Suburb profile · ABS Census 2021
West Lakes suburb profile
West Lakes, SA · Postcode 5021
This West Lakes suburb profile summarises official Australian Bureau of Statistics Census 2021 data for West Lakes, SA (postcode 5021). Use it as a free suburb report covering population, median rent, household income, age, housing tenure and employment, plus how those figures changed since Census 2016— then compare West Lakes with nearby suburbs.
West Lakes at a glance
Population
6,768
Median rent
$370/wk
Household income
$1,548/wk
Median age
54
West Lakes trends (2016 → 2021)
Change since the previous Census. Historical figures are mapped from State Suburbs (SSC) to today's suburb boundaries.
Population
Census 2011 → 2016 → 2021
+17.7% over 10 years
Population
6,768
was 5,787 in 2016
+981 · +17%
Median rent
$370/wk
was $325/wk in 2016
+$45 · +13.8%
Household income
$1,548/wk
was $1,293/wk in 2016
+$255 · +19.7%
Median age
54
was 54 in 2016
0 · 0%
Dig deeper: West Lakes population growth · West Lakes then and now
West Lakes vs nearby & Greater Adelaide
Median Census 2021 figures for West Lakes, nearby suburbs (8), and the Adelaide metro median (suburbs with 1,000+ people).
Rent
+13.5% vs area
- West Lakes$370/wk
- Nearby$337/wk
- Adelaide$326/wk
Household income
-3.7% vs area
- West Lakes$1,548/wk
- Nearby$1,733.5/wk
- Adelaide$1,607/wk
Median age
+35% vs area
- West Lakes54
- Nearby45.5
- Adelaide40
Personal income
-1% vs area
- West Lakes$791/wk
- Nearby$836.5/wk
- Adelaide$799/wk
Nearby uses the same postcode first, then larger suburbs in SA. See Adelaide rankings.
Socio-economic profile
How West Lakes compares to other Australian suburbs on income, education and occupation — from official ABS SEIFA 2021 data.
West Lakes sits above average for socio-economic advantage compared with suburbs Australia-wide.
Relative disadvantage (IRSD)
Decile 81,057.4
Lower score / decile = more relative disadvantage
Advantage & disadvantage (IRSAD)
Decile 81,036.4
Higher score / decile = more relative advantage
Economic resources (IER)
Decile 61,026
Access to economic resources (income, housing)
Education & occupation (IEO)
Decile 81,019.3
Education and occupational skill levels
Source: ABS SEIFA 2021. See methodology.
West Lakes on the map
OpenStreetMap outline for West Lakes, SA.
Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors. Boundary matching is approximate.
West Lakes people
- Population
- 6,768
- Median age
- 54
- Born overseas
- 26.1%
- Average household size
- 2.2
Total usual residents (Census 2021)
Median age of residents in years
Percentage born outside Australia
Average number of people per household
West Lakes income
- Median household income
- $1,548/wk
- Median personal income
- $791/wk
Median total weekly household income
Median total weekly personal income
West Lakes housing
- Median rent
- $370/wk
- Median mortgage repayment
- $1,788/mo
- Separate houses
- 53.8%
- Flats & apartments
- 8.7%
- Owned outright
- 47.3%
- Mortgaged
- 25%
- Rented
- 14.7%
- Unoccupied dwellings
- 7.1%
Median weekly rent for rented dwellings
Median monthly mortgage repayment
Percentage of dwellings that are separate houses
Percentage of dwellings that are flats or apartments
Percentage of dwellings owned without a mortgage
Percentage of dwellings with a mortgage
Percentage of dwellings rented
Percentage of private dwellings unoccupied on Census night
West Lakes work
- Employment to population
- 51.2%
- Unemployment rate
- 3.6%
- Year 12 or above
- 54.8%
Employed persons as a percentage of population aged 15+
Unemployed persons as a percentage of the labour force
Percentage with Year 12 or equivalent as highest school level
Nearby suburb profiles (near 5021)
Compare West Lakes with nearby suburbs
West Lakes in numbers
West Lakes had 6,768 residents at the 2021 Census, making it the 43rd most populous suburb or locality in SA out of 1,624. The median age is 54, 29% above the typical SA suburb. The average household has 2.2 people. 26.1% of residents were born overseas.
Among occupied homes, 47.3% own their home outright, 25% are paying a mortgage, 14.7% rent. Separate houses make up 53.8% of dwellings, with 8.7% in flats or apartments. Median rent was $370/wk, 19% above the typical SA suburb.
Median household income was $1,548/wk, close to the typical SA suburb. The unemployment rate on Census night was 3.6%. 54.8% of adults had completed Year 12 or above. On the ABS SEIFA index of relative socio-economic disadvantage it sits in decile 8 nationally (1 is most disadvantaged, 10 least).
Between the 2016 and 2021 Censuses the population grew 17% (from 5,787 to 6,768). Median rent moved from $325/wk to $370/wk (+13.8%).
West Lakes suburb FAQs
- What is the median rent in West Lakes, SA?
- The median weekly rent in West Lakes was $370/wk at the 2021 Census (ABS).
- How many people live in West Lakes, SA?
- West Lakes had 6,768 residents at the 2021 Census, up 17% from 2016.
- What is the median household income in West Lakes?
- Median household income in West Lakes was $1,548/wk at the 2021 Census.
- Do most people rent or own in West Lakes?
- 14.7% of occupied homes in West Lakes were rented, 47.3% were owned outright and 25% were owned with a mortgage.
About this West Lakes suburb profile
Figures are from the ABS Census of Population and Housing 2021 (General Community Profile) for the Suburbs and Localities boundary matching West Lakes. Where shown, 2016 values come from the 2016 State Suburbs (SSC) profile, linked via ABS geographic correspondence — boundaries are not always identical. Medians may be suppressed for very small areas. This is not financial or relocation advice — use it alongside current market data.
Source: ABS Census 2021. Methodology · Richest suburbs in Adelaide