Chart Color Schemes
This analysis uses ABS Statistical Areas Level 2 (SA2) boundaries, which can materially differ from Suburbs and Localities (SAL) even when sharing similar names.
SA2 boundaries are defined by the Australian Bureau of Statistics and are designed to represent communities for statistical reporting (e.g., census and ERP).
Suburbs and Localities (SAL) represent commonly-used suburb/locality names (postal-style areas) and may use different geographic boundaries. For comprehensive analysis, consider reviewing both boundary types if available.
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Sales Activity
Curious about local property values? Filter the chart to assess the volume and appreciation (including resales) trends and regional comparisons, or scroll to the map below view this information at an individual property level.
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Sales Detail
Population
Coober Pedy has shown very soft population growth performance across periods assessed by AreaSearch
Coober Pedy's population, as of May 2026, is approximately 1,526 people. This figure represents a decrease from the 2021 Census count of 1,566 people, indicating a decline of 40 individuals (2.6%). The estimated resident population of 1,526 in June 2025 and address validation since the Census date supports this inference. This population density translates to 19.6 persons per square kilometer, suggesting ample space per person. Overseas migration was the primary driver of population growth in recent periods for Coober Pedy.
AreaSearch uses ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area, released in 2024 with a base year of 2022. For areas not covered by this data 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. Future population trends indicate a stable overall population until 2041, with no expected growth (0 persons). However, certain age cohorts are projected to increase, notably the 85 and over age group, which is anticipated to grow by 64 people.
Frequently Asked Questions - Population
Development
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 less than one approval per year, totalling two. This low level of development is characteristic of rural areas like Coober Pedy, where projects are often driven by specific local housing needs rather than broader market demand. It's important to note that due to the small number of approvals, individual projects can significantly impact annual growth and relativity statistics.
Compared to the rest of South Australia and national patterns, Coober Pedy has substantially lower development levels. Population projections indicate stability or decline in Coober Pedy, which is expected to ease housing demand pressures, potentially benefiting buyers.
With population projections showing stability or decline, Coober Pedy should see reduced housing demand pressures, benefiting potential buyers.
Frequently Asked Questions - Development
Development applications around Coober Pedy
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| Lodged | Address | Description | Type | Distance | Status |
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SOURCE: Planning portals and council registers, compiled by AreaSearch. Distance & bearing measured from the suburb midpoint.
Infrastructure
Coober Pedy has limited levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the 6thth percentile nationally
No changes can significantly affect a region's performance like alterations to local infrastructure, large-scale projects, and planning initiatives. AreaSearch has identified zero projects that are expected to impact this area. Notable projects comprise Gawler Craton Rail Access, Bulk Water Supply Security, Northern Water Supply Project, and Enabling Infrastructure for Hydrogen Production. The following list outlines those most likely to be relevant:.
Professional plan users can use the search below to filter and access additional projects.
INFRASTRUCTURE SEARCH
Denotes AI-based impression for illustrative purposes only, not to be taken as definitive under any circumstances. Please follow links and conduct other investigations from the project's source for actual imagery. Developers and project owners wishing us to use original imagery please Contact Us and we will do so.
Frequently Asked Questions - Infrastructure
Enabling Digital Health Services for Regional and Remote Australia
A national digital infrastructure program under the Digital Health Blueprint 2023-2033 designed to provide equitable healthcare access for regional and remote Australians. The initiative is currently rolling out the 'Share by Default' legislative framework, which mandates the uploading of pathology and diagnostic imaging reports to My Health Record starting July 2026. Current 2026 milestones include the launch of the Digital Health Implementer Hub to accelerate software conformance and the implementation of the National Allied Health Digital Uplift Plan to integrate allied health practitioners into the national digital ecosystem.
Enabling Infrastructure for Hydrogen Production
A national program to coordinate and deploy the enabling infrastructure required to support large-scale renewable hydrogen production across Australia. Building on the 2024 National Hydrogen Strategy and the National Hydrogen Infrastructure Assessment (NHIA), the program aligns electricity transmission, water supply, transport corridors, port and storage infrastructure with Renewable Energy Zones and prospective hydrogen hubs (Bell Bay, Darwin, Eyre Peninsula, Gladstone, Latrobe Valley, Hunter Valley, Pilbara). Two key federal mechanisms underpin delivery. The Hydrogen Headstart program provides up to 4 billion AUD in long-term revenue support via production credits, with Round 2 (2 billion AUD administered by ARENA) opening for Expressions of Interest in October 2025 with EOIs closing 8 December 2025. The Hydrogen Production Tax Incentive (HPTI), legislated through the Future Made in Australia (Production Tax Credits and Other Measures) Act 2025 which received Royal Assent on 14 February 2025, provides an uncapped refundable tax offset of 2 AUD per kilogram of eligible renewable hydrogen for up to 10 years between 1 July 2027 and 30 June 2040 for projects reaching final investment decision by 2030. The HPTI is jointly administered by the ATO and Clean Energy Regulator and requires certification under the Guarantee of Origin scheme. Round 1 of Hydrogen Headstart shortlisted six projects representing more than 3.5 GW of electrolyser capacity, with 814 million AUD ultimately awarded.
SA Water Capital Work Delivery Contracts 2024-28
SA Water's record $3.3 billion capital delivery program for the 2024-28 regulatory period, covering water and wastewater infrastructure across South Australia. The program targets water main replacements, sewerage network upgrades, dam upgrades, water tank refurbishments, and treatment process upgrades across metropolitan and regional areas. A central $1.5 billion component supports the South Australian Premier's Housing Roadmap, expanding network capacity to unlock up to 40,000 new allotments, with major focus on Adelaide's northern growth corridors including Angle Vale, Riverlea, and Roseworthy. Six major framework partners (Fulton Hogan Utilities, John Holland and Guidera O'Connor JV, McConnell Dowell and Diona JV, BMD, Diona, and Leed Engineering and Construction) are delivering works across approximately 120 projects. In Year 1 (to June 2025), $681.6 million in capital was invested. The program runs to June 2028.
Bulk Water Supply Security
Nationwide program led by the National Water Grid Authority to improve bulk water security and reliability for non-potable and productive uses. Activities include strategic planning, science and business cases, and funding of state and territory projects such as storages, pipelines, dam upgrades, recycled water and efficiency upgrades to build drought resilience and support regional communities, industry and the environment.
National EV Charging Network (Highway Fast Charging)
Partnership between the Australian Government and NRMA to deliver a backbone EV fast charging network on national highways. Program funds and co-funds 117 DC fast charging sites at roughly 150 km intervals to connect all capital cities and regional routes, reducing range anxiety and supporting EV uptake.
SA Housing Trust Maintenance Contracts Review and Service Program
Statewide maintenance and service contracts for SA Housing Trust public housing properties, covering reactive maintenance, vacancy restoration and minor works across metropolitan and regional South Australia. The program is delivered by Spotless Facility Services, RTC Facilities Maintenance and Torrens Facility Management. A 2024 SA Government review examined payment, timeliness, dispute resolution and contract performance issues, and the government provided additional funding to accelerate maintenance and upgrades on vacant public housing homes.
Network Optimisation Program - Roads
A national program concept focused on improving congestion and reliability on urban road networks by using low-cost operational measures and technology (e.g., signal timing, intersection treatments, incident management) to optimise existing capacity across major city corridors.
Gawler Craton Rail Access
The proposal is for a third party to build, own, and operate a 350 km railway in the Gawler Craton province, linking to the existing interstate rail network. It aims to provide significant transport connections to mines such as Prominent Hill, Olympic Dam, and Carrapateena, and open up other potential reserves including Wirrda Well, Acropolis, Vulcan, Titan, and Millers Creek. The project could facilitate exploration and development in the remote mineral region, which contains extensive copper, gold, silver, and iron ore deposits.
Employment
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. The unemployment rate was 21.8% as of December 2025. Of the 579 residents employed, the unemployment rate was 16.0% higher than Regional SA's rate of 5.7%.
Workforce participation in Coober Pedy was lower at 54.4%, compared to Regional SA's 58.3%. Census responses showed that only 5.7% of residents worked from home, though Covid-19 lockdown impacts should be considered. Leading employment industries among residents include accommodation & food, health care & social assistance, and retail trade. Coober Pedy has a particular employment specialization in accommodation & food, with an employment share of 2.8 times the regional level.
Conversely, agriculture, forestry & fishing shows lower representation at 0% compared to Regional SA's average of 14.5%. The area appears to offer limited local employment opportunities, as indicated by the count of Census working population versus resident population. Over the 12 months to December 2025, labour force levels increased by 1.5%, while employment declined by 10.8%, causing the unemployment rate to rise by 10.8 percentage points. This contrasts with Regional SA where employment rose by 0.7%, the labour force grew by 3.1%, and unemployment rose by 2.2 percentage points. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May-25 offer insight into potential future demand within Coober Pedy. These projections suggest that national employment should expand by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. 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, though this is a simple weighting extrapolation for illustrative purposes and does not take into account localised population projections.
Frequently Asked Questions - Employment
Income
The area's income levels rank in the lower 15% nationally based on AreaSearch comparative data
AreaSearch's latest postcode level ATO data for the financial year 2023 shows Coober Pedy SA2's median income among taxpayers is $49,884, with an average of $56,289. This is lower than the national average. Regional SA has a median income of $48,920 and an average of $58,933. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 10.17% since financial year 2023, estimated incomes as of March 2026 would be approximately $54,957 (median) and $62,014 (average). Census data reveals Coober Pedy's household, family, and personal incomes all fall between the 0th and 3rd percentiles nationally. Income distribution shows that 34.9% of residents (532 people) earn within the $400 - 799 bracket, unlike metropolitan regions where 27.5% fall within the $1,500 - 2,999 range. Lower income households are prevalent, with 52.7% earning below $800 weekly. While housing costs are modest, with 89.1% of income retained, total disposable income ranks at just the 3rd percentile nationally.
Frequently Asked Questions - Income
Housing
Coober Pedy is characterized by a predominantly suburban housing profile, with above-average rates of outright home ownership
In Coober Pedy, as per the latest Census evaluation, 88.6% of dwellings were houses while 11.3% comprised semi-detached homes, apartments, and other types, similar to Regional SA's 88.5% houses and 11.5% other dwellings. Home ownership in Coober Pedy stood at 47.3%, with mortgaged properties accounting for 15.6% and rented dwellings making up 37.1%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $630, significantly lower than Regional SA's average of $1,153. Weekly rent in Coober Pedy was recorded at $163, considerably below Regional SA's figure of $220 and the national average of $375. Nationally, Coober Pedy's mortgage repayments were substantially lower than the Australian average of $1,863.
Frequently Asked Questions - Housing
Household Composition
Coober Pedy features high concentrations of lone person households, with a lower-than-average median household size
Family households comprise 42.3 percent of all households, including 12.7 percent couples with children, 20.4 percent couples without children, and 7.7 percent single parent families. Non-family households account for the remaining 57.7 percent, with lone person households at 53.3 percent and group households comprising 3.7 percent of the total. The median household size is 1.8 people, which is smaller than the Regional SA average of 2.3.
Frequently Asked Questions - Households
Local Schools & Education
Coober Pedy faces educational challenges, with performance metrics placing it in the bottom quartile of areas assessed nationally
The area's university qualification rate is 19.2%, significantly lower than Australia's average of 30.4%. Bachelor degrees are the most common at 13.0%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (4.2%) and graduate diplomas (2.0%). Vocational credentials are prevalent, with 41.0% of residents aged 15+ holding them - advanced diplomas account for 10.7% and certificates for 30.3%. Educational participation is 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.
Frequently Asked Questions - Education
Schools Detail
Nearby Services & Amenities
Transport
No public transport data available for this catchment area.
Frequently Asked Questions - Transport
Transport Stops Detail
Health
Health performance in Coober Pedy is lower than average with common health conditions somewhat prevalent across both younger and older age cohorts
Coober Pedy faces significant health challenges based on AreaSearch's assessment. Mortality rates and chronic condition prevalence are high, with common health conditions prevalent across both younger and older age cohorts.
Private health cover is very low at approximately 48% of the total population (~724 people), compared to the national average of 55.7%. The most common medical conditions are arthritis and diabetes, impacting 9.5 and 6.9% of residents respectively. However, 64.5% of residents declare themselves completely clear of medical ailments, compared to 62.5% across Regional SA. The working-age population faces notable health challenges due to elevated chronic condition rates. As of 31 December 20XX (the date of the assessment), the area has 31.0% of residents aged 65 and over (473 people), which is higher than the 27.1% in Regional SA. Health outcomes among seniors are particularly strong, with national rankings even higher than the general population.
Frequently Asked Questions - Health
Cultural Diversity
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 shows significant cultural diversity, with 33.3% born overseas and 27.6% speaking a language other than English at home. Christianity is the predominant religion, accounting for 51.2%. Buddhism is notably overrepresented compared to regional averages (6.4% vs 0.6%).
The top three ancestry groups are Australian (20.3%), English (19.4%), and Australian Aboriginal (12.0%), with notable divergences from regional averages. Croatian, Serbian, and Hungarian ethnicities have higher representations in Coober Pedy compared to the region.
Frequently Asked Questions - Diversity
Age
Coober Pedy ranks among the oldest 10% of areas nationwide
The median age in Coober Pedy is 50 years, which is slightly higher than Regional South Australia's average of 47 years and considerably older than the national average of 38 years. The 25-34 age cohort is notably over-represented in Coober Pedy at 13.0%, compared to the Regional SA average, while the 5-14 year-olds are under-represented at 5.8%. Between the 2021 Census and the present, the 15-24 age group has increased from 7.7% to 9.3%, and the 85+ cohort has grown from 1.9% to 3.2%. Conversely, the 5-14 age group has decreased from 7.8% to 5.8%, and the 45-54 age group has dropped from 12.4% to 11.1%. By 2041, Coober Pedy is projected to experience significant shifts in its age composition. The 85+ age cohort is expected to expand substantially, increasing by 53 people (109%) from 49 to 103. Notably, the combined 65+ age groups will account for 73% of total population growth, reflecting the area's aging demographic profile. Both the 5-14 and 0-4 age groups are projected to have reduced numbers.