Smithfield Plains (SA)

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Based on demographic evaluations from the ABS for the surrounding region, combined with updated addresses verified by Districts since the Census, the suburb of Smithfield Plains is calculated to have approximately 3,695 residents as of May 2026. This marks an expansion of 390 residents (11.8%) from the 2021 Census, which recorded 3,305 individuals. This shift is determined from a resident population count of 3,645, calculated by Districts using the ABS ERP release from June 2025 alongside an additional 86 validated new addresses following the Census. Such a population size represents a density of 2,463 persons per square kilometer, placing the suburb of Smithfield Plains in the top quartile of domestic regions examined by Districts. The 11.8% expansion since the 2021 census outpaced the state (7.5%) and Greater Adelaide, establishing the suburb of Smithfield Plains as a regional leader in growth. The expansion was primarily fueled by natural increase, which accounted for roughly of the population gains recently, though other components such as interstate and overseas migration also registered positive results.

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Smithfield Plains has a workforce split between office-based and manual occupations across diverse industries, alongside an unemployment rate of 15.1%, derived from Districts aggregated local data. As of March 2026, 1,285 local inhabitants are employed, with the unemployment rate sitting 11.3% higher than the Greater Adelaide figure of 3.8%, pointing to potential for economic progress, while participation in the labour market is relatively low (55.7% compared with 66.6% in Greater Adelaide). Census statistics indicate that a modest 4.2% of the working population performed their duties from home, though the influence of COVID-19 restrictions should be kept in mind.

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Taxpayer income statistics from the ATO for financial year 2023 aggregated by Districts reveal that local earnings are below the national average. The median income among local taxpayers is $40,173 while the average is $43,788, compared with Greater Adelaide medians and averages of $54,808 and $66,852 respectively. Factoring in Wage Price Index growth of 10.17% since financial year 2023, current equivalent levels would be roughly $44,259 (median) and $48,241 (average) as of March 2026. Census findings place household, family, and individual incomes in the area within the 3rd and 4th percentiles nationwide. The most common weekly income bracket is $800 - 1,499, accounting for 31.7% of households (1,171 residents), which differs from the regional trend where the - range is largest at . Housing cost pressures are high, leaving residents with only of their income, which ranks in the th percentile.

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Residential property types in Smithfield Plains at the time of the latest Census consisted of 84.8% standalone houses and 15.2% alternative structures (including duplexes, flats, and other classifications), compared to 75.2% houses and 24.9% other dwellings across the Adelaide metro area. Home ownership rates in Smithfield Plains were lower than the Adelaide metro average, standing at 12.8%, with the remaining properties occupied by residents with a mortgage (36.1%) or renting (51.1%). The median monthly home loan repayment of $1,092 was much lower than the Adelaide metro average, while the median weekly rent was $251, compared to regional averages of $1,562 and $320 respectively. Nationally, mortgage costs in the area are lower than the Australian average of $1,863, and rent levels are below the national average of $375.

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Families make up the majority of households at 66.5%, consisting of couples with children (23.7%), couples without children (14.8%), and single parent families (26.0%). Non-family households account for the remaining 33.5% of the total, with lone person households representing 29.3% and group households comprising 4.5%. The median household size is 2.6 people, slightly higher than the Greater Adelaide average of 2.5.

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Educational attainment levels show that university graduation rates are relatively low, with 7.1% of residents holding a tertiary degree compared to the national average of 30.4%. Among these qualifications, bachelor degrees represent 5.4%, followed by postgraduate degrees at 0.9% and graduate diplomas at 0.8%. Practical and technical skills are common, as 41.0% of residents aged 15+ have completed vocational training, including advanced diplomas (6.4%) and certificates (34.6%).

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Analysis of the local transit network shows 13 active bus stops operating in Smithfield Plains. These stops connect to 12 separate routes, which support a total of 587 weekly passenger journeys. Accessibility is favorable, with residents living an average of 224 meters from the nearest stop. The suburb is mainly residential, meaning most workers travel outside the area for employment, with private cars being the primary travel mode at 88% and buses accounting for 7%. Motor vehicle ownership averages 1.0 per household, which is below the metropolitan average. A modest 4.2% of residents worked from home, according to the 2021 Census, which was influenced by COVID-19 regulations.

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Health assessments by Districts based on mortality statistics and chronic disease trends show significant medical issues across multiple age groups, while the proportion of residents with private health insurance is low at approximately 44% of the population (~1,639 people). This is lower than the 52.7% recorded in Greater Adelaide and the national average of 55.7%.

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The local population displays above-average cultural diversity, with 21.5% of residents born outside Australia and 16.9% using a non-English language at home. Christianity is the most common religious affiliation, followed by 34.1% of residents. Islam shows the most notable regional variance, representing 5.0% of the population compared to 3.0% across Greater Adelaide.

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The suburb of Smithfield Plains has a median age of 29 years, which is lower than the Greater Adelaide median of 39 and the national median of 38. Compared to the wider Adelaide area, there is a higher proportion of children aged 5 - 14 (16.4%) and a lower proportion of seniors aged 65 - 74 (5.8%). Since 2021, the 15 to 24 age bracket has risen from 14.0% to 15.4% of the population, whereas the 5 to 14 cohort decreased from 18.2% to 16.4%. Demographic projections indicate the age structure will change by 2041, with the 45 to 54 cohort expected to grow by people () from to .

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Smithfield Plains currently has an estimated 339 children under 5 years old, comprising approximately 181 children aged 0-2 and 120 children aged 3-4. This cohort grew by an estimated 18% since the previous census. while population forecasts indicate future growth, with an anticipated increase of 25% by 2041 (to approximately 425 children). Meanwhile the 5-12 cohort currently amounts to 471. Recent growth has been driven by high birth rates observed in the area, with approximately 16.4 births per 1,000 residents recorded over the latest two-year period analysed which ranks the area among the top 20% of areas assessed nationally. This rate has slowed down slightly in recent years however.