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This analysis uses Suburbs and Localities (SAL) boundaries, which can materially differ from Statistical Areas (SA2) even when sharing the same name.
SAL boundaries are defined by Australia Post and the Australian Bureau of Statistics to represent commonly-known suburb names used in postal addresses.
Statistical Areas (SA2) are designed for census data collection and may combine multiple suburbs or use different geographic boundaries. For comprehensive analysis, consider reviewing both boundary types if available.
est. as @ -- *
2021 Census | -- people
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Coober Pedy has an estimated 1,526 residents, down from 1,566 at the 2021 Census — a change of 40 people, or 2.6%. The population has thinned by an average 2.0% a year over five years, slower than 98% of areas nationally. 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
Analysis of ABS population updates for the wider region, alongside new addresses validated by AreaSearch since the Census, indicates the population of the suburb of Coober Pedy is approximately 1,526 as of May 2026. This represents a contraction of 40 people (2.6%) from the 2021 Census, which recorded 1,566 residents. The shift is calculated from the resident population of 1,526, estimated by AreaSearch using the latest ERP data release from the ABS (June 2025) and post-Census address verification. This population level yields a density ratio of 1.9 persons per square kilometer, which ensures a spacious living environment.
Population growth in the region was driven almost entirely by overseas migration, which served as the exclusive contributor to population increases in recent times. AreaSearch implements ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area, which were published in 2024 using 2022 as the baseline. For any SA2 regions excluded from this dataset, as well as for the years after 2032, the SA State Government's Regional/LGA projections by age category, published in 2023 and utilizing 2021 data, are applied with adjustments made via a weighted aggregation methodology of population growth from LGA to SA2 levels. Looking ahead to demographic trends, projections over this timeframe point to a contraction in the overall population, with the suburb of Coober Pedy expected to grow by no new residents by 2041 using this approach. Even so, expansion is projected in certain age cohorts, led by the group aged 85 and over, which is forecast to grow by 64 individuals. Refer to the age section for further information.
Frequently Asked Questions - Population
Detail
Coober Pedy exhibits negligible building activity, with less than single-dwelling approvals on average per year, totaling 3 across the prior five years. This low level of development is standard for rural areas where residential requirements are modest and building activity is restricted by local demand and infrastructure capacity. Note that because of the small sample size, individual development initiatives can dramatically alter annual growth and relative statistics. Coober Pedy has construction levels that are significantly lower than those in the Rest of SA. These development levels also fall below national benchmarks.
Furthermore, new building activity has consisted entirely of standalone homes, preserving the rural character of the area with a focus on space. The estimate of 3053 individuals in the locality per residential approval highlights this quiet, low-activity building environment. In light of flat or declining population projections, Coober Pedy could face reduced housing demand, resulting in beneficial conditions for purchasers.
Frequently Asked Questions - Development
Development applications around Coober Pedy
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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 31 current infrastructure and development projects close to Coober Pedy, worth an estimated $273 million. 11 are already under construction and 8 are due for completion within three years. The pipeline spans residential development, education & training and retail. 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
Changes to local infrastructure, major developments, and planning programs can significantly influence regional performance. In total, no new projects have been identified by AreaSearch as having a likely impact on this locality. Significant projects include Gawler Craton Rail Access, Bulk Water Supply Security, Northern Water Supply Project, and Enabling Infrastructure for Hydrogen Production, with the following list outlining those expected to be of greatest relevance.
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
Roxby Downs Area School Refurbishment
$7 million facility upgrade including refurbishment of four buildings with general learning areas, teacher preparation and breakout spaces, refreshed food technology areas, soundproofed music and drama studios, a new amphitheatre for open-air performances, broader landscaped outdoor learning areas, and a nature playground integrated with the desert landscape. The project reached completion in December 2021 and was officially opened in June 2024.
Cleary Street Residential Subdivision
A development opportunity in Port Augusta West comprising a 1.4 hectare R-Residential zoned site at 3-5 Cleary Street. A preliminary development plan exists to subdivide the land into 18 allotments, subject to council approval. The land is listed for sale at $499,000-$548,000.
Joy Baluch AM Bridge Duplication
Duplication of the Joy Baluch AM Bridge to improve road safety and efficiency for all users, improve freight productivity, and improve the resilience of this critical road link. It will also address the current bridge speed restrictions and safety for people walking or cycling across the bridge. The project is part of the Port Wakefield to Port Augusta (PW2PA) Regional Projects Alliance. The duplication of the bridge is an important link in the National Land Transport Network at Port Augusta.
Regional Key Worker Housing Scheme - Port Augusta
Construction of 35 new homes as part of the Regional Key Worker Housing Scheme to address the critical need for purpose-built government worker housing. Four two-and-three-bedroom homes are being built in Port Augusta west of the Joy Baluch AM Bridge. The program will deliver 35 new regional homes across several locations in SA to address the critical need for purpose-built government worker housing.
St Eyre Estate
A residential estate development located in Port Augusta West, offering vacant allotments allowing for custom home builds set against the scenic Baxter Ranges. Infrastructure for Stages 4 & 5A is already in place, including sealed roads, curbing, power, and water, with 60 spacious allotments each approximately 1200 square meters.
McKinnon Court Residential Development
A 3,100 sqm residential infill development site being marketed for residential subdivision or a small housing development, subject to council consent. As of 2026 the land remains listed for sale and there is no evidence of a lodged development application or construction commencing.
McIntosh Crescent Road Resealing
Sections of roadway on McIntosh Crescent in Port Augusta West require resealing due to deterioration and wear. The project will use a two-coat bitumen spray seal with a crumbed rubber binder.
Bunnings Warehouse Port Augusta
The new Bunnings store in Port Augusta has officially opened, featuring a 5000 square meter space with a nursery, landscaping area, two-lane trade drive-through timber yard, and an outdoor living and barbecue area. The store was staffed almost entirely by Spencer Gulf locals.
563 residents of Coober Pedy are employed, from a labour force of 728. Unemployment sits at 22.7%, with participation at 53.7%. Weighted for its industry mix, the area's sectors are forecast to grow about 6.3% 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
Coober Pedy has a skilled labor force, with strong representation in essential services, and an unemployment rate of 22.7%, according to AreaSearch aggregates of statistical area data. As of March 2026563 local residents are employed, while the jobless rate is 17.2% above the 5.5% rate in Regional SA, pointing to potential for progress, and workforce participation is slightly low (53.7% compared to 58.4% in Regional SA). According to Census records, a minor 5.7% of citizens worked from home, though the effects of Covid-19 lockdowns should be taken into account. The primary employment sectors for residents are accommodation & food, health care & social assistance, and retail trade.
The locality displays a particularly heavy concentration in accommodation & food, with an employment proportion that is 2.8 times the regional benchmark. Conversely, agriculture, forestry & fishing is represented at none compared to the regional average of 14.5%. The area appears to have a scarcity of local employment options, as shown by the comparison of the Census working population to the resident population. Based on AreaSearch analysis of SALM and ABS data, compiled from broader statistical units, the 12-month timeframe saw the labor force shrink by 1.8% alongside a 13.8% drop in employment, which drove the unemployment rate up by 10.8 percentage points. This differs from Regional SA, where employment expanded by 1.2%, the labor force increased by 2.6%, and unemployment rose by 1.4 percentage points. National employment forecasts from Jobs and Skills Australia as of May-25 can provide additional perspective on potential future demand in Coober Pedy. These forecasts, spanning five and ten-year horizons, have been aligned with the local employment profile to project growth trends. Although national employment is projected to grow by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, growth rates vary widely across different industries. Applying these sector-specific forecasts to the employment distribution of Coober Pedy suggests local jobs should rise by 6.3% over five years and 13.4% over ten years (note that this is a basic weighted projection for visualization and does not incorporate localized population forecasts).
Frequently Asked Questions - Employment
Median household income in Coober Pedy is $764 a week (about $40,000 a year), with median personal income at $498 a week. ATO records put median taxable income at $45,028 a year against an average of $53,629. 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
The most recent postcode-level ATO details from AreaSearch for financial year 2023 show that incomes in the suburb of Coober Pedy are lower than the national average, with a median of $45,028 and an average of $53,629. This is in contrast to Regional SA, which has a median income of $48,920 and an average of $58,933. Adjusted for Wage Price Index growth of 10.17% since financial year 2023, current projections would be roughly $49,607 for the median and $59,083 for the average as of March 2026. Based on 2021 Census records, household, family, and individual incomes in Coober Pedy are all positioned between the 0th and 3rd percentiles across the country.
Income distribution data indicates the $400 - 799 range is the most common, accounting for 34.9% of residents (532 people), which differs from the wider region where the $1,500 - 2,999 bracket is the largest at 27.5%. Because 52.7% of residents earn less than $800 weekly, the area faces significant financial pressures that impact local consumer spending. Although housing costs are low, leaving residents with 89.1% of their income, total disposable income ranks at only the 3rd percentile nationwide.
Frequently Asked Questions - Income
Coober Pedy had 674 occupied dwellings at the 2021 Census, 89% detached houses and 6% apartments. 16% are owned with a mortgage, 37% rented and 47% owned outright. At that Census the median rent was $163 a week and the median mortgage repayment $630 a month. Rent absorbs 21.3% of household income here and mortgage repayments 19.0%. Dwelling stock, tenure and housing costs are 2021 Census measures — the only source that counts dwellings at this boundary size.
Detail
Residential structures in Coober Pedy at the time of the latest Census consisted of 88.6% standalone houses and 11.3% alternative dwellings (such as semi-detached homes, apartments, and other housing types), compared to 88.5% houses and 11.5% alternative dwellings in Regional SA. Additionally, the rate of outright home ownership in Coober Pedy was significantly higher than the Regional SA average, sitting at 47.3%, while the remaining homes were occupied by mortgagors (15.6%) or tenants (37.1%). The median monthly home loan payment in the area was far below the Regional SA average at $630, and the median weekly rent was recorded at $163, compared to Regional SA averages of $1,153 and $220.
Nationally, mortgage payments in Coober Pedy are much lower than the Australian average of $1,863, and rents are also far below the national figure of $375.
Frequently Asked Questions - Housing
Coober Pedy counted 674 households at the 2021 Census, averaging 1.8 people each. 13% are couples with children, fewer than in 96% of areas nationally, against 20% couples without children. 53% of households are people living alone, and families average 1.5 children. Household and family composition is measured only by the Census, so these are 2021 figures.
Detail
Families make up the majority of households at 42.3%, consisting of 12.7% couples with children, 20.4% couples without children, and 7.7% single parent homes. Non-family households account for the remaining 57.7%, with single-person households representing 53.3% and group living situations making up 3.7% of the total. The median household size of 1.8 residents is lower than the Regional SA average of 2.3.
Frequently Asked Questions - Households
19.2% of adults in Coober Pedy hold a university qualification, including 13.0% with a bachelor degree and 4.2% with postgraduate qualifications, lower than 76% of areas nationally. A further 30.3% hold a vocational qualification. 1 school serves the area, with 156 enrolment places and an average ICSEA of 800 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
The region presents educational challenges, with university completion rates (19.2%) falling well below the Australian norm of 30.4%. This highlights a hurdle as well as an opportunity for focused educational programs. Bachelor degrees are the most common at 13.0%, followed by postgraduate degrees (4.2%) and graduate diplomas (2.0%). Vocational and technical training is highly prevalent, with 41.0% of residents aged 15+ holding trade credentials, consisting of advanced diplomas (10.7%) and certificates (30.3%). Enrollment in education is remarkably high, with 32.6% of residents currently participating in formal study. This comprises 10.5% in primary schools, 9.6% in high schools, and 3.3% in higher education.
Frequently Asked Questions - Education
Schools Detail
Getting around Coober Pedy means driving: households keep an average of 1.1 vehicles, and no scheduled public transport appears in the current timetable feeds. Service data is built from operators' published GTFS timetables; vehicle ownership is from the 2021 Census.
Frequently Asked Questions - Transport
Transport Stops Detail
64.5% of residents in Coober Pedy report no long-term health condition. 5.7% need daily assistance with core activities, and 48.2% hold private health cover. The standardised death rate runs at 6.6 per 1,000 residents. Health conditions, assistance needs and insurance are 2021 Census measures; the death rate comes from current ABS releases.
Detail
Coober Pedy experiences notable health difficulties, according to AreaSearch's evaluation of mortality data and the frequency of chronic illnesses, with shared health concerns somewhat common in both younger and older demographics, and the rate of private health insurance is low at roughly 48% of the population (~736 people). The national average stands at 55.7%. The most prevalent health issues in the area are arthritis and diabetes, affecting 9.5 and 6.9% of residents, respectively, while 64.5% of the population reported having no chronic medical conditions, compared to 62.5% in Regional SA.
The working-age cohort faces clear health difficulties, showing elevated rates of chronic illness. The area has 30.9% of residents aged 65 and over (471 people), which exceeds the 27.1% figure for Regional SA. Health statistics for older residents are particularly positive, with national rankings surpassing those of the overall local population.
Frequently Asked Questions - Health
33.3% of Coober Pedy residents were born overseas and 27.6% speak a language other than English at home. The largest reported ancestries are Australian (20.3%) and English (19.4%). 12.0% of residents identify as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander. Ancestry, language and country of birth are counted only by the Census, so these are 2021 figures.
Detail
Coober Pedy exhibits greater cultural diversity than most local areas, with 33.3% of the population born outside Australia and 27.6% using a non-English language at home. Christianity is the dominant religion, practiced by 51.2% of Coober Pedy residents. However, the most notable disproportionate representation is in Buddhism, which accounts for 6.4% of the population, far exceeding the Regional SA average of 0.6%. Regarding family backgrounds (parents' countries of birth), the three largest groups in Coober Pedy are Australian, representing 20.3% of the community, which is much lower than the regional average of 31.3%, English at 19.4%, which is also much lower than the regional average of 32.5%, and Australian Aboriginal at 12.0%, which is significantly higher than the regional average of 3.3%.
Furthermore, there are significant variations in other backgrounds: Croatian is highly represented at 3.2% of Coober Pedy (compared to 0.3% regionally), Serbian at 2.0% (compared to 0.1%), and Hungarian at 0.9% (compared to 0.1%).
Frequently Asked Questions - Diversity
The median resident of Coober Pedy is 50, older than 91% of areas nationally. 22.3% 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 median age of 50 years in Coober Pedy is slightly higher than the Regional SA average of 47 and considerably older than the national median of 38. Relative to the Regional SA average, the 25 - 34 cohort is disproportionately represented (13.0% locally), while the 5 - 14 group is underrepresented (5.8%). Since the 2021 Census, the 15 to 24 age bracket has risen from 7.7% to 9.3% of the population, while the 85+ cohort grew from 1.9% to 3.2%. On the other hand, the 5 to 14 cohort declined from 7.8% to 5.8% and the 45 to 54 group fell from 12.4% to 11.0%.
By 2041, Coober Pedy is expected to experience significant shifts in its age structure. The 85+ cohort is projected to expand substantially, growing by 54 individuals (111%) from 48 to 103. Notably, the combined 65+ age brackets will represent 72% of all population growth, highlighting the aging profile of the area. Conversely, both the 5 to 14 and 0 to 4 age groups will experience declines in numbers.
Frequently Asked Questions - Age
Data & MethodBoundaries, Sources & Method for Coober Pedy
9 of 14 data sections on this page were updated within the last 12 months — the newest current to Aug 2026.
Everything is aggregated to the Suburb (SAL) 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) | May 2026 3 months ago 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 May 2026, with the 2021 Census supplying the small-area baseline. | ||
| Age profile | ABS, Geoscience Australia, State governments Annual | May 2026 3 months ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Age cohorts are re-based to the latest ABS population estimates and state projections, current to May 2026. Each cohort is held as a Census baseline and a current estimate. | ||
| Development & approvals | ABS, GNAF Monthly (ABS approvals) | Jun 2026 2 months ago headline measures · May 2026 baseline |
| Property sales & rents | Valuer General, Rental Board, ABS Weekly sales, quarterly rents | Aug 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 Aug 2026. | ||
| Infrastructure projects | Infrastructure Australia, Local governments Daily | May 2026 3 months ago all 2 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 May 2026. | ||
| Employment | ABS, DEWR, JSA Quarterly (ABS SALM) | Mar 2026 5 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 this month headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Transport | ABS, State Transport Departments Each timetable release | Jul 2026 last month headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Services & amenities | Provider directories, ACECQA Continuous | Jul 2026 last month 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. The headline figure is therefore a current estimate for May 2026, not a 2021 count (1,566 at the 2021 Census → 1,526 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 May 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 (SAL40295). QuickStats reports 2021 only — the figures on this page are more current wherever the ledger shows a later date.