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This analysis uses ABS Statistical Areas Level 2 (SA2) boundaries, which can materially differ from Suburbs and Localities (SAL) even when sharing similar names.
SA2 boundaries are defined by the Australian Bureau of Statistics and are designed to represent communities for statistical reporting (e.g., census and ERP).
Suburbs and Localities (SAL) represent commonly-used suburb/locality names (postal-style areas) and may use different geographic boundaries. For comprehensive analysis, consider reviewing both boundary types if available.
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ABS ERP | -- people | --
2021 Census | -- people
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Naracoorte has an estimated 6,474 residents, up from 6,293 at the 2021 Census — a change of 181 people, or 2.9%. Density is about 56 people per square kilometre. Population is estimated from ABS Estimated Resident Population releases and GNAF address data, re-based from the 2021 Census and updated annually.
Detail
According to research conducted by AreaSearch, the population residing in Naracoorte stands at approximately 6,474 as of Aug 2026. This represents an addition of 181 people (2.9%) compared to the 2021 Census tally of 6,293 people. This demographic movement is calculated utilizing the ABS estimated resident population figure of 6,455 recorded as of June 2025 alongside 80 validated new addresses identified following the Census date. With these numbers, population density settles at 56 persons per square kilometer, ensuring considerable room across the locality. Naracoorte's post-census increase of 2.9% trails the broader SA3 area (5.1%) by just 2.2 percentage points, demonstrating solid local expansion.
Net overseas migration served as the primary growth driver, accounting for roughly 97.7% of all recorded population additions over recent intervals. Projections applied by AreaSearch incorporate ABS/Geoscience Australia models released in 2024 using 2022 as their starting baseline. Where local SA2 coverage is absent, or for periods extending post-2032, figures utilize the 2023 SA State Government Regional/LGA age cohort projections based on 2021 data, converted from LGA to SA2 geographies via weighted growth aggregation. Over the projected horizon, overall numbers are anticipated to decrease, with the locality shedding 29 persons by 2041 under this framework. Conversely, specific demographics will expand, particularly the 85 and over age group which is forecast to gain 189 people.
Frequently Asked Questions - Population
85 new dwellings have been approved in Naracoorte over the past five years, an average of 17 a year. That is 2.6 approvals per 1,000 residents. Figures come from ABS building approvals aggregated to this SA2 boundary and are updated monthly as the ABS releases them.
Detail
Residential building approvals across Naracoorte average roughly 17 residential properties each year, culminating in 85 homes over the past 5 financial years. With an inflow averaging just 0.1 new residents per year per newly approved residence across the past 5 financial years (between FY-22 and FY-26), residential development has satisfied and exceeded local demand, delivering elevated choice to purchasers while establishing capacity for growth beyond current projections, alongside an average building construction value of $383,000 per dwelling. Furthermore, the current financial year has seen $16.4 million in commercial approvals logged, highlighting steady non-residential development.
On an individual resident comparison against Rest of SA, per-capita building activity in Naracoorte reaches roughly 58%, ranking the district at the 45th percentile across Australia, which tightens stock for buyers while bolstering interest in pre-existing properties. This output sits lower than national benchmarks, pointing to market maturity alongside possible planning hurdles. Moreover, recent construction has consisted entirely of standalone detached houses, preserving the neighborhood's low-density suburban atmosphere and providing family-sized residences suited to buyers prioritizing living area. A ratio of 384 people per approved dwelling underscores the modest, low-volume pace of construction locally. Given that future demographic modeling points toward stabilization or modest contraction, Naracoorte is likely to experience softened residential development pressure, creating favorable conditions for incoming buyers.
Frequently Asked Questions - Development
Development applications around Naracoorte
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| Lodged | Address | Description | Type | Distance | Status |
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SOURCE: Planning portals and council registers, compiled by AreaSearch. Distance & bearing measured from the suburb midpoint.
AreaSearch tracks 6 current infrastructure and development projects inside Naracoorte, worth an estimated $261 million. A further 56 sit in the immediately surrounding suburbs, taking the tracked pipeline within reach of the area to $8.82 billion. 12 are already under construction and 19 are due for completion within three years. The pipeline spans transport & logistics, energy and residential development. Records are compiled from Infrastructure Australia, state agencies, council planning portals and public announcements, reviewed and updated daily, then ranked by proximity, construction stage, completion horizon and project scale.
Detail
Strategic public works and civil planning substantially shape community growth. AreaSearch has highlighted 6 active initiatives expected to influence the district, with key works including the Moyhall Road Reconstruction, North Parklands Development, NRLE Sheep eID Infrastructure Upgrade, and Naracoorte Workers' Accommodation Facility.
Professional plan users can use the search below to filter and access additional projects.
INFRASTRUCTURE SEARCH
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.
Frequently Asked Questions - Infrastructure
Moyhall Road Reconstruction
Reconstruction of pavement and shoulders with new drainage and a full-width spray-sealed surface to address pavement failure, reduce maintenance costs, and improve road safety. Jointly funded with Naracoorte Lucindale Council under the Roads to Recovery Program.
North Parklands Development
A withdrawn unsolicited proposal for a $250 million mixed-use masterplanned community on a 197-hectare State Government-owned site north of Naracoorte. Developer Robert Moore of ELM Property envisioned 500 residential allotments around the Naracoorte Golf Course, a convention centre, motel-style serviced suites, aged care facilities, and a retirement village. Following overwhelming community opposition - 64.4% of nearly 400 survey respondents opposed any development - Naracoorte Lucindale Council voted against the proposal in August 2022 and the developer withdrew.As of 2026, the site remains a dedicated nature park and community space. No active development applications exist; Naracoorte Lucindale Council CEO Trevor Smart confirmed in November 2024 that a nearby subdivision approval was entirely separate and did not affect the North Parklands.
Naracoorte Early Learning and Childcare Centre
Originally proposed as a workers' accommodation facility, the 1.68ha former Naracoorte TAFE site was repurposed for a $2 million early learning and childcare centre for 60 children. Announced in May 2024 by developer Jrod Pty Ltd with a $500,000 state government grant, construction was to begin in late 2024. As of early 2026, the project has stalled completely after a private Adelaide-based childcare provider withdrew their partnership, leaving the development in limbo with no construction started.
Naracoorte Regional Livestock Exchange Sheep eID Infrastructure Upgrade
Upgrade of sheep electronic identification infrastructure at the Naracoorte Regional Livestock Exchange to meet mandatory sheep and goat eID requirements, improve livestock traceability, and support ongoing saleyard operations. Works included eID hardware and software, structural modifications, staff and agent training, and associated sheep yard upgrades, with PIRSA contributing up to 75 percent of eligible essential equipment and modification costs.
Naracoorte Caves Visitor Precinct Upgrade
Upgrade of visitor infrastructure at the World Heritage listed Naracoorte Caves National Park, including the Roof Top Loop Walk, viewing platforms, lighting, seating, safety fencing, wayfinding and interpretation to improve accessible nature-based tourism experiences around the caves precinct.
Naracoorte High School Major Upgrades
Major facility upgrade including refurbishment of art and design building with 3 general learning areas, 2 outdoor learning areas, amenities, and ancillary spaces; construction of new sports change rooms, amenities, agriculture learning space, and change block; refurbishment of home economics facility; and demolition of ageing infrastructure.
Riddoch Highway Overtaking Lane
Planning is underway for the construction of a new southbound overtaking lane on the Riddoch Highway between Padthaway and Naracoorte to enhance road safety, improve efficiency for freight vehicles, reduce driver fatigue, and ensure consistent journey times. Key features include increased lane widths with a 1.4m wide centreline treatment, new pavement construction and surfacing, a new Weigh In Motion system, audio tactile line marking, and roadside hazard protection. This project is part of the South Australian Rural Roads Safety Package.
Lower Limestone Coast Water Allocation Plan
A water allocation plan setting rules for groundwater management in the Lower Limestone Coast, ensuring long-term sustainability and security of the water resource for environmental, social, cultural, and economic needs.
3,494 residents of Naracoorte are employed, from a labour force of 3,604. Unemployment sits at 3.1%, with participation at 67.4%. Weighted for its industry mix, the area's sectors are forecast to grow about 4.8% nationally over five years. That reflects industry composition only and makes no allowance for local population growth. Unemployment and labour force come from ABS Small Area Labour Markets, updated quarterly; the industry and occupation profile is from the 2021 Census.
Detail
Naracoorte maintains an evenly distributed employment landscape across blue-collar and white-collar roles, driven by substantial industrial and manufacturing operations, a minimal unemployment rate of 3.1%, and an estimated 2.9% rise in local jobs over the preceding year. As of March 2026, employed locals number 3,494, while the jobless rate sits 2.4% beneath the 5.5% observed in Regional SA, supported by an exceptionally strong participation rate of 67.4% versus 58.3% regionally. Census records show that only 4.9% of local workers performed their duties from home, an observation that reflects prevailing Covid-19 lockdown settings.
The primary employment sectors supporting residents are manufacturing, agriculture, forestry & fishing, and retail trade. Industrial concentration is especially pronounced, with manufacturing claiming an employment share 1.9 times the regional average. Conversely, health care & social assistance accounts for only 10.5% of jobs, trailing the 13.9% benchmark across Regional SA. Although local employers generate positions, journey-to-work comparisons between Census jobholders and the resident workforce suggest a notable portion of the population travels beyond the district for employment. AreaSearch evaluations of ABS and SALM releases show that during the 12 months to March 2026, jobs grew by 2.9% while the local workforce expanded by 3.8%, lifting unemployment by 0.9 percentage points. Over the identical timeframe, Regional SA experienced job expansion of 1.2%, a labour pool enlargement of 2.6%, and an unemployment rise of 1.4 percentage points. Forward-looking perspectives from Jobs and Skills Australia as of Mar-26 outline national employment projections across five and ten-year horizons, which, when modeled against the local industrial profile, illustrate future trajectory. While countrywide employment is estimated to expand by 6.6% across five years and 13.7% over ten years, trajectories vary by industry. Weighting these sectoral paths against the local economy indicates Naracoorte employment could rise by 4.8% over five years and 11.2% over ten years.
Frequently Asked Questions - Employment
Median household income in Naracoorte is $1,377 a week (about $72,000 a year), with median personal income at $758 a week. ATO records put median taxable income at $47,639 a year against an average of $59,453. Household income is from the 2021 Census; taxable income is from ATO Taxation Statistics for the latest financial year available, indexed forward using the ABS Wage Price Index.
Detail
ATO postcode data assessed by AreaSearch for financial year 2023 indicates that earnings in the Naracoorte SA2 fall below national standards, showing a median income of $47,639 and an average income of $59,453, compared to Regional SA benchmarks of $48,920 and $58,933 respectively. Factoring in Wage Price Index growth of 10.17% since financial year 2023 produces updated estimates of roughly $52,484 (median) and $65,499 (average) as of March 2026. According to the 2021 Census, personal, family, and household earnings align moderately between the 26th and 40th percentiles. The largest single income cohort comprises 33.3% of the community (2,155 people) within the $1,500 - 2,999 bracket, echoing the regional distribution of 27.5%.
Shelter costs remain affordable with 89.0% of earnings retained, though overall disposable funds remain constrained at the 33rd percentile.
Frequently Asked Questions - Income
Naracoorte had 2,413 occupied dwellings at the 2021 Census, 95% detached houses and 0% apartments. 35% are owned with a mortgage, 28% rented and 37% owned outright. At that Census the median rent was $230 a week and the median mortgage repayment $1,083 a month. Rent absorbs 16.7% of household income here and mortgage repayments 18.1%. Dwelling stock, tenure and housing costs are 2021 Census measures — the only source that counts dwellings at this boundary size.
Detail
Census records indicate that structural dwelling types in Naracoorte comprise 94.5% houses alongside 5.5% other dwellings such as apartments, semi-detached properties, and alternative formats, whereas Regional SA records 88.5% houses and 11.5% other dwellings. Outright home ownership sits at 37.2%, below the wider regional mark, while 35.3% of homes carry a mortgage and 27.6% are occupied by tenants. Median monthly mortgage obligations of $1,083 and median weekly rents of $230 sit below the Regional SA marks of $1,153 and $220. Compared across Australia, Naracoorte remains notably affordable, with mortgage servicing well below the $1,863 national median and rental costs tracking far beneath the $375 national figure.
Frequently Asked Questions - Housing
Naracoorte counted 2,413 households at the 2021 Census, averaging 2.4 people each. 27% are couples with children, against 31% couples without children. 30% of households are people living alone, and families average 1.9 children. Household and family composition is measured only by the Census, so these are 2021 figures.
Detail
Family units constitute the predominant living arrangement at 65.9% of all households, consisting of 31.1% couples without children, 26.5% couples with children, and 7.9% single parent families. Non-family living situations represent 34.1% of households, comprising 29.7% lone person households and 4.1% group households. The local median household size of 2.4 people slightly exceeds the Regional SA benchmark of 2.3.
Frequently Asked Questions - Households
13.8% of adults in Naracoorte hold a university qualification, including 11.1% with a bachelor degree and 1.3% with postgraduate qualifications, lower than 85% of areas nationally. A further 26.7% hold a vocational qualification. 4 schools serve the area, with 1,123 enrolment places and an average ICSEA of 975 against a national benchmark of 1,000. Qualifications come from the 2021 Census; school enrolments, ICSEA and results come from ACARA's current release.
Detail
Educational attainment in the district presents room for improvement, as university qualification rates stand at 13.8%, significantly below the 30.4% national average. Attainment is headed by bachelor degrees at 11.1%, followed by graduate diplomas at 1.4% and postgraduate qualifications at 1.3%. In contrast, technical and vocational training is widely held, with 35.0% of residents aged 15+ possessing vocational credentials, including advanced diplomas held by 8.3% and trade certificates by 26.7%. Formal academic participation remains strong across the population, with 26.0% of residents enrolled in study. This includes 12.7% attending primary education, 6.7% in secondary education, and 1.6% undertaking tertiary education courses.
Frequently Asked Questions - Education
Schools Detail
Getting around Naracoorte means driving: households keep an average of 1.5 vehicles, and scheduled services reach only a handful of stops. Service data is built from operators' published GTFS timetables; vehicle ownership is from the 2021 Census.
Detail
Public transport services in Naracoorte operate across 3 active transport stops connected to 4 distinct routes, delivering 22 weekly passenger trips. Network coverage is limited, with local residents situated an average distance of 1138 meters from their nearest transit node. The daily commute is heavily vehicle-dependent, with private cars accounting for 94% of trips and walking representing 4%, supported by an average of 1.5 vehicles per dwelling. Work-from-home adoption was recorded at 4.9% during the 2021 Census, reflecting pandemic-era conditions. Transit schedules provide an average of 3 trips per day across all available routes, delivering approximately 7 weekly trips for each transport stop.
Frequently Asked Questions - Transport
Transport Stops Detail
70.4% of residents in Naracoorte report no long-term health condition. 5.1% need daily assistance with core activities, and 48.9% hold private health cover. The standardised death rate runs at 5.8 per 1,000 residents. Health conditions, assistance needs and insurance are 2021 Census measures; the death rate comes from current ABS releases.
Detail
Community health measures for Naracoorte align closely with national standards, with AreaSearch evaluations of mortality and medical diagnoses showing low incidence across both younger and older demographics. However, private health cover uptake is limited, encompassing approximately 49% of residents (~3,165 people), trailing the Australian average of 55.7%. Arthritis and asthma represent the most widespread chronic conditions, diagnosed in 8.4 and 7.7% of the community respectively, while 70.4% of residents report having no long-term medical conditions, surpassing the 62.5% recorded across Regional SA. Health outcomes among residents aged under 65 are particularly positive.
Residents aged 65 and over account for 21.8% of the populace (1,413 people), lower than the 27.1% seen across Regional SA, with senior health indicators achieving strong national rankings.
Frequently Asked Questions - Health
Naracoorte is largely Australian-born, at 80.1% of residents, with 14.8% speaking a language other than English at home. The largest reported ancestries are Australian (30.7%) and English (30.5%). Ancestry, language and country of birth are counted only by the Census, so these are 2021 figures.
Detail
Cultural metrics show above-average diversity within Naracoorte, where 19.9% of residents were born overseas and 14.8% speak a non-English language at home. Christianity represents the primary faith, accounting for 45.1% of the population. A notable religious divergence is seen in Islam, which represents 5.3% of the community, substantially higher than the 0.5% benchmark across Regional SA. Regarding ancestral background based on parents' country of birth, the primary ancestries reported are Australian at 30.7%, English at 30.5%, and Other at 8.3%. Other distinct cultural communities include German at 5.6% (compared to 8.2% regionally), Filipino at 1.9% (versus 0.7%), and Maori at 1.2% (versus 0.2%).
Frequently Asked Questions - Diversity
The median resident of Naracoorte is 40. 25.4% of residents are aged 15 to 34. Age cohorts are not raw Census counts: the Census split is re-based to the latest ABS population estimates and state projections.
Detail
The demographic structure of Naracoorte tracks younger than Regional SA. Young to middle aged adults (25 - 44) represent 27.6% of the population as at August 2026, compared to 21.4% regionally, while seniors aged 65+ comprise 21.8% against 27.1% in the broader region. The median age remains steady at an estimated 40, matching the 2021 Census level and sitting 7 years below the Regional SA median of 47 from that Census. By 2041, retirees and elderly demographics will drive population growth, adding 241 residents (17%) to total 1,655, while younger cohorts, children, and young to middle aged adults contract.
Frequently Asked Questions - Age
Data & MethodBoundaries, Sources & Method for Naracoorte
9 of 14 data sections on this page were updated within the last 12 months — the newest current to Sep 2026.
Everything is aggregated to the SA2 boundary shown above, on a 2021 Census baseline. Only 3 sections — housing, households and cultural diversity — still wait on the 2026 Census.
The ledger — source, cycle and currency by section
| Section | Source & update cycle | Currency |
|---|---|---|
| Updated within the last 12 months 9 sections | ||
| Population | ABS, GNAF, Geoscience Australia Annual (ABS ERP) | Aug 2026 last month headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Re-based to the ABS Estimated Resident Population (June 2025 release) and updated with new dwellings from GNAF address data. Current to Aug 2026, with the 2021 Census supplying the small-area baseline. | ||
| Age profile | ABS, Geoscience Australia, State governments Annual | Aug 2026 last month headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Age cohorts are re-based to the latest ABS population estimates and state projections, current to Aug 2026. Each cohort is held as a Census baseline and a current estimate. | ||
| Development & approvals | ABS, GNAF Monthly (ABS approvals) | Aug 2026 last month headline measures · Jul 2026 baseline |
| Property sales & rents | Valuer General, Rental Board, ABS Weekly sales, quarterly rents | Sep 2026 this month all 21 measures |
| Sales from the state Valuer General register, refreshed weekly, and rents from quarterly rental bond lodgements. Both are read live each time this page loads, current to Sep 2026. | ||
| Infrastructure projects | Infrastructure Australia, State agencies, Local governments Daily | Jun 2026 3 months ago all 6 projects tracked here |
| Project pipeline maintained continuously from Infrastructure Australia, state agencies, local government and public announcements. Records are added and revised daily; this area was last updated Jun 2026. | ||
| Employment | ABS, DEWR, JSA Quarterly (ABS SALM) | Mar 2026 6 months ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Unemployment and labour force from ABS Small Area Labour Markets, current to Mar 2026. The growth outlook applies Department of Employment (now Jobs and Skills Australia) forecasts for all 19 industry divisions to the local industry mix, so it measures sector composition rather than local expansion and makes no allowance for population growth. Job demand comes from the same agency via its Internet Vacancy Index; industry and occupation structure from the 2021 Census. | ||
| Education | ABS, ACARA Annual (ACARA) | Aug 2026 last month headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Transport | ABS, State Transport Departments Each timetable release | Jul 2026 2 months ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Services & amenities | Provider directories, ACECQA Continuous | Jul 2026 2 months ago all 14 measures |
| Annual and financial-year sources 2 sections | ||
| Income | ABS, ATO Annual (ATO) | FY 2023 3 years ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| ATO taxable income statistics for FY 2023, indexed forward using the Wage Price Index. Census household income provides the distribution detail. | ||
| Health | ABS, ATO Annual | 2024 2 years ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Census-measured — next update: 2026 Census 3 sections No more current small-area source exists for these, so they are labelled as Census-measured rather than implied to be current. | ||
| Housing | ABS 5-yearly (Census) | 2021 Census next update 2026 all 30 measures |
| Households | ABS 5-yearly (Census) | 2021 Census next update 2026 all 18 measures |
| Cultural diversity | ABS, Geoscience Australia 5-yearly (Census) | 2021 Census next update 2026 all 44 measures |
"Currency" is the most recent release feeding that section. Where the Census supplies the structural baseline underneath a current headline figure, the row says so.
How the numbers are built
Population
The Census provides the small-area baseline, aggregated from mesh blocks to this boundary. It is then re-based to the ABS Estimated Resident Population (June 2025 release), and new dwellings built since Census night are counted from address data — 80 validated new addresses here. The headline figure is therefore a current estimate for Aug 2026, not a 2021 count (6,293 at the 2021 Census → 6,474 now). Annual growth rates are compound (CAGR), not simple averages.
Age profile
Cohort shares are not raw Census counts. Every cohort is held as a pair — the Census baseline and a current estimate — and the split is re-based using ERP and state population projections, current to Aug 2026. Median age is the Census median plus modelled change since. Charts that show both are labelled "2021 Census vs Current Estimate".
Property sales
Sourced from the state valuation authority's sales register — current, not Census, and refreshed weekly. Medians are calculated from settled transactions in the period shown; periods with very low transaction counts are flagged or suppressed, because a handful of sales can move a median substantially.
Rents
Derived from state rental bond lodgement data, by dwelling type and bedroom count. Bonds are lodged at the start of a new tenancy, so this reflects new lettings, not the whole rented stock.
Development & infrastructure
Building approvals come from current ABS releases; development applications are collected from council and state planning portals; the infrastructure pipeline is compiled from Infrastructure Australia and local government sources. Applications are matched to this boundary by address or coordinates, so very recent lodgements may not yet appear.
Employment & income
Industry and occupation structure comes from the Census, but the headline labour-market indicators do not. Unemployment and labour force are derived from ABS Small Area Labour Markets (quarterly). The employment outlook applies Department of Employment forecasts for all 19 industry divisions to this area's own industry mix (the agency is now Jobs and Skills Australia), as does the Internet Vacancy Index used for job demand. Because it is weighted on industry composition alone, that outlook carries no allowance for local population growth — in fast-growing areas the real rise in local jobs will typically be higher. Income combines Census household income with ATO taxable-income statistics for FY 2023, indexed forward using the Wage Price Index.
Education, transport & amenities
School enrolments, ICSEA and performance come from ACARA's current release, not the Census. Public transport stops and service frequency are derived from GTFS timetable feeds published by state transport departments. Services and amenities are proximity and count scores built from provider directories, refreshed on their own cycle. The Census contributes only the travel-to-work and qualification measures.
Rankings and benchmarks. Where we rank this area, the comparison set is every area of the same boundary type — suburbs against suburbs, SA2s against SA2s. Benchmarks compare this area against its greater capital city region and the national figure for the same measure and period.
Limits worth knowing. Small areas carry larger error margins, and the ABS introduces small random adjustments to Census counts to protect confidentiality — so totals may not sum exactly. Estimates re-based from regional data describe the area's expected trajectory, not a direct count of it. Figures are indicative for research and are not financial, planning or valuation advice.
Cross-check us. The Census baseline for this boundary is at ABS 2021 Census QuickStats (407021154). QuickStats reports 2021 only — the figures on this page are more current wherever the ledger shows a later date.