Adelaide · Council (LGA)
How well-off the area is, how fast its population is growing, and the businesses and new homes here.
High levels of advantage mark Adelaide, which ranks in the top 10% of areas nationwide for overall social and economic standing. While most residents have an overall advantage score of 1,058, the area is notably split between those with immense professional skills and those with very limited access to money.
All council (lga) areas, 2021. The marker is Adelaide — higher than 86% of areas.
SEIFA indexes ranking relative advantage and disadvantage.
The area is among the most highly educated and skilled in the country, scoring a perfect 10 for job skills. However, this contrast is stark, as access to money and resources is ranked at 1, which is lower than about 90% of similar areas.
9
Higher than 86% of council (lga) areas.
ABS Index of Relative Socio-economic Advantage and Disadvantage, 2021, as a national decile: 1 = among the 10% most disadvantaged areas in Australia, 10 = among the 10% most advantaged. IRSAD summarises both advantage and disadvantage, so a high score reflects relatively many high-income, well-educated households and few low-income, low-skill ones.
7
Higher than 64% of council (lga) areas.
ABS Index of Relative Socio-economic Disadvantage, 2021, as a national decile: 1 = among the 10% most disadvantaged areas in Australia, 10 = among the least disadvantaged. IRSD focuses on disadvantage alone (low income, low education, unemployment, unskilled occupations), so a higher decile means relatively less disadvantage.
1
Lower than 99% of council (lga) areas.
ABS Index of Economic Resources, 2021, as a national decile: 1 = among the 10% lowest areas for economic resources in Australia, 10 = among the highest. IER reflects the income, housing costs, dwelling size and assets of households, so a higher decile means relatively greater economic resources.
10
Higher than 99% of council (lga) areas.
ABS Index of Education and Occupation, 2021, as a national decile: 1 = among the 10% lowest areas for education and occupation in Australia, 10 = among the highest. IEO reflects residents' qualifications and the skill level of their jobs, so a higher decile means a more highly educated and skilled workforce.
1,058
Higher than 88% of council (lga) areas.
ABS Index of Relative Socio-economic Advantage and Disadvantage, 2021, as a raw index score (standardised so the Australian average is about 1000). Higher scores indicate relatively greater advantage; lower scores greater disadvantage.
Annual population estimates and change since the census.
Population growth in Adelaide has been very strong, rising by 18.2% since 2021. This is far above the South Australian figure of 5.6%.
30,173
Higher than 64% of council (lga) areas.
Estimated resident population (ABS), 2025.
18.2%
Higher than 99% of council (lga) areas.
Population growth since the 2021 Census, from ABS annual estimates.
Operating businesses and dwellings approved.
There are 12,975 businesses here, which is more than about 88% of similar areas. This commercial activity is matched by a steady increase in housing, with 111 new dwellings approved.
12,975
Higher than 86% of council (lga) areas.
Operating businesses (ABS Counts of Australian Businesses), June 2025.
111
Higher than 61% of council (lga) areas.
Dwelling units approved in 2024-25 (ABS Building Approvals).
Australian Bureau of Statistics. (2021). Economy & Advantage in Adelaide [Census of Population and Housing]. CensusAtlas, used under CC BY 4.0. https://censusatlas.au/region/lga/LGA40070/adelaide/topic/economy-advantage
