Port Willunga

Port Willunga has seen population growth performance typically on par with national averages when looking at short and medium term trends

As of February 2026, the estimated population of the suburb of Port Willunga is around 1,954. This reflects an increase of 169 people since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 1,785. The increase was inferred from AreaSearch's resident population estimate of 1,835 in June 2024 and an additional 17 validated new addresses since the Census date. This results in a population density ratio of 917 persons per square kilometer. Port Willunga's growth rate of 9.5% since the 2021 census exceeded both the SA3 area (6.4%) and the SA4 region, making it a growth leader in the region. Overseas migration contributed approximately 50.0% to overall population gains during recent periods, with all drivers being positive factors.

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 by age category are adopted, based on 2021 data and released in 2023. Future demographic trends suggest a population increase just below the median of statistical areas across the nation for Port Willunga. By 2041, the suburb is expected to increase by 166 persons, reflecting an overall increase of 5.2% over the 17-year period.

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, allocated from statistical area data, indicates Port Willunga has experienced around 10 dwellings receiving development approval each year. Approximately 50 homes have been approved over the past five financial years, from FY-21 to FY-25, with an additional 5 approved so far in FY-26. On average, each dwelling built over this period has resulted in approximately 2 new residents per year, reflecting robust demand that supports property values.

New homes are being constructed at an average expected cost of $445,000, indicating a focus on the premium market with high-end developments. This financial year, $4.4 million in commercial approvals have been registered, suggesting limited commercial development focus compared to residential. When measured against Greater Adelaide, Port Willunga shows moderately higher building activity, being 12.0% above the regional average per person over the five-year period, balancing buyer choice with support for current property values.

Recent construction comprises 91.0% standalone homes and 9.0% townhouses or apartments, preserving the area's low density nature and attracting space-seeking buyers. The location has approximately 156 people per dwelling approval, indicating an expanding market. Looking ahead, Port Willunga is expected to grow by 101 residents through to 2041, according to the latest AreaSearch quarterly estimate. Based on current development patterns, new housing supply should readily meet demand, offering good conditions for buyers and potentially facilitating population growth beyond current projections.

Port Willunga has limited levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the 19thth percentile nationally

Changes to local infrastructure significantly impact an area's performance. AreaSearch has identified two projects likely affecting this region: Aldinga Master Planned Community by Villawood Properties, Main South Road Duplication Project (Stage 2) from Aldinga to Sellicks Beach, and Aldinga - A New Community including Aldinga Payinthi College.

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

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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 4.8% as of September 2025. Employment growth over the past year was estimated at 5.1%.

Residents' employment rate is 964 while the unemployment rate is 0.9% higher than Greater Adelaide's rate of 3.9%. Workforce participation is on par with Greater Adelaide's 66.4%. Only 11.5% of residents work from home, considering Covid-19 lockdown impacts. Dominant employment sectors include health care & social assistance, construction, and education & training.

Construction shows notable concentration with levels at 1.4 times the regional average. Retail trade has lower representation at 7.1% versus the regional average of 10.0%. Limited local employment opportunities are indicated by Census working population vs resident population count. Over a 12-month period, employment increased by 5.1%, labour force by 4.2%, reducing unemployment by 0.8 percentage points. Greater Adelaide experienced employment growth of 3.0% and labour force growth of 2.9%, with a 0.1 percentage point drop in unemployment. National employment forecasts from May-25 suggest potential future demand within Port Willunga. Over five years, national employment is forecast to expand by 6.6%, and over ten years by 13.7%. Applying these projections to Port Willunga's employment mix suggests local employment should increase by 6.3% over five years and 13.4% over ten years, based on a simple weighting extrapolation for illustrative purposes.

The area's income levels rank in the lower 15% nationally based on AreaSearch comparative data

The suburb of Port Willunga had a median taxpayer income of $47,843 and an average income of $55,582 in the financial year 2023, according to postcode level ATO data aggregated by AreaSearch. This is below the national average, with Greater Adelaide having a median income of $54,808 and an average income of $66,852 in the same period. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 8.8% since financial year 2023, estimated incomes for September 2025 would be approximately $52,053 (median) and $60,473 (average). The 2021 Census showed household, family, and personal incomes in Port Willunga fell between the 21st and 26th percentiles nationally. Income analysis revealed that 32.0% of locals (625 people) had incomes predominantly in the $1,500 - 2,999 category, similar to the surrounding region's 31.8%. After housing costs, 85.3% of income remained, ranking at the 23rd percentile nationally.

Port Willunga is characterized by a predominantly suburban housing profile, with above-average rates of outright home ownership

Port Willunga's dwelling structures, as per the latest Census, were 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 mortgaged dwellings at 38.0% and rented ones at 23.9%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $1,300, lower than Adelaide metro's average of $1,562. The median weekly rent in Port Willunga was $328, compared to Adelaide metro's $320. Nationally, Port Willunga's mortgage repayments were significantly lower than the Australian average of $1,863, while rents were substantially below the national figure of $375.

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.

Educational outcomes in Port Willunga fall within the lower quartile nationally, indicating opportunities for improvement in qualification attainment

Educational qualifications in Port Willunga trail regional benchmarks, with 22.9% of residents aged 15+ holding university degrees compared to 30.4% in Australia as of the latest census data from 2021. Bachelor degrees are the most common at 16.4%, followed by postgraduate qualifications at 3.7% and graduate diplomas at 2.8%. Trade and technical skills feature prominently, with 41.1% of residents aged 15+ holding vocational credentials – advanced diplomas at 11.1% and certificates at 30.0%. Educational participation is notably high, with 28.1% of residents currently enrolled in formal education as of the latest data from 2021.

This includes 11.4% in primary education, 6.7% in secondary education, and 4.7% pursuing tertiary education.

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 accessibility of these transport services is rated as excellent, with residents typically living just 184 meters away from the nearest stop. As a predominantly residential area, most commuters travel outwards daily. Cars remain the primary mode of transportation, used by 91% of residents. On average, there are 1.5 vehicles per household.

According to the 2021 Census, only 11.5% of residents work from home, which may be influenced by COVID-19 conditions. The service frequency averages 44 trips per day across all routes, translating to approximately 22 weekly trips per individual stop.

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

Health data for Port Willunga shows positive outcomes, aligning with national benchmarks. Common health conditions are seen across all age groups. Private health cover is relatively low at 49%, compared to Greater Adelaide's 52.7% and the national average of 55.7%.

Mental health issues impact 10.6% and arthritis impacts 9.4% of residents, with 65.3% reporting no medical ailments, compared to 67.9% in Greater Adelaide. Working-age residents have a higher prevalence of chronic conditions. The area has 21.9% of residents aged 65 and over (427 people), higher than Greater Adelaide's 19.3%. Health outcomes among seniors are above average, ranking even higher than the general population nationally.

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 Bureau of Statistics Census 2016, showed lower cultural diversity with 83.9% of its residents born in Australia and 90.8% being citizens. English was spoken at home by 97.4%. Christianity was the predominant religion at 28.0%, while Buddhism, at 1.1%, was overrepresented compared to Greater Adelaide's 2.4%.

Ancestry wise, English (35.6%) and Australian (27.5%) were the top groups, with Scottish (8.6%) also notable. Some ethnic groups showed distinct representation: Welsh at 1.0% (regional average 0.6%), German at 6.2% (5.1%), and Serbian at 0.4% (0.4%).

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 well above Australia's median age of 38 years. Compared to Greater Adelaide's average, the 65-74 age cohort is notably over-represented in Port Willunga at 13.2%, while the 25-34 age group is under-represented at 8.9%. Between the 2021 Census and present day, the 75 to 84 age group has grown from 5.4% to 7.1% of Port Willunga's population. Conversely, the 5 to 14 age cohort has declined from 13.5% to 12.0%. Population forecasts for 2041 indicate significant demographic changes in Port Willunga. The 85+ age group is projected to increase by 57 people (an 185% rise) from 31 to 89 individuals. By 2041, those aged 65 and above are expected to comprise 80% of the population growth. Conversely, the 0 to 4 and 15 to 24 age groups are projected to experience population declines.