Adelaide's Population: How Many Call It Home?

how many people live in the city of adelaide australia

Adelaide, the capital of South Australia, is the state's government and commercial centre. It has a population of around 1.35 million people in the metropolitan area, with around 23,000 people living in the city itself. Adelaide has been ranked as one of the most liveable cities in the world and is known for its aesthetic appeal, food and wine industries, coastline and hills, and its large defence and manufacturing operations.

Characteristics Values
Population of the Adelaide metropolitan area 1.33 million (2017) to 1.379 million (2024)
Population of the City of Adelaide 23,000
Population growth rate 0.81% (2022 to 2023) to 0.88% (2023 to 2024)
Population growth rate of South Australia 0.9% (2013)
Population of Adelaide in 1857 109,917
Population of Adelaide relative to other Australian cities Third largest city for most of the 20th century
Liveability ranking in Australia (2010-2013) First
Liveability ranking in the world (2021) Third
Aesthetic appeal ranking by Architectural Digest (2024) First

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Adelaide's population in 2024 (1.35 million)

Adelaide is the capital of South Australia and the state's most populous city. The metropolitan area of Adelaide had an estimated population of 1.33 million in 2017. The population of the City of Adelaide, on the other hand, was around 23,000.

Adelaide's population has been growing over the years. The metro area population in 2022 was 1,356,000, and in 2023, it was 1,367,000. As of 2024, the population is estimated to be 1.35 million.

Adelaide has consistently ranked among the top-ten most liveable cities globally for much of the 21st century. In 2021, it was named the most liveable city in Australia and the third most liveable city in the world. In December 2021, Adelaide was also named the world's second National Park City.

The city has a substantial foreign-born population, estimated at about 30%. Large Italian and Greek communities are present in the eastern and western suburbs, while substantial Vietnamese populations reside in the northwest and northern suburbs. Immigrants from Sri Lanka and India tend to concentrate in the inner suburbs. In recent times, suburbs in the north and west have experienced significant migration from Iran and Afghanistan.

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Population growth rate

The population of Adelaide, Australia, has experienced growth over the years, with the metropolitan area population estimated at 1.33 million in 2017. Adelaide is the fifth most populous city in Australia and the capital of South Australia. The population growth rate in Adelaide has been variable, with a reported increase of 0.82% from 2021 to 2022, resulting in a metro area population of 1,356,000 in 2022. This growth rate continued, with a 0.81% increase in 2023, taking the metropolitan population to 1,367,000. The growth rate increased slightly in 2024, with a 0.88% rise, resulting in a metro population of 1,379,000.

The City of Adelaide, covering an area of 15.57 square kilometers, has a smaller population in comparison. In 2017, the population was estimated to be around 23,000. As of 30 June 2023, the estimated resident population for the City of Adelaide was 27,901, representing a notable 6.56% growth since the previous year. This growth rate is significantly higher than the previous years' rates for the metropolitan area.

Adelaide's population growth has been influenced by its historical religious tolerance, attracting a diverse range of immigrants. The city has substantial foreign-born populations, with large Italian and Greek communities, as well as Vietnamese, Sri Lankan, Indian, Iranian, and Afghan communities in various suburbs.

While Adelaide's population growth rates have fluctuated, they generally indicate a consistent increase in population over the years. Certain areas within Adelaide have experienced faster growth than others, such as Golden Grove and Mawson Lakes. South Australia's population growth rate, in general, has been described as very rapid, attracting new migrants from other regions.

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Adelaide's ranking among Australian cities

Adelaide is the capital of South Australia and the state's most populous city, with a population of around 1.35 million in the metropolitan area. It is also one of the fastest-growing regions in Australia, with many new migrants settling in the region. Adelaide has been ranked highly among Australian cities in several categories.

Firstly, Adelaide was ranked the most liveable city in Australia by the Property Council of Australia between 2010 and 2013, dropping to second place in 2014. This ranking was based on surveys of residents' views of their city. Adelaide has also been recognised internationally, ranking 29th in the world on the Happy Cities Index, which evaluates cities based on various parameters that contribute to the overall wellbeing and satisfaction of their residents. This ranking reflects Adelaide's commitment to fostering a high quality of life for its citizens.

In addition, Adelaide has been classed as a Gamma+ level global city by the Globalization and World Cities Research Network. This ranking indicates Adelaide's role in linking economic regions to the worldwide economy. The city is well-connected by extensive transport networks, including bus, train, and tram systems, all operated by Adelaide Metro. Adelaide Airport and Port Adelaide are also among the busiest in Australia, further enhancing the city's connectivity and global links.

Furthermore, Architectural Digest ranked Adelaide as the most beautiful city in the world in 2024, recognising its aesthetic appeal. Adelaide's unique history, as a planned colony of free immigrants with promised religious freedom, has contributed to its distinct character. The city's layout was designed by Colonel William Light and based on the Sicilian city of Catania.

Overall, Adelaide is highly regarded among Australian cities and has received recognition in various aspects, including livability, happiness, global connectivity, and aesthetic appeal.

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Population distribution

Adelaide, the capital of South Australia, has a population distribution that varies across its metropolitan area and the City of Adelaide.

The Adelaide metropolitan area, with its suburbs and surrounding localities, covers a total area of 3,257 square kilometers and has an estimated population of around 1.3 million people. This makes Adelaide one of the largest cities in Australia and the most populous city in South Australia. The metropolitan area has experienced varying rates of growth over the years, with certain areas growing faster than others. For example, Golden Grove and Mawson Lakes have seen significant development and expansion.

On the other hand, the City of Adelaide, the central business district and administrative center, has a much smaller population. Covering an area of 15.57 square kilometers, the City of Adelaide is home to approximately 23,000 residents. This disparity in population size between the metropolitan area and the central city is a common characteristic of Australian cities, where the majority of residents tend to live in the suburbs and surrounding areas rather than the inner city.

Historically, Adelaide has had a diverse population distribution, with a mix of religious and non-religious individuals, as well as a significant foreign-born population. About one-third of the population has no religious affiliation, making Adelaide one of the least religious cities in Australia. The city has also attracted migrants from various countries, including Italy, Greece, Vietnam, Sri Lanka, India, Iran, and Afghanistan. These immigrant communities tend to settle in specific suburbs, creating cultural enclaves within the city.

Adelaide's population growth has been influenced by its role as a gateway for new migrants to South Australia. Many international migrants first settle in Adelaide before eventually moving on to larger cultural communities in other parts of the country. This transient nature of the population can impact the distribution of residents across the city and the state.

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The metropolitan area of Adelaide, Australia, has an estimated population of 1.33 million as of 2017. The population in 2022 was 1,356,000, and it increased to 1,367,000 in 2023 and 1,379,000 in 2024. The City of Adelaide itself has a population of around 23,000.

Immigration has been a significant contributor to the population growth in Adelaide and South Australia. In the year ending June 2024, overseas migration added a net total of 446,000 people to Australia's population, a decrease from the previous year's record of 536,000. This decrease can be attributed to the COVID-19 pandemic and border restrictions, which caused a temporary reversal in the trend of net population gain through migration. During the pandemic years of 2020 and 2021, many potential migrants were unable to enter the country, resulting in a net loss of Australian-born residents.

Historically, Adelaide has attracted migrants due to its religious tolerance and freedom of religion, dating back to its establishment as a planned colony of free immigrants in 1836. Today, about one-third of Adelaide's population has no religious affiliation, making it one of the least religious cities in Australia.

The foreign-born population of Adelaide is approximately 30%, with diverse communities from various countries. The top countries of birth for migrant arrivals in 2023-24 were India, China, the Philippines, Australia, and the United Kingdom. South Australia as a whole is home to people from over 214 countries, speaking 248 languages and practicing 128 religions.

In terms of ancestry, the top responses in South Australia include English, Scottish, Irish, German, Italian, Chinese, Indian, Greek, Dutch, and Vietnamese. The presence of large Italian and Greek communities in the suburbs of Fulham, West Lakes, Newton, Payneham, Campbelltown, and Torrensville is notable. Additionally, there are substantial Vietnamese populations in the northwest and northern suburbs, such as Athol Park, Mansfield Park, Pooraka, and Woodville. Immigrants from Sri Lanka and India are concentrated in inner suburbs like Enfield, Kilburn, and Park Holme. More recently, suburbs in the north and west have experienced migration from Iran and Afghanistan.

Adelaide's population growth rate has been rapid, and it serves as a gateway for new migrants to South Australia. However, some migrants eventually move on to larger cultural communities within the country.

Frequently asked questions

The metropolitan area of Adelaide had a population of around 1.33 million in 2017. This number grew to 1,356,000 in 2022, 1,367,000 in 2023, and 1,379,000 in 2024.

The City of Adelaide has a population of around 23,000 people.

Adelaide is the most populous city in South Australia. The second largest city in the state is Mount Gambier, which has a population of 23,000, making Adelaide nearly 60 times bigger.

In 2013, South Australia's population grew by 0.9%, which is faster than many countries but slower than most other Australian states.

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