Highgate (SA)

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Analysis of ABS demographic updates for the wider region, alongside new address points validated by Districts since the Census, indicates the population of the suburb of Highgate (SA) stands at approximately 1,552 as of May 2026. This represents an addition of 48 residents, or a 3.2% rise, from the 2021 Census, which recorded 1,504 individuals. This shift is calculated from the estimated resident population of 1,552, determined by Districts through examining the June 2025 ABS ERP release and incorporating 11 validated new addresses since the Census. Such a population size results in a density of 2,771 persons per square kilometer, placing the locality in the top quartile of Australian settings analyzed by Districts. The 3.2% expansion in the suburb of Highgate (SA) since the census trails the SA3 region (5.4%) by 2.2 percentage points, showing competitive local growth dynamics. Overseas migration was the primary driver of these gains, serving as almost the exclusive source of population growth in recent times.

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The local workforce is characterized by high levels of education and a strong concentration of professionals, with unemployment at a low 2.6% and annual employment growth estimated at 4.1% based on statistical data compiled by Districts. In March 2026, working residents numbered 862, while the local jobless rate stood 1.2% below the Greater Adelaide average of 3.8%. Labor force participation is highly consistent with the metropolitan benchmark of 66.6%. Census records indicate that a moderate 15.0% of employed locals worked from home, though this figure was likely influenced by public health restrictions during the pandemic.

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Based on ATO taxpayer records for the 2023 financial year compiled by Districts at the postcode level, Highgate recorded a median taxpayer income of $62,448 and an average income of $98,521. These figures place the suburb in the top percentile nationwide, comparing to Greater Adelaide figures of $54,808 and $66,852 respectively. Adjusting for a 10.17% increase in the Wage Price Index since the 2023 financial year yields updated estimates of approximately $68,799 for the median and $108,541 for the average as of March 2026. Census data from 2021 indicates household, family, and personal incomes in Highgate all rank in the 77th percentile nationally. Income distribution data shows that 27.3% of the community, or 423 residents, fall within the weekly earnings bracket of $1,500 - which is comparable to the wider metropolitan share of . High local affluence is demonstrated by the of residents earning upwards of weekly, which underpins demand for high-end retail and services. Discretionary income remains high, with households retaining of their earnings after meeting housing costs, placing the area in the th decile on the SEIFA index.

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Residential structures in Highgate at the time of the last Census consisted of 68.7% standalone houses and 31.2% alternative housing types, such as apartments and semi-detached properties, compared to 75.2% houses and 24.9% other dwellings across metropolitan Adelaide. Home ownership was notably higher than the metro average at 43.0%, with the remaining properties occupied by households with mortgages (34.1%) or renters (23.0%). The median mortgage payment in the suburb was $2,009 per month, which sits well above the Adelaide metropolitan average of $1,562, while the median weekly rent was $360, compared to the metropolitan average of $320. On a national level, mortgage costs in Highgate exceed the Australian median of $1,863, whereas typical rental costs are lower than the national median of $375.

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Families make up 72.7% of all households, consisting of couples with children at 37.9%, couples without children at 23.4%, and single-parent households at 9.6%. Non-family households represent the remaining 27.3%, with single-person households at 25.3% and group living situations accounting for 1.9%. The median household occupancy stands at 2.6 individuals, which is slightly higher than the Greater Adelaide average of 2.5.

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Academic credentials in Highgate are exceptionally high compared to broader averages, with 52.2% of residents aged 15 and over holding a university degree, compared to 25.7% across SA and 28.9% across Greater Adelaide. This education profile positions the suburb well for knowledge-based employment. Bachelor degrees are the most common credential at 35.1%, followed by postgraduate degrees at 13.1% and graduate diplomas at 4.0%. Vocational training accounts for 19.8% of qualifications among residents aged 15 and over, split between advanced diplomas at 9.3% and certificates at 10.5%.

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Public transport infrastructure includes seven active transit stops in Highgate, which are serviced by buses. These stops accommodate 19 distinct routes that combined run 750 passenger services each week. Access is favorable, with residents living an average of 206 meters from the nearest stop. Due to the residential nature of the suburb, most working residents commute out of the area. Private vehicles remain the primary transit choice at 81%, followed by buses at 7% and cycling at 5%. Households own an average of 1.4 vehicles. Working from home was recorded for 15.0% of the workforce at the 2021 Census, which may have been influenced by pandemic-related restrictions.

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Health profiles in Highgate are excellent, as shown by mortality and chronic disease data from Districts, with younger demographics showing particularly low rates of common illnesses. Private health insurance is highly prevalent, covering approximately 66% of the population, or 1,021 individuals. This is significantly higher than the Greater Adelaide average of 52.7% and the national average of 55.7%.

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Highgate exhibits higher cultural diversity than most comparable markets, with 25.4% of its residents born outside Australia and 21.8% speaking a non-English language at home. Christianity is the most common religious affiliation, representing 45.3% of the local population. Buddhism shows the most pronounced relative representation, accounting for 3.4% of residents compared to 2.4% across Greater Adelaide.

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The median age of residents is 40 years, aligning closely with the Greater Adelaide average of 39 and slightly exceeding the national median of 38 years. Young adults aged 15 to 24 are highly represented at 16.5% of the population, while those aged 25 to 34 are less common at 10.8%. Since the 2021 Census, the 15 to 24 age bracket has expanded from 13.9% to 16.5%, and the 25 to 34 group has risen from 9.3% to 10.8%. In contrast, the 45 to 54 demographic has decreased from 14.9% to 12.1%. Long-term population projections to 2041 suggest changing demographic dynamics, with the to age group expected to grow by , or people, increasing from to . Conversely, the to and to age cohorts are projected to decrease in size.

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Highgate currently has an estimated 58 children under 5 years old, comprising approximately 33 children aged 0-2 and 22 children aged 3-4. This cohort declined by an estimated 0% since the previous census. though population forecasts indicate future growth, with an anticipated increase of 5% by 2041 (to approximately 61 children). Meanwhile the 5-12 cohort currently amounts to 135. Birth rates in the area have averaged 6.2 per 1,000 residents over the latest two-year period, a low rate (among the bottom 20% of areas assessed nationally). This rate has slowed down slightly in recent years however.