Huntingdale - Southern River

Huntingdale - Southern River lies within the top quartile of areas nationally for population growth performance according to AreaSearch analysis of recent, and medium to long-term trends

According to assessments conducted by AreaSearch, the population of Huntingdale - Southern River is approximately 26,986 as of May 2026. Compared to the 2021 Census, which recorded 21,869 people, this represents an expansion of 5,117 people (23.4%). This shift is calculated using the June 2025 ABS estimated resident population of 26,277 and 1,123 validated new addresses registered since the Census date. The locality features a population density of 1,498 persons per square kilometer, surpassing the typical level observed across standard national spots evaluated by AreaSearch. The area's 23.4% expansion since the 2021 census outperformed the national average (9.3%) as well as the SA3 area, positioning it as a regional frontrunner in growth. The primary catalyst for this demographic expansion was overseas migration, which accounted for roughly 50.7% of the total population increase during recent periods, though natural growth and interstate migration also registered positive trends.

Projections from ABS/Geoscience Australia published in 2024 using 2022 as the base year are utilized by AreaSearch for SA2 areas. Where these figures are unavailable, and to calculate expansion after 2032, AreaSearch applies age cohort growth rates from the latest ABS Greater Capital Region projections (released in 2023, based on 2022 data). Future demographic modeling suggests that this region will experience population growth above the national median for statistical areas, with a projected addition of 4,958 persons by 2041 using the latest annual ERP population numbers, translating to a total growth of 15.8% over the 16 years.

The level of residential development activity in Huntingdale - Southern River was found to be higher than 90% of real estate markets across the country

In Huntingdale - Southern River, annual building permits hover around 240 dwellings, totaling 1,204 homes approved over the past 5 financial years (between FY-21 and FY-25) and an additional 217 during FY-26 to date. An average of 3.3 people relocated to the district for every new home built over the past 5 financial years (between FY-21 and FY-25), indicating that new residential supply falls short of local demand, which typically intensifies buyer competition and drives upward pressure on costs, with newly constructed dwellings averaging an expected construction cost of $253,000. Additionally, commercial building approvals reached $14.8 million this financial year, reflecting a steady pace of commercial expansion.

Per capita construction activity in Huntingdale - Southern River is 126.0% higher than in Greater Perth, providing a wider selection for prospective purchasers. Furthermore, recent building works have focused exclusively on detached houses, preserving the traditional suburban look of the neighborhood while catering to families looking for spacious properties. The district records about 104 residents for each housing approval, pointing to a growing real estate market.

Projections based on the latest AreaSearch quarterly estimate indicate that Huntingdale - Southern River will add 4,249 residents by 2041. Continuing the current rate of construction should ensure that new residential options satisfy consumer demand, yielding favorable conditions for purchasers and potentially facilitating expansion that exceeds the current population forecasts.

Huntingdale - Southern River has emerging levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the 26thth percentile nationally

Local infrastructure upgrades, major developments, and urban planning decisions play a key role in shaping the area's growth. AreaSearch has tracked a total of 33 projects that are expected to influence the neighborhood. Significant initiatives include the Sutherlands Park Leisure, Aquatic and Sports Hub (SPLASH), the Sutherlands Park Master Plan, Florian Huntingdale, and Parkside Estate, with the main developments highlighted in the list below.

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

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The employment environment in Huntingdale - Southern River shows above-average strength when compared nationally

The workforce of Huntingdale - Southern River is highly skilled, featuring strong employment in industrial and manufacturing sectors, a low unemployment rate of 3.7%, and an estimated job growth of 1.7% over the past year. In March 2026, there were 14,469 employed residents, and the local unemployment rate sat 0.5% lower than the 4.2% rate of Greater Perth, while participation in the labor force was steady at 72.9% compared to 70.2% in Greater Perth. According to Census data, only 6.5% of the working population operated from home, though this figure may have been influenced by Covid-19 restrictions.

The primary industries employing local residents are health care & social assistance, retail trade, and construction. There is a high concentration of jobs in transport, postal & warehousing, which is 1.4 times the regional average. Conversely, professional & technical roles account for only 6.1% of the workforce, which is lower than the 8.2% recorded in Greater Perth. The imbalance between the resident labor force and locally available jobs suggests that this mainly residential district provides few local employment openings.

According to AreaSearch's evaluation of ABS and SALM statistics, the past 12 months saw a 1.7% rise in total jobs along with a 2.0% expansion in the active workforce, which resulted in a 0.2 percentage point increase in the unemployment rate. In comparison, Greater Perth experienced a 2.0% rise in jobs, a 2.5% increase in the labor force, and a 0.4 percentage point uptick in unemployment. National employment projections released in May-25 by Jobs and Skills Australia provide further indications of future local demand patterns. Over five and ten years, national job growth is projected at 6.6% and 13.7% respectively, with varying rates across different industries. Mapping these sector-specific forecasts to the local workforce structure indicates that employment within Huntingdale - Southern River could grow by 6.2% over five years and 13.1% over ten years, which serves as a weighted extrapolation without accounting for local population projections.

Income metrics indicate excellent economic conditions, with the area achieving higher performance than 75% of national locations assessed by AreaSearch

Based on aggregated ATO postcode statistics for financial year 2023, the median taxpayer income in Huntingdale - Southern River is $63,332, with an average of $74,791, placing the area above the national average, whereas Greater Perth has a median of $60,748 and an average of $80,248. Adjusted for the 10.93% Wage Price Index increase since financial year 2023, the estimated figures stand at $70,254 for the median and $82,966 for the average as of March 2026. The 2021 Census indicated that weekly household earnings sit in the 73rd percentile ($2,115 weekly), while individual income sits in the 57th percentile. The largest income group is the $1,500 - 2,999 weekly bracket, containing 38.9% of residents (10,497 people), compared to 32.0% regionally. Although residential expenses absorb 16.0% of earnings, solid incomes keep disposable income at the 73rd percentile, and the local SEIFA income metric ranks in the 6th decile.

Huntingdale - Southern River is characterized by a predominantly suburban housing profile, with ownership patterns similar to the broader region

According to the most recent Census, the housing stock in Huntingdale - Southern River consists of 98.2% standalone houses and 1.9% other types of dwellings, such as semi-detached homes, apartments, and alternative structures, whereas Greater Perth averages 77.8% houses and 22.1% other properties. Home ownership rates in the area stand at 22.0%, which is lower than the Perth metro rate, with mortgaged properties making up 59.7% and rentals representing 18.2%. The typical monthly home loan payment of $1,950 is higher than the Perth metro average of $1,907, and weekly rent is $380, which is higher than the Perth metro rate of $350. On a national level, mortgage repayments in Huntingdale - Southern River exceed the Australian average of $1,863, and rents are higher than the national benchmark of $375.

Huntingdale - Southern River features high concentrations of family households, with a higher-than-average median household size

Families represent the vast majority of local households at 84.1%, which includes 49.7% couples with children, 21.2% couples without children, and 12.0% single parent homes. The remaining 15.9% are non-family residences, consisting of lone person households at 14.1% and group homes at 1.8%. The average household size in the area is 3.1 people, which exceeds the Greater Perth average of 2.6.

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

The proportion of residents with tertiary qualifications in Huntingdale - Southern River is 26.1%, slightly lower than the nationwide average of 30.4%, pointing to a relatively competitive educational profile. Among these degrees, bachelor level is the most common at 18.2%, followed by postgraduate degrees at 5.9% and graduate diplomas at 2.0%. Vocational qualifications are widely held, with 34.7% of the population aged 15+ possessing technical qualifications, including advanced diplomas at 10.8% and certificates at 23.9%.

A significant proportion of local residents are studying, with 33.6% of the population engaged in some form of structured education. Within this cohort, 12.7% are in primary school, 9.5% are in high school, and 5.1% are attending university or college.

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

Analysis of public transit indicates 97 active bus stops are located within Huntingdale - Southern River. A network of 6 distinct routes services these stops, delivering a total of 1,400 passenger trips each week. Transit access is high, with the average home positioned 222 meters from a stop. Since the area is mostly residential, many workers travel outside the suburb, with cars being the primary commute method at 85% and train travel at 8%. Households own an average of 1.8 cars, which is higher than the regional average, while 6.5% of residents work from home (2021 Census; potentially reflecting COVID-19 influences).

Across all transit routes, services run at an average of 200 trips daily, which represents around 14 weekly trips per stop.

Huntingdale - Southern River's residents boast exceedingly positive health performance metrics with younger cohorts in particular seeing very low prevalence of common health conditions

Analysis from AreaSearch indicates excellent general health in Huntingdale - Southern River, marked by low mortality rates and low rates of long-term illness, particularly among children and young adults. The rate of residents with private health insurance is high, sitting at approximately 56% of the population (~15,139 people), compared to 59.0% recorded in Greater Perth.

The most prevalent medical conditions among residents are asthma at 6.7% and mental health challenges at 6.4%, while 76.9% reported no long-term illnesses, compared to 71.9% in Greater Perth. The working-age population is particularly healthy with low levels of chronic disease. Residents aged 65 and over account for 10.5% of the population (2,820 people), which is lower than the Greater Perth proportion of 16.1%. While health trends among older residents are above average, they do not rank as highly on a national scale as the younger demographics.

Huntingdale - Southern River is among the most culturally diverse areas in the country based on AreaSearch assessment of a range of language and cultural background related metrics

The population of Huntingdale - Southern River exhibits high cultural diversity, with 43.7% of residents born outside Australia and 35.1% speaking a non-English language at home. Christianity is the primary religious affiliation, accounting for 39.5% of the local population. Islam shows the most significant variation from regional norms, representing 13.3% of local residents compared to the Greater Perth average of 3.2%.

Looking at parental birthplaces, the most common ancestries in Huntingdale - Southern River are English at 23.2%, Australian at 19.5%, and Other at 19.3%, which is much higher than the regional average of 11.2%. Other notable differences in ethnic representation include South Australian ancestry at 1.4% of the population (compared to 1.0% regionally), Indian at 6.5% (compared to 2.6%), and Chinese at 7.4% (compared to 4.0%).

Huntingdale - Southern River hosts a young demographic, positioning it in the bottom quartile nationwide

The median age in Huntingdale - Southern River is 34 years, which is lower than the Greater Perth median of 37 and younger than the Australian median of 38 years. Compared to Greater Perth, the area features a larger proportion of residents aged 5 - 14 (15.7%) but a smaller share aged 75 - 84 (3.1%). Since the 2021 Census, the 15 to 24 age bracket has risen from 13.9% to 15.1%, and the 75 to 84 group increased from 2.1% to 3.1%, while the 0 to 4 group dropped from 7.5% to 6.0%. Population projections for 2041 suggest shifts in local demographics, with the 45 to 54 cohort expected to grow by 26%, adding 918 residents to total 4,508, whereas declines are expected in the 5 to 14 and 35 to 44 groups.