Council (LGA) · Area profile
Adelaide Plains
932 km²
Spanning 932.5 square kilometres, Adelaide Plains is a sprawling rural landscape of detached homes and wide open spaces. The area is seeing rapid growth, with the population increasing by 17.7% since 2021, far above the state figure. It is a family-oriented community where homes are typically large and the population is slightly younger than the national average. With a high proportion of separate houses and very few apartments, it remains a predominantly rural and residential region.
Despite high local incomes, the area's schools serve a less advantaged intake.
Rapid population growth here is outstripping school provision.
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The typical resident is 40 years old, and the area has a higher proportion of children under 15 than most similar regions. This family focus is reflected in the high number of people in de facto relationships, which is well above the national figure.
Most residents were born in Australia, and those with overseas ancestry are predominantly English, Scottish, or Irish. Only 13.1% were born overseas, which is far below the national average of 27.7%.
English is the primary language for the vast majority of the community. Only 5.6% of people use another language at home, a figure far below both the state and national averages.
A majority of the population reports having no religion, at 53.7%. This is among the highest proportions for similar areas and is far above the national figure of 38.9%.
Educational attainment is lower than most areas, with only 7.8% of adults holding a bachelor degree or higher. Year 12 completion is also far below the national figure, sitting at 38.4%.
Typical family and household incomes are higher than in most similar areas. The typical family earns $1,937 a week, which is about the same as the South Australian average.
Residents report a higher rate of long-term health conditions than most areas, at 31.7%. This is well above the national figure of 27.7%.
There is a strong focus on unpaid care, with a much higher proportion of people caring for children or providing other unpaid support than in most similar areas. Interestingly, the rate of volunteering is a little below the state average.
First Nations people in this area have a much higher typical personal income and unemployment rate that is much lower than most similar areas. However, Year 12 completion is well below the national average at 29.4%.
Homes here are larger than usual, with 2.7 people per home. This is consistent with the high number of couples with children and a much lower proportion of people living alone compared to the state average.
The area is dominated by separate houses, making up 98.1% of all dwellings. Most homes are large, with 88.4% having three or more bedrooms, and renting is far less common here than across the state.
Car dependence is very high, with only 2.2% of homes lacking a motor vehicle. Public transport use is minimal, and there are far fewer stops per 1,000 people than the state average.
The population is relatively stable, with a lower proportion of people moving in the last five years compared to most areas. Recent overseas arrivals are also well below the national average.
More adults are working or looking for work here than in most similar areas. Full-time employment is well above the national figure, with common industries including construction, health care, and manufacturing.
The region has seen very strong population growth recently, far exceeding the state average. While residents have high access to money and resources, they score lower than most areas for education and job skills.
The area receives 370mm of annual rainfall, which is far above the South Australian average. Average temperatures are slightly lower than the state figures.
This is a car-dependent area with a walkability score far below the state average. Very few homes are within a 15-minute walk of public transport, groceries, or health services.