Mount Gambier - West
Statistical Area - sa2

An assessment of population growth drivers in Mount Gambier - West reveals an overall ranking slightly below national averages considering recent, and medium term trends

Mount Gambier - West's population, as of August 2025, is approximately 15,406. This figure represents a growth of 907 people since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 14,499. The increase was inferred from the estimated resident population of 15,233 in June 2024 and an additional 253 validated new addresses post-Census. This results in a density ratio of 121 persons per square kilometer. Mount Gambier - West's growth rate of 6.3% since 2021 exceeds the SA3 area (5.4%) and the non-metro area, indicating it as a region leader in population increase. Overseas migration contributed approximately 65.2% to overall population gains recently.

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, SA State Government's Regional/LGA projections by age category from 2023, based on 2021 data, are adopted with adjustments made through weighted aggregation of population growth from LGA to SA2 levels. Based on these projections, the area is expected to grow by approximately 1,725 persons to reach a total of 2041, recording a gain of around 9.7% over 17 years.

Recent residential development output has been above average within Mount Gambier - West when compared nationally

Mount Gambier - West has seen approximately 90 new homes approved annually. Development approval data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics shows 452 homes approved over the past five financial years, from FY-21 to FY-25, with 20 approvals so far in FY-26. On average, 1.3 people moved to the area per dwelling built each year during these years. This indicates a balanced supply and demand, creating stable market conditions for new homes with an average construction cost value of $428,000.

In FY-26, $80.5 million in commercial approvals have been registered, reflecting high levels of local commercial activity. Compared to the rest of South Australia, Mount Gambier - West has seen slightly more development, at 23.0% above the regional average per person over the past five years. This preserves reasonable buyer options while sustaining existing property demand.

However, building activity has slowed in recent years. Recent construction comprises 97.0% detached dwellings and 3.0% townhouses or apartments, maintaining the area's low density nature with a focus on detached housing that attracts space-seeking buyers. Interestingly, developers are building more traditional houses than the current mix suggests, with 75.0% of new homes being detached dwellings compared to the Census figure. This indicates continued strong demand for family homes in the area. The location currently has approximately 217 people per dwelling approval, suggesting room for population growth. Future projections estimate Mount Gambier - West will add 1,492 residents by 2041. Based on current development patterns, new housing supply should readily meet demand, offering good conditions for buyers and potentially facilitating further population growth beyond current projections.

Mount Gambier - West has emerging levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the 22ndth percentile nationally

The performance of a region is significantly influenced by modifications to local infrastructure, major undertakings, and strategic initiatives. AreaSearch has identified 22 projects that could potentially impact this area. Notable ventures include the Road Infrastructure Reconstruction Program, Limestone Estate Residential Development, CBD Master Planning and Activation Project, and Berrin Meadows Estate. The following list details those projects most likely to be relevant.

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

Despite maintaining a low unemployment rate of 3.8%, Mount Gambier - West has experienced recent job losses, resulting in a below average employment performance ranking when compared nationally

Mount Gambier - West has a balanced workforce with white and blue collar jobs, prominent essential services sectors, and an unemployment rate of 3.8%. As of June 2025, 7474 residents are employed, with an unemployment rate 0.8% lower than the Rest of SA's rate of 4.6%, and workforce participation at 59.3%, compared to Rest of SA's 54.1%.

Key industries include health care & social assistance, retail trade, and manufacturing. The area specializes in health care & social assistance, with an employment share 1.2 times the regional level, but agriculture, forestry & fishing is under-represented at 7.4%, compared to Rest of SA's 14.5%. Many residents commute elsewhere for work based on Census data. Between June 2024 and June 2025, Mount Gambier - West's labour force decreased by 2.2% and employment declined by 3.4%, leading to a 1.2 percentage point rise in unemployment.

Rest of SA saw an employment decline of 1.2%, labour force growth of 0.1%, and a 1.2 percentage point increase in unemployment during the same period. Jobs and Skills Australia's May 2025 forecasts project national employment growth of 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, with varying rates across sectors. Applying these projections to Mount Gambier - West's employment mix suggests local growth of approximately 5.9% over five years and 12.7% over ten years, based on a simple weighting extrapolation for illustrative purposes.

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

AreaSearch's latest postcode level ATO data for financial year ended June 2022 shows median income in Mount Gambier - West at $48,904 and average income at $58,261. These figures are lower than the national averages of median income at $57,073 and average income at $76,124 for the same period. In Rest of SA, median income was $46,889 and average income was $56,582 during FY 2022. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 10.83% from July 2022 to March 2025, estimated current incomes in Mount Gambier - West would be approximately $54,200 (median) and $64,571 (average). Census data indicates household, family, and personal incomes in Mount Gambier - West fall between the 14th and 26th percentiles nationally. In FY 2022, 29.7% of the population (4,575 individuals) had incomes ranging from $1,500 to $2,999, similar to metropolitan regions where 27.5% fell within this range. Housing costs are modest with 86.8% of income retained, but total disposable income ranks at just the 17th percentile nationally.

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

Dwelling structure in Mount Gambier - West, as per the latest Census, consisted of 75.0% houses and 25.0% other dwellings such as semi-detached homes, apartments, and 'other' dwellings. This contrasts with Non-Metro SA's figures of 87.6% houses and 12.5% other dwellings. Home ownership in Mount Gambier - West stood at 32.7%, with mortgaged properties making up 34.1% and rented dwellings comprising 33.2%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $1,109, higher than Non-Metro SA's average of $1,083. Weekly rent in the area averaged at $220 compared to Non-Metro SA's $205. Nationally, Mount Gambier - West's mortgage repayments were significantly lower than the Australian average of $1,863, while weekly rents were substantially below the national figure of $375.

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

Family households constitute 62.9% of all households, including 23.4% couples with children, 27.2% couples without children, and 11.3% single parent families. Non-family households comprise the remaining 37.1%, with lone person households at 35.1% and group households at 2.1%. The median household size is 2.2 people, which is smaller than the Rest of SA average of 2.3.

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

The area has lower university qualification rates at 13.8%, compared to the Australian average of 30.4%. This represents both a challenge and an opportunity for targeted educational initiatives. Bachelor degrees are most common at 10.0%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (2.0%) and graduate diplomas (1.8%). Trade and technical skills are prominent, with 38.3% of residents aged 15+ holding vocational credentials - advanced diplomas (7.8%) and certificates (30.5%).

Educational participation is high at 26.6%, including 11.0% in primary education, 7.4% in secondary education, and 2.4% pursuing tertiary education. There are 8 schools operating within Mount Gambier - West, educating approximately 3,369 students. The area demonstrates typical Australian school conditions (ICSEA: 962) with balanced educational opportunities. The educational mix includes 5 primary, 1 secondary, and 2 K-12 schools. School capacity exceeds typical residential needs at 21.9 places per 100 residents, compared to the regional average of 14.9, indicating that the area serves as an educational center for the broader region.

No public transport data available for this catchment area.

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

Mount Gambier - West faces significant health challenges, with common conditions prevalent among both younger and older age groups. Private health cover is relatively low at approximately 49% of the total population (around 7,533 people), compared to the national average of 55.3%.

Mental health issues and arthritis are the most common medical conditions in the area, affecting 9.5% and 9.4% of residents respectively. Around 63.1% of residents report having no medical ailments, compared to 65.5% in the rest of South Australia. The area has a higher proportion of seniors, with 22.8% of residents aged 65 and over (around 3,504 people). Health outcomes among seniors present some challenges but perform better than the general population in health metrics.

Mount Gambier - West ranks below the Australian average when compared to other local markets across a number of language and cultural background related metrics

Mount Gambier-West had low cultural diversity, with 90.2% citizens, 87.9% born in Australia, and 92.8% speaking English only at home. Christianity was the dominant religion, comprising 41.9%. The 'Other' religious category was overrepresented at 0.9%, compared to 0.5% regionally.

Ancestry-wise, Australian (32.1%), English (31.1%), and Scottish (7.7%) were the top groups. Notably, German (6.0%) and Dutch (2.0%) were overrepresented compared to regional averages of 6.4% and 1.7%, respectively. Additionally, Australian Aboriginal people were also overrepresented at 2.0%.

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

Mount Gambier West has a median age of 41 years, which is lower than the Rest of South Australia's median age of 47 but higher than the national norm of 38 years. The age group of 25-34 years is notably over-represented in Mount Gambier West at 12.4%, compared to the Rest of South Australia average, while the 65-74 year-olds are under-represented at 11.4%. Between 2021 and the present, the population of individuals aged 35 to 44 has increased from 11.1% to 12.2%, while the population of those aged 45 to 54 has decreased from 11.9% to 11.0%. By the year 2041, demographic modeling projects significant changes in Mount Gambier West's age profile. The number of individuals aged 75 to 84 is projected to increase by 613 people (48%) from 1,266 to 1,880. Notably, the combined population of those aged 65 and above is expected to account for 75% of total population growth, reflecting the area's aging demographic profile. Conversely, population declines are projected for the age groups 0 to 4 and 55 to 64 years.