Naracoorte

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

Naracoorte's population is approximately 6,478 as of November 2025. This figure represents an increase of 185 people since the 2021 Census, which recorded a population of 6,293. The growth is inferred from ABS estimates: Naracoorte had an estimated resident population of 6,450 in June 2024 and 72 new addresses were validated after the Census date. This results in a density ratio of 56 persons per square kilometer. Between 2021 and 2025, Naracoorte's growth rate is around 2.9%, which is within 2.5 percentage points of the SA3 area's growth rate of 5.4%. Overseas migration contributed approximately 86.8% of population gains during this period.

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 are adopted, adjusted using weighted aggregation from LGA to SA2 levels. Future trends indicate an overall population decline of 27 persons by 2041. However, specific age cohorts are projected to grow: notably, the 85 and over age group is expected to increase by 201 people during this period.

Residential development activity is lower than average in Naracoorte according to AreaSearch's national comparison of local real estate markets

Naracoorte has seen approximately 21 new homes approved annually over the past five financial years, totalling 109 homes. As of FY-26, 7 approvals have been recorded. On average, 0.6 new residents per year per dwelling constructed were recorded between FY-21 and FY-25. The average construction value for new properties was $242,000.

In FY-26, $16.4 million in commercial development approvals have been recorded. Compared to the Rest of SA, Naracoorte records about 69% of building activity per person and ranks at the 47th percentile nationally for dwelling approvals, indicating limited buyer options but stronger demand for established dwellings. New construction has been exclusively detached dwellings, maintaining the area's low-density character. The estimated population per dwelling approval is 475 people.

Population stability or decline is expected, potentially reducing housing pressure and creating buying opportunities.

Naracoorte has limited levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the 11thth percentile nationally

Changes to local infrastructure significantly impact an area's performance. AreaSearch has identified six projects expected to influence this region. Notable projects include North Parklands Development, Moyhall Road Reconstruction, NRLE Sheep eID Infrastructure Upgrade, and Naracoorte Workers' Accommodation Facility. The following list highlights those most pertinent.

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

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AreaSearch assessment positions Naracoorte ahead of most Australian regions for employment performance

Naracoorte's workforce is balanced across white and blue collar jobs. Manufacturing and industrial sectors are prominent.

The unemployment rate in Naracoorte was 2.8% as of September 2025. This rate is 2.5% lower than the Rest of SA's rate of 5.3%. Workforce participation in Naracoorte is high at 61.1%, compared to 54.1% in the Rest of SA. Employment among residents is concentrated in manufacturing, agriculture, forestry & fishing, and retail trade.

Manufacturing employment levels are particularly notable, at 1.9 times the regional average. Health care & social assistance has a limited presence with 10.5% employment compared to 13.9% regionally. Many Naracoorte residents commute elsewhere for work based on Census data analysis. In the 12 months prior to September 2025, Naracoorte's labour force increased by 1.3%, while employment declined by 0.1%, leading to a rise in unemployment of 1.3 percentage points. This contrasts with the Rest of SA where employment grew by 0.3%, labour force expanded by 2.3%, and unemployment rose by 1.9 percentage points. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May-25 suggest that Naracoorte's employment should increase by 4.8% over five years and 11.2% over ten years, based on industry-specific projections applied to the local employment mix.

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

AreaSearch's aggregation of ATO data for financial year 2022 shows Naracoorte SA2 had a median taxpayer income of $48,610 and an average of $59,423. Nationally, these figures were higher at $46,889 (median) and $56,582 (average). By September 2025, estimated incomes would be approximately $54,847 (median) and $67,047 (average), based on Wage Price Index growth of 12.83% since financial year 2022. Census 2021 data ranks Naracoorte's household, family, and personal incomes modestly, between the 26th and 40th percentiles. The $1,500 - 2,999 earnings band captures 33.3% of Naracoorte residents (2,157 individuals), similar to surrounding regions at 27.5%. Housing costs are manageable with 89.0% retained, but disposable income is below average at the 33rd percentile.

Naracoorte is characterized by a predominantly suburban housing profile, with a higher proportion of rental properties than the broader region

In Naracoorte, as per the latest Census evaluation, 94.5% of dwellings were houses while 5.5% consisted of other types such as semi-detached homes, apartments, and 'other' dwellings. This is in contrast to Non-Metro SA's figures of 87.6% houses and 12.5% other dwellings. Home ownership in Naracoorte stood at 37.2%, similar to Non-Metro SA's level, with mortgaged properties at 35.3% and rented ones at 27.6%. The median monthly mortgage repayment in the area was $1,083, aligning with Non-Metro SA's average. However, the median weekly rent figure was recorded as $230 compared to Non-Metro SA's $205. Nationally, Naracoorte's median monthly mortgage repayments were significantly lower than Australia's average of $1,863. Similarly, rents in Naracoorte were substantially below the national figure of $375 per week.

Naracoorte features high concentrations of group households, with a higher-than-average median household size

Family households account for 65.9% of all households, including 26.5% couples with children, 31.1% couples without children, and 7.9% single parent families. Non-family households make up the remaining 34.1%, with lone person households at 29.7% and group households comprising 4.1% of the total. The median household size is 2.4 people, which is larger than the Rest of SA average of 2.3.

Naracoorte faces educational challenges, with performance metrics placing it in the bottom quartile of areas assessed nationally

The area's university qualification rate is 13.8%, significantly lower than Australia's average of 30.4%. Bachelor degrees are the most common at 11.1%, followed by graduate diplomas (1.4%) and postgraduate qualifications (1.3%). Vocational credentials are prominent, with 35.0% of residents aged 15+ holding them, including advanced diplomas (8.3%) and certificates (26.7%). Educational participation is high at 26.0%, with 12.7% in primary education, 6.7% in secondary education, and 1.6% pursuing tertiary education.

Educational participation is notably high, with 26.0% of residents currently enrolled in formal education. This includes 12.7% in primary education, 6.7% in secondary education, and 1.6% pursuing tertiary education.

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

Transport analysis shows one active public transport stop operating in Naracoorte, offering a mix of bus services. This stop is served by one route, providing ten weekly passenger trips in total. Transport accessibility is rated as limited, with residents typically located 1209 meters from the nearest transport stop.

Service frequency averages one trip per day across all routes, equating to approximately ten weekly trips per individual stop.

Naracoorte's residents are healthier than average in comparison to broader Australia with prevalence of common health conditions quite low across both younger and older age cohorts

Health data shows relatively positive outcomes for Naracoorte residents. The prevalence of common health conditions is quite low across both younger and older age cohorts.

Approximately 50% (~3,206 people) have private health cover, which is lower than the national average of 55.3%. The most common medical conditions are arthritis (8.4%) and asthma (7.7%). About 70.4% of residents declare themselves completely clear of medical ailments, compared to 65.5% across Rest of SA. As of 21st June 2021, 21.7% (1,403 people) of residents are aged 65 and over, which is lower than the 23.3% in Rest of SA. Health outcomes among seniors are particularly strong, performing even better than the general population in health metrics.

In terms of cultural diversity, Naracoorte records figures broadly comparable to the national average, as found in AreaSearch's assessment of a number of language and cultural background related metrics

Naracoorte's cultural diversity was above average, with 19.9% of its population born overseas and 14.8% speaking a language other than English at home. Christianity was the predominant religion in Naracoorte, comprising 45.1% of the population. Islam was overrepresented compared to the rest of South Australia, making up 5.3% of Naracoorte's population versus 1.1%.

The top three ancestry groups were Australian (30.7%), English (30.5%), and Other (8.3%). Notably, German ancestry was higher than regional averages at 5.6%, while Maori and Filipino ancestries were also overrepresented at 1.2% and 1.9% respectively.

Naracoorte's population is slightly older than the national pattern

Naracoorte's median age is 40 years, which is significantly below Rest of SA's 47 years while slightly above the national average of 38 years. Compared to Rest of SA, Naracoorte has a higher concentration of residents aged 25-34 (13.7%) but fewer residents aged 65-74 (10.1%). Between the 2021 Census and now, the population aged 15-24 has grown from 10.2% to 11.0%, while the population aged 45-54 has declined from 11.6% to 11.0%. By 2041, Naracoorte's age composition is expected to shift notably. The 85+ group will grow by 86% (194 people), reaching 422 from 227. Residents aged 65 and older will represent 95% of the anticipated population growth. Conversely, both the 0-4 and 15-24 age groups are expected to have reduced numbers.