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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
As of Aug 2026, the suburb of Coober Pedy has an estimated resident count of around 1,526, calculated from broader ABS updates alongside 1 validated new addresses identified since the Census. In comparison to the 1,566 people counted in the 2021 Census, this indicates a decline of 40 people (2.6%). This updated figure of 1,526 residents incorporates the ABS ERP release from June 2025 as well as post-Census address validation by AreaSearch. With a density of 1.9 persons per square kilometer, the locality offers expansive living room per resident. In terms of demographic drivers, recent population increases were almost entirely underpinned by overseas migration.
Population modeling for the suburb of Coober Pedy relies on 2024 ABS/Geoscience Australia SA2 figures starting from a 2022 baseline, supplemented where necessary and for periods beyond 2032 by the 2023 SA State Government Regional/LGA projections (based on 2021 numbers) adjusted via weighted growth aggregation. Over the 16 years running to 2041, demographic expansion is anticipated to trail in the lowest regional quartile nationally, gaining an estimated 5 persons across the aggregated SA2 boundaries to record an overall increase of 0.3%.
Frequently Asked Questions - Population
Detail
Building activity across Coober Pedy remains quite subdued, recording 6 approvals over five years for an average of 1 approvals per year. This modest pace is consistent with the rural character of the locality, where construction tends to be triggered by specific immediate requirements rather than broad market forces. Because the baseline volume is so restricted, any single development endeavor can substantially alter annual percentages and relative comparisons. Relative to Rest of SA, Coober Pedy displays considerably reduced rates of construction, trailing national benchmarks as well. Moreover, all recent development has consisted exclusively of detached houses, reinforcing the rural setting and preserving expansive spatial layouts.
Projections extending to 2041 anticipate a gain of 5 residents for Coober Pedy relative to the latest AreaSearch quarterly figures. Existing rates of residential building appear fully capable of accommodating this prospective demand, sustaining favorable purchasing conditions and potentially paving the way for demographic growth above current forecasts.
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
Regional outcomes are heavily shaped by planning frameworks, local infrastructure, and major development undertakings. Currently, no major projects have been recorded by AreaSearch with expected direct local influence. Initiatives with potential regional bearing include the Northern Water Supply Project, Bulk Water Supply Security, Gawler Craton Rail Access, and Enabling Infrastructure for Hydrogen Production.
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 53.8%. 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
A review of aggregated statistical figures reveals a qualified local workforce in Coober Pedy, characterized by solid representation in essential services alongside an unemployment rate of 22.7%. In March 2026, employed residents numbered 563, with local unemployment exceeding Regional SA's 5.5% benchmark by 17.2 percentage points and labor participation tracking comparatively lower at 53.8% versus 58.3%. Census data further indicated that only 5.7% of employed locals conducted their work from home, subject to the context of Covid-19 restrictions. Local employment is predominantly anchored in accommodation & food, health care & social assistance, and retail trade.
The concentration in accommodation & food is especially pronounced, standing at 2.8 times the regional benchmark. In contrast, no local workforce was recorded in agriculture, forestry & fishing (representing a completely absent share versus 14.5% regionally). Comparing resident counts with Census workplace tallies points to a constrained local job market within the immediate boundary. Aggregated ABS and SALM figures analyzed by AreaSearch show that during the 12 months leading to March 2026, local workforce numbers decreased by 1.8% while total employment dropped by 13.8%, lifting the local unemployment rate by 10.8 percentage points (compared to Regional SA, which saw employment expand by 1.2% and the labor force rise 2.6%, alongside a 1.4 percentage point uptick). Broader labor demand dynamics can be evaluated using national industry projections from Mar-26 published by Jobs and Skills Australia. Nationally, employment is projected to expand by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years; applying these sectoral trajectories to the existing industrial profile of Coober Pedy implies local employment gains of 6.3% over five years and 13.4% over ten years (calculated via simple weighting without factoring in local demographic shifts).
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
ATO postcode-level data for financial year 2023 indicates that taxpayers in the suburb of Coober Pedy earned a median income of $45,028 and an average of $53,629, sitting below the respective Regional SA benchmarks of $48,920 and $58,933 as well as national figures. Incorporating a 10.17% rise in the Wage Price Index since financial year 2023 puts estimated figures around $49,607 (median) and $59,083 (average) as of March 2026. The 2021 Census places individual, family, and household earnings between the 0th and 3rd percentiles across the country. In terms of earnings brackets, 34.9% of the local population (532 individuals) earn within the $400 - 799 range, whereas the regional tendency leans toward the $1,500 - 2,999 bracket (27.5%).
The presence of 52.7% of residents in weekly tiers under $800 underscores widespread local financial pressure, and although low housing expenses allow residents to keep 89.1% of their income, total disposable earnings place in the 3rd percentile across Australia.
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
At the time of the latest Census, the housing stock in Coober Pedy consisted of 88.6% separate houses and 11.3% other dwellings (incorporating apartments, semi-detached properties, and alternative formats), roughly mirroring the 88.5% houses and 11.5% other dwellings recorded across Regional SA. Outright home ownership reached a substantial 47.3%, well above regional standards, while remaining properties were either rented (37.1%) or held under a mortgage (15.6%). Typical monthly mortgage costs stood at $630 and median weekly rent was $163, both markedly lower than the Regional SA figures of $1,153 and $220.
On a nationwide scale, local housing expenses remain exceptionally affordable compared to Australia-wide medians of $1,863 for monthly mortgages and $375 for weekly rents.
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
Family units account for 42.3% of local households, consisting of couples without children (20.4%), couples with children (12.7%), and single parent arrangements (7.7%). Non-family setups make up the remaining 57.7%, primarily driven by single-person dwellings at 53.3% alongside 3.7% group households. The average occupancy per home is 1.8 people, which is below the Regional SA median 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
Tertiary attainment in the area trails broader benchmarks, with higher education qualification rates at 19.2% compared to the national rate of 30.4%, highlighting a distinct opening for targeted learning programs. Bachelor degrees account for 13.0%, while postgraduate qualifications and graduate diplomas represent 4.2% and 2.0% respectively. Conversely, vocational qualifications are prevalent, held by 41.0% of individuals aged 15+, comprised of 30.3% certificates and 10.7% advanced diplomas. Active participation in study is prominent locally, with 32.6% of the population enrolled in an educational course. Broken down by stage, 10.5% attend primary schooling, 9.6% are engaged in secondary studies, and 3.3% are enrolled in tertiary 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
Local health assessments by AreaSearch point to notable health hurdles, with widespread prevalence of chronic issues across older and younger demographics alike and an estimated private health insurance rate of around 48% of the population (~736 people), lagging behind the Australian benchmark of 55.7%. Arthritis and diabetes represent the most frequent medical conditions, diagnosed in 9.5 and 6.9% of the local population respectively, whereas 64.5% of residents reported having no chronic medical conditions compared to 62.5% in Regional SA. Long-term health conditions are notably elevated across working-age cohorts. Residents aged 65 and over make up 30.9% of the community (471 people), exceeding the 27.1% regional level, with senior health indicators outperforming broader community benchmarks and achieving strong national standing.
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
Cultural diversity in Coober Pedy is higher than across most Australian regions, with 33.3% of community members born overseas and 27.6% utilizing a non-English language at home. Christianity forms the largest religious group, accounting for 51.2% of the local population. Buddhism demonstrates the most marked regional divergence, comprising 6.4% of residents against a regional baseline of 0.6%. Looking at parental lineage, the leading ancestry backgrounds in Coober Pedy are Australian at 20.3% (below the regional level of 31.3%), English at 19.4% (under the regional 32.5%), and Australian Aboriginal at 12.0% (substantially higher than the 3.3% recorded regionally).
Several specific European ancestries also show distinct concentration, including Croatian at 3.2% (compared to 0.3% across the region), Serbian at 2.0% (against 0.1%), and Hungarian at 0.9% (versus 0.1%).
Frequently Asked Questions - Diversity
The median resident of Coober Pedy is 50, older than 91% of areas nationally. 22.1% 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 age distribution in Coober Pedy reflects a younger overall profile relative to Regional SA. Based on August 2026 figures, residents aged 65 and above represent 30.9% of the population (versus 27.1% regionally), while those aged 0 - 24 comprise 19.9% (compared to 26.4% across Regional SA). As at August 2026, the estimated median age remains at 50, matching the 2021 Census figure and tracking 3 years older than the Regional SA Census median of 47, while sitting above the national Census median of 38. The share of residents aged 45 - 64 has declined from 27.2% at the Census to 24.3%.
Looking forward to 2041, the 65+ age group is projected to record the strongest increase, growing by 55 (12%) to reach 527, while both the 45 - 64 cohort and youth demographics (0 - 24) are anticipated to decrease.
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 Sep 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) | 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, Local governments Daily | May 2026 4 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 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 — 1 validated new addresses here. The headline figure is therefore a current estimate for Aug 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 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 (SAL40295). QuickStats reports 2021 only — the figures on this page are more current wherever the ledger shows a later date.