Economy, jobs and prices in Greater Adelaide, Australia: official figures
The median total income of residents of Greater Adelaide who had income was $57,401 a year in 2022-23 (before tax, excluding government pensions and allowances), 12th lowest of 26 areas; the Australian median was $58,216. Boundary: Greater Adelaide, the ABS Greater Capital City Statistical Area (the city and its commuting zone).
What is the median wage in Greater Adelaide?
The median employee income in Greater Adelaide was $60,000 for the year 2022-23, 12th lowest of 26 areas; the Australian median was $61,966.
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics · saved copyWhat is the median household income in Greater Adelaide?
The median equivalised household income in Greater Adelaide was $985 a week at the 2021 Census (household income adjusted for household size), joint 6th lowest of 26 areas; for Australia it was $1,070.
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics · saved copyWhat is the unemployment rate in Greater Adelaide?
The unemployment rate in Greater Adelaide was 5.5% at the 2021 Census (census night, 10 August 2021), joint 8th highest of 31 areas, above the national figure (5.1%).
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics · saved copyWhat is the labour force participation rate in Greater Adelaide?
61.7% of residents of Greater Adelaide aged 15 and over were in the labour force (working or looking for work) at the 2021 Census, 15th lowest of 31 areas, above the national figure (61.1%).
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics · saved copyWhat are the main industries in Greater Adelaide?
Of the 670,956 employed residents of Greater Adelaide at the 2021 Census, the largest industries were health care and social assistance (17.1%; 14.5% nationally), retail trade (9.7%) and education and training (9.0%).
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics · saved copyHow many businesses are there in Greater Adelaide?
130,241 businesses were registered in Greater Adelaide at 30 June 2025, which is 87 for every 1,000 residents (12th lowest of 26 areas; Australia 99); 68% of them had no employees.
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics · saved copyHow many new homes were approved in Greater Adelaide in 2024-25?
Building approvals in Greater Adelaide in 2024-25 covered 11,836 new dwellings (7.9 per 1,000 residents; Australia 6.8) and building work worth $10,069 million in total.
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics · saved copyWhat is the median house price in Greater Adelaide?
The median price of an established house sold in Greater Adelaide in 2023-24 was $757,000, 11th lowest of 26 areas (Australia $780,000); the median price of an attached dwelling (such as a unit or townhouse) was $570,000.
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics · saved copyHow many people rent in Greater Adelaide?
8.2% of occupied homes in Greater Adelaide were flats or apartments at the 2021 Census (Australia 14.2%), and 28.4% of homes were rented (Australia 30.6%).
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics · saved copyHow many households in Greater Adelaide do not own a car?
7.7% of households in Greater Adelaide had no motor vehicle at the 2021 Census, 11th highest of 26 areas (Australia 7.4%).
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics · saved copyHow many solar panels were installed in Greater Adelaide in 2024?
19,836 small-scale solar panel systems were installed in Greater Adelaide in 2024, 13.5 per 1,000 residents (Australia 11.7).
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics · saved copyHow Greater Adelaide compares with other cities in Australia
Unemployment rate, 2021 Census (2021 Census (10 August 2021))
Greater Adelaide ranks 9 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 6 | Cairns | 5.7% |
| 7 | Sydney | 5.6% |
| 8 | Greater Brisbane | 5.5% |
| 9 | Greater Adelaide | 5.5% |
| 10 | Gold Coast | 5.4% |
| 11 | Gold Coast-Tweed Heads | 5.3% |
| 12 | Greater Melbourne | 5.3% |
Median total income of income earners, 2022-23 (2022-23)
Greater Adelaide ranks 15 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 12 | Wollongong | $58,764 |
| 13 | Hobart | $58,267 |
| 14 | Geelong | $57,523 |
| 15 | Greater Adelaide | $57,401 |
| 16 | Greater Hobart | $56,852 |
| 17 | Perth | $56,520 |
| 18 | Ballarat | $55,825 |
Businesses per 1,000 residents, 30 June 2025 (30 June 2025)
Greater Adelaide ranks 15 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 12 | Newcastle | 91 |
| 13 | Darwin | 90 |
| 14 | Greater Perth | 87 |
| 15 | Greater Adelaide | 87 |
| 16 | Greater Brisbane | 86 |
| 17 | Cairns | 85 |
| 18 | Ballarat | 83 |
More on Greater Adelaide: overview · health · education and schools · poverty and living standards · all cities in Australia
Sources
- Australian Bureau of Statistics: Data by region 2011-2025: Greater Capital City Statistical Areas and Australia (ASGS Edition 3), all indicators, read 28 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 bf78744b9729…)
- 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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