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Adelaide CBD Employment Remains Stable as Local Services Drive Economic Activity
Data on jobs, spending and output indicate how central area services support continued worker presence.
How we reported this
Local jobs in the Adelaide CBD increased by 19% from approximately 142,000 in 2019 to 170,000 in 2023, with peak-day worker occupancy reaching 94% of pre-pandemic levels. This figure comes directly from local employment tracking and points to steady daily activity in the central business district.
Employment and Daily Presence
Adelaide workers spend an estimated $2.5 billion annually in the city, with 172,652 people employed in the CBD and North Adelaide representing 29% of the City of Adelaide's total users. These numbers reflect regular patterns of commuting and spending that keep foot traffic and local services active on weekdays.
Economic Output and Industry Roles
The top three industries by output and value added are Public Administration and Safety, Professional/Scientific/Technical Services, and Financial and Insurance Services, contributing to a Gross Regional Product of approximately $21.9 billion. The City of Adelaide's economy grew by 5.7% in the last fiscal year (2022/23), with a three-year average GRP growth of 6.6%. These outcomes tie to decisions that maintain public sector operations and professional services within the central area.
Office Market Conditions
The CBD office vacancy rate rose to 15.5% in January 2026, up from 15.0% in July 2025, due to new speculative supply, though net absorption remained strong at 33,023 sqm across 2025 with supply tightly constrained. Local property services continue to manage available space while absorption data shows ongoing demand from the same industries driving the GRP total.
Local services such as transport links and business support programs underpin these employment and spending levels. Future updates will depend on how absorption and occupancy figures develop in the months ahead.