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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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Port Augusta has an estimated 14,150 residents, up from 13,515 at the 2021 Census — a change of 635 people, or 4.7%. Density is about 56 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 Port Augusta is approximately 14,150 in May 2026. This represents a growth of 635 residents (4.7%) from the 2021 Census, which recorded 13,515 individuals. This change is calculated using the June 2025 ABS estimated resident population of 14,134 along with 80 validated new addresses registered after the Census. The population density stands at 55 persons per square kilometer, indicating a spacious environment for residents. The 4.7% population expansion in Port Augusta since the 2021 census outperformed the SA3 region (3.9%) and the SA4 area, making it a regional growth leader.
Overseas migration was the primary driver of this growth, accounting for roughly 66.6% of the total population increase in recent times. AreaSearch utilizes ABS and Geoscience Australia projections published in 2024 with a 2022 baseline for each SA2 locality. Where these datasets are unavailable, and for all projections beyond 2032, calculations rely on the 2023 SA State Government Regional/LGA age category projections (based on 2021 figures) adapted through weighted aggregation from LGA to SA2 levels. Future projections point to lower quartile growth matching regional trends nationwide, with the locality projected to add 12 persons by 2041 relative to the latest annual ERP statistics, representing a decline of 0.0% over the 16 years.
Frequently Asked Questions - Population
112 new dwellings have been approved in Port Augusta over the past five years, an average of 22 a year. That is 1.6 approvals per 1,000 residents. Approvals are currently running at an annualised 8, well below 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
Annual residential approvals in Port Augusta average approximately 22 dwellings, with 112 approvals recorded across the last 5 financial years (from FY-21 to FY-25) and 8 recorded during FY-26 so far. Because the ratio of new residents to completed dwellings averaged just 0.6 people per home over the past 5 financial years (from FY-21 to FY-25), the supply of housing is matching or exceeding demand, widening options for buyers and allowing for potential growth beyond forecasts, while new dwellings carry an average construction cost of $274,000. Additionally, commercial development is moving at a moderate pace, with $19.8 million in commercial approvals documented in the current financial year.
Compared to the Rest of SA, Port Augusta shows slightly higher development rates (14.0% above the regional per capita benchmark over the 5 year timeframe), which supports existing home values while preserving choice for buyers, even though building activity has slowed down recently. This rate remains lower than the national figure, indicating a mature market and highlighting potential constraints on construction. Standalone houses make up 95.0% of new residential projects, while medium and high-density builds constitute 5.0%, preserving the traditional low-density profile of the area and highlighting spacious homes suitable for families. The ratio of 1598 people per residential approval highlights the quiet nature of local construction activity. Given that the population is projected to remain steady or contract, Port Augusta is likely to experience less pressure on its housing market, which could create favorable opportunities for prospective buyers.
Frequently Asked Questions - Development
Development applications around Port Augusta
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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 13 current infrastructure and development projects inside Port Augusta, worth an estimated $36 million. A further 68 sit in the immediately surrounding suburbs, taking the tracked pipeline within reach of the area to $24.9 billion. 25 are already under construction and 16 are due for completion within three years. The pipeline spans residential development, energy and ports, marinas, fisheries & aquaculture. 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
Local infrastructure updates, large-scale projects, and planning changes have a significant impact on regional performance. AreaSearch has identified 13 active projects expected to affect the community. Key developments include the Eucalypt Village - Stirling North Accommodation Development, the Port Augusta Technical College, the Port Augusta Wharf Upgrade, and the St Eyre Estate, with details on the most relevant schemes provided below.
Professional plan users can use the search below to filter and access additional projects.
INFRASTRUCTURE SEARCH
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
St Eyre Estate
A residential estate development located in Port Augusta West, offering vacant allotments allowing for custom home builds set against the scenic Baxter Ranges. Infrastructure for Stages 4 & 5A is already in place, including sealed roads, curbing, power, and water, with 60 spacious allotments each approximately 1200 square meters.
McKinnon Court Residential Development
A 3,100 sqm residential infill development site being marketed for residential subdivision or a small housing development, subject to council consent. As of 2026 the land remains listed for sale and there is no evidence of a lodged development application or construction commencing.
Eucalypt Village - Stirling North Accommodation Development
Purpose-built staged accommodation village comprising around 90 rooms including dormitory accommodation, motel-style units and studio apartments for essential workers, students, health practitioners and emergency service personnel servicing the Upper Spencer Gulf region. As of the latest publicly available information the project remains subject to planning, environmental and delivery approvals and no confirmed construction commencement has been announced.
Regional Key Worker Housing Scheme - Port Augusta
Construction of 35 new homes as part of the Regional Key Worker Housing Scheme to address the critical need for purpose-built government worker housing. Four two-and-three-bedroom homes are being built in Port Augusta west of the Joy Baluch AM Bridge. The program will deliver 35 new regional homes across several locations in SA to address the critical need for purpose-built government worker housing.
McIntosh Crescent Road Resealing
Sections of roadway on McIntosh Crescent in Port Augusta West require resealing due to deterioration and wear. The project will use a two-coat bitumen spray seal with a crumbed rubber binder.
Port Augusta Technical College
A new technical college co-located on the Port Augusta Secondary School site, providing an alternative senior secondary option that equips students with the workplace skills needed in areas of high demand. One of five technical colleges committed to by the State Government as part of a $208 million plan. The Technical College will open in 2025.
Port Augusta Wharf Upgrade
Upgrade of the heritage-listed Port Augusta Wharf to ensure long-term structural integrity and improve public access for recreational purposes. The scope includes new wharf decks, girders, cross heads, cross bracing, and about 80 new steel piles. The refurbished wharf will be load-rated for light motor vehicles up to three tonnes and for pedestrians.
Cleary Street Residential Subdivision
A development opportunity in Port Augusta West comprising a 1.4 hectare R-Residential zoned site at 3-5 Cleary Street. A preliminary development plan exists to subdivide the land into 18 allotments, subject to council approval. The land is listed for sale at $499,000-$548,000.
5,678 residents of Port Augusta are employed, from a labour force of 6,574. Unemployment sits at 13.6%, with participation at 56.4%. Weighted for its industry mix, the area's sectors are forecast to grow about 6.1% 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
The workforce in Port Augusta is balanced between white-collar and blue-collar occupations, with a strong presence of essential services, alongside an unemployment rate of 13.6%. As of March 2026, employed residents numbered 5,678, while the unemployment rate was 8.2% higher than the Regional SA average of 5.5%, indicating room for growth, and participation in the labour force was slightly below the regional benchmark (56.4% compared to 58.4% in Regional SA). Census records show that a low 2.4% of residents worked from home, although this should be interpreted in the context of Covid-19 restrictions.
The primary employment sectors for local residents are health care & social assistance, public administration & safety, and retail trade. Public administration & safety is highly concentrated in this area, with local employment ratios reaching 2.6 times the regional average. Conversely, agriculture, forestry & fishing is less prominent, employing 2.7% of the workforce compared to 14.5% across the region. While local jobs are available, a comparison of Census worker data to the local population suggests a significant portion of residents travel outside the area for employment. AreaSearch's analysis of SALM and ABS statistics shows that during the year leading to March 2026, the local workforce shrank by 1.6% and total employment fell by 9.2%, causing the unemployment rate to expand by 7.2 percentage points. In contrast, Regional SA experienced a 1.2% rise in employment, a 2.6% expansion in the labour force, and a 1.4 percentage point increase in unemployment. National employment forecasts released by Jobs and Skills Australia in May-25 provide additional context regarding future demand trends in Port Augusta. These five and ten-year forecasts have been correlated with local employment statistics to project future staffing patterns. Locally, applying these industry-specific national projections (which predict a 6.6% expansion over five years and 13.7% over ten years nationally, with major differences between sectors) suggests local employment could rise by 6.1% over five years and 13.0% over ten years, representing a basic weighting extrapolation for illustration rather than a localized population forecast.
Frequently Asked Questions - Employment
Median household income in Port Augusta is $1,277 a week (about $66,000 a year), with median personal income at $697 a week. ATO records put median taxable income at $54,221 a year against an average of $63,035. 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 ATO data from the 2023 financial year indicates that incomes in the Port Augusta SA2 fall below the national standard, with a median of $54,221 and an average of $63,035. This is higher than the Regional SA benchmarks, which stand at a median of $48,920 and an average of $58,933. Factor in Wage Price Index growth of 10.17% since the 2023 financial year, current estimated values would reach roughly $59,735 for the median and $69,446 for the average as of March 2026. According to Census data, household, family, and personal incomes in the locality fall between the 18th and 27th percentiles nationwide.
The largest income group consists of the 29.4% of residents (4,160 people) earning between $1,500 and $2,999 per week, mirroring the regional trend where 27.5% fall into this bracket. Although residents retain 87.9% of their income due to modest housing costs, total disposable income sits in the 23rd percentile nationally.
Frequently Asked Questions - Income
Port Augusta had 4,993 occupied dwellings at the 2021 Census, 80% detached houses and 7% apartments. 29% are owned with a mortgage, 39% rented and 32% owned outright. At that Census the median rent was $200 a week and the median mortgage repayment $1,138 a month. Rent absorbs 15.7% of household income here and mortgage repayments 20.6%. Dwelling stock, tenure and housing costs are 2021 Census measures — the only source that counts dwellings at this boundary size.
Detail
At the time of the last Census, the housing stock in Port Augusta consisted of 80.1% standalone houses and 19.9% alternative housing types like semi-detached properties and apartments, compared to Regional SA where standalone houses made up 88.5% and alternative options accounted for 11.5%. Home ownership in Port Augusta was lower than the regional rate at 31.6%, with the remaining properties being mortgaged (29.0%) or rented (39.4%). The median mortgage payment in the area was $1,138 per month, and the median rent was $200 per week, both below the Regional SA figures of $1,153 and $220.
Compared to national levels, local monthly mortgages are much lower than the Australian average of $1,863, and weekly rents are well below the national median of $375.
Frequently Asked Questions - Housing
Port Augusta counted 4,993 households at the 2021 Census, averaging 2.3 people each. 22% are couples with children, fewer than in 79% of areas nationally, against 26% 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 64.0%, consisting of couples with children at 22.4%, couples without children at 26.2%, and single-parent households at 14.0%. The remaining 36.0% are non-family households, which include lone person living arrangements at 32.9% and group households at 3.0%. The median household size is 2.3 individuals, aligning with the regional average.
Frequently Asked Questions - Households
12.3% of adults in Port Augusta hold a university qualification, including 8.4% with a bachelor degree and 2.3% with postgraduate qualifications, lower than 94% of areas nationally. A further 29.5% hold a vocational qualification. 11 schools serve the area, with 2,397 enrolment places and an average ICSEA of 855 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
Educational attainment levels present a challenge in the region, with university completion rates at 12.3% compared to the national average of 30.4%. This gap offers an opportunity for focused educational programs. Among university graduates, bachelor degrees are the most common at 8.4%, followed by postgraduate degrees at 2.3% and graduate diplomas at 1.6%. Vocational and technical training is highly prevalent, with 36.9% of residents aged 15 and over holding qualification certificates (29.5%) or advanced diplomas (7.4%). Participation in study is quite high in the area, with 31.8% of the population enrolled in an educational institution.
This group includes 14.5% in primary schools, 8.6% in high schools, and 2.5% undertaking tertiary studies.
Frequently Asked Questions - Education
Schools Detail
Getting around Port Augusta means driving: households keep an average of 1.3 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
63.5% of residents in Port Augusta report no long-term health condition, a less healthy profile than 90% of areas nationally. 6.3% need daily assistance with core activities, and 50.4% hold private health cover. The standardised death rate runs at 7.0 per 1,000 residents. Health conditions, assistance needs and insurance are 2021 Census measures; the death rate comes from current ABS releases.
Detail
Analysis of mortality statistics and chronic health conditions by AreaSearch indicates that Port Augusta faces notable health concerns, with common illnesses affecting both younger and older residents, while private health insurance coverage is low at roughly 50% of the population (~7,131 people) compared to the national average of 55.7%. Asthma and arthritis are the most common medical diagnoses, affecting 10.2% and 9.3% of the population respectively, while 63.5% of residents reported having no chronic medical conditions, slightly higher than the 62.5% regional average. The working-age cohort experiences elevated rates of chronic illness, representing a major challenge.
Seniors aged 65 and over make up 18.8% of the population (2,665 residents), which is lower than the Regional SA average of 27.1%. Senior health outcomes show some difficulties, with national rankings matching the patterns seen in the broader local population.
Frequently Asked Questions - Health
Port Augusta is largely Australian-born, at 90.7% of residents, with 8.0% speaking a language other than English at home. The largest reported ancestries are Australian (31.2%) and English (26.6%). 14.4% of residents identify as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander. Ancestry, language and country of birth are counted only by the Census, so these are 2021 figures.
Detail
The level of cultural diversity in Port Augusta is below the national average, with citizens making up 83.7% of the community, 90.7% of residents born in Australia, and 92.0% speaking only English at home. Christianity is the dominant religious affiliation, representing 39.7% of the population. The most notable deviation from regional averages is in the Other category, which accounts for 1.5% of residents compared to 0.8% across Regional SA. Regarding parental birthplace, the largest groups in Port Augusta are Australian at 31.2%, English at 26.6% (which is below the regional average of 32.5%), and Australian Aboriginal at 14.4% (which is much higher than the regional average of 3.3%).
Other ethnic heritages show different patterns, with German ancestry recorded at 5.2% of the local population compared to 8.2% regionally.
Frequently Asked Questions - Diversity
The median resident of Port Augusta is 38. 25.9% 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
The median age of 38 years in Port Augusta is lower than the Regional SA average of 47 and matches the national figure of 38 years. Looking at the age distribution, young adults aged 25 to 34 are highly represented at 14.3%, whereas the 65 to 74 cohort is smaller at 10.0% compared to Regional SA. Since 2021, the 35 to 44 age cohort grew from 12.0% to 14.3%, while the 45 to 54 group fell from 12.2% to 11.1% and the 25 to 34 group decreased from 15.4% to 14.3%.
Projections for the year 2041 indicate demographic shifts, with the 85+ cohort showing the fastest projected growth of 96%, adding 297 residents to reach a total of 606. Residents aged 65 and over will account for 79% of the population growth, highlighting local aging trends, while the 0 to 4 and 15 to 24 cohorts are expected to decrease.
Frequently Asked Questions - Age
Data & MethodBoundaries, Sources & Method for Port Augusta
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 13 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 — 80 validated new addresses here. The headline figure is therefore a current estimate for May 2026, not a 2021 count (13,515 at the 2021 Census → 14,150 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 (406021142). QuickStats reports 2021 only — the figures on this page are more current wherever the ledger shows a later date.