Willunga

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

As of Nov 2025, the estimated population of the Willunga statistical area (Lv2) is around 2,551. This figure represents a growth of 106 people since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 2,445. The increase is inferred from AreaSearch's estimate of 2,547 residents following examination of the latest ERP data release by the ABS in June 2024 and an additional 32 validated new addresses since the Census date. This results in a density ratio of 119 persons per square kilometer. The Willunga (SA2) has experienced a growth rate of 4.3% since the census, which is within 1.9 percentage points of the SA3 area's growth rate of 6.2%. Interstate migration contributed approximately 64.0% of overall population gains during recent periods, with other drivers such as overseas migration and natural growth also 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 by this data and years post-2032, the SA State Government's Regional/LGA projections are adopted with adjustments made employing a method of weighted aggregation of population growth from LGA to SA2 levels. According to these projections, the Willunga (SA2) is expected to increase its population by 242 persons to reach 2,793 by 2041, reflecting an overall gain of 8.9% over the 17-year period.

AreaSearch analysis of residential development drivers sees Willunga recording a relatively average level of approval activity when compared to local markets analysed countrywide

AreaSearch analysis of ABS building approval numbers shows Willunga had approximately 12 new homes approved annually. Between FY-21 and FY-25, around 60 homes were approved, with another 6 approved in FY-26. On average, each dwelling added about 2.4 new residents yearly over the past five financial years.

New homes are constructed at an average value of $646,000, indicating a focus on premium market properties. This year, Willunga has seen $232,000 in commercial development approvals, reflecting its residential nature. Compared to Greater Adelaide, Willunga maintains similar construction rates per person, suggesting balanced market conditions.

All new constructions have been detached houses, preserving the area's low density character and attracting space-seeking buyers. With around 201 people per approval, Willunga remains a low-density area. By 2041, population forecasts estimate an increase of 227 residents (AreaSearch quarterly estimate). Current development patterns suggest new housing supply will meet demand, providing favourable conditions for buyers and potentially facilitating further population growth.

Willunga has emerging levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the 25thth percentile nationally

Changes to local infrastructure significantly impact an area's performance. AreaSearch has identified one major project likely affecting this region: Willunga Basin Water Infrastructure Expansion, Fleurieu Connections - Main South Road and Victor Harbor Road Duplication, High Productivity Vehicle Network (HPVN), Adelaide Public Transport Capacity and Access.

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

Denotes AI-based impression for illustrative purposes only, not to be taken as definitive under any circumstances. Please follow links and conduct other investigations from the project's source for actual imagery. Developers and project owners wishing us to use original imagery please Contact Us and we will do so.

Employment performance in Willunga ranks among the strongest 15% of areas evaluated nationally

Willunga has a well-educated workforce with essential services sectors well represented. The unemployment rate was 2.2% in the past year, with an estimated employment growth of 3.2%.

As of September 2025, 1,376 residents are employed, with an unemployment rate of 1.7%, below Greater Adelaide's rate of 3.9%. Workforce participation is on par with Greater Adelaide at 61.7%. The dominant employment sectors among residents include health care & social assistance, education & training, and construction. Education & training has a particularly high representation, at 1.3 times the regional level.

However, health care & social assistance shows lower representation at 15.2% compared to the regional average of 17.7%. The area appears to offer limited local employment opportunities, as indicated by the count of Census working population versus resident population. In the 12-month period ending September 2025, employment increased by 3.2%, labour force grew by 3.5%, and unemployment rose by 0.2 percentage points. This contrasts with Greater Adelaide, where employment rose by 3.0%, labour force grew by 2.9%, and unemployment fell by 0.1 percentage points. State-level data to 25-Nov-25 shows SA employment grew by 1.19% year-on-year, adding 10,710 jobs, with the state unemployment rate at 4.0%. This compares favourably to the national unemployment rate of 4.3%, with SA's employment growth outpacing the national average of 0.14%. National employment forecasts from May-25 suggest employment should increase by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Willunga's employment mix suggests local employment should increase by 6.3% over five years and 13.3% over ten years, based on a simple weighting extrapolation for illustrative purposes.

Income levels sit below national averages according to AreaSearch assessment

The suburb of Willunga had a median taxpayer income of $47,438 and an average income of $62,841 in the latest postcode level ATO data aggregated by AreaSearch for the financial year 2023. This was below the national average, with Greater Adelaide's median income being $54,808 and average income being $66,852. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 8.8% since the financial year 2023, current estimates would be approximately $51,613 (median) and $68,371 (average) as of September 2025. According to the 2021 Census, household, family and personal incomes in Willunga ranked modestly, between the 44th and 46th percentiles. The earnings profile showed that the $1,500 - 2,999 earnings band captured 30.9% of the community (788 individuals), which aligned with the metropolitan region where this cohort likewise represented 31.8%. Housing costs were manageable with 87.4% retained, but disposable income was below average at the 50th percentile and the area's SEIFA income ranking placed it in the 6th decile.

Willunga is characterized by a predominantly suburban housing profile, with above-average rates of outright home ownership

Willunga's dwelling structures, as recorded in the latest Census, consisted of 96.3% houses and 3.7% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings). This compares to Adelaide metro's 89.2% houses and 10.7% other dwellings. Home ownership in Willunga stood at 43.4%, with mortgaged dwellings at 41.5% and rented ones at 15.1%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $1,683, higher than Adelaide metro's $1,452. Median weekly rent in Willunga was $330, compared to Adelaide metro's $314. Nationally, Willunga's mortgage repayments were lower than the Australian average of $1,863, and rents were substantially below the national figure of $375.

Willunga features high concentrations of family households, with a fairly typical median household size

Family households constitute 78.3% of all households, including 32.6% couples with children, 35.0% couples without children, and 9.7% single parent families. Non-family households account for the remaining 21.7%, with lone person households at 20.6% and group households comprising 1.3% of the total. The median household size is 2.5 people, which aligns with the Greater Adelaide average.

The educational profile of Willunga exceeds national averages, with above-average qualification levels and academic performance metrics

In Willunga, residents aged 15 and above have a higher educational attainment compared to broader benchmarks. Specifically, 31.3% of residents hold university qualifications, surpassing the South Australian region's (SA3 area) 18.9% and the state's average of 25.7%. This significant educational advantage positions Willunga favourably for knowledge-based opportunities. Bachelor degrees are most prevalent at 20.7%, followed by postgraduate qualifications at 5.4% and graduate diplomas at 5.2%.

Vocational credentials are also prominent, with 35.4% of residents aged 15 and above holding such qualifications. This includes advanced diplomas (12.2%) and certificates (23.2%). Educational participation is notably high in Willunga, with 26.3% of residents currently enrolled in formal education. This includes primary education (11.3%), secondary education (6.9%), and tertiary education (4.2%).

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

The analysis of public transport in Willunga shows that there are currently 14 active transport stops operating. These stops serve a mix of bus routes, with a total of 6 individual routes providing service to the area. Collectively, these routes offer 298 weekly passenger trips.

The accessibility of transport in Willunga is rated as good, with residents typically located approximately 260 meters from their nearest transport stop. On average, there are 42 trips per day across all routes, which equates to around 21 weekly trips per individual stop.

Willunga's residents are healthier than average in comparison to broader Australia with prevalence of common health conditions quite low across both younger and older age cohorts

Health data indicates relatively positive outcomes for Willunga residents. Prevalence of common health conditions is quite low across both younger and older age cohorts.

Approximately 52% of the total population (~1,322 people) has private health cover, compared to 49.1% across Greater Adelaide. The most common medical conditions in the area are arthritis (impacting 10.0% of residents) and asthma (7.9%). About 68.8% of residents declare themselves completely clear of medical ailments, compared to 62.9% across Greater Adelaide. As of 2021, 26.5% of Willunga's population is aged 65 and over (676 people), higher than the 21.0% in Greater Adelaide. Health outcomes among seniors are particularly strong, performing better than the general population in health metrics.

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

Willunga's cultural diversity was found to be below average, with 79.0% of its population born in Australia, 92.6% being citizens, and 97.1% speaking English only at home. Christianity was the main religion, comprising 34.5% of Willunga's population. The most notable overrepresentation was in the 'Other' category, making up 0.8% compared to 0.7% across Greater Adelaide.

In terms of ancestry, the top three groups were English at 37.6%, Australian at 27.2%, and Scottish at 9.2%. There were notable divergences in the representation of certain ethnic groups: Welsh was overrepresented at 1.2% compared to 0.8% regionally, German at 6.3% vs 5.4%, and Dutch at 2.0% vs 1.7%.

Willunga hosts an older demographic, ranking in the top quartile nationwide

Willunga has a median age of 47, which is higher than Greater Adelaide's figure of 39 and also above the national average of 38. The age profile shows that those aged 65-74 make up 14.7% of the population, a proportion higher than both the Greater Adelaide and national averages (9.4%). In contrast, the 25-34 age group comprises only 6.4% of Willunga's population. Between the 2021 Census and the present, the 75 to 84 age group has grown from 7.2% to 8.9%, while the 15 to 24 cohort increased from 9.9% to 11.0%. Conversely, the 45 to 54 age group has decreased from 15.3% to 13.5%, and the 35 to 44 group has dropped from 11.9% to 10.8%. By 2041, demographic projections indicate significant shifts in Willunga's age structure. The 85+ age group is expected to grow by 166%, reaching 197 people from the current 73. Notably, the combined 65+ age groups are projected to account for 77% of total population growth, reflecting the area's aging demographic trend. Conversely, the 45 to 54 and 65 to 74 cohorts are expected to experience population declines.