Norwood (SA)

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Norwood (SA) has an estimated population of approximately 7,572 residents as of May 2026, calculated through Districts' evaluation of recent ABS updates and validated new locations since the previous national headcount. This represents a gain of 1,218 individuals (19.2%) relative to the 2021 Census, which recorded 6,354 residents. The estimate is derived from a resident baseline of 7,568 established via the ABS June 2025 ERP release, combined with 189 newly confirmed addresses since the Census. This population level results in a density of 3,426 persons per square kilometer, placing the suburb in the top quarter of all Australian areas assessed. This 19.2% rate of expansion outpaced the statewide average of 7.5% as well as Greater Adelaide, positioning the suburb of Norwood (SA) as a regional leader in demographic growth. The influx was mostly powered by overseas arrivals, who accounted for roughly 94.0% of the overall population rise over recent periods.

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Norwood boasts a highly educated workforce, with professional services showing strong representation, an unemployment rate of just 2.5%, and 6.4% in estimated employment growth over the past year, based on Districts aggregation of statistical area data. As of March 2026, 4,567 residents are in work while the unemployment rate is 1.4% below Greater Adelaide's rate of 3.8%, and workforce participation is fairly standard (69.1% compared to Greater Adelaide's 66.6%). Based on Census responses, a moderate 16.3% of residents were found to work from home, though Covid-19 lockdown impacts should be considered.

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Taxpayer data from the ATO compiled for financial year 2023 places the income levels in Norwood among the highest nationwide. The median income for local taxpayers is $62,991, with the average income reaching $95,216, compared to $54,808 and $66,852 respectively for the broader Adelaide metropolitan area. Factoring in a 10.17% rise in the Wage Price Index since financial year 2023, current estimated figures would be approximately $69,397 for the median and $104,899 for the average as of March 2026. According to the Census, individual earnings sit at the 78th percentile ($1,002 per week), while household earnings align with the 50th percentile. The income distribution shows that 30.3% of local residents (representing 2,294 people) earn between $1,500 and mirroring the regional pattern of in this bracket. Local households allocate of their income to housing expenses, but strong overall earnings keep disposable income at the th percentile, and the area ranks in the th decile on the SEIFA index of economic resources.

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Residential architecture in Norwood at the time of the Census consisted of 34.8% standalone houses and 65.2% alternative structures like apartments, townhouses, and semi-detached properties, whereas the Adelaide metropolitan average stood at 75.2% houses and 24.9% other dwellings. The home ownership rate was comparable to the metropolitan average at 32.3%, with the remaining properties occupied by residents with a mortgage (21.5%) or tenants renting their homes (46.2%). The median mortgage payment of $2,000 per month was substantially higher than the Adelaide metropolitan average of $1,562, while the median weekly rent of $390 also exceeded the regional benchmark of $320. On a national scale, local mortgage commitments are higher than the Australian average of $1,863, and rent levels exceed the national average of $375.

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Families make up the majority of local households at 54.8%, consisting of couples with children at 17.8%, couples without children at 28.2%, and single parent households at 7.5%. The remaining 45.2% are non-family households, which include single-person households at 38.1% and group shared households at 6.9%. The median number of occupants per household is 2.0, which is below the Greater Adelaide average of 2.5.

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Academic credentials among Norwood residents are significantly higher than regional averages, with 53.6% of those aged 15+ holding a university degree, compared to 25.7% across SA and 28.9% in Greater Adelaide. This concentration of higher education positions the area well for knowledge-based sectors. Undergraduate degrees are the most common credential at 33.0%, followed by postgraduate qualifications at 16.0% and graduate diplomas at 4.6%. Vocational education accounts for 21.1% of qualifications for residents aged 15+, comprising advanced diplomas at 9.3% and certificates at 11.8%.

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Public transport infrastructure includes 29 active bus stops operating locally, serviced by 33 unique routes that provide a total of 2,387 weekly passenger journeys. Transport access is highly rated, with residents living an average of 188 meters from their nearest stop. Commuters mostly travel out of the area, with private vehicles remaining the primary mode of travel at 68%, followed by buses at 12% and walking at 10%. Average vehicle ownership stands at 0.9 cars per household, which is lower than the regional average. A total of 16.3% of working residents worked from home during the 2021 Census, which may reflect pandemic-related working arrangements.

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Local health metrics indicate excellent outcomes for Norwood, with Districts evaluations showing very low rates of chronic conditions and low mortality rates across all age brackets. Private health insurance coverage is exceptionally high, with approximately 65% of the population (representing 4,886 residents) holding policies. This rate is higher than the Greater Adelaide figure of 52.7% and the national average of 55.7%.

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The suburb displays higher levels of cultural diversity than most comparable markets, with 24.0% of residents speaking a non-English language at home and 32.3% born in another country. Christianity is the primary religious affiliation, representing 40.5% of the population. The most prominent religious overrepresentation is among followers of Judaism, who make up 0.2% of residents compared to 0.1% across Greater Adelaide.

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The median age of residents is 40 years, which aligns closely with the Greater Adelaide average of 39 years and is slightly older than the Australian average of 38 years. The cohort aged 25 to 34 is strongly represented at 19.1% compared to metropolitan Adelaide, while children aged 5 to 14 are less common at 7.6%. Since the 2021 Census, the proportion of residents aged 75 to 84 has risen from 6.8% to 8.4%, and the 15 to 24 group has expanded from 11.2% to 12.6%. Meanwhile, the 55 to 64 bracket declined from 12.4% to 10.9%. Future projections for point to notable demographic shifts in Norwood. The group aged and older is expected to grow by (an increase of people), rising from to individuals. Residents aged and older are projected to account for of the total population increase, highlighting an aging profile. Conversely, the cohort aged to is projected to decrease by individuals.

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Norwood currently has an estimated 257 children under 5 years old, comprising approximately 146 children aged 0-2 and 97 children aged 3-4. This cohort grew by an estimated 19% since the previous census. while population forecasts indicate future growth, with an anticipated increase of 5% by 2041 (to approximately 270 children). Meanwhile the 5-12 cohort currently amounts to 474. While growth has been positive birth rates observed in the area have been low, with approximately 6.4 births per 1,000 residents recorded over the latest two-year period analysed which ranks the area among the bottom 20% of areas assessed nationally. This rate has slowed down slightly in recent years however.