Port Augusta

Port Augusta has shown very soft population growth performance across periods assessed by AreaSearch

Port Augusta's population, as of May 2026, is approximately 14,150. This figure represents a 4.7% increase from the 2021 Census population of 13,515 people. The growth can be inferred from the ABS estimated resident population of 14,134 in June 2025 and an additional 80 validated new addresses since the Census date. This results in a population density ratio of 55 persons per square kilometer. Port Augusta's growth rate exceeded that of the SA3 area (3.9%) and the SA4 region, positioning it as a growth leader in the region. Overseas migration contributed approximately 66.6% of overall population gains during recent periods.

AreaSearch uses ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area, released in 2024 with a base year of 2022. For areas not covered by this data and years post-2032, the SA State Government's Regional/LGA projections by age category are adopted, based on 2021 data and adjusted using weighted aggregation from LGA to SA2 levels. Future demographic trends anticipate lower quartile growth for regional areas nationally, with Port Augusta expected to expand by 12 persons to 2041, reflecting a decline of 0.0% in total over the 16 years.

AreaSearch assessment of residential development drivers sees a low level of activity in Port Augusta, placing the area among the bottom 25% of areas assessed nationally

Port Augusta has seen approximately 22 new homes approved annually. From FY-21 to FY-25112 homes were approved, with a further 6 approved in FY-26. Over these five years, an average of 0.4 people moved to the area for each dwelling built.

This suggests that new supply is meeting or exceeding demand, providing ample buyer choice and capacity for population growth beyond current forecasts. The average construction cost value of new dwellings is $274,000. In FY-26, $19.8 million in commercial development approvals have been recorded, indicating moderate levels of commercial development activity compared to the rest of South Australia, which is 14.0% below the regional average per person over the five-year period. Port Augusta's development activity is also below the national average, reflecting its mature status and possible planning constraints.

New developments consist of 95.0% detached dwellings and 5.0% attached dwellings, maintaining the area's traditional low-density character with a focus on family homes. The estimated population per dwelling approval is 1595 people, indicating a quiet, low-activity development environment. With population expected to remain stable or decline, Port Augusta should experience reduced pressure on housing, potentially creating opportunities for buyers.

Port Augusta has limited levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the 10thth percentile nationally

Changes in local infrastructure, major projects, and planning initiatives significantly impact an area's performance. AreaSearch has identified 13 projects that could affect this region. Notable ones include Eucalypt Village - Stirling North Accommodation Development, Port Augusta Technical College, Port Augusta Wharf Upgrade, and St Eyre Estate. The following list details those most likely to be 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.

Employment conditions in Port Augusta face significant challenges, ranking among the bottom 10% of areas assessed nationally

Port Augusta has a balanced workforce with white and blue collar jobs well represented. Essential services sectors are prominent, and the unemployment rate is 13.6%. As of December 2025, 5775 residents are employed while the unemployment rate stands at 13.6%, which is 7.9% higher than Regional SA's rate of 5.7%.

Workforce participation in Port Augusta is similar to Regional SA's 58.3%. Census data shows that only 2.4% of residents work from home, though Covid-19 lockdown impacts should be considered. The leading employment industries among residents are health care & social assistance, public administration & safety, and retail trade. Public administration & safety has a particularly notable concentration with employment levels at 2.6 times the regional average.

Agriculture, forestry & fishing has limited presence in Port Augusta with only 2.7% of employment compared to 14.5% regionally. Many residents appear to commute elsewhere for work based on Census data. Between December 2024 and December 2025, the labour force increased by 1.9%, while employment declined by 6.7%, causing unemployment to rise by 7.9 percentage points. In contrast, Regional SA saw employment grow by 0.7% during this period. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May-25 suggest that national employment is expected to expand by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Port Augusta's employment mix indicates that local employment should increase by 6.1% over five years and 13.0% over ten years, assuming no changes in population projections.

Income levels sit below national averages according to AreaSearch assessment

AreaSearch's latest postcode level ATO data for financial year 2023 shows that income in Port Augusta SA2 is lower than average on a national basis. The median income is $54,221 and the average income stands at $63,035. This contrasts with Regional SA's figures of a median income of $48,920 and an average income of $58,933. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 10.17% since financial year 2023, current estimates would be approximately $59,735 (median) and $69,446 (average) as of March 2026. Census data reveals that household, family and personal incomes in Port Augusta all fall between the 18th and 27th percentiles nationally. Distribution data shows that the largest segment comprises 29.4% earning $1,500 - 2,999 weekly (4,160 residents), reflecting patterns seen in the region where 27.5% similarly occupy this range. While housing costs are modest with 87.9% of income retained, the total disposable income ranks at just the 23rd percentile nationally.

Port Augusta is characterized by a predominantly suburban housing profile, with a higher proportion of rental properties than the broader region

In Port Augusta, as per the latest Census evaluation, 80.1% of dwellings were houses with the remaining 19.9% being semi-detached homes, apartments, or other types. This is compared to Regional South Australia's 88.5% houses and 11.5% other dwellings. Home ownership in Port Augusta stood at 31.6%, with mortgaged dwellings at 29.0% and rented ones at 39.4%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $1,138, lower than Regional SA's average of $1,153. The median weekly rent in Port Augusta was $200, compared to Regional SA's $220. Nationally, Port Augusta's mortgage repayments were significantly lower than the Australian average of $1,863, with rents substantially below the national figure of $375.

Port Augusta features high concentrations of lone person households, with a fairly typical median household size

Family households constitute 64.0% of all households, including 22.4% couples with children, 26.2% couples without children, and 14.0% single parent families. Non-family households account for the remaining 36.0%, with lone person households at 32.9% and group households comprising 3.0%. The median household size is 2.3 people, which aligns with the Regional SA average.

Port Augusta faces educational challenges, with performance metrics placing it in the bottom quartile of areas assessed nationally

The area has university qualification rates of 12.3%, significantly lower than the Australian average of 30.4%. Bachelor degrees are most common at 8.4%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (2.3%) and graduate diplomas (1.6%). Vocational credentials are prevalent, with 36.9% of residents aged 15+ holding them, including advanced diplomas (7.4%) and certificates (29.5%). Educational participation is high at 31.8%, with 14.5% in primary education, 8.6% in secondary education, and 2.5% pursuing tertiary education.

Educational participation is notably high, with 31.8% of residents currently enrolled in formal education. This includes 14.5% in primary education, 8.6% in secondary education, and 2.5% pursuing tertiary education.

No public transport data available for this catchment area.

Health performance in Port Augusta is well below average with prevalence of common health conditions notable across both younger and older age cohorts

Port Augusta faces significant health challenges, as indicated by AreaSearch's assessment of mortality rates and chronic condition prevalence. Both younger and older age cohorts exhibit notable prevalence of common health conditions.

The rate of private health cover is relatively low at approximately 50% of the total population (~7,131 people), compared to the national average of 55.7%. Asthma and arthritis are the most common medical conditions in the area, affecting 10.2 and 9.3% of residents respectively. However, 63.5% of residents declare themselves completely clear of medical ailments, which is slightly higher than the regional SA average of 62.5%. The working-age population faces notable health challenges due to elevated chronic condition rates. As of 2016, approximately 18.8% of Port Augusta's residents are aged 65 and over (2,665 people), which is lower than the regional SA average of 27.1%. While health outcomes among seniors present some challenges, they generally align with national rankings for the broader population.

Port Augusta is considerably less culturally diverse than average when assessed alongside AreaSearch's national rankings for language and cultural background related metrics

Port Augusta was found to have below average cultural diversity, with 83.7% of its population being Australian citizens, born in Australia on 90.7%, and speaking English only at home on 92.0%. Christianity is the main religion in Port Augusta, making up 39.7% of its population. However, the most notable overrepresentation was seen in the 'Other' category, comprising 1.5% compared to regional SA's 0.8%.

In terms of ancestry, the top three represented groups were Australian at 31.2%, English at 26.6% (lower than the regional average of 32.5%), and Australian Aboriginal at 14.4% (substantially higher than the regional average of 3.3%). Notably, German ancestry was overrepresented in Port Augusta at 5.2% compared to the regional figure of 8.2%.

Port Augusta's population is slightly younger than the national pattern

Port Augusta's median age is 38 years, which is notably lower than Regional South Australia's average of 47 but aligns with Australia's median age of 38. The age profile reveals that individuals aged 25-34 are particularly prominent, making up 14.3% of the population, while those aged 65-74 comprise a smaller proportion at 10.0%, compared to Regional South Australia. Between 2021 and the present, the age group of 35-44 has increased from 12.0% to 14.3% of Port Augusta's population. Conversely, the 45-54 cohort has decreased from 12.2% to 11.1%, and the 25-34 age group has dropped slightly from 15.4% to 14.3%. Population forecasts for 2041 indicate significant demographic changes in Port Augusta, with the 85+ cohort projected to grow by 96%, adding 297 residents to reach a total of 606. Senior residents aged 65 and above will drive 79% of population growth, highlighting the trend towards an aging population. Conversely, population declines are projected for the age groups of 0-4 and 15-24.