Adelaide: population and official figures
In depth
- Economy, jobs and prices in Adelaide: The median total income of residents of the City of Adelaide who had income was $47,492 a year in 2022-23 (before tax, excluding government pensions and allowances), the lowest of 26 areas; the Australian median was $58,216. Boundary: the City of Adelaide local government area (the council area), not the wider urban region around it.
- Health in Adelaide: 126 births were registered to mothers living in the City of Adelaide in 2024, and the total fertility rate was 0.57 births per woman, below the national figure (1.54). Boundary: the City of Adelaide local government area (the council area), not the wider urban region around it.
- Education in Adelaide: 76.5% of residents of the City of Adelaide aged 15 and over had completed Year 12 or equivalent at the 2021 Census, 4th highest of 31 areas, above the national figure (58.8%). Boundary: the City of Adelaide local government area (the council area), not the wider urban region around it.
- Poverty and living standards in Adelaide: The median weekly rent paid by households in the City of Adelaide was $400 at the 2021 Census (rents on census night, 10 August 2021), joint 9th highest of 31 areas; the national median was $375. Boundary: the City of Adelaide local government area (the council area), not the wider urban region around it.
What is the population of Adelaide?
The City of Adelaide had an estimated 30,173 residents on 30 June 2025 (ABS preliminary estimate), the lowest of 31 areas covered on this site. Boundary: the City of Adelaide local government area (the council area), not the wider urban region around it.
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics · saved copyIs the population of Adelaide growing?
The population of the City of Adelaide grew by 927 people (3.2%) in the year to 30 June 2025, from 29,246 to 30,173; Australia as a whole grew 1.5%.
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics · saved copyHow fast has the population of Adelaide grown in the last five years?
Between 30 June 2020 and 30 June 2025 the estimated population of the City of Adelaide rose 16.2%, from 25,964 to 30,173, compared with 7.7% for Australia.
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics · saved copyHow many people moved to Adelaide in 2024-25?
In the year to 30 June 2025 the City of Adelaide had net overseas migration of +1,282 people and net internal (within Australia) migration of -360 people.
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics · saved copyWhat is the population density of Adelaide?
The City of Adelaide covers 16 square kilometres, so its 2025 population works out at about 1,938 people per square kilometre.
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics · saved copyWhat is the median age in Adelaide?
The median age of residents of the City of Adelaide was 31.5 years in 2024, below the national figure (38.3 years).
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics · saved copyHow many households are there in Adelaide?
The 2021 Census counted 11,116 households in the City of Adelaide, with an average of 1.8 people per household.
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics · saved copyHow many people in Adelaide were born overseas?
At the 2021 Census 45.3% of residents of the City of Adelaide were born overseas, above the national figure (27.6%), and 36.0% spoke a language other than English at home, above the national figure (22.3%).
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics · saved copyWho runs Adelaide?
In Australia, cities and towns are run by local governments: Councillors elected (methods vary by state; voting compulsory in some states); mayors directly elected in some places and chosen by councillors in others. Local roads, planning approvals, waste, libraries, parks, rates (property tax).
How local power works in Australia
Cities of a similar size in Australia
- Townsville 206,260
- Melbourne 194,481
- Toowoomba 186,276
- Cairns 179,334
- Newcastle 178,935
- Greater Darwin 159,284
- Bendigo 126,568
- Ballarat 122,661
- Albury-Wodonga 102,435
- Darwin 90,035
- Hobart 55,859
- Perth 35,673
Up a level: all cities in Australia · Australia · government and power
Sources
- Australian Bureau of Statistics: Regional population 2024-25: estimated resident population by Local Government Area and Significant Urban Area, 2001 to 2025 (data cube 32180DS0004), read 28 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 625c7c3de3b7…)
- Australian Bureau of Statistics: Data by region 2011-2025: Local Government Areas (ASGS Edition 3), 18 city councils, all indicators, read 28 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 788eca55906d…)
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