Ottoway (SA)

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Based on evaluation of ABS demographic updates for the wider region, alongside recent address points verified by Districts since the Census, the suburb of Ottoway has an estimated residency of 2,763 as of May 2026. This represents a contraction of 20 people (0.7%) from the 2,783 residents counted in the 2021 Census. This adjustment is derived from the resident population of 2,763, calculated by Districts using the ABS June 2025 release of estimated resident numbers in combination with 15 validated new addresses added post-Census. With this population level, the density ratio stands at 2,109 persons per square kilometer, exceeding the typical figure across national areas monitored by Districts. Expansion in the local population was mostly propelled by overseas arrivals, who accounted for roughly 56% of overall population increases in recent times, though positive trends were recorded across all drivers, including interstate arrivals and natural population change.

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The labor force of the suburb of Ottoway is balanced between white and blue collar occupations, with manufacturing and industrial businesses heavily represented, an unemployment rate of 6.1%, and a yearly job growth estimate of 5.4% based on statistical area compilations by Districts. As of March 2026, 1,303 local residents are employed, which leaves the unemployment rate 2.3% higher than the Greater Adelaide figure of 3.8%, while participation in the workforce is notably lower (60.6% compared to 66.6% in Greater Adelaide). Census records show a low 4.4% of residents working from home, though the influence of pandemic lockdowns must be kept in mind.

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Based on Districts compilations of postcode-level tax data released by the ATO for the 2023 financial year, taxpayers in the suburb of Ottoway recorded a median income of $42,997 and an average income of $47,135. These figures are below the national average and compare to median and average levels of $54,808 and $66,852 across Greater Adelaide. Adjusting for a Wage Price Index increase of 10.17% since the 2023 financial year, current estimated levels would be roughly $47,370 for the median and $51,929 for the average as of March 2026. The 2021 Census reveals that household, family, and personal incomes in the suburb of Ottoway all fall between the 7th and 14th percentiles nationally. Looking at income distributions, the largest segment consists of 32.9% of residents earning $1,500 - 2,999 per week ( residents), which aligns with the wider region where of the population falls into this category. Affordability constraints are highly pronounced, with only of income remaining after housing costs, ranking in the th percentile.

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The housing stock in the suburb of Ottoway, as recorded in the latest Census, was composed of 73.8% detached houses and 26.2% alternative options (such as semi-detached homes, apartments, and other dwellings), compared to 75.2% houses and 24.9% alternative configurations across the Adelaide metropolitan region. The home ownership rate in the suburb of Ottoway trailed the Adelaide metropolitan average, standing at 27.6%, with the remaining properties occupied by people with a mortgage (37.4%) or tenants (35.0%). The median monthly payment for home loans in the area was lower than the Adelaide metro average at $1,408, and the median weekly rent stood at $275, compared to metropolitan figures of $1,562 and $320. Across Australia, mortgage payments in the suburb of Ottoway are considerably below the national average of $1,863, while rental costs are far lower than the national figure of $375.

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Families represent the majority of local households at 66.9% of the total, including 29.5% couples raising children, 17.4% couples without children, and 17.2% single parent households. Non-family living arrangements account for the remaining 33.1%, with single-person households at 28.8% and group housing making up 4.1% of the total. The median size of local households stands at 2.6 people, which is slightly larger than the Greater Adelaide average of 2.5.

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The area experiences educational disadvantages, with university graduation rates (15.8%) trailing far behind the national level of 30.4%. This represents both a difficulty and a chance to introduce focused educational programs. Bachelor degrees are the most common higher qualification at 11.8%, followed by postgraduate degrees (3.1%) and graduate diplomas (0.9%). Vocational training is highly common, with 31.3% of residents aged 15+ holding practical qualifications, consisting of advanced diplomas (7.7%) and certificates (23.6%).

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Analysis of transit options shows 14 active public transport stops in the suburb of Ottoway, comprising a mix of bus services. These stops connect to 8 unique routes, which altogether provide 686 passenger journeys each week. Accessibility is ranked as good, with residents living an average of 246 meters from the nearest stop. Due to the residential nature of the locality, most workers commute out of the area, with private cars being the primary mode of travel at 90%, and 5% using buses. Household vehicle ownership averages 1.4 per home. A relatively low 4.4% of residents work from home, based on the 2021 Census, which could reflect the influence of pandemic conditions.

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Health statistics show substantial difficulties for the suburb of Ottoway, based on Districts assessments of mortality patterns and chronic illness rates, with a high occurrence of common health conditions evident across both young and old age groups, while the proportion of residents with private health insurance is exceptionally low at roughly 46% of the population (~1,262 people). This compares to 52.7% across Greater Adelaide and a national benchmark of 55.7%.

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The suburb of Ottoway exhibits a high level of cultural diversity, with 39.6% of residents born outside Australia and 46.1% using a language other than English for home communication. Christianity is the primary religion, followed by 43.3% of the community. However, the most distinct concentration of adherents is in Buddhism, which accounts for 12.9% of the population, far exceeding the Greater Adelaide share of 2.4%.

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The median age of 36 years in the suburb of Ottoway is slightly lower than the Greater Adelaide average of 39 and also slightly lower than the Australian median of 38. Compared to the wider Adelaide area, the suburb of Ottoway has a higher proportion of young adults aged 25 - 34 (16.3%) but a lower share of older adults aged 75 - 84 (4.9%). Since the 2021 Census, the proportion of residents aged 75 to 84 has risen from 3.6% to 4.9% of the population, and the 35 to 44 age cohort has increased from 13.0% to 14.2%. Meanwhile, the 55 to 64 demographic has fallen from 13.1% to 10.6% and the to group has decreased from to . Significant shifts in the age structure are projected by . Driving these changes, the to cohort will expand by ( people), growing from to . The to demographic is projected to show much flatter growth of , adding only residents.

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Ottoway currently has an estimated 163 children under 5 years old, comprising approximately 77 children aged 0-2 and 51 children aged 3-4. This cohort grew by an estimated 3% since the previous census. while population forecasts indicate future growth, with an anticipated increase of 7% by 2041 (to approximately 174 children). Meanwhile the 5-12 cohort currently amounts to 214. While growth has been positive birth rates observed in the area have been moderate, with approximately 11.3 births per 1,000 residents recorded over the latest two-year period analysed which ranks the area within the middle tier nationally.