The Coorong

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

As of November 2025, The Coorong's population is approximately 5,662, reflecting an increase of 189 people since the 2021 Census. This growth represents a 3.5% rise from the previous population figure of 5,473. This change was inferred from the estimated resident population of 5,618 in June 2024 and an additional 33 validated new addresses since the Census date. The current population density is around 0.70 persons per square kilometer. Overseas migration contributed approximately 66.7% of overall population gains during 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 are adopted, based on 2021 data and adjusted using a method of weighted aggregation of population growth from LGA to SA2 levels. According to these projections, The Coorong's population is expected to decline by 97 persons by 2041. However, specific age cohorts such as the 85 and over group are projected to grow, with an anticipated increase of 186 people in this category.

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. As of FY-26 so far, 15 approvals have been recorded. On average, about 0.4 people per year have moved to the area for each dwelling built during this period (FY-21 to FY-25), indicating that new supply has kept pace with or exceeded demand, providing ample buyer choice and creating capacity for population growth beyond current forecasts. The average expected construction cost value of new dwellings is $237,000.

This financial year has seen $7.8 million in commercial approvals, reflecting the area's primarily residential nature. Compared to the Rest of SA, The Coorong maintains similar development levels per person, preserving market equilibrium consistent with surrounding areas. All new construction has been detached houses, maintaining the area's traditional low density character and appealing to those seeking family homes with space.

With around 225 people per dwelling approval, The Coorong exhibits characteristics of a low density area. Given stable or declining population forecasts, it may experience less housing pressure in the future, creating favourable conditions for buyers.

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

Infrastructure changes significantly influence an area's performance. AreaSearch has identified 14 projects that may impact the area. Key projects 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.

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.

Employment performance in The Coorong has been below expectations when compared to most other areas nationally

The Coorong's workforce is balanced across white and blue-collar jobs with varied sector representation. As of September 2025, the unemployment rate was 4.0%.

The area has seen relative employment stability in the past year. There are 2,732 residents employed currently, with an unemployment rate 1.3% lower than Rest of SA's rate of 5.3%. Workforce participation is similar to Rest of SA's 54.1%. Key industries include agriculture, forestry & fishing, health care & social assistance, and retail trade.

Agriculture, forestry & fishing has notable concentration with employment levels at 2.7 times the regional average. Manufacturing employs only 5.0% of local workers, below Rest of SA's 9.3%. Many residents commute elsewhere for work based on Census working population to local population count. Over a 12-month period ending September 2025, labour force increased by 1.3% while employment declined by 0.2%, raising unemployment rate by 1.5 percentage points. Rest of SA experienced employment growth of 0.3% and labour force growth of 2.3%. National employment forecasts from Jobs and Skills Australia, released in May-25, suggest national employment will expand by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to The Coorong's employment mix indicates 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's median income among taxpayers was $42,191 and average income stood at $53,292 in the financial year 2022. This compares to Rest of SA's figures of $46,889 and $56,582 respectively. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 12.83% since financial year 2022, current estimates for median income would be approximately $47,604 and average income would be around $60,129 as of September 2025. According to the 2021 Census, household, family and personal incomes in The Coorong all fall between the 6th and 12th percentiles nationally. The earnings profile shows that 31.0% of the community (1,755 individuals) earn within the $800 - 1,499 range, unlike metropolitan trends where 27.5% fall within the $1,500 - 2,999 band. Housing costs are modest with 90.5% of income retained, but 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 Non-Metro SA's 89.9% houses and 10.1% other dwellings. Home ownership in The Coorong stood at 47.4%, with mortgaged dwellings at 27.3% and rented ones at 25.3%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $879, below Non-Metro SA's average of $1,083. The median weekly rent figure was $190, compared to Non-Metro SA's $220. Nationally, The Coorong's mortgage repayments were significantly lower than the Australian average of $1,863, while rents were substantially below the national figure 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 make up 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 Rest of 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 seven active public transport stops, all of which are bus stops. These stops are served by six different routes that collectively offer 40 weekly passenger trips. The accessibility of these services is limited, with residents typically located 14663 meters from the nearest stop.

On average, there are five trips per day across all routes, equating to approximately five weekly trips per individual stop.

Health performance in The Coorong is well below average with prevalence of common health conditions notable across both younger and older age cohorts

Health data shows significant issues affecting The Coorong, with common health conditions prevalent across both younger and older age groups. Private health cover is low at approximately 47% of the total population (~2,644 people), compared to the national average of 55.3%.

The most frequent medical conditions are arthritis (11.4%) and asthma (8.4%). A majority, 61.7%, report no medical ailments, similar to the Rest of SA at 61.8%. Residents aged 65 and over comprise 28.0% (1,585 people), higher than the 26.2% in Rest of SA. Health outcomes among seniors are challenging but better than those 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 main religion, making up 46.4% of people in The Coorong. However, the most apparent overrepresentation was in Other, comprising 0.9% compared to 1.5% across Rest of SA.

In terms of ancestry, the top three represented groups were Australian at 32.8%, English at 32.4%, and German at 9.4%. Notably, 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 the Rest of SA's average of 47 years but above the national norm of 38 years. Compared to the Rest of SA average, the 75-84 age cohort is notably over-represented at 10.5% in The Coorong, while the 15-24 age group is under-represented at 8.5%. Between 2021 and present, the 75 to 84 age group has grown from 8.9% to 10.5% of the population. Conversely, the 55 to 64 age cohort has declined from 16.8% to 14.9%. Population forecasts for 2041 indicate substantial demographic changes in The Coorong. The 85+ age group is projected to grow by 108%, adding 183 residents to reach 353. Senior residents aged 65 and above will drive all population growth, highlighting demographic aging trends. Conversely, both the 35 to 44 and 45 to 54 age groups are projected to decrease in number.