The Coorong

The Coorong has shown very soft population growth performance across periods assessed by AreaSearch

Based on AreaSearch's analysis, The Coorong's population is around 5653 as of May 2026. This reflects an increase of 180 people (3.3%) since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 5473 people. The change is inferred from the estimated resident population of 5638 from the ABS as of June 2025 and an additional 45 validated new addresses since the Census date. This level of population equates to a density ratio of 0.70 persons per square kilometer. The Coorong's 3.3% growth since census positions it within 2.6 percentage points of the SA3 area (5.9%), demonstrating competitive growth fundamentals. Population growth for the area was primarily driven by overseas migration that contributed approximately 66.7% of overall population gains during recent periods.

AreaSearch is adopting ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area, as released in 2024 with 2022 as the base year. For any SA2 areas not covered by this data, and for years post-2032, the SA State Government's Regional/LGA projections by age category, released in 2023 and based on 2021 data, are adopted with adjustments made employing a method of weighted aggregation of population growth from LGA to SA2 levels. Moving forward with demographic trends, Over this period, projections indicate a decline in overall population, with the area's population expected to shrink by 72 persons by 2041 according to this methodology. However, growth across specific age cohorts is anticipated, led by the 85 and over age group, which is projected to expand by 187 people.

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

The Coorong has averaged approximately 29 new dwelling approvals annually over the past five financial years, totalling 147 homes. In the current financial year FY-26, 20 approvals have been recorded to date. The average number of people moving to the area per dwelling built over these five years is 0.4 persons per year. This suggests that new supply is meeting or exceeding demand, providing ample buyer choice and creating capacity for population growth beyond current forecasts.

The average expected construction cost value of new dwellings in the area is $237,000. In FY-26, there have been $7.8 million in commercial approvals, indicating a primarily residential nature of development in The Coorong compared to Rest of SA. Development levels per person are similar between The Coorong and Rest of SA, preserving market equilibrium with surrounding areas.

All new construction in the area has consisted of detached houses, maintaining its traditional low density character with a focus on family homes. There are approximately 225 people per dwelling approval in The Coorong, further indicating its low-density nature. Given stable or declining population forecasts, The Coorong may experience less housing pressure, creating favourable conditions for buyers.

The Coorong has limited levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the 15thth percentile nationally

Changes to local infrastructure significantly influence an area's performance. AreaSearch has identified 14 projects likely impacting the area. Notable ones include Summerfield Battery, Gifford Hill, Murray Bridge Residential Growth Areas, and Murray Bridge Soldiers Memorial Hospital Emergency Department Redevelopment. The following list details those most relevant:.

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

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The Coorong has seen below average employment performance when compared to national benchmarks

The Coorong's workforce is balanced across white and blue collar jobs with diverse sector representation. Its unemployment rate was 4.3% in the past year, increasing by 1.5 percentage points over a 12-month period ending December 2025. As of that date, 2,752 residents were employed, with an unemployment rate of 1.4%, below Regional SA's rate of 5.7%.

Workforce participation was at 61.0%, comparable to Regional SA's 58.3%. According to Census responses, 18.8% of residents worked from home. Leading employment industries were agriculture, forestry & fishing, health care & social assistance, and retail trade. The area had a significant specialization in agriculture, forestry & fishing (2.7 times the regional level), but under-representation in manufacturing (5.0% compared to Regional SA's 9.3%).

Many residents commuted elsewhere for work based on Census data. Employment increased by 1.6% alongside labour force growth of 3.2%, raising unemployment rate by 1.5 percentage points over the 12-month period. National employment forecasts from Jobs and Skills Australia, released in May-25, projected national employment growth of 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to The Coorong's employment mix suggested local employment should increase by 4.6% over five years and 10.7% over ten years.

Income metrics place the area in the bottom 10% of locations nationally according to AreaSearch analysis

The Coorong SA2 had a median taxpayer income of $44,164 and an average of $56,271 in the financial year 2023, according to postcode level ATO data aggregated by AreaSearch. These figures are lower than the national averages. Regional SA, on the other hand, had a median income of $48,920 and an average income of $58,933 during the same period. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 10.17% since financial year 2023, estimated current incomes would be approximately $48,655 (median) and $61,994 (average) as of March 2026. Census data indicates that household, family, and personal incomes in The Coorong fall between the 6th and 12th percentiles nationally. Income analysis shows that the largest segment comprises 31.0% earning $800 - $1,499 weekly (1,752 residents), unlike metropolitan regions where $1,500 - $2,999 dominates with 27.5%. Despite modest housing costs allowing for 90.5% of income to be retained, the total disposable income ranks at just the 12th percentile nationally.

The Coorong is characterized by a predominantly suburban housing profile, with above-average rates of outright home ownership

The Coorong's dwelling structure, as per the latest Census, consisted of 96.7% houses and 3.2% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings). This compares to Regional SA's 88.5% houses and 11.5% other dwellings. Home ownership in The Coorong stood at 47.4%, with the rest being mortgaged (27.3%) or rented (25.3%). The median monthly mortgage repayment was $879, below Regional SA's average of $1,153 and Australia's national figure of $1,863. The median weekly rent in The Coorong was $190, lower than Regional SA's $220 and the national average of $375.

The Coorong features high concentrations of lone person households, with a lower-than-average median household size

Family households account for 63.6% of all households, including 20.7% couples with children, 33.1% couples without children, and 8.6% single parent families. Non-family households constitute the remaining 36.4%, with lone person households at 33.8% and group households comprising 2.7% of the total. The median household size is 2.2 people, which is smaller than the Regional SA average of 2.3.

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

The area's university qualification rate is 11.9%, significantly lower than Australia's average of 30.4%. Bachelor degrees are the most common at 8.9%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (1.8%) and graduate diplomas (1.2%). Vocational credentials are prevalent, with 39.6% of residents aged 15+ holding them, including advanced diplomas (8.8%) and certificates (30.8%). Educational participation is high at 26.5%, with 12.5% in primary education, 7.5% in secondary education, and 1.9% pursuing tertiary education.

Educational participation is notably high, with 26.5% of residents currently enrolled in formal education. This includes 12.5% in primary education, 7.5% in secondary education, and 1.9% pursuing tertiary education.

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

The Coorong has six active public transport stops. These are served by two different routes offering a total of twenty-four weekly passenger trips. Transport accessibility is limited with residents usually located 14663 meters from the nearest stop. The area is predominantly residential and most commuters travel outward, primarily by car (87%), with walking accounting for 10%. On average, there are 1.7 vehicles per dwelling, higher than the regional norm. According to the 2021 Census, 18.8% of residents work from home, potentially due to COVID-19 conditions.

Across all routes, service frequency averages three trips daily, resulting in approximately four weekly trips per individual stop.

Health performance in The Coorong is lower than average with common health conditions somewhat prevalent across both younger and older age cohorts

The Coorong faces significant health challenges as assessed by AreaSearch. Mortality rates and chronic condition prevalence are high, with common health conditions prevalent across younger and older age cohorts.

Private health cover is low at approximately 48% of the total population (~2,685 people), compared to the national average of 55.7%. The most common medical conditions are arthritis (11.4%) and asthma (8.4%). 61.7% of residents claim to be completely clear of medical ailments, similar to Regional SA's 62.5%. Working-age population health is particularly challenging due to elevated chronic condition rates. The area has a higher proportion of seniors aged 65 and over at 28.7% (1,621 people), compared to Regional SA's 27.1%. Health outcomes among seniors present some challenges but align broadly with national rankings for the general population.

The Coorong is considerably less culturally diverse than average when assessed alongside AreaSearch's national rankings for language and cultural background related metrics

The Coorong's cultural diversity was found to be below average, with 86.9% of its population being citizens, 90.3% born in Australia, and 95.9% speaking English only at home. Christianity was the predominant religion in The Coorong, comprising 46.4% of its population. Notably, the 'Other' category comprised 0.9% of The Coorong's population, compared to 0.8% across Regional SA.

In terms of ancestry, the top three represented groups were Australian (32.8%), English (32.4%), and German (9.4%). There were also notable differences in the representation of certain ethnic groups: Dutch was overrepresented at 1.7%, Australian Aboriginal at 4.3%, and Filipino at 0.8%.

The Coorong hosts an older demographic, ranking in the top quartile nationwide

The median age in The Coorong is 48 years, similar to Regional SA's average of 47, which is well above the national norm of 38. Compared to the Regional SA average, the 75-84 cohort is notably over-represented at 10.5% locally, while the 15-24 age group is under-represented at 8.6%. Between 2021 and present, the 75-84 age group has grown from 8.9% to 10.5%, and the 65-74 cohort increased from 13.6% to 14.9%. Conversely, the 55-64 cohort has declined from 16.8% to 14.8%. Population forecasts for 2041 indicate substantial demographic changes in The Coorong. The 85+ cohort is projected to grow by 96%, adding 173 residents to reach 356. Senior residents aged 65 and above will drive 99% of population growth, underscoring trends towards an aging demographic. Conversely, both the 65-74 and 35-44 age groups are projected to decrease in numbers.