Adelaide CBD Economic Data Reveals Job and Business Scale

The City of Adelaide recorded a Gross Regional Product of $23.95 billion with 169,940 local jobs in 2023.

These numbers set out the current economic footprint that supports day-to-day services and council decisions across the city centre. They show the volume of activity that local services rely on when planning infrastructure, transport and business support programs.

Employment Trends

Local employment grew by 19% between 2019 and 2023, rising from approximately 142,000 to 170,000 jobs. This expansion supplies the workforce that uses city services and contributes to rates revenue. Council decisions on zoning, parking and public space maintenance draw directly from such employment levels when setting priorities.

Business Presence

GST-registered businesses in the CBD reached 12,338 in 2023, a 10% increase compared to pre-pandemic 2019 levels. The larger base of registered operators influences decisions on waste collection, street cleaning and small-business licensing that the City of Adelaide administers.

Industry Mix and Daily Spending

Health Care and Social Assistance remains the largest industry by employment, followed by Retail Trade and Construction as of 2025. Workers in the Adelaide CBD and North Adelaide spend an estimated $2.5 billion annually, with an average daily spend of $72 per worker. These patterns inform decisions on retail precinct management and health-service access points that the council coordinates with state agencies.

Monitoring of these indicators continues through regular updates from the City of Adelaide and partner economic bodies. Local services adjust schedules and budgets in response to shifts in job numbers and business registrations rather than fixed targets. Residents and operators can review the latest profiles on the City of Adelaide website to understand how spending and employment data shape service delivery in coming periods.