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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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Vale Park has an estimated 2,529 residents, up from 2,452 at the 2021 Census — a change of 77 people, or 3.1%. That puts 2,504 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
According to investigations of ABS population updates for the wider region, alongside new addresses validated by AreaSearch since the Census, the resident count for the suburb of Vale Park is projected at approximately 2,529 in May 2026. This represents a growth of 77 residents (3.1%) from the 2021 Census, which documented a population of 2,452 residents. This shift is derived from a resident count of 2,520, calculated by AreaSearch using the latest ERP data release from the ABS (June 2025) plus an extra 16 validated new addresses since the Census date.
This population level translates to a density ratio of 2,504 persons per square kilometer, placing the locality in the highest quartile of national locations assessed by AreaSearch. Expansion of the local population was mainly supported by overseas migration, which made up approximately 83.0% of overall population gains in recent times. AreaSearch utilizes ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 region, published in 2024 using 2022 as the base year. For SA2 regions lacking this coverage, and for years after 2032, the SA State Government's Regional/LGA projections by age category, published in 2023 using 2021 data, are utilized with adjustments made through a weighted aggregation of population growth from LGA to SA2 levels. Looking forward, a population rise slightly below the median of statistical areas across the country is anticipated, with the region projected to grow by 254 residents to 2041 based on aggregated SA2-level projections, representing a total gain of 9.7% over the 16 years.
Frequently Asked Questions - Population
156 new dwellings have been approved in Vale Park over the past five years, an average of 31 a year. That is 12.6 approvals per 1,000 residents. Of the 30 dwellings approved in the latest reporting year, 57% were detached houses and the rest townhouses or apartments. Approvals are currently running at an annualised 7, 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 analysis of ABS building approval figures, distributed from statistical area data, the suburb of Vale Park has logged roughly 31 residential properties approved annually, with an estimated 156 homes approved over the last 5 financial years (between FY-21 and FY-25) and 7 so far in FY-26. With an average of only 0.3 people per year relocating to the area for each dwelling constructed over the last 5 financial years (between FY-21 and FY-25), new supply is matching or outstripping demand, providing buyers with many options and creating capacity for population growth beyond current forecasts, while new properties are built at an average value of $844,000, showing developers are focusing on the premium market with high-end properties.
Furthermore, $9.1 million in commercial development approvals have been logged this financial year, showing limited commercial development focus. Relative to Greater Adelaide, the suburb of Vale Park has 77.0% more construction activity (per person), which should provide buyers with plenty of options, although development activity has slowed down recently. This is well above the national average, showing strong developer confidence in the area. Recent building activity consists of 57.0% detached houses and 43.0% townhouses or apartments, showing a growing combination of attached housing types that offer choices across price ranges, from spacious family homes to more accessible compact options. This represents a significant shift from the current housing mix (currently 83.0% houses), showing reduced availability of development sites and addressing changing lifestyle demands and affordability requirements. With approximately 107 people per dwelling approval, the suburb of Vale Park demonstrates features of a low density area. Population projections indicate the suburb of Vale Park will gain 245 residents through to 2041 (from the latest AreaSearch quarterly estimate). Based on current development trends, new housing supply should easily meet demand, offering favorable conditions for buyers and potentially supporting population growth beyond current projections.
Frequently Asked Questions - Development
Development applications around Vale Park
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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 6 current infrastructure and development projects close to Vale Park, worth an estimated $46 million. 1 are already under construction. The pipeline spans residential development, sports & recreation 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
Nothing can influence an area's performance as much as changes to local infrastructure, major projects and planning initiatives. In total 2 projects have been identified by AreaSearch that are likely to have an impact on the area. Key projects include Marden Connect Development, River Torrens Linear Park Trail Upgrade - Klemzig Section, Felixstow Intergenerational Community, and Klemzig Interchange Upgrade, with the below list detailing those likely to be of most relevance.
Professional plan users can use the search below to filter and access additional projects.
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Frequently Asked Questions - Infrastructure
Broad Street Reserve Playground Upgrade
The City of Norwood Payneham & St Peters Council is upgrading the playground equipment at Broad Street Reserve, Marden, to create a more enjoyable and accessible play space for the community. The project cost is $120,000.
Marden Connect Development
The Marden Connect development by Qattro involves the replacement of ageing medium density public housing stock with contemporary medium to high-density housing, comprising 170 dwellings, with 66 designated as affordable homes through the State Government's Affordable Homes Program. The project also incorporates Water Sensitive Urban Design (WSUD) principles.
Felixstow Intergenerational Community
A six-storey intergenerational community with retirement, aged care, disability, family housing and build-to-rent apartments.
Klemzig Interchange Upgrade
Major upgrade of the Klemzig O-Bahn guided busway interchange including new sheltered waiting areas, improved accessibility, real-time passenger information, and enhanced park 'n' ride facilities, completed in 2021.
Gilberton Swing Bridge Redevelopment Project
Redevelopment of the heritage-listed Gilberton Swing Bridge, located within the River Torrens Linear Park, connecting St Peters and Gilberton. The project involved a total refurbishment to meet modern safety and design standards while retaining historical significance. Opened in January 2018, the new bridge incorporated recycled plastic bags for decking.
Lochiel Park
Completed 15 hectare sustainable residential village developed by Renewal SA on the former Lochiel Park education site, about 8 km from the Adelaide CBD. The project created an award-winning green village with over 100 dwellings, parkland, wetlands, recycled stormwater systems, solar technologies and high-efficiency homes, including South Australia's first zero-carbon home.
1,399 residents of Vale Park are employed, from a labour force of 1,438. Unemployment sits at 2.7%, with participation at 68.3%. 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 2,034, about 80% 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 of Vale Park has a highly educated workforce, with professional services strongly represented, an unemployment rate of just 2.7%, and 4.1% in estimated employment growth over the past year, based on AreaSearch aggregation of statistical area data. As of March 2026, 1,399 residents are working, while the unemployment rate is 1.1% below Greater Adelaide's rate of 3.8%, and workforce participation is generally close to Greater Adelaide's 66.6%. Based on Census responses, a moderate 14.1% of residents worked from home, though Covid-19 lockdown impacts should be taken into account.
The main employment sectors among residents are health care & social assistance, education & training, and professional & technical. Conversely, construction is under-represented, employing only 5.5% of the workforce in the suburb of Vale Park compared to 8.7% in Greater Adelaide. The mostly residential locality appears to offer limited employment opportunities locally, as shown by the count of Census working population versus resident population. According to AreaSearch analysis of SALM and ABS data, aggregated from broader statistical areas, during the year to March 2026, employment levels grew by 4.1% and the labour force expanded by 4.1%, keeping the unemployment rate relatively stable. In comparison, Greater Adelaide recorded employment growth of 4.2%, labour force growth of 4.0%, with unemployment decreasing by 0.2 percentage points. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May-25 can offer additional insight into potential future demand within the suburb of Vale Park. These projections, covering five and ten-year periods, have been mapped against the local employment profile to estimate growth patterns. While national employment is forecast to grow by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, growth rates vary significantly between industry sectors. Applying these industry-specific projections to the employment mix in the suburb of Vale Park suggests local employment should increase by 7.1% over five years and 14.6% over ten years (please note this is a simple weighting extrapolation for illustrative purposes and does not take into account localised population projections).
Frequently Asked Questions - Employment
Median household income in Vale Park is $2,031 a week (about $106,000 a year), with median personal income at $890 a week. ATO records put median taxable income at $55,831 a year against an average of $102,468. The average runs 84% 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
As per AreaSearch's latest postcode level ATO data released for financial year 2023, the suburb of Vale Park's median income among taxpayers is $55,831, with an average of $102,468. This is among the top percentile nationally, and compares to Greater Adelaide's median of $54,808 and average of $66,852. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 10.17% since financial year 2023, current estimates would be approximately $61,509 (median) and $112,889 (average) as of March 2026. According to 2021 Census figures, household, family and personal incomes in Vale Park cluster around the 66th percentile nationally.
Looking at income distribution, the predominant cohort spans 27.4% of locals (692 people) in the $1,500 - 2,999 category, mirroring regional levels where 31.8% occupy this bracket. A significant 32.0% earn above $3,000 weekly, reflecting pockets of prosperity that drive robust local economic activity. After housing costs, residents retain 87.6% of income, reflecting strong purchasing power and the area's SEIFA income ranking places it in the 8th decile.
Frequently Asked Questions - Income
Vale Park had 947 occupied dwellings at the 2021 Census, 83% detached houses and 3% apartments. 36% are owned with a mortgage, 21% rented and 43% owned outright. At that Census the median rent was $410 a week and the median mortgage repayment $2,000 a month. Rent absorbs 20.2% of household income here and mortgage repayments 22.7%. Dwelling stock, tenure and housing costs are 2021 Census measures — the only source that counts dwellings at this boundary size.
Detail
Dwelling structure within the suburb of Vale Park, as evaluated at the latest Census, comprised 82.8% houses and 17.1% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings), in comparison to Adelaide metro's 75.2% houses and 24.9% other dwellings. Meanwhile, the level of home ownership within the suburb of Vale Park was well beyond that of Adelaide metro, at 43.1%, with the remainder of dwellings either mortgaged (35.7%) or rented (21.2%). The median monthly mortgage repayment in the area was well above the Adelaide metro average at $2,000, while the median weekly rent figure was recorded at $410, compared to Adelaide metro's $1,562 and $320.
Nationally, the suburb of Vale Park's mortgage repayments are higher than the Australian average of $1,863, while rents are exceeding the national figure of $375.
Frequently Asked Questions - Housing
Vale Park counted 947 households at the 2021 Census, averaging 2.5 people each. 33% are couples with children, against 33% couples without children. 20% of households are people living alone, and families average 1.5 children. Household and family composition is measured only by the Census, so these are 2021 figures.
Detail
Family households dominate at 76.1% of all households, comprising 32.9% couples with children, 33.0% couples without children, and 9.3% single parent families. Non-family households make up the remaining 23.9%, with lone person households at 20.3% and group households comprising 3.6% of the total. The median household size of 2.5 people matches the Greater Adelaide average.
Frequently Asked Questions - Households
42.7% of adults in Vale Park hold a university qualification, including 25.6% with a bachelor degree and 12.9% with postgraduate qualifications, higher than 76% of areas nationally. A further 14.7% hold a vocational qualification. 1 school serves the area, with 411 enrolment places and an average ICSEA of 1,099 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 in the suburb of Vale Park significantly surpasses broader benchmarks, with 42.7% of residents aged 15+ holding university qualifications compared to 25.7% in SA and 28.9% in Greater Adelaide. This substantial educational advantage positions the area strongly for knowledge-based opportunities. Bachelor degrees lead at 25.6%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (12.9%) and graduate diplomas (4.2%). Vocational pathways account for 24.9% of qualifications among those aged 15+ – advanced diplomas (10.2%) and certificates (14.7%). Educational participation is notably high, with 27.1% of residents currently enrolled in formal education. This includes 8.8% in primary education, 7.7% in tertiary education, and 6.2% pursuing secondary education.
Frequently Asked Questions - Education
Schools Detail
Public transport in Vale Park reaches 10 stops on 8 routes, timetabled for about 810 services a week. The typical home sits about 190 m from its nearest stop. Buses carry the largest share of public transport commuters. Households keep an average of 1.5 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 analysis reveals 10 active transport stops operating within the suburb of Vale Park comprising a mix of buses. These stops are serviced by 8 individual routes, collectively providing 813 weekly passenger trips. Transport accessibility is rated as excellent, with residents typically located 186 meters from the nearest transport stop. As a primarily residential area, most residents commute outward - car remains the dominant mode at 86%, with 9% by bus. Vehicle ownership averages 1.5 per dwelling. Some 14.1% of residents work from home (2021 Census; may reflect COVID-19 conditions).
Service frequency averages 116 trips per day across all routes, equating to approximately 81 weekly trips per individual stop.
Frequently Asked Questions - Transport
Transport Stops Detail
72.3% of residents in Vale Park report no long-term health condition, a healthier profile than 75% of areas nationally. 4.4% need daily assistance with core activities, and 67.4% hold private health cover. The standardised death rate runs at 4.9 per 1,000 residents. Health conditions, assistance needs and insurance are 2021 Census measures; the death rate comes from current ABS releases.
Detail
Analysis of health metrics shows strong performance throughout the suburb of Vale Park, based on AreaSearch's assessment of mortality rates and chronic condition prevalence with very low prevalence of common health conditions across all age groups , and the rate of private health cover found to be exceptionally high at approximately 67% of the total population (1,704 people). This compares to 52.7% across Greater Adelaide. The national average is 55.7%. The most common medical conditions in the area were found to be arthritis and mental health issues, impacting 7.4 and 6.3% of residents, respectively, while 72.3% declared themselves as completely clear of medical ailments compared to 67.9% across Greater Adelaide.
The under-65 population demonstrates better than average health outcomes. The area has 21.3% of residents aged 65 and over (538 people), which is higher than the 19.2% in Greater Adelaide. Health outcomes among seniors are particularly strong, with national rankings even higher than the general population.
Frequently Asked Questions - Health
31.9% of Vale Park residents were born overseas and 28.8% speak a language other than English at home. The largest reported ancestries are English (23.0%) and Australian (19.1%). Ancestry, language and country of birth are counted only by the Census, so these are 2021 figures.
Detail
The suburb of Vale Park was found to be more culturally diverse than the vast majority of local markets, with 31.9% of its population born overseas and 28.8% speaking a language other than English at home. The main religion in the suburb of Vale Park was found to be Christianity, which makes up 49.5% of people in the suburb of Vale Park. However, the most apparent overrepresentation was in Hinduism, which comprises 5.8% of the population, compared to 2.8% across Greater Adelaide. In terms of ancestry (country of birth of parents), the top three represented groups in the suburb of Vale Park are English, comprising 23.0% of the population, Australian, comprising 19.1% of the population, and Other, comprising 9.5% of the population.
Additionally, there are notable divergences in the representation of certain other ethnic groups: Italian is notably overrepresented at 9.1% of the suburb of Vale Park (vs 5.2% regionally), Greek at 3.3% (vs 2.0%) and Russian at 0.5% (vs 0.3%).
Frequently Asked Questions - Diversity
The median resident of Vale Park is 41. That is 1 year younger than at the 2021 Census. 25.2% 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 41-year median age in the suburb of Vale Park is somewhat higher than Greater Adelaide's average of 39 as well as modestly exceeding the 38-year national average. The age profile shows 85+ year-olds are particularly prominent (3.5%), while the 25 - 34 group is comparatively smaller (12.0%) than in Greater Adelaide. In the period since 2021, the 15 to 24 age group has grown from 12.1% to 13.2% of the population. Conversely, the 45 to 54 cohort has declined from 13.2% to 11.4%. Looking ahead to 2041, demographic projections reveal significant shifts in the suburb of Vale Park's age structure.
The 75 to 84 age cohort is projected to increase solidly, expanding by 70 people (37%) from 192 to 263. Conversely, the 0 to 4 group will contract by 17 residents.
Frequently Asked Questions - Age
Data & MethodBoundaries, Sources & Method for Vale Park
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 — 16 validated new addresses here. The headline figure is therefore a current estimate for May 2026, not a 2021 count (2,452 at the 2021 Census → 2,529 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 (SAL41499). QuickStats reports 2021 only — the figures on this page are more current wherever the ledger shows a later date.