Unley · Council (LGA)
How well-off the area is, how fast its population is growing, and the businesses and new homes here.
An overall advantage score of 1,084 puts Unley among the most prosperous areas in the country. This is a highly advantaged community where residents typically have an exceptional level of education and professional skills. These factors contribute to a place that ranks at the very top for overall socio-economic advantage.
All council (lga) areas, 2021. The marker is Unley — higher than 99% of areas.
SEIFA indexes ranking relative advantage and disadvantage.
Residents here have some of the highest levels of education and job skills in the nation. This aligns with a strong access to money and resources, with the area ranking among the least disadvantaged across all regions.
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.
8
Higher than 71% 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.
1,084
Higher than 92% 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 grew by 4.3% since 2021, which is around the middle for similar areas. This growth rate is a little below the South Australian figure of 5.6%.
40,731
Higher than 70% of council (lga) areas.
Estimated resident population (ABS), 2025.
4.3%
Higher than 57% of council (lga) areas.
Population growth since the 2021 Census, from ABS annual estimates.
Operating businesses and dwellings approved.
Unley is home to 5,970 businesses, which is more than about 79% of similar areas. There were also 164 new dwelling approvals, a figure larger than about 67% of areas at this level.
5,970
Higher than 75% of council (lga) areas.
Operating businesses (ABS Counts of Australian Businesses), June 2025.
164
Higher than 66% of council (lga) areas.
Dwelling units approved in 2024-25 (ABS Building Approvals).
Australian Bureau of Statistics. (2021). Economy & Advantage in Unley [Census of Population and Housing]. CensusAtlas, used under CC BY 4.0. https://censusatlas.au/region/lga/LGA47980/unley/topic/economy-advantage
