Meadows (SA)

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According to ABS population updates for the wider region and new address counts verified by Districts since the Census, the suburb of Meadows has an estimated residency of 1,886 as of May 2026. This indicates a growth of 169 people (9.8%) compared to the 2021 Census, which registered 1,717 residents. The figure is calculated from a resident count of 1,876, computed by Districts using the latest ABS ERP data release (June 2025) plus 51 validated new addresses registered since the Census. This population level translates to a density of 44 persons per square kilometer, which represents a spacious layout. The suburb of Meadows experienced a 9.8% expansion rate since the 2021 census, outpacing the state average of 7.5% as well as Greater Adelaide, positioning it as a leading growth zone. Demographic expansion was mostly driven by natural increase, which accounted for roughly 48.0% of the population growth, though all contributors, including interstate and international migration, registered positive gains.

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The local workforce is characterized by strong skill levels, particularly within the construction industry, coupled with an unemployment rate of only 2.3% and a 4.9% increase in jobs over the past year. As of March 2026, employed residents numbered 1,082, while the local jobless rate sat 1.5% below the Greater Adelaide average of 3.8%. Workforce participation reached an elevated 74.3% compared to 66.6% in Greater Adelaide. Census records show that a modest 11.2% of the workforce operated from home, though this figure may be influenced by pandemic lockdown measures.

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According to the latest postcode-level ATO statistics from financial year 2023, personal earnings in Meadows exceed the national benchmark, showing a median income of $57,264 and an average of $72,284. This is higher than the Greater Adelaide median of $54,808 and average of $66,852. Adjusting for a 10.17% increase in the Wage Price Index since financial year 2023 yields updated estimates of approximately $63,088 for the median and $79,635 for the average as of March 2026. The 2021 Census reveals that household, family, and individual incomes in the area reside around the 66th percentile nationwide. Income distribution data indicates that the $1,500 - 2,999 weekly bracket includes 45.8% of the local population (863 individuals), compared to 31.8% regionally. Households retain of their earnings after meeting housing costs, showing solid discretionary capacity, and the area is positioned in the th decile of the SEIFA index for income.

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The residential landscape in Meadows at the time of the latest Census consisted of 98.3% separate houses and 1.6% alternative housing types, such as semi-detached homes, units, and other dwellings, compared to Adelaide metro where separate houses made up 75.2% and other configurations accounted for 24.9%. The home ownership rate stood at 31.4%, mirroring Adelaide metro, with the remaining homes occupied under a mortgage (56.8%) or rented (11.7%). The median monthly cost for mortgaged properties was higher than the Adelaide metro average at $1,645, while the median weekly rental cost was $343, compared to regional averages of $1,562 and $320. On a national level, mortgage costs in Meadows are lower than the Australian average of $1,863, and rents are below the national median of $375.

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Families make up the vast majority of households at 83.1%, consisting of couples with children at 37.3%, couples without children at 34.9%, and single-parent households at 9.6%. The remaining 16.9% consists of non-family living arrangements, with single-person households representing 15.5% and group share houses at 1.2%. The median size of households is 2.7 residents, exceeding the Greater Adelaide average of 2.5.

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The community shows lower rates of tertiary education, with university completion levels at 20.5%, which is below the SA4 regional average of 42.2%. This situation presents a clear opportunity for focused educational programs. Among degree holders, bachelor qualifications are the most common at 13.7%, followed by postgraduate studies at 3.7% and graduate diplomas at 3.1%. Practical and vocational skills are highly represented, with 44.9% of residents aged 15+ holding trade credentials, consisting of advanced diplomas at 11.3% and certificate qualifications at 33.6%.

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Public transit options in Meadows include 5 active transport stops featuring bus services. These stops are served by 1 individual routes, which provide a total of 10 weekly passenger trips. Access to public transit is rated as good, with residents living an average of 367 meters from their nearest stop. Given the residential character of the area, most workers travel outside the suburb, with private cars remaining the primary travel mode at 96%. Households own an average of 2.1 vehicles, which is above the regional norm. A low 11.2% of residents worked from home, according to the 2021 Census, which may have been influenced by COVID-19 rules.

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The local population displays favorable health measures, with analysis of mortality and illness rates showing outcomes that align closely with national averages. The incidence of common medical conditions is low among both younger and older age brackets, and private health insurance coverage is high, encompassing roughly 56% of residents (~1,047 people), compared to 52.7% across Greater Adelaide.

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Meadows shows low cultural diversity, with citizens making up 90.4% of the population, Australian-born residents at 88.5%, and English-only speakers at home at 96.9%. Christianity is the primary religion, followed by 31.0% of residents. The most pronounced divergence in representation is for Judaism, which has no followers locally, compared to 0.1% across Greater Adelaide.

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The median age in Meadows is 39 years, which is identical to the Greater Adelaide average of 39 and close to the national median of 38. The 55 - 64 age bracket is over-represented locally at 13.9% compared to Greater Adelaide, while the 15 - 24 cohort is under-represented at 8.5%. Since the 2021 Census, the 75 to 84 age group rose from 3.7% to 5.9% of the population, and the 35 to 44 cohort increased from 15.1% to 16.3%. Meanwhile, the 45 to 54 cohort fell from 12.7% to 10.8%, and the 55 to group decreased from to . Projections show that the age profile in Meadows will shift by with the to bracket showing the largest growth of , adding residents to total . Conversely, the to and to age cohorts are expected to decrease in size.

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Meadows currently has an estimated 145 children under 5 years old, comprising approximately 63 children aged 0-2 and 43 children aged 3-4. This cohort grew by an estimated 18% since the previous census. while population forecasts indicate future growth, with an anticipated increase of 4% by 2041 (to approximately 151 children). Meanwhile the 5-12 cohort currently amounts to 179. While growth has been positive birth rates observed in the area have been moderate, with approximately 10.2 births per 1,000 residents recorded over the latest two-year period analysed which ranks the area within the middle tier nationally. This rate has slowed down slightly in recent years however.