Taperoo

An assessment of population growth drivers in Taperoo reveals an overall ranking slightly below national averages considering recent, and medium term trends

Based on ABS population updates and AreaSearch validation, the population of Taperoo was estimated at around 3,724 as of Feb 2026. This shows an increase of 474 people since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 3,250. The change is inferred from AreaSearch's resident population estimate of 3,669 in Jun 2024 and additional validated new addresses since the Census date. This results in a density ratio of 1,619 persons per square kilometer, above national averages assessed by AreaSearch. Taperoo's growth of 14.6% since the 2021 census exceeded both state (9.0%) and Greater Adelaide figures, marking it as a regional growth leader. Overseas migration contributed approximately 47.0% of overall population gains during recent periods, with all drivers 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 and years post-2032, the SA State Government's Regional/LGA projections by age category are adopted, based on 2021 data and released in 2023. Considering projected demographic shifts, Taperoo is expected to increase by just below the median of statistical areas analysed by AreaSearch, with an expansion of 358 persons to 2041, reflecting a total increase of 0.9% over the 17 years.

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

AreaSearch analysis shows Taperoo averaged approximately 59 new dwelling approvals per year over the past five financial years, totalling an estimated 299 homes. By FY-26, 32 approvals have been recorded. The average number of new residents per year per dwelling constructed between FY-21 and FY-25 was around 0.6. This suggests that new construction is meeting or exceeding demand, providing more options for buyers and potentially facilitating population growth beyond current projections.

The average value of new homes under construction is approximately $479,000, indicating developers are targeting the premium market segment with higher-end properties. Commercial approvals in FY-26 totalled $73.6 million, reflecting high levels of local commercial activity.

Recent construction comprises 82.0% detached houses and 18.0% townhouses or apartments, preserving Taperoo's suburban character while favouring detached housing more than current patterns suggest (58.0% at Census), demonstrating ongoing robust demand for family homes despite increasing density pressures. With around 55 people per approval, Taperoo reflects a developing area. Population forecasts indicate Taperoo will gain approximately 34 residents by 2041, based on the latest AreaSearch quarterly estimate. Current construction levels should adequately meet housing demand, creating favourable conditions for buyers while potentially enabling growth that exceeds current forecasts.

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

Infrastructure changes significantly influence an area's performance. AreaSearch identified one major project impacting the region: Largs Reserve Clubrooms Redevelopment, Largs Bay Playspace and Facilities Upgrade, Centre St, Largs Bay, and Our Port.

Professional plan users can use the search below to filter and access additional projects.

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

Taperoo has a balanced workforce with diverse sector representation. The unemployment rate was 7.9% as of September 2025, based on AreaSearch aggregation of statistical area data. Employment growth over the past year was estimated at 4.7%.

As of September 2025, 1,559 residents were in work while the unemployment rate was 3.9% higher than Greater Adelaide's rate of 3.9%. Workforce participation lagged significantly at 55.0%, compared to Greater Adelaide's 66.4%. Only 7.1% of residents worked from home, although Covid-19 lockdown impacts should be considered. Leading employment industries among residents included health care & social assistance, retail trade, and construction.

The area showed strong specialization in transport, postal & warehousing, with an employment share 1.6 times the regional level. Conversely, education & training had lower representation at 6.5% versus the regional average of 9.3%. Employment opportunities appeared limited locally, as indicated by the count of Census working population vs resident population. Between September 2024 and September 2025, employment levels increased by 4.7% and labour force increased by 4.2%, resulting in a 0.5 percentage point decrease in unemployment. In Greater Adelaide, employment rose by 3.0%, the labour force grew by 2.9%, and unemployment fell by 0.1 percentage points during the same period. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May-25 suggested potential future demand within Taperoo. These projections estimated national employment growth at 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these industry-specific projections to Taperoo's employment mix, local employment was expected to increase by 6.2% over five years and 13.2% over ten years.

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

AreaSearch's latest postcode level ATO data for financial year ended June 2023 shows income in Taperoo is below national average. Median income is $43,806 and average income stands at $51,280. This contrasts with Greater Adelaide's median income of $54,808 and average income of $66,852. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 8.8% from July 2023 to September 2025, current estimates for Taperoo would be approximately $47,661 (median) and $55,793 (average). Census data from 2021 shows incomes in Taperoo fall between 4th and 10th percentiles nationally. Income distribution reveals 27.1% of population (1,009 individuals) earn within $400 - $799 range, differing from regional norm where $1,500 - $2,999 category predominates at 31.8%. Housing affordability pressures are severe with only 79.8% of income remaining, ranking at 4th percentile nationally.

Taperoo displays a diverse mix of dwelling types, with a higher proportion of rental properties than the broader region

Taperoo's dwelling structures, as per the latest Census, consisted of 58.0% houses and 42.0% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings), contrasting with Adelaide metro's 75.2% houses and 24.9% other dwellings. Home ownership in Taperoo stood at 24.1%, with mortgaged dwellings at 32.5% and rented ones at 43.4%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $1,359, lower than Adelaide metro's average of $1,562, while the median weekly rent was $250, compared to Adelaide metro's $320. Nationally, Taperoo's mortgage repayments were significantly lower at $1,359 versus Australia's average of $1,863, and rents were substantially below the national figure of $375.

Taperoo features high concentrations of lone person households and group households, with a lower-than-average median household size

Family households comprise 62.3% of all households, including 20.1% couples with children, 19.6% couples without children, and 20.5% single parent families. The remaining 37.7% are non-family households, consisting of 33.4% lone person households and 4.0% group households. The median household size is 2.3 people, which is smaller than the Greater Adelaide average of 2.5.

Taperoo faces educational challenges, with performance metrics placing it in the bottom quartile of areas assessed nationally

The area's university qualification rate is 12.8%, significantly lower than Australia's average of 30.4%. This disparity presents both a challenge and an opportunity for focused educational initiatives. Bachelor degrees are the most common at 9.1%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (2.7%) and graduate diplomas (1.0%). Vocational credentials are prevalent, with 38.8% of residents aged 15+ holding such qualifications - advanced diplomas at 8.0% and certificates at 30.8%.

Educational participation is high, with 26.8% of residents currently enrolled in formal education. This includes 10.9% in primary education, 7.5% in secondary education, and 3.6% pursuing tertiary education.

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

Transport analysis indicates 17 active stops operating within Taperoo, offering a mix of train and bus services. These stops are served by 10 individual routes, collectively facilitating 491 weekly passenger trips. Transport accessibility is rated excellent, with residents typically located 195 meters from the nearest stop. Primarily residential, most residents commute outward. Car remains dominant at 88%, with train at 7%. Vehicle ownership averages 1.0 per dwelling, below regional average.

Only 7.1% of residents work from home (2021 Census). Service frequency averages 70 trips daily across all routes, equating to approximately 28 weekly trips per stop.

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

Taperoo faces significant health challenges as per AreaSearch's assessment. Mortality rates and chronic condition prevalence are high, affecting various age groups. Private health cover is low at approximately 47% of Taperoo's total population (~1,762 people), compared to Greater Adelaide's 52.7% and the national average of 55.7%.

Mental health issues and arthritis are the most common medical conditions, affecting 12.2% and 10.4% of residents respectively. However, 57.6% of Taperoo residents report no medical ailments, compared to Greater Adelaide's 67.9%. The working-age population faces notable health challenges due to elevated chronic condition rates. Taperoo has 19.8% of residents aged 65 and over (737 people). Health outcomes among seniors present some challenges, broadly in line with national rankings for the general population.

Taperoo ranks below the Australian average when compared to other local markets across a number of language and cultural background related metrics

Taperoo, as per data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics Census conducted on 9 August 2016, exhibited low cultural diversity with 82.8% of its residents born in Australia. This was coupled with a high citizenship rate of 88.9%, and 91.1% speaking English exclusively at home. Christianity dominated religious beliefs in Taperoo, with 36.7%.

However, Judaism showed an overrepresentation, comprising 0.1% compared to the Greater Adelaide average of 0.1%. Ancestry wise, English (29.9%) and Australian (29.1%) were the top groups, significantly higher than regional averages of 22.8%, followed by Scottish at 7.2%. Notable deviations included Polish (1.3% vs regional 1.0%), Russian (0.6% vs 0.3%), and Hungarian (0.4% vs 0.3%) populations in Taperoo.

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

Taperoo's median age is 39 years, matching Greater Adelaide's average of 39 and closely aligned with Australia's median of 38. Compared to Greater Adelaide, Taperoo has a notably higher proportion of residents aged 45-54 (13.2% vs local average) and fewer residents aged 85+ (1.8%). Post-2021 Census, the 75-84 age group grew from 6.0% to 7.5%, while the 55-64 cohort declined from 12.4% to 10.9%. By 2041, demographic modeling projects significant changes in Taperoo's age profile. The 75-84 cohort is expected to grow by 26%, adding 73 residents to reach 353. Residents aged 65 and older are projected to account for 72% of the population growth. Conversely, population declines are anticipated for the 0-4 and 25-34 age groups.