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 was around 6,550 as of February 2026. This figure reflects an increase from the 2021 Census count of 6,293 people, marking a growth of 4.1%. The change is inferred from ABS data showing an estimated resident population of 6,447 in June 2024 and an additional 78 validated new addresses since the Census date. This results in a population density ratio of 56 persons per square kilometer. Naracoorte's growth rate of 4.1% since the census is within 2.8 percentage points of the SA3 area's growth rate of 6.9%, indicating competitive growth fundamentals. Overseas migration contributed approximately 86.8% of overall population gains in 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, based on 2021 data and adjusted using a method of weighted aggregation from LGA to SA2 levels. Future population trends show an expected decline in overall population over this period. According to these projections, Naracoorte's population is anticipated to decrease by 27 persons by 2041. However, specific age cohorts are projected to grow, notably the 85 and over age group, which is forecasted to increase by 201 people.

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 have moved into newly constructed dwellings between FY-21 and FY-25. The supply of new properties meets or exceeds demand, offering more buyer choices while supporting potential population growth above projections.

New properties are constructed at an average expected cost of $242,000. In FY-26, $16.4 million in commercial development approvals have been recorded, indicating moderate levels of commercial development. Compared to the Rest of SA, Naracoorte records around 69% of building activity per person and ranks among the 47th percentile nationally for dwelling approvals, suggesting limited buyer options but strengthening demand for established dwellings. This is reflective of the area's maturity and possible planning constraints.

All new construction in Naracoorte has consisted of detached dwellings, maintaining its traditional low-density character focused on family homes. With an estimated 475 people per dwelling approval, it indicates a quiet development environment. Given expected population stability or decline, housing pressure is likely to remain reduced, potentially presenting buying opportunities.

Naracoorte has limited levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the 4thth percentile nationally

Changes to local infrastructure significantly impact an area's performance. AreaSearch has identified six projects that could affect this region. Notable ones are Moyhall Road Reconstruction, North Parklands Development, NRLE Sheep eID Infrastructure Upgrade, and Naracoorte Workers' Accommodation Facility. 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.

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 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 higher at 66.9%, compared to the Rest of SA's 58.5%. According to Census responses, only 4.9% of residents work from home. Employment is concentrated in manufacturing, agriculture, forestry & fishing, and retail trade.

Manufacturing employment is particularly high, at 1.9 times the regional average. Health care & social assistance employment is lower than the regional average, at 10.5%. Some residents commute for work outside Naracoorte. Over a 12-month period ending in September 2025, labour force increased by 1.3%, while employment declined by 0.1%, leading to a rise in unemployment of 1.3 percentage points. In comparison, the Rest of SA saw employment grow by 0.3%, labour force expand by 2.3%, and unemployment rise by 1.9 percentage points. National employment forecasts from Jobs and Skills Australia, published in May-25, project national employment growth of 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Naracoorte's employment mix suggests local employment should increase by 4.8% over five years and 11.2% over ten years.

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

According to AreaSearch's aggregation of ATO data released for financial year 2023, Naracoorte SA2 had a median income among taxpayers of $47,639. The average income level stood at $59,453. This was lower than the national average and compared to levels of $48,920 and $58,933 across Rest of SA respectively. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 8.8% since financial year 2023, current estimates for median income are approximately $51,831 as of September 2025. Average income estimates for the same period are around $64,685. Census 2021 data shows household, family, and personal incomes in Naracoorte rank modestly, between the 26th and 40th percentiles. Income brackets indicate that 33.3% of individuals earn between $1,500 and $2,999, reflecting patterns seen in the surrounding region where 27.5% occupy this range. Housing costs are manageable with 89.0% retained, but disposable income sits 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 with the remaining 5.5% comprising semi-detached homes, apartments, and other types. This is compared to Non-Metro SA's 88.5% houses and 11.5% other dwellings. Home ownership in Naracoorte stood at 37.2%, with mortgaged properties at 35.3% and rented ones at 27.6%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $1,083, lower than Non-Metro SA's average of $1,153. The median weekly rent in Naracoorte was $230, similar to Non-Metro SA's figure of $220. Nationally, Naracoorte's mortgage repayments were significantly lower at $1,083 compared to the Australian average of $1,863, and rents were substantially below the national figure of $375.

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 constitute the remaining 34.1%, with lone person households at 29.7% and group households comprising 4.1%. 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 the Australian average of 30.4%. Bachelor degrees are most common among qualified residents at 11.1%, followed by graduate diplomas (1.4%) and postgraduate qualifications (1.3%). Vocational credentials are prevalent, with 35.0% of residents aged 15+ holding such qualifications, including advanced diplomas (8.3%) and certificates (26.7%). Educational participation is high, with 26.0% of residents currently enrolled in formal education, comprising 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

Naracoorte has one active public transport stop. This stop is served by one route, offering ten weekly passenger trips in total. The accessibility of this service is limited, with residents typically living 1209 meters away from the nearest stop. In this predominantly residential area, most people commute outwards using cars as the primary mode of transportation at a rate of 94%. Four percent of residents walk to their destinations. On average, there are 1.5 vehicles per dwelling.

According to the 2021 Census, only 4.9% of residents work from home, which may be influenced by COVID-19 conditions. The service frequency averages one trip per day across all routes, resulting in 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 Naracoorte residents have positive health outcomes, comparable to national benchmarks. Common health conditions are low across all age groups.

Private health cover is found in approximately 49% of the total population (3,202 people), lower than the national average of 55.7%. The most prevalent medical conditions are arthritis and asthma, affecting 8.4 and 7.7% respectively. 70.4% of residents report no medical ailments, compared to 62.5% in Rest of SA. Under-65 population has better health outcomes than average. 22.1% of residents are aged 65 and over (1,447 people), lower than the 27.1% in Rest of SA. Health outcomes among seniors rank higher than the general population nationally.

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 is above average, with 19.9% born overseas and 14.8% speaking a language other than English at home. Christianity is the predominant religion at 45.1%. Islam is overrepresented at 5.3%, compared to 0.5% in Rest of SA.

The top three ancestry groups are Australian (30.7%), English (30.5%), and Other (8.3%). Notably, German (5.6%) and Filipino (1.9%) are overrepresented, while Maori is at 1.2%.

Naracoorte's population is slightly older than the national pattern

Naracoorte's median age is 40 years, which is significantly lower than Rest of SA's 47 but slightly higher than the national average of 38. Compared to Rest of SA, Naracoorte has a higher proportion of residents aged 25-34 (13.8%) but fewer residents aged 65-74 (10.4%). Between the 2021 Census and now, the population aged 15-24 has grown from 10.2% to 11.1%, while the population aged 55-64 has declined from 11.5% to 10.7%. By 2041, Naracoorte's age composition is expected to change significantly. The population aged 85 and over is projected to grow by 80%, reaching 422 from 234. This growth will be led by residents aged 65 and older, who are expected to represent 94% of the total population growth. Conversely, both the populations aged 0-4 and 35-44 are projected to decrease in number.