Moonta Bay

Population growth drivers in Moonta Bay are strong compared to national averages based on AreaSearch's ranking of recent, and medium to long-term trends

As of November 2025, Moonta Bay's estimated population is around 2,954. This reflects a growth of 321 people since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 2,633. The increase is inferred from AreaSearch's estimation of the resident population at 2,886 in June 2024, based on ABS ERP data release and additional validated new addresses since the Census date. This results in a density ratio of 632 persons per square kilometer. Moonta Bay's growth rate of 12.2% since the 2021 census exceeded the non-metro area's 6.8% and the state average, making it a growth leader in the region. Interstate migration contributed approximately 91.0% to 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 based on 2021 data are adopted with adjustments made employing weighted aggregation methods from LGA to SA2 levels. By 2041, the suburb is expected to increase by 177 persons, reflecting a gain of 3.2% over the 17 years, in line with Australia's regional areas' median population increase projections.

Recent residential development output has been above average within Moonta Bay when compared nationally

AreaSearch analysis of ABS building approval numbers shows Moonta Bay recorded around 41 residential properties granted approval annually over the past 5 financial years from FY-21 to FY-25, totalling an estimated 205 homes. As of FY-26, 16 approvals have been recorded. On average, 1.3 people moved to the area each year for each dwelling built during this period. The average expected construction cost value of new homes was $380,000.

This financial year has seen $1.5 million in commercial approvals, indicating a predominantly residential focus. Compared to Rest of SA, Moonta Bay had 40.0% more development per person over the past 5 years, suggesting reasonable buyer options while sustaining property demand. This is substantially higher than the national average, indicating strong developer confidence in the location. New building activity consisted of 98.0% detached dwellings and 2.0% medium to high-density housing, maintaining Moonta Bay's traditional low density character with a focus on family homes.

With around 70 people per approval, Moonta Bay reflects a developing area. Future projections estimate Moonta Bay will add 95 residents by 2041 based on the latest AreaSearch quarterly estimate. Current construction levels should adequately meet demand, creating favourable conditions for buyers and potentially enabling growth that exceeds current forecasts.

Moonta Bay has emerging levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the 33rdth percentile nationally

Changes to local infrastructure significantly affect an area's performance. AreaSearch has identified one major project likely impacting this region: The Dunes Port Hughes. Other key projects include South Australian Regional Bulk Port Development, Northern Water, and SA Public Housing Maintenance and Services Contracts. Relevant details are listed below.

Professional plan users can use the search below to filter and access additional projects.

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AreaSearch assessment indicates Moonta Bay faces employment challenges relative to the majority of Australian markets

Moonta Bay's workforce comprises both white and blue-collar jobs, with essential services well represented. The unemployment rate stands at 6.3%, as per AreaSearch's aggregation of statistical area data.

As of June 2025968 residents are employed, with an unemployment rate of 1.7% above Rest of SA's rate of 4.6%. Workforce participation is lower, at 40.6% compared to Rest of SA's 54.1%. Leading employment industries include health care & social assistance, construction, and retail trade. Construction stands out with an employment share 1.6 times the regional level.

Conversely, agriculture, forestry & fishing is under-represented, with only 3.8% of Moonta Bay's workforce compared to 14.5% in Rest of SA. The area offers limited local employment opportunities, as indicated by Census working population vs resident population counts. Between June 2024 and June 2025, labour force levels increased by 0.8%, while employment decreased by 1.1%, causing unemployment to rise by 1.8 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 a 6.6% increase over five years and 13.7% over ten years for national employment. Applying these projections to Moonta Bay's employment mix suggests local employment should grow by 6.4% over five years and 13.4% over ten years, based on simple weighting extrapolation for illustrative purposes only.

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

AreaSearch's latest postcode level ATO data for financial year 2022 shows Moonta Bay's median income among taxpayers is $43,431. The average income in the area was $57,102 during this period. This figure is below the national average. Comparing with Rest of SA, Moonta Bay had a median income of $46,889 and an average of $56,582 in the same year. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 12.83% since financial year 2022, current estimates for Moonta Bay's median income would be approximately $49,003 by September 2025. The average income estimate for this period is $64,428. Census 2021 income data indicates that household, family and personal incomes in Moonta Bay all fall between the 4th and 7th percentiles nationally. The predominant income cohort spans 32.5% of locals (960 people) with incomes ranging from $400 to $799. This is unlike regional levels where the $1,500 to $2,999 category predominates at 27.5%. Housing costs in Moonta Bay are modest, allowing for 87.9% of income to be retained as disposable income. However, this total disposable income ranks at just the 8th percentile nationally.

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

Moonta Bay's dwelling structures, as per the latest Census, consisted of 95.3% houses and 4.7% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings). This compares to Non-Metro SA's 93.3% houses and 6.7% other dwellings. Home ownership in Moonta Bay stood at 55.9%, with mortgaged dwellings at 26.1% and rented dwellings at 18.0%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $1,300, higher than Non-Metro SA's average of $1,083. Weekly rent median in Moonta Bay was $260, compared to Non-Metro SA's $230. Nationally, Moonta Bay's mortgage repayments were lower at $1,300 versus Australia's average of $1,863, and rents were substantially below the national figure of $375.

Moonta Bay has a typical household mix, with a higher-than-average median household size

Family households are prevalent, accounting for 69.5% of all households. They consist of 16.7% couples with children, 45.5% couples without children, and 6.9% single parent families. Non-family households make up the remaining 30.5%, with lone person households at 28.3% and group households comprising 2.3%. The median household size is 2.2 people, which is larger than the average of 2.1 for the Rest of South Africa.

Educational attainment in Moonta Bay aligns closely with national averages, showing typical qualification patterns and performance metrics

The area's university qualification rate is 11.3%, significantly lower than Australia's average of 30.4%. Bachelor degrees are the most common (8.3%), followed by postgraduate qualifications (1.5%) and graduate diplomas (1.5%). Vocational credentials are prevalent, with 38.6% of residents aged 15+ holding them, including advanced diplomas (10.0%) and certificates (28.6%). School and university attendance comprises 19.5%, broken down into primary education (7.8%), secondary education (6.6%), and tertiary education (1.2%).

Educational facilities seem to be located outside the immediate catchment, requiring residents to access schools in neighboring areas.

No public transport data available for this catchment area.

Health performance in Moonta Bay is a key challenge with a range of health conditions having marked impacts on both younger and older age cohorts

Moonta Bay faces significant health challenges, with various conditions affecting both younger and older residents. Approximately 50% (~1,465 people) have private health cover, compared to 47.2% across the rest of South Australia (SA). Nationally, the average is 55.3%.

The most prevalent medical conditions are arthritis (affecting 14.3% of residents) and asthma (9.2%). However, 55.5% of residents report having no medical ailments, slightly lower than the rest of SA's 56.0%. Moonta Bay has a higher proportion of seniors aged 65 and over at 41.7% (1,231 people), compared to 36.2% in the rest of SA. Despite this, health outcomes among seniors in the area are better than those of the general population.

Moonta Bay is considerably less culturally diverse than average when assessed alongside AreaSearch's national rankings for language and cultural background related metrics

Moonta Bay's cultural diversity was found to be below average, with 87.8% of its population born in Australia, 91.0% being citizens, and 97.4% speaking English only at home. The predominant religion in Moonta Bay is Christianity, accounting for 49.4% of the population, compared to 48.3% across the Rest of SA. The top three represented ancestry groups are English (35.3%), Australian (31.6%), and German (7.4%).

Notably, Australian Aboriginal representation is higher in Moonta Bay at 2.1%, compared to 2.6% regionally, while Spanish (0.3%) and Maltese (0.3%) groups are also slightly overrepresented compared to regional averages of 0.2%.

Moonta Bay ranks among the oldest 10% of areas nationwide

Moonta Bay's median age is 59 years, notably exceeding both the Rest of SA average of 47 years and the national average of 38 years. Compared to the Rest of SA average, the 65 - 74 cohort is notably over-represented in Moonta Bay at 24.3%, while the 35 - 44 year-olds are under-represented at 7.1%. The 65 - 74 concentration in Moonta Bay is well above the national average of 9.4%. Following the Census conducted on August 10, 2021, the 75 to 84 age group has grown from 12.8% to 14.2% of the population. Conversely, the 45 to 54 cohort has declined from 11.1% to 9.7%. Demographic modeling suggests that Moonta Bay's age profile will evolve significantly by 2041. Leading this demographic shift, the 75 to 84 group is projected to grow by 32%, reaching 554 people from 419. This growth is primarily driven by residents aged 65 and older representing 96% of anticipated population growth. Meanwhile, population declines are projected for the 0 to 4 and 35 to 44 age cohorts.