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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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Stirling (SA) has an estimated 3,150 residents, up from 3,067 at the 2021 Census — a change of 83 people, or 2.7%. That puts 479 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
stirling (sa) has an estimated resident population of approximately 3,150 people as of May 2026, according to analysis of ABS population updates for the wider region and new address datasets verified by AreaSearch since the Census. This represents an increase of 83 residents (2.7%) from the 2021 Census, which counted 3,067 residents. This demographic change is calculated from the estimated resident population of 3,150, which AreaSearch determined by reviewing the ABS June 2025 ERP release alongside 6 validated new addresses established post-Census. With this population level, the density ratio is 478 persons per square kilometer, offering ample space per individual and opportunities for subsequent development.
Overseas migration was the primary driver of demographic growth in the suburb of Stirling (SA), accounting for roughly 71.0% of all population increases in recent times. AreaSearch utilizes projections from the ABS and Geoscience Australia for individual SA2 units, published in 2024 with a 2022 baseline. In cases where SA2 data is unavailable or for periods past 2032, regional and LGA age-cohort projections released by the SA State Government in 2023 (utilizing 2021 data) are applied, adjusted using a weighted aggregation method to translate growth from LGA to SA2 boundaries. Demographic modeling suggests that the suburb of Stirling (SA) will experience a population rise slightly below the median of all statistical locations assessed by AreaSearch. The area is projected to grow by 296 individuals by 2041 under these aggregated SA2-level models, representing an overall increase of 9.4% across the 16 years.
Frequently Asked Questions - Population
56 new dwellings have been approved in Stirling (SA) over the past five years, an average of 11 a year. That is 3.6 approvals per 1,000 residents. Approvals are currently running at an annualised 5, 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
Stirling has registered an average of approximately 11 new dwelling approvals yearly, representing an estimated 56 homes over the preceding 5 financial years, according to AreaSearch evaluations of ABS building approval statistics mapped from wider statistical areas. Thus far in FY-26, 5 approvals have been documented. The market appears balanced with supply meeting demand, as an average of 1.2 new residents arrived per approved dwelling each year between FY-21 and FY-25. However, this metric rose to 7 people per dwelling over the last 2 financial years, indicating rising demand and potential limits on supply.
Residential projects carry an average expected construction cost of $651,000, showing a focus by developers on premium, high-end housing. In addition, commercial approvals valued at $5.2 million have been registered during this financial year, showing a modest focus on commercial projects. Stirling exhibits a low level of building activity, sitting 65.0% below the regional average per capita for Greater Adelaide. This restricted volume of new completions generally reinforces demand and pricing for existing houses. Recent construction has consisted entirely of detached single-family dwellings, maintaining the low-density character of the neighborhood and catering to buyers seeking space. The quiet nature of the local building market is highlighted by a ratio of 1257 people in the area for every single dwelling approval. Stirling is projected to add 296 residents by 2041 based on the most recent quarterly estimate from AreaSearch. The ongoing volume of construction seems well-aligned with this projected growth, supporting balanced market conditions without causing intense upward pressure on prices.
Frequently Asked Questions - Development
Development applications around Stirling (SA)
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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.
AreaSearch tracks 4 current infrastructure and development projects close to Stirling (SA), worth an estimated $1 billion. The pipeline spans transport & logistics and health & medical. 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 works, and urban planning decisions represent significant drivers of regional performance. AreaSearch has identified no projects that are expected to impact the immediate locality. Key regional projects include the South Eastern Freeway Upgrade, Adelaide Public Transport Capacity and Access, Adelaide's Inner And Outer Ring Route Capacity Improvements, and the SA Water Capital Work Delivery Contracts 2024-28, with the main relevant details provided below.
Professional plan users can use the search below to filter and access additional projects.
INFRASTRUCTURE SEARCH
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.
Frequently Asked Questions - Infrastructure
Estia Health Myrtle Bank Expansion
Expansion of a luxury residential care facility involves building a two-storey structure with 46 beds connecting to the existing facility. The project aims to increase total beds to 118, adding four apartments.
Kalyra Belair Village
A retirement village in Belair with 119 homes, offering a range of amenities and activities for residents. Villas are available for sale.
Adelaide's Inner And Outer Ring Route Capacity Improvements
Enhancement of Adelaide's Inner and Outer Ring Routes to alleviate congestion, aiming for integrated urban mobility and addressing impacts from population growth, economic activity, and travel demand.
Adelaide Public Transport Capacity and Access
A multi-year state-led initiative to expand the capacity and reach of Adelaide's public transport network. Key focus areas include the electrification of the Outer Harbor and Belair rail lines, upgrades to the Adelaide Railway Station hub to resolve capacity bottlenecks, and the implementation of the City of Adelaide Integrated Transport Strategy (ITS) endorsed in July 2025. The program aims to support projected growth of 670,000 residents by 2051 through enhanced service frequencies, digital signaling (ETCS), and improved first/last mile access within the CBD.
1,630 residents of Stirling (SA) are employed, from a labour force of 1,663. Unemployment sits at 2.0%, with participation at 63.8%. Weighted for its industry mix, the area's sectors are forecast to grow about 7.1% nationally over five years. That reflects industry composition only and makes no allowance for local population growth. The working-day population is estimated at 2,420, about 77% 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
Stirling is characterized by a highly qualified resident workforce with a strong presence of professionals, an unemployment rate of only 2.0%, and an annual job growth rate estimated at 4.0%, according to AreaSearch aggregations of statistical area data. Employed residents numbered 1,630 as of March 2026, while the local unemployment rate sits 1.8% below the Greater Adelaide average of 3.8%. The labor force participation rate is slightly lower than the metropolitan standard, standing at 63.8% compared to 66.6% in Greater Adelaide. Census records show that a moderate 23.2% of the local workforce worked from home, though this figure may have been influenced by COVID-19 pandemic restrictions.
The primary employment sectors for local residents are healthcare and social assistance, professional and technical services, and education and training. The workforce is highly specialized in professional and technical services, representing a share 2.1 times the metropolitan average. Conversely, construction is under-represented, employing only 5.2% of Stirling's workers compared to 8.7% across Greater Adelaide. The location is heavily residential and provides few local job opportunities, as shown by comparing the count of resident workers against the local working population in the Census. During the twelve months leading to March 2026, the employed population grew by 4.0% and the overall labor force expanded by 4.2%, leading to a 0.2 percentage point rise in the unemployment rate, based on AreaSearch analysis of SALM and ABS figures aggregated from regional datasets. For comparison, Greater Adelaide recorded a 4.2% rise in employment, a 4.0% expansion in the labor force, and a 0.2 percentage point drop in unemployment. Future labor demand can be understood further via national employment projections published by Jobs and Skills Australia in May-25. These five and ten-year forecasts have been applied to the local workforce composition to estimate growth trends. Nationwide employment is projected to rise by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, with performance varying greatly by sector. Applying these industry-specific trends to the local workforce profile suggests employment for Stirling residents should grow by 7.1% over five years and 14.5% over ten years, assuming a basic weighted extrapolation that does not incorporate local population forecasts.
Frequently Asked Questions - Employment
Median household income in Stirling (SA) is $2,368 a week (about $123,000 a year), with median personal income at $1,058 a week. ATO records put median taxable income at $64,753 a year against an average of $91,657. The average runs 42% above the median, a wider spread than most areas and a sign of a concentrated group of high earners. 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
Taxpayer statistics for the 2023 financial year show a median annual income of $64,753 and an average of $91,657 in the suburb of Stirling, based on postcode-level ATO data compiled by AreaSearch. These figures are exceptionally high compared to national standards, exceeding the Greater Adelaide median of $54,808 and average of $66,852. Adjusting for a Wage Price Index increase of 10.17% since the 2023 financial year, current income estimates for March 2026 stand at roughly $71,338 for the median and $100,979 for the average. Census data places household, family, and personal incomes in Stirling between the 83rd and 86th percentiles nationally.
The largest local income bracket contains 27.9% of households earning $4000+ weekly (878 residents), differing from the broader metropolitan area where the $1,500 - 2,999 range is most common at 31.8%. The high concentration of high-income households (40.7% earning above $3,000/week) demonstrates substantial local purchasing power. Residents retain 88.5% of their income after meeting housing costs, and the area is positioned in the 10th decile on the SEIFA index of relative financial advantage.
Frequently Asked Questions - Income
Stirling (SA) had 1,153 occupied dwellings at the 2021 Census, 94% detached houses and 1% apartments. 40% are owned with a mortgage, 10% rented and 50% owned outright. At that Census the median rent was $450 a week and the median mortgage repayment $2,448 a month. Rent absorbs 19.0% of household income here and mortgage repayments 23.9%. 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 properties in Stirling consisted of 94.3% separate houses and 5.7% other housing types like semi-detached homes, apartments, and alternative structures, compared to 75.2% houses and 24.9% other dwellings across the Adelaide metropolitan area. The home ownership rate in Stirling was much higher than the metropolitan average at 49.8%, with the remaining properties being held with a mortgage (40.2%) or rented (10.0%). The median monthly mortgage payment was significantly higher than the Adelaide average at $2,448, while the median weekly rent was recorded at $450, compared to metropolitan figures of $1,562 and $320 respectively.
Nationally, Stirling's mortgage payments are much higher than the Australian median of $1,863, and weekly rents are also well above the national median of $375.
Frequently Asked Questions - Housing
Stirling (SA) counted 1,153 households at the 2021 Census, averaging 2.6 people each. 36% are couples with children, against 32% couples without children. 23% of households are people living alone, and families average 1.7 children. Household and family composition is measured only by the Census, so these are 2021 figures.
Detail
Family households make up the majority of homes at 76.4%, consisting of couples with children (36.2%), couples without children (31.9%), and single-parent households (7.5%). The remaining 23.6% are non-family households, which consist of single-person households at 22.5% and group households at 1.0%. The median household size is 2.6 residents, slightly larger than the Greater Adelaide average of 2.5.
Frequently Asked Questions - Households
51.6% of adults in Stirling (SA) hold a university qualification, including 30.4% with a bachelor degree and 14.7% with postgraduate qualifications, higher than 96% of areas nationally. A further 12.4% hold a vocational qualification. 2 schools serve the area, with 688 enrolment places and an average ICSEA of 1,128 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
Educational attainment among Stirling residents is exceptionally high, with 51.6% of those aged 15+ holding a university degree, compared to 25.7% across SA and 28.9% in Greater Adelaide. This high proportion of tertiary-educated residents positions the local population well for knowledge-intensive industries. Bachelor degrees are the most common higher qualification at 30.4%, followed by postgraduate degrees at 14.7% and graduate diplomas at 6.5%. Vocational education accounts for 23.7% of qualifications among residents aged 15 and over, split between advanced diplomas (11.3%) and certificates (12.4%). A high proportion of the population is engaged in study, with 29.6% of residents enrolled in an educational institution.
This group is composed of 10.5% in primary schools, 9.0% in secondary schools, and 6.5% enrolled in higher education.
Frequently Asked Questions - Education
Schools Detail
Public transport in Stirling (SA) reaches 30 stops on 31 routes, timetabled for about 660 services a week. The typical home sits about 320 m from its nearest stop. Buses carry the largest share of public transport commuters. Households keep an average of 1.7 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
The local public transport network features 30 active stops in Stirling, consisting of bus services. These stops are utilized by 31 separate routes, which run a combined 659 passenger trips weekly. Transport access is rated as good, with residents living an average of 322 meters from their nearest stop. As a primarily residential community, most workers travel outside the suburb, with private cars remaining the primary travel mode at 89% and bus usage at 6%. Households own an average of 1.7 vehicles, higher than the metropolitan average. Census data from 2021 indicates that 23.2% of residents work from home, which may reflect pandemic-era conditions.
Bus routes in the area provide an average of 94 daily trips across the network, which averages out to approximately 21 trips per stop each week.
Frequently Asked Questions - Transport
Transport Stops Detail
69.0% of residents in Stirling (SA) report no long-term health condition, a healthier profile than 90% of areas nationally. 3.7% need daily assistance with core activities, and 63.2% hold private health cover. The standardised death rate runs at 3.3 per 1,000 residents. Health conditions, assistance needs and insurance are 2021 Census measures; the death rate comes from current ABS releases.
Detail
Health data reveals excellent outcomes in Stirling, with AreaSearch noting low rates of mortality and chronic conditions across all age cohorts, alongside an exceptionally high rate of private health insurance covering roughly 63% of the population (1,989 people). This rate exceeds the Greater Adelaide average of 52.7% and the national benchmark of 55.7%. Arthritis and asthma are the most frequently reported chronic conditions in the locality, affecting 9.0% and 7.7% of residents. Conversely, 69.0% of the population reported no chronic health issues, compared to 67.9% across Greater Adelaide. The working-age cohort is healthy with low rates of long-term illness.
Residents aged 65 and over make up 27.1% of the population (853 people), which is higher than the Greater Adelaide proportion of 19.2%. Senior residents exhibit strong health outcomes, with national health rankings aligned with the broader community.
Frequently Asked Questions - Health
Stirling (SA) is largely Australian-born, at 79.3% of residents, with 5.7% speaking a language other than English at home. The largest reported ancestries are English (34.2%) and Australian (25.6%). Ancestry, language and country of birth are counted only by the Census, so these are 2021 figures.
Detail
Stirling has a lower level of cultural diversity than average, with 79.3% of residents born in Australia, 94.6% holding citizenship, and 94.3% speaking only English at home. Christianity is the primary religion, followed by 43.2% of the population. The most prominent religious overrepresentation is Judaism, which accounts for 0.1% of the local population, compared to 0.1% across Greater Adelaide. Regarding ancestry, the three largest ancestral groups in Stirling are English at 34.2% of the population (higher than the regional average of 27.8%), Australian at 25.6%, and Scottish at 9.1%. There are also distinct differences in other groups: German ancestry represents 7.3% of residents (compared to 5.1% regionally), Welsh is at 0.8% (compared to 0.6%), and Russian is at 0.6% (compared to 0.3%).
Frequently Asked Questions - Diversity
The median resident of Stirling (SA) is 48, older than 88% of areas nationally. 18.4% 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
Stirling has a median age of 48 years, which is older than the Greater Adelaide median of 39 years and the national average of 38 years. Compared to the wider Adelaide region, Stirling has a higher proportion of residents aged 65 to 74 (13.8%) but a lower share of young adults aged 25 to 34 (5.7%). Since the 2021 Census, the 15 to 24 age bracket grew from 10.3% to 12.7% of the population, and the 75 to 84 cohort rose from 8.2% to 10.3%. Meanwhile, the 65 to 74 group fell from 15.0% to 13.8%, and the 5 to 14 age group decreased from 14.0% to 12.9%.
Significant shifts are expected by 2041, led by a 138% increase in the 85+ cohort, which will grow by 130 people to reach 225 residents, up from 94. Aging trends will persist with residents aged 65 and over accounting for 62% of projected population growth, while the 65 to 74 cohort is expected to shrink by 14 individuals.
Frequently Asked Questions - Age
Data & MethodBoundaries, Sources & Method for Stirling (SA)
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 — 6 validated new addresses here. The headline figure is therefore a current estimate for May 2026, not a 2021 count (3,067 at the 2021 Census → 3,150 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 (SAL41384). QuickStats reports 2021 only — the figures on this page are more current wherever the ledger shows a later date.