Port Pirie South

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

As of November 2025, the estimated population of Port Pirie South is around 3,968 people. This reflects an increase of 90 individuals since the 2021 Census, which recorded a population of 3,878. The growth is inferred from AreaSearch's estimate of 3,932 residents following examination of the ABS's latest ERP data release in June 2024 and validation of an additional 25 new addresses since the Census date. This results in a population density ratio of 256 persons per square kilometer. Port Pirie South's growth rate of 2.3% since the census is within 2.2 percentage points of the SA3 area's growth rate of 4.5%. The primary driver of this growth was overseas migration.

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 are adopted after adjustments using weighted aggregation from LGA to SA2 levels. Projections indicate an overall population decline of 12 persons by 2041 in Port Pirie South. However, specific age cohorts are expected to grow, notably the 85 and over group, which is projected to increase by 97 people.

The level of residential development activity in Port Pirie South is very low in comparison to the average area assessed nationally by AreaSearch

AreaSearch analysis of ABS building approval numbers indicates Port Pirie South has recorded approximately five residential properties granted approval per year over the past five financial years ending 30 June 2021. This totals an estimated twenty-five homes. As of 1 July 2026, one approval has been recorded in FY-26.

The area's population decline suggests new supply has likely kept pace with demand, offering buyers good choice while new homes are being built at an average expected construction cost value of $270,000, under regional levels. Compared to the Rest of SA, Port Pirie South has around two-thirds the rate of new dwelling approvals per person and ranks among the 32nd percentile nationally, indicating more limited housing choices for buyers. This supports demand for existing homes but recent development activity has picked up. The area's established nature is suggested by its level being under the national average, potentially due to planning limitations.

Recent building activity consists entirely of detached dwellings, preserving Port Pirie South's low density character and attracting space-seeking buyers. With an estimated 525 people per dwelling approval, it reflects a quiet, low activity development environment. Given population is expected to remain stable or decline, housing pressure in Port Pirie South should be reduced, potentially creating opportunities for buyers.

Port Pirie South has emerging levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the 33rdth percentile nationally

The performance of an area can significantly influenced by changes in local infrastructure, major projects, and planning initiatives. AreaSearch has identified a total of 10 projects that are likely to impact the area. Notable projects include Port Pirie Riverbank Precinct, Port Pirie Masterplan / Yorke Peninsula and Mid North Regional Plan, Green Iron SA Port Pirie Hub, Key Worker Housing Initiative. The following list details those projects most relevant to the area.

Professional plan users can use the search below to filter and access additional projects.

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

Port Pirie South has a balanced workforce with white and blue collar jobs. Key industries are health care & social assistance, manufacturing, and retail trade.

Manufacturing stands out with employment levels at 1.6 times the regional average. Agriculture, forestry & fishing has limited presence at 1.2% compared to 14.5% regionally. As of June 2025, 1,693 residents are employed, with an unemployment rate of 9.7%. This is 5.1% higher than Rest of SA's rate of 4.6%.

Workforce participation is similar to Rest of SA at 54.1%. From Jun-24 to Jun-25, the labour force increased by 0.5%, while employment decreased by 2.0%, leading to a rise in unemployment rate by 2.4 percentage points. In contrast, Rest of SA saw employment contract by 1.2% and unemployment rise by 1.2 percentage points. Jobs and Skills Australia's Sep-22 national employment forecasts project growth of 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Port Pirie South's industry mix suggests local employment could increase by 5.6% over five years and 12.6% over ten years, though this is a simple extrapolation for illustrative purposes only.

Income levels sit below national averages according to AreaSearch assessment

AreaSearch's aggregation of latest postcode level ATO data for financial year 2022 shows Port Pirie South had a median income among taxpayers of $51,305 and an average level of $60,209. Both figures are lower than national averages, which stand at $46,889 and $56,582 respectively for Rest of SA. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 12.83% since financial year 2022, estimated incomes as of September 2025 would be approximately $57,887 (median) and $67,934 (average). According to 2021 Census figures, household, family, and personal incomes in Port Pirie South fall between the 9th and 13th percentiles nationally. Income analysis reveals that the largest segment comprises 28.7% earning $400 - $799 weekly (1,138 residents), unlike regional trends where 27.5% fall within the $1,500 - $2,999 range. Housing costs are modest, with 88.3% of income retained, but total disposable income ranks at just the 14th percentile nationally.

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

Dwelling structure in Port Pirie South, as evaluated at the 2016 Census, comprised 89.0% houses and 11.0% other dwellings. In comparison, Non-Metro SA had 89.8% houses and 10.2% other dwellings. Home ownership in Port Pirie South was 37.1%, with mortgaged dwellings at 34.3% and rented ones at 28.6%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $975, above Non-Metro SA's average of $888. Median weekly rent in the area was $200, compared to Non-Metro SA's $182. Nationally, Port Pirie South's mortgage repayments were significantly lower than the Australian average of $1,863, while rents were substantially below the national figure of $375.

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

Family households constitute 64.2% of all households, including 21.9% couples with children, 28.1% couples without children, and 13.3% single parent families. Non-family households comprise the remaining 35.8%, with lone person households at 33.5% and group households making up 2.2% of the total. The median household size is 2.2 people, which aligns with the average for the Rest of South Africa.

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

The area's university qualification rate is 11.9%, significantly lower than Australia's average of 30.4%. Bachelor degrees are the most common at 8.8%, followed by graduate diplomas (1.8%) and postgraduate qualifications (1.3%). Vocational credentials are prevalent, with 36.0% of residents aged 15+ holding such qualifications - advanced diplomas at 6.4% and certificates at 29.6%. A substantial 24.8% of the population is actively pursuing education, including 9.6% in primary, 9.3% in secondary, and 1.7% in tertiary education.

Educational institutions include Risdon Park Primary School and St Mark's College - Bosco Campus, serving a total of 1,229 students. The area has typical Australian school conditions (ICSEA: 969) with balanced educational opportunities. It functions as an education hub with 31.0 school places per 100 residents, higher than the regional average of 14.4 and attracting students from surrounding communities.

No public transport data available for this catchment area.

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

Port Pirie South faces significant health challenges, with common conditions prevalent across both younger and older age groups. Approximately 51% (~2,016 people) have private health cover, compared to 47.8% across Rest of SA.

The most frequent medical conditions are arthritis (11.3%) and mental health issues (9.6%). Around 60.9% report no medical ailments, slightly higher than the 59.4% in Rest of SA. About 23.5% (~932 people) are aged 65 and over, lower than the 26.5% in Rest of SA. Health outcomes among seniors show some difficulties but generally perform better than the overall population's health metrics.

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

Port Pirie South had low cultural diversity, with 92.0% born in Australia, 93.3% being citizens, and 94.5% speaking English only at home. Christianity was the dominant religion, comprising 49.3%. Islam was overrepresented at 1.2%, compared to 0.5% regionally.

Ancestry showed Australian (33.2%), English (31.6%), and Scottish (6.2%) as top groups. Notably, German (5.8%) and Italian (5.0%) were overrepresented in Port Pirie South compared to regional averages of 6.8% and 2.9%, respectively. Australian Aboriginal was also slightly overrepresented at 3.4%.

Port Pirie South hosts an older demographic, ranking in the top quartile nationwide

At 43 years, Port Pirie South's median age is significantly below the Rest of SA average of 47 years while substantially exceeding the national average of 38 years. The age profile shows that 15-24 year-olds are particularly prominent at 13.1%, while the 65-74 group is comparatively smaller at 11.6% than in Rest of SA. Between 2021 and the present, the 25 to 34 age group has grown from 12.0% to 13.1% of the population. Conversely, the 45 to 54 cohort has declined from 12.6% to 11.4%. By 2041, Port Pirie South is expected to see notable shifts in its age composition. Leading this demographic shift, the 85+ group will grow by 68%, reaching 240 people from a current total of 142. The aging population dynamic is clear, with those aged 65 and above comprising 100% of projected growth. Conversely, population declines are projected for the 25 to 34 and 0 to 4 age cohorts.