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 is approximately 15,734 as of February 2026. This figure represents an increase of 787 people since the 2021 Census, which recorded a population of 14,947. This growth can be inferred from the estimated resident population of 15,490 in June 2024 and the addition of 249 validated new addresses after the Census date. The population density is around 235 persons per square kilometer. Mount Gambier - East's population grew by 5.3% between the 2021 Census and February 2026, which is within 1.6 percentage points of the SA3 area's growth rate of 6.9%. Overseas migration contributed approximately 81.1% to this population increase.

AreaSearch uses ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area released in 2024 with a base year of 2022, and adopts the SA State Government's Regional/LGA projections by age category for areas not covered by this data or years post-2032, adjusting using weighted aggregation. By 2041, Mount Gambier - East is projected to increase its population by around 850 persons, reflecting a total gain of approximately 3.9% 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 per year over the past five financial years, totalling 387 homes. In FY-26 to date, there have been 38 approvals recorded. On average, this area sees 0.4 new residents per year per dwelling constructed between FY-21 and FY-25. The construction rate matches or exceeds demand, offering buyers more options and potentially supporting population growth beyond current expectations.

The average construction value of new properties is $259,000. In the current financial year, there have been $89.6 million in commercial approvals registered, indicating high levels of local commercial activity. Compared to the Rest of SA, Mount Gambier - East maintains similar construction rates per person, maintaining market balance consistent with the broader area.

The building activity shows 97.0% detached dwellings and 3.0% townhouses or apartments, preserving the area's low density nature and attracting space-seeking buyers. With around 228 people per approval, Mount Gambier - East reflects a low density area. Future projections estimate that Mount Gambier - East will add 606 residents by 2041. At current development rates, new housing supply should comfortably meet demand, providing good conditions for buyers and potentially supporting growth beyond current population projections.

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

Changes to local infrastructure significantly affect an area's performance. AreaSearch has identified 23 projects likely to impact the region. Notable ones 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 balanced workforce with both white and blue collar jobs. The unemployment rate is 3.9%. Employment stability has been consistent over the past year.

As of September 2025, 8,046 residents are employed, with an unemployment rate of 1.4% lower than Rest of SA's 5.3%. Workforce participation is higher at 64.9%, compared to Rest of SA's 58.5%. Census data shows that only 4.9% of residents work from home. Key industries include health care & social assistance, retail trade, and manufacturing.

Retail trade has a notable concentration with employment levels at 1.3 times the regional average. Agriculture, forestry & fishing employs just 7.5% of local workers, below Rest of SA's 14.5%. The area may have limited local employment opportunities, as indicated by the difference between working population and resident population. Over a 12-month period ending September 2025, employment increased by 0.1%, labour force grew by 1.6%, leading to an unemployment rate rise of 1.4 percentage points. In contrast, Rest of SA had employment growth of 0.3% and labour force growth of 2.3%, with a 1.9 percentage point increase in unemployment rate. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May-25 suggest that over five years, national employment is expected to expand by 6.6% and over ten years by 13.7%. Applying these projections to Mount Gambier - East's employment mix indicates local employment should increase by 5.8% over five years and 12.6% over ten years, though these are simple extrapolations for illustrative purposes only.

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

The Mount Gambier - East SA2 had a median taxpayer income of $50,979 and an average of $58,893 in the latest postcode level ATO data aggregated by AreaSearch for financial year 2023. This is lower than national averages, contrasting with Rest of SA's median income of $48,920 and average income of $58,933. As of September 2025, current estimates based on Wage Price Index growth of 8.8% would be approximately $55,465 (median) and $64,076 (average). Census data shows household, family, and personal incomes rank modestly in Mount Gambier - East, between the 23rd and 35th percentiles. The $1,500 - 2,999 earnings band captures 31.7% of the community (4,987 individuals), consistent with broader trends across the region showing 27.5% in the same category. Housing costs are modest with 87.5% of income retained, but 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

Mount Gambier - East's dwellings were 83.7% houses and 16.4% other dwellings at the latest Census. Non-Metro SA had 88.5% houses and 11.5% other dwellings. Home ownership in Mount Gambier - East was 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 was $220, matching Non-Metro SA's figure. Nationally, Mount Gambier - East's mortgage repayments were lower at $1,200 compared to Australia's average of $1,863. Rents in the area were also substantially below the national average of $375.

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 account for 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 Australia's average of 30.4%. Bachelor degrees are the 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, with 28.3% of residents currently enrolled in formal education: 11.7% in primary, 8.3% in secondary, and 2.3% in 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 collectively offer 27 weekly passenger trips. Transport accessibility in the area is limited, with residents typically located 1602 meters from the nearest transport stop. Most residents commute outward due to its primarily residential nature. Cars remain the dominant mode of transportation at 96%. On average, there are 1.5 vehicles per dwelling.

According to the 2021 Census, only 4.9% of residents work from home, which 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 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 (~7,615 people), compared to the national average of 55.7%. The most prevalent medical conditions are mental health issues (9.0%) and asthma (8.9%), while 63.7% of residents report being completely clear of medical ailments, slightly higher than the Rest of SA's 62.5%. Working-age population health is notably challenging due to elevated chronic condition rates. The area has a lower proportion of seniors aged 65 and over (21.9%, or 3,441 people) compared to the Rest of SA (27.1%). Senior health outcomes present some challenges, generally in line with national rankings for 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 had low cultural diversity, with 90.4% citizens, 88.7% born in Australia, and 93.8% speaking English only at home. Christianity was the dominant religion, at 41.5%. Judaism, however, was overrepresented at 0.1%, compared to 0.0% regionally.

Top ancestry groups were Australian (31.8%), English (31.1%), and Scottish (8.1%). Notable divergences included Dutch at 2.1% (vs regional 1.3%), German at 6.0% (vs 8.2%), and Polish at 0.7% (vs 0.4%).

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 cohort is notably over-represented at 12.5%, while the 65-74 age group is under-represented at 11.5%. Between 2021 and present, the 75 to 84 age group has increased from 6.1% to 7.3%, and the 15 to 24 cohort has risen from 11.5% to 12.5%. Conversely, the 5 to 14 cohort has decreased from 13.2% to 11.5%, and the 45 to 54 group has dropped from 13.2% to 11.9%. By 2041, demographic modeling suggests significant changes in Mount Gambier - East's age profile. The 85+ cohort is projected to increase by 485 people (102%), from 473 to 959. Notably, the combined 65+ age groups will account for 83% of total population growth, reflecting the area's aging demographic trend. In contrast, population declines are projected for the 0 to 4 and 35 to 44 cohorts.