Mount Gambier - East

Mount Gambier - East is positioned among the lower quartile of areas assessed nationally for population growth based on AreaSearch's assessment of recent, and medium term trends

Mount Gambier - East's population was approximately 15,602 as of November 2025, according to AreaSearch's analysis. This figure represents a 4.4% increase from the 2021 Census count of 14,947 people. The growth is inferred from an estimated resident population of 15,490 in June 2024 and an additional 192 validated new addresses since the Census date. This results in a population density ratio of 233 persons per square kilometer. Mount Gambier - East's growth rate since the census is within 2.2 percentage points of the SA3 area, indicating competitive growth fundamentals. Overseas migration contributed approximately 81.1% of overall population gains during recent periods.

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. These projections were released in 2023 and based on 2021 data, with adjustments made using a method of weighted aggregation of population growth from LGA to SA2 levels. Future population trends suggest an increase just below the median for Australian non-metropolitan areas. Based on the latest annual ERP population numbers, Mount Gambier - East is expected to gain approximately 850 persons by 2041, reflecting a total gain of 4.7% over the 17-year period.

AreaSearch analysis of residential development drivers sees Mount Gambier - East recording a relatively average level of approval activity when compared to local markets analysed countrywide

Mount Gambier - East has received approximately 77 dwelling approvals annually over the past five financial years, totalling 387 homes. As of FY26, 38 approvals have been recorded. On average, 0.4 new residents per year per dwelling were added between FY21 and FY25. This suggests that new construction is meeting or exceeding demand, providing more housing options and potentially driving population growth beyond current projections.

The average expected construction cost of new properties is $259,000. In this financial year alone, $89.6 million in commercial approvals have been registered, indicating high levels of local commercial activity. Compared to the rest of South Australia, Mount Gambier - East maintains similar construction rates per capita, preserving market balance with the broader area.

The majority of new building activity consists of detached dwellings (97.0%), with townhouses or apartments making up the remaining 3.0%, reflecting the area's low-density nature and attracting space-seeking buyers. With around 228 people per approval, Mount Gambier - East continues to reflect a low-density area. According to AreaSearch's latest quarterly estimate, Mount Gambier - East is projected to add 738 residents by 2041. Given current development rates, new housing supply should comfortably meet demand, creating favourable conditions for buyers and potentially supporting population growth beyond current projections.

Mount Gambier - East has limited levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the 6thth percentile nationally

Changes to local infrastructure significantly influence an area's performance. AreaSearch has identified 23 projects likely to impact the area. Key projects include Mount Gambier Technical College & Research Education Training Precinct, Forestry Centre of Excellence, Mount Gambier Hospital Redevelopment, and Mount Gambier Marketplace Large Format Retail Expansion. 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 conditions in Mount Gambier - East remain below the national average according to AreaSearch analysis

Mount Gambier - East has a diverse workforce with balanced white and blue collar jobs. Key sectors include health care & social assistance, retail trade, and manufacturing. As of September 2025, 8,046 residents are employed, with an unemployment rate of 3.9%, lower than Rest of SA's 5.3%.

Workforce participation is high at 65.3%. A low 4.9% work from home. The area has a notable concentration in retail trade, employing 1.3 times the regional average. Agriculture, forestry & fishing employs just 7.5%, below Rest of SA's 14.5%.

Employment opportunities locally appear limited based on Census data. Over the year to September 2025, employment increased by 0.1% while labour force grew by 1.6%, raising unemployment rate by 1.4 percentage points. National employment forecasts from Jobs and Skills Australia (May-25) project a 6.6% increase over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Mount Gambier - East's industry mix suggests local employment growth of 5.8% in five years and 12.6% in ten years.

Income figures position the area below 75% of locations analysed nationally by AreaSearch

Mount Gambier - East SA2 has a median taxpayer income of $50,979 and an average income of $58,893, based on the latest postcode level ATO data aggregated by AreaSearch for financial year 2023. This is lower than the national average, contrasting with Rest of SA's median income of $48,920 and average income of $58,933. By September 2025, based on Wage Price Index growth of 8.8% since financial year 2023, estimated incomes would be approximately $55,465 (median) and $64,076 (average). Census data indicates that household, family, and personal incomes in Mount Gambier - East rank modestly, between the 23rd and 35th percentiles. The income band of $1,500 - 2,999 captures 31.7% of the community (4,945 individuals), similar to broader regional trends at 27.5%. While housing costs are modest with 87.5% of income retained, total disposable income ranks at just the 28th percentile nationally.

Mount Gambier - East is characterized by a predominantly suburban housing profile, with a higher proportion of rental properties than the broader region

In Mount Gambier - East, as per the latest Census evaluation, 83.7% of dwellings were houses, with the remaining 16.4% comprising semi-detached homes, apartments, and other types. This contrasts with Non-Metro SA's figures of 88.5% houses and 11.5% other dwellings. Home ownership in Mount Gambier - East stood at 32.9%, with mortgaged dwellings at 37.8% and rented ones at 29.3%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $1,200, exceeding Non-Metro SA's average of $1,153. The median weekly rent in Mount Gambier - East was $220, matching Non-Metro SA's figure but significantly lower than the national average of $375. Nationally, mortgage repayments in Mount Gambier - East were notably lower at $1,863.

Mount Gambier - East has a typical household mix, with a higher-than-average median household size

Family households constitute 67.9% of all households, including 25.5% couples with children, 28.9% couples without children, and 12.5% single parent families. Non-family households comprise the remaining 32.1%, with lone person households at 29.6% and group households comprising 2.5%. The median household size is 2.4 people, larger than the Rest of SA average of 2.3.

Mount Gambier - East faces educational challenges, with performance metrics placing it in the bottom quartile of areas assessed nationally

The area's university qualification rate is 14.6%, significantly lower than the Australian average of 30.4%. Bachelor degrees are most common at 10.6%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (2.0%) and graduate diplomas (2.0%). Vocational credentials are prevalent, with 38.3% of residents aged 15+ holding them, including advanced diplomas (8.2%) and certificates (30.1%). Educational participation is high at 28.3%, with 11.7% in primary education, 8.3% in secondary education, and 2.3% pursuing tertiary education.

Educational participation is notably high, with 28.3% of residents currently enrolled in formal education. This includes 11.7% in primary education, 8.3% in secondary education, and 2.3% pursuing tertiary education.

Transport servicing is very low compared to other areas nationally based on assessment of service frequency, route connectivity and accessibility

Mount Gambier - East has one active public transport stop. This stop is served by two routes that together offer 27 weekly passenger trips. Transport accessibility in the area is limited, with residents typically living 1602 meters from their nearest transport stop. The area is primarily residential, and most residents commute outward using cars, which are the dominant mode of transport at 96%. On average, there are 1.5 vehicles per dwelling. According to the 2021 Census, only 4.9% of residents work from home, a figure that may reflect COVID-19 conditions.

Service frequency averages three trips per day across all routes, resulting in approximately 27 weekly trips per individual stop.

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

Mount Gambier - East faces substantial health challenges, as indicated by AreaSearch's assessment. Mortality rates and chronic condition prevalence are notable across both younger and older age cohorts.

Private health cover is very low, at approximately 48% of the total population (around 7,551 people), compared to the national average of 55.7%. The most common medical conditions in the area are mental health issues and asthma, affecting 9.0% and 8.9% of residents respectively. Meanwhile, 63.7% of residents claim to be completely clear of medical ailments, compared to 62.5% across Rest of SA. Working-age population faces notable health challenges with elevated chronic condition rates. The area has 21.2% of residents aged 65 and over (3,307 people), lower than the 26.5% in Rest of SA. Health outcomes among seniors present some challenges, with national rankings broadly in line with the general population.

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

Mount Gambier-East has a cultural diversity below average, with 90.4% of its population being citizens, 88.7% born in Australia, and 93.8% speaking English only at home. Christianity is the main religion in Mount Gambier-East, comprising 41.5% of its population. Judaism, however, is overrepresented, making up 0.1% compared to 0.0% across Rest of SA.

The top three ancestry groups are Australian (31.8%), English (31.1%), and Scottish (8.1%). Notably, Dutch (2.1%) and German (6.0%) are overrepresented in Mount Gambier-East compared to regional averages of 1.3% and 8.2%, respectively. Polish is also slightly overrepresented at 0.7%.

Mount Gambier - East's population is slightly older than the national pattern

Mount Gambier East has a median age of 41 years, which is lower than Rest of SA's 47 but higher than Australia's national norm of 38. The 15-24 age group makes up 12.6% of the population in Mount Gambier East, significantly higher than the Rest of SA average, while the 65-74 year-olds comprise 11.5%, which is lower than the Rest of SA average. Between 2021 and present, the 15-24 age group has increased from 11.5% to 12.6%. Conversely, the 5-14 age group has decreased from 13.2% to 11.7%, and the 45-54 age group has dropped from 13.2% to 12.2%. By 2041, demographic modeling suggests that Mount Gambier East's age profile will change significantly. The 75-84 age cohort is projected to grow by 564 people, increasing from 1,070 to 1,635, a growth of 53%. Notably, the combined 65+ age groups are expected to account for 87% of total population growth. In contrast, population declines are projected for the 0-4 and 35-44 age cohorts.