City facts and figures
A snapshot of the city and its people
Adelaide is a thriving, growing city, and we have the research to prove it. The City of Adelaide undertakes research on a range of topics to assist us in planning and understanding the complex dynamics of this modern city.
Population profiles
The City of Adelaide subscribes to a suite of products that present Census data in simple, clear tables and charts with concise factual commentary. These products are available for all to use through the links below.
Community Profile
The Population Profile is based on the 2016 Census of Population and Housing published by the Australian Bureau of Statistics. View the Council's 2016 Census Profile.
Population Forecasts
How many people live in Adelaide City? How many people are likely to be living in Adelaide City in 5, 10 or 20 years? Population forecasts give an indication of future population outcomes. View the population forecast.
City User Profiles
The City User Profile Surveys (CUP) have been conducted for a number of years. In 2014 we compiled a document highlighting the key insights from 10 years of City User Profiles.
This research is important for profiling our city residents, workers, students and visitors - it tells us, who uses the city, how they use it and how their behaviours are changing. The profiles are an important input to planning as they prepare us for future needs and help measure how successful our current city initiatives are.
The latest wave of research was conducted in April/May 2021. Read the City User Profile Survey 2021.
Previous CUP fact sheets and reports
You can view the CUP research for previous years via the fact sheets or reports below:
- City User Profile 2019 Summary (Report)
- City User Profile 2018 Summary (Report)
- City User Profile 2017 Summary (Report)
- City User Profile 2016 Summary (Report)
- City User Profile 2015 Summary (Report)
- City User Profile 2013-14 Factsheet
- City User Profile full report 2013-14 (Report)
- City User Profile 2012-13 Factsheet
- City User Profile full report 2012-13 (Report)
Due to COVID-19 the City User Profile Survey was not done in 2020. The Survey will next take place in April/May 2021.
As a means of better understanding the key markets, demand drivers and barriers associated with city living, the Capital City Committee partnered with the City of Adelaide and Renewal SA to undertake market research into Adelaide city living.
The market research was undertaken by Hudson Howells, a South Australian strategic management company, and comprised four surveys and seven focus groups.
Surveys were conducted with the Adelaide metropolitan market, the interstate market (Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne), current residents of Adelaide city centre (excluding North Adelaide) and international students living in Greater Adelaide respectively. Overall, 2,200 surveys were completed. The seven focus groups were undertaken with residents of Greater Adelaide in key life stage brackets.
Survey and focus group reports
Our annual Resident Survey collects information on a broad range of topics to inform our work.
The latest survey was done in October 2020. You can see the survey results here.
The first Resident Survey was done in May/June 2019. For those results view the Market research report for the Resident Survey 2019
In October 2020 we did a Business Insights Survey to better understand businesses based in the City of Adelaide. See the report of that survey here.
The City of Adelaide collates data and information from a range of sources to inform our thinking and planning.
The City Growth Story was first created in 2015 ahead of the development of the 2016-2020 Strategic Plan. The City Growth Story was revised and updated in 2018 to provide context for development of the 2020-2024 Strategic Plan.