[2] Australian Bureau of Statistics data from May 2021 identified Adelaide's Western Suburbs as having the lowest unemployment rate in South Australia.

Cowandilla is home to the renowned Western Youth Centre (established in 1956) which provides a well maintained Oval, Tennis Courts and large clubhouse to a number of sporting teams and societies.

[4] The Cactus and Succulent Society of South Australia (established in 1964) is based at the Western Youth Centre, where it holds all its meetings and gatherings.

Sophie Thomson, a presenter on the national weekly television show Gardening Australia, is the society's patron.

[5] The intersection of Marion Road and Sir Donald Bradman Drive (Western end of Cowandilla) has been awarded 45 million dollars by the Federal and State Governments for upgrades in 2022[6][7] Cowandilla House, which is said to be haunted by the ghost of Mr. Turners late daughter was sold in 2024 for $1.4 Million, which is a record for the small suburb [8] Its name is derived from the Kaurna name Kawandilla (Kawantilla),[9] meaning "in the north".

[17][18] This led to an 11 team competition playing "Electric Light Cricket" in the area in the 1930s [19] Bruce Dooland was also born in Cowandilla in 1923.

[25] The Adelaide Red Blue Eagles Football Club,[26] play in the South Australian Amateur Soccer League and call the Western Youth Centre home.