South Australia has a population of 1.5 million people and its principal exports are cereals, wool, wine, meat and meat preparations.

South Australia is the site of Australia's multi-function polis (MFP) - a government sponsored initiative in joint venture high technology industry development. One of MFP's central promises is to build a "smart city" that will be a world leader in energy efficiency, water management and urban design. The "smart city" will eventually house about 12,000 people on a 500ha site north of the Adelaide CBD.

There are three main commercial districts in Adelaide: Adelaide Core, Adelaide Frame, and Adelaide Fringe. Together there is about 1.5 million square metres of office space contained within these areas. Yields vary between 10-10.5%, values average A$1500 per square metre and rents are achieving around A$180 per sqm in the Core and A$130 on the fringe. Lower costs are making Adelaide one of the business world's most competitive cities internationally.

Important industrial locations in Adelaide include the inner areas around the central commercial district, and the suburbs of Lonsdale and Regency Park. Industrial space can be leased for $60 per square metre, yields are around 11.5% and values $500 per square metre.

Retail shopping centres in Adelaide are mainly concentrated in the neighbourhood areas and in the city centres.  There are around 20 city centres, accounting for 12% of total retail area in SA.  The largest retail centre is a super regional centre, with a total floor space of over 99,000 square metres.

The hotel & leisure market in South Australia is relatively small with activity in the central business area and the Barossa Valley. South Australia attracts only around 10% of the foreign tourists entering Australia with the United Kingdom and Ireland accounting for the largest single source of visitors. Average room takings are the second lowest of the major tourist destinations at approximately A$90 per room per nigh.

The median residential house price in Adelaide is the second lowest in Australia at $130,000.

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