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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
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South Plympton has an estimated 4,879 residents, up from 4,721 at the 2021 Census — a change of 158 people, or 3.3%. Growth has averaged 0.7% a year over five years. That puts 3,108 residents on each square kilometre. Population is estimated from ABS Estimated Resident Population releases and GNAF address data, re-based from the 2021 Census and updated annually.
Detail
South Plympton's population is estimated at around 4,879 as of May 2026, according to AreaSearch's evaluation of ABS demographic updates for the wider region and new address points confirmed by AreaSearch since the Census. This represents a growth of 158 people (3.3%) from the 2021 Census, which counted 4,721 people. The figure is derived from an estimated resident count of 4,861 calculated by AreaSearch using the ABS June 2025 release of ERP data, supplemented by 86 validated new addresses registered since the Census. This population level yields a density of 3,107 persons per square kilometer, placing the suburb in the top quartile of Australian locations analyzed by AreaSearch.
South Plympton has shown consistent growth over the last ten years, recording a 1.4% compound annual growth rate that exceeded the SA3 region's pace. The expansion was chiefly driven by overseas arrivals, who accounted for approximately 75.0% of the overall population growth in recent times. AreaSearch utilizes the 2024 demographic projections from the ABS and Geoscience Australia for individual SA2 regions, which use 2022 as their starting point. In instances where SA2 regions lack this data, and for any projections past 2032, calculations incorporate the SA State Government's 2023 age-specific regional and LGA forecasts based on 2021 records, adjusted via a weighted aggregation method to scale LGA growth up to SA2 units. Future trends point to population expansion above the median for locations assessed by AreaSearch. Aggregated projections at the SA2 level suggest the area will add 816 residents by 2041, representing a total growth of 16.4% over the 16 years.
Frequently Asked Questions - Population
143 new dwellings have been approved in South Plympton over the past five years, an average of 28 a year. That is 6.0 approvals per 1,000 residents. Of the 29 dwellings approved in the latest reporting year, 62% were detached houses and the rest townhouses or apartments. Approvals are currently running at an annualised 19, well below that longer-run average. Figures come from ABS building approvals aggregated to this Suburb (SAL) boundary and are updated monthly as the ABS releases them.
Detail
Based on AreaSearch's parsing of building approvals data from the ABS mapped from regional statistics, South Plympton averages about 28 residential approvals per year. This accounts for an estimated 143 home approvals across the past 5 financial years (from FY-21 to FY-25) and 18 approvals recorded during the current FY-26. A ratio of 1.1 new residents per approved dwelling over the 5 financial years between FY-21 and FY-25 suggests a healthy alignment of supply and demand, supporting a balanced property market, though this metric dropped to 0.5 individuals per home over the past 2 financial years, pointing to a more stable balance of supply.
The average construction cost for new dwellings sits at $326,000. In addition, commercial approvals have reached $2.2 million this financial year, reinforcing the suburb's primarily residential profile. South Plympton registers 16.0% less residential development per resident compared to Greater Adelaide, though it ranks in the 66th percentile of all analyzed locations nationwide. Newly approved buildings consist of 62.0% standalone houses and 38.0% multi-unit developments or apartments, showing an increasing variety of semi-detached options that provide options across different price brackets, ranging from larger family residences to more affordable compact dwellings. The suburb has approximately 211 residents for each approved dwelling, which indicates a low density market environment. Forecasts indicate that South Plympton's population will expand by 798 residents through to 2041, calculated from the most recent quarterly estimate by AreaSearch. Current building volumes appear to be in equilibrium with projected demand, promoting a stable market climate without generating significant pressure on prices.
Frequently Asked Questions - Development
Development applications around South Plympton
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| Lodged | Address | Description | Type | Distance | Status |
|---|
SOURCE: Planning portals and council registers, compiled by AreaSearch. Distance & bearing measured from the suburb midpoint.
AreaSearch tracks 4 current infrastructure and development projects close to South Plympton, worth an estimated $15 million. 1 are already under construction and 1 are due for completion within three years. The pipeline spans residential development and transport & logistics. Records are compiled from Infrastructure Australia, state agencies, council planning portals and public announcements, reviewed and updated daily, then ranked by proximity, construction stage, completion horizon and project scale.
Detail
Local infrastructure projects, major developments, and urban planning decisions are key drivers of regional performance. AreaSearch has identified one project that is expected to affect this area. The main projects identified as relevant include the Tram Grade Separation Projects, the Tram Grade Separation Project (Glenelg Line), the River Torrens to Darlington Project (T2D) - South Road Resurfacing Works, and the Morphettville Racecourse Redevelopment, with details provided on the most significant initiatives.
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Frequently Asked Questions - Infrastructure
Mooringe Avenue Development, North Plympton
Renewal SA is offering a prime 3,650my development-ready site in Adelaide's western suburbs, ideal for a small-scale medium density residential development. Located 7 km from Adelaide's CBD and close to Kurralta Park Shopping Centre, the corner allotment at 70-74 Mooringe Ave, North Plympton, features 128 m of street frontage, allowing for flexible and innovative development options. The site is zoned General Neighbourhood under South Australia's Planning and Design Code, supporting a streamlined development timeline, and is offered as a direct sale with a requirement for residential development and timely commencement post-settlement.The area is a high-demand residential suburb with significant property price growth, with the median house price rising 15.5% in the past 12 months to $930,000.
Tram Grade Separation Project (Glenelg Line)
Removal of the Glenelg tram line level crossings at Marion Road and Cross Road, Plympton, by constructing a tram overpass across both roads to reduce congestion and improve safety and travel times. This project is part of the larger effort to create a non-stop South Road. The project will also include a new tram stop, an elevated Mike Turtur Bikeway, and revitalized open space.
Fig Tree Terraces
A residential development in Melrose Park delivering 36 new homes, including 21 homes sold off the plan and 15 social housing apartments. The project is located in a leafy neighbourhood, offering walkability to key amenities such as shops and transport. It contributes to housing supply in the Adelaide South Growth Areas.
River Torrens to Darlington Project (T2D) - South Road Resurfacing Works
Resurfacing works on a 3km section of South Road between Glengarry Avenue, Glandore, and Bennet Avenue, Melrose Park, delivering a smoother and safer ride for motorists. Further works were undertaken from Daws Road to Lloyd Street, St Marys. These works involve removing the existing pavement and replacing it with asphalt to ensure long-term safety and integrity. This is part of a package of 13 infrastructure upgrades designed to support and complement the revitalised T2D Project.
2,872 residents of South Plympton are employed, from a labour force of 2,976. Unemployment sits at 3.5%, with participation at 71.7%. Weighted for its industry mix, the area's sectors are forecast to grow about 6.9% nationally over five years. That reflects industry composition only and makes no allowance for local population growth. The working-day population is estimated at 3,690, about 76% of the resident population, so more people leave the area for work than travel in. Unemployment and labour force come from ABS Small Area Labour Markets, updated quarterly; the industry and occupation profile is from the 2021 Census.
Detail
The suburb has a well-educated labor force with strong representation in the essential services sectors, an unemployment rate of just 3.5%, and an annual employment growth rate estimated at 5.4% based on AreaSearch's aggregation of local statistical areas. In March 2026, there were 2,872 employed local residents. The local unemployment rate is 0.3% lower than the Greater Adelaide figure of 3.8%, while the labor participation rate is significantly higher, standing at 71.7% compared to 66.6% across Greater Adelaide. Census records show that only 11.1% of working residents performed their jobs from home, although this figure may be influenced by pandemic-related lockdowns.
The top industries employing local residents are healthcare & social assistance, education & training, and retail trade. On the other hand, manufacturing employs a lower share of the workforce at 5.6% compared to the metropolitan average of 7.0%. Comparing the Census count of working residents to those employed locally suggests that this predominantly residential suburb offers few employment opportunities within its own boundaries. AreaSearch's analysis of SALM and ABS data for the broader region shows that over the 12-month period, local employment grew by 5.4% while the overall labor force expanded by 4.6%, leading to a reduction in the unemployment rate by 0.7 percentage points. Over the same timeframe, Greater Adelaide saw employment grow by 4.2% and its labor force expand by 4.0%, with the unemployment rate declining by 0.2 percentage points. The national employment projections from Jobs and Skills Australia published in May-25 offer additional context on future demand in South Plympton. These five and ten-year forecasts are mapped to the local industry mix to estimate future employment trends. Although overall Australian employment is projected to grow by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, the rate of change varies widely by sector. Applying these sectoral trends to the local workforce profile suggests that employment for South Plympton residents could grow by 6.9% over five years and 14.4% over ten years, which is a basic weighted extrapolation that does not account for local population changes.
Frequently Asked Questions - Employment
Median household income in South Plympton is $1,552 a week (about $81,000 a year), with median personal income at $805 a week. ATO records put median taxable income at $53,790 a year against an average of $62,126. Household income is from the 2021 Census; taxable income is from ATO Taxation Statistics for the latest financial year available, indexed forward using the ABS Wage Price Index.
Detail
Based on AreaSearch's compilation of postcode-level tax data released by the ATO for the 2023 financial year, taxpayers in South Plympton recorded a median income of $53,790 and an average income of $62,126. These figures are lower than the national averages and compare to metropolitan Adelaide medians of $54,808 and averages of $66,852. Applying Wage Price Index growth of 10.17% since the 2023 financial year yields estimated figures of approximately $59,260 for the median and $68,444 for the average as of March 2026. The 2021 Census data indicates that household, family, and individual incomes in the suburb are moderate, placing between the 38th and 50th percentiles.
The largest income bracket is the $1,500 - 2,999 weekly category, accounting for 32.8% of households (1,600 residents), which is similar to the metropolitan Adelaide share of 31.8%. Financial strain from housing costs is substantial, as residents retain only 83.7% of their income after housing expenses, placing the area in the 39th percentile nationally, with a SEIFA income ranking in the 5th decile.
Frequently Asked Questions - Income
South Plympton had 1,963 occupied dwellings at the 2021 Census, 61% detached houses and 22% apartments. 37% are owned with a mortgage, 32% rented and 31% owned outright. At that Census the median rent was $340 a week and the median mortgage repayment $1,700 a month. Rent absorbs 21.9% of household income here and mortgage repayments 25.3%. Dwelling stock, tenure and housing costs are 2021 Census measures — the only source that counts dwellings at this boundary size.
Detail
According to the latest Census, residential dwellings in South Plympton consisted of 60.9% standalone houses and 39.2% other types of housing, including semi-detached homes, apartments, and alternative structures, whereas the broader Adelaide metropolitan area recorded 75.2% standalone houses and 24.9% other dwellings. Home ownership in the suburb matched the Adelaide metropolitan level at 31.2%, with the remaining properties occupied by households with a mortgage (36.8%) or renters (32.0%). The median monthly mortgage payment in the area was higher than the metropolitan average at $1,700, while the median weekly rent was $340, compared to Adelaide metro figures of $1,562 and $320.
On a national scale, mortgage payments in South Plympton are below the Australian average of $1,863, and rents are below the national median of $375.
Frequently Asked Questions - Housing
South Plympton counted 1,963 households at the 2021 Census, averaging 2.3 people each. 26% are couples with children, against 24% couples without children. 33% of households are people living alone, and families average 1.3 children. Household and family composition is measured only by the Census, so these are 2021 figures.
Detail
Families make up the majority of households at 61.8%, consisting of 26.4% couples with children, 24.2% couples without children, and 9.6% single parents. Non-family households represent the remaining 38.2% of homes, with single-person households making up 32.6% and shared households accounting for 5.7%. The average household size in the suburb is 2.3 people, which is below the Greater Adelaide average of 2.5.
Frequently Asked Questions - Households
36.1% of adults in South Plympton hold a university qualification, including 24.7% with a bachelor degree and 8.0% with postgraduate qualifications. A further 18.9% hold a vocational qualification. 3 schools serve the area, with 1,279 enrolment places and an average ICSEA of 1,058 against a national benchmark of 1,000. Qualifications come from the 2021 Census; school enrolments, ICSEA and results come from ACARA's current release.
Detail
Residents in South Plympton show high levels of education compared to regional averages, with 36.1% of people aged 15+ holding a university degree, compared to 25.7% across SA and 28.1% in the SA4 region. This educational profile positions the suburb well for industries requiring professional skills. Bachelor degrees are the most common higher qualification at 24.7%, followed by postgraduate degrees at 8.0% and graduate diplomas at 3.4%. Technical qualifications are also common, with 29.3% of residents aged 15+ holding vocational qualifications, split between advanced diplomas at 10.4% and certificates at 18.9%.
Student numbers are high in the suburb, with 27.1% of the population enrolled in an educational program. This student population includes 8.3% attending primary school, 7.4% studying at tertiary institutions, and 5.1% enrolled in secondary school.
Frequently Asked Questions - Education
Schools Detail
Public transport in South Plympton reaches 22 stops on 24 routes, timetabled for about 2,000 services a week. The typical home sits about 170 m from its nearest stop. Buses carry the largest share of public transport commuters. Households keep an average of 1.2 vehicles. Stop and service counts are built from operators' published GTFS timetables and refresh with each timetable release; vehicle ownership is from the 2021 Census.
Detail
Public transport systems in South Plympton feature 22 active stops, providing access to a combination of light rail and bus services. These stops support 24 distinct routes, which accommodate 1,989 passenger trips every week. Accessibility is strong, with residents living an average of 171 meters from their nearest transport connection. As the area is mostly residential, most workers commute to other locations. Private vehicles remain the primary mode of travel at 81%, with 7% of residents using buses and 2% cycling. Car ownership averages 1.2 vehicles per household, which is below the metropolitan average.
A relatively low proportion of residents, 11.1%, work from home, based on the 2021 Census, which may reflect pandemic-era conditions. Service frequency averages 284 trips per day across all routes, which translates to roughly 90 weekly trips at each transport stop.
Frequently Asked Questions - Transport
Transport Stops Detail
72.3% of residents in South Plympton report no long-term health condition. 5.8% need daily assistance with core activities, and 51.6% hold private health cover. The standardised death rate runs at 5.6 per 1,000 residents. Health conditions, assistance needs and insurance are 2021 Census measures; the death rate comes from current ABS releases.
Detail
Local health outcomes are generally positive, with AreaSearch's evaluation of mortality rates and health statistics showing results that align with national trends. The occurrence of common medical conditions is low in the broader population, though it exceeds national averages among older, high-risk groups. Private health insurance coverage is relatively low, with about 52% of the population holding private policies, representing approximately 2,516 people. Arthritis and mental health conditions are the most prevalent diagnoses among residents, affecting 7.6% and 7.2% of the population respectively. Meanwhile, 72.3% of residents reported having no chronic medical conditions, compared to 67.9% across the Adelaide metropolitan area.
Working-age residents exhibit good health outcomes with low rates of chronic illness. Residents aged 65 and over make up 20.1% of the population (980 people), which ranks lower on a national scale than the broader population profile.
Frequently Asked Questions - Health
33.3% of South Plympton residents were born overseas and 31.2% speak a language other than English at home, more culturally diverse than 76% of areas nationally. The largest reported ancestries are English (22.3%) and Australian (20.6%). Ancestry, language and country of birth are counted only by the Census, so these are 2021 figures.
Detail
South Plympton displays high cultural diversity, with 33.3% of residents born outside Australia and 31.2% using a non-English language at home. Christianity is the most common religious affiliation, followed by 42.8% of the population. Hinduism shows a notable concentration in the area, representing 5.6% of residents compared to 2.8% across the Greater Adelaide region. Regarding parent birthplaces, the main ancestries reported in South Plympton are English at 22.3% of the population, which is lower than the metropolitan average of 27.8%, Australian at 20.6%, and Other at 11.0%. Specific demographic patterns show higher concentrations of Hungarian ancestry at 0.5% (compared to 0.3% across the region), Polish at 1.0% (compared to 1.0% regionally) and Greek at 2.8% (compared to 2.0% regionally).
Frequently Asked Questions - Diversity
The median resident of South Plympton is 37. 29.2% of residents are aged 15 to 34. Age cohorts are not raw Census counts: the Census split is re-based to the latest ABS population estimates and state projections.
Detail
The median age of 37 years in South Plympton is slightly below the Greater Adelaide average of 39 and very close to the Australian median of 38. The 25 to 34 age bracket is highly represented locally at 18.3% of the population compared to Greater Adelaide, while the 55 to 64 bracket is lower at 9.3%. Post-2021 Census data reveals the 35 to 44 age cohort has increased from 14.1% to 15.4% of the population, and the 75 to 84 group grew from 5.4% to 6.6%. The 55 to 64 bracket fell from 10.8% to 9.3%.
Forecasts for 2041 indicate demographic shifts in South Plympton, led by the 45 to 54 cohort which is expected to expand by 32% (representing an increase of 174 people, rising from 551 to 726). The 0 to 4 group is projected to see smaller growth of 7%, adding 17 residents.
Frequently Asked Questions - Age
Data & MethodBoundaries, Sources & Method for South Plympton
9 of 14 data sections on this page were updated within the last 12 months — the newest current to Aug 2026.
Everything is aggregated to the Suburb (SAL) boundary shown above, on a 2021 Census baseline. Only 3 sections — housing, households and cultural diversity — still wait on the 2026 Census.
The ledger — source, cycle and currency by section
| Section | Source & update cycle | Currency |
|---|---|---|
| Updated within the last 12 months 9 sections | ||
| Population | ABS, GNAF, Geoscience Australia Annual (ABS ERP) | May 2026 3 months ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Re-based to the ABS Estimated Resident Population (June 2025 release) and updated with new dwellings from GNAF address data. Current to May 2026, with the 2021 Census supplying the small-area baseline. | ||
| Age profile | ABS, Geoscience Australia, State governments Annual | May 2026 3 months ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Age cohorts are re-based to the latest ABS population estimates and state projections, current to May 2026. Each cohort is held as a Census baseline and a current estimate. | ||
| Development & approvals | ABS, GNAF Monthly (ABS approvals) | Jun 2026 2 months ago headline measures · May 2026 baseline |
| Property sales & rents | Valuer General, Rental Board, ABS Weekly sales, quarterly rents | Aug 2026 this month all 21 measures |
| Sales from the state Valuer General register, refreshed weekly, and rents from quarterly rental bond lodgements. Both are read live each time this page loads, current to Aug 2026. | ||
| Infrastructure projects | Infrastructure Australia, Local governments Daily | May 2026 3 months ago all 2 projects tracked here |
| Project pipeline maintained continuously from Infrastructure Australia, state agencies, local government and public announcements. Records are added and revised daily; this area was last updated May 2026. | ||
| Employment | ABS, DEWR, JSA Quarterly (ABS SALM) | Mar 2026 5 months ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Unemployment and labour force from ABS Small Area Labour Markets, current to Mar 2026. The growth outlook applies Department of Employment (now Jobs and Skills Australia) forecasts for all 19 industry divisions to the local industry mix, so it measures sector composition rather than local expansion and makes no allowance for population growth. Job demand comes from the same agency via its Internet Vacancy Index; industry and occupation structure from the 2021 Census. | ||
| Education | ABS, ACARA Annual (ACARA) | Aug 2026 this month headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Transport | ABS, State Transport Departments Each timetable release | Jul 2026 last month headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Services & amenities | Provider directories, ACECQA Continuous | Jul 2026 last month all 14 measures |
| Annual and financial-year sources 2 sections | ||
| Income | ABS, ATO Annual (ATO) | FY 2023 3 years ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| ATO taxable income statistics for FY 2023, indexed forward using the Wage Price Index. Census household income provides the distribution detail. | ||
| Health | ABS, ATO Annual | 2024 2 years ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Census-measured — next update: 2026 Census 3 sections No more current small-area source exists for these, so they are labelled as Census-measured rather than implied to be current. | ||
| Housing | ABS 5-yearly (Census) | 2021 Census next update 2026 all 30 measures |
| Households | ABS 5-yearly (Census) | 2021 Census next update 2026 all 18 measures |
| Cultural diversity | ABS, Geoscience Australia 5-yearly (Census) | 2021 Census next update 2026 all 44 measures |
"Currency" is the most recent release feeding that section. Where the Census supplies the structural baseline underneath a current headline figure, the row says so.
How the numbers are built
Population
The Census provides the small-area baseline, aggregated from mesh blocks to this boundary. It is then re-based to the ABS Estimated Resident Population (June 2025 release), and new dwellings built since Census night are counted from address data — 86 validated new addresses here. The headline figure is therefore a current estimate for May 2026, not a 2021 count (4,721 at the 2021 Census → 4,879 now). Annual growth rates are compound (CAGR), not simple averages.
Age profile
Cohort shares are not raw Census counts. Every cohort is held as a pair — the Census baseline and a current estimate — and the split is re-based using ERP and state population projections, current to May 2026. Median age is the Census median plus modelled change since. Charts that show both are labelled "2021 Census vs Current Estimate".
Property sales
Sourced from the state valuation authority's sales register — current, not Census, and refreshed weekly. Medians are calculated from settled transactions in the period shown; periods with very low transaction counts are flagged or suppressed, because a handful of sales can move a median substantially.
Rents
Derived from state rental bond lodgement data, by dwelling type and bedroom count. Bonds are lodged at the start of a new tenancy, so this reflects new lettings, not the whole rented stock.
Development & infrastructure
Building approvals come from current ABS releases; development applications are collected from council and state planning portals; the infrastructure pipeline is compiled from Infrastructure Australia and local government sources. Applications are matched to this boundary by address or coordinates, so very recent lodgements may not yet appear.
Employment & income
Industry and occupation structure comes from the Census, but the headline labour-market indicators do not. Unemployment and labour force are derived from ABS Small Area Labour Markets (quarterly). The employment outlook applies Department of Employment forecasts for all 19 industry divisions to this area's own industry mix (the agency is now Jobs and Skills Australia), as does the Internet Vacancy Index used for job demand. Because it is weighted on industry composition alone, that outlook carries no allowance for local population growth — in fast-growing areas the real rise in local jobs will typically be higher. Income combines Census household income with ATO taxable-income statistics for FY 2023, indexed forward using the Wage Price Index.
Education, transport & amenities
School enrolments, ICSEA and performance come from ACARA's current release, not the Census. Public transport stops and service frequency are derived from GTFS timetable feeds published by state transport departments. Services and amenities are proximity and count scores built from provider directories, refreshed on their own cycle. The Census contributes only the travel-to-work and qualification measures.
Rankings and benchmarks. Where we rank this area, the comparison set is every area of the same boundary type — suburbs against suburbs, SA2s against SA2s. Benchmarks compare this area against its greater capital city region and the national figure for the same measure and period.
Limits worth knowing. Small areas carry larger error margins, and the ABS introduces small random adjustments to Census counts to protect confidentiality — so totals may not sum exactly. Estimates re-based from regional data describe the area's expected trajectory, not a direct count of it. Figures are indicative for research and are not financial, planning or valuation advice.
Cross-check us. The Census baseline for this boundary is at ABS 2021 Census QuickStats (SAL41356). QuickStats reports 2021 only — the figures on this page are more current wherever the ledger shows a later date.