Urban Area · Area profile

Adelaide

2,246 km²

A diverse and growing urban hub, Adelaide is home to over 1.3 million people and has seen its population rise by 14% since 2011. It is a highly educated community where residents are more likely to hold university degrees than in most other similar areas. This blend of a skilled workforce and a strong overseas presence creates a modern city atmosphere with a broad range of cultural backgrounds.

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📍 Adelaide, Urban Area

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The typical resident is 39 years old, making the area a little younger than the state average. While the population of seniors has risen to 18.6% since 2011, children under 15 make up 17.1% of the community.

Overcoming local trends, 27.8% of people were born overseas, a figure well above the South Australian average. English and Australian are the most common ancestries, though the proportion of overseas-born residents has risen since 2011.

Multiculturalism is evident here, with 21.6% of people using a language other than English at home. This is well above the state average and has risen by 4.1 points since 2011.

A shift away from traditional faith is clear, as the proportion of people reporting no religion rose 17 points since 2011 to reach 45.0%. This is well above the national figure.

Residents are highly qualified, with 26.0% holding a bachelor degree or higher, which is much higher than in most similar areas. Those completing Year 12 also rose 10 points since 2011 to reach 59.2%.

Typical weekly family incomes are $1,985, which is higher than in most similar areas. The number of households earning over $3,000 a week has also risen 11 points since 2011.

About 30.2% of people have a long-term health condition, which is lower than in most similar areas. Mental health conditions are reported by 9.8% of the population.

Caring for children unpaid is common here, with 27.1% of people doing so. Volunteering is around the middle for its level at 15.4%, though this has fallen since 2011.

Homes here are larger than usual, with 2.5 people per home. Couples with children make up the largest group at 56.7%, while 27.9% of people live alone.

Detached houses are much less common here than in most similar areas, appearing in 74.7% of homes. Typical weekly rent is $320, which is higher than most similar areas.

Public transport use for commuting is among the highest at this level, at 5.0%. Additionally, 7.7% of homes have no motor vehicle, a figure much higher than in most similar areas.

The area attracts new residents, with 15.7% of the population arriving from overseas recently. This is a little above the national figure, despite falling since 2011.

Working or looking for work is more common here than in most similar areas, at 61.7%. Health care and social assistance is the largest industry, employing 17.1% of the workforce.

The area is very walkable, with 93.1% of homes within a 10 minute walk of public transport. This easy access extends to parks and schools, which are far more reachable than in the rest of the state.

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