Para Hills (SA)

Detail

According to the evaluation of ABS demographic updates for the wider region, alongside address points verified by Districts since the Census, the suburb of Para Hills has an estimated residency of 6,774 as of May 2026. This represents a reduction of 19 people (0.3%) from the 2021 Census, which documented 6,793 residents. The shift is calculated from a resident base of 6,742, calculated by Districts using the most recent ERP statistics from the ABS (June 2025) plus an additional 53 validated new addresses since the Census. This count translates to a density of 2,110 persons per square kilometer, exceeding the typical ratio found across national locations examined by Districts. Growth in the locality was mainly supported by arrivals from overseas, who made up approximately 62.0% of the total demographic gains during recent timeframes.

Detail

The suburb of Para Hills possesses a capable labor force with strong representation in core public service sectors, and shows an unemployment rate of 4.4% based on aggregated local statistical data. In March 2026, there were 3,375 working residents, representing an unemployment rate 0.6% higher than the Greater Adelaide figure of 3.8%. The labor participation rate is slightly below the regional benchmark, sitting at 63.9% relative to Greater Adelaide's 66.6%. Census files show that a modest 6.9% of workers operated from home, though this figure may have been influenced by COVID-19 containment measures.

Detail

According to consolidated postcode tax statistics from the ATO for the 2023 financial year, taxpayers in the suburb of Para Hills recorded a median annual income of $48,438 and an average income of $54,925. These figures are lower than the national benchmarks and compare to median and average outcomes of $54,808 and $66,852 across Greater Adelaide. Adjusting for Wage Price Index growth of 10.17% since the 2023 financial year, current calculations point to a median income of about $53,364 and an average of $60,511 as of March 2026. The 2021 Census confirms that household, family, and individual incomes are relatively modest, positioning the suburb of Para Hills in the 25th to 30th percentiles. Looking at the brackets, 36.9% of local taxpayers (2,499 individuals) earn in the $1,500 - range, which is similar to the wider regional share of . Once housing costs are met, of income remains available for discretionary spending.

Detail

Housing types in the suburb of Para Hills at the time of the last Census consisted of 97.5% standalone houses and 2.4% alternative dwellings like duplexes and apartments, whereas the broader Adelaide metropolitan area recorded 75.2% houses and 24.9% other options. The rate of outright home ownership was comparable to the metropolitan average at 32.3%, with the remaining dwellings occupied via a mortgage (45.8%) or rented (21.9%). The median monthly home loan payment was significantly below the metro standard at $1,300, and the median weekly rent stood at $325, compared to metropolitan benchmarks of $1,562 and $320. On a national level, mortgage costs in the suburb of Para Hills are much lower than the Australian median of $1,863, and average rents are also well below the country-wide figure of $375.

Detail

Most households consist of families, making up 73.3% of the local total. This is composed of couples with children at 29.7%, couples without children at 25.3%, and single-parent homes at 16.2%. The remaining 26.7% are non-family households, with single-person residences accounting for 23.0% and group housing making up 3.6%. The median occupancy size of 2.6 people is slightly larger than the Greater Adelaide standard of 2.5.

Detail

The local community experiences lower rates of higher education, with university completion (16.9%) sitting well below the national average of 30.4%. This highlights a clear opportunity for targeted educational support programs. Among graduates, bachelor degrees are the most common at 11.8%, with postgraduate qualification holders at 3.6% and graduate diploma holders at 1.5%. Practical and technical vocations are highly represented, with 38.0% of residents aged 15+ holding a vocational qualification, split between advanced diplomas (9.2%) and certificates (28.8%).

Detail

Analysis of local transit options shows 58 active stops operating in the suburb of Para Hills, utilizing a combination of bus services. These stops are served by 25 distinct routes, which combine to support 1,853 passenger trips each week. Access to transit is rated as excellent, with typical residences situated 155 meters from their nearest stop. Being primarily a commuter residential area, most workers travel outside the suburb, with private vehicles remaining the primary transit method at 89%, while 8% use buses. Households own an average of 1.5 cars. A relatively low 6.9% of workers worked from home, according to the 2021 Census, which may have been impacted by pandemic conditions.

Detail

Health indicators point to notable difficulties within the suburb of Para Hills, based on Districts assessments of mortality patterns and chronic condition prevalence. Chronic health issues are evident across both young and old populations, while the proportion of residents with private health insurance is very low at roughly 49% of the population (~3,302 people). This compares to 52.7% across Greater Adelaide and a national average of 55.7%.

Detail

The suburb of Para Hills displays greater multicultural representation than most comparable areas, with 32.9% of residents born outside Australia and 27.8% using a non-English language at home. Christianity is the primary religious affiliation, representing 38.1% of the population. The most prominent divergence from wider regional figures is in Islam, which is followed by 9.6% of residents, compared to the Greater Adelaide average of 3.0%.

Detail

The median age of 36 in the suburb of Para Hills is slightly younger than the Greater Adelaide figure of 39 and the Australian national average of 38. Compared to the wider Adelaide region, the suburb of Para Hills has a higher proportion of young adults aged 25 - 34 (16.1%) but fewer seniors aged 65 - 74 (7.8%). Since the 2021 Census, the 35 to 44 age bracket has risen from 14.0% to 15.3% of the population, whereas the 5 to 14 youth group has decreased from 13.3% to 12.5%. By 2041, demographic shifts will alter the local age distribution, led by the 85+ cohort which is projected to expand by 87% ( people), growing from to . This aging shift is clear as residents aged + account for of the projected growth, while demographic declines are forecast for the to and to cohorts.

Detail

Para Hills currently has an estimated 440 children under 5 years old, comprising approximately 230 children aged 0-2 and 153 children aged 3-4. This cohort grew by an estimated 3% since the previous census. though population forecasts indicate future decline, with an anticipated decrease of 0% by 2041 (to approximately 438 children). Meanwhile the 5-12 cohort currently amounts to 650. While growth has been positive birth rates observed in the area have been moderate, with approximately 11.7 births per 1,000 residents recorded over the latest two-year period analysed which ranks the area within the middle tier nationally.