Rosewater

Population growth drivers in Rosewater are strong compared to national averages based on AreaSearch's ranking of recent, and medium to long-term trends

As of Nov 2025, the estimated population of Rosewater is around 4,037, reflecting a growth of 455 people since the 2021 Census. This increase represents a 12.7% rise from the previous population count of 3,582. The change is inferred from AreaSearch's estimation of the resident population at 3,934, following examination of ABS ERP data released in Jun 2024 and validation of 71 new addresses since the Census date. This results in a population density ratio of approximately 3,035 persons per square kilometer, placing Rosewater in the upper quartile nationally according to AreaSearch assessments. The suburb's growth rate surpassed both the state (7.1%) and metropolitan area averages, indicating its status as a regional growth leader. Overseas migration contributed significantly to population gains, accounting for approximately 56% of overall increases during recent periods.

However, all migration factors including interstate migration and natural growth were positive influences. For projections, AreaSearch adopts ABS/Geoscience Australia's 2024 data with a base year of 2022 for each SA2 area. For areas not covered by this data and years post-2032, the SA State Government's Regional/LGA projections by age category from 2023 are used, adjusted employing weighted aggregation methods. Based on aggregated SA2-level projections, Rosewater is expected to grow by 706 persons to reach a total population of approximately 4,743 by 2041, reflecting an overall gain of 14.1% over the 17-year period.

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

AreaSearch analysis of ABS building approval numbers in Rosewater shows an average of around 53 new dwelling approvals per year over the past 5 financial years, totalling an estimated 269 homes. So far in FY-26, 12 approvals have been recorded. This averages out to approximately 1.5 new residents per year per dwelling constructed between FY-21 and FY-25, indicating balanced supply and demand with stable market conditions. However, recent figures show an acceleration to 4.6 people per dwelling over the past 2 financial years, suggesting increasing demand and tightening supply. New properties are constructed at an average value of $363,000.

In this financial year, $34.6 million in commercial development approvals have been recorded, demonstrating high levels of local commercial activity. Relative to Greater Adelaide, Rosewater has 76.0% more development activity per person, creating greater choice for buyers despite recent easing in construction activity. This activity is substantially higher than the national average, suggesting strong developer confidence in the location. New building activity shows 44.0% detached dwellings and 56.0% townhouses or apartments, marking a significant departure from existing housing patterns which are currently 77.0% houses. This trend toward denser development provides accessible entry options appealing to downsizers, investors, and entry-level buyers. The location has approximately 167 people per dwelling approval, indicating an expanding market. Looking ahead, Rosewater is expected to grow by 568 residents through to 2041 according to the latest AreaSearch quarterly estimate.

At current development rates, new housing supply should comfortably meet demand, providing good conditions for buyers and potentially supporting growth beyond current population projections.

Rosewater has strong levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the top 40% nationally

Infrastructure changes significantly influence local performance. AreaSearch identified one major project impacting the area: Rosewater Loop Project, Our Port, Charles Sturt Playground Renewal Program, and The Queen Elizabeth Hospital Redevelopment Stage Three are key projects, with the following details highlighting their relevance.

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

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Employment drivers in Rosewater are experiencing difficulties, placing it among the bottom 20% of areas assessed across Australia

Rosewater has a skilled workforce with essential services sectors well represented. The unemployment rate was 8.5% in the past year, with an estimated employment growth of 2.4%.

As of June 2025, 2,001 residents are employed while the unemployment rate is 4.5%, higher than Greater Adelaide's rate of 4.0%. Workforce participation is on par with Greater Adelaide's 61.7%. The dominant employment sectors among residents include health care & social assistance, construction, and retail trade. Rosewater has a particular specialization in transport, postal & warehousing, employing 1.5 times the regional level.

However, professional & technical services employ only 4.3% of local workers, lower than Greater Adelaide's 7.3%. The area appears to offer limited employment opportunities locally, as indicated by the count of Census working population vs resident population. During the year to June 2025, employment levels increased by 2.4% and labour force increased by 3.5%, causing the unemployment rate to rise by 1.0 percentage points. By comparison, Greater Adelaide recorded employment growth of 2.1%. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from Sep-22 offer insight into potential future demand within Rosewater. These projections suggest that national employment should expand by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these industry-specific projections to Rosewater's employment mix suggests local employment should increase by 6.4% over five years and 13.5% over ten years, though this is a simple weighting extrapolation for illustrative purposes and does not take into account localised population projections.

Income levels sit below national averages according to AreaSearch assessment

Rosewater's median income among taxpayers in financial year 2022 was $52,991. The average income stood at $58,091 during the same period. For Greater Adelaide, these figures were $52,592 and $64,886 respectively. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 12.83% since financial year 2022, current estimates for Rosewater would be approximately $59,790 (median) and $65,544 (average) as of September 2025. Census data shows that household, family, and personal incomes in Rosewater all fall between the 21st and 25th percentiles nationally. The predominant income cohort spans 31.1% of locals (1,255 people) in the $1,500 - 2,999 category, similar to the metropolitan region where this cohort represents 31.8%. Housing affordability pressures are severe in Rosewater, with only 82.9% of income remaining, ranking at the 20th percentile.

Rosewater is characterized by a predominantly suburban housing profile, with ownership patterns similar to the broader region

Rosewater's dwelling structure in its latest Census report showed 76.6% houses and 23.5% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings). This compared to Adelaide metro's 69.1% houses and 30.9% other dwellings. Home ownership in Rosewater was at 25.2%, with mortgaged dwellings at 42.7% and rented ones at 32.1%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $1,430, below Adelaide metro's $1,517. Weekly rent median was $260 compared to Adelaide metro's $295. Nationally, Rosewater's mortgage repayments were significantly lower than the Australian average of $1,863, while rents were substantially below the national figure of $375.

Rosewater features high concentrations of lone person households, with a fairly typical median household size

Family households compose 62.8% of all households, including 25.2% couples with children, 21.1% couples without children, and 14.8% single parent families. Non-family households account for 37.2%, with lone person households at 33.2% and group households comprising 3.5%. The median household size is 2.3 people, which aligns with the Greater Adelaide average.

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

Rosewater trail's educational qualifications show that 20.5% of residents aged 15+ have university degrees, compared to Australia's 30.4%. Bachelor degrees are most common at 14.5%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (4.4%) and graduate diplomas (1.6%). Vocational credentials are also prevalent, with 35.1% of residents holding them – advanced diplomas at 8.6% and certificates at 26.5%. Educational participation is high, with 27.1% currently enrolled in formal education: 9.0% in primary, 6.5% in secondary, and 5.3% in tertiary education.

Mount Carmel College Secondary Campus serves 1,139 students and is the area's main educational institution. The area has balanced educational opportunities (ICSEA: 1006) with one secondary school and typical Australian conditions for primary students. It functions as an education hub with 28.2 school places per 100 residents, significantly above the regional average of 8.9, attracting students from surrounding communities.

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

Rosewater has 15 active public transport stops, all of which are bus stops. These stops are served by 7 different routes that together facilitate 798 weekly passenger trips. The average distance from a resident's location to the nearest transport stop is 184 meters.

On average, there are 114 trips per day across all routes, which translates to approximately 53 weekly trips per individual stop.

Health performance in Rosewater is lower than average with prevalence of common health conditions notable across both younger and older age cohorts

Rosewater faces significant health challenges. Common health conditions are prevalent across both younger and older age cohorts.

The rate of private health cover is relatively low at approximately 50% of the total population (~2,018 people), compared to the national average of 55.3%. Mental health issues and arthritis are the most common medical conditions in the area, impacting 10.3 and 9.2% of residents respectively. 64.8% of residents declare themselves completely clear of medical ailments, compared to 66.1% across Greater Adelaide. The area has 17.7% of residents aged 65 and over (714 people), which is lower than the 19.2% in Greater Adelaide. Health outcomes among seniors present some challenges, broadly in line with the general population's health profile.

Rosewater was found to be more culturally diverse than the vast majority of local markets in Australia, upon assessment of a range of language and cultural background related metrics

Rosewater was found to have a higher cultural diversity than most local markets, with 28.4% of its population born overseas and 25.8% speaking a language other than English at home. The predominant religion in Rosewater is Christianity, which accounts for 39.4% of the population. However, Buddhism is noticeably overrepresented, comprising 5.0% of Rosewater's population compared to 6.1% across Greater Adelaide.

Regarding ancestry, the top three groups are English at 24.6%, Australian at 21.3%, and Other at 8.3%. Notably, Polish (2.2%) is overrepresented in Rosewater compared to the regional average of 1.4%, as is Russian (1.5% vs 0.6%), while Vietnamese is underrepresented at 4.4% versus the regional average of 5.9%.

Rosewater's population is slightly older than the national pattern

Rosewater's median age is 39 years, matching Greater Adelaide's average of 39 and closely aligned with Australia's median of 38. Compared to Greater Adelaide, Rosewater has a notably higher proportion of the 35-44 cohort (15.5% locally), while the 75-84 age group is under-represented (4.9%). According to the 2021 Census, the 35-44 age group grew from 13.9% to 15.5%, while the 55-64 cohort declined from 14.1% to 12.5%. By 2041, demographic modeling projects significant changes in Rosewater's age profile. The 75-84 cohort is projected to grow by 72%, adding 142 residents to reach 340. The 5-14 group is expected to grow modestly at 1%, adding only 6 residents.