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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 Pirie South has an estimated 3,966 residents, up from 3,878 at the 2021 Census — a change of 88 people, or 2.3%. That puts 257 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
Based on demographic evaluations from the Australian Bureau of Statistics for the wider region, along with residential address validations by AreaSearch following the Census, the suburb of Port Pirie South has an estimated population of 3,966 as of May 2026. This represents an addition of 88 people (2.3%) relative to the 2021 Census, which counted 3,878 individuals. The estimate is derived from a resident base of 3,952 calculated by AreaSearch using the June 2025 ABS demographic update, supplemented by 32 new addresses confirmed since the Census. This population level translates to a density of 256 persons per square kilometer, indicating low density living and room for future expansion.
The post-census growth rate of 2.3% in the suburb of Port Pirie South is within 0.1 percentage points of the wider SA3 region (2.4%), indicating comparable growth characteristics. Inward overseas migration served as the primary source of demographic expansion, representing almost the entire net gain during the latest tracking intervals. Projections utilize the 2024 demographic models from the ABS and Geoscience Australia, which use 2022 as a base. For regions outside this data set, or for the period beyond 2032, regional and municipal projections by age bracket published by the SA State Government in 2023 (utilizing 2021 base data) are applied and scaled to the SA2 level using weighted growth distributions. Looking at future demographic shifts, these calculations indicate a downward trend in total headcount, with the cohort shrinking by 24 persons by 2041. Despite this overall drop, expansion is anticipated in particular age segments, particularly the group aged 85 and over, which is expected to grow by 102 people.
Frequently Asked Questions - Population
22 new dwellings have been approved in Port Pirie South over the past five years, an average of 4 a year. That is 1.1 approvals per 1,000 residents. Approvals are currently running at an annualised 8, running ahead of 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 evaluations of building permit statistics distributed from regional data, the suburb of Port Pirie South has recorded an annual average of approximately 4 new residential approvals. This totals 22 residential permits over the past 5 financial years (from FY-21 to FY-25) and 8 during the current FY-26 period. In the context of recent demographic contraction, building activity has remained relatively balanced, offering opportunities for purchasers, with new builds averaging an estimated construction cost of $270,000. Additionally, commercial building approvals reached $1.7 million during the current financial year, highlighting that the locality remains predominantly residential.
Residential building approvals per capita in the suburb of Port Pirie South stand at roughly 57% of the level seen across the Rest of SA, placing the locality in the 27th percentile of all analyzed regions nationwide. This suggests a relatively constrained selection of new properties for buyers, which supports demand for existing residences, even though building volumes have accelerated lately. Local building rates also lag behind national figures, reflecting a mature market environment that may face physical or regulatory limits on expansion. Furthermore, all recent building activity has been concentrated in detached houses, maintaining a low-density suburban profile that appeals to buyers seeking space. The ratio of 607 people for every single residential building permit underscores the quiet and low-intensity development climate. Given that demographic projections point to a stable or declining population size, the suburb of Port Pirie South is likely to experience minimal pressure on housing supply, which presents favorable conditions for prospective buyers.
Frequently Asked Questions - Development
Development applications around Port Pirie South
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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 one current infrastructure or development project inside Port Pirie South, worth an estimated $15 million. A further 25 sit in the immediately surrounding suburbs, taking the tracked pipeline within reach of the area to $291 million. 9 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
Local infrastructure projects, major developments, and urban planning initiatives play a major role in regional performance. AreaSearch has identified 10 projects that are anticipated to influence the local area. Principal developments include the Green Iron SA Port Pirie Hub, the Port Pirie Riverbank Precinct, the Greening Port Pirie Program, and the Port Pirie Masterplan / Yorke Peninsula and Mid North Regional Plan.
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Frequently Asked Questions - Infrastructure
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
South-West Drainage Scheme
A stormwater drainage system and outfall proposed to address flood risk on vacant land south of Risdon Park South, unlocking approximately 600 allotments for future residential development in Port Pirie. The scheme follows a 2012 Tonkin Consulting engineering investigation into an outfall alignment through rural land west of the site, incorporating a potential storage area near Port Davis Road. Port Pirie Regional Council has committed initial funding for land acquisition and to advance project requirements, with the initiative listed in the Council's economic development investment program across both the 2024/25 and 2025/26 Annual Business Plans.As of the 2025/26 Business Plan, the project remains in its initial stages, with land negotiations and scheme advancement ongoing ahead of any construction of the drainage infrastructure itself.
Whyalla Foreshore Centre Building
Construction of a new Foreshore Centre building incorporating the Whyalla Surf Life Saving Club, public kiosk, cafe, function space and community facilities as part of the Whyalla Foreshore Master Plan. Following completion of detailed design and development approval, construction tenders opened in July 2026. The project is funded by the South Australian Government together with Whyalla City Council and complements the adjacent Splash and Play Plaza.
Kloeden Reserve Development
Development of two land parcels totaling 4.2 hectares at Kloeden Reserve in Whyalla to unlock up to 70 new homes, including at least 10 houses to be built immediately and leased back to the government for essential workers, supporting the region's growth in green energy and manufacturing.
1,742 residents of Port Pirie South are employed, from a labour force of 1,907. Unemployment sits at 8.7%, with participation at 57.0%. Weighted for its industry mix, the area's sectors are forecast to grow about 5.6% 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 workforce profile in the suburb of Port Pirie South is distributed across professional and manual occupations, with a solid footprint in essential public service sectors, an unemployment rate of 8.7%, and an estimated job growth rate of 5.0% over the preceding year. As of March 2026, the employed resident cohort numbered 1,742 individuals, while the jobless rate was 3.2% higher than the Regional SA average of 5.5%, and the participation rate closely matched the Regional SA benchmark of 58.4%. Census records show that a minor 2.6% share of the workforce operated from home, though this figure reflects the influence of public health restrictions.
The primary employment sectors for residents are health care & social assistance, manufacturing, and retail trade. The local workforce is heavily concentrated in manufacturing, with an employment share that is 1.6 times the regional average. Conversely, agricultural, forestry, and fishing activities are minimal, employing only 1.2% of working residents compared to 14.5% across Regional SA. The relationship between local jobs and the size of the resident workforce suggests that local employment opportunities are somewhat limited. Based on analysis of SALM and ABS statistics aggregated from broader regional divisions, the 12 months ending March 2026 saw local employment rise by 5.0% while the total labor force grew by 3.7%, leading to a drop in the unemployment rate of 1.1 percentage points. By comparison, Regional SA recorded employment growth of 1.2%, a labor force expansion of 2.6%, and an increase in the unemployment rate of 1.4 percentage points. The national employment projections from May-25 published by Jobs and Skills Australia provide further context on potential demand trends in the suburb of Port Pirie South. These five and ten-year forecasts have been mapped against the local industry profile to estimate future changes. Nationally, employment is projected to expand by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, though rates of change vary widely by sector. Applying these sectoral trajectories to the local workforce composition indicates an estimated employment expansion in the suburb of Port Pirie South of 5.6% over five years and 12.6% over ten years.
Frequently Asked Questions - Employment
Median household income in Port Pirie South is $1,145 a week (about $60,000 a year), with median personal income at $616 a week. ATO records put median taxable income at $51,305 a year against an average of $60,209. 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 latest postcode-level taxation records from the ATO for the financial year 2023 show that personal earnings in the suburb of Port Pirie South are below the national average, with a median of $51,305 and an average of $60,209. In comparison, Regional SA recorded a median of $48,920 and an average of $58,933. Factoring in Wage Price Index growth of 10.17% since the financial year 2023, current estimates for March 2026 stand at approximately $56,523 for the median and $66,332 for the average. Census data places household, family, and individual incomes in the suburb of Port Pirie South between the 9th and 13th percentiles nationally.
Regarding income cohorts, the $400 - 799 weekly income bracket contains 28.7% of the population (1,138 people), differing from the broader regional trend where 27.5% of residents earn within the $1,500 - 2,999 range. Although residents retain 88.3% of their income due to low housing expenses, the total disposable income of the area sits in the 14th percentile nationwide.
Frequently Asked Questions - Income
Port Pirie South had 1,650 occupied dwellings at the 2021 Census, 89% detached houses and 0% apartments. 34% are owned with a mortgage, 29% rented and 37% owned outright. At that Census the median rent was $200 a week and the median mortgage repayment $975 a month. Rent absorbs 17.5% of household income here and mortgage repayments 19.7%. Dwelling stock, tenure and housing costs are 2021 Census measures — the only source that counts dwellings at this boundary size.
Detail
Residential structures in the suburb of Port Pirie South at the time of the last Census consisted of 89.0% separate houses and 11.0% multi-unit dwellings like townhouses and apartments, compared to 88.5% houses and 11.5% other dwellings across Regional SA. Home ownership rates in the suburb of Port Pirie South lagged behind the regional average at 37.1%, with the remaining dwellings occupied by households with a mortgage (34.3%) or tenants renting their homes (28.6%). The median monthly home loan repayment of $975 was notably lower than the Regional SA average of $1,153, while the median weekly rent stood at $200 compared to the Regional SA average of $220.
On a national scale, mortgage repayments are significantly below the Australian average of $1,863, and weekly rents are much lower than the national figure of $375.
Frequently Asked Questions - Housing
Port Pirie South counted 1,650 households at the 2021 Census, averaging 2.2 people each. 22% are couples with children, fewer than in 81% of areas nationally, against 28% couples without children. 34% of households are people living alone, and families average 1.8 children. Household and family composition is measured only by the Census, so these are 2021 figures.
Detail
Family households represent 64.2% of the local domestic landscape, consisting of couples with children at 21.9%, couples without children at 28.1%, and single parent households at 13.3%. The remaining 35.8% are non-family households, which are mostly single-person households at 33.5% alongside group households at 2.2%. The median household size of 2.2 persons is slightly below the Regional SA average of 2.3.
Frequently Asked Questions - Households
11.9% of adults in Port Pirie South hold a university qualification, including 8.8% with a bachelor degree and 1.3% with postgraduate qualifications, lower than 87% of areas nationally. A further 29.6% hold a vocational qualification. 2 schools serve the area, with 1,229 enrolment places and an average ICSEA of 969 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
Educational attainment levels present challenges, with the proportion of residents holding university qualifications (11.9%) sitting well below the national mark of 30.4%. Bachelor degrees are the most common higher education qualification at 8.8%, followed by graduate diplomas at 1.8% and postgraduate degrees at 1.3%. Vocational and technical training is highly prevalent, with 36.0% of the population aged 15+ holding vocational qualifications, split between advanced diplomas (6.4%) and certificates (29.6%). A significant 24.8% of the local population is enrolled in formal education. This group includes 9.6% attending primary school, 9.3% in secondary school, and 1.7% in tertiary programs.
Frequently Asked Questions - Education
Schools Detail
Getting around Port Pirie South means driving: households keep an average of 1.3 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
60.9% of residents in Port Pirie South report no long-term health condition, a less healthy profile than 89% of areas nationally. 7.7% need daily assistance with core activities, and 50.8% hold private health cover. The standardised death rate runs at 7.1 per 1,000 residents. Health conditions, assistance needs and insurance are 2021 Census measures; the death rate comes from current ABS releases.
Detail
Health metrics indicate notable challenges in the suburb of Port Pirie South, based on mortality rates, chronic illness rates across younger and older age cohorts, and a relatively low rate of private health insurance coverage, which stands at approximately 51% of the population (~2,015 people). Arthritis and mental health conditions are the most prevalent reported illnesses, affecting 11.3% and 9.6% of residents, respectively, while 60.9% of the population reported no chronic health issues, compared to 62.5% across Regional SA. The working-age cohort has elevated rates of chronic conditions. Residents aged 65 and over make up 24.4% of the population (967 people), which is lower than the Regional SA level of 27.1%.
Senior health outcomes face difficulties, with national vulnerability rankings for this group exceeding those of the general local population.
Frequently Asked Questions - Health
Port Pirie South is largely Australian-born, at 92.0% of residents, with 5.5% speaking a language other than English at home. The largest reported ancestries are Australian (33.2%) and English (31.6%). 3.4% 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 the suburb of Port Pirie South is lower than average, with 92.0% of residents born in Australia, 93.3% holding citizenship, and 94.5% speaking only English at home. Christianity is the predominant religion, followed by 49.3% of the population. The most prominent religious overrepresentation is Islam, which accounts for 1.2% of residents compared to 0.5% in Regional SA. Regarding ancestral backgrounds, the three largest groups in the suburb of Port Pirie South are Australian (33.2%), English (31.6%), and Scottish (6.2%). Other specific groups show distinct representation rates compared to the wider region, with German ancestry at 5.8% (compared to 8.2% regionally), Italian at 5.0% (compared to 1.7%), and Australian Aboriginal at 3.4% (compared to 3.3%).
Frequently Asked Questions - Diversity
The median resident of Port Pirie South is 43. 25.8% 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 in the suburb of Port Pirie South is 43 years, which is lower than the Regional SA average of 47 but higher than the national median of 38 years. The demographic mix is characterized by a strong presence of 25 - 34 year-olds (12.9%), while the 65 - 74 age group (11.9%) is smaller than the regional average. Since 2021, the 25 to 34 year-old cohort grew from 12.0% to 12.9% of the population, whereas the 45 to 54 cohort fell from 12.6% to 11.0%. Significant demographic shifts are expected by 2041, led by a 68% growth in the 85+ cohort (an increase of 99 people), raising its size from 146 to 246.
This aging trend is prominent, with residents aged 65 and over accounting for 97% of all projected growth, while contractions are forecast for the 65 to 74 and 0 to 4 age brackets.
Frequently Asked Questions - Age
Data & MethodBoundaries, Sources & Method for Port Pirie South
8 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 8 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. | ||
| 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 3 sections | ||
| Infrastructure projects | Infrastructure Australia, State agencies, Local governments Daily | Jul 2025 about a year ago all 1 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 Jul 2025. | ||
| 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 — 32 validated new addresses here. The headline figure is therefore a current estimate for May 2026, not a 2021 count (3,878 at the 2021 Census → 3,966 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 (SAL41210). QuickStats reports 2021 only — the figures on this page are more current wherever the ledger shows a later date.