Ruqayyah Snyder
Adelaide, the capital of South Australia, is the state's most populous city. It is also the fifth-most populous city in Australia. In 2024, Adelaide's metropolitan population, including suburbs, was 1,469,163. Three-quarters of South Australia's population lives in the Adelaide metropolitan area. The population growth rate of South Australia has been rapid, with Adelaide attracting many new migrants. Adelaide is ageing faster than other Australian capital cities, with more than a quarter of its population aged 55 or older.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Population | 1.35 million (2024) |
| Population rank in Australia | 5th |
| Population growth rate | 0.88% (2024) |
| Population with university qualifications | 17.1% |
| Population aged 55 or older | 27.5% |
| Population under 15 years old | 17.7% |
| Foreign-born population | 30% - 31.3% |
| Most common ancestries | English, Indian, Chinese, Vietnamese, Italian |
| Metropolitan area population (including suburbs) | 1,469,163 (2024) |
| Area | 15.6 km^2 |
| Founding fathers | Colonel William Light |
| Year founded | 1836 |
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What You'll Learn
Population growth rate
Adelaide is the capital and most populous city of South Australia, as well as the fifth-most populous city in Australia. The population growth rate of Adelaide has varied over the years. For instance, in 2012, Adelaide recorded a high population growth rate, partly due to immigration policies that encouraged people to move to the city. The mining industry also played a role in the population growth during that time.
The population growth rate of Adelaide has been consistent and positive over the last 13 years since 2011, ranging from 0.78% to 4.42%. In 2024, the metropolitan area population of Adelaide was 1,379,000, a 0.88% increase from 2023. The previous year, in 2023, the metropolitan area population was 1,367,000, a 0.81% increase from 2022. In 2022, the metropolitan area population was 1,356,000, a 0.82% increase from 2021.
The population growth rate of Adelaide is similar to that of Sydney and Hobart. In 2013, South Australia's population grew by 0.9%, which was faster than many countries but slower than most other Australian states, likely due to geography.
The population of Adelaide is expected to reach 1.581 million by June 2025, based on an average growth rate of 2.01% over the last 13 years. Adelaide's population growth is influenced by its position as the capital of South Australia, with 77% of the state's population residing in the Adelaide metropolitan area. The city's growth is also impacted by its ability to attract immigrants, with a foreign-born population of about 30%.
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Population demographics
Adelaide, the capital of South Australia, has a population of around 1.35 million people as of 2024, making it the fifth-largest city in Australia. The metropolitan area population of Adelaide has been steadily increasing over the years, with 1,356,000 in 2022, 1,367,000 in 2023, and 1,469,163 in 2024.
The city is ageing more rapidly than other Australian capital cities, with more than a quarter (27.5%) of its population aged 55 years or older, compared to the national average of 25.6%. Additionally, Adelaide has the lowest proportion of children (under-15-year-olds), who make up 17.7% of the population, compared to the national average of 19.3%.
In terms of education, about one-sixth (17.1%) of Adelaide's population has university qualifications. There has been a decline in the number of people with vocational qualifications, falling from 62.1% of the labour force in the 1991 census to 52.4% in the 2001 census.
Adelaide has a significant proportion of overseas-born residents, comprising about 30% of the total population as of the 2021 census. The largest groups of overseas-born individuals originate from England (5.7%) to 7%, India （3.1%） to 1.5%, Mainland China (1.8%) to 1.4%, Vietnam (1%) to 1.5%, and Italy (1.1%) to 1.5%. These diverse communities are spread across the suburbs of Adelaide, with large Italian and Greek communities in the east and west suburbs, substantial Vietnamese populations in the northwest and northern suburbs, and immigrants from Sri Lanka and India concentrated in the inner suburbs.
Adelaide's population growth is influenced by its role as a common entry point for new migrants to South Australia. However, some migrants eventually move on to larger cultural communities in other parts of the country.
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Population distribution
Adelaide is the fifth-largest city in Australia and the capital of South Australia. It has a population of around 1.33 million within its metropolitan area, which includes the City of Adelaide with a population of about 23,000. The population of the City of Adelaide was estimated to be 27,901 as of 30 June 2023, representing a 6.56% increase from the previous year.
The population of Adelaide is distributed across a total area of 3,257 square kilometers, resulting in a population density of approximately 404.205 people per square kilometer. This makes Adelaide the second-most densely populated city in Australia, after Melbourne.
The foreign-born population of Adelaide is about 30%, with large Italian and Greek communities in the suburbs. Other top ancestries include English, Australian, Scottish, German, and Irish. The city also has substantial Vietnamese populations in the northwest and northern suburbs.
Adelaide's population growth rate has been rapid, with certain areas, such as Golden Grove and Mawson Lakes, experiencing faster growth than others. South Australia's population grew by 0.9% in 2013, attracting many new migrants. The state's population is expected to continue growing, with projections estimating a population of 1.581 million by June 2025.
In terms of religious affiliation, about one-third of Adelaide's population has no religious affiliation, making it one of the least religious cities in Australia. The remaining population is predominantly Catholic, Anglican, or affiliated with other Christian denominations.
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Immigration trends
Adelaide, the capital of South Australia, has a population of around 1.35 million people, making it the fifth-largest city in Australia. The population of Adelaide has been growing rapidly, with certain areas, such as Golden Grove and Mawson Lakes, expanding faster than others.
Immigration has played a significant role in Adelaide's population growth. The city has a substantial foreign-born population, comprising about 30% of its total population. Adelaide's immigrant communities originate from various countries, with the largest groups being from England (5.7%)-7%, India (1.5%)-3.1%, China (1.4%)-1.8%, Vietnam (1%)-1.2%, Italy (1.1%)-1.5%, and Greece. Other notable immigrant populations include those from Sri Lanka, Iran, Afghanistan, the Philippines, New Zealand, Scotland, Germany, and Malaysia. Adelaide's diverse immigrant communities have contributed to its cultural richness and the growth of its tourism sector.
Historically, Adelaide was founded on the principles of religious tolerance and progressive political reforms, attracting people of diverse faiths and earning it the nickname "The City of Churches." This tradition of religious tolerance continues today, with about one-third of the population having no religious affiliation, making Adelaide one of Australia's least religious cities.
In recent years, Adelaide has experienced high rates of immigration, impacting housing prices. An immigrant inflow of 1% of a postcode's population has been found to increase housing prices by approximately 0.9% per year. Chinese and Indian immigrant groups have been shown to have a particularly strong positive influence on housing prices in Adelaide.
Adelaide's population growth and immigration trends have been monitored by various government departments, such as the Department of the Premier and Cabinet in South Australia, which collects data on population and migration through censuses. This data helps understand the cultural diversity and linguistic needs of the community. Overall, Adelaide's immigration trends reflect its attractiveness as a destination for immigrants from diverse backgrounds, contributing to its cultural richness and urban development.
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Historical population figures
Adelaide is the capital and most populous city of South Australia, and the fifth-most populous city in Australia. The name "Adelaide" refers to either Greater Adelaide (including the Adelaide Hills) or the Adelaide city centre. The traditional owners of the Adelaide region are the Kaurna, with the name Tarndanya referring to the area of the city centre and surrounding Park Lands, in the Kaurna language.
The population of Adelaide has grown significantly over the years. The earliest population figure available is from 1840, when the first annual report noted a population of 8,480 people, with 1,615 buildings in the city. By 1855, the population had increased to 18,259. However, in the late 19th century, South Australia experienced an economic depression, which likely led to a decline in Adelaide's population. In 1915, the population of Adelaide exceeded 43,000.
In the 20th century, Adelaide's population experienced fluctuations. In 1976, the population was 11,405, and by 1993, it had decreased to 5,000. In the late 1990s, the city council implemented plans to increase the population, and by 2004, the population began to grow steadily.
In recent years, Adelaide's population has continued to grow. In 2021, the population was approximately 1,356,000. By 2022, it had increased to 1,367,000, and in 2023, it reached 1,379,000. As of 2024, the metropolitan population, including suburbs, was 1,469,163, making Adelaide the fifth-largest city in Australia.
Adelaide has a diverse population, with 31.3% of its residents being overseas-born as of the 2021 census. The top countries of origin for these immigrants include England (5.7%), India (3.1%), Mainland China (1.8%), Vietnam (1.2%), and Italy (1.1%). The city has large Italian and Greek communities, and substantial Vietnamese populations in the northwest and northern suburbs. Chinese immigrants have primarily settled in the northeastern and eastern communities.
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Frequently asked questions
The population of Adelaide, Australia was approximately 1.35 million in 2024.
Adelaide is the fifth-most populous city in Australia. It is the most populous city in South Australia, with 77% of the state's population living in the Adelaide metropolitan area.
The population growth rate of Adelaide has been positive in recent years, with a 0.88% increase in the metropolitan area population from 2023 to 2024.
The population density of Adelaide is approximately 87,200 people per square kilometre (1,350,000 people / 15.5 square kilometres).
