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 was approximately 5,217 as of the 2021 Census. By June 2024, it had increased to an estimated resident population of 5,709, reflecting a growth of 615 people (11.8%) since the Census date. This increase was partly due to 70 validated new addresses added after the Census. The population density in Moonta was around 21 persons per square kilometer as of June 2024. Between the 2021 Census and June 2024, Moonta's growth rate exceeded that of non-metro areas (6.8%) and the state, indicating it was a leader in population growth during this period. Interstate migration contributed approximately 90.9% to overall population gains during these years.

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 a method of weighted aggregation from LGA to SA2 levels. According to demographic trends, Moonta is expected to grow by approximately 460 persons by 2041, reflecting an increase of about 5.8% over the 17-year period based on the latest annual ERP population numbers.

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

Moonta has 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 move to the area per year for each dwelling built between FY-21 and FY-25, indicating balanced supply and demand dynamics. The average expected construction cost value for new homes is $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 exhibits 56.0% more construction activity per person, offering greater choice for buyers and indicating robust developer interest. Recent construction comprises 96.0% detached dwellings and 4.0% townhouses or apartments, maintaining the area's traditional low-density character focused on family homes. There are approximately 70 people per dwelling approval in Moonta, suggesting an expanding market. AreaSearch quarterly estimates project that Moonta will gain 337 residents by 2041.

With current construction levels, housing supply is expected to meet demand adequately, creating favorable conditions for buyers while potentially enabling growth exceeding current forecasts.

Moonta has emerging levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the 31stth percentile nationally

Changes to local infrastructure significantly influence an area's performance. AreaSearch has identified seven projects that could impact the area. Key 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 has a balanced workforce comprising white and blue collar jobs, with prominent essential services sectors. The unemployment rate was 6.8% in the past year, showing an employment growth of 1.2%.

As of September 2025, 2,001 residents are employed, with an unemployment rate of 7.7%, which is 2.4 percentage points higher than Rest of SA's rate of 5.3%. Workforce participation in Moonta is lower at 39.1% compared to Rest of SA's 54.1%. Key industries for employment among residents are health care & social assistance, construction, and retail trade. Health care & social assistance has a strong presence with an employment share 1.3 times the regional level.

Agriculture, forestry & fishing has limited presence at 6.7% compared to 14.5% regionally. The area offers limited local employment opportunities, as indicated by the difference between Census working population and resident population. In the 12-month period ending September 2025, employment increased by 1.2%, labour force by 2.4%, resulting in an unemployment rise of 1.2 percentage points. This compares to Rest of SA where employment grew by 0.3%, labour force expanded by 2.3%, and unemployment rose by 1.9 percentage points. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May-25 project a 6.6% increase over five years and 13.7% over ten years for national employment. Applying these projections to Moonta's employment mix suggests local employment should increase by 6.3% over five years and 13.3% over ten years, based on simple weighting extrapolation for illustrative purposes.

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

AreaSearch's latest postcode level ATO data for financial year 2022 shows Moonta SA2 had a median income among taxpayers of $42,096 and an average of $55,347. This is below the national average. Rest of SA had a median of $46,889 and an average of $56,582. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 12.83% since financial year 2022, current estimates for Moonta would be approximately $47,497 (median) and $62,448 (average) as of September 2025. Census data reveals household, family and personal incomes in Moonta all fall between the 2nd and 5th percentiles nationally. Income brackets indicate 33.0% of the population (1,924 individuals) fall within the $400 - 799 income range, differing from metropolitan regions where the $1,500 - 2,999 category predominates at 27.5%. The concentration of 41.5% in sub-$800 weekly brackets highlights economic challenges faced by a significant portion of the community. While housing costs are modest with 87.3% of income retained, total disposable income ranks at just the 5th percentile nationally.

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

The dwelling structure in Moonta, as per the latest Census, consisted of 91.7% houses and 8.3% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings). This compares to Non-Metro SA's figures of 93.3% houses and 6.7% 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, higher than Non-Metro SA's average of $1,083. The median weekly rent in Moonta was $250, slightly above Non-Metro SA's figure of $230. Nationally, Moonta's mortgage repayments were lower at $1,200 compared to the Australian average of $1,863, and rents were also lower at $250 versus the national figure of $375.

Moonta features high concentrations of lone person households, with a fairly typical median household size

Family households constitute 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 comprise 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, which aligns with the average for the Rest of South Africa.

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 a challenge and an opportunity for targeted educational initiatives. Bachelor degrees are most common 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 at 10.0% and certificates at 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 a key challenge with a range of health conditions having marked impacts on both younger and older age cohorts

Moonta faces significant health challenges, with various conditions affecting both younger and older residents. Approximately 48% (~2,776 people) have private health cover, lower than the national average of 55.3%.

The most prevalent medical conditions are arthritis (14.6%) and asthma (8.6%). About 54.2% report no medical ailments, compared to 56.0% in Rest of SA. Residents aged 65 and over comprise 42.3% (2,469 people), higher than the 36.2% in Rest of SA. Despite this, health outcomes among seniors are challenging but better than those of the general population.

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 is the main religion in Moonta, making up 48.0% of people, compared to 48.3% across Rest of SA. The top three ancestry groups in Moonta are English (36.8%), Australian (31.1%), and Scottish (7.3%).

Notably, German ethnicity is overrepresented at 7.0% compared to the regional figure of 7.0%, Dutch at 1.3% versus 1.2%, and Australian Aboriginal at 2.4% compared to 2.6%.

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 23.5%, while the 15 - 24 year-olds are under-represented at 5.8%. This concentration of the 65 - 74 age group is well above the national average of 9.4%. Following the Census conducted on 24 August 2021, the 75 to 84 age group has grown from 12.7% to 14.4% of Moonta's population. Conversely, the 45 to 54 cohort has declined from 10.8% to 9.2%. Demographic modeling suggests that Moonta's age profile will evolve significantly by 2041. Leading this demographic shift, the 85+ group is projected to grow by 110%, reaching 550 people from the current figure of 261. This growth is part of a broader trend where residents aged 65 and older represent 96% of anticipated population growth. Meanwhile, population declines are projected for the 0 to 4 and 35 to 44 age cohorts.