets analysed countrywide
AreaSearch analysis of ABS building approval numbers shows Port Willunga has had around 10 dwellings receiving development approval each year. Between financial years FY-21 and FY-25, approximately 50 homes were approved, with another 6 approved so far in FY-26. On average, about 1.4 people have moved to the area for each dwelling built over these past five years.
This suggests a stable balance between supply and demand, with developers focusing on premium market segments, as new homes are being built at an average expected construction cost of $445,000. In FY-26, $4.4 million in commercial approvals have been registered, indicating limited commercial development focus compared to residential. When compared to Greater Adelaide, Port Willunga has shown moderately higher building activity, with 14.0% above the regional average per person over the past five years.
Recent construction comprises 90.0% standalone homes and 10.0% townhouses or apartments, preserving the area's low density nature and attracting space-seeking buyers. The location currently has approximately 152 people per dwelling approval, indicating a low-density market. According to AreaSearch's latest quarterly estimate, Port Willunga is expected to grow by 149 residents through to 2041. Based on current development patterns, new housing supply should readily meet demand, offering good conditions for buyers and potentially facilitating further population growth beyond current projections.
Frequently Asked Questions - Development
Development applications around Port Willunga
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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 Willunga has emerging levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the 24thth percentile nationally
Two projects have been identified by AreaSearch as potentially impacting the area: Aldinga Master Planned Community by Villawood Properties, Main South Road Duplication Project (Stage 2) from Aldinga to Sellicks Beach, and Aldinga Payinthi College. The following details these key projects.
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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.
Aldinga - A New Community
A 45-hectare net-zero carbon masterplanned community in Adelaide's outer south delivering more than 800 homes, with at least 25 percent classed as affordable housing. The project comprises a mix of townhouses, detached and semi-detached homes (up to three storeys) and includes an over-55s lifestyle village on the site's western parcel with a clubhouse, pool, spa, gym, cinema and co-working space. Central amenities include a residents club with pool, gym, cafe, sports courts and play spaces. The all-electric development uses solar PV, heat pumps, batteries and a microgrid to reduce energy costs, and includes light-coloured roofing and mandated sustainable building materials. Extensive open space, parks, reserves and chain-of-ponds corridors are complemented by an extensive green canopy, with more than 40 hectares of land to be donated for biodiversity offsets and conservation. A 60-metre-wide rail corridor running north-south through the site has been preserved by the State Government for a future extension of the Seaford rail line, and will be landscaped and used as a shared-use path and open space until the line is extended. Community engagement on the draft masterplan is complete and approvals are underway, with sales launch and civil construction anticipated in late 2026.
Aldinga Master Planned Community - Villawood Properties
A strategic partnership between Renewal SA and Villawood Properties to create a 46-hectare master planned net zero carbon community delivering over 800 homes, including 200 in an over-55s lifestyle village, with a minimum of 25% affordable housing. Features diverse housing mix (detached, semi-detached, townhouses), extensive open spaces with parks, reserves and chain-of-ponds corridors, residents club with pool, gym, cafe and play spaces, embedded energy network with solar, heat pumps, batteries, microgrid in all-electric development, and 25% tree canopy coverage. Preserves 60-metre wide rail corridor for future Seaford line extension. Master planning underway in 2025, sales launch anticipated for Summer 2025, civil construction to commence in early 2026.
Aldinga Rail Extension Corridor Preservation
Preservation of a 60 metre wide rail corridor from Quinliven Road to Aldinga Beach Road to enable a future extension of the Seaford rail line to Aldinga. Preliminary planning has identified two potential stations (near Aldinga Beach Road with future Park and Ride, and south of Quinliven Road) and an intended grade separated crossing at Quinliven Road. The corridor is currently unfunded and available as public open space until pursued in the 2030s.
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.
Bulk Water Supply Security
Nationwide program led by the National Water Grid Authority to improve bulk water security and reliability for non-potable and productive uses. Activities include strategic planning, science and business cases, and funding of state and territory projects such as storages, pipelines, dam upgrades, recycled water and efficiency upgrades to build drought resilience and support regional communities, industry and the environment.
Aldinga Payinthi College
Birth to Year 12 'super school' accommodating up to 1,675 students and 250 staff, including 100 inclusive places for students with disability and 75-place children's centre. $125 million build featuring contemporary learning environments with STEM focus, performing arts theatre, libraries, VET kitchen, gym facilities, sports courts, community usage facilities, and extensive cultural and heritage elements recognizing Aboriginal significance. Construction complete, school open and accommodating up to 1500 students by 2026.
Employment
Port Willunga has seen below average employment performance when compared to national benchmarks
Port Willunga has a skilled workforce with essential services sectors well represented. The unemployment rate was 4.7% as of the past year, with an estimated employment growth of 5.2%. As of December 2025929 residents were in work while the unemployment rate was 0.9% higher than Greater Adelaide's rate of 3.8%.
Workforce participation was lower at 63.9%, compared to Greater Adelaide's 66.0%. Only 11.5% of residents worked from home, though Covid-19 lockdown impacts should be considered. Dominant employment sectors included health care & social assistance, construction, and education & training. Construction had particularly notable concentration with employment levels at 1.4 times the regional average.
Conversely, retail trade showed lower representation at 7.1% versus the regional average of 10.0%. The area appeared to offer limited local employment opportunities. Over a 12-month period ending in May-25, employment increased by 5.2% alongside labour force increasing by 3.8%, resulting in unemployment falling by 1.2 percentage points. National employment forecasts from Jobs and Skills Australia projected growth of 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Port Willunga's employment mix suggested local employment should increase by 6.3% over five years and 13.4% over ten years, though this was a simple weighting extrapolation for illustrative purposes and did not take into account localised population projections.
Frequently Asked Questions - Employment
Income
The area's income levels rank in the lower 15% nationally based on AreaSearch comparative data
Port Willunga's median taxpayer income in financial year 2023 was $47,843, with an average of $55,582. This is lower than the national average. Greater Adelaide had a median income of $54,808 and an average of $66,852 during the same period. By March 2026, estimates suggest the median will be approximately $52,709 and the average $61,235, based on Wage Price Index growth of 10.17%. The 2021 Census places Port Willunga's household, family, and personal incomes between the 21st and 26th percentiles nationally. Income analysis shows that 32.0% of locals (588 people) fall into the $1,500 - $2,999 category, similar to surrounding regions at 31.8%. After housing costs, 85.3% of income remains, ranking at the 23rd percentile nationally.
Frequently Asked Questions - Income
Housing
Port Willunga is characterized by a predominantly suburban housing profile, with above-average rates of outright home ownership
Port Willunga's dwelling structure, as per the latest Census, comprised 95.2% houses and 4.8% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings). In comparison, Adelaide metro had 75.2% houses and 24.9% other dwellings. Home ownership in Port Willunga was 38.1%, with the remainder mortgaged at 38.0% or rented at 23.9%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $1,300, below Adelaide metro's average of $1,562 and Australia's national average of $1,863. Median weekly rent in Port Willunga was $328, lower than Adelaide metro's $320 and the national figure of $375.
Frequently Asked Questions - Housing
Household Composition
Port Willunga features high concentrations of lone person households, with a lower-than-average median household size
Family households constitute 66.4% of all households, including 25.0% couples with children, 23.3% couples without children, and 16.6% single parent families. Non-family households account for the remaining 33.6%, with lone person households at 30.1% and group households comprising 3.5%. The median household size is 2.3 people, which is smaller than the Greater Adelaide average of 2.5.
Frequently Asked Questions - Households
Local Schools & Education
Educational outcomes in Port Willunga fall within the lower quartile nationally, indicating opportunities for improvement in qualification attainment
Port Willunga's educational qualifications lag behind regional benchmarks, with 22.9% of residents aged 15 and above holding university degrees compared to the national average of 30.4%. This disparity suggests potential for educational development and skill enhancement in the region. Bachelor degrees are the most common at 16.4%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (3.7%) and graduate diplomas (2.8%). Vocational credentials are prominent, with 41.1% of residents aged 15 and above holding such qualifications – advanced diplomas account for 11.1%, while certificates make up 30.0%.
Educational participation is high in Port Willunga, with 28.1% of residents currently enrolled in formal education. This includes 11.4% in primary education, 6.7% in secondary education, and 4.7% pursuing 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 Willunga has 14 active public transport stops, all of which are bus stops. These stops are served by six different routes that together facilitate 311 weekly passenger trips. The area's transport accessibility is rated as excellent, with residents typically located 184 meters from the nearest stop. Most residents commute outward due to Port Willunga being primarily residential. Cars remain the dominant mode of transportation, used by 91% of residents. On average, there are 1.5 vehicles per dwelling.
According to the 2021 Census, only 11.5% of residents work from home, which may reflect COVID-19 conditions. Service frequency averages 44 trips per day across all routes, equating to approximately 22 weekly trips per individual stop.
Frequently Asked Questions - Transport
Transport Stops Detail
Health
Port Willunga's residents are healthier than average in comparison to broader Australia with a fairly standard level of common health conditions seen across both young and old age cohorts
Port Willunga's health data shows positive results, aligning with national benchmarks for mortality rates and health conditions. Both young and old age groups exhibit standard levels of common health issues. Private health cover is relatively low at 49% (~900 people), compared to Greater Adelaide's 52.7% and the national average of 55.7%.
Mental health issues affect 10.6% of residents, while arthritis impacts 9.4%. A total of 65.3% report no medical ailments, slightly lower than Greater Adelaide's 67.9%. Working-age residents have a higher prevalence of chronic health conditions. The area has 22.1% (406 people) aged 65 and over, higher than Greater Adelaide's 19.2%. Health outcomes among seniors are above average, ranking even higher nationally than the general population.
Frequently Asked Questions - Health
Cultural Diversity
Port Willunga is considerably less culturally diverse than average when assessed alongside AreaSearch's national rankings for language and cultural background related metrics
Port Willunga, as per data from the Australian Census 2016, showed lower cultural diversity with 83.9% of residents born in Australia and 90.8% being citizens. English was spoken exclusively at home by 97.4%. Christianity was the predominant religion, accounting for 28.0% of the population.
Buddhism, however, was more prevalent in Port Willunga at 1.1%, compared to Greater Adelaide's average of 2.4%. In terms of ancestry, English (35.6%) and Australian (27.5%) were the top groups, significantly higher than the regional averages of 27.8% and 19.0% respectively. Scottish ancestry was also notable at 8.6%. Some ethnic groups showed variations: Welsh (1.0%) and German (6.2%) were overrepresented compared to Greater Adelaide's averages of 0.6% and 5.1% respectively, while Serbian remained steady at 0.4%.
Frequently Asked Questions - Diversity
Age
Port Willunga hosts a notably older demographic compared to the national average
The median age in Port Willunga is 44 years, which exceeds Greater Adelaide's average of 39 years and is also higher than the Australian median of 38 years. The 65-74 age cohort is notably over-represented in Port Willunga at 13.4%, compared to the Greater Adelaide average, while the 25-34 age group is under-represented at 8.9%. Between the 2021 Census and the present day, the 75-84 age group has grown from 5.4% to 6.7% of Port Willunga's population. Conversely, the 5-14 age cohort has declined from 13.5% to 12.3%. Population forecasts for 2041 indicate significant demographic changes in Port Willunga, with the 85+ age group projected to increase by 50 people (a rise of 137%), from 36 to 87. The aging population trend is evident, with those aged 65 and above expected to comprise 70% of the projected growth. Conversely, the 55-64 and 35-44 age groups are anticipated to experience population declines.