Holdfast Bay · Council (LGA)
How well-off the area is, how fast its population is growing, and the businesses and new homes here.
A score of 9 for overall advantage makes Holdfast Bay one of the most prosperous areas in the country. This high standing is driven by a workforce with exceptional education and job skills. Residents here generally have far more money and resources than people in most other Australian regions.
All council (lga) areas, 2021. The marker is Holdfast Bay — higher than 86% of areas.
SEIFA indexes ranking relative advantage and disadvantage.
The area ranks in the top 10% for overall advantage and education levels. This is consistent with its high score for access to money and resources, which is larger than about 70% 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.
9
Higher than 86% 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.
7
Higher than 64% 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.
1,044
Higher than 87% 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 has reached 4.8% since 2021, which is higher than most areas and about the same as the South Australian figure of 5.6%.
39,683
Higher than 69% of council (lga) areas.
Estimated resident population (ABS), 2025.
4.8%
Higher than 61% of council (lga) areas.
Population growth since the 2021 Census, from ABS annual estimates.
Operating businesses and dwellings approved.
Holdfast Bay is a hub of activity with 3,770 businesses. This commercial strength is matched by a growing housing market, with 285 new dwellings approved, a figure larger than about 75% of similar areas.
3,770
Higher than 68% of council (lga) areas.
Operating businesses (ABS Counts of Australian Businesses), June 2025.
285
Higher than 74% of council (lga) areas.
Dwelling units approved in 2024-25 (ABS Building Approvals).
Australian Bureau of Statistics. (2021). Economy & Advantage in Holdfast Bay [Census of Population and Housing]. CensusAtlas, used under CC BY 4.0. https://censusatlas.au/region/lga/LGA42600/holdfast-bay/topic/economy-advantage
