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, Coober Pedy's population is estimated at around 1,526 as of Nov 2025. This reflects a decrease of 40 people (2.6%) since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 1,566 people. The change is inferred from the resident population of 1,526, 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 Coober Pedy was primarily driven by overseas migration 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, projections indicate a decline in overall population for Coober Pedy, 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 in recent years. Less than one new dwelling was approved annually on average over the past five years, totalling two approvals. This low level of development is typical of rural areas where housing needs are modest and construction activity is limited by local demand and infrastructure capacity.

It should be noted that due to the small sample size, individual projects can significantly influence annual growth and relativity statistics. Coober Pedy's development levels are substantially lower than those of the Rest of SA and also below national averages.

With stable or declining population forecasts, housing pressure in Coober Pedy is expected to remain low, potentially creating favourable conditions for buyers.

Coober Pedy has limited levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the 9thth percentile nationally

Area infrastructure changes significantly influence local performance. AreaSearch identified 0 projects likely impacting this area. Notable projects are: Gawler Craton Rail Access, Bulk Water Supply Security, Northern Water Supply Project, and Enabling Infrastructure for Hydrogen Production. The following details those most relevant.

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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 essential services sectors well represented. Its unemployment rate was 19.4% based on AreaSearch aggregation of statistical area data.

As of September 2025603 residents were in work while the unemployment rate was 14.0% higher than Rest of SA's rate of 5.3%. Workforce participation lagged significantly at 43.1%, compared to Rest of SA's 54.1%. Key industries of employment among residents were accommodation & food, health care & social assistance, and retail trade. Coober Pedy showed strong specialization in accommodation & food with an employment share 2.8 times the regional level.

Agriculture, forestry & fishing was under-represented at 0.0% compared to Rest of SA's 14.5%. Limited local employment opportunities were indicated by Census working population vs resident population data. Over a 12-month period ending in September 2025, labour force increased by 3.9%, while employment declined by 4.7%, causing unemployment to rise by 7.3 percentage points. In comparison, Rest of SA saw employment grow by 0.3%, labour force expand by 2.3%, and unemployment rise by 1.9 percentage points. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May-25 estimated national employment growth at 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Coober Pedy's employment mix suggested local employment should increase by 6.3% over five years and 13.4% over ten years, although these are simple weighting extrapolations for illustrative purposes only and do not account for localized population projections.

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

According to AreaSearch's aggregation of the latest postcode level ATO data released on June 2023, the suburb of Coober Pedy had a median income among taxpayers of $45,028 with the average level standing at $53,629. This is below the national average and compares to levels of $48,920 and $58,933 across Rest of SA respectively. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 8.8% from financial year 2023 to September 2025, current estimates would be approximately $48,990 (median) and $58,348 (average). Census data reveals household, family and personal incomes in Coober Pedy all fall between the 0th and 3rd percentiles nationally. Distribution data shows the $400 - 799 bracket dominates with 34.9% of residents (532 people), differing from patterns across the metropolitan region where $1,500 - 2,999 dominates with 27.5%. The concentration of 52.7% in sub-$800 weekly brackets highlights economic challenges facing a significant portion of the community. While housing costs are modest with 89.1% of income retained, the 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

In Coober Pedy, as per the latest Census evaluation, 88.6% of dwellings were houses, with the remaining 11.3% being semi-detached, apartments, or other types. This compares 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, below Non-Metro SA's average of $1,138. Weekly rent in Coober Pedy was recorded at $163, compared to Non-Metro SA's $187. Nationally, Coober Pedy's mortgage repayments were significantly lower than the Australian average of $1,863, and rents were substantially below the national figure of $375.

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% that are couples with children, 20.4% that are couples without children, and 7.7% that are single parent families. Non-family households make up 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%. This disparity presents both a challenge and an opportunity for targeted educational initiatives. 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% of residents currently enrolled in formal education. This includes 10.5% in primary education, 9.6% in secondary education, and 3.3% pursuing tertiary education.

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% (736 people), compared to 53.3% in Rest of SA and a national average of 55.7%. Arthritis and diabetes are the most common conditions, affecting 9.5% and 6.9% respectively.

64.5% of residents report no medical ailments, compared to 68.2% in Rest of SA. The area has a higher proportion of seniors aged 65 and over at 30.1% (459 people), compared to 16.3% in Rest of SA. Despite this, health outcomes among seniors are strong and better than the general population.

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 high cultural diversity, with 33.3% born overseas and 27.6% speaking a language other than English at home. Christianity is the dominant religion, followed by Buddhism at 6.4%, significantly higher than South Australia's average of 0.9%. The top three ancestry groups are Australian (20.3%), English (19.4%), and Australian Aboriginal (12.0%), all lower than regional averages.

Notable overrepresentations exist for Croatian (3.2% vs 0.4%) and Serbian (2.0% vs 0.2%) populations, with Hungarian also slightly higher at 0.9% compared to the region's 0.2%.

Coober Pedy ranks among the oldest 10% of areas nationwide

The median age in Coober Pedy is 50 years, slightly higher than Rest of SA's average of 47 and considerably older than Australia's national norm of 38. Compared to the Rest of SA average, the 25-34 age cohort is notably over-represented at 13.3% in Coober Pedy, while the 5-14 year-olds are under-represented at 6.2%. Between the 2021 Census and present, the 15 to 24 age group has increased from 7.7% to 9.4%, while the 5 to 14 cohort has declined from 7.8% to 6.2%. By 2041, Coober Pedy's age composition is projected to shift notably. The 85+ age cohort is expected to expand substantially by 48 people, a 159% increase from the current figure of 30. Notably, the combined 65+ age groups will account for 79% of total population growth, reflecting the area's aging demographic profile. Conversely, both the 0-4 and 5-14 age groups are projected to see reduced numbers.