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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 Pirie has an estimated 14,228 residents, up from 13,896 at the 2021 Census — a change of 332 people, or 2.4%. That puts 189 residents on each 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
Port Pirie's population stands at approximately 14,228 as of May 2026, according to analysis by AreaSearch. This represents a growth of 332 people (2.4%) relative to the 13,896 individuals recorded during the 2021 Census. This adjustment is calculated using the June 2025 ABS estimated resident population of 14,195 along with 99 validated new addresses registered after the Census. The resulting population density is 189 persons per square kilometer, which indicates low density and permits potential future expansion. The primary catalyst for recent demographic gains was overseas migration, which served as the exclusive driver of growth.
Projections from ABS and Geoscience Australia published in 2024 with a 2022 baseline are utilized for SA2 zones. For areas lacking this data, or for periods past 2032, regional and LGA projections by age bracket from the SA State Government released in 2023 using 2021 data are applied, using weighted aggregation to transition from LGA to SA2 levels. Based on this approach, the overall headcount is projected to contract by 88 persons by 2041. In contrast, specific age brackets will expand, particularly the cohort aged 85 and over, which is set to rise by 313 people. Refer to the age breakdown for further details.
Frequently Asked Questions - Population
122 new dwellings have been approved in Port Pirie over the past five years, an average of 24 a year. That is 1.7 approvals per 1,000 residents. Of the 20 dwellings approved in the latest reporting year, 95% were detached houses and the rest townhouses or apartments. Approvals are currently running at an annualised 27, 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
An average of 24 dwellings receive development approval annually in Port Pirie, representing 122 homes over the last 5 financial years. There have been 25 approvals logged in FY-26 so far. With the population shrinking, incoming supply has likely matched demand, ensuring home buyers have choice, while construction costs average $218,000 per dwelling, a level below the regional standard that indicates affordable entry points. Commercial approvals have reached $18.5 million this financial year, showing moderate non-residential investment. Per capita building activity in Port Pirie is 13.0% lower than in the Rest of SA, ranking in the 24th percentile of all areas nationwide.
This leads to relatively limited options for buyers, which supports demand for pre-existing properties. This rate is also below the country-wide average, showing the established nature of the local market and hinting at potential planning barriers. Recent projects consist of 95.0% separate houses and 5.0% medium and high-density developments, preserving the historic low-density profile focused on family residences for those wanting space. The ratio of 790 people for every single dwelling approval underscores the calm, low-volume building environment. Given that demographic projections suggest stable or shrinking population numbers, Port Pirie is likely to experience less pressure on housing demand, which should benefit buyers.
Frequently Asked Questions - Development
Development applications around Port Pirie
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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 Pirie, worth an estimated $3.27 billion. A further 64 sit in the immediately surrounding suburbs, taking the tracked pipeline within reach of the area to $19.4 billion. 24 are already under construction and 15 are due for completion within three years. The pipeline spans residential development, energy and tourism. 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 in infrastructure projects, development planning, and local initiatives significantly shape regional performance. AreaSearch has identified a total of 14 projects likely to influence the area. Important projects include the Port Pirie Riverbank Precinct, the Green Iron SA Port Pirie Hub, the Greening Port Pirie Program, and the Balmoral Park Estate Expansion, with the list below highlighting the most relevant ones.
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
Greening Port Pirie Program
A state-funded partnership between the SA Government, Port Pirie Regional Council, and SA Water focused on reducing lead exposure through extensive urban greening and dust suppression. Key components include the redevelopment of Phoenix Park Wetlands, Water Sensitive Urban Design streetscaping along The Terrace, and the greening of the Port Pirie Railway Yards using native vegetation.
Green Iron SA Port Pirie Hub
Green Iron SA is a consortium-led initiative developing a green iron supply chain in South Australia centered in Port Pirie. High-level engineering for a premium iron ore export pathway via Port Pirie Berth 7 was completed, focusing on upgrading rail and port infrastructure to export magnetite concentrate from the Razorback Iron Ore Project. The design incorporates sealed handling systems to support future green hydrogen-based pellet and Hot Briquetted Iron production.
Port Pirie Riverbank Precinct
The Port Pirie Riverbank Precinct project is a multi-staged renewal of the city's foreshore area. Stage 1 focuses on Solomontown Beach and the creation of a vibrant youth precinct. Key features include a connected promenade, new picnic shelters and BBQs, upgraded toilet facilities, a beach deck with shade structures, a pump track, and a basketball half-court. The project aims to revitalize the waterfront, providing modern recreational facilities for the local community and enhancing the area's appeal to tourists.
Balmoral Park Estate Expansion
A two-stage expansion of an existing estate in Risdon Park, Port Pirie, delivering 10 fit-for-purpose rental homes for key workers and 42 additional serviced housing allotments. The 10 homes will be leased to the Government Employee Housing scheme for a minimum of 10 years to support essential workforce retention, backed by 1 million dollars in funding from Renewal SA's Regional Housing Initiatives Program.
Port Pirie Masterplan / Yorke Peninsula and Mid North Regional Plan
A 30-year blueprint for the Yorke Peninsula and Mid North region, identifying land use and infrastructure to support a projected population increase of 17,677 by 2051. The plan designates Port Pirie as the primary Regional City, focusing on essential services, logistics, and its expanding role in critical minerals and energy. Key active components include the Riverbank Precinct redevelopment (Stage 1 nature play and beach shelter upgrades), the Greening Port Pirie Rail Yards project (16,500 seedlings planted to reduce lead dust exposure), and Nyrstar's industrial transformation, which achieved its first commercial shipment of Australian-produced Antimony metal in February 2026.The plan is now delivered via an interactive electronic Regional Planning Portal rather than a static document.
Balmoral Park Estate Expansion
Renewal SA selected Graycar Contractors to deliver 10 rental homes for key workers and 42 residential allotments at Balmoral Park Estate. The two-stage expansion is supported by a 1 million AUD grant from the Regional Housing Initiatives Program. Chelsea Homes will construct the homes and civil works within 30 months from August 2025.
Southfields Rural Estate
A rural acreage estate offering 17 large land allotments (approx. 5,000m2 - 5,232m2) with mains water, electricity, and NBN connection, providing country living opportunities 5km from Port Pirie in the Mid North region of South Australia. The current stage is available for sale.
Nyrstar Port Pirie Smelter Transformation
Major redevelopment of the Nyrstar lead-zinc smelter at Port Pirie to implement advanced PAR (Port Pirie Advanced Recycling) technology, significantly reducing lead-in-air emissions, modernising the facility and securing its long-term future. The A$750 million transformation project reached full mechanical completion in 2023 with final commissioning and performance testing completed in 2024.
5,853 residents of Port Pirie are employed, from a labour force of 6,508. Unemployment sits at 10.1%, with participation at 54.6%. Weighted for its industry mix, the area's sectors are forecast to grow about 5.8% 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 local workforce exhibits a mix of white and blue collar jobs, with significant representation in public and essential services. The unemployment rate is 10.1%, while estimated employment growth was 5.2% over the previous year. By March 2026, 5,853 local residents were employed, and the unemployment rate was 4.6% higher than the Regional SA average of 5.5%, indicating potential for labor market improvement. Participation stands at 54.6%, lagging the Regional SA benchmark of 58.4%. According to Census records, only a low 3.0% of the workforce worked from home, though this figure may reflect pandemic lockdown conditions.
Resident employment is heavily weighted toward health care & social assistance, manufacturing, and retail trade. The local concentration of health care & social assistance jobs is notably high, at 1.4 times the regional proportion. In contrast, agriculture, forestry & fishing accounts for only 1.0% of local jobs compared to the regional benchmark of 14.5%. Comparing the census-recorded working population to the local headcount suggests that many residents travel outside the area for their jobs, despite local options. Data from SALM and the ABS analyzed by AreaSearch shows that in the year ending March 2026, employment grew by 5.2% and the labor force expanded by 3.5%, resulting in a 1.4 percentage point reduction in the unemployment rate. This contrasts with Regional SA, where employment rose by 1.2%, the labor force grew by 2.6%, and the unemployment rate increased by 1.4 percentage points. National employment projections from May-25 by Jobs and Skills Australia provide further context for future trends in Port Pirie. These five and ten-year forecasts have been applied to the local workforce structure to model future growth. Nationally, employment is predicted to grow by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, though rates differ by industry. Projecting these industry-specific trends onto the local workforce mix suggests that Port Pirie employment could grow by 5.8% over five years and 12.9% over ten years, based on a simple weighted extrapolation that does not account for local population changes.
Frequently Asked Questions - Employment
Median household income in Port Pirie is $1,044 a week (about $54,000 a year), with median personal income at $570 a week. ATO records put median taxable income at $49,905 a year against an average of $58,603. 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 median taxpayer income in the Port Pirie SA2 is $49,905, with an average of $58,603, based on financial year 2023 ATO postcode data aggregated by AreaSearch. These figures are below the national average, and compare to a median of $48,920 and an average of $58,933 for Regional SA. Factoring in Wage Price Index growth of 10.17% since financial year 2023, current estimates for March 2026 are approximately $54,980 (median) and $64,563 (average). The 2021 Census places household, family, and personal incomes in the area between the 4th and 8th percentiles nationally.
The income bracket of $400 - 799 contains 30.4% of the population (4,325 individuals), contrasting with the wider region where the $1,500 - 2,999 category is most common at 27.5%. Although housing costs are low, with residents keeping 87.1% of their income, total disposable income sits in the 8th percentile nationally.
Frequently Asked Questions - Income
Port Pirie had 5,847 occupied dwellings at the 2021 Census, 84% detached houses and 2% apartments. 32% are owned with a mortgage, 34% rented and 33% owned outright. At that Census the median rent was $185 a week and the median mortgage repayment $951 a month. Rent absorbs 17.7% of household income here and mortgage repayments 21.0%. Dwelling stock, tenure and housing costs are 2021 Census measures — the only source that counts dwellings at this boundary size.
Detail
According to the latest Census, residential structures in Port Pirie consist of 83.8% separate houses and 16.1% alternative dwellings such as townhouses and flats, compared to 88.5% houses and 11.5% other dwellings across Regional SA. Home ownership in Port Pirie is lower than the Regional SA level at 33.3%, while 32.3% of homes have a mortgage and 34.3% are rented. The median monthly mortgage payment was $951, which is below the Regional SA average, while the median weekly rent was $185, compared to Regional SA figures of $1,153 and $220.
Nationally, mortgage costs in Port Pirie are much lower than the Australian average of $1,863, and rents are also well below the national median of $375.
Frequently Asked Questions - Housing
Port Pirie counted 5,847 households at the 2021 Census, averaging 2.2 people each. 21% are couples with children, fewer than in 85% of areas nationally, against 26% couples without children. 36% 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 61.4%, consisting of couples with children (20.6%), couples without children (25.7%), and single parent households (14.0%). Non-family households account for 38.6% of the total, with lone person households representing 36.4% and group households at 2.3%. The median household size is 2.2 residents, slightly lower than the Regional SA average of 2.3.
Frequently Asked Questions - Households
10.2% of adults in Port Pirie hold a university qualification, including 7.5% with a bachelor degree and 1.5% with postgraduate qualifications, lower than 96% of areas nationally. A further 29.5% hold a vocational qualification. 9 schools serve the area, with 2,640 enrolment places and an average ICSEA of 909 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
Local education statistics indicate room for advancement, with university graduation rates at 10.2% compared to the national average of 30.4%. This highlights a clear opportunity for targeted educational support. Bachelor degrees are held by 7.5% of residents, while postgraduate degrees and graduate diplomas are held by 1.5% and 1.2% respectively. Vocational skills are highly prevalent, with 35.9% of residents aged 15+ holding qualifications, consisting of advanced diplomas (6.4%) and certificates (29.5%). A high proportion of residents are engaged in studies, with 25.1% of the population enrolled in formal education. This group includes 10.1% in primary school, 8.8% in high school, and 1.9% studying at the tertiary level.
Frequently Asked Questions - Education
Schools Detail
Getting around Port Pirie 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
58.8% of residents in Port Pirie report no long-term health condition, a less healthy profile than 94% of areas nationally. 9.4% need daily assistance with core activities, and 48.4% hold private health cover. The standardised death rate runs at 7.4 per 1,000 residents. Health conditions, assistance needs and insurance are 2021 Census measures; the death rate comes from current ABS releases.
Detail
Port Pirie exhibits significant health issues based on AreaSearch assessments of mortality and chronic illness rates, which affect both younger and older cohorts. Private health insurance coverage is low, with only about 48% of the population (~6,886 people) covered, compared to the national benchmark of 55.7%. Arthritis and mental health conditions are the most prevalent illnesses, affecting 11.7% and 10.7% of residents respectively. Around 58.8% of the population reported no chronic conditions, compared to 62.5% in Regional SA. The working-age cohort faces notable challenges due to elevated rates of chronic illness.
Residents aged 65 and over make up 23.8% of the population (3,389 people), which is lower than the Regional SA average of 27.1%. Senior health outcomes present challenges, with national rankings generally matching those of the broader local population.
Frequently Asked Questions - Health
Port Pirie is largely Australian-born, at 91.7% of residents, with 5.0% speaking a language other than English at home. The largest reported ancestries are Australian (33.4%) and English (32.3%). 3.7% 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
Cultural diversity in Port Pirie is lower than average, with 91.9% of residents holding citizenship, 91.7% born in Australia, and 95.0% speaking only English at home. Christianity is the dominant religion, practiced by 45.6% of the population. The most visible religious overrepresentation is Islam, which accounts for 0.7% of the population compared to 0.5% in Regional SA. Regarding ancestry, the three largest groups in Port Pirie are Australian at 33.4%, English at 32.3%, and Irish at 5.9%. There are also notable differences in other backgrounds: German ancestry is recorded for 5.8% of residents (compared to 8.2% regionally), Italian at 4.7% (compared to 1.7% regionally), and Australian Aboriginal at 3.7% (compared to 3.3% regionally).
Frequently Asked Questions - Diversity
The median resident of Port Pirie is 43. 24.9% 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 43 years in Port Pirie is lower than the Regional SA average of 47, but higher than the national median of 38 years. Residents aged 25 - 34 are highly represented at 12.4%, while the 65 - 74 bracket is smaller (11.8%) than in Regional SA. Since 2021, the 75 to 84 cohort grew from 8.0% to 8.8% of the population, whereas the 45 to 54 cohort fell from 12.8% to 11.1%. By 2041, the age structure is projected to alter significantly. The 85+ cohort is expected to grow by 67% (307 people), expanding from 460 to 768.
This aging trend is prominent, with those aged 65 and over accounting for 99% of all projected population growth, while the 25 to 34 and 0 to 4 groups are expected to contract.
Frequently Asked Questions - Age
Data & MethodBoundaries, Sources & Method for Port Pirie
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 — 99 validated new addresses here. The headline figure is therefore a current estimate for May 2026, not a 2021 count (13,896 at the 2021 Census → 14,228 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 (405031122). QuickStats reports 2021 only — the figures on this page are more current wherever the ledger shows a later date.