Economy, jobs and prices in Adelaide, Australia: official figures
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.
What is the median wage in Adelaide?
The median employee income in the City of Adelaide was $47,816 for the year 2022-23, the lowest of 26 areas; the Australian median was $61,966.
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics · saved copyWhat is the median household income in Adelaide?
The median equivalised household income in the City of Adelaide was $1,129 a week at the 2021 Census (household income adjusted for household size), 12th highest of 26 areas; for Australia it was $1,070.
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics · saved copyWhat is the unemployment rate in Adelaide?
The unemployment rate in the City of Adelaide was 9.3% at the 2021 Census (census night, 10 August 2021), the highest of 31 areas, above the national figure (5.1%).
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics · saved copyWhat is the labour force participation rate in Adelaide?
59.1% of residents of the City of Adelaide aged 15 and over were in the labour force (working or looking for work) at the 2021 Census, 4th lowest of 31 areas, below the national figure (61.1%).
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics · saved copyWhat are the main industries in Adelaide?
Of the 12,644 employed residents of the City of Adelaide at the 2021 Census, the largest industries were health care and social assistance (15.1%; 14.5% nationally), professional, scientific and technical services (14.0%) and accommodation and food services (13.4%).
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics · saved copyHow many businesses are there in Adelaide?
12,975 businesses were registered in the City of Adelaide at 30 June 2025, which is 430 for every 1,000 residents (the highest of 26 areas; Australia 99); 65% of them had no employees.
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics · saved copyHow many new homes were approved in Adelaide in 2024-25?
Building approvals in the City of Adelaide in 2024-25 covered 111 new dwellings (3.7 per 1,000 residents; Australia 6.8) and building work worth $895 million in total.
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics · saved copyWhat is the median house price in Adelaide?
The median price of an established house sold in the City of Adelaide in 2023-24 was $1,405,000, 4th highest of 26 areas (Australia $780,000); the median price of an attached dwelling (such as a unit or townhouse) was $580,000.
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics · saved copyHow many people rent in Adelaide?
56.9% of occupied homes in the City of Adelaide were flats or apartments at the 2021 Census (Australia 14.2%), and 59.5% of homes were rented (Australia 30.6%).
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics · saved copyHow many households in Adelaide do not own a car?
31.2% of households in the City of Adelaide had no motor vehicle at the 2021 Census, 3rd highest of 26 areas (Australia 7.4%).
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics · saved copyHow many solar panels were installed in Adelaide in 2024?
123 small-scale solar panel systems were installed in the City of Adelaide in 2024, 4.2 per 1,000 residents (Australia 11.7).
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics · saved copyHow Adelaide compares with other cities in Australia
Unemployment rate, 2021 Census (2021 Census (10 August 2021))
Adelaide ranks 1 of 31, highest first. Values cover the 18 city council areas (ABS Local Government Areas), 8 greater capital city areas (Canberra is the whole Australian Capital Territory) and, where the 2021 Census community profile gives the figure, 5 Significant Urban Areas. The areas overlap (for example the City of Brisbane lies inside Greater Brisbane), so compare like with like.
| Rank | City | Unemployment rate, 2021 Census |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Adelaide | 9.3% |
| 2 | Melbourne | 7.6% |
| 3 | Hobart | 7.0% |
| 4 | Greater Hobart | 6.2% |
| 5 | Perth | 6.1% |
| 6 | Cairns | 5.7% |
| 7 | Sydney | 5.6% |
Median total income of income earners, 2022-23 (2022-23)
Adelaide ranks 26 of 26, highest first. Values cover the 18 city council areas (ABS Local Government Areas), 8 greater capital city areas (Canberra is the whole Australian Capital Territory) and, where the 2021 Census community profile gives the figure, 5 Significant Urban Areas. The areas overlap (for example the City of Brisbane lies inside Greater Brisbane), so compare like with like. Not published for Significant Urban Areas.
| Rank | City | Median total income of income earners, 2022-23 |
|---|---|---|
| 20 | Cairns | $55,547 |
| 21 | Central Coast | $55,035 |
| 22 | Bendigo | $55,007 |
| 23 | Gold Coast | $53,824 |
| 24 | Sunshine Coast | $52,638 |
| 25 | Melbourne | $48,184 |
| 26 | Adelaide | $47,492 |
Businesses per 1,000 residents, 30 June 2025 (30 June 2025)
Adelaide ranks 1 of 26, highest first. Values cover the 18 city council areas (ABS Local Government Areas), 8 greater capital city areas (Canberra is the whole Australian Capital Territory) and, where the 2021 Census community profile gives the figure, 5 Significant Urban Areas. The areas overlap (for example the City of Brisbane lies inside Greater Brisbane), so compare like with like. Not published for Significant Urban Areas.
| Rank | City | Businesses per 1,000 residents, 30 June 2025 |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Adelaide | 430 |
| 2 | Perth | 380 |
| 3 | Sydney | 352 |
| 4 | Melbourne | 241 |
| 5 | Hobart | 124 |
| 6 | Gold Coast | 120 |
| 7 | Greater Sydney | 115 |
More on Adelaide: overview · health · education and schools · poverty and living standards · all cities in Australia
Sources
- 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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