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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 Surrounds has an estimated 2,485 residents, up from 2,395 at the 2021 Census — a change of 90 people, or 3.8%. Fewer than ten people live on each square kilometre, across a boundary that takes in surrounding rural land. 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 of Naracoorte Surrounds stands at approximately 2,485 as of Aug 2026. This figure represents an expansion of 90 people (3.8%) relative to the 2021 Census tally of 2,395 people. This updated count is derived by combining the ABS estimated resident population of 2,475 recorded as of June 2025 with 43 validated new addresses registered following the Census date. With a density of 0.60 persons per square kilometer, the locality offers residents considerable room and open space. The local 3.8% post-census growth rate trails the broader SA3 area (5.1%) by only 1.3 percentage points, reflecting healthy growth drivers.
Inward expansion was largely propelled by natural increase, which accounted for roughly 77.0% of recent population gains. Projections compiled by the ABS and Geoscience Australia, published in 2024 using 2022 as a baseline, are utilized by AreaSearch across SA2 locations. For territories excluded from that release and all periods extending past 2032, figures incorporate the SA State Government's 2023 age-specific Regional/LGA projections (grounded in 2021 data), calibrated via weighted aggregation to convert LGA trends to the SA2 tier. Looking ahead, population gains are anticipated to track slightly under the national non-metropolitan median, adding 125 persons by 2041 according to current annual ERP benchmarks—an overall increase of 4.6% across the 16 years.
Frequently Asked Questions - Population
Detail
Building approvals in Naracoorte Surrounds remain subdued, recording an average of 3 new dwellings annually, or 19 approvals across a five-year timeframe. Such constrained volumes are typical for rural districts where modest dwelling demand and prevailing infrastructural limits naturally curb development activity. Because baseline figures are low, annual growth percentages and relative shifts can fluctuate markedly due to individual project timings. Residential building volumes in Naracoorte Surrounds trail substantially behind Rest of SA, while also tracking well below figures seen across the country. Furthermore, new building activity has consisted entirely of detached houses, matching the regional preference for spacious and private rural living.
The quiet nature of the local construction sector is highlighted by a ratio of 1028 people per dwelling approval. According to demographic projections from the latest AreaSearch quarterly estimate, Naracoorte Surrounds is anticipated to welcome 115 residents through to 2041. Although current residential construction is keeping reasonable pace with these anticipated gains, future home purchasers could face greater market pressure as local headcount expands.
Frequently Asked Questions - Development
Development applications around Naracoorte Surrounds
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| Lodged | Address | Description | Type | Distance | Status |
|---|
SOURCE: Planning portals and council registers, compiled by AreaSearch. Distance & bearing measured from the suburb midpoint.
AreaSearch tracks one current infrastructure or development project inside Naracoorte Surrounds, worth an estimated $5 million. A further 61 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
Infrastructure upgrades, major developments, and strategic council planning exert significant influence over local socioeconomic outcomes. AreaSearch has pinpointed 7 noteworthy initiatives positioned to affect the community. Prominent undertakings comprise the Moyhall Road Reconstruction, North Parklands Development, Naracoorte High School Major Upgrades, and the NRLE Sheep eID Infrastructure Upgrade, with the most impactful developments itemised below.
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Frequently Asked Questions - 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.
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 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.
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.
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.
1,551 residents of Naracoorte Surrounds are employed, from a labour force of 1,569. Unemployment sits at 1.1%, with participation at 76.9%. Weighted for its industry mix, the area's sectors are forecast to grow about 3.9% 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 Surrounds features a capable labour force distributed across multiple industries, highlighted by an exceptionally low unemployment rate of 1.1% and a 3.2% rise in local jobs over the previous twelve months. By March 2026, employed residents reached 1,551, while the jobless rate sat 4.3% under the Regional SA benchmark of 5.5%. At 76.9%, local labour force participation substantially eclipses the 58.3% recorded across Regional SA. Data from the Census showed that 28.1% of working locals operated from home, an outcome potentially influenced by Covid-19 restrictions. The primary employment fields for residents are agriculture, forestry & fishing, health care & social assistance, alongside manufacturing.
The district exhibits strong industry concentration in agriculture, forestry & fishing, generating an employment proportion 3.8 times higher than the regional average. Conversely, health care & social assistance accounts for only 6.3% of workers in the area, compared to 13.9% across Regional SA. While local posts are available, comparisons between the Census workplace count and resident numbers suggest substantial outbound commuting among the workforce. AreaSearch evaluation of ABS and SALM metrics indicates that in the twelve months leading to March 2026, local employment expanded by 3.2% alongside a 3.6% increase in the labour pool, resulting in a 0.4 percentage points rise in the unemployment rate. Over the identical timeframe, Regional SA saw employment grow by 1.2%, the labour force rise by 2.6%, and unemployment increase by 1.4 percentage points. Additional perspective on future labour requirements is provided by Jobs and Skills Australia's Mar-26 employment forecasts. These five- and ten-year nationwide models have been overlaid onto the area's workforce structure to project prospective changes. Nationally, employment is projected to grow by 6.6% across five years and 13.7% over ten years, though outcomes vary across sectors. Applying these sectoral trajectories to the local employment distribution points to job increases of 3.9% across five years and 9.6% across ten years (note that this represents an illustrative weighted extrapolation without integrating local population forecasts).
Frequently Asked Questions - Employment
Median household income in Naracoorte Surrounds is $1,632 a week (about $85,000 a year), with median personal income at $874 a week. ATO records put median taxable income at $49,670 a year against an average of $63,149. 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 figures for financial year 2023 aggregated by AreaSearch indicate that personal earnings within the Naracoorte Surrounds SA2 fall below the nationwide standard. The median taxpayer income in the area is $49,670, with the average reaching $63,149, compared to $48,920 and $58,933 throughout Regional SA. Factoring in a 10.17% increase in the Wage Price Index since financial year 2023, updated estimates as of March 2026 sit near $54,721 for median earnings and $69,571 for the average. In the 2021 Census, individual weekly income placed at the 63rd percentile ($874 weekly), whereas household earnings ranked at the 43rd percentile.
The predominant earnings cohort is the $1,500 - 2,999 weekly bracket, capturing 35.2% of taxpayers (874 residents), similar to the 27.5% regional share. High financial resilience is underscored by locals retaining 95.0% of their income after meeting housing commitments, placing the area in the 6th decile on the SEIFA income index.
Frequently Asked Questions - Income
Naracoorte Surrounds had 867 occupied dwellings at the 2021 Census, 98% detached houses and 1% apartments. 26% are owned with a mortgage, 19% rented and 56% owned outright. At that Census the median rent was $150 a week and the median mortgage repayment $900 a month. Rent absorbs 9.2% of household income here and mortgage repayments 12.7%. Dwelling stock, tenure and housing costs are 2021 Census measures — the only source that counts dwellings at this boundary size.
Detail
According to the latest Census, the housing landscape in Naracoorte Surrounds consists of 98.0% houses and 2.0% other dwellings (encompassing semi-detached properties, units, and alternative dwelling types), whereas Regional SA records 88.5% houses and 11.5% other dwellings. Outright ownership stands at 55.6%, substantially surpassing the regional baseline, while remaining homes are either subject to a mortgage (25.7%) or occupied by tenants (18.8%). Typical monthly mortgage expenses in the locality are $900, significantly below the Regional SA median of $1,153, while median weekly rent is $150, compared to $220 across the region.
Against broader national figures, mortgage commitments are markedly lower than the Australian median of $1,863, and local rental costs sit well below the nationwide benchmark of $375.
Frequently Asked Questions - Housing
Naracoorte Surrounds counted 867 households at the 2021 Census, averaging 2.5 people each. 34% are couples with children, against 37% couples without children. 23% of households are people living alone, and families average 2.0 children. Household and family composition is measured only by the Census, so these are 2021 figures.
Detail
Family units constitute 75.9% of all local households, divided into couples without children (37.3%), couples with children (34.0%), and single parent families (4.5%). The remaining 24.1% consists of non-family living arrangements, primarily lone person households (22.5%) alongside group dwellings (1.3%). The typical household size sits at 2.5 people, exceeding the Regional SA figure of 2.3.
Frequently Asked Questions - Households
17.0% of adults in Naracoorte Surrounds hold a university qualification, including 13.6% with a bachelor degree and 1.6% with postgraduate qualifications. A further 26.6% hold a vocational qualification. 2 schools serve the area, with 230 enrolment places and an average ICSEA of 979 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
Higher educational attainment presents a distinct profile locally, with tertiary qualification levels (17.0%) falling well short of the nationwide 30.4% benchmark, creating potential scope for targeted training initiatives. Among degree holders, bachelor qualifications represent 13.6%, followed by graduate diplomas at 1.8% and postgraduate degrees at 1.6%. In contrast, vocational and technical credentials are widespread, with 37.8% of individuals aged 15+ possessing vocational qualifications, consisting of advanced diplomas (11.2%) and certificates (26.6%). Formal study engagement is substantial throughout the community, with 27.3% of inhabitants enrolled in an educational course. Broken down by tier, 13.0% attend primary school, 8.4% are in secondary education, and 1.6% are enrolled in tertiary programs.
Frequently Asked Questions - Education
Schools Detail
Getting around Naracoorte Surrounds means driving: households keep an average of 2.3 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
An assessment of regional transit infrastructure identifies 1 active transport stops in Naracoorte Surrounds, connected by 1 individual routes providing 10 weekly passenger trips. Overall public transport reach is constrained, as residents are situated an average of 29583 meters from their nearest transit node. Due to the area's residential character, outward travel is standard, with private vehicles accounting for 85% of journeys and walking representing 10%. Dwellings maintain an average of 2.3 vehicles, surpassing regional norms. In the 2021 Census, 28.1% of workers reported working from home, a figure that may reflect pandemic-related workplace arrangements.
Transit service provision provides an average frequency of 1 trips per day across the network, generating approximately 10 weekly trips for each individual stop.
Frequently Asked Questions - Transport
Transport Stops Detail
73.4% of residents in Naracoorte Surrounds report no long-term health condition, a healthier profile than 82% of areas nationally. 2.4% need daily assistance with core activities, and 50.5% hold private health cover. The standardised death rate runs at 4.1 per 1,000 residents. Health conditions, assistance needs and insurance are 2021 Census measures; the death rate comes from current ABS releases.
Detail
Community wellness metrics in Naracoorte Surrounds are exceptionally positive based on AreaSearch assessments of mortality patterns and chronic condition prevalence, demonstrating minimal incidence of routine illnesses across age brackets. Private health insurance uptake is comparatively modest, covering roughly 50% of the population (~1,254 people), below the national proportion of 55.7%. Asthma and arthritis represent the leading chronic diagnoses in the region, each affecting 7.1% and 7.1% of residents, while 73.4% of the population reported no long-term medical issues, outpacing the 62.5% benchmark across Regional SA. Inhabitants under 65 exhibit superior health profiles compared to broader norms.
The area includes 577 people aged 65 and over (23.2% of residents), a smaller senior cohort than the 27.1% recorded regionally. Health metrics among these older residents are particularly robust, achieving national rankings that surpass those of the broader local populace.
Frequently Asked Questions - Health
Naracoorte Surrounds is largely Australian-born, at 93.7% of residents, with 2.0% speaking a language other than English at home. The largest reported ancestries are Australian (35.0%) and English (34.2%). Ancestry, language and country of birth are counted only by the Census, so these are 2021 figures.
Detail
Cultural homogeneity is pronounced in Naracoorte Surrounds, where Australian citizens make up 89.4% of the population, 93.7% of residents were born in Australia, and 98.0% speak exclusively English at home. Christianity is the dominant religious faith, adhered to by 46.2% of the local population, slightly above the 45.2% recorded throughout Regional SA. Regarding parental birthplaces, the most prevalent ancestral backgrounds reported in Naracoorte Surrounds are Australian (35.0%), English (34.2%), and Scottish (10.3%). Specific variations exist among other lineages: residents of German heritage account for 7.9% locally (against 8.2% across the wider region), while individuals of Sri Lankan descent represent 0.2% (compared to no representation regionally) and those of Samoan heritage make up 0.1% (compared to no representation regionally).
Frequently Asked Questions - Diversity
The median resident of Naracoorte Surrounds is 44. 20.3% 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 in Naracoorte Surrounds aligns closely with Regional SA benchmarks, showing a maximum divergence of 3.9 percentage points across age brackets. AreaSearch places the median age at 44 as at August 2026, matching the 2021 Census outcome and sitting 3 years younger than the regional median of 47 observed in that census, though above the Australian Census figure of 38. Older demographics (65+) expanded from 18.5% at the Census to an estimated 23.2% of locals. Projections indicate that retirees and elderly citizens will account for the majority of future expansion through to 2041, increasing by 193 residents (33%) to reach 770, whereas young to middle-aged cohorts, along with children and young adults, are projected to decline.
Frequently Asked Questions - Age
Data & MethodBoundaries, Sources & Method for Naracoorte Surrounds
8 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 8 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. | ||
| 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 3 sections | ||
| Infrastructure projects | Infrastructure Australia, State agencies, Local governments Daily | Aug 2025 about a year ago all 1 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 Aug 2025. | ||
| 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 — 43 validated new addresses here. The headline figure is therefore a current estimate for Aug 2026, not a 2021 count (2,395 at the 2021 Census → 2,485 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 (407021155). QuickStats reports 2021 only — the figures on this page are more current wherever the ledger shows a later date.