Port Augusta West
Port Augusta West stands out for its 13.4% vacancy rate and 40.9% renting share across a population of 4,046, giving it a more transient housing profile than a settled owner-occupied suburb. The area is 79.9% separate houses, while 84.9% of commuters drive, reflecting a spread-out setting across 733.01 square kilometres. Its median age of 40 matches the national comparison, but university attainment is 9.7 percentage points below national levels and household income sits at the 39.9th percentile. Compared with nearby Port Augusta, buyers should expect lower density and stronger reliance on cars, with employment concentrated in healthcare, government and education. An aging trajectory sits alongside a 2.52% annual growth trend, making street-level demand important.
Population
4,046
Median Age
40.0
Household IncomeiMedian weekly household income (ABS Census)
$1,396/wk
DAs (12 months)iDevelopment Applications lodged in the past year
38
Homebuyers in Port Augusta West face an unusual pricing information gap because a suburb-level median house price is unavailable, so recent comparable sales and building condition matter more than a single benchmark. Weekly rent is $213, while mortgage costs are $1,279 per month and mortgage payments equal 21.2% of household income, with no mortgage stress flag. Housing is detached-house led at 79.9%, with 65.5% of dwellings containing 3 bedrooms and 23.2% having 4 or more. Ownership is split between outright owners at 30.8%, mortgagors at 26.9% and renters at 40.9%. Compared with nearby Port Augusta, the 13.4% vacancy rate may give buyers more choice, but it can also signal uneven demand by street and property type. Check cooling, maintenance and insurance costs because larger or older homes can change the true budget.
For Buyers
Homebuyers in Port Augusta West face an unusual pricing information gap because a suburb-level median house price is unavailable, so recent comparable sales and building condition matter more than a single benchmark. Weekly rent is $213, while mortgage costs are $1,279 per month and mortgage payments equal 21.2% of household income, with no mortgage stress flag. Housing is detached-house led at 79.9%, with 65.5% of dwellings containing 3 bedrooms and 23.2% having 4 or more. Ownership is split between outright owners at 30.8%, mortgagors at 26.9% and renters at 40.9%. Compared with nearby Port Augusta, the 13.4% vacancy rate may give buyers more choice, but it can also signal uneven demand by street and property type. Check cooling, maintenance and insurance costs because larger or older homes can change the true budget.
For Investors
Port Augusta West has an investor profile shaped by 40.9% renting, a $213 weekly rent and a 13.4% vacancy rate. That vacancy is higher than a tightly supplied market, so gross income potential must be weighed against letting periods, property condition and the 18.7% turnover rate. The 38 development applications recorded over 12 months indicate ongoing local activity, with recent examples including verandahs and domestic outbuildings. Demand is supported by healthcare at 20.7% of industry employment, public administration at 17.2% and education at 14.9%. Internal migration is the primary growth driver, but the aging trajectory and 6.8% need-assistance rate favour accessible, low-maintenance homes over highly specialised stock. Compared with nearby Port Augusta, investors should test each property's vacancy history and maintenance profile instead of assuming suburb-wide rental performance.
Development Activity
Total DAs
250
Last 12 Months
38
YoY ChangeiYear-over-year change in DA lodgements
-11.6%
Avg DA CostiAverage estimated cost per DA in the past year
N/A
Monthly DA Lodgements
DA Categories
Schools in Port Augusta West
Open-register school locations for education access. This is not a school-quality ranking.
Flinders View Primary School
Port Augusta West Primary School
Port Augusta Special School
Demographics
Port Augusta West has a median age of 40, exactly matching the national comparison, but its social profile is less university-oriented: 20.4% hold a university qualification, 9.7 percentage points below the national figure. Household size averages 2.3 people, 0.2 below the national comparison, and 81.3% of residents stayed at the same address, indicating more continuity than the 18.7% turnover rate suggests. English, Irish, German and Scottish are the leading named ancestries, with counts of 1,443, 305, 270 and 250 respectively. No religion is the largest reported affiliation at 1,967 people, ahead of Christianity at 1,485, while Sikhism accounts for 77. The 20.9% one-parent-family share and 41.4% couples-without-children share help explain demand for both practical 3-bedroom homes and smaller, manageable dwellings.
Age Distribution
Bedrooms
Dwelling Structure
79.9%
Houses
12.6%
Townhouse
5.6%
Apartment
Tenure
Port Augusta West is a detached-house market, with 79.9% separate houses, 12.6% semi-detached dwellings and 5.6% apartments. Three-bedroom homes dominate at 65.5%, while 23.2% have 4 or more bedrooms, so family-sized stock is more common than compact apartment living. Tenure is mixed: 30.8% own outright, 26.9% have a mortgage and 40.9% rent. The 13.4% vacancy rate is higher than a tightly occupied market and helps explain why rental choice may be broader than in nearby Port Augusta. Mortgage payments absorb 21.2% of household income and rent absorbs 15.3%, with neither flagged as housing stress. Affordability is worsening, moving from 39.2 in 2011 to 42.6 in 2021. With no median house price available, compare total holding costs, repairs and likely resale demand rather than relying on one benchmark.
Mortgage / mo
$1,279
Rent / wkiABS Census 2021 median across all dwelling types. Current market rents are typically higher.
$213
Census 2021
HH Size
2.3
Personal Income / wk
$720
Vacancy Ratei% of dwellings unoccupied on Census night (ABS 2021)
13.4%
Unoccupied
239
Rent / IncomeiMedian rent as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
15.3%
Mortgage / IncomeiMedian mortgage as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
21.2%
Community Profile
Languages Spoken at Home
Ancestry
Household Composition
35.7%
Couples with children
41.4%
Couples, no children
20.9%
Single parent
1,040
Total families
Economy & Employment
Employment in Port Augusta West is anchored by healthcare at 20.7% of industry employment, public administration at 17.2% and education at 14.9%; construction contributes 8.2% and transport 5.8%. This mix matters because public services and care work can provide steadier local demand than a suburb relying on one private employer. Labour-force participation is 56.4%, unemployment is 5.6% and 60.9% of workers are full time, pointing to a workforce that is active but less concentrated in full-time jobs than a high-participation market. Occupations are led by community and personal services with 317 people, professionals with 282 and trades with 210. Household income is at the 39.9th percentile, below the national midpoint, while the IER and IRSAD both sit in decile 1. These conditions indicate lower economic resources than higher-decile areas, so price-sensitive retail and practical services are likely to matter.
Unemployment
5.6%
Labour Force
1,836
Unemployed
102
Source: ABS Census 2021
Socio-Economic Indexes (SEIFA)iABS index ranking suburbs from 1 (most disadvantaged) to 10 (most advantaged)
Full-time
60.9%
Part-time
31.8%
Participation
56.4%
Employed
1,734
Full-time and part-time are shares of the employed. Source: ABS Census 2021
Occupations
Top Industries
University
20.4%
Postgraduate
5.0%
Born Overseas
9.3%
Dwellings
1,535
Transport to Work
Livability in Port Augusta West is practical and car dependent: 84.9% travel as car drivers, compared with just 1.0% using public transport, while 4.4% walk or cycle and 2.3% work from home. Three local schools provide government access across 2 primary settings and 1 special-education setting, so families should check enrolment zones and travel times against the exact address. The suburb covers 733.01 square kilometres at a low density of 5.5 people per square kilometre, making proximity to services more important than the postcode alone. Safety needs careful due diligence because the recorded crime rate is 238.3 incidents per 1,000 residents, higher than a low-crime benchmark. Socioeconomic conditions are also constrained: IRSAD and IRSD are both in decile 1, while 6.8% of residents need assistance. Compared with a denser centre, expect more driving, larger gaps between destinations and greater variation between streets.
Drive
84.9%
Public Transport
1.0%
Walk / Cycle
4.4%
Work from Home
2.3%
Population Forecast
+2.52%/yr
(+204 people/yr)
EstablishedPort Augusta West is on a 2.52% annual growth trend, with internal migration identified as the primary driver. Across the wider area, population change is 48.6% over 10 years, while the forecast shift labels the trajectory Aging and records a 3.8 percentage-point rise in the senior share alongside a 4.2-point fall in the working share. Gentrification is marked Active with a score of 40, although the longer shift measure records Early signs at 25, suggesting improvement pressure is present but uneven. Rents have grown 42.9%, and affordability worsened from 39.2 in 2011 to 42.6 in 2021, so growth is not automatically translating into easier access for locals. Development activity reached 38 applications in 12 months, with recent examples including verandahs and domestic outbuildings. Compared with a stable regional suburb, the combination of 2.52% growth and aging demand favours incremental, service-oriented investment.
Historical + Forecast
Hamilton-Perry + Holt smoothing on ERP 2001-2025
Age Cohort Forecast
Primary Driver
Internal Migration
Net Overseas / yr
+52
Net Internal / yr
+256
Gentrification Signal
Active
Net internal migration +256/yr, Accelerating: 21% → 46%
Safety & Crime
Total Offences
964
Year ending June 2024
Rate per 1,000 People
238.3
Source: Crime Statistics Agency Victoria / SA Police
National Ranking iPercentile rank among ~15,000 AU suburbs. 90% = higher than 90% of suburbs
How Port Augusta West compares to ~15,000 Australian suburbs
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Port Augusta West a good suburb to live in?
Port Augusta West can suit buyers seeking detached homes, lower-density living and access to regional services. It is car dependent, with 84.9% driving, and safety and service access deserve checking because crime is 238.3 incidents per 1,000 residents across an area of 733.01 square kilometres.
What is the median house price in Port Augusta West?
A reliable median house price is not available for Port Augusta West. Use recent comparable sales, asking prices and property condition, then compare the result with the $213 weekly rent and 13.4% vacancy rate before setting a purchase budget.
What schools are in Port Augusta West?
Port Augusta West has 3 nearby government schools, covering 2 primary schools and 1 special-education school. Check the exact enrolment zone, transport options and year-level availability, as the suburb's 733.01 square kilometres can make daily travel a practical consideration.
Is Port Augusta West safe?
Safety varies by street and time, so inspect the exact location and review local incidents before deciding. The recorded crime rate is 238.3 incidents per 1,000 residents, higher than a low-crime benchmark; also consider lighting, parking and access to services.
Is Port Augusta West good for property investment?
It may suit a cautious investor who can manage vacancy and maintenance risk. Renting is 40.9%, weekly rent is $213 and vacancy is 13.4%, while 38 development applications in 12 months indicate ongoing activity. Test the individual property's rental history rather than assuming the suburb average.
How is Port Augusta West's population changing?
Port Augusta West is changing through growth and aging at the same time. The annual trend is 2.52%, internal migration is the primary driver, and the wider area's 10-year population change is 48.6%. The senior share rose 3.8 points while the working share fell 4.2 points.
What development is occurring in Port Augusta West?
Development activity reached 38 applications over 12 months, with recent examples including verandahs and a domestic outbuilding. That points to ongoing property upgrades, but not necessarily a large new-housing release. Check approvals and infrastructure impacts for the exact street before buying.
How to read these comparisons
Phrases like "above the national average" reference the unweighted median across Australian suburbs with more than 1,000 residents, not population-weighted national figures. Suburb-level medians are more useful for ranking suburbs against each other; ABS census headlines are population-weighted (so dominated by Sydney and Melbourne) and can read very differently.
Current baseline (refreshed 2026-05-10): median age 40, university-educated 30.1%, born overseas 21.6%, average household size 2.5 people.
Data sources: ABS 2021 Census (demographics, income, tenure), state education open registers (school locations), state Crime Statistics agencies (offences), council DA portals (development applications). Population forecasts use a Hamilton-Perry cohort model calibrated to ABS ERP.
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