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, as per AreaSearch's analysis, is approximately 6540 as of November 2025. This figure represents an increase of 247 people, a 3.9% rise from the 2021 Census which recorded a population of 6293. The growth is inferred from the estimated resident population of 6447 in June 2024 and an additional 72 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 3.9% since the census is within 2.7 percentage points of the SA3 area's growth rate of 6.6%, indicating competitive growth fundamentals. Overseas migration contributed approximately 86.8% of overall population gains during recent periods, driving primary population growth in the area.

AreaSearch adopts 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 used, based on 2021 data and released in 2023, with adjustments made employing a method of weighted aggregation of population growth from LGA to SA2 levels. Examining future population trends, projections indicate an overall decline in population over this period. Naracoorte's population is expected to decrease by 27 persons by 2041 according to these projections. However, specific age cohorts are anticipated to grow; notably, the 85 and over age group is projected 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 per dwelling were constructed between FY-21 and FY-25. The average construction value of these dwellings was $242,000.

In FY-26, $16.4 million in commercial development approvals have been recorded. Compared to Rest of SA, Naracoorte records around 69% of the building activity per person and ranks at the 47th percentile nationally for areas assessed, suggesting limited buyer options but strengthening demand for established dwellings. All new construction has consisted of detached dwellings, maintaining the area's traditional low density character. The estimated population per dwelling approval is 475 people, reflecting its quiet development environment.

Population is expected to remain stable or decline, potentially reducing pressure on housing and creating opportunities for buyers.

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

The performance of an area is significantly influenced by changes to its local infrastructure, major projects, and planning initiatives. AreaSearch has identified six projects that are expected to impact this particular area. Notable among these are Moyhall Road Reconstruction, North Parklands Development, NRLE Sheep eID Infrastructure Upgrade, and Naracoorte Workers' Accommodation Facility. The following list details those projects likely to have the most relevance:.

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 dominate. As of September 2025, unemployment stands at 2.8%.

Over the past year, employment has remained stable. Compared to Rest of SA, Naracoorte's unemployment rate is lower by 2.5% (5.3%), with workforce participation higher at 67.0%. Census data shows 4.9% of residents work from home. Major industries include manufacturing, agriculture, retail trade.

Manufacturing employment is particularly high, at 1.9 times the regional average. Health care & social assistance employs 10.5%, lower than the regional average of 13.9%. Some residents commute elsewhere for work. Between September 2024 and 2025, Naracoorte's labour force increased by 1.3% while employment declined by 0.1%, causing unemployment to rise by 1.3 percentage points. In contrast, Rest of SA saw employment grow by 0.3%. Jobs and Skills Australia forecasts 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, though this is a simplified extrapolation for illustrative purposes only.

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

According to AreaSearch's aggregation of ATO data released in financial year 2023, Naracoorte SA2 had a median income among taxpayers of $47,639 and an average level of $59,453. This was lower than the national average 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 Naracoorte would be approximately $51,831 (median) and $64,685 (average) as of September 2025. Census 2021 income data shows household, family, and personal incomes in Naracoorte ranked modestly between the 26th and 40th percentiles. Income brackets indicate that 33.3% of individuals earned between $1,500 and $2,999, reflecting patterns seen in the surrounding region where 27.5% similarly 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 while 5.5% comprised semi-detached homes, apartments, and other types. This contrasts with Non-Metro SA's 88.5% houses and 11.5% other dwellings. Home ownership in Naracoorte stood at 37.2%, with mortgaged properties accounting for 35.3% and rented dwellings making up 27.6%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $1,083, lower than Non-Metro SA's average of $1,153. Weekly rent in Naracoorte averaged $230, compared to $220 in Non-Metro SA. Nationally, Naracoorte's mortgage repayments were significantly lower at $1,083 versus Australia's 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 constitute 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 account for 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, 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 the most common 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 them, 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, 6.7% in secondary, and 1.6% in 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 service operating within its boundaries. This service is provided by a single route, offering ten weekly passenger trips in total. The accessibility of this transport system is limited, with residents living an average distance of 1209 meters from the nearest stop. In this predominantly residential area, most commuters travel outward using private vehicles as the dominant mode (94%), while only 4% walk. On average, there are 1.5 vehicles per dwelling in Naracoorte. According to the 2021 Census, a relatively low percentage of residents work from home, at 4.9%, 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

Naracoorte's health data shows positive results, aligning with national benchmarks for mortality rates and health conditions. Prevalence of common health issues is low across both younger and older age groups.

Private health cover stands at 49% (~3,198 people), below the national average of 55.7%. The most prevalent medical conditions are arthritis (8.4%) and asthma (7.7%), with 70.4% reporting no medical ailments, higher than Rest of SA's 62.5%. Under-65 residents have better health outcomes than average. Naracoorte has 21.7% of residents aged 65 and over (1,416 people), lower than Rest of SA's 26.5%. Seniors' health outcomes rank higher nationally than the general population.

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 population showed above-average cultural diversity, with 19.9% born overseas and 14.8% speaking a language other than English at home. Christianity was the dominant religion, comprising 45.1%. Islam was overrepresented compared to the rest of South Australia (SA), making up 5.3% versus 0.5%.

The top three ancestry groups were Australian (30.7%), English (30.5%), and Other (8.3%). Notably, German (5.6%) was overrepresented in Naracoorte compared to the regional average of 8.2%, as were Maori (1.2% vs 0.2%) and Filipino (1.9% vs 0.7%).

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 and slightly higher than the national average of 38. Compared to Rest of SA, Naracoorte has a higher proportion of residents aged 25-34 (13.7%) but fewer residents aged 65-74 (10.1%). Between the 2021 Census and now, the proportion of residents aged 15-24 has grown from 10.2% to 11.0%, while the proportion of those aged 45-54 has declined from 11.6% to 11.0%. By 2041, Naracoorte's age composition is expected to change significantly. The number of residents aged 85 and over is projected to grow by 84%, reaching 422 from 229. This demographic aging trend continues as residents aged 65 and older will represent 97% of the anticipated population growth. Conversely, both the 0-4 and 15-24 age groups are expected to decrease in number.