Good to know
Good to Know
- Greater Adelaide's 27.6% foreign-born rate is slightly below Australia's national average of 32%, but the City of Adelaide core is significantly more diverse at 45.4%, reflecting high international student and recent migrant concentration
- Adelaide is experiencing rapid net overseas migration (21,700 in 2023-24), driven by skilled migrants and international students seeking more affordable lifestyle options compared to Sydney and Melbourne
- English-speaking communities historically dominant, with strong Italian and Greek immigrant heritage concentrated in specific east/west suburbs; growing communities from Iran, Afghanistan, India, China, and Vietnam represent more recent migration waves
- The Australian Space Agency headquarters is located in Adelaide, representing a growing high-tech sector presence alongside traditional manufacturing and defence industries
- Five major university campuses attract nearly 30,000 international students, contributing to the city's young professional demographic and cultural diversity in inner-city areas
Top Countries Of Birth
England
- Percentage Of Total Population
- 6.7
- Rank
- 1
India
- Percentage Of Total Population
- 3.1
- Rank
- 2
China
- Percentage Of Total Population
- 1.8
- Rank
- 3
Vietnam
- Percentage Of Total Population
- 1.2
- Rank
- 4
Italy
- Percentage Of Total Population
- 1.1
- Rank
- 5
Notable Immigrant Communities
English
- Percentage
- 6.7
- Settlement Pattern
- Historically dominant; maintained presence since city's 1836 founding
Italian
- Percentage
- 1.1
- Settlement Pattern
- East and west suburbs (Payneham, Newton, Campbelltown, Torrensville, West Lakes, Fulham)
Greek
- Percentage
- included in census but smaller than top 5
- Settlement Pattern
- East and west suburbs (similar areas to Italian communities)
Indian
- Percentage
- 3.1
- Settlement Pattern
- Inner suburbs (Enfield, Kilburn, Park Holme)
Vietnamese
- Percentage
- 1.2
- Settlement Pattern
- Northwest and northern suburbs (Athol Park, Mansfield Park, Pooraka, Woodville)
Chinese
- Percentage
- 1.8
- Settlement Pattern
- Northeastern and eastern communities
Iranian and Afghan
- Percentage
- emerging community
- Settlement Pattern
- Recently established in north and west suburbs
Sri Lankan
- Percentage
- smaller community
- Settlement Pattern
- Inner suburbs
Age Demographics
- Percentage Aged 55 Plus
- 27.5
- Percentage Aged Under 15
- 17.7
- Median Age
- 39
- Notes
- Adelaide aging more rapidly than other Australian capitals; below national average for children
Total Population
- Year Estimate
- 2024
- City Of Adelaide Core
- 23000
- Greater Adelaide Metropolitan
- 1469000
- Notes
- Greater Adelaide metropolitan area; City of Adelaide (CBD/inner suburbs) significantly more diverse
Gender Distribution
- Male Percentage
- 49.5
- Female Percentage
- 50.5
Foreign Born Percentage
- Year Census
- 2021
- Greater Adelaide
- 27.6
- City Of Adelaide Core
- 45.4
- Notes
- City core much higher due to concentration of international students and recent migrants
Business And Tech Presence
- Migration Drivers 2023 24
- Net overseas migration of 21,700 people; international students and skilled migrants attracted to affordable lifestyle compared to Sydney/Melbourne
- International Student Presence
- Approximately 30,000 students from around the world attending five university campuses in the city
Emerging Sectors
- Space industry (Australian Space Agency based in Adelaide)
- Technology and startups
Major Industries
- Space sector (Australian Space Agency headquarters)
- Defence and manufacturing
- Food and wine
- Health care and social assistance
- Retail trade
- Education and training
AI-generated estimateData refreshed July 2026
Sources cited for this category
These are the sources cited in this local demographics research for this city. Individual figures may not each trace to one of them.
More About Adelaide
Data last updated July 2026 · Verify anything important.