Para Hills West (SA)

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Based on assessments of ABS demographic releases for the wider region and new locations confirmed by Districts after the Census, the resident count of the suburb of Para Hills West is calculated to be 3,869 as of May 2026. This represents a growth of 574 people (17.4%) from the 2021 Census, which recorded 3,295 residents. The estimate is derived from a baseline population of 3,856 calculated by Districts using the ABS ERP release from June 2025, combined with 85 validated new addresses added since the Census. This population translates to a density of 1,417 persons per square kilometer, which exceeds the national average benchmarked by Districts. The 17.4% expansion rate of the suburb of Para Hills West since the 2021 census was greater than that of the SA3 region (3.9%) and the broader state, establishing the locality as a regional leader in population growth. This expansion was mainly powered by arrivals from overseas, which made up approximately 62.0% of the total demographic growth in recent times.

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The local workforce displays a balanced mix of professional and manual occupations, with a strong presence in essential services, a jobless rate of 6.6%, and employment growing by an estimated 3.2% over the last year according to compiled statistical data. As of March 2026, 1,823 local residents are employed, though the unemployment rate is 2.8% higher than the Greater Adelaide level of 3.8%, and participation in the labor market is notably lower (60.1% compared to 66.6% in Greater Adelaide). Census records show that a low 6.0% of the working population performed their duties from home, though this figure may be influenced by pandemic-related restrictions.

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The most recent ATO postcode statistics for financial year 2023 show that residents in the suburb of Para Hills West earn less than the national average, reporting a median income of $42,365 and an average income of $48,039. This is lower than the Greater Adelaide benchmarks, where the median is $54,808 and the average is $66,852. Adjusting for a 10.17% increase in the Wage Price Index since financial year 2023 yields estimated values of approximately $46,674 for the median and $52,925 for the average as of March 2026. According to the 2021 Census, household, family, and individual incomes for the suburb place it between the 8th and 11th percentiles nationally. The largest income group consists of 30.0% of the population (1,160 residents) earning between $800 - weekly, whereas the metropolitan average is led by the - bracket at . Housing costs present a major challenge, leaving residents with only of their income, which ranks in the th percentile.

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Residential structures in Para Hills West at the latest Census consisted of 70.2% standalone houses and 29.7% alternative housing options (including semi-detached units, apartments, and other dwellings), compared to 75.2% houses and 24.9% other dwellings across metropolitan Adelaide. Home ownership rates in the suburb lagged behind the metropolitan average, standing at 25.9%, with the remaining properties occupied by residents with a mortgage (35.7%) or tenants renting (38.4%). The median monthly mortgage payment of $1,300 was lower than the Adelaide metropolitan average of $1,562, while the median weekly rent was $275 compared to the metropolitan figure of $320. On a national scale, mortgage payments in the suburb are significantly lower than the Australian average of $1,863, and rent costs remain well below the national median of $375.

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Families represent the majority of local households at 63.2%, consisting of 24.6% couples with children, 21.5% couples without children, and 15.3% single-parent households. Non-family households account for the remaining 36.8%, with lone-person households comprising 34.2% and group shared households representing 2.9%. The median household occupancy of 2.3 individuals is slightly lower than the Greater Adelaide average of 2.5.

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Educational attainment levels present a challenge in the area, as the university qualification rate of 15.9% is much lower than the Australian average of 30.4%. This gap represents a significant opportunity for focused educational programs. Bachelor degrees are the most common higher education qualification at 10.4%, followed by postgraduate degrees at 3.9% and graduate diplomas at 1.6%. Technical and trade qualifications are highly prevalent, with 35.2% of residents aged 15+ holding a vocational qualification, consisting of advanced diplomas at 7.9% and certificates at 27.3%.

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Public transport services in Para Hills West include 21 active stops serviced by a selection of buses. These stops accommodate 19 different routes, which combine to offer 1,116 weekly passenger trips. Access to transit is rated favorably, with residents living an average of 278 meters from a stop. The suburb is primarily residential, and most workers commute out of the area; private vehicles are the main form of transport at 91%, followed by buses at 6%. Average vehicle ownership is 1.2 per household, which is below the metropolitan average. A relatively small proportion of residents (6.0%) worked from home according to the 2021 Census, which may have been influenced by pandemic conditions.

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Public health records indicate notable challenges for Para Hills West, based on mortality statistics and the rate of chronic illnesses across both younger and older cohorts, alongside an exceptionally low rate of private health insurance coverage at approximately 46% of the population (~1,781 people). This rate is below the Greater Adelaide level of 52.7% and the national average of 55.7%.

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The suburb displays a high degree of cultural diversity, with 31.3% of residents speaking a language other than English at home and 37.4% born outside of Australia. Christianity is the dominant religion, practiced by 35.9% of the population. The most distinct variance from regional averages is in the Other category, which accounts for 4.4% of residents compared to 1.8% across Greater Adelaide.

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Para Hills West has a median age of 38, which is close to the Greater Adelaide average of 39 and matches the national average of 38. The 35 - 44 age bracket is overrepresented locally at 14.9% compared to the metropolitan average, while the 15 - 24 cohort is underrepresented at 11.5%. Since 2021, the proportion of residents aged 35 to 44 has increased from 13.3% to 14.9%, whereas the 5 to 14 cohort decreased from 11.7% to 11.0%. Demographic projections indicate the age structure of the suburb of Para Hills West will change significantly by 2041, with the 85+ cohort expected to grow by 79 people () from to . The combined cohorts aged and over are projected to make up of the total population growth, reflecting an aging population. Conversely, the to and to age brackets are projected to contract.

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Para Hills West currently has an estimated 228 children under 5 years old, comprising approximately 131 children aged 0-2 and 87 children aged 3-4. This cohort grew by an estimated 10% since the previous census. while population forecasts indicate future growth, with an anticipated increase of 0% by 2041 (to approximately 229 children). Meanwhile the 5-12 cohort currently amounts to 371. While growth has been positive birth rates observed in the area have been moderate, with approximately 11.1 births per 1,000 residents recorded over the latest two-year period analysed which ranks the area within the middle tier nationally.