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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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ABS ERP | -- people | --
2021 Census | -- people
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Moonta has an estimated 5,872 residents, up from 5,217 at the 2021 Census — a change of 655 people, or 12.6%. Growth has averaged 2.4% a year over five years, faster than 79% of areas nationally. 164 new addresses have been validated here since Census night. Interstate and internal migration accounts for 91.9% of that increase. Density is about 22 people per square kilometre. Population is estimated from ABS Estimated Resident Population releases and GNAF address data, re-based from the 2021 Census and updated annually.
Detail
According to research conducted by AreaSearch, the population of Moonta stands at approximately 5,872 as of May 2026. This represents a growth of 655 residents (12.6%) from the 5,217 citizens recorded in the 2021 Census. This population shift is calculated using the ABS estimated resident population of 5,858 as of June 2025, combined with 164 validated new addresses identified after the Census. The region maintains a density of 21 persons per square kilometer, which translates to a spacious living environment. With its 12.6% expansion rate post-2021 Census, Moonta outpaced the Rest of SA (5.9%) and its broader SA4 region, positioning the town as a regional leader in population growth.
This expansion was largely fueled by interstate migration, which accounted for roughly 91.9% of the population growth in recent times. Projections from ABS and Geoscience Australia released in 2024, using 2022 as a baseline, are utilized for each SA2 area. In cases where data is unavailable for certain SA2 areas, or for projections extending past 2032, calculations integrate the SA State Government's Regional/LGA age-group projections from 2023 (utilizing 2021 data) adjusted via weighted aggregation of population growth transitioning from LGA to SA2 divisions. Looking ahead, population growth is anticipated to run slightly below the median rate of regional Australian locations, with the area projected to add 469 residents by 2041 based on the most recent annual ERP statistics, indicating a cumulative growth of 7.8% over the 16 years.
Frequently Asked Questions - Population
452 new dwellings have been approved in Moonta over the past five years, an average of 90 a year. That places the area in the 82nd percentile for residential development activity nationally, about 15 approvals per 1,000 residents a year. Of the 73 dwellings approved in the latest reporting year, 96% were detached houses and the rest townhouses or apartments. Approvals are currently running at an annualised 70, broadly in line with that longer-run average. Figures come from ABS building approvals aggregated to this SA2 boundary and are updated monthly as the ABS releases them.
Detail
Moonta averages approximately 90 new residential building approvals each year, with a total of 452 residential approvals registered across the last 5 financial years (between FY-21 and FY-25) and an additional 65 recorded so far during FY-26. Stable market conditions are supported by a balanced supply and demand ratio, with an average of 1.4 new residents added annually per built dwelling over the past 5 financial years (between FY-21 and FY-25), while new residential builds carry an average construction value of $269,000. Commercial building approvals have reached $4.4 million during the current financial year, highlighting that local development is predominantly focused on housing.
Per capita construction activity in Moonta is 55.0% higher than in the Rest of SA, offering prospective buyers a wider selection of properties. This building rate is notably higher than the national benchmark, showing strong interest from residential developers. Residential construction is heavily dominated by detached houses at 96.0%, with medium and high-density configurations making up just 4.0%, thereby preserving the low-density, family-oriented feel of the neighborhood. The local ratio stands at roughly 72 people for every approved dwelling, indicating a growing real estate sector. Based on the most recent AreaSearch quarterly projections, Moonta is expected to add 455 residents by 2041. Present construction volume indicates that residential supply will comfortably satisfy demand, keeping conditions favorable for property purchasers and potentially supporting growth that outpaces current predictions.
Frequently Asked Questions - Development
Development applications around Moonta
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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.
AreaSearch tracks 3 current infrastructure and development projects inside Moonta, worth an estimated $380 million. A further 68 sit in the immediately surrounding suburbs, taking the tracked pipeline within reach of the area to $27.3 billion. 30 are already under construction and 17 are due for completion within three years. The pipeline spans residential development, communities, precincts & urban renewal and ports, marinas, fisheries & aquaculture. Records are compiled from Infrastructure Australia, state agencies, council planning portals and public announcements, reviewed and updated daily, then ranked by proximity, construction stage, completion horizon and project scale.
Detail
Local infrastructure projects, major developments, and urban planning decisions represent some of the most significant drivers of regional performance. In total, AreaSearch has tracked 7 initiatives that are likely to influence the Moonta area. The most relevant projects include The Dunes Port Hughes, Riverbend Port Hughes, Moonta Bay Lifestyle Estate, and the Kadina Wastewater Lagoons Relining, with further details provided below.
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
Moonta Bay Lifestyle Estate
Over-50s land lease lifestyle estate by Gannon Lifestyle Communities at Moonta Bay. The masterplanned community is being delivered in stages and will comprise about 195 detached homes together with a completed clubhouse, indoor pool, gym and resort style community facilities. New home sites continue to be released and sold as construction progresses.
Riverbend Port Hughes
Masterplanned over 170.6ha to deliver about 460 over-50s lifestyle homes with an aged care precinct, community hub, boutique hotel, and local retail amenities. Rolled out in stages over 15 years, with the first stage of 30 homes planned. Currently facing delays due to water supply issues between the developer and SA Water.
The Dunes Port Hughes
An 80-hectare coastal land development nestled between the turquoise waters of Port Hughes and a Greg Norman designed golf course. The development features a variety of lots, including those with golf course frontage and sea views.
Wallaroo Roads Rehabilitation
Pavement rehabilitation and resurfacing work on multiple roads within Wallaroo township, jointly funded by the State Government and Copper Coast Council, to improve safety, access, and road amenity for all users, enhancing transport efficiency and sustainability. The $5.2 million project commenced in September 2025 and is expected to be completed in mid-2026.
Kadina Wastewater Lagoons Relining
Copper Coast Council project to reline two wastewater treatment lagoons (Lagoons 2 and 3) at Kadina to meet EPA compliance requirements. Works included dewatering, shaping and compacting, adding a sand layer, installing HDPE plastic liners, pressure testing, and installation of pipe penetration sealing bands. Both lagoons were fully lined and pressure tested by 16 June 2025, with backfilling of anchor trenches and commissioning anticipated in July 2025, finalising the project.
Aspen Living Wallaroo Sands
Aspen Group acquired the final stages of the Wallaroo Shores masterplanned community in late 2025, rebranding it to Aspen Living Wallaroo Sands. The 13.45-hectare coastal site will feature over 300 sites, including 200 lifestyle land lease homes, residential build-to-rent (BTR) units, townhouses, residential land lots, and a commercial and retail precinct.
Copper Cove Marina Wallaroo
A world-class marina development in Wallaroo, SA located on the Spencer Gulf. The project encompasses approximately 500 housing allotments, up to 154 marina berths, a resort area, medium-density cluster housing, a boat ramp, and a commercial precinct. A key residential component of the marina is 'Seapoint', which is being marketed and overseen by Dellta Projects.
Lawrence Street Footpath & STEDs Program
Ongoing program to install new footpaths and a new sewer line along Lawrence Street, connecting to the Newtown Playground toilet upgrade. The project also includes a new sewer line to collect sewer from 19 allotments along Lawrence Street and 6 on Drain Road.
2,060 residents of Moonta are employed, from a labour force of 2,183. Unemployment sits at 5.6%, with participation at 41.7%. Weighted for its industry mix, the area's sectors are forecast to grow about 6.3% nationally over five years. That reflects industry composition only and makes no allowance for local population growth. The working-day population is estimated at 5,343, about 91% of the resident population, so more people leave the area for work than travel in. Unemployment and labour force come from ABS Small Area Labour Markets, updated quarterly; the industry and occupation profile is from the 2021 Census.
Detail
Moonta has a diverse workforce composed of both white-collar and blue-collar workers, with a strong presence in essential services, a jobless rate of 5.6%, and estimated job growth of 4.8% over the past year. In March 2026, there were 2,060 employed local citizens, with an unemployment rate sitting 0.2% higher than the Regional SA average of 5.5%, while the workforce participation rate of 41.7% is much lower than the 58.4% recorded across Regional SA. According to Census records, a minor 9.1% of the workforce operated from home, though this figure may have been influenced by Covid-19 lockdowns.
The primary employment sectors for local workers are health care & social assistance, construction, and retail trade. The community is highly specialized in health care & social assistance, which employs a share of the workforce 1.3 times greater than the regional average. Conversely, agriculture, forestry & fishing represents a small segment at 6.7%, compared to 14.5% across the wider region. Comparing the local Census working population against the resident labor force indicates that local employment opportunities are somewhat restricted. An evaluation of SALM and ABS statistics by AreaSearch shows that over the 12-month period, employment rose by 4.8% and the labor force grew by 3.6%, leading to a decrease in the unemployment rate of 1.1 percentage points. This performance contrasted with Regional SA, where employment increased by 1.2%, the labor force grew by 2.6%, and unemployment went up by 1.4 percentage points. National employment outlooks from Jobs and Skills Australia as of May-25 offer additional perspective on future labor requirements in Moonta. These five and ten-year forecasts have been correlated with the local industry profile to estimate future employment trends. Although the national workforce is expected to grow by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, the expansion rates vary widely by industry. Applying these sectoral forecasts to the local employment structure suggests that Moonta's jobs should increase by 6.3% over five years and 13.3% over ten years (note that this illustrative projection is based on simple weighting and does not account for localized population trends).
Frequently Asked Questions - Employment
Median household income in Moonta is $965 a week (about $50,000 a year), with median personal income at $536 a week. ATO records put median taxable income at $44,340 a year against an average of $56,304. Household income is from the 2021 Census; taxable income is from ATO Taxation Statistics for the latest financial year available, indexed forward using the ABS Wage Price Index.
Detail
According to the most recent postcode ATO data released by AreaSearch for financial year 2023, taxpayers in the Moonta SA2 recorded a median income of $44,340 and an average income of $56,304. These figures sit below national statistics, and compare to a median of $48,920 and an average of $58,933 for Regional SA. Factoring in Wage Price Index growth of 10.17% since financial year 2023, current estimates for March 2026 are approximately $48,849 for the median and $62,030 for the average. Census records show that individual, family, and household incomes in Moonta all sit between the 2nd and 5th percentiles nationally.
Income distribution shows that 33.0% of residents (1,937 individuals) earn weekly incomes between $400 - 799, whereas metropolitan areas see a concentration of 27.5% in the $1,500 - 2,999 range. The fact that 41.5% of the population earns under $800 weekly points to economic challenges for many households. Even though housing costs are relatively low with residents keeping 87.3% of their income, total disposable income for the area sits at the 5th percentile nationally.
Frequently Asked Questions - Income
Moonta had 2,228 occupied dwellings at the 2021 Census, 92% detached houses and 1% apartments. 27% are owned with a mortgage, 20% rented and 54% owned outright. At that Census the median rent was $250 a week and the median mortgage repayment $1,200 a month. Rent absorbs 25.9% of household income here and mortgage repayments 28.7%. Dwelling stock, tenure and housing costs are 2021 Census measures — the only source that counts dwellings at this boundary size.
Detail
At the time of the latest Census, the housing stock in Moonta consisted of 91.7% separate houses and 8.3% semi-detached, apartments, or other dwelling types, compared to 88.5% separate houses and 11.5% alternative dwellings in Regional SA. Home ownership rates in Moonta were significantly higher than the regional average, standing at 53.7%, with the remaining properties being mortgaged (26.5%) or rented (19.8%). The median monthly mortgage payment of $1,200 was higher than the Regional SA average of $1,153, while the median weekly rent was $250, compared to $220 in Regional SA.
Globally within Australia, Moonta's housing costs are low, with median mortgages well below the national figure of $1,863, and weekly rents substantially lower than the Australian average of $375.
Frequently Asked Questions - Housing
Moonta counted 2,228 households at the 2021 Census, an estimated 2,508 today, averaging 2.1 people each. 16% are couples with children, fewer than in 94% of areas nationally, against 42% couples without children. 32% of households are people living alone, and families average 2.0 children. Household and family composition is measured only by the Census, so these are 2021 figures.
Detail
Families make up the majority of households at 66.3%, consisting of couples with children at 15.5%, couples without children at 42.2%, and single-parent homes at 7.5%. The remaining 33.7% are non-family households, which are divided into single-person households at 31.5% and group living situations at 2.4%. The median household size of 2.1 persons is slightly smaller than the Regional SA average of 2.3.
Frequently Asked Questions - Households
11.0% of adults in Moonta hold a university qualification, including 8.1% with a bachelor degree and 1.5% with postgraduate qualifications, lower than 96% of areas nationally. A further 30.1% hold a vocational qualification. 1 school serves the area, with 266 enrolment places and an average ICSEA of 907 against a national benchmark of 1,000. Qualifications come from the 2021 Census; school enrolments, ICSEA and results come from ACARA's current release.
Detail
Educational attainment in the area presents distinct difficulties, with university graduation rates of 11.0% falling far short of the national rate of 30.4%. This gap represents a clear opportunity for focused educational programs. Bachelor degrees are the most common higher education qualification at 8.1%, followed by postgraduate degrees at 1.5% and graduate diplomas at 1.4%. Vocational and technical skills are highly prevalent, with 40.1% of citizens aged 15+ holding qualifications, split between advanced diplomas at 10.0% and certificates at 30.1%. A total of 20.5% of the local population is enrolled in formal study.
This student cohort includes 8.8% in primary schools, 6.1% in high schools, and 1.4% in tertiary programs.
Frequently Asked Questions - Education
Schools Detail
Getting around Moonta means driving: households keep an average of 1.4 vehicles, and no scheduled public transport appears in the current timetable feeds. Service data is built from operators' published GTFS timetables; vehicle ownership is from the 2021 Census.
Frequently Asked Questions - Transport
Transport Stops Detail
54.2% of residents in Moonta report no long-term health condition, a less healthy profile than 82% of areas nationally. 9.0% need daily assistance with core activities, and 47.5% hold private health cover. The standardised death rate runs at 5.2 per 1,000 residents. Health conditions, assistance needs and insurance are 2021 Census measures; the death rate comes from current ABS releases.
Detail
Health metrics point to considerable challenges for Moonta, based on AreaSearch's evaluation of mortality data and chronic illness rates, with health issues prominent in both younger and older demographics, and private health insurance adoption being exceptionally low at roughly 48% of the community (~2,789 people) compared to the Australian average of 55.7%. Arthritis and asthma are the most common diagnoses in the region, affecting 14.6% and 8.6% of residents, respectively, while 54.2% of the population reported no chronic conditions, compared to 62.5% in Regional SA. Chronic illness rates are elevated among the working-age population.
Furthermore, 43.2% of local residents are aged 65 and over (2,535 people), which is significantly higher than the Regional SA average of 27.1%. The health status of these senior citizens is generally consistent with national senior benchmarks.
Frequently Asked Questions - Health
Moonta is largely Australian-born, at 86.4% of residents, with 2.9% speaking a language other than English at home. The largest reported ancestries are English (36.8%) and Australian (31.1%). Ancestry, language and country of birth are counted only by the Census, so these are 2021 figures.
Detail
Moonta shows lower levels of cultural diversity than average, with citizens making up 89.0% of the population, 86.4% born in Australia, and 97.1% speaking only English at home. Christianity is the dominant religion in the community, representing 48.0% of residents, compared to 45.2% across Regional SA. The primary ancestries recorded in Moonta are English (36.8%), Australian (31.1%), and Scottish (7.3%). Some distinct demographic differences are present, with German ancestry represented at 7.0% (compared to 8.2% regionally), Dutch ancestry at 1.3% (compared to 1.3% regionally), and Australian Aboriginal ancestry at 2.4% (compared to 3.3% regionally).
Frequently Asked Questions - Diversity
The median resident of Moonta is 59, older than 98% of areas nationally. 13.8% of residents are aged 15 to 34. Age cohorts are not raw Census counts: the Census split is re-based to the latest ABS population estimates and state projections.
Detail
Moonta's median age of 59 years is substantially higher than the Regional SA median of 47 and the Australian median of 38. The 65 - 74 age group is highly represented locally at 23.2% compared to Regional SA, while the 15 - 24 cohort is underrepresented at 6.2%. The concentration of 65 - 74 year-olds is much higher than the national figure of 9.4%. Since the 2021 Census, the 75 to 84 age bracket expanded from 12.7% to 15.2% of the population, while the 45 to 54 bracket decreased from 10.8% to 8.4%.
Demographic models estimate that Moonta's age profile will change markedly by 2041. The group aged 85 and over is projected to grow by 101% (281 people), rising from 277 to 559. Senior citizens aged 65 and over are expected to make up 89% of the projected growth. Conversely, population drops are anticipated in the 0 to 4 and 65 to 74 age cohorts.
Frequently Asked Questions - Age
Data & MethodBoundaries, Sources & Method for Moonta
9 of 14 data sections on this page were updated within the last 12 months — the newest current to Aug 2026.
Everything is aggregated to the SA2 boundary shown above, on a 2021 Census baseline. Only 3 sections — housing, households and cultural diversity — still wait on the 2026 Census.
The ledger — source, cycle and currency by section
| Section | Source & update cycle | Currency |
|---|---|---|
| Updated within the last 12 months 9 sections | ||
| Population | ABS, GNAF, Geoscience Australia Annual (ABS ERP) | May 2026 3 months ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Re-based to the ABS Estimated Resident Population (June 2025 release) and updated with new dwellings from GNAF address data. Current to May 2026, with the 2021 Census supplying the small-area baseline. | ||
| Age profile | ABS, Geoscience Australia, State governments Annual | May 2026 3 months ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Age cohorts are re-based to the latest ABS population estimates and state projections, current to May 2026. Each cohort is held as a Census baseline and a current estimate. | ||
| Development & approvals | ABS, GNAF Monthly (ABS approvals) | Jun 2026 2 months ago headline measures · May 2026 baseline |
| Property sales & rents | Valuer General, Rental Board, ABS Weekly sales, quarterly rents | Aug 2026 this month all 21 measures |
| Sales from the state Valuer General register, refreshed weekly, and rents from quarterly rental bond lodgements. Both are read live each time this page loads, current to Aug 2026. | ||
| Infrastructure projects | Infrastructure Australia, State agencies, Local governments Daily | Aug 2026 this month all 3 projects tracked here |
| Project pipeline maintained continuously from Infrastructure Australia, state agencies, local government and public announcements. Records are added and revised daily; this area was last updated Aug 2026. | ||
| Employment | ABS, DEWR, JSA Quarterly (ABS SALM) | Mar 2026 5 months ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Unemployment and labour force from ABS Small Area Labour Markets, current to Mar 2026. The growth outlook applies Department of Employment (now Jobs and Skills Australia) forecasts for all 19 industry divisions to the local industry mix, so it measures sector composition rather than local expansion and makes no allowance for population growth. Job demand comes from the same agency via its Internet Vacancy Index; industry and occupation structure from the 2021 Census. | ||
| Education | ABS, ACARA Annual (ACARA) | Aug 2026 this month headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Transport | ABS, State Transport Departments Each timetable release | Jul 2026 last month headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Services & amenities | Provider directories, ACECQA Continuous | Jul 2026 last month all 14 measures |
| Annual and financial-year sources 2 sections | ||
| Income | ABS, ATO Annual (ATO) | FY 2023 3 years ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| ATO taxable income statistics for FY 2023, indexed forward using the Wage Price Index. Census household income provides the distribution detail. | ||
| Health | ABS, ATO Annual | 2024 2 years ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Census-measured — next update: 2026 Census 3 sections No more current small-area source exists for these, so they are labelled as Census-measured rather than implied to be current. | ||
| Housing | ABS 5-yearly (Census) | 2021 Census next update 2026 all 30 measures |
| Households | ABS 5-yearly (Census) | 2021 Census next update 2026 all 18 measures |
| Cultural diversity | ABS, Geoscience Australia 5-yearly (Census) | 2021 Census next update 2026 all 44 measures |
"Currency" is the most recent release feeding that section. Where the Census supplies the structural baseline underneath a current headline figure, the row says so.
How the numbers are built
Population
The Census provides the small-area baseline, aggregated from mesh blocks to this boundary. It is then re-based to the ABS Estimated Resident Population (June 2025 release), and new dwellings built since Census night are counted from address data — 164 validated new addresses here. The headline figure is therefore a current estimate for May 2026, not a 2021 count (5,217 at the 2021 Census → 5,872 now). Annual growth rates are compound (CAGR), not simple averages.
Age profile
Cohort shares are not raw Census counts. Every cohort is held as a pair — the Census baseline and a current estimate — and the split is re-based using ERP and state population projections, current to May 2026. Median age is the Census median plus modelled change since. Charts that show both are labelled "2021 Census vs Current Estimate".
Property sales
Sourced from the state valuation authority's sales register — current, not Census, and refreshed weekly. Medians are calculated from settled transactions in the period shown; periods with very low transaction counts are flagged or suppressed, because a handful of sales can move a median substantially.
Rents
Derived from state rental bond lodgement data, by dwelling type and bedroom count. Bonds are lodged at the start of a new tenancy, so this reflects new lettings, not the whole rented stock.
Development & infrastructure
Building approvals come from current ABS releases; development applications are collected from council and state planning portals; the infrastructure pipeline is compiled from Infrastructure Australia and local government sources. Applications are matched to this boundary by address or coordinates, so very recent lodgements may not yet appear.
Employment & income
Industry and occupation structure comes from the Census, but the headline labour-market indicators do not. Unemployment and labour force are derived from ABS Small Area Labour Markets (quarterly). The employment outlook applies Department of Employment forecasts for all 19 industry divisions to this area's own industry mix (the agency is now Jobs and Skills Australia), as does the Internet Vacancy Index used for job demand. Because it is weighted on industry composition alone, that outlook carries no allowance for local population growth — in fast-growing areas the real rise in local jobs will typically be higher. Income combines Census household income with ATO taxable-income statistics for FY 2023, indexed forward using the Wage Price Index.
Education, transport & amenities
School enrolments, ICSEA and performance come from ACARA's current release, not the Census. Public transport stops and service frequency are derived from GTFS timetable feeds published by state transport departments. Services and amenities are proximity and count scores built from provider directories, refreshed on their own cycle. The Census contributes only the travel-to-work and qualification measures.
Rankings and benchmarks. Where we rank this area, the comparison set is every area of the same boundary type — suburbs against suburbs, SA2s against SA2s. Benchmarks compare this area against its greater capital city region and the national figure for the same measure and period.
Limits worth knowing. Small areas carry larger error margins, and the ABS introduces small random adjustments to Census counts to protect confidentiality — so totals may not sum exactly. Estimates re-based from regional data describe the area's expected trajectory, not a direct count of it. Figures are indicative for research and are not financial, planning or valuation advice.
Cross-check us. The Census baseline for this boundary is at ABS 2021 Census QuickStats (405041125). QuickStats reports 2021 only — the figures on this page are more current wherever the ledger shows a later date.