Rosewater

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

Based on ABS population updates and AreaSearch validations, the estimated population of Rosewater as of Feb 2026 is around 4,477. This reflects an increase of 895 people since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 3,582. The change was inferred from the resident population of 4,052 estimated by AreaSearch following examination of the latest ERP data release by the ABS in June 2024 and an additional 71 validated new addresses since the Census date. This level of population equates to a density ratio of 3,366 persons per square kilometer. Rosewater's growth rate of 25.0% since the 2021 census exceeded the state's 9.0% and Greater Adelaide's growth. Overseas migration contributed approximately 56.00000000000001% of overall population gains during recent periods, with all drivers including interstate migration and natural growth 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 are adopted with adjustments made employing a method of weighted aggregation of population growth from LGA to SA2 levels. Looking ahead, an above median population growth is projected for Rosewater, with the area expected to expand by 699 persons to 2041 based on aggregated SA2-level projections, reflecting a gain of 2.6% in total over the 17 years.

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

AreaSearch analysis of ABS building approval numbers shows Rosewater recorded around 53 residential properties granted approval annually over the past 5 financial years, totalling an estimated 267 homes. So far in FY-26, 19 approvals have been recorded. On average, 1.5 new residents arrived per year per new home between FY-21 and FY-25, indicating balanced supply and demand with stable market conditions. However, this intensified to 5.4 people per dwelling over the past 2 financial years, suggesting growing popularity and potential undersupply. New properties are constructed at an average value of $363,000, moderately above regional levels.

In FY-26, there have been $16.8 million in commercial approvals, indicating balanced commercial development activity. Relative to Greater Adelaide, Rosewater has 75.0% more development activity per person, offering buyers greater choice. However, development activity has moderated in recent periods. This level is well above average nationally, reflecting strong developer confidence in the area. New development consists of 42.0% standalone homes and 57.0% medium and high-density housing, creating more affordable entry points for downsizers, investors, and first-home buyers. This represents a notable shift from the area's existing housing, which is currently 77.0% houses, indicating decreasing availability of developable sites and changing lifestyles. The location has approximately 197 people per dwelling approval, suggesting an expanding market.

Future projections show Rosewater adding 118 residents by 2041 based on the latest AreaSearch quarterly estimate. If current development patterns continue, new housing supply should readily meet demand, offering good conditions for buyers and potentially facilitating population growth beyond current projections.

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

Changes in local infrastructure significantly affect an area's performance. AreaSearch has identified one major project likely to impact this region: Rosewater Loop Project, Our Port, Charles Sturt Playground Renewal Program, and The Queen Elizabeth Hospital Redevelopment Stage Three are key projects, with the following list highlighting 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.

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

Rosewater has a skilled workforce with notable representation in essential services sectors. Its unemployment rate was 7.8% as of September 2025, with an estimated employment growth of 4.9% over the past year. This is based on AreaSearch's aggregation of statistical area data.

As of September 2025, 2,054 residents were employed while the unemployment rate was 3.9% higher than Greater Adelaide's rate of 3.9%. Workforce participation in Rosewater was somewhat below standard at 64.3%, compared to Greater Adelaide's 66.4%. According to Census responses, only 7.0% of residents worked from home, although Covid-19 lockdown impacts should be considered. The leading employment industries among residents were health care & social assistance, construction, and retail trade.

Rosewater showed strong specialization in transport, postal & warehousing with an employment share 1.5 times the regional level. However, professional & technical services had a limited presence with only 4.3% employment compared to the regional average of 7.3%. The predominantly residential area appeared to offer limited local employment opportunities, as indicated by the count of Census working population versus resident population. Between September 2024 and September 2025, employment in Rosewater increased by 4.9%, while labour force increased by 4.7%, resulting in a fall in unemployment by 0.2 percentage points. In comparison, Greater Adelaide saw employment grow by 3.0%, labour force expand by 2.9%, and unemployment fall by 0.1 percentage points during the same period. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May-25 offer insights into potential future demand within Rosewater. These projections suggest that national employment will expand by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, with varying growth rates between industry sectors. 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. However, it is important to note that 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

According to AreaSearch's aggregation of the latest postcode level ATO data released for financial year ended June 2023, Rosewater had a median income among taxpayers of $52,991 with an average level of $58,091. This is below the national average and compares to levels of $54,808 (median) and $66,852 (average) across Greater Adelaide respectively. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 8.8% from financial year ended June 2023 to September 2025, current estimates would be approximately $57,654 (median) and $63,203 (average). From the Census conducted in August 2021, household incomes in Rosewater fall between the 21st and 25th percentiles nationally. The data shows that 31.1% of residents (1,392 people) earn within the $1,500 - $2,999 bracket, mirroring the surrounding region where 31.8% occupy this income bracket. Housing affordability pressures are severe in Rosewater, with only 82.9% of income remaining after housing costs, ranking at the 20th percentile nationally.

Rosewater is characterized by a predominantly suburban housing profile, with a higher proportion of rental properties than the broader region

Rosewater's dwelling structures, as per the latest Census, consisted of 76.6% houses and 23.5% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings). This compares to Adelaide metro's 75.2% houses and 24.9% 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 in the area was $1,430, below Adelaide metro's average of $1,562. The median weekly rent figure was recorded at $260, compared to Adelaide metro's $320. Nationally, Rosewater's mortgage repayments were 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 lower-than-average median household size

Family households constitute 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 the remaining 37.2%, with lone person households at 33.2% 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 Rosewater fall within the lower quartile nationally, indicating opportunities for improvement in qualification attainment

Rosewater Trail residents aged 15+ with university degrees comprise 20.5%, compared to Australia's 30.4%. Bachelor degrees are the most common at 14.5%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (4.4%) and graduate diplomas (1.6%). Vocational credentials held by 35.1% of residents include advanced diplomas (8.6%) and certificates (26.5%). Current educational participation stands at 27.1%, with 9.0% in primary, 6.5% in secondary, and 5.3% pursuing tertiary education.

Educational participation is notably high, with 27.1% of residents currently enrolled in formal education. This includes 9.0% in primary education, 6.5% in secondary education, and 5.3% pursuing tertiary education.

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 eight different routes that together facilitate 800 weekly passenger trips. The area's transport accessibility is rated as excellent, with residents typically living 184 meters from the nearest stop. As a predominantly residential zone, most inhabitants commute outwards, with cars being the primary mode of transportation at 87%. On average, there are 1.2 vehicles per dwelling, lower than the regional average. According to the 2021 Census, only 7% of residents work from home, which may be influenced by COVID-19 conditions.

Across all routes, service frequency averages 114 trips per day, equating to roughly 53 weekly trips per individual stop.

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

Rosewater faces significant health challenges according to AreaSearch's assessment. Mortality rates and chronic condition prevalence are substantial across both younger and older age groups. Approximately 50% of Rosewater's total population (~2,238 people) has private health cover, which is lower than Greater Adelaide's 52.7% and the national average of 55.7%.

Mental health issues affect 10.3% of residents, while arthritis impacts 9.2%, with 64.8% reporting no medical ailments compared to 67.9% in Greater Adelaide. Working-age population health challenges are notable due to elevated chronic condition rates. Rosewater has 18.2% of residents aged 65 and over (814 people), lower than Greater Adelaide's 19.3%. Senior health outcomes present some challenges, generally aligning with national rankings.

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

Rosewater's population was found to be more culturally diverse than most local markets, with 28.4% born overseas and 25.8% speaking a language other than English at home. Christianity was the predominant religion in Rosewater, making up 39.4% of its population. Buddhism, however, was overrepresented compared to Greater Adelaide, comprising 5.0% versus 2.4%.

The top three ancestry groups were English (24.6%), Australian (21.3%), and Other (8.3%). Notably, Polish, Russian, and Vietnamese ethnicities had higher representations in Rosewater than regionally: Polish at 2.2% vs 1.0%, Russian at 1.5% vs 0.3%, and Vietnamese at 4.4% vs 1.2%.

Rosewater's population aligns closely with national norms in age terms

Rosewater's median age is 39 years, aligning with Greater Adelaide's average of 39 years and closely matching Australia's median of 38 years. Compared to Greater Adelaide, Rosewater has a notably higher percentage of residents aged 35-44 (15.6% locally) but fewer residents aged 75-84 (5.3%). Post-2021 Census, the 35-44 age group grew from 13.9% to 15.6%, while the 75-84 cohort increased from 4.1% to 5.3%. Conversely, the 55-64 cohort decreased from 14.1% to 12.3%, and the 45-54 group dropped from 13.4% to 12.3%. By 2041, Rosewater's age profile is projected to change significantly. The 75-84 cohort is expected to grow by 45%, adding 105 residents to reach 343. Residents aged 65 and older are anticipated to represent 65% of population growth. However, declines are projected for the 15-24 and 0-4 age cohorts.