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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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West Lakes has an estimated 8,041 residents, up from 6,768 at the 2021 Census — a change of 1,273 people, or 18.8%. Growth has averaged 3.9% a year over five years, faster than 89% of areas nationally. 336 new addresses have been validated here since Census night. Overseas migration accounts for 57.0% of that increase. That puts 1,803 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
As of Aug 2026, the suburb of West Lakes has an estimated population of around 8,041, determined through AreaSearch's evaluation of regional ABS updates alongside post-Census validated addresses. Compared with the 6,768 residents recorded in the 2021 Census, this indicates an expansion of 1,273 people (18.8%). Such growth is derived from an Estimated Resident Population figure of 8,018 established via the ABS June 2025 ERP release, combined with 336 validated new addresses identified after the Census. Consequently, population density stands at 1,802 persons per square kilometer, outperforming the benchmark across nationally assessed areas.
Surpassing both the broader SA4 territory and the statewide rate of 7.7%, the suburb of West Lakes's 18.8% surge since the 2021 census positions it as a premier growth location within the region, where net overseas arrivals accounted for roughly 56.99999999999999% of overall inbound gains in recent years. Population modelling incorporates 2024 ABS/Geoscience Australia SA2 projections based on 2022 benchmarks, supplemented for subsequent periods past 2032 or unlisted SA2s by 2023 SA State Government LGA/regional age-bracket figures using 2021 baselines via weighted aggregation. Looking ahead, future population projections place the suburb of West Lakes above the national median, forecasting an increase of 1,734 persons to 2041 across aggregated SA2 data, representing an overall expansion of 21.3% across the 16 years.
Frequently Asked Questions - Population
467 new dwellings have been approved in West Lakes over the past five years, an average of 93 a year. That places the area in the 94th percentile for residential development activity nationally, about 12 approvals per 1,000 residents a year. Of the 114 dwellings approved in the latest reporting year, 57% were detached houses and the rest townhouses or apartments. Approvals are currently running at an annualised 192, running ahead of 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
Analysis by AreaSearch of ABS residential approval statistics indicates that West Lakes records an annual average of around 93 approved dwellings, totaling an estimated 467 residential approvals over the past 5 financial years (between FY-21 and FY-25) with 192 recorded during FY-25 to date. An influx averaging 2.5 people per year moving to the area for each completed residence over the past 5 financial years (between FY-21 and FY-25) highlights solid underlying housing demand, while building costs average $567,000 per dwelling, underscoring building activity tailored toward the higher-end market. Furthermore, non-residential activity remains steady, evidenced by $20.6 million in commercial development approvals recorded this financial year.
Residential building volume per capita in West Lakes exceeds Greater Adelaide by 70.0%, significantly outpacing national figures and demonstrating substantial builder confidence alongside broader housing choice. The composition of approved residential construction includes 57.0% detached houses and 43.0% attached dwellings, delivering a diverse spectrum ranging from larger stand-alone family residences to high-density, accessible configurations. Averaging around 38 people per dwelling approval, the precinct displays clear hallmarks of an expanding urban center. Projections indicate that West Lakes will add 1,711 residents through to 2041 relative to the most recent AreaSearch quarterly baseline. Existing rates of home building appear well-positioned to satisfy incoming resident demand, providing supportive purchasing conditions while potentially facilitating gains above current expectations.
Frequently Asked Questions - Development
Development applications around West Lakes
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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 8 current infrastructure and development projects inside West Lakes, worth an estimated $1.14 billion. A further 37 sit in the immediately surrounding suburbs, taking the tracked pipeline within reach of the area to $4.65 billion. 12 are already under construction and 16 are due for completion within three years. The pipeline spans communities, precincts & urban renewal, sports & recreation and residential development. 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
Urban development, major civic projects, and strategic planning exert substantial influence on community outcomes. AreaSearch has identified 14 active and planned infrastructure initiatives within the vicinity, highlighted by priority works including the West Lakes Public Transport Hub, West Lakes Tennis Club Redevelopment, West Lakes Shore Masterplan Residential Release, and Charles Sturt Playground Renewal Program.
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Frequently Asked Questions - Infrastructure
West Lakes Tennis Club Redevelopment
Major upgrade and expansion of the West Lakes Tennis Club facility including a brand-new clubhouse, additional hard courts, upgraded LED lighting, and modernized community amenities delivered in partnership between the club and local council.
Westfield West Lakes Mixed-Use Development
Strategic master-planned redevelopment of surplus land surrounding Westfield West Lakes into a high-density mixed-use precinct delivering up to 1300 dwellings alongside commercial, civic, and open space. The proposal encompasses phased urban renewal across approximately 20 hectares of under-utilised carparking and retail footprint. Planning code amendments and structure planning are being coordinated with Charles Sturt Council and the State Planning Commission.
West Lakes Public Transport Hub
Proposed integrated public transport hub and upgrades for the West Lakes area, intended to consolidate the existing West Lakes Centre Interchange and add park-and-ride capacity. It is being evaluated as part of the West Lakes Boulevard Road Management Plan (RMP). The SA Department for Infrastructure and Transport (DIT) is progressing planning for the corridor. Currently, there is no committed funding for delivery beyond the planning phase.
West Lakes Sports Complex Upgrade
Major upgrade to West Lakes Sports Complex including new playing fields, clubhouse facilities, and spectator amenities.
West Lakes Boulevard Road Management Plan and Footpath Upgrade
The South Australian Department for Infrastructure and Transport is progressing the West Lakes Boulevard Road Management Plan to identify staged improvements for safety, traffic operations, pedestrian and cycling access along the corridor. Separate funded footpath upgrade works are scheduled during 2026, while broader road upgrades remain subject to future funding.
Novo West Lakes Stage 2
Novo West Lakes is a master-planned community situated on the former SA Water wastewater treatment site. Developed by Potentia, the project delivers up to 500 residential properties including townhouses, houses, and land lots, alongside around 3 hectares of public open spaces and a proposed retail precinct on Frederick Road. Earthworks and civil works for Stage 2 (Parkside) are underway, and the overall completion is estimated for mid-2027.
West Medical Hub - West Lakes
Delivery of a new three-storey community and medical hub within the WEST (Football Park) redevelopment. The building at 9 Charles Street houses GP and allied health services (including InHealth Medical) alongside the Ngutungka West Lakes community hub and library. The facility is now operational and serves the wider West Lakes catchment.
West Lakes Shore Masterplan Residential Release
Renewal SA's West Lakes Shore residential land release is in its final delivery stages, creating around 120 waterfront residential allotments with new public open space, landscaped reserves and upgraded local infrastructure. Civil works and home construction continue across the remaining stages.
4,187 residents of West Lakes are employed, from a labour force of 4,300. Unemployment sits at 2.6%, with participation at 60.4%. Weighted for its industry mix, the area's sectors are forecast to grow about 6.3% nationally over five years. That reflects industry composition only and makes no allowance for local population growth, so in an area growing as fast as this one it understates the likely rise in local jobs. Unemployment and labour force come from ABS Small Area Labour Markets, updated quarterly; the industry and occupation profile is from the 2021 Census.
Detail
West Lakes features a well-credentialed labor pool with strong representation in vital services, recording a low jobless rate of 2.6% alongside an estimated 10.7% annual workforce expansion based on regional statistical data. By March 2026, employed residents reached 4,187, maintaining an unemployment rate 1.2% lower than the 3.8% registered across Greater Adelaide, although the local participation rate of 60.4% remains well below the metropolitan figure of 66.4%. Remote work was reported by 12.8% of workers at the Census, a figure subject to prevailing Covid-19 pandemic directives at the time. Primary employment sectors for local workers consist of health care & social assistance, education & training, and retail trade.
The neighborhood exhibits notable industry concentration in rental, hiring & real estate, capturing 2.2 times the employment share seen regionally. Conversely, health care & social assistance accounts for a smaller footprint locally at 13.0% compared to 17.7% across the greater region. Comparing resident worker counts with local workplace positions suggests that a substantial portion of the community travels to other districts for employment. According to ABS and SALM figures compiled across wider statistical areas, the 12 months to March 2026 saw local employment rise by 10.7% and the overall labor pool grow by 9.5%, driving a 1.1 percentage points decrease in the jobless rate. Across Greater Adelaide, employment increased by 4.2%, the labor force grew by 4.0%, and unemployment declined by 0.2 percentage points over the same timeframe. Industry growth forecasts released by Jobs and Skills Australia in Mar-26 project national job growth of 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Weighting these sectoral trajectories against the local industry baseline indicates potential job growth of 6.3% over five years and 13.2% over ten years for West Lakes, serving as an illustrative structural projection that excludes specific demographic shifts.
Frequently Asked Questions - Employment
Median household income in West Lakes is $1,548 a week (about $80,000 a year), with median personal income at $791 a week. ATO records put median taxable income at $56,502 a year against an average of $75,094. 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
ATO taxation statistics for financial year 2023 show West Lakes taxpayers generated a median taxable income of $56,502 and an average of $75,094, exceeding the Greater Adelaide benchmarks of $54,808 and $66,852 as well as wider Australian averages. Factoring in Wage Price Index growth of 10.17% since financial year 2023 adjusts estimated earnings to roughly $62,248 (median) and $82,731 (average) as of March 2026. The 2021 Census placed individual, family, and household earnings within moderate middle tiers between the 38th and 47th percentiles, with 30.2% of residents (2,428 individuals) earning within the $1,500 - 2,999 band compared to 31.8% regionally.
Households preserve 88.2% of income after housing expenses, placing disposable earnings at the 43rd percentile and overall SEIFA income status within the 7th decile.
Frequently Asked Questions - Income
West Lakes had 2,941 occupied dwellings at the 2021 Census, 58% detached houses and 9% apartments. 29% are owned with a mortgage, 17% rented and 54% owned outright. At that Census the median rent was $370 a week and the median mortgage repayment $1,788 a month. Rent absorbs 23.9% of household income here and mortgage repayments 26.7%. Dwelling stock, tenure and housing costs are 2021 Census measures — the only source that counts dwellings at this boundary size.
Detail
Census records show that the housing profile in West Lakes consists of 58.0% houses and 42.0% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings), contrasting with the wider Adelaide metro breakdown of 75.2% houses and 24.9% other dwellings. Outright home ownership is particularly pronounced locally at 54.1%, notably above the metropolitan standard, while mortgaged properties represent 28.8% and rental arrangements comprise 17.1%. Local financial commitments reflect a median monthly mortgage repayment of $1,788 and a median weekly rent of $370, both above Adelaide metro benchmarks of $1,562 and $320, yet remaining below national medians of $1,863 for home loans and $375 for rent.
Frequently Asked Questions - Housing
West Lakes counted 2,941 households at the 2021 Census, an estimated 3,494 today, averaging 2.2 people each. 23% are couples with children, fewer than in 79% of areas nationally, against 37% couples without children. 30% 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
Families constitute 67.9% of local households, led by couples without children at 36.8%, followed by couples with children at 22.6% and single parent families at 7.8%. Independent living makes up the remaining 32.1%, consisting of single-person households at 29.8% alongside group accommodations at 2.1%. With a median household size of 2.2 people, domestic occupancy is more compact than the Greater Adelaide figure of 2.5.
Frequently Asked Questions - Households
26.0% of adults in West Lakes hold a university qualification, including 17.8% with a bachelor degree and 5.6% with postgraduate qualifications, higher than 77% of areas nationally. A further 21.8% hold a vocational qualification. Qualifications come from the 2021 Census.
Detail
Attainment of university degrees among West Lakes residents stands at 26.0%, tracking slightly beneath the national benchmark of 30.4%. Within tertiary categories, bachelor degrees represent 17.8%, postgraduate credentials account for 5.6%, and graduate diplomas make up 2.6%. Meanwhile, vocational education is widespread, with 33.4% of residents aged 15+ holding technical qualifications, including 11.6% with advanced diplomas and 21.8% possessing certificate-level credentials. Total enrollment across educational institutions covers 19.4% of the local population. Within this cohort, primary school attendees comprise 6.6%, secondary students account for 5.0%, and individuals enrolled in tertiary study represent 4.2%.
Frequently Asked Questions - Education
Schools Detail
Public transport in West Lakes reaches 44 stops on 28 routes, timetabled for about 1,800 services a week. The typical home sits about 150 m from its nearest stop. Buses carry the largest share of public transport commuters. Households keep an average of 1.3 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 public transit network serving West Lakes includes 44 designated stops supporting diverse bus operations across 28 distinct lines, generating 1,831 passenger journeys each week. Transit proximity is high, with average distances to nearby boarding points measuring 154 meters. Private vehicles serve as the primary mode of travel for 91% of outbound work trips, supported by an average motor vehicle rate of 1.3 per household, while 12.8% of workers operated from home during the 2021 Census period under prevailing pandemic conditions. Transit services operate across the local network at a frequency of 261 trips per day, translating to roughly 41 weekly departures for each individual stop.
Frequently Asked Questions - Transport
Transport Stops Detail
63.1% of residents in West Lakes report no long-term health condition. 8.1% need daily assistance with core activities, and 56.7% hold private health cover. The standardised death rate runs at 4.6 per 1,000 residents. Health conditions, assistance needs and insurance are 2021 Census measures; the death rate comes from current ABS releases.
Detail
West Lakes displays favorable public health metrics in AreaSearch evaluations, characterized by low general rates of chronic illnesses and mortality, while health profiles among senior brackets remain consistent with national averages. Uptake of private health insurance is pronounced, encompassing roughly 57% of residents (~4,555 people) compared to 52.7% across Greater Adelaide. Leading reported long-term diagnoses among locals comprise arthritis at 11.0% and mental health conditions at 6.5%, while 63.1% of community members reported no chronic health issues, compared to 67.9% across Greater Adelaide. Younger cohorts under 65 record positive overall wellness metrics.
Residents aged 65 and over represent 36.3% of the populace (2,918 people), substantially higher than the 19.1% share across Greater Adelaide, with senior health indicators tracking above average despite sitting lower against national benchmarks than younger cohorts.
Frequently Asked Questions - Health
26.8% of West Lakes residents were born overseas and 19.2% speak a language other than English at home. The largest reported ancestries are English (28.4%) and Australian (21.4%). Ancestry, language and country of birth are counted only by the Census, so these are 2021 figures.
Detail
Cultural diversity in West Lakes is notably pronounced, with 26.8% of the local community born outside Australia and 19.2% utilizing a non-English language at home. Christianity forms the predominant religious affiliation, encompassing 62.6% of residents, which stands well above the Greater Adelaide proportion of 42.4%. Examining parental background and heritage, the leading reported ancestries across West Lakes comprise English at 28.4%, Australian at 21.4%, and Italian at 8.4%. The community also demonstrates distinctive ethnic concentrations compared to broader regional averages, including Polish ancestry at 1.8% (vs 1.0% regionally), Croatian at 1.5% (vs 0.5%), and Russian at 1.0% (vs 0.3%).
Frequently Asked Questions - Diversity
The median resident of West Lakes is 53, older than 96% of areas nationally. That is 1 year younger than at the 2021 Census. 19.8% 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 demographic structure in the suburb of West Lakes skews older than the broader region, with senior and retiree age groups (65+) representing 36.3% of the populace as at August 2026 versus 19.1% across Greater Adelaide, while younger cohorts (0 - 24) make up 20.7% compared to 29.0% regionally. The estimated median age currently sits at 53, down from 54 at the 2021 Census, yet remains well above the Census medians of 39 for Greater Adelaide and 38 for Australia. Between 2021 and August 2026, mature adults aged 45 - 64 reduced from 24.8% to an estimated 21.9%, while the 65 to 74 band dropped from 17.7% to an estimated 15.6% alongside a rise in the 75 to 84 cohort from 12.3% to 14.9%, without an influx of youth.
Looking toward 2041, senior populations are projected to lead local demographic growth, rising by 1,152 (39%) to reach 4,071.
Frequently Asked Questions - Age
Data & MethodBoundaries, Sources & Method for West Lakes
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, State agencies, Local governments Daily | Sep 2026 last month all 9 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 Sep 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 — 336 validated new addresses here. The headline figure is therefore a current estimate for Aug 2026, not a 2021 count (6,768 at the 2021 Census → 8,041 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 (SAL41568). QuickStats reports 2021 only — the figures on this page are more current wherever the ledger shows a later date.