Salisbury Downs (SA)

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According to evaluations of ABS population updates for the wider region alongside new addresses verified by Districts since the Census, the suburb of Salisbury Downs is estimated to have a population of approximately 6,395 as of May 2026. This represents an expansion of 99 people (1.6%) from the 2021 Census, which documented a population of 6,296 people. This shift is deduced from a resident population of 6,379, calculated by Districts using the latest ERP data release from the ABS (June 2025) combined with an extra 36 validated new addresses since the Census date. Such a population size translates to a density ratio of 2,283 persons per square kilometer, exceeding the typical average across national locations evaluated by Districts. The 1.6% growth since census recorded in the suburb of Salisbury Downs places it within 2.3 percentage points of the SA3 area (3.9%), indicating competitive growth dynamics. Demographic expansion in the locality was largely fueled by overseas migration, which accounted for roughly of total population increases over recent periods.

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Salisbury Downs features a balanced workforce distributed across white and blue collar jobs, with manufacturing and industrial sectors strongly represented, an unemployment rate of 9.2%, and relatively stable employment over the preceding year, based on Districts aggregation of statistical area data. As of March 2026, 2,631 residents are employed, whereas the unemployment rate is 5.4% higher than the Greater Adelaide rate of 3.8%, showing potential for improvement, and workforce participation is notably lower (55.5% versus Greater Adelaide's 66.6%). Census responses indicate that a low 5.5% of residents worked from home, although the influence of Covid-19 lockdowns should be taken into account.

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According to the latest postcode level ATO data from Districts released for financial year 2023, the suburb of Salisbury Downs's median income among taxpayers is $47,703, with an average of $50,758. This sits below the national average and compares to a median of $54,808 and average of $66,852 in Greater Adelaide. Accounting for Wage Price Index growth of 10.17% since financial year 2023, current estimates would stand at approximately $52,554 (median) and $55,920 (average) as of March 2026. Census findings show that household, family and personal incomes in Salisbury Downs all place between the 5th and 9th percentiles nationally. Distribution statistics reveal that the $800 - 1,499 weekly earnings bracket includes 29.5% of the community (1,886 individuals), contrasting with the wider region where earn in the - range. Housing affordability pressures are intense, with only of income remaining, which ranks in the th percentile.

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The mix of housing types in Salisbury Downs, as measured at the latest Census, consisted of 79.6% houses and 20.4% other formats (semi-detached properties, apartments, and alternative dwellings), compared to 75.2% houses and 24.9% other formats across metropolitan Adelaide. Meanwhile, home ownership in Salisbury Downs was lower than in metropolitan Adelaide, sitting at 28.3%, with the remaining dwellings either mortgaged (35.8%) or rented (35.9%). The median monthly mortgage payment in the area was significantly below the metropolitan Adelaide average of $1,562 at $1,300, while the median weekly rent was recorded at $273, compared to metropolitan Adelaide's $320. Nationally, mortgage payments in Salisbury Downs are considerably lower than the Australian average of $1,863, and rents are substantially below the national average of $375.

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Family households make up the majority at 68.1% of all households, consisting of 29.9% couples with children, 20.1% couples without children, and 16.5% single parent households. Non-family households account for the remaining 31.9%, with lone person households comprising 28.5% and group households representing 3.3% of the total. The median household size of 2.6 people is slightly larger than the Greater Adelaide average of 2.5.

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The locality experiences educational challenges, with university qualification levels (13.4%) sitting substantially below the Australian average of 30.4%. This represents both a challenge and an opening for focused educational strategies. Bachelor degrees are the most common at 9.6%, followed by postgraduate degrees (2.8%) and graduate diplomas (1.0%). Vocational and technical skills are highly prevalent, with 32.2% of residents aged 15+ holding vocational qualifications, split between advanced diplomas (7.3%) and certificates (24.9%).

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Public transport analysis shows 23 active transport stops in service within Salisbury Downs, offering a combination of train and bus options. These stops are serviced by 17 distinct routes, which combine to deliver 1,085 weekly passenger trips. Transport accessibility is classified as good, with residents generally positioned 241 meters from their nearest transit stop. Being a primarily residential area, most residents travel outwards to work, with the car remaining the dominant transit mode at 91%, compared to 5% using the bus. Vehicle ownership averages 1.3 per household. A relatively low 5.5% of residents work from home (2021 Census; potentially reflecting COVID-19 settings).

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Health statistics show considerable difficulties facing Salisbury Downs, based on Districts' evaluation of mortality rates and chronic disease frequency, with the prevalence of common health issues notable in both younger and older cohorts, and the proportion of residents with private health insurance found to be very low at approximately 47% of the total population (~3,012 people). This compares to 52.7% throughout Greater Adelaide. The national average stands at 55.7%.

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Salisbury Downs registers a high level of cultural diversity, with 40.3% of residents born overseas and 40.7% speaking a language other than English in their homes. The predominant religion in Salisbury Downs was found to be Christianity, representing 40.7% of the population in Salisbury Downs. However, the most notable overrepresentation is in Buddhism, which accounts for 8.1% of the population, significantly exceeding the Greater Adelaide average of 2.4%.

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The median age of 37 years in Salisbury Downs is slightly below Greater Adelaide's average of 39 and very close to the national average of 38 years. Relative to the Greater Adelaide average, the 5 - 14 year age bracket is notably over-represented (13.1% locally), while the 75 - 84 year age bracket is under-represented (5.6%). Post-2021 Census data indicates the 35 to 44 age cohort has expanded from 13.3% to 14.4% of the population. Conversely, the 45 to 54 cohort has shrunk from 11.6% to 10.9%. Population projections for 2041 point to major demographic transitions for Salisbury Downs. Leading this shift, the 75 to 84 cohort is projected to expand by ( people), growing from to . Demographic aging is set to continue, with residents aged and older representing of the anticipated growth. In contrast, the to and to age groups are projected to experience population decreases.

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Salisbury Downs currently has an estimated 377 children under 5 years old, comprising approximately 230 children aged 0-2 and 154 children aged 3-4. This cohort declined by an estimated 5% since the previous census. while population forecasts indicate future decline, with an anticipated decrease of 2% by 2041 (to approximately 369 children). Meanwhile the 5-12 cohort currently amounts to 649. Birth rates in the area have averaged 12.1 per 1,000 residents over the latest two-year period, a high rate (among the top 30% of areas assessed nationally). This rate has slowed down slightly in recent years however.