🔍

Coober Pedy

SA 5723 • Rest of SA

1,566
Population (2021)
$39,728
Median Household Income
785.12 km²
Area
$163/wk
Median Rent
OutbackMining TownUniqueMulticulturalTourist Destination

About Coober Pedy

Coober Pedy is a remote outback town in South Australia, located 846 kilometres northwest of Adelaide in the arid Far North region. Known as the "Opal Capital of the World," the town has a population of around 1,500 and covers a vast area of 785 square kilometres. The median age is 50, reflecting an older demographic, with a diverse multicultural community including significant Greek, Croatian, Aboriginal, and Sri Lankan populations. Many residents live in underground homes called "dugouts" to escape the extreme desert heat.

Coober Pedy offers a truly unique Australian outback lifestyle centred around opal mining and tourism. Key attractions include underground churches, museums, and the moonscape-like terrain that has served as a filming location for movies like Mad Max and Priscilla, Queen of the Desert. The town has essential services including a hospital, school, and shopping facilities along Hutchison Street. Tourism is a major industry alongside mining, with visitors drawn to the underground homes, opal shops, and the stark desert landscape of the Breakaways Reserve.

Coober Pedy falls under postcode 5723 and is governed by Coober Pedy Council (LGA). For state elections, residents vote in the Stuart electorate.

📍 Location

State
South Australia
Postcode
5723
Urban Area
Coober Pedy
LGA / Council
Coober Pedy
Federal Electorate
Grey
State Electorate
Stuart
Type
Urban
Timezone
Adelaide (UTC+9:30)
Coordinates
-28.90°, 134.80°
Statistical Area
Rest of SA
Area
785.12 km²
Elevation
153m

🏠 Housing 2021 Census

Median Rent (weekly)
$163
Median Mortgage (monthly)
$630
Avg Household Size
1.8 people
Median Age
50 years
Social Housing (% of dwellings)
3.6%

19 state housing + 5 community housing dwellings (ABS 2021 Census)

🚌 Transport & Commute

Bus Services

  • Greyhound/Firefly Interstate — Adelaide (846 km) and Alice Springs (688 km) 9-10 hrs to Adelaide

Commute to Adelaide CBD

Distance
846 km
By Bus
9-10 hours (interstate coach)
By Car (Peak)
8-9 hours
By Car (Off-Peak)
8-9 hours

🛣️ Coober Pedy Airport offers flights to Adelaide. Stuart Highway connects to Adelaide and Alice Springs.

Walkability Car-Dependent

Small town centre is walkable but a car is essential for daily life in this remote outback location

🛒 Supermarkets Nearby

No major supermarkets listed for this suburb.

🎓 Schools

🎓 Educational Institution Attending 2021 Census

School Sector Breakdown

👥 Demographics

Census 2016
1,762
Census 2021
1,566
▼ 11.1% decline

Population Growth

Gender Distribution (Census 2021)

Personal Income 2016
$25,844
Personal Income 2021
$25,896
▲ 0.2% increase

2021 Census income breakdown

Personal = median for one earner. Household = all members of a dwelling pooled. Family = related members only. Annual = weekly × 52.

Personal
$25,896 / yr
$498/wk
Household
$39,728 / yr
$764/wk
Family
$71,760 / yr
$1380/wk

Personal Income Comparison (2016 vs 2021)

📊 Population: ABS Census 2021
💰 Income: ABS Census 2021

🌍 Country of Birth 2021 Census

Born in Australia 827
Born Overseas 412

Top Countries of Birth (excl. Australia)

  • 1. Sri Lanka 68
  • 2. England 45
  • 3. Greece 45
  • 4. Philippines 41
  • 5. Croatia 23
  • 6. Germany 18
  • 7. India 15
  • 8. New Zealand 13
  • 9. United States 11
  • 10. China 7

🧬 Ancestry 2021 Census

Top ancestries reported (people may report up to two)

Australian 344
English 328
Australian Aboriginal 204
German 93
Greek 92
Irish 81
Scottish 65
Croatian 55
Filipino 54
Italian 34

👨‍👩‍👧 Parents' Birthplace 2021 Census

607
Both parents born in Australia
535
Both parents born overseas
124
One parent AU, one overseas

🛐 Religion 2021 Census

Christianity
39.8%
No Religion
30.8%
Buddhism
5.0%
Islam
1.1%
Sikhism
0.4%

📊 Age Distribution 2021 Census

0-4 years
67 (4.3%)
5-14 years
122 (7.8%)
15-19 years
73 (4.7%)
20-24 years
48 (3.1%)
25-34 years
216 (13.8%)
35-44 years
168 (10.7%)
45-54 years
194 (12.4%)
55-64 years
232 (14.8%)
65-74 years
246 (15.7%)
75-84 years
171 (10.9%)
85+ years
29 (1.9%)

Nearby Suburbs

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Coober Pedy known for? +

Coober Pedy is world-famous as the opal capital of Australia, producing over 70% of the world's opals. The town is also known for its unique underground homes (dugouts) built to escape the extreme outback heat, its multicultural community, and its surreal landscape that has featured in numerous films.

How far is Coober Pedy from Adelaide? +

Coober Pedy is approximately 850 kilometres north of Adelaide, with a drive time of around 9-10 hours via the Stuart Highway, or a 2-hour flight.

Does Coober Pedy have public transport? +

Coober Pedy has the Coober Pedy Airport with scheduled services to Adelaide. Buses (Greyhound and regional coaches) travel the Stuart Highway. A car is essential for everyday living in this remote outback town.

What is the population of Coober Pedy? +

According to the 2021 Census, Coober Pedy has a population of approximately 1,566 residents within the Coober Pedy District Council local government area.

Is Coober Pedy a good place to live? +

Coober Pedy offers a truly unique outback lifestyle for those connected to the opal mining industry, tourism, or remote community services. The underground dugout homes provide surprisingly comfortable living in the extreme climate, but the town's remoteness makes it suited to those who embrace an unconventional lifestyle.

What is the postcode for Coober Pedy? +

The postcode for Coober Pedy is 5723.

What is the average income in Coober Pedy? +

Based on the 2021 Census, the median personal income in Coober Pedy is about $498 per week (around $25,900 per year). The median household income is $764 per week and the median family income is $1,380 per week.

What is the age profile of Coober Pedy? +

The median age in Coober Pedy is 50. The largest age group is 65–74 (246 residents, around 16%). Around 17% of residents are under 20 and about 28% are aged 65 or older. (2021 Census)

How much is rent in Coober Pedy? +

In Coober Pedy, the median weekly rent is $163, and the median monthly mortgage repayment is $630 (2021 Census).