Mount Gambier - East
Statistical Area - sa2

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 15,597 as of November 2025, according to AreaSearch's analysis. This figure represents a growth of 650 people (4.3%) since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 14,947. The increase is inferred from the 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 of 233 persons per square kilometer. Mount Gambier - East's growth rate of 4.3% since the census is within 1.1 percentage points of the SA3 area's growth rate of 5.4%, indicating competitive growth fundamentals. Overseas migration contributed approximately 81.1% of overall population gains during recent periods, driving primary population growth in the area.

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 released in 2023, 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 of Australian non-metropolitan areas, with Mount Gambier - East expected to grow by 850 persons to 2041, recording a total gain of 4.8% 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, totaling 387 homes. In FY26, 22 approvals have been recorded to date. On average, 0.4 new residents have moved into newly constructed dwellings each year between FY21 and FY25. This indicates that new construction is meeting or exceeding demand, providing more options for buyers and potentially supporting population growth beyond current projections.

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

The majority of new building activity consists of detached dwellings (97%), with townhouses or apartments making up the remaining 3%. This preserves the area's low-density nature and caters to space-seeking buyers. With around 228 people per approval, Mount Gambier - East reflects a low-density population. Future projections estimate that Mount Gambier - East will add 743 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 emerging levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the 23rdth percentile nationally

The performance of an area can significantly be influenced by changes in local infrastructure, major projects, and planning initiatives. AreaSearch has identified a total of 23 projects that are expected to impact the area. Notable among these are Mount Gambier Hospital Redevelopment, Mount Gambier Technical College & Research Education Training Precinct, Forestry Centre of Excellence, and TAFE SA Mount Gambier Campus Upgrades. The following list details those projects likely to be most relevant.

Professional plan users can use the search below to filter and access additional projects.

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While Mount Gambier - East retains a healthy unemployment rate of 3.3%, recent employment declines have impacted its national performance ranking

Mount Gambier - East has a balanced workforce with both white and blue collar jobs. Key industries include health care & social assistance, retail trade, and manufacturing.

As of June 2025, 7946 residents are employed, with an unemployment rate of 3.3%, which is below the Rest of SA's rate of 4.6%. Workforce participation is high at 60.6%. The area has a notable concentration in retail trade, employing 1.3 times the regional average. However, agriculture, forestry & fishing employs only 7.5% of local workers, lower than Rest of SA's 14.5%.

Labour force decreased by 2.2% and employment declined by 3.1% over a 12-month period ending June 2025, leading to an unemployment rate rise of 0.9 percentage points. Jobs and Skills Australia forecasts national employment growth of 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Mount Gambier - East's employment mix suggests local growth of approximately 5.8% over five years and 12.6% over ten years.

Income levels sit below national averages according to AreaSearch assessment

Mount Gambier - East had a median taxpayer income of $48,956 and an average of $58,375 in the financial year 2022, according to postcode level ATO data aggregated by AreaSearch. This was lower than the national average, with Rest of SA having a median income of $46,889 and an average income of $56,582. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 12.83% from financial year 2022 to September 2025, estimated incomes would be approximately $55,237 (median) and $65,865 (average). Census data shows household, family, and personal incomes in Mount Gambier - East ranked modestly, between the 24th and 36th percentiles. The earnings band of $1,500 - 2,999 captured 31.7% of the community (4,944 individuals), consistent with broader trends across the region showing 27.5% in the same category. Housing costs were modest, with 87.5% of income retained, but total disposable income ranked at just the 29th 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, as per the latest Census, were 83.7% houses and 16.4% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings). Non-Metro SA had 87.6% houses and 12.5% 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, higher than Non-Metro SA's average of $1,083. Median weekly rent in Mount Gambier - East was $220, compared to Non-Metro SA's $205. Nationally, mortgage repayments were lower at $1,863 and rents were substantially below the national figure 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 comprise the remaining 32.1%, with lone person households at 29.6% and group households making up 2.5%. The median household size is 2.4 people, larger than the Rest of South Africa 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 has university qualification rates of 14.6%, significantly lower than the Australian average of 30.4%. This discrepancy presents both challenges and opportunities for targeted educational initiatives. Bachelor degrees are the most common at 10.6%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (2.0%) and graduate diplomas (2.0%). Vocational credentials are prominent, with 38.3% of residents aged 15+ holding such qualifications - advanced diplomas at 8.2% and certificates at 30.1%.

Educational participation is 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. Six schools operate within Mount Gambier - East, educating approximately 2,376 students. The area has typical Australian school conditions (ICSEA: 959) with balanced educational opportunities. The educational mix includes three primary schools, one secondary school, and two K-12 schools. Note: where schools show 'n/a' for enrolments, please refer to the parent campus.

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 hub. This hub serves a mix of bus routes, with six individual routes operating weekly. These routes provide a total of 41 passenger trips per week.

The accessibility of these services is limited, with residents typically located approximately 1602 meters from the nearest stop. On average, there are five trips per day across all routes, resulting in about 41 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 its health data. Both younger and older age groups have notable prevalence of common health conditions.

Approximately 49% (~7,626 people) of the total population has private health cover, which is lower than the national average of 55.3%. Mental health issues and asthma are the most prevalent medical conditions in the area, affecting 9.0 and 8.9% of residents respectively. About 63.7% of residents declare themselves completely clear of medical ailments, compared to 65.5% across Rest of SA. The area has a lower proportion of seniors aged 65 and over at 21.2% (3,306 people) than the Rest of SA's 23.3%. Health outcomes among seniors present challenges broadly in line with the general population's health profile.

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 a cultural diversity below average, with 90.4% citizens, 88.7% born in Australia, and 93.8% speaking English only at home. Christianity was the main religion, comprising 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%). Dutch (2.1%) and German (6.0%) were notably overrepresented, while Polish (0.7%) showed a smaller divergence from regional figures.

Mount Gambier - East's median age exceeds the national pattern

Mount Gambier - East's median age is 41 years, which is notably lower than Rest of SA's 47 but somewhat older than the national norm of 38. Compared to the Rest of SA average, the 15-24 cohort is notably over-represented at 12.6% locally, while the 65-74 year-olds are under-represented at 11.5%. Between 2021 and present, the 15 to 24 age group has grown from 11.5% to 12.6%, the 5 to 14 cohort has declined from 13.2% to 11.7%, and the 45 to 54 group has dropped from 13.2% to 12.2%. Demographic modeling suggests that Mount Gambier - East's age profile will evolve significantly by 2041. The 75 to 84 age cohort is projected to grow significantly, expanding by 565 people (53%) from 1,069 to 1,635. Notably, the combined 65+ age groups are projected to account for 87% of total population growth, reflecting the area's aging demographic profile. In contrast, population declines are projected for the 0 to 4 and 35 to 44 cohorts.