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This analysis uses ABS Statistical Areas Level 2 (SA2) boundaries, which can materially differ from Suburbs and Localities (SAL) even when sharing similar names.
SA2 boundaries are defined by the Australian Bureau of Statistics and are designed to represent communities for statistical reporting (e.g., census and ERP).
Suburbs and Localities (SAL) represent commonly-used suburb/locality names (postal-style areas) and may use different geographic boundaries. For comprehensive analysis, consider reviewing both boundary types if available.
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ABS ERP | -- people | --
2021 Census | -- people
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Goolwa - Port Elliot has an estimated 13,885 residents, up from 12,516 at the 2021 Census — a change of 1,369 people, or 10.9%. Growth has averaged 2.3% a year over five years. 556 new addresses have been validated here since Census night. Interstate and internal migration accounts for 84.7% of that increase. Density is about 77 people per square kilometre. Population is estimated from ABS Estimated Resident Population releases and GNAF address data, re-based from the 2021 Census and updated annually.
Detail
According to the analysis by AreaSearch, the population of Goolwa - Port Elliot stands at approximately 13,885 as of May 2026. This represents a growth of 1,369 residents (10.9%) from the 2021 Census, which documented 12,516 residents. This shift is calculated using the June 2025 ABS estimated resident population of 13,711 and 556 validated new addresses registered after the Census. This population level yields a density of 76 persons per square kilometer, indicating low density and room for potential expansion. The 10.9% population increase in Goolwa - Port Elliot since the 2021 census outpaced both the Rest of SA (5.9%) and the broader SA4 region, positioning the locality as a leading growth zone.
The main driver of this expansion was interstate migration, which accounted for roughly 84.7% of the total population increase during the recent timeframe. AreaSearch utilizes the ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 region, which were published in 2024 using 2022 as the baseline. For any SA2 localities missing from this dataset, and for the years after 2032, projections by age bracket from the SA State Government's 2023 release (based on 2021 data) are applied, adjusted via a weighted aggregation method of population growth from the LGA to the SA2 level. Projecting future trends, the region is set to experience population growth above the median of regional areas nationwide, with expectations to grow by 1,899 residents to 2041 relative to the most recent annual ERP statistics, representing a 12.4% rise over the 16 years.
Frequently Asked Questions - Population
980 new dwellings have been approved in Goolwa - Port Elliot over the past five years, an average of 196 a year. That places the area in the 89th percentile for residential development activity nationally, about 14 approvals per 1,000 residents a year. Of the 159 dwellings approved in the latest reporting year, 97% were detached houses and the rest townhouses or apartments. Approvals are currently running at an annualised 173, broadly in line with that longer-run average. Figures come from ABS building approvals aggregated to this SA2 boundary and are updated monthly as the ABS releases them.
Detail
Goolwa - Port Elliot averages approximately 196 building approvals for residential dwellings annually, accumulating 980 approved residential units over the previous 5 financial years (between FY-21 and FY-25) and 159 during the current FY-26. Given that an average of 1.5 individuals migrated to the locality for every new residence constructed over the prior 5 financial years (between FY-21 and FY-25), demand matches supply closely to maintain stable market dynamics, with new residences registering an average value of $292,000. Furthermore, commercial building approvals total $22.2 million so far this financial year, showing ongoing business investment.
In comparison to the Rest of SA, Goolwa - Port Elliot registers slightly elevated construction activity (running 18.0% above the regional average per capita over the 5 year period), which helps maintain properties' current market value while offering options to buyers. This rate of construction is significantly higher than the national figure, pointing to solid developer faith in the area. Newly constructed properties consist of 97.0% detached houses and 3.0% medium and high-density housing, preserving the classic low-density aesthetic of the area with family-oriented properties that appeal to those wanting space. Averaging roughly 72 people per residential approval, Goolwa - Port Elliot displays the traits of an expanding community. Forecasts for the population indicate that Goolwa - Port Elliot will add 1,725 residents by 2041 (starting from the most recent AreaSearch quarterly estimation). Drawing on existing building patterns, the incoming supply of housing is expected to easily satisfy demand, creating favorable buyer options and possibly supporting population growth that exceeds current forecasts.
Frequently Asked Questions - Development
Development applications around Goolwa - Port Elliot
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| Lodged | Address | Description | Type | Distance | Status |
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SOURCE: Planning portals and council registers, compiled by AreaSearch. Distance & bearing measured from the suburb midpoint.
AreaSearch tracks 7 current infrastructure and development projects inside Goolwa - Port Elliot, worth an estimated $27 million. A further 47 sit in the immediately surrounding suburbs, taking the tracked pipeline within reach of the area to $6.97 billion. 16 are already under construction and 14 are due for completion within three years. The pipeline spans transport & logistics, communities, precincts & urban renewal and residential development. Records are compiled from Infrastructure Australia, state agencies, council planning portals and public announcements, reviewed and updated daily, then ranked by proximity, construction stage, completion horizon and project scale.
Detail
Changes to local infrastructure, major developments, and urban planning decisions significantly shape regional performance. AreaSearch has tracked 10 projects that are anticipated to affect the community. Primary projects include the Airpark Estate, Riverhaven Estate, Goolwa Wharf Precinct, and the Goolwa Oval Recreation Precinct, with the following list detailing the most relevant developments.
Professional plan users can use the search below to filter and access additional projects.
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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.
Frequently Asked Questions - Infrastructure
Riverhaven Estate
Residential land development by AVJennings in Goolwa North, providing new homes. Stage 3 land is currently available for sale. Total of 27 new homes.
Coorong Quays Estate
Master-planned waterfront estate and marina on Hindmarsh Island with ongoing stages. Current activity includes the Riverview Release (Stage One) offering 30 allotments sized ~430-780 sqm, alongside continued marina, storage, and lifestyle village operations.
Goolwa Wharf Precinct
Restoration and upgrade of the historic Goolwa Wharf area including Wharf, Wharf Shed and Signal Point Experience Centre with new public amenities, wayfinding and the Yuntulun Kuli-war exhibition. Works focused on heritage preservation, safety, accessibility and activation for events and local business, integrating First Nations stories.
Airpark Estate
Residential development allowing homeowners to have a house and a hangar for their planes. Approved for 58 lots, with ongoing sales in its final stage. Includes airport facilities such as a bitumen runway, grass runways, and refuelling facilities.
Goolwa Secondary College
New public secondary school for Goolwa opened in Term 1 2022 following a full site redevelopment completed Dec 2021. The project delivered contemporary learning areas including science labs, a knowledge hub (library), arts facilities, and design & technology spaces. Designed for staged growth to Year 12 by 2026, with 2024 enrolment reported at 213 students.
Goolwa Oval Recreation Precinct
Creation of a modern, accessible, and adaptable sporting and community precinct with upgraded change rooms, toilets, playing surfaces, lighting, scoring, and storage. Includes sustainable features like solar panels, rainwater storage, recycled materials, and new stormwater infrastructure for irrigation.
Lakeside Lifestyle Resort Goolwa
An established over-50s lifestyle community with world-class facilities including a swimming pool, gym, and bowling green. Phase 1 is fully occupied, with a planned extension awaiting ministerial approval.
Victor Harbor Baptist Church Expansion
Expansion of Victor Harbor Baptist Church to deliver a new main auditorium, children's ministry spaces, hospitality and kitchen facilities, upgraded amenities and expanded parking. Development approval was granted in 2021. The project remains approved but construction has been deferred while the church waits for construction costs to improve and fundraising capacity to increase. Church updates continue to describe the project as a live long-term priority.
4,857 residents of Goolwa - Port Elliot are employed, from a labour force of 5,043. Unemployment sits at 3.7%, with participation at 40.8%. Weighted for its industry mix, the area's sectors are forecast to grow about 6.4% nationally over five years. That reflects industry composition only and makes no allowance for local population growth. Unemployment and labour force come from ABS Small Area Labour Markets, updated quarterly; the industry and occupation profile is from the 2021 Census.
Detail
Goolwa - Port Elliot possesses a skilled workforce with strong representation in critical service fields, an unemployment rate of just 3.7%, and an estimated job growth rate of 3.7% over the prior year. In March 2026, employed residents numbered 4,857, while the local unemployment rate sat 1.8% below the Regional SA level of 5.5%, and labor participation was much lower (40.8% relative to the 58.4% recorded across Regional SA). According to Census details, a modest 12.9% of the workforce operated from home, though the effects of Covid-19 lockdowns must be factored in.
The primary sectors employing local residents are health care & social assistance, retail trade, and construction. The community displays a marked concentration in health care & social assistance, employing residents at 1.3 times the regional average. Conversely, agriculture, forestry & fishing is underrepresented at 3.5% compared to the regional benchmark of 14.5%. Comparing the Census counts of the local working population versus the resident population suggests that local employment opportunities are somewhat restricted. AreaSearch's analysis of SALM and ABS statistics shows that during the 12 months leading to March 2026, the count of employed persons grew by 3.7% and the labor pool expanded by 4.3%, which caused unemployment to tick up by 0.6 percentage points. For the same period, Regional SA registered a 1.2% rise in employment, a 2.6% rise in the labor pool, and a 1.4 percentage point rise in unemployment. Long-term employment forecasts released in May-25 by Jobs and Skills Australia help clarify potential future labor demands in Goolwa - Port Elliot. These five-year and ten-year forecasts have been applied to the local workforce structure to model future growth. Nationally, jobs are expected to grow by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, though these figures vary widely across different sectors. Projecting these industry-specific trends onto the local workforce suggests that Goolwa - Port Elliot's employment will rise by 6.4% over five years and 13.4% over ten years (note that this weighting extrapolation is for illustrative purposes only and does not incorporate local population projections).
Frequently Asked Questions - Employment
Median household income in Goolwa - Port Elliot is $970 a week (about $50,000 a year), with median personal income at $551 a week. ATO records put median taxable income at $39,911 a year against an average of $51,643. Household income is from the 2021 Census; taxable income is from ATO Taxation Statistics for the latest financial year available, indexed forward using the ABS Wage Price Index.
Detail
The most recent postcode-level ATO statistics from AreaSearch for financial year 2023 show that income levels in the Goolwa - Port Elliot SA2 lag behind the national average, recording a median income of $39,911 and an average income of $51,643. This is lower than the median of $48,920 and average of $58,933 reported in Regional SA. Factoring in Wage Price Index inflation of 10.17% since financial year 2023, current estimates for March 2026 would stand at roughly $43,970 for the median and $56,895 for the average. In the 2021 Census, household, family, and individual incomes in Goolwa - Port Elliot were situated between the 2nd and 6th percentiles on a national scale.
The income structure shows that 33.4% of the population (4,637 individuals) falls within the $800 - 1,499 weekly bracket, differing from metropolitan areas where 27.5% earn within the $1,500 - 2,999 range. Residents retain 86.4% of their income after paying for housing, which places the area in the 5th percentile nationally.
Frequently Asked Questions - Income
Goolwa - Port Elliot had 5,601 occupied dwellings at the 2021 Census, 91% detached houses and 2% apartments. 25% are owned with a mortgage, 23% rented and 53% owned outright. At that Census the median rent was $280 a week and the median mortgage repayment $1,196 a month. Rent absorbs 28.9% of household income here and mortgage repayments 28.5%. Dwelling stock, tenure and housing costs are 2021 Census measures — the only source that counts dwellings at this boundary size.
Detail
According to the most recent Census, the housing structure of Goolwa - Port Elliot consisted of 90.6% separate houses and 9.4% alternative dwellings (such as semi-detached homes, apartments, and other housing forms), compared to 88.5% separate houses and 11.5% alternative dwellings in Regional SA. Home ownership in Goolwa - Port Elliot was considerably higher than in Regional SA at 52.6%, with the remaining properties being purchased with a mortgage (25.0%) or rented (22.5%). The median monthly mortgage payment of $1,196 sat above the Regional SA average of $1,153, while the median weekly rent was $280 compared to the Regional SA average of $220.
Compared to national statistics, Goolwa - Port Elliot's mortgage payments are much lower than the Australian average of $1,863, and weekly rents are well below the national average of $375.
Frequently Asked Questions - Housing
Goolwa - Port Elliot counted 5,601 households at the 2021 Census, an estimated 6,214 today, averaging 2.0 people each. 15% are couples with children, fewer than in 95% of areas nationally, against 42% couples without children. 33% of households are people living alone, and families average 1.9 children. Household and family composition is measured only by the Census, so these are 2021 figures.
Detail
Families make up the majority of households at 64.6%, consisting of couples with children (14.5%), couples without children (41.7%), and single parent households (7.7%). Non-family households account for the remaining 35.4%, which includes single person households (33.4%) and group households (2.1%). The median household size of 2.0 people is below the Regional SA average of 2.3.
Frequently Asked Questions - Households
18.7% of adults in Goolwa - Port Elliot hold a university qualification, including 12.8% with a bachelor degree and 3.3% with postgraduate qualifications. A further 27.7% hold a vocational qualification. 3 schools serve the area, with 840 enrolment places and an average ICSEA of 971 against a national benchmark of 1,000. Qualifications come from the 2021 Census; school enrolments, ICSEA and results come from ACARA's current release.
Detail
The region presents educational challenges, as university qualification rates (18.7%) are significantly lower than the national average of 30.4%. This gap marks a potential opportunity for focused educational programs. Bachelor degrees are the most common credential at 12.8%, followed by postgraduate degrees (3.3%) and graduate diplomas (2.6%). Vocational and technical training is prominent, with 39.4% of residents aged 15+ holding trade credentials, consisting of advanced diplomas (11.7%) and certificates (27.7%). Schooling and university enrollment accounts for 18.3% of the local population. This proportion is divided into 7.4% attending primary school, 5.2% attending secondary school, and 2.0% enrolled in tertiary institutions.
Frequently Asked Questions - Education
Schools Detail
Getting around Goolwa - Port Elliot means driving: households keep an average of 1.2 vehicles, and no scheduled public transport appears in the current timetable feeds. Service data is built from operators' published GTFS timetables; vehicle ownership is from the 2021 Census.
Frequently Asked Questions - Transport
Transport Stops Detail
53.3% of residents in Goolwa - Port Elliot report no long-term health condition. 9.5% need daily assistance with core activities, and 45.8% hold private health cover. The standardised death rate runs at 4.6 per 1,000 residents. Health conditions, assistance needs and insurance are 2021 Census measures; the death rate comes from current ABS releases.
Detail
Goolwa - Port Elliot exhibits notable health vulnerabilities according to AreaSearch's evaluation of mortality levels and the frequency of chronic illnesses across young and old age groups, with private health insurance coverage sitting at a very low rate of roughly 46% of the population (~6,359 people). This is below the 48.9% rate across Regional SA and the national average of 55.7%. The primary medical diagnoses in the region are arthritis and mental health disorders, which affect 14.3 and 9.3% of the population respectively, whereas 53.3% of residents reported having no chronic medical conditions compared to 62.5% in Regional SA.
The working-age population faces clear health struggles with elevated rates of long-term illness. Additionally, residents aged 65 and over constitute 47.0% of the population (6,530 people), which exceeds the Regional SA share of 27.1%, showing high national rankings compared to the broader population.
Frequently Asked Questions - Health
Goolwa - Port Elliot is largely Australian-born, at 79.4% of residents, with 2.9% speaking a language other than English at home. The largest reported ancestries are English (38.9%) and Australian (26.5%). Ancestry, language and country of birth are counted only by the Census, so these are 2021 figures.
Detail
Goolwa - Port Elliot displays low levels of cultural diversity, with 79.4% of the population born in Australia, 92.0% holding citizenship, and 97.1% speaking only English at home. Christianity is the dominant religion, practiced by 44.5% of residents. The most distinct statistical overrepresentation is observed in Judaism, which accounts for 0.1% of the local population compared to 0.0% across Regional SA. Regarding family ancestry, the top three groups identified in Goolwa - Port Elliot are English at 38.9% of the population (considerably above the regional level of 32.5%), Australian at 26.5%, and Scottish at 8.7%.
There are also distinct variations in other backgrounds: German background represents 6.7% in Goolwa - Port Elliot (compared to 8.2% across the region), Welsh represents 0.8% (compared to 0.5%), and Dutch represents 1.7% (compared to 1.3%).
Frequently Asked Questions - Diversity
The median resident of Goolwa - Port Elliot is 61, older than 98% of areas nationally. 12.5% of residents are aged 15 to 34. Age cohorts are not raw Census counts: the Census split is re-based to the latest ABS population estimates and state projections.
Detail
Goolwa - Port Elliot's median age of 61 years is much higher than the Regional SA median of 47 and exceeds the Australian median of 38. The 75 - 84 age cohort is highly represented at 18.3% compared to Regional SA, while the 25 - 34 cohort is less common at 5.3%. The concentration of residents aged 75 - 84 is far higher than the national figure of 6.1%. Since the 2021 Census, the 75 to 84 cohort grew from 15.6% to 18.3% of the local population, and the 85+ bracket rose from 5.0% to 6.4%, whereas the 55 to 64 bracket fell from 15.7% to 13.6%.
By 2041, the demographic profile of Goolwa - Port Elliot is expected to undergo major shifts. The 85+ cohort is projected to rise sharply, increasing by 1,050 people (118%) from 890 to 1,941. Residents aged 65+ will account for 84% of total population growth, highlighting the aging trend, while the 35 to 44 and 15 to 24 brackets are anticipated to shrink.
Frequently Asked Questions - Age
Data & MethodBoundaries, Sources & Method for Goolwa - Port Elliot
9 of 14 data sections on this page were updated within the last 12 months — the newest current to Aug 2026.
Everything is aggregated to the SA2 boundary shown above, on a 2021 Census baseline. Only 3 sections — housing, households and cultural diversity — still wait on the 2026 Census.
The ledger — source, cycle and currency by section
| Section | Source & update cycle | Currency |
|---|---|---|
| Updated within the last 12 months 9 sections | ||
| Population | ABS, GNAF, Geoscience Australia Annual (ABS ERP) | May 2026 3 months ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Re-based to the ABS Estimated Resident Population (June 2025 release) and updated with new dwellings from GNAF address data. Current to May 2026, with the 2021 Census supplying the small-area baseline. | ||
| Age profile | ABS, Geoscience Australia, State governments Annual | May 2026 3 months ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Age cohorts are re-based to the latest ABS population estimates and state projections, current to May 2026. Each cohort is held as a Census baseline and a current estimate. | ||
| Development & approvals | ABS, GNAF Monthly (ABS approvals) | Jun 2026 2 months ago headline measures · May 2026 baseline |
| Property sales & rents | Valuer General, Rental Board, ABS Weekly sales, quarterly rents | Aug 2026 this month all 21 measures |
| Sales from the state Valuer General register, refreshed weekly, and rents from quarterly rental bond lodgements. Both are read live each time this page loads, current to Aug 2026. | ||
| Infrastructure projects | Infrastructure Australia, State agencies, Local governments Daily | Aug 2026 this month all 7 projects tracked here |
| Project pipeline maintained continuously from Infrastructure Australia, state agencies, local government and public announcements. Records are added and revised daily; this area was last updated Aug 2026. | ||
| Employment | ABS, DEWR, JSA Quarterly (ABS SALM) | Mar 2026 5 months ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Unemployment and labour force from ABS Small Area Labour Markets, current to Mar 2026. The growth outlook applies Department of Employment (now Jobs and Skills Australia) forecasts for all 19 industry divisions to the local industry mix, so it measures sector composition rather than local expansion and makes no allowance for population growth. Job demand comes from the same agency via its Internet Vacancy Index; industry and occupation structure from the 2021 Census. | ||
| Education | ABS, ACARA Annual (ACARA) | Aug 2026 this month headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Transport | ABS, State Transport Departments Each timetable release | Jul 2026 last month headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Services & amenities | Provider directories, ACECQA Continuous | Jul 2026 last month all 14 measures |
| Annual and financial-year sources 2 sections | ||
| Income | ABS, ATO Annual (ATO) | FY 2023 3 years ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| ATO taxable income statistics for FY 2023, indexed forward using the Wage Price Index. Census household income provides the distribution detail. | ||
| Health | ABS, ATO Annual | 2024 2 years ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Census-measured — next update: 2026 Census 3 sections No more current small-area source exists for these, so they are labelled as Census-measured rather than implied to be current. | ||
| Housing | ABS 5-yearly (Census) | 2021 Census next update 2026 all 30 measures |
| Households | ABS 5-yearly (Census) | 2021 Census next update 2026 all 18 measures |
| Cultural diversity | ABS, Geoscience Australia 5-yearly (Census) | 2021 Census next update 2026 all 44 measures |
"Currency" is the most recent release feeding that section. Where the Census supplies the structural baseline underneath a current headline figure, the row says so.
How the numbers are built
Population
The Census provides the small-area baseline, aggregated from mesh blocks to this boundary. It is then re-based to the ABS Estimated Resident Population (June 2025 release), and new dwellings built since Census night are counted from address data — 556 validated new addresses here. The headline figure is therefore a current estimate for May 2026, not a 2021 count (12,516 at the 2021 Census → 13,885 now). Annual growth rates are compound (CAGR), not simple averages.
Age profile
Cohort shares are not raw Census counts. Every cohort is held as a pair — the Census baseline and a current estimate — and the split is re-based using ERP and state population projections, current to May 2026. Median age is the Census median plus modelled change since. Charts that show both are labelled "2021 Census vs Current Estimate".
Property sales
Sourced from the state valuation authority's sales register — current, not Census, and refreshed weekly. Medians are calculated from settled transactions in the period shown; periods with very low transaction counts are flagged or suppressed, because a handful of sales can move a median substantially.
Rents
Derived from state rental bond lodgement data, by dwelling type and bedroom count. Bonds are lodged at the start of a new tenancy, so this reflects new lettings, not the whole rented stock.
Development & infrastructure
Building approvals come from current ABS releases; development applications are collected from council and state planning portals; the infrastructure pipeline is compiled from Infrastructure Australia and local government sources. Applications are matched to this boundary by address or coordinates, so very recent lodgements may not yet appear.
Employment & income
Industry and occupation structure comes from the Census, but the headline labour-market indicators do not. Unemployment and labour force are derived from ABS Small Area Labour Markets (quarterly). The employment outlook applies Department of Employment forecasts for all 19 industry divisions to this area's own industry mix (the agency is now Jobs and Skills Australia), as does the Internet Vacancy Index used for job demand. Because it is weighted on industry composition alone, that outlook carries no allowance for local population growth — in fast-growing areas the real rise in local jobs will typically be higher. Income combines Census household income with ATO taxable-income statistics for FY 2023, indexed forward using the Wage Price Index.
Education, transport & amenities
School enrolments, ICSEA and performance come from ACARA's current release, not the Census. Public transport stops and service frequency are derived from GTFS timetable feeds published by state transport departments. Services and amenities are proximity and count scores built from provider directories, refreshed on their own cycle. The Census contributes only the travel-to-work and qualification measures.
Rankings and benchmarks. Where we rank this area, the comparison set is every area of the same boundary type — suburbs against suburbs, SA2s against SA2s. Benchmarks compare this area against its greater capital city region and the national figure for the same measure and period.
Limits worth knowing. Small areas carry larger error margins, and the ABS introduces small random adjustments to Census counts to protect confidentiality — so totals may not sum exactly. Estimates re-based from regional data describe the area's expected trajectory, not a direct count of it. Figures are indicative for research and are not financial, planning or valuation advice.
Cross-check us. The Census baseline for this boundary is at ABS 2021 Census QuickStats (407011144). QuickStats reports 2021 only — the figures on this page are more current wherever the ledger shows a later date.