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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 2,527 residents, up from 2,452 at the 2021 Census — a change of 75 people, or 3.1%. That puts 2,502 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
Drawing on ABS regional population updates along with address validation carried out by AreaSearch following the Census, the suburb of Vale Park has an estimated population of 2,527 as of Aug 2026. Relative to the 2,452 people counted at the 2021 Census, this represents an addition of 75 people (3.1%). The figure is calculated from an estimated resident population of 2,519 identified by AreaSearch through the ABS June 2025 ERP release, alongside 16 validated new addresses logged post-Census. With a resulting density ratio of 2,502 persons per square kilometer, the suburb of Vale Park places in the upper quartile across nationally evaluated areas by AreaSearch.
Inflow from overseas migration served as the core growth driver, accounting for roughly 83.0% of recent population gains. Demographic projections compiled by AreaSearch integrate the 2024 ABS/Geoscience Australia dataset applying a 2022 base year across SA2 areas. Where coverage is absent or extends post-2032, models incorporate the SA State Government's 2023 age-specific Regional/LGA projections based on 2021 numbers, adjusting figures by aggregating LGA growth to the SA2 level on a weighted basis. Over the coming years, the suburb of Vale Park is expected to outpace median national statistical area expansion, with aggregated SA2 figures pointing to an increase of 322 persons by 2041, which equates to an overall gain of 12.4% across the 16 years.
Frequently Asked Questions - Population
153 new dwellings have been approved in Vale Park over the past five years, an average of 30 a year. That is 9.6 approvals per 1,000 residents. Of the 24 dwellings approved in the latest reporting year, 58% 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
Examining ABS building consent figures apportioned to local levels, AreaSearch indicates that residential construction in Vale Park averages roughly 30 approved dwellings annually, accumulating to an estimated 153 homes across the past 5 financial years. During FY-25 to date, 7 approvals have been registered. Residential development has matched or run ahead of population intake, given an average arrival of 0.3 people per year for every completed residence across the past 5 financial years (between FY-21 and FY-25), providing ample options for purchasers and facilitating higher demographic expansion. Projects have registered an average expected construction cost of $860,000, underscoring developer emphasis on upscale, premium residential builds.
Meanwhile, commercial activity has seen $9.1 million in approved developments this financial year, reflecting a modest non-residential footprint. Per capita residential building approvals in Vale Park exceed the Greater Adelaide regional benchmark by 36.0% over the 5 year period, maintaining healthy stock availability while supporting underlying market absorption, despite a deceleration in building work across recent years. Current construction profiles comprise 58.0% detached houses alongside 42.0% townhouses or apartments, delivering diverse price points that span larger family residences to more affordable medium-density formats. This represents a noticeable shift from the existing built form of 83.0% houses, reflecting shifting buyer habits, affordability considerations, and constrained land supply. A ratio of approximately 158 people per approval denotes a low density urban setting. Long-term forecasts indicate that Vale Park will take on an additional 314 residents by 2041 according to the most recent AreaSearch quarterly release. Prevailing residential development rates suggest forthcoming supply will comfortably satisfy demand, supporting favorable market conditions for purchasers and enabling population expansion that could exceed baseline projections.
Frequently Asked Questions - Development
Development applications around Vale Park
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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 6 current infrastructure and development projects close to Vale Park, worth an estimated $171 million. 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
Capital investments, planning initiatives, and infrastructure upgrades play a central role in shaping local development. AreaSearch has pinpointed 2 major projects with direct implications for the surrounding district. Prominent projects include the Marden Connect Development, the River Torrens Linear Park Trail Upgrade - Klemzig Section, the Felixstow Intergenerational Community, and the Klemzig Interchange Upgrade.
Professional plan users can use the search below to filter and access additional projects.
INFRASTRUCTURE SEARCH
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Frequently Asked Questions - Infrastructure
Felixstow Intergenerational Community
Proposed six-storey intergenerational community village developed by Uniting Communities. The development integrates independent retirement living, disability accommodation, affordable and build-to-rent family housing, community facilities, and open green space. The project is being progressed through a Code Amendment on the former church and community landholding.
Marden Connect Development
Marden Connect is an urban renewal residential project delivered by Qattro in partnership with the South Australian Housing Authority. The development replaced obsolete public housing with 170 contemporary dwellings, including 66 designated affordable homes, terrace houses, and apartments. The precinct integrates comprehensive Water Sensitive Urban Design (WSUD) systems and bio-retention swales.
Broad Street Reserve Playground Upgrade
City of Norwood Payneham and St Peters completed an upgrade of the playground equipment and park amenities at Broad Street Reserve in Marden. The project delivered modern, accessible play equipment, nature play elements, park furniture, and landscaping. Practical completion was achieved and the park reopened to the public.
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.
1,394 residents of Vale Park are employed, from a labour force of 1,433. Unemployment sits at 2.7%, with participation at 68.2%. 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
Vale Park maintains a highly qualified local labor force with prominent representation in professional services, posting a low unemployment rate of 2.7% and annual employment growth estimated at 4.0% by AreaSearch from statistical area figures. As of March 2026, employed residents tally 1,394, while the jobless rate sits 1.1% lower than the 3.8% recorded across Greater Adelaide, alongside a workforce participation level closely aligned with Greater Adelaide's 66.4%. Census figures indicate that 14.1% of local workers operated from home, though this was recorded during Covid-19 restrictions. Resident workers are primarily engaged in health care & social assistance, education & training, and professional & technical fields.
Conversely, construction represents an under-indexed sector, accounting for 5.5% of the local workforce compared to 8.7% across Greater Adelaide. Given the disparity between the local working population and resident employee numbers, this residential community offers comparatively few internal workplace opportunities. AreaSearch assessment of SALM and ABS statistics shows that over the 12 months to March 2026, both employment and the labor force expanded by 4.0%, leaving the unemployment rate essentially unchanged. For the same timeframe, Greater Adelaide saw employment lift 4.2% and the labor force rise 4.0%, while unemployment dropped by 0.2 percentage points. Future labor dynamics can be evaluated using national industry projections from Jobs and Skills Australia as of Mar-26. Against forecast nationwide workforce increases of 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, Vale Park's specific industry distribution translates to an estimated local employment uplift of 7.1% over five years and 14.6% over ten years, calculated as an illustrative weighting exercise without incorporating local 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
Based on AreaSearch processing of postcode-level ATO records for financial year 2023, Vale Park recorded a median taxpayer income of $55,831 and an average of $102,468. These figures substantially exceed wider metropolitan benchmarks, where Greater Adelaide reported $54,808 and $66,852 respectively. Factoring in Wage Price Index growth of 10.17% since financial year 2023, updated estimates reach roughly $61,509 (median) and $112,889 (average) as of March 2026. Across household, family, and personal metrics from the 2021 Census, incomes sit around the 66th percentile nationwide. Individual earnings show 27.4% of residents (692 people) in the $1,500 - 2,999 bracket, in line with Greater Adelaide's 31.8%.
Higher-income individuals earning over $3,000 weekly make up 32.0% of the community. Locals keep 87.6% of income after servicing housing costs, and the area ranks in the 8th decile on the SEIFA income index.
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
Residential stock in Vale Park at the latest Census was configured as 82.8% houses and 17.1% other dwellings (incorporating semi-detached units, apartments, and other dwellings), compared to 75.2% houses and 24.9% other dwellings across Adelaide metro. Outright property ownership stood at 43.1%, well above the Adelaide metro level, with remaining residences split between mortgaged (35.7%) and rented (21.2%) tenure. Typical housing expenses sat well above regional figures: median monthly mortgage payments reached $2,000 against Adelaide metro's $1,562, while median weekly rent was $410 against $320. These costs also run higher than the Australian average mortgage payment of $1,863 and national rent level 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 units constitute the primary living arrangement, representing 76.1% of all households. This comprises couples without children at 33.0%, couples with children at 32.9%, and single parent families at 9.3%. Non-family households account for the remaining 23.9%, consisting of lone person residences (20.3%) and group housing (3.6%). Household occupancy averages 2.5 people, aligning directly with the Greater Adelaide benchmark.
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
Higher education qualifications in Vale Park far outpace regional levels, with 42.7% of residents aged 15+ possessing university credentials, compared to 25.7% across SA and 28.9% in Greater Adelaide. Within tertiary qualifications, bachelor degrees represent 25.6%, postgraduate degrees account for 12.9%, and graduate diplomas make up 4.2%. Vocational education is held by 24.9% of residents aged 15+, consisting of advanced diplomas (10.2%) and certificates (14.7%). Formal study participation is substantial, with 27.1% of the local population engaged in educational programs. Breaking down current enrolments, primary schooling accounts for 8.8%, tertiary studies comprise 7.7%, and secondary schooling covers 6.2%.
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 connectivity across Vale Park includes 10 dedicated transit stops for bus services. These stops are served by 8 separate bus routes that combine to deliver 813 scheduled passenger trips each week. Access across the suburb is strong, with typical walking distances to a stop averaging 186 meters. With the area functioning primarily as a residential district, outward commuting prevails, with private vehicles accounting for 86% of trips and buses serving 9%. Households hold an average of 1.5 vehicles. In addition, 14.1% of workers reported working from home at the 2021 Census during COVID-19.
Bus routes operating in the area maintain an overall service volume of 116 trips per day, translating to an average of roughly 81 weekly departures for each 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
Health indicators across Vale Park demonstrate strong outcomes in AreaSearch evaluations of mortality and condition incidence, highlighted by low rates of major illnesses across all age cohorts. Private health insurance coverage is notably widespread, held by approximately 67% of the community (1,702 people). This compares favorably to 52.7% in Greater Adelaide and the Australian benchmark of 55.7%. Among reported chronic conditions, arthritis affects 7.4% of residents and mental health issues impact 6.3%, while 72.3% of the population reported no long-term medical issues, outpacing Greater Adelaide's 67.9%. Residents under 65 exhibit favorable health metrics.
Individuals aged 65 and over represent 21.0% of the local populace (530 people), above the 19.1% recorded regionally, and older cohorts record health indices that place even higher against national standards than the broader local 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
Cultural diversity in Vale Park ranks well above typical benchmarks, with 31.9% of the local populace born overseas and 28.8% using a non-English language at home. Christianity forms the predominant faith, practiced by 49.5% of residents. The most pronounced demographic variation appears in Hinduism, which represents 5.8% of the community compared to 2.8% across Greater Adelaide. Looking at parental country of birth, the primary ancestries in Vale Park are English (23.0%), Australian (19.1%), and Other (9.5%). Several specific cultural backgrounds show higher concentrations than regional norms: Italian heritage represents 9.1% locally versus 5.2% regionally, Greek heritage stands at 3.3% versus 2.0%, and Russian heritage accounts for 0.5% versus 0.3%.
Frequently Asked Questions - Diversity
The median resident of Vale Park is 41. That is 1 year younger than at the 2021 Census. 25.7% 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
Age distributions in Vale Park align closely with Greater Adelaide, displaying a maximum variance of 2.8 percentage points across the four main age segments. Median age is estimated at 41, down from 42 at the 2021 Census and 2 years above the Greater Adelaide median of 39 recorded at that Census. The cohort aged 45 - 64 has reduced from 25.5% at the Census to an estimated 23.4%. By 2041, the largest numerical growth will occur in the 65+ age group, expanding by 139 residents (26%) to reach 670.
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 Oct 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) | Aug 2026 2 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 Aug 2026, with the 2021 Census supplying the small-area baseline. | ||
| Age profile | ABS, Geoscience Australia, State governments Annual | Aug 2026 2 months ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Age cohorts are re-based to the latest ABS population estimates and state projections, current to Aug 2026. Each cohort is held as a Census baseline and a current estimate. | ||
| Development & approvals | ABS, GNAF Monthly (ABS approvals) | Aug 2026 2 months ago headline measures · Jul 2026 baseline |
| Property sales & rents | Valuer General, Rental Board, ABS Weekly sales, quarterly rents | Oct 2026 this month headline measures · Sep 2026 baseline |
| 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 Oct 2026. | ||
| Infrastructure projects | Infrastructure Australia, Local governments Daily | May 2026 5 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 7 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) | Sep 2026 last month headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Transport | ABS, State Transport Departments Each timetable release | Jul 2026 3 months ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Services & amenities | Provider directories, ACECQA Continuous | Sep 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 Aug 2026, not a 2021 count (2,452 at the 2021 Census → 2,527 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 Aug 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.