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This analysis uses Suburbs and Localities (SAL) boundaries, which can materially differ from Statistical Areas (SA2) even when sharing the same name.
SAL boundaries are defined by Australia Post and the Australian Bureau of Statistics to represent commonly-known suburb names used in postal addresses.
Statistical Areas (SA2) are designed for census data collection and may combine multiple suburbs or use different geographic boundaries. For comprehensive analysis, consider reviewing both boundary types if available.
est. as @ -- *
2021 Census | -- people
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Port Augusta has an estimated 6,752 residents, up from 6,437 at the 2021 Census — a change of 315 people, or 4.9%. That puts 333 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
According to evaluations of ABS population releases for the wider region, alongside recent address records validated by AreaSearch since the Census, the suburb of Port Augusta contains a population estimated at approximately 6,752 in May 2026. This represents a rise of 315 residents (4.9%) relative to the 2021 Census, which documented a population of 6,437 residents. This adjustment is calculated based on a resident population of 6,743, calculated by AreaSearch following analysis of the latest ERP data release from the ABS (June 2025) and an additional 46 validated new addresses since the Census date.
This population level translates to a density ratio of 333 persons per square kilometer, offering ample room per resident and potential capacity for future growth. The 4.9% expansion in the suburb of Port Augusta since the 2021 census exceeded the SA3 area (3.9%), as well as the SA4 region, establishing it as a regional growth leader. Population growth in the suburb of Port Augusta was mostly fueled by overseas migration, which accounted for approximately 70.0% of all population increases during recent intervals. AreaSearch utilizes ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 zone, published in 2024 with 2022 serving as the base year. For any SA2 zones lacking this coverage, and for years post-2032, regional/LGA projections by age category from the SA State Government, published in 2023 and utilizing 2021 data, are implemented with calibrations applied through a weighted aggregation of population growth from LGA to SA2 tiers. Looking at future population patterns in the suburb of Port Augusta, lower quartile growth among regional areas across the nation is expected, with the suburb of Port Augusta projected to add 62 residents to 2041 based on compiled SA2-level projections, which represents a total growth of 0.8% over the 16 years.
Frequently Asked Questions - Population
69 new dwellings have been approved in Port Augusta over the past five years, an average of 13 a year. That is 2.1 approvals per 1,000 residents. Approvals are currently running at an annualised 4, well below that longer-run average. Figures come from ABS building approvals aggregated to this Suburb (SAL) boundary and are updated monthly as the ABS releases them.
Detail
According to AreaSearch analysis of ABS building approval figures allocated from statistical areas, Port Augusta has seen approximately 13 residential properties approved annually, with a total of 69 dwellings approved over the past 5 financial years (between FY-21 and FY-25) and 4 so far in FY-26. With an average of only 0.4 new residents per year per dwelling constructed over the past 5 financial years (between FY-21 and FY-25), the supply is meeting or exceeding demand, offering buyers more choices while allowing for population growth to potentially outpace projections, with new builds having an average construction value of $318,000.
Furthermore, $13.2 million in commercial development approvals have been documented this financial year, which points to steady commercial development activity. Compared to the Rest of SA, Port Augusta features slightly more development (48.0% above the regional average per capita over the 5 year period), balancing buyer options while sustaining current property values, though building activity has slowed down of late. This rate of activity is also lower than the national level, indicating a mature market and suggesting potential construction limitations. New development is composed of 94.0% standalone homes and 6.0% attached dwellings, which preserves the traditional low-density character of the area with a focus on spacious family homes. New construction leans more toward detached housing than historical patterns show (75.0% at Census), showing sustained strong demand for family properties despite growing density pressures. The estimated ratio of 898 people in the area per dwelling approval highlights its quiet, low-activity building environment. Population projections indicate Port Augusta will add 53 residents through to 2041 (utilizing the most recent quarterly estimate from AreaSearch). At current construction rates, new housing supply should easily satisfy demand, creating favorable conditions for buyers and potentially supporting expansion beyond existing population projections.
Frequently Asked Questions - Development
Development applications around Port Augusta
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| Lodged | Address | Description | Type | Distance | Status |
|---|
SOURCE: Planning portals and council registers, compiled by AreaSearch. Distance & bearing measured from the suburb midpoint.
AreaSearch tracks 4 current infrastructure and development projects inside Port Augusta, worth an estimated $24 million. A further 30 sit in the immediately surrounding suburbs, taking the tracked pipeline within reach of the area to $303 million. 12 are already under construction and 10 are due for completion within three years. The pipeline spans residential development, ports, marinas, fisheries & aquaculture and education & training. 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 construction projects, and planning developments have a significant impact on local performance. In total, 12 projects have been identified by AreaSearch that are expected to influence the area. Important projects include Eucalypt Village - Stirling North Accommodation Development, Port Augusta Technical College, Port Augusta Wharf Upgrade, and St Eyre Estate, with the list below highlighting the ones most likely to be relevant.
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
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.
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.
Port Augusta Storage Project
A proposed renewable energy power station comprising of a vanadium redox battery storage facility of up to 300MWh capacity and an optional 50MW (AC) solar photovoltaic (PV) farm. The project is designed to be a storage facility tailored for the future electricity needs of South Australia, conceptualised to replace peaking or load following power plants.
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.
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.
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.
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.
2,619 residents of Port Augusta are employed, from a labour force of 3,097. Unemployment sits at 15.4%, with participation at 54.9%. Weighted for its industry mix, the area's sectors are forecast to grow about 6.2% nationally over five years. That reflects industry composition only and makes no allowance for local population growth. The working-day population is estimated at 5,552, about 82% of the resident population, so more people leave the area for work than travel in. Unemployment and labour force come from ABS Small Area Labour Markets, updated quarterly; the industry and occupation profile is from the 2021 Census.
Detail
Port Augusta features a balanced labor force consisting of white and blue collar jobs, with a solid representation in essential services, and an unemployment rate of 15.4% according to AreaSearch aggregations of statistical area data. As of March 2026, 2,619 residents are employed while the unemployment rate is 9.9% higher than the rate in Regional SA of 5.5%, indicating room for growth, and participation in the labor force is somewhat below average (54.9% compared to 58.4% in Regional SA). Census responses show that a low 2.0% of residents worked from home, though the effects of Covid-19 lockdowns should be taken into account.
Employment among local residents is centered around health care & social assistance, retail trade, and public administration & safety. The area displays a highly concentrated workforce in public administration & safety, with employment levels sitting at 2.2 times the regional average. Conversely, agriculture, forestry & fishing accounts for only 3.3% of local employment, which is below the 14.5% seen in Regional SA. The area seems to provide few employment opportunities within the local community, as shown by comparing the Census working population against the resident population. Based on AreaSearch analysis of SALM and ABS statistics compiled from broader geographic areas, over the 12 months to March 2026, labor force levels fell by 1.8% alongside a 10.3% drop in employment, which led to a rise in the unemployment rate by 8.0 percentage points. In comparison, Regional SA recorded employment growth of 1.2% and labor force growth of 2.6%, alongside a 1.4 percentage point increase. National employment projections from May-25 by Jobs and Skills Australia can provide extra context regarding future labor demand in Port Augusta. These forecasts, which span five and ten-year intervals, have been applied to the local workforce profile to estimate future growth patterns. While national employment is projected to grow by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, the expected growth rates vary widely by industry. Applying these industry-level projections to the local employment distribution suggests that employment in Port Augusta should rise by 6.2% over five years and 13.2% over ten years (note that this is a basic weighted extrapolation for demonstration purposes and does not account for specific local population projections).
Frequently Asked Questions - Employment
Median household income in Port Augusta is $1,092 a week (about $57,000 a year), with median personal income at $635 a week. ATO records put median taxable income at $47,363 a year against an average of $56,386. 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
Based on the most recent postcode level ATO statistics released by AreaSearch for financial year 2023, the suburb of Port Augusta features a median taxpayer income of $47,363, with an average income of $56,386. This stands below the national benchmark, and compares with a median of $48,920 and average of $58,933 across Regional SA. Accounting for Wage Price Index growth of 10.17% since financial year 2023, current estimates indicate figures of approximately $52,180 (median) and $62,120 (average) as of March 2026. Data from the 2021 Census reveals that household, family, and individual incomes in Port Augusta all sit between the 7th and 16th percentiles nationally.
The income distribution shows that the $400 - 799 range is the most common, accounting for 27.0% of residents (1,823 people), which differs from the wider region where the $1,500 - 2,999 bracket is most common at 27.5%. Although housing costs are low with 87.1% of income being kept, the total disposable income ranks at only the 10th percentile nationally.
Frequently Asked Questions - Income
Port Augusta had 2,609 occupied dwellings at the 2021 Census, 75% detached houses and 10% apartments. 24% are owned with a mortgage, 45% rented and 31% owned outright. At that Census the median rent was $194 a week and the median mortgage repayment $979 a month. Rent absorbs 17.8% of household income here and mortgage repayments 20.7%. Dwelling stock, tenure and housing costs are 2021 Census measures — the only source that counts dwellings at this boundary size.
Detail
Residential structures in Port Augusta, as recorded in the most recent Census, consisted of 74.7% detached houses and 25.3% other dwelling types (such as semi-detached properties, apartments, and alternative housing), compared to Regional SA which has 88.5% detached houses and 11.5% other dwelling types. At the same time, home ownership in Port Augusta was lower than in Regional SA at 31.2%, with the remaining properties being mortgaged (24.2%) or rented (44.6%). The median monthly mortgage repayment in the area was significantly lower than the Regional SA average at $979, while the median weekly rent was recorded at $194, compared to Regional SA averages of $1,153 and $220.
On a national level, mortgage repayments in Port Augusta are much lower than the Australian average of $1,863, while rent costs are significantly below the national figure of $375.
Frequently Asked Questions - Housing
Port Augusta counted 2,609 households at the 2021 Census, averaging 2.2 people each. 18% are couples with children, fewer than in 91% of areas nationally, against 24% couples without children. 38% 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 58.0% of the total, which includes 18.3% couples with children, 23.8% couples without children, and 14.4% single parents. Non-family households account for the remaining 42.0%, with single-person households representing 38.0% and group households making up 3.9% of the total. The median household size of 2.2 residents is slightly below the Regional SA average of 2.3.
Frequently Asked Questions - Households
12.1% of adults in Port Augusta hold a university qualification, including 8.2% with a bachelor degree and 2.4% with postgraduate qualifications, lower than 95% of areas nationally. A further 29.9% hold a vocational qualification. 6 schools serve the area, with 1,262 enrolment places and an average ICSEA of 801 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 locality experiences some educational hurdles, with university graduation rates (12.1%) sitting well below the national average of 30.4%. This highlights both a challenge and an opportunity for focused educational programs. Bachelor degrees are the most common at 8.2%, followed by postgraduate degrees (2.4%) and graduate diplomas (1.5%). Vocational and technical training is highly represented, with 37.2% of residents aged 15+ holding trade credentials, consisting of advanced diplomas (7.3%) and certificates (29.9%). Participation in study is quite strong, with 27.6% of local residents currently enrolled in formal education. This proportion includes 11.8% in primary school, 7.5% in high school, and 2.3% pursuing higher education.
Frequently Asked Questions - Education
Schools Detail
Getting around Port Augusta means driving: households keep an average of 1.1 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
61.4% of residents in Port Augusta report no long-term health condition, a less healthy profile than 94% of areas nationally. 7.5% need daily assistance with core activities, and 49.3% hold private health cover. The standardised death rate runs at 8.5 per 1,000 residents. Health conditions, assistance needs and insurance are 2021 Census measures; the death rate comes from current ABS releases.
Detail
Significant health issues are apparent throughout Port Augusta, according to AreaSearch estimates of mortality rates and the prevalence of chronic illnesses, which have noticeable impacts on both younger and older demographics, while the rate of private health insurance is low at approximately 49% of the total population (~3,330 people). The national benchmark stands at 55.7%. The most prevalent health issues in the area were identified as asthma and arthritis, affecting 10.2 and 9.6% of residents, respectively, while 61.4% of the population reported having no chronic medical conditions, compared to 62.5% across Regional SA.
The working-age cohort faces notable health difficulties, marked by higher rates of chronic conditions. Residents aged 65 and over make up 20.3% of the local population (1,370 people), which is lower than the 27.1% recorded in Regional SA. Health outcomes for older residents present some challenges, with national rankings generally matching those of the broader population.
Frequently Asked Questions - Health
Port Augusta is largely Australian-born, at 88.7% of residents, with 9.7% speaking a language other than English at home. The largest reported ancestries are Australian (29.9%) and English (25.1%). 16.6% 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
Port Augusta was shown to have lower levels of cultural diversity, with citizens making up 85.5% of the population, 88.7% of residents born in Australia, and 90.3% speaking only English at home. Christianity is the primary religion in the area, representing 39.9% of the population. The most notable overrepresentation is found in the Other category, which accounts for 1.4% of the population, compared to 0.8% across Regional SA. Regarding parental country of birth, the top three ancestral groups in Port Augusta are Australian at 29.9% of the population, English at 25.1% of the population, which is lower than the regional average of 32.5%, and Australian Aboriginal at 16.6% of the population, which is substantially higher than the regional average of 3.3%.
There are also clear differences in the representation of other ethnic groups: German is overrepresented at 5.3% of Port Augusta (compared to 8.2% regionally), Samoan at 0.1% (compared to virtually none regionally), and Korean at 0.1% (compared to virtually none regionally).
Frequently Asked Questions - Diversity
The median resident of Port Augusta is 39. 26.5% 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
With a median age of 39, the suburb of Port Augusta is notably younger than the Regional SA average of 47 and close to the national average of 38. The age distribution reveals that 25 - 34 year-olds are highly represented (14.4%), while the 65 - 74 age bracket is smaller (10.0%) than in Regional SA. Since the 2021 Census, the 35 to 44 age bracket has risen from 11.1% to 13.8% of the population. On the other hand, the 55 to 64 group has fallen from 13.3% to 12.1%.
Looking ahead to 2041, population projections show major changes in the age profile in the suburb of Port Augusta. Leading these changes, the 85+ group will expand by 98% (172 people), growing to 348 from 175. Notably, the combined 65+ age brackets will make up 80% of all population growth, highlighting the aging profile of the community. Conversely, the 0 to 4 and 15 to 24 cohorts are projected to see population declines.
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 Suburb (SAL) 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 4 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 — 46 validated new addresses here. The headline figure is therefore a current estimate for May 2026, not a 2021 count (6,437 at the 2021 Census → 6,752 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 (SAL41189). QuickStats reports 2021 only — the figures on this page are more current wherever the ledger shows a later date.