Goolwa - Port Elliot

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

Goolwa - Port Elliot's population was 13,885 as of May 2026, according to AreaSearch's analysis. This figure represents a rise of 1,369 people, or 10.9%, since the 2021 Census, which recorded a population of 12,516. The increase is inferred from ABS data indicating an estimated resident population of 13,711 in June 2025 and validation of 556 new addresses post-Census. This results in a density ratio of 76 persons per square kilometer. Goolwa - Port Elliot's growth exceeded that of the Rest of SA (5.9%) and its SA4 region, making it a regional growth leader. Interstate migration accounted for approximately 84.7% of population gains recently.

AreaSearch uses ABS/Geoscience Australia projections released in 2024 with a base year of 2022 for each SA2 area. 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 using weighted aggregation from LGA to SA2 levels. Future population projections indicate above-median growth for regional areas nationally, with Goolwa - Port Elliot expected to increase by 1,899 persons to 2041, reflecting a total rise of 12.4% over the 16-year period.

AreaSearch assessment of residential development activity positions Goolwa - Port Elliot among the top 25% of areas assessed nationwide

Goolwa - Port Elliot recorded approximately 196 residential properties approved annually. Over the past five financial years, from FY21 to FY25, around 980 homes were granted approval, with an additional 123 approved in FY26 so far. On average, about 1.6 people moved to the area each year for every dwelling built during this period, suggesting balanced supply and demand conditions.

The average construction value of new homes was $292,000. In terms of commercial approvals, $22.2 million has been registered in FY26, indicating steady investment activity. Compared to the rest of South Australia, Goolwa - Port Elliot had an 18.0% higher construction rate per person over these five years, offering diverse buyer choices while supporting property values. This level is notably higher than national averages, reflecting developers' confidence in the location.

The area's new building activity comprised predominantly detached houses (97.0%) and a smaller proportion of medium to high-density housing (3.0%), maintaining its traditional low-density character focused on family homes. With approximately 70 people moving to the area for each dwelling approval, Goolwa - Port Elliot exhibits growth area characteristics. According to AreaSearch's latest quarterly estimate, the region is projected to grow by around 1,725 residents by 2041. Based on current development patterns, new housing supply should meet demand effectively, providing favorable conditions for buyers and potentially facilitating further population growth beyond current projections.

Goolwa - Port Elliot has limited levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the 19thth percentile nationally

Changes to local infrastructure significantly influence an area's performance. AreaSearch has identified ten projects likely to impact the area. Key projects include Airpark Estate, Riverhaven Estate, Goolwa Wharf Precinct, and Goolwa Oval Recreation Precinct. The following details those likely to be most relevant.

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

Denotes AI-based impression for illustrative purposes only, not to be taken as definitive under any circumstances. Please follow links and conduct other investigations from the project's source for actual imagery. Developers and project owners wishing us to use original imagery please Contact Us and we will do so.

The employment landscape in Goolwa - Port Elliot shows performance that lags behind national averages across key labour market indicators

Goolwa-Port Elliot has a skilled workforce with prominent representation in essential services sectors. The unemployment rate is 3.9%, having seen an estimated employment growth of 2.5% over the past year as of December 2025. There are 4,801 residents employed, with an unemployment rate of 1.9% below Regional SA's rate of 5.7%.

Workforce participation is lower at 40.4%, compared to Regional SA's 58.3%. According to Census responses, 12.9% of residents work from home. Leading employment industries are health care & social assistance, retail trade, and construction. The area has a strong specialization in health care & social assistance, with an employment share 1.3 times the regional level.

Conversely, agriculture, forestry & fishing shows lower representation at 3.5% versus the regional average of 14.5%. Employment opportunities locally appear limited, as indicated by the count of Census working population versus resident population. Over the 12 months to December 2025, employment increased by 2.5%, while labour force increased by 3.8%, resulting in unemployment rising by 1.1 percentage points. Regional SA recorded employment growth of 0.7%, labour force growth of 3.1%, with unemployment rising by 2.2 percentage points. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May-25 offer insight into potential future demand within Goolwa-Port Elliot. These projections suggest national employment should expand by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, with local employment estimated to increase by 6.4% over five years and 13.4% over ten years based on a simple weighting extrapolation for illustrative purposes.

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 ending June 2023 shows that median income in Goolwa - Port Elliot SA2 is $39,911, with an average income of $51,643. This is lower than Regional SA's median income of $48,920 and average income of $58,933. Based on Wage Price Index growth from June 2023 to March 2026 (an estimated increase of 10.17%), the current estimates for Goolwa - Port Elliot would be approximately $43,970 median and $56,895 average. According to Census 2021 income data, household, family, and personal incomes in Goolwa - Port Elliot fall between the 2nd and 6th percentiles nationally. Income brackets indicate that 33.4% of individuals earn between $800 and $1,499 annually, compared to metropolitan regions where 27.5% earn between $1,500 and $2,999. After housing costs, 86.4% of income remains, ranking at the 5th percentile nationally.

Goolwa - Port Elliot is characterized by a predominantly suburban housing profile, with above-average rates of outright home ownership

In Goolwa - Port Elliot, as recorded in the latest Census, 90.6% of dwellings were houses with the remaining 9.4% being semi-detached, apartments, or other types of dwellings. This compares to Regional SA's figures of 88.5% houses and 11.5% other dwellings. Home ownership in Goolwa - Port Elliot stood at 52.6%, with mortgaged dwellings making up 25.0% and rented dwellings 22.5%. The median monthly mortgage repayment in the area was $1,196, higher than Regional SA's average of $1,153. The median weekly rent figure for Goolwa - Port Elliot was $280, compared to Regional SA's $220. Nationally, Goolwa - Port Elliot's mortgage repayments were significantly lower than the Australian average of $1,863, while rents were substantially below the national figure of $375.

Goolwa - Port Elliot features high concentrations of lone person households, with a lower-than-average median household size

Family households account for 64.6% of all households, including 14.5% couples with children, 41.7% couples without children, and 7.7% single parent families. Non-family households constitute the remaining 35.4%, with lone person households at 33.4% and group households comprising 2.1%. The median household size is 2.0 people, smaller than the Regional SA average of 2.3.

Educational outcomes in Goolwa - Port Elliot fall within the lower quartile nationally, indicating opportunities for improvement in qualification attainment

The area's university qualification rate is 18.7%, significantly lower than the Australian average of 30.4%. This disparity presents both a challenge and an opportunity for targeted educational initiatives. Bachelor degrees are the most common at 12.8%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (3.3%) and graduate diplomas (2.6%). Trade and technical skills are prominent, with 39.4% of residents aged 15+ holding vocational credentials - advanced diplomas (11.7%) and certificates (27.7%).

School and university attendance comprises 18.3% of the community, including 7.4% in primary education, 5.2% in secondary education, and 2.0% pursuing tertiary education.

No public transport data available for this catchment area.

Health performance in Goolwa - Port Elliot is lower than average with common health conditions somewhat prevalent across both younger and older age cohorts

Goolwa-Port Elliot faces significant health challenges based on AreaSearch's assessment. Mortality rates and chronic condition prevalence are high, with common health conditions prevalent among both younger and older age cohorts. The rate of private health cover is extremely low at approximately 46% of the total population (~6,359 people), compared to 48.9% across Regional SA and a national average of 55.7%.

The most common medical conditions are arthritis (14.3%) and mental health issues (9.3%). However, 53.3% of residents declare themselves completely clear of medical ailments, compared to 62.5% across Regional SA. The working-age population faces notable health challenges due to elevated chronic condition rates. The area has 47.0% of residents aged 65 and over (6,530 people), higher than the 27.1% in Regional SA, with national rankings even higher than the general population.

Goolwa - Port Elliot ranks below the Australian average when compared to other local markets across a number of language and cultural background related metrics

Goolwa-Port Elliot showed cultural diversity levels below average, with 79.4% of its population born in Australia and 92.0% being citizens. English was spoken at home by 97.1%. Christianity dominated religiously, comprising 44.5%, while Judaism was overrepresented at 0.1%, compared to 0% regionally.

Ancestry-wise, English topped at 38.9%, Australian at 26.5%, and Scottish at 8.7%. Notably, German (6.7%), Welsh (0.8%), and Dutch (1.7%) were overrepresented compared to regional averages of 8.2%, 0.5%, and 1.3% respectively.

Goolwa - Port Elliot ranks among the oldest 10% of areas nationwide

Goolwa - Port Elliot's median age is 61 years, which is significantly higher than Regional SA's average of 47 and substantially exceeds the Australian median of 38. The 75-84 age group comprises 18.3% of its population, compared to Regional SA's percentage, while the 25-34 cohort represents only 5.3%. This concentration in the 75-84 age group is well above the national average of 6.1%. Between the 2021 Census and now, this age group has grown from 15.6% to 18.3%, while the 85+ cohort increased from 5.0% to 6.4%. Conversely, the 55-64 cohort has declined from 15.7% to 13.6%. By 2041, Goolwa - Port Elliot's age composition is expected to shift notably. The 85+ age cohort is projected to surge dramatically, expanding by 1,050 people (118%) from 890 to 1,941. Senior residents aged 65 and above will drive 84% of population growth, underscoring demographic aging trends. Meanwhile, the 35-44 and 15-24 cohorts are expected to experience population declines.