Coober Pedy

Coober Pedy has shown very soft population growth performance across periods assessed by AreaSearch

Based on analysis of ABS population updates for the broader area, and new addresses validated by AreaSearch, as of Nov 2025 the estimated population of the suburb of Coober Pedy is around 1,518. This reflects a decrease of 48 people (3.1%) since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 1,566 people. The change is inferred from the resident population of 1,527 estimated by AreaSearch following examination of the latest ERP data release by the ABS in June 2024 and address validation since the Census date. This level of population equates to a density ratio of 1.9 persons per square kilometer. Population growth for the suburb was primarily driven by overseas migration, which was essentially the sole driver of 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 are adopted, released in 2023 and based on 2021 data, with adjustments made employing a method of weighted aggregation of population growth from LGA to SA2 levels. Moving forward with demographic trends, projections indicate a decline in overall population for the suburb over this period, with the area's population expected to reduce by 17 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 grow by 52 people.

Residential dwelling approval activity has been practically non-existent in Coober Pedy

Coober Pedy has seen minimal new dwelling constructions over the past five years, with fewer than two approved annually. This low development level is typical in rural areas due to modest housing needs and limited construction activity shaped by local demand and infrastructure capacity. The small sample size means individual projects can significantly impact annual growth figures.

Compared to Rest of SA and national averages, Coober Pedy has substantially lower development levels. With stable or declining population forecasts, housing pressure may remain low, potentially benefiting buyers.

Given stable or declining population forecasts, Coober Pedy may experience less housing pressure, creating favourable conditions for buyers.

Coober Pedy has emerging levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the 23rdth percentile nationally

Changes in local infrastructure, major projects, and planning initiatives significantly influence an area's performance. AreaSearch has identified 0 projects that could impact this area. Notable ones include Gawler Craton Rail Access, Bulk Water Supply Security, Northern Water Supply Project, and Enabling Infrastructure for Hydrogen Production. 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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Employment conditions in Coober Pedy face significant challenges, ranking among the bottom 10% of areas assessed nationally

Coober Pedy has a skilled workforce with well-represented essential services sectors. The unemployment rate in June 2025 was 15.2%, with an estimated employment growth of 2.4% over the past year.

There are 649 residents currently employed, while the unemployment rate is 10.6% higher than the Rest of SA's rate of 4.6%. Workforce participation stands at 43.1%, significantly lower than the Rest of SA's 54.1%. Key industries employing residents include accommodation & food, health care & social assistance, and retail trade. Coober Pedy has a strong specialization in accommodation & food with an employment share 2.8 times the regional level, but agriculture, forestry & fishing is under-represented at 0.0% compared to Rest of SA's 14.5%.

The area offers limited local employment opportunities as indicated by Census data comparing working population to resident population. Over a 12-month period ending June 2025, employment increased by 2.4%, labour force by 5.7%, and unemployment rose by 2.7 percentage points. In comparison, Rest of SA saw employment fall by 1.2%, labour force expand by 0.1%, and unemployment rise by 1.2 percentage points. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from Sep-22 project national employment growth at 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, with varying rates across industry sectors. Applying these projections to Coober Pedy's employment mix suggests local employment should increase by 6.3% over five years and 13.4% over ten years.

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

AreaSearch's aggregation of ATO data shows Coober Pedy had a median taxpayer income of $45,028 and an average of $53,629 in financial year 2022. This is below the national averages of $46,889 and $56,582 for Rest of SA respectively. By September 2025, estimates based on a 12.83% Wage Price Index growth suggest median and average incomes will be approximately $50,805 and $60,510 respectively. Census data indicates household, family, and personal incomes in Coober Pedy fall between the 0th and 3rd percentiles nationally. Income distribution shows 34.9% of residents (529 people) earn between $400 - 799 weekly, differing from metropolitan regions where 27.5% earn between $1,500 - 2,999 weekly. The concentration of 52.7% in sub-$800 brackets highlights economic challenges faced by a significant portion of the community. Despite modest housing costs allowing for 89.1% income retention, total disposable income ranks at just the 3rd percentile nationally.

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

Coober Pedy's dwelling structure, as per the latest Census, consisted of 88.6% houses and 11.3% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings), compared to Non-Metro SA's 85.7% houses and 14.3% other dwellings. Home ownership in Coober Pedy stood at 47.3%, with mortgaged dwellings at 15.6% and rented ones at 37.1%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $630, lower than Non-Metro SA's average of $1,138. The median weekly rent figure in Coober Pedy was $163, significantly lower than Non-Metro SA's $187 and the national average of $375. Nationally, Coober Pedy's mortgage repayments were substantially lower than the Australian average of $1,863.

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

Family households account for 42.3% of all households, including 12.7% couples with children, 20.4% couples without children, and 7.7% single parent families. Non-family households constitute the remaining 57.7%, with lone person households at 53.3% and group households comprising 3.7% of the total. The median household size is 1.8 people, which is smaller than the Rest of SA average of 2.4.

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

The area's university qualification rate is 19.2%, significantly lower than Australia's average of 30.4%. Bachelor degrees are the most common at 13.0%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (4.2%) and graduate diplomas (2.0%). Vocational credentials are prevalent, with 41.0% of residents aged 15+ holding them - advanced diplomas at 10.7% and certificates at 30.3%. Educational participation is high, with 32.6% currently enrolled in formal education: 10.5% in primary, 9.6% in secondary, and 3.3% in tertiary education.

Coober Pedy Area School serves the local area, enrolling 156 students as of a certain date. The school offers integrated K-12 education for academic continuity. School places per 100 residents are 10.3, below the regional average of 15.4. Some students may attend schools in nearby areas due to limited local capacity.

No public transport data available for this catchment area.

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

Coober Pedy faces significant health challenges, with common conditions prevalent across both younger and older age groups. Private health cover is low, at approximately 48% (732 people), compared to 53.1% in the rest of South Australia (SA) and the national average of 55.3%. The most frequent medical conditions are arthritis (9.5%) and diabetes (6.9%), with 64.5% reporting no medical ailments, compared to 68.2% in the rest of SA.

The area has a higher proportion of residents aged 65 and over, at 30.1% (456 people), than the rest of SA at 16.3%. Despite this, health outcomes among seniors are strong, outperforming the general population in health metrics.

Coober Pedy was found to be more culturally diverse than the vast majority of local markets in Australia, upon assessment of a range of language and cultural background related metrics

Coober Pedy's population shows significant cultural diversity, with 33.3% born overseas and 27.6% speaking a language other than English at home. Christianity is the predominant religion, practiced by 51.2%. Buddhism, however, is notably higher than the regional average, comprising 6.4% compared to 0.9%.

The top three ancestry groups are Australian (20.3%), English (19.4%), and Australian Aboriginal (12.0%). These figures are lower than the regional averages of 28.5%, 25.2%, and 17.2% respectively. Other ethnicities with notable divergences include Croatian at 3.2% (regional average: 0.4%), Serbian at 2.0% (0.2%), and Hungarian at 0.9% (0.2%).

Coober Pedy ranks among the oldest 10% of areas nationwide

The median age in Coober Pedy is 50 years, which is marginally higher than Rest of SA's average of 47 years and considerably older than the national norm of 38 years. The 25-34 cohort is notably over-represented at 13.3% locally compared to the Rest of SA average. Meanwhile, the 5-14 year-olds are under-represented at 6.2%. From the 2021 Census to present, the 15-24 age group has grown from 7.7% to 9.4%, while the 5-14 cohort has declined from 7.8% to 6.2%. By 2041, Coober Pedy is expected to see significant shifts in its age composition. The 85+ age cohort is projected to expand substantially by 48 people (160%) from 30 to 79 years old. Notably, the combined 65+ age groups will account for 77% of total population growth, reflecting the area's aging demographic profile. Conversely, both the 5-14 and 15-24 age groups are expected to see reduced numbers.