Population
Understanding South Australia's growing, changing population
The population of South Australia continues to grow and its composition is changing. The state government prepares population projections every five years, following the release of the Census of Population and Housing published by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS).
Population projections help us to understand the most likely future size, age structure and distribution of the population of the state. These projections are fundamental to urban, transport and infrastructure planning.
For more information about population projections email DIT.PDPlanningInformation@sa.gov.au.
Our future population
The state government provides population projections at several geographic levels which are updated every five years. These projections follow the release of final figures from the most recent Census of Population and Housing published by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS).
Our current population
The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) releases estimates of the resident populations (ERP) of Australia and the states and territories on a quarterly basis. These estimates are based on the results of the most recent Census of Population and Housing which was conducted in 2016.
Recent population change
The Department of Infrastructure and Transport monitors population change annually at different geographic levels.
Population regions
There are 11 population projections regions in South Australia which are based on Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) SA3 and SA4 boundaries (ABS ASGS definitions).