Chart Color Schemes
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.
est. as @ -- *
ABS ERP | -- people | --
2021 Census | -- people
Sales Activity
Curious about local property values? Filter the chart to assess the volume and appreciation (including resales) trends and regional comparisons, or scroll to the map below view this information at an individual property level.
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What it costs to rent in Port Pirie Surrounds
Median weekly rents, year-on-year movement and bond-lodgement activity for Port Pirie Surrounds (5540). Sourced from the NSW Rental Bond Board, DCJ Family & Community Services.
Median rent
$514
per week · Q4 2025
YoY change
▲+21.6%
vs same quarter last year
Active bonds
≈0
est. · currently held
New bonds
≈8
est. · this quarter
Latest Quarter Breakdown · Q4 2025
| Dwelling | Bedrooms | Median $/wk | Active bonds | New bonds (Qtr) | YoY | Quality |
|---|
SOURCE: NSW Rental Bond Board (DCJ Family & Community Services), processed by AreaSearch. Imputed values are flagged. Latest publication:
Population
Port Pirie Surrounds is positioned among the lower quartile of areas assessed nationally for population growth based on AreaSearch's assessment of recent, and medium term trends
Based on AreaSearch's analysis, Port Pirie Surrounds' population was around 3437 as of May 2026. This reflected an increase of 102 people (3.1%) since the 2021 Census which reported a population of 3335 people. The change was inferred from the estimated resident population of 3433 from the ABS as of June 2025 and an additional 51 validated new addresses since the Census date. This level of population equated to a density ratio of 2.2 persons per square kilometer, providing ample space per person. Port Pirie Surrounds' growth of 3.1% since the 2021 census exceeded the SA3 area's growth of 2.4%, marking it as a growth leader in the region. Population growth for the area was primarily driven by interstate migration.
AreaSearch adopted ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area, released in 2024 with 2022 as the base year. For areas not covered and years post-2032, the SA State Government's Regional/LGA projections were adopted with adjustments made employing a method of weighted aggregation of population growth from LGA to SA2 levels. Projections indicated an overall population decline by 2 persons by 2041, but specific age cohorts like the 75 to 84 group were expected to grow by 89 people.
Frequently Asked Questions - Population
Development
AreaSearch assessment of residential development drivers sees a low level of activity in Port Pirie Surrounds, placing the area among the bottom 25% of areas assessed nationally
Port Pirie Surrounds has averaged approximately 11 new dwelling approvals annually over the past five financial years, totalling 58 homes. In the current financial year FY-26, 13 approvals have been recorded. The average number of people moving to the area per dwelling built over these five years is 0.3. This indicates that new supply is keeping pace with or exceeding demand, providing ample buyer choice and creating capacity for population growth beyond current forecasts.
The average expected construction cost value of new dwellings is $209,000, which is below regional norms, offering more affordable housing options for purchasers. In this financial year, $3.1 million in commercial approvals have been registered, reflecting the area's primarily residential nature. Compared to the Rest of SA, Port Pirie Surrounds has 74.0% more development activity per person, offering buyers greater choice. However, construction activity has eased recently, which is below average nationally and may indicate planning constraints or maturity in the area's development. All recent development has been detached houses, maintaining the area's traditional low density character with a focus on family homes appealing to those seeking space.
The estimated count of people per dwelling approval is 397, reflecting its quiet, low activity development environment. With population expected to remain stable or decline, Port Pirie Surrounds should see reduced pressure on housing, potentially creating opportunities for buyers in the future.
Frequently Asked Questions - Development
Development applications around Port Pirie Surrounds
Loading development applications…
| Lodged | Address | Description | Type | Distance | Status |
|---|
SOURCE: Planning portals and council registers, compiled by AreaSearch. Distance & bearing measured from the suburb midpoint.
Infrastructure
Port Pirie Surrounds has limited levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the 17thth percentile nationally
The performance of an area can significantly influenced by changes in local infrastructure, major projects, and planning initiatives. AreaSearch has identified 16 such projects that could impact the area. Notable projects include Bungama Battery Project, Key Worker Housing Initiative, Green Iron SA Port Pirie Hub, and Port Pirie Masterplan / Yorke Peninsula and Mid North Regional Plan. The following list details those considered most relevant.
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Frequently Asked Questions - Infrastructure
Greening Port Pirie Program
A 5.7 million dollar state-funded partnership between the SA Government and Port Pirie Regional Council, focused on reducing lead exposure through urban greening. Key components include the redevelopment of Phoenix Park Wetlands, Water Sensitive Urban Design (WSUD) streetscaping along The Terrace and Pirie West, and native plant giveaways. The program also includes the greening of the Port Pirie Railway Yards led by SA Water, utilizing native chenopod and grass species to stabilize dust and improve biodiversity.
Green Iron SA Port Pirie Hub
Green Iron SA is a consortium-led initiative to develop a green iron supply chain in South Australia. A March 2026 update confirmed the completion of high-level engineering for a premium iron ore export pathway via Port Pirie Berth 7. The project involves upgrading existing rail and port infrastructure to export high-purity magnetite concentrate from the Razorback Iron Ore Project. The design features enclosed handling systems and sealed conveyors to minimize community impacts like dust and noise. This export phase serves as a precursor to future green hydrogen-based pellet and Hot Briquetted Iron (HBI) production.
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.
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.
Port Pirie Riverbank Precinct
Multi-staged renewal of the Port Pirie foreshore focused on Solomontown Beach and a youth precinct. Stage 1 delivers a connected promenade, new shelters and BBQs, upgraded toilets, a beach deck with shade structure, a pump track and a basketball half court to enhance community recreation and tourism.
Port Pirie Wharf Upgrades
Infrastructure upgrade project involving sealing of 19,350 square metres of previously unsurfaced port area with 6,100 tonnes of asphalt. Removal of 8,800 tonnes of contaminated material and addition of 9,100 tonnes of new material. Focus on Berths 5 and 7 to enhance port capacity and economic benefits to Mid North region.
Key Worker Housing Initiative
Renewal SA selected Graycar Contractors through an EOI to deliver 10 rental homes for key workers at Balmoral Park Estate (Risdon Park), with a minimum 10-year lease to Government Employee Housing. The proposal also unlocks 42 additional serviced residential allotments at the estate. Chelsea Homes (JV partner) will construct the houses and civils within an indicative 30 months from August 2025.
Court Sports Facility Precinct Concept
Feasibility study, initial concept plan, and cost estimations for a proposed joint multi-use court-based sports complex. The initial concept includes 3 combined indoor netball/basketball courts (one showcourt), potential for an additional indoor court, 4 dedicated outdoor tennis courts, 6 shared outdoor tennis/netball courts, and 2 dedicated outdoor netball show courts with 10 additional shared courts. The project is in the early planning stages, with Council seeking to refine the concept with sporting associations before pursuing grant funding.
Employment
AreaSearch analysis reveals Port Pirie Surrounds recording weaker employment conditions than most comparable areas nationwide
Port Pirie Surrounds has a balanced workforce with white and blue collar jobs, well-represented essential services sectors, an unemployment rate of 5.6%, and estimated employment growth of 1.5% in the past year as of December 2025. In this month, 1,472 residents are employed while the unemployment rate aligns with Regional SA's rate of 5.7%. Workforce participation is lower at 55.0%, compared to Regional SA's 58.3%.
Census responses show that only 11.7% of residents work from home. The dominant employment sectors include health care & social assistance, agriculture, forestry & fishing, and education & training. Health care & social assistance is particularly specialized with an employment share 1.3 times the regional level, while construction employs just 5.8%, below Regional SA's 8.1%. Employment opportunities locally appear limited based on Census working population vs resident population data.
Over a 12-month period ending in May-25, employment increased by 1.5% and labour force grew by 3.2%, causing the unemployment rate to rise by 1.6 percentage points. By comparison, Regional SA recorded employment growth of 0.7%, labour force growth of 3.1%, with unemployment rising by 2.2 percentage points. National employment forecasts from Jobs and Skills Australia project national employment expansion by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Port Pirie Surrounds' employment mix suggests local employment should increase by 5.6% over five years and 12.5% over ten years, though this is a simple weighting extrapolation for illustrative purposes and does not account for localized population projections.
Frequently Asked Questions - Employment
Income
Income figures position the area below 75% of locations analysed nationally by AreaSearch
AreaSearch's latest postcode level ATO data for financial year 2023 shows that Port Pirie Surrounds SA2 has lower income compared to national averages. The median income is $51,318 and the average income is $62,727. In contrast, Regional SA has 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, estimated incomes as of March 2026 would be approximately $56,537 (median) and $69,106 (average). According to the 2021 Census, household, family, and personal incomes in Port Pirie Surrounds are between the 8th and 9th percentiles nationally. The largest income bracket comprises 27.2% earning $1,500 - $2,999 weekly (934 residents), similar to the surrounding region where 27.5% fall within this range. Housing costs are modest with 90.1% of income retained, but total disposable income ranks at just the 16th percentile nationally.
Frequently Asked Questions - Income
Housing
Port Pirie Surrounds is characterized by a predominantly suburban housing profile, with above-average rates of outright home ownership
In Port Pirie Surrounds, as per the latest Census in 2016, houses accounted for 94.4% of dwellings while other types such as semi-detached homes, apartments, and 'other' dwellings made up the remaining 5.6%. This is compared to Regional SA's 88.5% houses and 11.5% other dwellings. Home ownership in Port Pirie Surrounds stood at 48.9%, with mortgaged dwellings at 36.0% and rented ones at 15.1%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $997, lower than Regional SA's average of $1,200. The median weekly rent in Port Pirie Surrounds was recorded as $200, compared to Regional SA's figure of $230. Nationally, mortgage repayments were significantly lower at $997 compared to the Australian average of $1,856, while rents were substantially below the national figure of $345.
Frequently Asked Questions - Housing
Household Composition
Port Pirie Surrounds has a typical household mix, with a higher-than-average median household size
Family households constitute 69.5% of all households, including 25.5% couples with children, 33.4% couples without children, and 9.1% single parent families. Non-family households account for the remaining 30.5%, with lone person households at 28.7% and group households comprising 1.8%. The median household size is 2.4 people, larger than the Regional SA average of 2.3.
Frequently Asked Questions - Households
Local Schools & Education
Port Pirie Surrounds faces educational challenges, with performance metrics placing it in the bottom quartile of areas assessed nationally
The area's university qualification rate is 13.2%, significantly lower than Australia's average of 30.4%. Bachelor degrees are the most common at 10.4%, followed by graduate diplomas (1.6%) and postgraduate qualifications (1.2%). Vocational credentials are prevalent, with 39.7% of residents aged 15+ holding them, including advanced diplomas (9.2%) and certificates (30.5%). Educational participation is high at 26.6%, with 13.1% in primary education, 8.4% in secondary education, and 1.5% pursuing tertiary education.
Educational participation is notably high, with 26.6% of residents currently enrolled in formal education. This includes 13.1% in primary education, 8.4% in secondary education, and 1.5% pursuing tertiary education.
Frequently Asked Questions - Education
Schools Detail
Nearby Services & Amenities
Transport
No public transport data available for this catchment area.
Frequently Asked Questions - Transport
Transport Stops Detail
Health
Health performance in Port Pirie Surrounds is well below average with prevalence of common health conditions notable across both younger and older age cohorts
Port Pirie Surrounds faces significant health challenges, according to AreaSearch's assessment. Mortality rates and chronic condition prevalence are substantial across both younger and older age groups.
Private health cover is relatively low at approximately 50% of the total population (~1,732 people), compared to the national average of 55.7%. The most prevalent medical conditions are arthritis (10.4%) and mental health issues (9.6%). Conversely, 60.4% of residents report no medical ailments, slightly lower than Regional SA's 62.5%. Working-age population health challenges include elevated chronic condition rates. The area has 26.2% of residents aged 65 and over (899 people). Health outcomes among seniors present additional challenges, with national rankings higher than the general population.
Frequently Asked Questions - Health
Cultural Diversity
The latest Census data sees Port Pirie Surrounds placing among the least culturally diverse areas in the country when compared across a range of language and cultural background related metrics
Port Pirie Surrounds, as per the Australian Bureau of Statistics Census 2016 data, showed low cultural diversity with 91.8% of its population born in Australia and 94.0% being citizens. English was spoken at home by 96.5%. Christianity was the predominant religion, practiced by 51.6%, compared to 45.2% regionally.
Ancestry-wise, Australian (34.6%), English (32.4%), and Irish (7.5%) were the top groups. Notable differences existed in German (6.8% vs regional 8.2%), Dutch (1.8% vs 1.3%), and Greek (1.2% vs 0.6%) representation.
Frequently Asked Questions - Diversity
Age
Port Pirie Surrounds hosts an older demographic, ranking in the top quartile nationwide
Port Pirie Surrounds has a median age of 47 years, matching the Regional South Australia average but higher than the Australian median of 38. The age distribution differs from the Regional SA average: the 5-14 cohort is over-represented at 13.1% locally compared to 12%, while the 25-34 age group is under-represented at 8.3% versus 9%. Census data shows that between June 2021 and June 2026, the 15-24 cohort grew from 8.7% to 10.9%, and the 75-84 cohort increased from 8.0% to 9.6%. Conversely, the 5-14 group declined from 14.7% to 13.1%, and the 55-64 age group dropped from 15.7% to 14.6%. By 2041, Port Pirie Surrounds is projected to experience significant demographic shifts. The 75-84 age group is expected to grow by 26%, reaching 416 people from 331. Those aged 65 and above will comprise 64% of the population growth. Meanwhile, both the 0-4 and 15-24 age groups are projected to decrease in number.