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, as of May 2026, is approximately 5,872, reflecting a 12.6% increase from the 2021 Census figure of 5,217 people. This growth is inferred from ABS data showing an estimated resident population of 5,858 in June 2025 and an additional 164 validated new addresses since the Census date. The population density is around 21 persons per square kilometer. Moonta's growth rate exceeded that of Rest of SA (5.9%) and the SA4 region, making it a growth leader. Interstate migration contributed approximately 91.9% to recent population gains. 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. Future demographic trends suggest an increase just below Australia's non-metropolitan median growth rate, with Moonta expected to gain 469 persons by 2041, reflecting a total increase of 7.8% over the 16-year period.

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, 61 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. New homes are constructed at an average expected cost of $269,000.

This financial year has seen $4.4 million in commercial approvals registered, reflecting Moonta's residential character. Compared to the Rest of SA, Moonta has 55.0% 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. The location has approximately 70 people per dwelling approval, suggesting an expanding market. According to AreaSearch's latest quarterly estimate, Moonta is projected to gain 455 residents by 2041.

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

Moonta has limited levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the 9thth percentile nationally

Changes in local infrastructure significantly affect an area's performance. AreaSearch has identified seven projects expected to impact the region. Notable initiatives include The Dunes Port Hughes, Riverbend Port Hughes, Moonta Bay Lifestyle Estate, and Kadina Wastewater Lagoons Relining. Relevant projects are listed below.

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 with both white and blue collar jobs. Essential services sectors are well represented, with an unemployment rate of 6.5% as of the past year. This rate is estimated to have grown by 2.8%.

As of December 2025, 2,025 residents are employed, with an unemployment rate of 7.3%, which is 1.6 percentage points higher than Regional SA's rate of 5.7%. Workforce participation in Moonta is lower at 41.3% compared to Regional SA's 58.3%. According to the Census, only 9.1% of residents work from home. The key industries of employment are health care & social assistance, construction, and retail trade.

Health care & social assistance has a particularly strong presence with an employment share of 1.3 times the regional level. Agriculture, forestry & fishing, however, has limited presence at 6.7% compared to the regional average of 14.5%. Employment opportunities in Moonta appear limited locally, as indicated by the ratio of working population to resident population. In the 12-month period ending May-25, employment increased by 2.8%, while labour force grew by 3.4%, resulting in an unemployment rise of 0.5 percentage points. This compares to Regional SA where employment grew by 0.7%, labour force expanded by 3.1%, and unemployment rose by 2.2 percentage points. National employment forecasts from Jobs and Skills Australia project national employment growth of 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. 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, though this is a simple extrapolation for illustrative purposes and does not account for localized population projections.

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 2023 shows Moonta SA2 had a median income among taxpayers of $44,340 and an average of $56,304. This is below the national average. Regional SA had 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, current estimates for Moonta are approximately $48,849 (median) and $62,030 (average) as of March 2026. 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 (1,937 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 facing a significant portion of the community. Despite modest housing costs 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

Dwelling structure in Moonta, as evaluated at the Census conducted on 28 August 2016, comprised 91.7% houses and 8.3% other dwellings. In Regional South Australia (SA), this was 88.5% houses and 11.5% other dwellings. Home ownership in Moonta stood at 53.7%, with mortgaged dwellings at 26.5% and rented dwellings at 19.8%. The median monthly mortgage repayment in the area was $1,200, while the median weekly rent figure was $250. In comparison, Regional SA had mortgage repayments of $1,153 and rents of $220. Nationally, Moonta's mortgage repayments were lower at $1,863 and rents were substantially below the national average of $375.

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

Family households constitute 66.3% of all households, consisting of 15.5% couples with children, 42.2% couples without children, and 7.5% single parent families. Non-family households account for the remaining 33.7%, with lone person households at 31.5% and group households comprising 2.4%. The median household size is 2.1 people, which is smaller than the Regional SA 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%. Bachelor degrees are most common at 8.1%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (1.5%) and graduate diplomas (1.4%). Vocational credentials are prevalent, with 40.1% of residents aged 15+ holding them, including advanced diplomas (10.0%) and certificates (30.1%). Education pursuit is active among 20.5% of the population, with 8.8% in primary education, 6.1% in secondary education, and 1.4% pursuing tertiary education.

A substantial 20.5% of the population actively pursues formal education. This includes 8.8% in primary education, 6.1% in secondary education, and 1.4% pursuing 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 based on AreaSearch's assessment. Mortality rates and chronic condition prevalence are notably high across both younger and older age groups.

Only approximately 48% of Moonta's total population (~2,789 people) has private health cover, compared to the national average of 55.7%. The most common medical conditions in the area are arthritis (14.6%) and asthma (8.6%). Conversely, 54.2% of residents declare themselves completely clear of medical ailments, compared to 62.5% across Regional SA. Working-age population health challenges include elevated chronic condition rates. Moonta has a higher proportion of seniors, with 43.2% of residents aged 65 and over (2,535 people), compared to the regional average of 27.1%. Health outcomes among seniors present some challenges, aligning broadly with national rankings for 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 below average, with 89.0% citizens, 86.4% born in Australia, and 97.1% speaking English only at home. Christianity was the predominant religion, at 48.0%, compared to 45.2% across Regional SA. Top ancestry groups were English (36.8%), Australian (31.1%), and Scottish (7.3%).

Notably, German (7.0%) and Dutch (1.3%) were equally represented as regionally, while Australian Aboriginal 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, which exceeds the Regional SA average of 47 years and is substantially higher than the national average of 38 years. Compared to the Regional SA average, Moonta has a notably over-represented cohort of 65-74 year-olds at 23.2%, while those aged 15-24 are under-represented at 6.2%. This concentration of 65-74 year-olds is well above the national average of 9.4%. Post the 2021 Census, the 75 to 84 age group has increased from 12.7% to 15.2% of Moonta's population. Conversely, the 45 to 54 age cohort has decreased from 10.8% to 8.4%. By 2041, demographic modeling predicts significant changes in Moonta's age profile. The 85+ group is projected to grow by 101%, reaching 559 people from the current 277. Residents aged 65 and older will represent 89% of this growth. However, population declines are anticipated for those aged 0 to 4 and 65 to 74 years.