Smithfield (SA)

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

As of Feb 2026, the population of the suburb of Smithfield (SA) is estimated at around 2,903. This reflects an increase from its 2021 Census population of 2,482 people. The growth of 421 people (17.0%) since the 2021 Census was inferred from AreaSearch's estimate of 2,847 residents based on latest ERP data release by ABS in June 2024 and an additional 94 validated new addresses since the Census date. This results in a population density ratio of 1,382 persons per square kilometer, higher than the average seen across national locations assessed by AreaSearch. Smithfield's growth rate exceeded both state (9.0%) and Greater Adelaide averages, marking it as a regional growth leader. Natural growth contributed approximately 50.0% of overall population gains during recent periods.

Population projections indicate a significant increase in the top quartile of statistical areas analysed by AreaSearch, with the suburb expected to grow by 605 persons to 2041 based on aggregated SA2-level projections, reflecting an increase of 9.7% over the 17 years.

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

AreaSearch analysis of ABS building approval numbers allocated from statistical area data indicates Smithfield has experienced around 52 dwelling approvals per year over the past five financial years, totalling an estimated 262 homes. As of FY-26, 25 approvals have been recorded. The average new resident per year per dwelling constructed over this period is 0.3. Commercial approvals registered in FY-26 amount to $1.0 million.

Compared to Greater Adelaide, Smithfield shows moderately higher construction activity at 15.0% above the regional average per person over the five-year period. Recent construction comprises 90.0% standalone homes and 10.0% medium and high-density housing. With around 58 people per dwelling approval, Smithfield exhibits characteristics of a growth area. Future projections suggest Smithfield will add approximately 280 residents by 2041, according to the latest AreaSearch quarterly estimate.

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

Smithfield has emerging levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the 29thth percentile nationally

Changes to local infrastructure significantly impact an area's performance. AreaSearch has identified four projects likely to affect this region. Major initiatives include Tudor Vale Shopping Centre, Munno Para West, Riverbanks College Angle Vale, Playford Alive, and Playford North Urban Renewal Project. The following details projects of particular relevance.

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.

AreaSearch assessment indicates Smithfield faces employment challenges relative to the majority of Australian markets

Smithfield's workforce is balanced across white and blue-collar jobs with varied sector representation. Its unemployment rate was 11.9% as of September 2025. Employment grew by an estimated 2.9% over the preceding year.

The area had 1,022 employed residents in September 2025, with an unemployment rate of 8.0%, higher than Greater Adelaide's 3.9%. Workforce participation was lower at 51.6% compared to Greater Adelaide's 66.4%. Only 6.1% of residents worked from home according to Census responses. Leading industries were health care & social assistance, retail trade, and manufacturing.

Manufacturing had notable concentration with employment levels at 1.6 times the regional average. Education & training showed lower representation at 4.4% versus the regional average of 9.3%. The worker-to-resident ratio was 0.9 in the Census year. Between September 2024 and September 2025, employment levels increased by 2.9%, labour force grew by 2.1%, and unemployment fell by 0.7 percentage points. In contrast, Greater Adelaide saw employment rise by 3.0%, labour force grow by 2.9%, and unemployment fall by 0.1 percentage points. National employment forecasts from Jobs and Skills Australia (May-25) project national growth of 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Smithfield's employment mix suggests local growth could be 5.9% over five years and 12.8% over ten years, though this is a simplified extrapolation for illustrative purposes only.

Income metrics place the area in the bottom 10% of locations nationally according to AreaSearch analysis

The suburb of Smithfield's median income among taxpayers was $45,691 and average income stood at $49,247 in the financial year 2023. These figures are lower than national averages of $54,808 and $66,852 respectively. By September 2025, estimates suggest median income would be approximately $49,712 and average income around $53,581 based on an 8.8% growth in wages since financial year 2023. Census data indicates that household, family, and personal incomes in Smithfield fall between the 5th percentile nationally. Income distribution shows that 31.4% of locals (911 people) earn within the $800 - $1,499 bracket, compared to the region where 31.8% earn between $1,500 and $2,999. Housing affordability is severe in Smithfield, with only 79.6% of income remaining after housing costs, ranking at the 5th percentile nationally.

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

Smithfield's dwelling structure, as per the latest Census, consisted of 79.9% houses and 20.1% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings), compared to Adelaide metro's 75.2% houses and 24.9% other dwellings. Home ownership in Smithfield was at 16.9%, with mortgaged dwellings at 33.0% and rented ones at 50.1%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $1,100, below Adelaide metro's average of $1,562. The median weekly rent in Smithfield was $260, compared to Adelaide metro's $320. Nationally, Smithfield's mortgage repayments were significantly lower than the Australian average of $1,863, and rents were substantially below the national figure of $375.

Smithfield features high concentrations of group households and lone person households, with a fairly typical median household size

Family households account for 65.7% of all households, including 22.2% couples with children, 19.2% couples without children, and 22.4% single parent families. Non-family households make up the remaining 34.3%, with lone person households at 30.3% and group households comprising 4.3% of the total. The median household size is 2.5 people, matching the Greater Adelaide average.

The educational profile of Smithfield exceeds national averages, with above-average qualification levels and academic performance metrics

The area's university qualification rate is 9.1%, significantly lower than the Australian average of 30.4%. This disparity presents both challenges and opportunities for targeted educational initiatives. Bachelor degrees are the most common at 7.0%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (1.5%) and graduate diplomas (0.6%). Trade and technical skills are prevalent, with 37.0% of residents aged 15+ holding vocational credentials – advanced diplomas at 7.1% and certificates at 29.9%.

Educational participation is notably high, with 34.0% of residents currently enrolled in formal education. This includes 14.7% in primary education, 8.4% in secondary education, and 4.4% pursuing tertiary education.

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

Smithfield has 18 active public transport stops serving a mix of train and bus services. These stops are covered by 22 routes that facilitate 2,783 weekly passenger trips in total. Residents have good access to transport, with an average distance of 233 meters to the nearest stop. In this predominantly residential area, most commuters travel outward. Cars remain the primary mode of transport at 90%, while bus usage is 8%. On average, there's one vehicle per dwelling, which is below the regional norm.

According to the 2021 Census, only 6.1% of residents work from home, a figure that may be influenced by COVID-19 conditions. Service frequency across all routes averages 397 trips per day, equating to about 154 weekly trips per stop.

Health performance in Smithfield is a key challenge with a range of health conditions having marked impacts on both younger and older age cohorts

Smithfield faces significant health challenges, as assessed by AreaSearch through mortality rates and chronic condition prevalence. Multiple health conditions impact both younger and older age groups. Private health cover is extremely low at approximately 47% of the total population (~1,350 people), compared to 52.7% in Greater Adelaide and a national average of 55.7%.

Mental health issues affect 12.2% of residents, while arthritis impacts 10.0%. Conversely, 60.6% report no medical ailments, lower than the 67.9% across Greater Adelaide. Working-age individuals face notable health challenges due to elevated chronic condition rates. The area has 16.8% of residents aged 65 and over (487 people), which is lower than the 19.3% in Greater Adelaide. Senior health outcomes present some challenges, broadly aligning with national rankings for the general population.

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

Smithfield's population was found to be more culturally diverse than most local markets, with 28.4% born overseas and 20.5% speaking a language other than English at home. Christianity was the predominant religion in Smithfield, comprising 36.1% of the population. However, Islam was notably overrepresented, making up 8.6%, compared to the Greater Adelaide average of 3.0%.

In terms of ancestry, the top three groups were English (30.4%), Australian (25.8%), and Other (15.2%). The latter was significantly higher than the regional average of 9.7%. Some ethnic groups showed notable differences: Hungarian representation was 0.4% in Smithfield versus 0.3% regionally, German was 4.3% compared to 5.1%, and Welsh remained at 0.6%.

Smithfield's population is younger than the national pattern

Smithfield has a median age of 35, which is younger than Greater Adelaide's figure of 39 and slightly below Australia's median age of 38 years. The 15-24 age group comprises 15.6% of Smithfield's population, higher than Greater Adelaide's proportion, while the 75-84 cohort makes up 5.1%. Between 2021 and present, the 15-24 age group has increased from 13.5% to 15.6%, whereas the 45-54 cohort has decreased from 11.7% to 10.4%. By 2041, demographic projections indicate significant changes in Smithfield's age structure. The 45-54 group is expected to grow by 29%, reaching 388 people from the current 301. Meanwhile, the 5-14 age group is projected to decrease by 5 residents.