Prospect (SA)

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According to ABS population updates for the wider region and new addresses verified by Districts since the Census, the population of the suburb of Prospect (SA) is estimated to be approximately 16,033 in May 2026. This represents a growth of 1,449 people (9.9%) from the 2021 Census, which counted 14,584 residents. The estimate is calculated from a resident population of 15,647, determined by Districts using the ABS June 2025 ERP release, combined with an additional 388 validated new addresses since the Census. This population level translates to a density of 3,226 persons per square kilometer, placing the area in the top quartile of national locations assessed by Districts. The 9.9% increase in the suburb of Prospect (SA) since the 2021 census was higher than the state average of 7.5% and the SA3 region, establishing it as a regional growth leader. This expansion was mostly fueled by overseas migration, which accounted for roughly 85.0% of the overall population increases in recent times.

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The local workforce is characterized by high levels of education and a strong presence in essential services, showing an unemployment rate of only 2.6% and a 5.4% expansion in employment over the past year, according to statistical area data compiled by Districts. In March 2026, 9,670 residents were employed, while the local unemployment rate sat 1.2% below the Greater Adelaide rate of 3.8%. Workforce participation is particularly high, reaching 75.9% compared to 66.6% across Greater Adelaide. Census statistics show that a modest 11.8% of employed residents worked from home, though this data may reflect the influence of Covid-19 restrictions.

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The latest postcode-level ATO statistics for the financial year 2023 show that local incomes are exceptionally high on a national scale, with a median of $57,778 and an average of $76,711. In comparison, Greater Adelaide recorded a median income of $54,808 and an average of $66,852. Factoring in a Wage Price Index increase of 10.17% since the financial year 2023, current estimates correspond to approximately $63,654 for the median and $84,513 for the average as of March 2026. According to the 2021 Census, household, family, and personal incomes sit around the 69th percentile nationally. The most common income bracket is $1,500 - 2,999, containing 32.6% of residents (5,226 people), which aligns with the regional trend of in this bracket. After housing costs, residents retain of their income for other living expenses, and the SEIFA index ranks the area in the th decile for income.

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The distribution of housing types at the time of the latest Census showed 68.0% detached houses and 32.0% alternative dwellings, such as semi-detached homes, apartments, and other housing structures, compared to 75.2% houses and 24.9% other dwellings across metropolitan Adelaide. Home ownership rates were slightly lower than the metropolitan average at 30.3%, with remaining households holding a mortgage (34.4%) or renting (35.3%). The median monthly mortgage payment was significantly higher than the metropolitan average of $1,562, sitting at $1,929. The median weekly rent was recorded at $350, compared to the metropolitan average of $320. On a national level, monthly mortgage commitments are higher than the Australian average of $1,863, whereas weekly rents remain below the national figure of $375.

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Family households represent the majority at 67.4% of all households, consisting of 32.2% couples with children, 25.1% couples without children, and 8.5% single-parent households. Non-family living arrangements account for the remaining 32.6% of households, with single-person households at 26.4% and group households making up 6.3% of the total. The median household size of 2.5 people is identical to the average for Greater Adelaide.

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Educational attainment is substantially higher than broader geographic averages, with 43.6% of residents aged 15+ holding a university degree, compared to 25.7% across SA and 28.9% across Greater Adelaide. This concentration of higher education positions the population well for knowledge-intensive sectors. Bachelor degrees are held by 27.8% of the population, followed by postgraduate degrees at 11.5% and graduate diplomas at 4.3%. Vocational and technical qualifications are also common, with 25.2% of residents aged 15+ holding vocational credentials, split between advanced diplomas at 10.0% and certificates at 15.2%.

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Public transport services include 56 active transit stops within the area, providing access to a combination of train and bus networks. These stops are served by 30 separate routes, which combine to offer 2,461 weekly passenger journeys. Transport links are highly accessible, with residents living an average of 196 meters from their nearest transit stop. Given the residential nature of the area, the majority of working residents commute to other districts, with private cars remaining the primary travel mode at 82%, followed by buses at 11% and bicycles at 2%. Households own an average of 1.3 vehicles. A relatively low share of residents, 11.8%, worked from home according to the 2021 Census, which may have been influenced by pandemic conditions.

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Health outcomes are better than average, based on an analysis of mortality rates and chronic illness prevalence, showing that common health conditions are infrequent in the general population, though they rise above the national average among older, vulnerable cohorts. Private health insurance coverage is high, with approximately 57% of residents (~9,185 people) covered, compared to 52.7% across Greater Adelaide.

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The local area exhibits higher levels of cultural diversity than most regional markets, with 30.4% of residents born outside Australia and 30.6% speaking a language other than English at home. Christianity is the most common religious affiliation, representing 45.2% of the population. The most notable difference from regional averages is in the Other religious category, which accounts for 2.2% of residents compared to 1.8% across Greater Adelaide.

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The median age of 37 years is slightly below the Greater Adelaide average of 39 and close to the national median of 38 years. Compared to the metro average, there is a higher concentration of residents in the 25 - 34 age bracket (17.5% locally) and a lower share in the 75 - 84 bracket (4.4%). Since the 2021 Census, the 15 to 24 age bracket has increased from 12.5% to 13.6% of the population, while the 55 to 64 bracket has decreased from 11.7% to 10.4%. Long-term forecasts for 2041 project notable demographic shifts in the suburb of Prospect (SA), led by a 27% increase in the 45 to 54 cohort, which will grow by people to reach from . The to cohort is expected to grow more slowly, rising by with an increase of children.

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Prospect currently has an estimated 833 children under 5 years old, comprising approximately 477 children aged 0-2 and 319 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 10% by 2041 (to approximately 916 children). Meanwhile the 5-12 cohort currently amounts to 1,467. While growth has been positive birth rates observed in the area have been moderate, with approximately 9.0 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.