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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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Stirling North has an estimated 2,907 residents, up from 2,793 at the 2021 Census — a change of 114 people, or 4.1%. Density is about 43 people per 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
Drawing from an evaluation of ABS population updates for the wider region alongside new address data verified by AreaSearch since the Census, Stirling North is calculated to have approximately 2,907 residents as of May 2026. Compared to the 2021 Census, which documented 2,793 residents, this represents an addition of 114 people (4.1%). The figure is derived from the resident population of 2,905, calculated by AreaSearch using the latest ERP data release from the ABS (June 2025) combined with 28 validated new addresses since the Census date. This population scale translates to a density of 42 persons per square kilometer, indicating plenty of space per individual.
The 4.1% rate of growth in Stirling North since the 2021 census was higher than the SA3 area (3.9%), placing it as a growth leader in the region. The primary driver of this population growth was overseas migration, which accounted for approximately 70.0% of total population increases during recent periods. AreaSearch utilizes ABS and Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 region, which were published in 2024 using 2022 as the baseline. For SA2 regions lacking this data, or for projections extending beyond 2032, regional and LGA projections by age bracket from the SA State Government (released in 2023 based on 2021 data) are applied via a weighted aggregation of population growth from LGA to SA2 levels. Looking at these demographic projections, the total population is expected to shrink over this timeframe, decreasing by 62 persons by 2041 under this methodology. In contrast, specific age brackets are projected to rise, particularly the group aged 75 to 84, which is expected to expand by 41 people. Refer to the age section for further details.
Frequently Asked Questions - Population
21 new dwellings have been approved in Stirling North over the past five years, an average of 4 a year. That is 1.5 approvals per 1,000 residents. Approvals are currently running at an annualised 2, 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
Based on AreaSearch analysis of ABS building approvals distributed from statistical area statistics, the suburb of Stirling North has averaged about 4 residential approvals annually, representing approximately 21 dwellings over the previous 5 financial years. Thus far in FY-26, there have been 2 approvals recorded. With an average of 1.4 new residents per year arriving for each new dwelling over the past 5 financial years (from FY-21 to FY-25), construction and demand appear balanced, supporting stable market conditions, while new homes show an average construction cost of $318,000. Additionally, commercial approvals worth $4.4 million were recorded this financial year, showing a modest focus on commercial construction.
Stirling North shows similar building rates per capita compared to the Rest of SA, which helps maintain market stability inline with broader state trends, even though construction activity has slowed down recently. This level of activity is also below national trends, pointing to a mature market and potential development limitations. Furthermore, new building activity has consisted entirely of detached houses, maintaining the low-density profile of the community with a focus on standalone homes that appeal to buyers wanting space. Having an estimated 2904 people per approved residential permit highlights the quiet, low-scale development environment. Given the outlook for flat or shrinking population numbers, the suburb of Stirling North could see reduced pressure on housing, creating advantageous conditions for home buyers.
Frequently Asked Questions - Development
Development applications around Stirling North
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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 34 current infrastructure and development projects close to Stirling North, worth an estimated $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
Local infrastructure updates, major construction projects, and zoning plans are key drivers of regional performance. In total, AreaSearch has tracked 3 projects that are expected to influence the locality. Key initiatives include the Eucalypt Village - Stirling North Accommodation Development, the Iberdrola Renewable Energy Park, the Port Augusta Storage Project, and Northern Water, with the list below highlighting the most relevant developments.
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.
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.
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.
1,211 residents of Stirling North are employed, from a labour force of 1,358. Unemployment sits at 10.8%, with participation at 57.1%. Weighted for its industry mix, the area's sectors are forecast to grow about 5.7% 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
Stirling North features a balanced labor force of white-collar and blue-collar workers, with strong representation in essential services, and an unemployment rate of 10.8% according to AreaSearch aggregations of statistical area data. In March 2026, 1,211 residents were employed, and the unemployment rate sat 5.4% higher than the Regional SA rate of 5.5%, indicating room for growth, while labor force participation was close to the Regional SA average of 58.4%. Census records show that a minor 4.0% of workers operated from home, though the influence of Covid-19 lockdown restrictions should be taken into account.
The primary sectors of employment for local residents are public administration & safety, health care & social assistance, and retail trade. The workforce shows a highly concentrated presence in public administration & safety, with employment levels sitting at 2.9 times the regional average. Conversely, agriculture, forestry & fishing has a minor footprint, employing 3.1% of residents compared to 14.5% across the region. Even though local job opportunities exist, the ratio of the Census working population to the local population indicates that a large share of residents travel to other locations for their jobs. According to AreaSearch analysis of SALM and ABS statistics aggregated from broader statistical regions, the 12-month period saw a contraction of 0.9% in the labor force and a 7.1% drop in employment, which led to a 5.9 percentage point increase in the unemployment rate. By contrast, Regional SA experienced employment expansion of 1.2%, labor force growth of 2.6%, and an unemployment rise of 1.4 percentage points. National employment outlooks from Jobs and Skills Australia published in May-25 offer additional context on future demand in Stirling North. These projections, spanning five and ten years, are mapped against the local employment distribution to estimate growth trajectories. Nationally, employment is projected to grow by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, though rates vary widely by industry. Projecting these industry-specific trends onto the employment profile of Stirling North suggests local employment could grow by 5.7% over five years and 12.4% over ten years (this represents a simple weighted extrapolation for illustrative purposes and does not incorporate local population forecasts).
Frequently Asked Questions - Employment
Median household income in Stirling North is $1,831 a week (about $95,000 a year), with median personal income at $925 a week. ATO records put median taxable income at $68,994 a year against an average of $82,137. 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
Taxpayer income in the suburb of Stirling North is exceptionally high on a national scale based on the most recent ATO figures compiled by AreaSearch for financial year 2023. Taxpayers in the suburb of Stirling North recorded a median income of $68,994 and an average income of $82,137, compared to Regional SA metrics of $48,920 and $58,933 respectively. Applying the Wage Price Index growth of 10.17% recorded since financial year 2023, current estimates correspond to roughly $76,011 for median income and $90,490 for average income as of March 2026. The 2021 Census indicates that household, family, and individual incomes in Stirling North sit near the 62nd percentile across Australia.
Looking at income distribution, 36.6% of the population (1,063 individuals) earn in the $1,500 - 2,999 range, which compares to 27.5% for this cohort in the metropolitan area. After accounting for housing expenses, residents keep 89.8% of their earnings, indicating robust purchasing capacity.
Frequently Asked Questions - Income
Stirling North had 785 occupied dwellings at the 2021 Census, 99% detached houses and 0% apartments. 49% are owned with a mortgage, 16% rented and 36% owned outright. At that Census the median rent was $250 a week and the median mortgage repayment $1,306 a month. Rent absorbs 13.7% of household income here and mortgage repayments 16.5%. Dwelling stock, tenure and housing costs are 2021 Census measures — the only source that counts dwellings at this boundary size.
Detail
Residential property types in Stirling North at the time of the latest Census consisted of 99.0% separate houses and 1.0% other housing styles (including semi-detached properties, apartments, and alternative dwellings), compared to Regional SA where separate houses made up 88.5% and other dwellings accounted for 11.5%. Home ownership in Stirling North was below the Regional SA level at 35.5%, while the remaining properties were either held with a mortgage (48.8%) or rented (15.7%). The median monthly mortgage payment in the locality was $1,306, which is higher than the Regional SA average of $1,153, while the median weekly rental cost was $250, compared to $220 in Regional SA.
Nationally, mortgage costs in Stirling North are much lower than the Australian average of $1,863, and weekly rents are well below the national median of $375.
Frequently Asked Questions - Housing
Stirling North counted 785 households at the 2021 Census, averaging 2.6 people each. 32% are couples with children, against 33% couples without children. 21% 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
Families make up the vast majority of households at 78.2%, consisting of couples with children at 32.4%, couples without children at 33.2%, and single parent households at 12.8%. Non-family living arrangements account for the remaining 21.8%, with single-person households at 20.6% and group households making up 0.6% of the total. The median household size of 2.6 individuals is larger than the Regional SA average of 2.3.
Frequently Asked Questions - Households
9.3% of adults in Stirling North hold a university qualification, including 6.5% with a bachelor degree and 1.1% with postgraduate qualifications, lower than 82% of areas nationally. A further 30.3% hold a vocational qualification. 1 school serves the area, with 305 enrolment places and an average ICSEA of 955 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 faces educational hurdles, with university graduation rates of 9.3% sitting significantly below the Australian average of 30.4%. This represents both a hurdle and a chance for focused educational programs. Bachelor degrees are the most common higher qualification at 6.5%, followed by graduate diplomas at 1.7% and postgraduate degrees at 1.1%. Vocational and trade capabilities are highly represented, with 37.2% of residents aged 15+ holding a vocational qualification, consisting of advanced diplomas (6.9%) and certificates (30.3%). School and study enrollment rates are exceptionally high, with 44.8% of residents currently registered in formal study.
This comprises 22.3% attending primary school, 11.6% in secondary school, and 3.1% enrolled in tertiary education.
Frequently Asked Questions - Education
Schools Detail
Getting around Stirling North means driving: households keep an average of 1.9 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
68.9% of residents in Stirling North report no long-term health condition, a less healthy profile than 75% of areas nationally. 3.0% need daily assistance with core activities, and 59.4% hold private health cover. The standardised death rate runs at 6.4 per 1,000 residents. Health conditions, assistance needs and insurance are 2021 Census measures; the death rate comes from current ABS releases.
Detail
Stirling North experiences notable health difficulties based on AreaSearch's analysis of mortality rates and chronic health conditions, with typical medical concerns present in both younger and older cohorts, while the proportion of residents with private health insurance is extremely high at roughly 59% of the population (1,727 people). This is in contrast to the 48.9% rate observed across Regional SA. Asthma and arthritis are the most prevalent medical conditions reported locally, affecting 10.4 and 7.8% of population members respectively, while 68.9% of residents reported having no chronic medical conditions, compared to 62.5% in Regional SA.
Residents of working age display a higher than average rate of chronic health issues. The community has 14.7% of its population aged 65 and over (427 people), which is lower than the 27.1% share in Regional SA. Senior health outcomes present some difficulties, with national rankings matching the patterns seen in the broader population.
Frequently Asked Questions - Health
Stirling North is largely Australian-born, at 94.2% of residents, with 2.3% speaking a language other than English at home. The largest reported ancestries are Australian (36.3%) and English (30.2%). 7.3% 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
Stirling North exhibits below-average levels of cultural diversity, with citizens making up 73.0% of the population, 94.2% born in Australia, and 97.7% speaking only English at home. Christianity is the predominant religion, followed by 36.7% of people in Stirling North. The most disproportionate representation, however, is in Judaism, which comprises natural language zero of the local population, matching the natural language zero recorded across Regional SA. Regarding family ancestry (parental country of birth), the three largest groups in Stirling North are Australian at 36.3% of the population, English at 30.2% of the population, and Australian Aboriginal at 7.3% of the population.
There are also notable differences in other backgrounds: German background represents 5.1% of Stirling North (compared to 8.2% across the region), Maori is at 0.3% (compared to 0.2% regionally), and Dutch stands at 1.1% (compared to 1.3% regionally).
Frequently Asked Questions - Diversity
The median resident of Stirling North is 35, younger than 76% of areas nationally. 28.3% 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 35 years in Stirling North is well below the Regional SA average of 47 and younger than the Australian median of 38 years. Stirling North has a higher proportion of residents aged 25 to 34 (17.4%) than Regional SA, but a smaller share of people aged 65 to 74 (9.1%). Since the 2021 Census, the 35 to 44 age bracket has risen from 15.9% to 17.1% of the population, whereas the 25 to 34 cohort has decreased from 19.6% to 17.4%. Looking forward to 2041, demographic projections point to major adjustments in Stirling North's age distribution.
The 85+ bracket is projected to increase by 116% (37 people), growing from 31 to 69. Notably, the combined age cohorts of 65 and over will make up 73% of total population growth, showing the aging trend of the local population. In contrast, the numbers of residents in the 15 to 24 and 25 to 34 age brackets are expected to fall.
Frequently Asked Questions - Age
Data & MethodBoundaries, Sources & Method for Stirling North
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, Local governments Daily | May 2026 3 months ago all 2 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 May 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 — 28 validated new addresses here. The headline figure is therefore a current estimate for May 2026, not a 2021 count (2,793 at the 2021 Census → 2,907 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 (SAL41385). QuickStats reports 2021 only — the figures on this page are more current wherever the ledger shows a later date.