Coober Pedy

Coober Pedy has shown very soft population growth performance across periods assessed by AreaSearch

Coober Pedy's population, as per AreaSearch's analysis, is approximately 1,518 as of November 2025. This figure represents a decrease of 48 individuals, equating to a 3.1% drop from the 2021 Census total of 1,566 people. The change is inferred from the estimated resident population of 1,527 in June 2024 and address validation since the Census date. This results in a population density ratio of 19.5 persons per square kilometer. Overseas migration was the primary driver of population growth in recent periods.

AreaSearch uses ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area, released in 2024 with a base year of 2022. For areas not covered and years post-2032, the SA State Government's Regional/LGA projections by age category are adopted, based on 2021 data and adjusted using weighted aggregation from LGA to SA2 levels. By 2041, projections indicate a decline in overall population by 17 persons. However, specific age cohorts are expected to grow, notably the 85 and over group, projected to increase by 53 people.

Residential dwelling approval activity has been practically non-existent in Coober Pedy

Coober Pedy has seen minimal development activity over the past five years, with an average of fewer than one approval per year. This translates to just two approved projects in total during this period. The rural nature of Coober Pedy contributes to these low development levels, as housing needs are often specific and local rather than driven by broader market demand.

It is important to note that the small sample size can significantly impact annual growth and relative statistics, with individual projects able to substantially influence them. Compared to other areas in South Australia and nationally, Coober Pedy's development levels are notably lower.

Despite stable or declining population forecasts, which may alleviate housing pressure, this creates favourable conditions for property buyers in the area.

Coober Pedy has limited levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the 13thth percentile nationally

No changes can significantly influence a region's performance like modifications to local infrastructure, major projects, and planning initiatives. AreaSearch has identified zero projects that could potentially impact this area. Notable projects include Gawler Craton Rail Access, Bulk Water Supply Security, Northern Water Supply Project, and Enabling Infrastructure for Hydrogen Production. The following list details those most likely to be relevant.

Professional plan users can use the search below to filter and access additional projects.

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Employment conditions in Coober Pedy face significant challenges, ranking among the bottom 10% of areas assessed nationally

Coober Pedy has a skilled workforce with essential services sectors well represented. Its unemployment rate is 19.4%.

As of September 2025, there are 603 residents in work while the unemployment rate is 14.0% higher than Rest of SA's rate of 5.3%, indicating room for improvement. Workforce participation lags significantly at 43.1%, compared to Rest of SA's 54.1%. Employment among residents is concentrated in accommodation & food, health care & social assistance, and retail trade. The area has a notably high concentration in accommodation & food, with employment levels at 2.8 times the regional average.

Conversely, agriculture, forestry & fishing is under-represented, with only 0.0% of Coober Pedy's workforce compared to 14.5% in Rest of SA. The area appears to offer limited local employment opportunities, as shown by the count of Census working population vs resident population. Over the 12 months to September 2025, labour force levels increased by 3.9%, while employment declined by 4.7%, resulting in a rise in unemployment rate by 7.3 percentage points. In contrast, Rest of SA experienced employment growth of 0.3% and labour force growth of 2.3%, with a 1.9 percentage point rise in unemployment rate. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May-25 offer further insight into potential future demand within Coober Pedy. These projections estimate that national employment will expand by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, with growth rates differing significantly between industry sectors. Applying these industry-specific projections to Coober Pedy's employment mix suggests local employment should increase by 6.3% over five years and 13.4% over ten years.

Income metrics place the area in the bottom 10% of locations nationally according to AreaSearch analysis

According to AreaSearch's aggregation of ATO data released for financial year 2022, Coober Pedy SA2 had a median income among taxpayers of $45,028 and an average level of $53,629. This is below the national average of $46,889 and the Rest of SA's $56,582. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 12.83% from financial year 2022 to September 2025, estimated median income would be approximately $50,805 and average income $60,510. From the 2021 Census, incomes in Coober Pedy fall between the 0th and 3rd percentiles nationally for households, families, and individuals. The largest income bracket comprises 34.9% earning $400 - $799 weekly (529 residents), differing from regional patterns where $1,500 - $2,999 dominates with 27.5%. Lower income households are prevalent, with 52.7% earning below $800 weekly, indicating affordability pressures. Despite modest housing costs resulting in 89.1% of income retained, total disposable income ranks at the 3rd percentile nationally.

Coober Pedy is characterized by a predominantly suburban housing profile, with above-average rates of outright home ownership

Coober Pedy's dwelling structures, as per the latest Census, comprised 88.6% houses and 11.3% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings). In comparison, Non-Metro SA had 85.7% houses and 14.3% other dwellings. Home ownership in Coober Pedy stood at 47.3%, with mortgaged dwellings at 15.6% and rented ones at 37.1%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $630, lower than Non-Metro SA's average of $1,138. The median weekly rent in Coober Pedy was $163, compared to Non-Metro SA's $187. Nationally, Coober Pedy's mortgage repayments were significantly lower at $630 versus Australia's average of $1,863, and rents were substantially below the national figure of $375.

Coober Pedy features high concentrations of lone person households, with a lower-than-average median household size

Family households constitute 42.3% of all households, including 12.7% couples with children, 20.4% couples without children, and 7.7% single parent families. Non-family households comprise the remaining 57.7%, with lone person households at 53.3% and group households making up 3.7% of the total. The median household size is 1.8 people, which is smaller than the Rest of SA average of 2.4.

Coober Pedy faces educational challenges, with performance metrics placing it in the bottom quartile of areas assessed nationally

In the specified area, educational challenges are evident with university qualification rates at 19.2%, significantly lower than Australia's average of 30.4%. This disparity presents both a challenge and an opportunity for targeted educational initiatives. Bachelor degrees are most prevalent at 13.0%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (4.2%) and graduate diplomas (2.0%). Vocational credentials are prominent, with 41.0% of residents aged 15+ holding such qualifications – advanced diplomas account for 10.7% and certificates for 30.3%.

Educational participation is notably high, with 32.6% of residents currently enrolled in formal education. This includes 10.5% in primary education, 9.6% in secondary education, and 3.3% pursuing tertiary education.

No public transport data available for this catchment area.

Health performance in Coober Pedy is well below average with prevalence of common health conditions notable across both younger and older age cohorts

Coober Pedy faces significant health challenges, with common conditions prevalent across both younger and older age groups. Only approximately 47% (about 713 people) have private health cover, compared to 53.1% in the rest of South Australia and a national average of 55.3%. The most frequent medical conditions are arthritis and diabetes, affecting 9.5 and 6.9% of residents respectively.

However, 64.5% claim to be free from any medical ailments, compared to 68.2% in the rest of South Australia. Coober Pedy has a higher proportion of seniors aged 65 and over, with 30.2% (458 people) compared to 16.3% in the rest of South Australia. Despite this, health outcomes among seniors are notably strong, even outperforming the general population in health metrics.

Coober Pedy was found to be more culturally diverse than the vast majority of local markets in Australia, upon assessment of a range of language and cultural background related metrics

Coober Pedy's population showed high cultural diversity, with 33.3% born overseas and 27.6% speaking a language other than English at home. Christianity was the predominant religion, accounting for 51.2%. Buddhism, however, had a higher representation at 6.4%, compared to the Rest of SA average of 0.9%.

In terms of ancestry, Australian parents comprised 20.3%, lower than the regional average of 28.5%. English parents accounted for 19.4%, also lower than the regional average of 25.2%. Australian Aboriginal parents made up 12.0%, below the regional average of 17.2%. Notable overrepresentation was seen in Croatian ancestry at 3.2% (vs regional 0.4%), Serbian at 2.0% (vs regional 0.2%), and Hungarian at 0.9% (vs regional 0.2%).

Coober Pedy ranks among the oldest 10% of areas nationwide

The median age in Coober Pedy is 50 years, which is slightly higher than Rest of SA's average of 47 and significantly older than Australia's national norm of 38. Comparing with the Rest of SA average, those aged 25 to 34 are notably overrepresented at 13.3% in Coober Pedy, while those aged 5 to 14 are underrepresented at 6.2%. According to the 2021 Census, the population aged 15 to 24 has increased from 7.7% to 9.4%, while the age group of 5 to 14 has decreased from 7.8% to 6.2%. By 2041, Coober Pedy's age composition is expected to change significantly. The number of those aged 85 and above is projected to increase by 49 people (164%) from 30 to 80. Notably, the combined age groups of 65 and above will account for 75% of total population growth, reflecting Coober Pedy's aging demographic profile. Conversely, both age groups of 5 to 14 and 15 to 24 are expected to decrease in number.