Adelaide Hills · Council (LGA)
How well-off the area is, how fast its population is growing, and the businesses and new homes here.
Highest possible scores for overall advantage mark the Adelaide Hills as one of the most prosperous areas in the country. Residents here have exceptional access to money and resources, ranking in the top 10% of all Australian areas for their socio-economic standing.
All council (lga) areas, 2021. The marker is Adelaide Hills — higher than 99% of areas.
SEIFA indexes ranking relative advantage and disadvantage.
The area reaches the top rank of 10 for overall advantage and access to resources. This high standing is supported by strong education and job skills, which are higher than about 90% of other areas.
10
Higher than 99% 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.
10
Higher than 99% 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.
10
Higher 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.
9
Higher than 86% 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.
1,066
Higher than 89% 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.
The population has grown by 4.0% since 2021. This is around the middle for its level, though it is a little below the South Australian rate of 5.6%.
42,875
Higher than 71% of council (lga) areas.
Estimated resident population (ABS), 2025.
4.0%
Higher than 53% of council (lga) areas.
Population growth since the 2021 Census, from ABS annual estimates.
Operating businesses and dwellings approved.
There are 4,392 businesses operating here, which is more than about 72% of similar areas. Recent building activity is also steady, with 175 new dwellings approved.
4,392
Higher than 72% of council (lga) areas.
Operating businesses (ABS Counts of Australian Businesses), June 2025.
175
Higher than 67% of council (lga) areas.
Dwelling units approved in 2024-25 (ABS Building Approvals).
Australian Bureau of Statistics. (2021). Economy & Advantage in Adelaide Hills [Census of Population and Housing]. CensusAtlas, used under CC BY 4.0. https://censusatlas.au/region/lga/LGA40120/adelaide-hills/topic/economy-advantage
