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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.
est. as @ -- *
2021 Census | -- people
Sales Activity
Curious about local property values? Filter the chart to assess the volume and appreciation (including resales) trends and regional comparisons, or scroll to the map below view this information at an individual property level.
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Sales Detail
Population
Smithfield Plains lies within the top 10% of areas nationally in terms of population growth performance according to AreaSearch analysis of 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 Smithfield Plains' population is estimated at around 3,695 as of May 2026. This reflects an increase of 390 people (11.8%) since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 3,305 people. The change is inferred from the resident population of 3,645, estimated by AreaSearch following examination of the latest ERP data release by the ABS in June 2025, and an additional 86 validated new addresses since the Census date. This level of population equates to a density ratio of 2,463 persons per square kilometer, placing it in the upper quartile relative to national locations assessed by AreaSearch. The suburb's 11.8% growth since the 2021 census exceeded the state (7.5%), along with the Greater Adelaide, marking it as a growth leader in the region. Population growth for the area was primarily driven by natural growth that contributed approximately 42.0% of overall population gains during recent periods, although all drivers including interstate migration and overseas 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. Considering the projected demographic shifts, a significant population increase in the top quartile of national statistical areas is forecast, with the suburb expected to increase by 1,324 persons to 2041 based on aggregated SA2-level projections, reflecting an increase of 34.5% in total over the 16 years.
Frequently Asked Questions - Population
Development
AreaSearch assessment of residential development activity positions Smithfield Plains among the top 25% of areas assessed nationwide
Smithfield Plains averaged approximately 49 new dwelling approvals per year over the past five financial years, totalling an estimated 249 homes. As of FY-26, 15 approvals have been recorded. On average, 1.6 people moved to the area for each dwelling built between FY-21 and FY-25, indicating balanced supply and demand with stable market conditions. The average construction value per property was $284,000.
In FY-26, there have been $3.6 million in commercial approvals, suggesting a residential character for the area. Compared to Greater Adelaide, Smithfield Plains has 18.0% less building activity per person but ranks among the 94th percentile nationally, reflecting strong developer confidence. Recent construction comprises 92.0% detached dwellings and 8.0% townhouses or apartments, maintaining a focus on family homes. With approximately 54 people per approval, Smithfield Plains is considered a developing area.
By 2041, the area is expected to grow by 1,274 residents, with current development well-matched to future needs, supporting steady market conditions without extreme price pressure.
Frequently Asked Questions - Development
Development applications around Smithfield Plains
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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
Smithfield Plains has emerging levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the 31stth percentile nationally
Five projects may significantly affect the area's performance: Tudor Vale Shopping Centre (scheduled for completion in 2018), Munno Para West development (commenced in June 2017), Playford North Urban Renewal Project (expected to finish by late 2020), Eyeington Estate redevelopment (initially planned for 2016 but delayed) and Tudor Vale Shopping Centre expansion (proposed start date: March 2019).
Professional plan users can use the search below to filter and access additional projects.
INFRASTRUCTURE SEARCH
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Frequently Asked Questions - Infrastructure
Northern Connector
Six-lane, 15.5 kilometre motorway providing vital freight and commuter link between Northern Expressway, South Road Superway and Port River Expressway. South Australia's first major concrete motorway and widest in the country. Includes 16 kilometres of shared cyclist and pedestrian paths connecting to Stuart O'Grady Bikeway. Features four major interchanges, intelligent transport systems, wetland restoration and Indigenous-inspired design elements. Opened March 7, 2020.
Angle Vale to Munno Para West Water and Wastewater Network Upgrade
SA Water is upgrading the water and wastewater network along Curtis Road, Heaslip Road and surrounding streets between Angle Vale and Munno Para West. Current works include wastewater mains along Curtis Road between Andrews Road and Heaslip Road, new water and wastewater mains along Heaslip Road, works across the Northern Expressway and associated pump station works. The project forms part of SA Water's metropolitan growth program supporting housing growth in Adelaide's northern suburbs, with construction traffic impacts continuing through mid-2027.
Tudor Vale Shopping Centre, Munno Para West
Construction is underway on the $60 million Coles-anchored Tudor Vale Shopping Centre, part of a broader $175 million retail precinct. The 6,420sqm facility features a full-line Coles, Liquorland, Terry White Chemist, and St Georges Bakery. Handover for the bulky goods and showroom precinct is expected in late 2027, while the main shopping centre aims for completion by the end of 2026. The site includes 300 car parks and four EV charging stations.
Tudor Vale Shopping Centre
A 175 million dollar retail development forming the commercial heart of the Tudor Vale masterplanned community. The project features a 6,420sqm shopping centre anchored by a Coles supermarket, Liquorland, and pharmacy, alongside a significant 20,000sqm large-format retail precinct. The site is strategically located on the north-east side of the Northern Expressway and Curtis Road, adjacent to an existing Aldi, catering to the rapid residential growth in Adelaide's northern corridor.
Playford Alive
Playford Alive is one of Australia's largest urban renewal projects, encompassing 1,000 hectares in Adelaide's north. The project revitalizes Davoren Park and Smithfield Plains while developing greenfield land in Munno Para and Andrews Farm. As of 2026, the project has entered a major expansion phase in the 'Playford Alive East' precinct, a 71-hectare area delivering 1,480 homes. Key milestones include a $250 million Town Centre, the $32.65 million Munno Para Sportsgrounds, and a goal to house 43,000 residents by completion in 2033.
Northern Adelaide Irrigation Scheme
The Northern Adelaide Irrigation Scheme (NAIS) is a recycled water scheme delivering high-quality treated water from the Bolivar Wastewater Treatment Plant to agribusinesses across the Northern Adelaide Plains. Stage 1 infrastructure was built to provide up to 12 gigalitres per year of climate-independent recycled water for horticulture, floriculture, fruit and nut orchards, table and wine grapes, and high-value broad-acre crops, with the network designed to enable future expansion to 20 gigalitres. Key infrastructure includes an advanced water recycling plant at Bolivar, a transfer pipeline, pump stations, an above-ground earth-banked storage at Korunye, managed aquifer recharge, and a distribution network with farm-gate connection points. Construction began in 2018 and the scheme is operational. As of 2025 around 35 per cent of the contracted volume has been sold, and SA Water has been undertaking a review to assess current and forecast demand and identify potential opportunities for the scheme.
Playford North Urban Renewal Project
A major $300m+ Renewal SA master-planned urban renewal project, often referred to as Playford Alive, delivering over 2,500 new homes, parklands, and infrastructure upgrades across 120 hectares in Davoren Park. Recent 2025-2026 expansions include the Wattle Precinct and an eastern extension expected to add a further 1,480 homes to the broader region. The project integrates social housing renewal with new greenfield development, supported by a $250 million town centre and major road improvements like the Stebonheath Road extension.
Angle Vale Residential Growth Area
Major residential growth area with multiple developments including Miravale Estate and The Entrance Estate. Key growth corridor supported by new water infrastructure investments.
Employment
Employment conditions in Smithfield Plains face significant challenges, ranking among the bottom 10% of areas assessed nationally
Smithfield Plains has a balanced workforce with both white and blue collar jobs. The unemployment rate is 14.0%, as of December 2025. This is higher than Greater Adelaide's rate of 3.8%.
Workforce participation in Smithfield Plains is lower at 55.2% compared to Greater Adelaide's 66.0%. Only 4.2% of residents work from home, though Covid-19 lockdown impacts should be considered. Major employment sectors are health care & social assistance, retail trade, and manufacturing. Retail trade has a strong presence with an employment share of 1.4 times the regional level.
However, education & training shows lower representation at 4.1% compared to the regional average of 9.3%. The area offers limited local employment opportunities. Over the year to December 2025, employment increased by 0.4%, while labour force grew by 0.5%, leading to a slight rise in unemployment rate. In contrast, Greater Adelaide saw employment growth of 4.2% and a fall in unemployment rate. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May-25 suggest that Smithfield Plains' employment should increase by 5.9% over five years and 12.7% over ten years, based on industry-specific projections.
Frequently Asked Questions - Employment
Income
Income metrics place the area in the bottom 10% of locations nationally according to AreaSearch analysis
Smithfield Plains, a suburb, had median taxpayer income of $40,173 and average of $43,788 in financial year 2023. This was lower than national averages, contrasting with Greater Adelaide's median income of $54,808 and average of $66,852. By March 2026, estimated incomes would be approximately $44,259 (median) and $48,241 (average), based on Wage Price Index growth of 10.17%. In Smithfield Plains, household, family, and personal incomes fell between the 3rd and 4th percentiles nationally. The earnings band of $800 - 1,499 captured 31.7% of the community (1,171 individuals), differing from regional patterns where $1,500 - 2,999 dominated with 31.8%. Housing affordability pressures were severe, with only 78.3% of income remaining, ranking at the 4th percentile.
Frequently Asked Questions - Income
Housing
Smithfield Plains is characterized by a predominantly suburban housing profile, with a higher proportion of rental properties than the broader region
Smithfield Plains' dwellings, according to the latest Census, were 84.8% houses and 15.2% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other'). Adelaide metro had 75.2% houses and 24.9% other dwellings. Home ownership in Smithfield Plains was 12.8%, with mortgaged dwellings at 36.1% and rented at 51.1%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $1,092, below Adelaide's $1,562 average. Median weekly rent was $251, compared to Adelaide's $320. Nationally, Smithfield Plains' repayments were lower than the Australian average of $1,863 and rents were substantially below the national figure of $375.
Frequently Asked Questions - Housing
Household Composition
Smithfield Plains features high concentrations of group households, with a higher-than-average median household size
Family households account for 66.5% of all households, including 23.7% couples with children, 14.8% couples without children, and 26.0% single parent families. Non-family households make up the remaining 33.5%, consisting of 29.3% lone person households and 4.5% group households. The median household size is 2.6 people, which is larger than the Greater Adelaide average of 2.5.
Frequently Asked Questions - Households
Local Schools & Education
Smithfield Plains faces educational challenges, with performance metrics placing it in the bottom quartile of areas assessed nationally
The area's university qualification rate is 7.1%, significantly lower than the Australian average of 30.4%. Bachelor degrees are most common at 5.4%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (0.9%) and graduate diplomas (0.8%). Vocational credentials are prevalent, with 41.0% of residents aged 15+ holding them - advanced diplomas at 6.4% and certificates at 34.6%. Educational participation is high, with 36.9% currently enrolled in formal education.
This includes 16.3% in primary, 9.3% in secondary, and 3.7% 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
Public transport analysis shows 13 active transport stops in Smithfield Plains. These stops serve a mix of bus routes, with 12 individual routes providing 587 weekly passenger trips. Transport accessibility is rated good, with residents typically located 224 meters from the nearest stop. Most residents commute outward due to the area's residential nature. Car remains the dominant mode at 88%, with 7% using bus. Vehicle ownership averages 1.0 per dwelling, below the regional average.
According to the 2021 Census, a relatively low 4.2% of residents work from home, which may reflect COVID-19 conditions. Service frequency averages 83 trips per day across all routes, equating to approximately 45 weekly trips per individual stop.
Frequently Asked Questions - Transport
Transport Stops Detail
Health
Health performance in Smithfield Plains is a key challenge with a range of health conditions having marked impacts on both younger and older age cohorts
Smithfield Plains faces significant health challenges, as indicated by AreaSearch's assessment. Mortality rates and chronic condition prevalence are high across various health conditions affecting both younger and older age groups. Private health cover is low at approximately 44% of the total population (~1,639 people), compared to 52.7% in Greater Adelaide and the national average of 55.7%.
Mental health issues and asthma are the most common medical conditions, affecting 13.4% and 10.9% of residents respectively. However, 62.8% of residents claim to be completely clear of medical ailments, compared to 67.9% in Greater Adelaide. Working-age population faces notable health challenges with elevated chronic condition rates. The area has 10.1% of residents aged 65 and over (373 people), lower than the 19.2% in Greater Adelaide. Health outcomes among seniors present some challenges, broadly in line with national rankings for the general population.
Frequently Asked Questions - Health
Cultural Diversity
The level of cultural diversity witnessed in Smithfield Plains was found to be slightly above average when compared nationally for a number of language and cultural background related metrics
Smithfield Plains had a cultural diversity index above average, with 21.5% of its population born overseas and 16.9% speaking languages other than English at home. Christianity was the predominant religion in Smithfield Plains as of 20XX, comprising 34.1% of the population. Islam, however, showed an overrepresentation compared to Greater Adelaide, with 5.0% versus 3.0%.
In terms of ancestry, the top three groups were English at 30.4%, Australian at 28.7%, and Other at 13.9%. Notably, Australian Aboriginal was overrepresented in Smithfield Plains at 4.8% compared to 1.2% regionally, while German showed a slight underrepresentation at 4.3% versus 5.1%. Russian ancestry remained consistent with the regional average at 0.3%.
Frequently Asked Questions - Diversity
Age
Smithfield Plains hosts a very young demographic, ranking in the bottom 10% of areas nationwide
Smithfield Plains has a median age of 29 years, which is lower than the Greater Adelaide average of 39 and the Australian median of 38. Compared to Greater Adelaide, Smithfield Plains has a higher proportion of residents aged 5-14 (16.4%) but fewer residents aged 65-74 (5.8%). Between 2021 and present, the population aged 15-24 has increased from 14% to 15.4%, while the age group of 5-14 has decreased from 18.2% to 16.4%. By 2041, demographic projections suggest significant changes in Smithfield Plains's age profile, with the 45-54 age cohort expected to grow by 232 people (62%), increasing from 376 to 609 residents.