217
Figure 14.1: Comparison of recent and projected population growth in Western Adelaide
1
Data Source: ABS Time Series Profile for the Cities of Port Adelaide Enfield, Charles Sturt, West Torrens and Greater Adelaide and DPLG 2026
Population Projections (prepared in 2011)
1
Western Adelaide is defined as per the State Government boundaries.
Figure 14.2
below compares the projected age strucutre for the population of each Council, the Study
Area and the Adelaide Statistical Division in 2026. Notable trends include an expectation that Port
Adelaide Enfield’s population will remain comparatively younger, while Charles Sturt will have above
proportions of older people, although these divergences from the region-wide or ASD trends are not
significant. In comparison with the Adelaide Statitical Division, Western Adelaide in 2026 is expected to
have proportionally fewer children and teenagers, and proportionally more people between the ages of
45-64, and over 65.
A population with proportionally fewer children and young people, and more older people has differing
servicing needs, as well as capacity to adapt to a changing climate. For example, an older population
may have more established local networks which are advantageous in an emergency situation and
financial resources to retro-fit existing dwellings to improve their thermal performance. An older
population, however, may require greater social or medical support during extreme weather events, such
as heatwaves.
The capacity to adapt to climate change by different demographic cohorts, as well as culturally and
linguistically diverse and socio-economcially disadvantaged communities, should be explored in
subsequent stages of the WARCCAP project.
0
50.000
100.000
150.000
200.000
250.000
300.000
2001 Census
2006 Census
2011 Census 2016 Projection 2021 Projection 2026 Projection
Number of People
