Moonta

Population growth drivers in Moonta are above average based on AreaSearch's ranking of recent, and medium to long-term trends

Moonta's population is around 5,977 as of Feb 2026. This reflects an increase of 760 people since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 5,217. The change is inferred from the estimated resident population of 5,709 in June 2024 and an additional 143 validated new addresses since the Census date. This level of population equates to a density ratio of 22 persons per square kilometer. Moonta's growth of 14.6% since the 2021 census exceeded the SA4 region (7.4%) and Rest of SA, marking it as a growth leader in the region. Population growth was primarily driven by interstate migration contributing approximately 90.9% of overall population gains during recent periods.

AreaSearch adopts ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area, released in 2024 with 2022 as the base year. For areas not covered and years post-2032, SA State Government's Regional/LGA projections by age category are adopted, released in 2023 based on 2021 data with adjustments made employing a method of weighted aggregation of population growth from LGA to SA2 levels. Moving forward, demographic trends suggest a population increase just below the median of Australia's non-metropolitan areas, with the area expected to grow by 460 persons to 2041 based on the latest annual ERP population numbers, reflecting a gain of 3.2% in total over the 17 years.

AreaSearch assessment of residential development activity positions Moonta among the top 25% of areas assessed nationwide

Moonta averaged approximately 90 new dwelling approvals annually over the past five financial years, totalling 452 homes. As of FY-26, 35 approvals have been recorded. On average, 1.2 people moved to the area per year for each dwelling built between FY-21 and FY-25, indicating balanced supply and demand dynamics. The average construction value of new homes was $269,000.

This financial year has seen $4.4 million in commercial approvals, reflecting Moonta's residential character. Compared to the rest of South Australia, Moonta had 56.0% more construction activity per person as of FY-26, offering greater choice for buyers and indicating strong developer interest. Recent construction comprised 96.0% detached dwellings and 4.0% townhouses or apartments, maintaining the area's low-density character focused on family homes. With approximately 70 people per dwelling approval, Moonta's population is expanding. According to AreaSearch's latest quarterly estimate, Moonta is forecasted to gain 192 residents by 2041.

Current construction levels should meet housing demand adequately, creating favourable conditions for buyers and potentially enabling growth that exceeds current forecasts.

Moonta has limited levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the 8thth percentile nationally

Changes to local infrastructure significantly influence an area's performance. AreaSearch has identified seven projects likely impacting the region. Notable projects include The Dunes Port Hughes, Riverbend Port Hughes, Moonta Bay Lifestyle Estate, and Kadina Wastewater Lagoons Relining. The following list details those most relevant:.

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

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.

Employment drivers in Moonta are experiencing difficulties, placing it among the bottom 20% of areas assessed across Australia

Moonta's workforce is balanced across white and blue-collar jobs. Key sectors include health care & social assistance, construction, and retail trade. As of September 2025, 2,001 residents are employed with an unemployment rate of 6.8%.

This is 1.4% higher than Rest of SA's rate of 5.3%. Workforce participation in Moonta is lower at 42.1%, compared to Rest of SA's 58.5%. A low 9.1% of residents work from home, potentially impacted by Covid-19 lockdowns. The area specializes in health care & social assistance, with employment share 1.3 times the regional level.

Agriculture, forestry & fishing has limited presence at 6.7%, compared to 14.5% regionally. Employment opportunities locally may be limited, as indicated by working population vs resident population counts. In the year ending September 2025, employment increased by 1.2% while labour force grew by 2.4%, leading to a 1.2 percentage point rise in unemployment. Comparing this to Rest of SA, employment grew by 0.3%, labour force expanded by 2.3%, and unemployment rose by 1.9 percentage points. National employment forecasts from Jobs and Skills Australia, released in May-25, project national growth rates over five and ten-year periods. Applying these projections to Moonta's industry mix suggests local employment should increase by 6.3% over five years and 13.3% over ten years.

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

As per AreaSearch's latest postcode level ATO data released for financial year ending June 2023, Moonta SA2's median income among taxpayers is $44,340. The average income was $56,304 in the same period. Both figures are below national averages. Rest of SA had a median income of $48,920 and an average of $58,933 during this time. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 8.8% from financial year ending June 2023 to September 2025, estimated median income for Moonta would be approximately $48,242, with the average being around $61,259 as of that date. Census data indicates household, family and personal incomes in Moonta all fall within the 2nd to 5th percentiles nationally. Income brackets show 33.0% of Moonta's population (1,972 individuals) earn between $400 - $799 weekly, differing from metropolitan regions where the $1,500 - $2,999 category is predominant at 27.5%. The concentration of 41.5% in sub-$800 weekly brackets suggests economic challenges for a significant portion of Moonta's community. Despite modest housing costs allowing for 87.3% income retention, total disposable income ranks at the 5th percentile nationally.

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

In Moonta, as per the latest Census, 91.7% of dwellings were houses, with the remaining 8.3% being semi-detached, apartments, or other types. This compares to Non-Metro SA's 88.5% houses and 11.5% other dwellings. Home ownership in Moonta stood at 53.7%, with mortgaged dwellings at 26.5% and rented ones at 19.8%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $1,200, exceeding Non-Metro SA's average of $1,153. The median weekly rent in Moonta was $250, higher than Non-Metro SA's figure of $220. Nationally, Moonta's mortgage repayments were lower at $1,200 compared to Australia's average of $1,863, and rents were substantially lower at $250 versus the national figure of $375.

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

Family households comprise 66.3% of all households, including 15.5% couples with children, 42.2% couples without children, and 7.5% single parent families. Non-family households constitute the remaining 33.7%, with lone person households at 31.5% and group households making up 2.4%. The median household size is 2.1 people, smaller than the Rest of South Africa average of 2.3.

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

The area's university qualification rate is 11.0%, significantly lower than the Australian average of 30.4%. This disparity presents both challenges and opportunities for targeted educational initiatives. Bachelor degrees are most prevalent at 8.1%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (1.5%) and graduate diplomas (1.4%). Trade and technical skills are prominent, with 40.1% of residents aged 15+ holding vocational credentials – advanced diplomas (10.0%) and certificates (30.1%).

A substantial 20.5% of the population is actively pursuing formal education, including 8.8% in primary education, 6.1% in secondary education, and 1.4% in tertiary education.

No public transport data available for this catchment area.

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

Moonta faces significant health challenges, as indicated by AreaSearch's assessment. Mortality rates and chronic condition prevalence are substantial across both younger and older age cohorts.

Private health cover is low, at approximately 48% of the total population (~2,839 people), compared to the national average of 55.7%. The most prevalent medical conditions are arthritis (14.6%) and asthma (8.6%). Conversely, 54.2% of residents claim to be completely free from medical ailments, lower than the 62.5% across Rest of SA. Working-age population health is notably challenging due to high chronic condition rates. The area has a higher proportion of seniors, with 43.2% aged 65 and over (2,579 people), compared to 27.1% in Rest of SA. Health outcomes among seniors are broadly in line with national rankings.

Moonta is considerably less culturally diverse than average when assessed alongside AreaSearch's national rankings for language and cultural background related metrics

Moonta's cultural diversity was found to be below average, with 89.0% of its population being citizens, 86.4% born in Australia, and 97.1% speaking English only at home. Christianity was the predominant religion in Moonta, making up 48.0% of people, compared to 45.2% across Rest of SA. The top three ancestry groups were English (36.8%), Australian (31.1%), and Scottish (7.3%).

Notably, German ethnicity was overrepresented at 7.0%, while Dutch remained the same at 1.3%. However, Australian Aboriginal representation was lower at 2.4% compared to the regional average of 3.3%.

Moonta ranks among the oldest 10% of areas nationwide

Moonta's median age is 59 years, notably exceeding the Rest of SA average of 47 years and substantially exceeding the national average of 38 years. Compared to the Rest of SA average, the 65 - 74 cohort is notably over-represented in Moonta at 23.6%, while the 15 - 24 year-olds are under-represented at 5.7%. This concentration of the 65 - 74 age group is well above the national average of 9.5%. According to the Census conducted on August 10, 2021, the 75 to 84 age group grew from 12.7% to 14.8% of Moonta's population. Conversely, the 45 to 54 cohort declined from 10.8% to 8.6%. Demographic modeling suggests that by 2041, Moonta's age profile will evolve significantly. Leading this demographic shift, the 85+ group is projected to grow by 93%, reaching 550 people from 285. This growth is driven primarily by residents aged 65 and older, who represent 92% of anticipated population growth. Meanwhile, population declines are projected for the 0 to 4 and 35 to 44 age cohorts.