Statistical Area 2 (SA2) · Area profile
Coober Pedy
78 km²
A typical resident of Coober Pedy is 50 years old, making this community far older than the national average. It is a sparsely populated area of about 1,566 people that has shrunk since 2011. The town is distinctive for its high proportion of seniors and a significant First Nations presence. These factors, combined with very low typical incomes, create a community that feels quite different from the rest of South Australia.
Plenty of schools here relative to how few children live in the area.
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The population is heavily skewed toward older adults, with nearly 30% aged 65 and over, a figure far above the national average. In contrast, children under 15 make up only 11.9% of the community, which is well below the state figure.
About 26.3% of residents were born overseas, which is a little above the South Australian average. The most common ancestries are Australian and English, followed by German and Greek.
Language diversity is high, with 22.2% of people using a language other than English at home. This is well above the state average, though the number of people who speak little or no English has fallen since 2016.
Religious affiliation is more common here than in most areas, as the proportion of people with no religion is far below the state and national figures.
Educational attainment is much lower than in most areas, with only 11.5% of adults holding a bachelor degree or higher. Only 34.1% of residents have completed Year 12, which is far below the national figure.
Incomes are among the lowest in the country, with a typical weekly household earning just $764. Only 4.5% of households earn $3,000 or more per week, far below the national rate of 22.6%.
The community reports a long-term health condition rate of 27.9%, which is about the same as the national figure. Mental health conditions are much less common here than in most other areas.
Unpaid care for children and housework is far below state and national levels, which is consistent with the very small number of children in the area.
First Nations people make up 15.1% of the population, far above the national average. This group faces significant challenges, with an unemployment rate of 26.2% and a typical personal income of $419, both far below national figures.
Living arrangements are unusual, as 53.4% of people live alone, far above the national average. Consequently, there are very few people per home, averaging just 1.8.
Home ownership is strong, with 41.4% of homes owned outright, far above the national figure. However, typical weekly rents are among the lowest in the country at $163.
The area is heavily reliant on cars, with no public transport routes or stops available. About 10.9% of homes have no motor vehicle, which is well above the state average.
The community is relatively stable, as far fewer people moved in the last five years compared to most areas. However, there has been a slight rise in recent arrivals from overseas.
Working or looking for work is far less common here than elsewhere, with only 43.1% of adults in the labour force. The unemployment rate is 11.8%, which is well above the state and national figures.
Coober Pedy is ranked among the most disadvantaged areas in the country, scoring at the lowest level for access to money, resources, and job skills.
The area is very hot, with an average maximum temperature that is among the highest at this level. Annual rainfall is also very low at 177mm.
Most of the town is car-dependent, with no homes within a 10-minute walk of public transport. While most people can walk to health services, others lack easy access to parks and schools.