West Beach (SA)

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According to ABS demographic updates for the surrounding region combined with new address validations performed by Districts after the Census, the population of the suburb of West Beach (SA) is estimated to be approximately 5,503 by May 2026. This represents an addition of 328 residents (6.3%) compared to the 2021 Census, which recorded 5,175 residents. The figures are derived from a resident count of 5,487, calculated by Districts using the ABS June 2025 ERP release, alongside 41 verified new addresses added post-census. The current population translates to a density of 1,313 persons per square kilometer, exceeding the typical figure for locations nationwide analyzed by Districts. The post-census growth of 6.3% in the suburb of West Beach (SA) trails the state average of 7.5% by 1.2 percentage points, showing solid local expansion. Net gains in the local population were driven mostly by overseas migration, which accounted for roughly 82.0% of the overall increase in recent times.

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West Beach is characterized by a highly educated labor pool, strong representation in essential service fields, a jobless rate of only 1.0%, and a yearly jobs growth rate of 6.9% based on Districts statistical aggregations. In March 2026, 3,190 local residents were employed. The local unemployment rate sits 2.9% below the Greater Adelaide rate of 3.8%, while the labor participation rate is relatively typical at 69.2% compared to 66.6% across Greater Adelaide. Census records show a moderate 14.3% of the workforce worked from home, though this may have been influenced by pandemic-related lockdowns.

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Taxpayer statistics for the 2023 financial year from the ATO show a median income of $54,139 and an average income of $70,158 in West Beach. This sits slightly above the national average, and compares to a median of $54,808 and an average of $66,852 in Greater Adelaide. Factoring in Wage Price Index growth of 10.17% since the 2023 financial year, current estimates for March 2026 are approximately $59,645 for the median and $77,293 for the average. In the 2021 Census, individual weekly income sat in the 66th percentile at $896, while household weekly income was in the 49th percentile. The largest group of taxpayers comprises 28.2% of the population, representing 1,551 residents who earn between $1,500 and weekly, which is similar to the wider region where fall into this range. Discretionary income remaining after housing costs stands at , and the local SEIFA index for income places the area in the th decile.

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The housing stock in West Beach at the time of the latest Census consisted of 66.0% detached houses and 34.0% alternative dwellings, such as townhouses and apartments, compared to 75.2% houses and 24.9% alternative dwellings across metropolitan Adelaide. Home ownership rates in West Beach were significantly higher than the metropolitan average at 39.6%, with mortgaged properties making up 33.4% and rental properties accounting for 27.0%. The median monthly mortgage payment of $2,000 was notably higher than the Adelaide metropolitan average of $1,562, whereas the median weekly rent was identical to the metropolitan average at $320. On a national level, mortgage payments in West Beach exceed the Australian average of $1,863, while weekly rent is considerably lower than the national median of $375.

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Families make up 69.2% of all households, consisting of couples with children at 31.4%, couples without children at 29.4%, and single parents at 7.5%. The remaining 30.8% are non-family households, which consist of single-person households at 28.5% and group households at 2.2%. The average household size is 2.4 residents, which is slightly lower than the Greater Adelaide average of 2.5.

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The educational profile of the local population is distinctive, with university graduation rates at 33.1% of residents aged 15 and over, exceeding the SA average of 25.7% and the Greater Adelaide average of 28.9%. Among these qualifications, bachelor degrees are the most common at 22.4%, followed by postgraduate degrees at 7.1% and graduate diplomas at 3.6%. Vocational and technical skills are also common, with 31.5% of residents aged 15 and over holding trade qualifications, comprising 10.8% with advanced diplomas and 20.7% with certificates.

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Public transit networks in West Beach include 48 active stops, serviced by a combination of buses. These stops accommodate 16 different routes, which provide a combined total of 631 weekly passenger trips. Transport accessibility is high, with residents living an average of 133 meters from their nearest transit stop. Given the residential nature of the suburb, most working residents travel out of the area, with private cars being the primary mode of travel for 90% of commuters and cycling accounting for 2%. Households own an average of 1.4 vehicles. According to the 2021 Census, 14.3% of the workforce worked from home, which may have been influenced by pandemic-related restrictions.

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Health indicators in West Beach are positive, with low rates of mortality and chronic illnesses observed across both younger and older demographics. Furthermore, the proportion of residents with private health insurance is relatively high, covering roughly 55% of the local population, which equates to approximately 3,011 people.

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West Beach exhibits higher cultural diversity than average, with 23.7% of the population born outside Australia and 15.4% speaking a non-English language at home. Christianity is the dominant religion, practiced by 52.4% of local residents. The most distinct variation from regional averages is in the category of other religions, which accounts for 1.1% of the population compared to 1.8% across Greater Adelaide.

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The median age in West Beach is 44 years, which is older than the Greater Adelaide average of 39 years and the Australian median of 38 years. Compared to Greater Adelaide, the local population has a higher concentration of people aged 55 to 64 at 13.1%, and a lower concentration of people aged 25 to 34 at 11.9%. Since the 2021 Census, the 35 to 44 age bracket grew from 12.3% to 13.6% of the population, and the 25 to 34 bracket rose from 10.7% to 11.9%, while the 45 to 54 bracket decreased from 14.0% to 12.9%. Projections for indicate significant demographic shifts, with the cohort aged and over expected to grow by , adding individuals to increase from to while the group aged to is expected to grow by , adding children.

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West Beach currently has an estimated 242 children under 5 years old, comprising approximately 140 children aged 0-2 and 94 children aged 3-4. This cohort declined by an estimated 2% since the previous census. though population forecasts indicate future growth, with an anticipated increase of 4% by 2041 (to approximately 251 children). Meanwhile the 5-12 cohort currently amounts to 485. Birth rates in the area have averaged 7.7 per 1,000 residents over the latest two-year period, a low rate (among the bottom 30% of areas assessed nationally). This rate has slowed down slightly in recent years however.