Naracoorte (SA)

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Based on statistical assessments of regional population updates from the ABS and fresh address validations completed by Districts since the Census, the suburb of Naracoorte has a population estimated at 6,394 in May 2026. This represents a gain of 183 individuals (2.9%) from the 6,211 residents recorded in the 2021 Census. This adjustment is derived from the resident population of 6,375 calculated by Districts using the ABS June 2025 release of ERP figures, combined with an additional 78 validated new addresses confirmed since the Census. Such population numbers translate to a density of 56 persons per square kilometer, which ensures residents have substantial space. The 2.9% post-census growth rate for the suburb of Naracoorte is within 2.0 percentage points of the broader SA3 region (4.9%), indicating strong relative growth indicators. Expansion in the population was mostly driven by arrivals from overseas, who made up roughly 87.0% of the total population gains in recent times.

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Naracoorte maintains a balanced workforce spanning white and blue collar employment, with manufacturing and industrial sectors strongly represented, an unemployment rate of only 3.1%, and 2.8% in estimated employment growth over the past year, based on Districts aggregation of statistical area data. As of March 2026, 3,447 residents are in work while the unemployment rate is 2.4% below Regional SA's rate of 5.5%, and workforce participation is well beyond standard (67.0% compared to Regional SA's 58.4%). Based on Census responses, a low 4.6% of residents were found to work from home, though Covid-19 lockdown impacts should be considered.

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The most recent ATO data at the postcode level for the 2023 financial year indicates that incomes in the suburb of Naracoorte are below the national average, with a median of $48,610 and an average of $59,423. This is comparable to the Regional SA medians of $48,920 and averages of $58,933. Adjusted for a Wage Price Index increase of 10.17% since the 2023 financial year, current local estimates would stand at roughly $53,554 for the median and $65,466 for the average in March 2026. Data from the 2021 Census shows that household, family, and individual incomes are modest, sitting between the 25th and 40th percentiles. The largest income group comprises 33.4% of residents (2,135 individuals) earning between $1,500 and $2,999 weekly, which is similar to the metropolitan trend where fall into this bracket. Housing costs are manageable, with residents keeping of their income, although disposable income remains low in the rd percentile.

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Residential architecture in the suburb of Naracoorte at the time of the latest Census consisted of 94.4% separate houses and 5.6% alternative housing types like semi-detached properties, apartments, and other dwellings, compared to Regional SA averages of 88.5% houses and 11.5% other dwellings. Home ownership in the suburb of Naracoorte lagged behind the Regional SA benchmark at 37.0%, with the remaining properties being purchased under a mortgage (35.1%) or occupied by tenants (27.9%). The median monthly mortgage payment was below the Regional SA average at $1,083, while the median weekly rent was $230, compared to regional figures of $1,153 and $220. Nationwide, mortgage payments in the suburb of Naracoorte are much lower than the Australian average of $1,863, and weekly rents are also well below the national median of $375.

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Families make up the majority of households at 65.7%, consisting of couples with children at 26.2%, couples without children at 31.1%, and single-parent households at 7.8%. The remaining 34.3% are non-family households, which include single-person households at 30.0% and group housing at 4.2%. The median household size of 2.4 individuals is slightly higher than the Regional SA average of 2.3.

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The locality presents educational challenges, with university completion rates at 13.8%, well below the national average of 30.4%. This highlights both an area of need and an opportunity for focused educational programs. Bachelor degrees are the most common tertiary qualification at 11.0%, with postgraduate qualifications at 1.4% and graduate diplomas at 1.4%. Vocational and technical training are highly represented, with 34.9% of residents aged 15 and over holding trade credentials, consisting of advanced diplomas at 8.3% and certificates at 26.6%.

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Public transit records show 1 active stop serving the suburb of Naracoorte. This stop is connected to 1 route, which provides 10 passenger services each week. Transit access is classified as limited, with residents living an average of 1161 meters from the nearest stop. Given the residential nature of the area, most workers travel outward, with private vehicles remaining the primary mode of travel at 94%, while 4% walk. Households average 1.5 vehicles. A modest 4.6% of residents worked from home according to the 2021 Census, which may have been influenced by pandemic conditions.

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Health statistics show positive trends for residents of the suburb of Naracoorte, with mortality and illness analyses matching national averages, and the occurrence of common medical conditions remaining low across young and old cohorts. Private health insurance coverage is relatively low, held by approximately 51% of the population (around 3,229 individuals), compared to the national benchmark of 55.7%.

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The suburb of Naracoorte shows high cultural diversity, with 20.1% of residents born outside Australia and 15.0% speaking a non-English language at home. Christianity is the dominant religion, representing 45.0% of the community. Notably, Islam is highly represented at 5.3% of the population, compared to a regional average of only 0.5% in Regional SA.

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The median age in the suburb of Naracoorte is 40 years, which is significantly lower than the Regional SA average of 47 years and slightly above the national average of 38 years. Compared to Regional SA, the suburb of Naracoorte has a higher proportion of residents aged 25 to 34 (14.3%) and a lower proportion of those aged 65 to 74 (10.8%). Since the 2021 Census, the 15 to 24 age bracket expanded from 10.1% to 11.4% of the population, while the 55 to 64 group decreased from 11.6% to 10.8%. Looking toward 2041, the age structure is expected to shift, with the cohort aged 85 and over projected to grow by 85% ( individuals), rising from to . This aging trend is prominent, with residents aged and older representing of all projected population growth, while the to and to age brackets are expected to shrink.

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Naracoorte currently has an estimated 326 children under 5 years old, comprising approximately 191 children aged 0-2 and 127 children aged 3-4. This cohort declined by an estimated 9% since the previous census. while population forecasts indicate future decline, with an anticipated decrease of 6% by 2041 (to approximately 308 children). Meanwhile the 5-12 cohort currently amounts to 640. Birth rates in the area have averaged 9.4 per 1,000 residents over the latest two-year period, a moderate rate (within the middle tier nationally). This rate has slowed down slightly in recent years however.