SA · Unincorporated SA Council
Coober Pedy, 5723
Current weather
18.4°CClear sky
42% humidity · 16.7 km/h wind · 20.2° / 9° today · 0 mm rain
Updated
Desirability score
- Education hub
- High desirability
- Green suburb
- Café precinct
Suburb profile
Coober Pedy offers a slower smaller community life in Unincorporated SA, with open surrounds and a close-knit community feel. Remote from the metro area in the best sense: quiet streets, big skies and a town that runs on its own timetable. Wide horizons and a country quiet give the area a restorative, unhurried atmosphere.
A mature community gives the area a calm, settled social fabric. Life here is grounded in local routine rather than big-city choice, and that is part of the charm. The area offers approachable housing costs alongside a lifestyle that still feels complete.
A busy pipeline of new development is gradually changing the look and feel of the streets.
On the desirability index, the suburb sits below average overall, mainly because growth momentum and housing affordability lag similar regional towns, despite relative strength in transport and access. Limited access to some essential local services also trimmed the result.
Population
- Population
- 1,566
- Median age
- 50
- Median household income / week
- $764
- Dwelling vacancy
- 41%
- Unoccupied private dwellings
- 466 of 1,137
- Median monthly mortgage
- $630
- Employment rate
- 38.1%
- Dwelling mix (houses / semi / flats)
- 60 / 13 / 41
Contributes to desirability score · Community (5%)
Employment, household income and age diversity (2021 Census)
Data sources & freshness
- 2021 Census — General Community Profile — Australian Bureau of Statistics · Period: 2021 · Updated on site · 2021 Census release
The 2026 Census runs in August 2026; suburb-level updates are expected from mid-2027.
Housing
- Houses (01/01/26 to 31/03/26)
- $240
Median weekly rent from SA Housing Authority rental bond data. Figures can be unreliable where few bonds were lodged in the quarter.
Contributes to desirability score · Housing (15%) · Future Growth (7%)
Median price, rental yield and vacancy Recent price momentum
Data sources & freshness
- SA Housing Authority rent & sales reports — Government of South Australia · Period: 1 January - 31 March 2026 · Updated on site · Quarterly releases
Crime & safety
- Total offences (2024–25)
- 618
- Against the person
- 276
- Against property
- 342
- Rate per 1,000 residents
- 394.6
- Person-crime prevalence
- About 1 in 6 residents
- State safety percentile
- 97.2th (lower crime is better)
- Family & domestic abuse offences
- 179
- Decrease (daily rate)
- -20.7%
Reported offences decreased compared with the previous period.
Reported offences by period
Most common offence types
- Other Property Damage And Environmental115
- Other Theft39
- Sct - Residence72
- Serious Assault Not Resulting In Injury127
- Serious Assault Resulting In Injury83
Contributes to desirability score · Safety (18%)
Crime rate and year-on-year trend
Data sources & freshness
- SAPOL reported crime statistics — South Australia Police — OpenData · Period: 2023-24 → 2024-25; 2024-25 · Updated on site · Financial-year releases
Schools & preschools
- Schools & preschools
- 2 (1 schools, 1 preschools)
- Median school ICSEA
- 785
- Coober Pedy Area SchoolCombined · ICSEA 785
- Coober Pedy PreschoolPaxton RoadPreschools
Contributes to desirability score · Education (15%)
School and preschool counts, median school ICSEA
Data sources & freshness
- Government education sites register — Government of South Australia · Period: current · Updated on site · Static register
- School ICSEA (ACARA) — Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority · Period: 2025 · Updated on site · Annual ACARA release
Planning & development
Development applications from PlanSA register (lodged 2020–2026) and EPA licensed activities.
45 planning-related records
2026· 1 proposal
April 2026
- The replacement of shade sail with a permanent iron roof over an existing open-sided structure52 -56 HUTCHISON ST COOBER PEDY SA 5723Under Assessment
2025· 6 proposals
December 2025
- Construction of one shed structure which will be converted for dwelling and shop use.LOT 101 CAVE PL COOBER PEDY SA 5723Under Assessment
August 2025
- Storage shedLOT 605 BRADY ST COOBER PEDY SA 5723Decision Made
July 2025
- Storage shedLOT 1516 UNDERWOOD CR COOBER PEDY SA 5723Decision Made
June 2025
- Installation of two shade structures51 -61 HUTCHISON ST COOBER PEDY SA 5723Decision Made
- Torrens title land division comprising 2 allotments into 44 allotments and construction of an internal roadLOT 157 HENRI ST COOBER PEDY SA 5723;LOT 2193 HENRI ST COOBER PEDY SA 5723Under Assessment
January 2025
- Two (2) directional signs for Umoona Arts CentreLOT 8 UMOONA RD COOBER PEDY SA 5723Decision Made
2024· 4 proposals
October 2024
- Two fuelling stations and above ground diesel and AdBlue tanks and associated advertisingLOT 792 FLAT HILL RD COOBER PEDY SA 5723Decision Made
September 2024
- Installation of new verandahLOT 1142 MCKENZIE RD COOBER PEDY SA 5723Decision Made
August 2024
- New single storey consulting rooms with staff and visitor parking including associated signage and fencingLOT 1263 HUTCHISON ST COOBER PEDY SA 5723;LOT 33 HUTCHISON ST COOBER PEDY SA 5723Decision Made
June 2024
- Group Dwellings - Short Stay accomodation for nursing staffLOT 2136 FLINDERS ST COOBER PEDY SA 5723Decision Made
2023· 8 proposals
December 2023
- Telecommunication facility comprising steel / concrete monopole (maximum height 42.4 metres) and security chain mesh fencing (maximum height 2.4 metres) and associated cabinetry.LOT 1724 TRAEGER ST COOBER PEDY SA 5723Under Assessment
August 2023
- Pylon Signage71-81 HUTCHISON ST COOBER PEDY SA 5723Decision Made
May 2023
- Changes to advertisement signage incorporating installation of two (2) illuminated advertisement signs comprising one (1) external illuminated sign fixed to southern facade and one (1) external illuminated sign fixed to eastern façade71-81 HUTCHISON ST COOBER PEDY SA 5723Under Assessment
- Change of use - to store shipping containers, machinery and park trucks.LOT 1857 SEVENTEEN MILE RD COOBER PEDY SA 5723Decision Made
- Retail Fuel Outlet comprising motor vehicle refuelling facilities, canopy, control building with associated caretakers residence, free standing advertisement, carparking, fencing, installation of road within Jenny Place road reserve and modification of Yanikas Drive access.LOT 1 JENNY PL COOBER PEDY SA 5723;LOT 2505 HUTCHISON ST COOBER PEDY SA 5723Under Assessment
- OutbuildingLOT 2243 KINGSFORD SMITH CT COOBER PEDY SA 5723Decision Made
March 2023
- Installation of two carportsLOT 893 HOLLY CR COOBER PEDY SA 5723;LOT 894 HOLLY CR COOBER PEDY SA 5723Decision Made
February 2023
- Community art centre with associated external storeLOT 8 UMOONA RD COOBER PEDY SA 5723Decision Made
2022· 7 proposals
December 2022
- ShedLOT 1905 GERMAN GULLY RD COOBER PEDY SA 5723Decision Made
- Shed (outbuilding) for storage114 HUTCHISON ST COOBER PEDY SA 5723Decision Made
September 2022
- Storage shedLOT 32 HUTCHISON ST COOBER PEDY SA 5723Decision Made
August 2022
- Internal AlterationsLOT 2 HUTCHISON ST COOBER PEDY SA 5723Decision Made
- Gaming Room Fitout71-81 HUTCHISON ST COOBER PEDY SA 5723Decision Made
February 2022
- Construction of two underground dwellings with associated verandah and carports.LOT 2129 FLATS DR COOBER PEDY SA 5723Under Assessment
January 2022
- Construction of a consulting room83-85 HUTCHISON ST COOBER PEDY SA 5723Decision Made
2021· 7 proposals
November 2021
- Change of use to a MortuaryLOT 1406 CROWDERS GULLY RD COOBER PEDY SA 5723Decision Made
July 2021
- Construction of an automated, 24/7 petrol filling station with associated canopy and advertising signage (priceboard).LOT 790 FLAT HILL RD COOBER PEDY SA 5723Decision Made
April 2021
- Construction of a new community administration building comprising offices, exhibition space and associated car-parking and landscaping.8 GILBERT CT COOBER PEDY SA 5723Decision Made
February 2021
- Construction of single-storey detached dwelling for residential purposes, and three (3) amenity block outbuildings for use by existing tourism accommodation.LOT 1996 TOMCAT HILL RD COOBER PEDY SA 5723Under Assessment
January 2021
- The establishment of a parking area, landscaping, floodlights and fencing ancillary to a retail fuel outlet & restaurant/cafe51-61 HUTCHISON ST COOBER PEDY SA 5723Decision Made
- Change of use to a 25 site Recreational Vehicle (RV) Park (Caravan & Tourist Park)LOT 2190 CROWDERS GULLY RD COOBER PEDY SA 5723Decision Made
- Installation of a prefabricated single-storey detached dwelling for permanent occupation, utilising existing power and water connections.LOT 1732 MARKS CL COOBER PEDY SA 5723Under Assessment
2020· 5 proposals
December 2020
- Replacing storm damaged rear verandahLOT 817 PIERCE ST COOBER PEDY SA 5723Decision Made
- Domestic outbuilding: Shed (not being a garage)LOT 1913 MONUMENT RD COOBER PEDY SA 5723Decision Made
November 2020
- Torrens Title land division creating 2 allotments from 1 existing allotmentLOT 1603 HUTCHISON ST COOBER PEDY SA 5723Decision Made
October 2020
- Ground extension for reception areaLOT 1993 STUART HWY COOBER PEDY SA 5723Decision Made
September 2020
- Erect 9m x 6m shed pulled down from owners previous property and erect on current propertyLOT 765 FLATS DR COOBER PEDY SA 5723Decision Made
Other· 2 proposals
- COOBER PEDY ROADHOUSE PTY. LTD.Hydrocarbon and ChemicalEPA licence
- DISTRICT COUNCIL OF COOBER PEDYResource Recovery Waste Disposal and RelatedEPA licence
Contributes to desirability score · Future Growth (7%)
Development and planning activity
Data sources & freshness
- PlanSA development applications & EPA licences — Government of South Australia — PlanSA · Period: 2020–2026 · Updated on site
Amenities
No OpenStreetMap amenities mapped for this suburb yet.
Contributes to desirability score · Lifestyle (15%)
Food, shopping, recreation and sport (OpenStreetMap)
Data sources & freshness
- OpenStreetMap amenities — OpenStreetMap contributors · Period: current · Updated on site · Weekly refresh
Health access
- Hospitals & GP clinics
- 2
- Emergency department
- On site
- Coober Pedy Hospital and Health ServiceLot 89 Hospital RoadPublic Hospital
- Coober Pedy Renal Clinic83-85 Hutchison StreetPrivate Day Only Hospital
Contributes to desirability score · Accessibility (15%)
Hospitals and GP clinics
Data sources & freshness
- Hospitals & GP Plus clinics (SA) — SA Health · Period: current · Updated on site
Socio-economic (SEIFA)
- IRSAD decile (2021)
- 1/10
- IRSD decile (2021)
- 1/10
SEIFA indexes from ABS 2021. Decile 10 = most advantaged / least disadvantaged in Australia.
Contributes to desirability score · Community (5%)
Socio-economic advantage (IRSAD decile)
Data sources & freshness
- SEIFA 2021 (IRSAD / IRSD) — Australian Bureau of Statistics · Period: 2021 · Updated on site · 2021 SEIFA release
Heritage
2 state heritage places
- Heritage placeState heritage
- Heritage placeState heritage
Data sources & freshness
- SA Heritage Places database — Department for Environment and Water (SA) · Period: current · Updated on site
Childcare
1 childcare service from OpenStreetMap
- Tjitji Tjapu Tjuta Childcare CentreSaint Nicholas Streetchildcare
Contributes to desirability score · Education (15%)
Childcare centre count
Data sources & freshness
- Childcare services (SA) — OpenStreetMap + SA Education · Period: current · Updated on site
Hazards
- Bushfire planning zone
- Overlay applies
- Bushfire safer places
- 1
Bushfire overlay checked at suburb centroid against all current SA Planning risk layers (high, medium, general, urban interface, regional, outback). Safer places from CFS designated locations.
Contributes to desirability score · Safety (18%)
Bushfire hazard overlays
Data sources & freshness
- Bushfire & hazard overlays (SA) — Government of South Australia · Period: current · Updated on site
Green cover
- Parks & woodland (OSM)
- 1
- Parks (OSM)
- 1
OpenStreetMap parks and natural woodland features mapped within the suburb boundary.
Contributes to desirability score · Environment (10%)
Parks and green cover (OpenStreetMap)
Data sources & freshness
- OpenStreetMap green cover features — OpenStreetMap contributors · Period: current · Updated on site · Weekly refresh
Desirability Index
- Desirability score
- 19.5/100 — Below average
- National rank
- 6572nd in Australia
- State rank
- 664th in SA
- Peer rank
- #150 among Country & regional · Mature suburbs
- Cohort rank
- #246 among Country & regional suburbs
- Data confidence
- 82%
Data sources & freshness
- Suburb Guide desirability index — Suburb Guide (derived score) · Period: current · Updated on site · Derived from source metrics
Recent changes
- Other Property Damage And Environmentalcrime115
- Other Theftcrime39
- Sct - Residencecrime72
- Serious Assault Not Resulting In Injurycrime127
- Serious Assault Resulting In Injurycrime83
- Tjitji Tjapu Tjuta Childcare CentrechildcareSaint Nicholas Streetchildcare
- Heritage placeheritageState heritage
- Heritage placeheritageState heritage
- Coober Pedy Hospital and Health ServicehealthLot 89 Hospital RoadPublic Hospital
- Coober Pedy Renal Clinichealth83-85 Hutchison StreetPrivate Day Only Hospital
Data sources & freshness
- Childcare services (SA) — OpenStreetMap + SA Education · Updated on site
- Hospitals & GP Plus clinics (SA) — SA Health · Updated on site
- SA Heritage Places database — Department for Environment and Water (SA) · Updated on site
- SAPOL reported crime statistics — South Australia Police — OpenData · Updated on site · Financial-year releases
More in Unincorporated SA Council
Other suburbs in the same local government area.
Comparable suburbs
Similar population and socio-economic profile in other parts of South Australia.