Port Elliot
Port Elliot's standout feature is its age: the median is 61, or 21 years above the national comparison, while a 38.4% vacancy rate points to a substantial unoccupied dwelling component. The suburb has 2,251 residents across 21.27 sq km, with 92.3% separate houses and density of 105.8 people per sq km. Compared with the larger regional hub of Victor Harbor, Port Elliot reads as a smaller, low-density coastal setting, with 43.2% of homes owned outright and an aging trajectory shaping demand.
Local council: Alexandrina
Population
2,251
Median Age
61.0
Household IncomeiMedian weekly household income (ABS Census)
$1,073/wk
DAs (12 months)iDevelopment Applications lodged in the past year
66
Homebuyers in Port Elliot are choosing overwhelmingly detached stock: 92.3% of dwellings are separate houses, and 56.1% have 3 bedrooms, with another 22.1% at 4 or more. A mortgage figure of $1,210 per month equals 26.0% of household income, so mortgage stress is not flagged. Rent is $280 weekly, while outright ownership at 43.2% is almost twice the 22.7% mortgage-held share. Compared with the national household-size profile, the local average of 2.1 people is 0.4 lower, favouring buyers seeking lower-density homes rather than apartment stock, which is only 4.3%.
For Buyers
Homebuyers in Port Elliot are choosing overwhelmingly detached stock: 92.3% of dwellings are separate houses, and 56.1% have 3 bedrooms, with another 22.1% at 4 or more. A mortgage figure of $1,210 per month equals 26.0% of household income, so mortgage stress is not flagged. Rent is $280 weekly, while outright ownership at 43.2% is almost twice the 22.7% mortgage-held share. Compared with the national household-size profile, the local average of 2.1 people is 0.4 lower, favouring buyers seeking lower-density homes rather than apartment stock, which is only 4.3%.
For Investors
Investment conditions are mixed. Weekly rent is $280, rent represents 26.1% of household income, and 21.8% of dwellings are rented, but the 38.4% vacancy rate can weaken reliable occupancy or yield assumptions. Detached houses account for 92.3% of stock, while apartments are only 4.3%, narrowing the product mix. Development activity reached 69 applications in 12 months, with examples involving alterations, additions and outbuildings rather than a confirmed pipeline of new dwellings. Compared with its 21.8% renter share, the vacancy rate is the more important risk. Internal migration and a 1.66% annual trend provide some demand support.
Development Activity
Total DAs
355
Last 12 Months
66
YoY ChangeiYear-over-year change in DA lodgements
+32.0%
Avg DA CostiAverage estimated cost per DA in the past year
N/A
Monthly DA Lodgements
DA Categories
Schools in Port Elliot
Open-register school locations for education access. This is not a school-quality ranking.
Port Elliot Primary School
Demographics
Port Elliot is markedly older than the national pattern: the median age is 61, or 21 years above the national comparison, and the aging trajectory is reinforced by a 10.6 percentage-point rise in the senior share. Households average 2.1 people, 0.4 below the national figure, while couples without children make up 63.6% of families. English ancestry is the largest reported group at 1,200 people, followed by Scottish at 278, German at 241 and Irish at 227. No religion is reported by 1,065 residents versus 951 identifying with Christianity. Compared with nearby Victor Harbor, Port Elliot's smaller 2,251-person population points to a quieter, more retirement-oriented social base.
Age Distribution
Bedrooms
Dwelling Structure
92.3%
Houses
3.0%
Townhouse
4.3%
Apartment
Tenure
Port Elliot's housing is detached and owner-oriented, with 92.3% separate houses, 43.2% owned outright and 22.7% mortgaged. Renting accounts for 21.8%, while 12.3% sits in other tenure categories. The bedroom profile is concentrated in 3-bedroom homes at 56.1%, followed by 4 or more at 22.1% and 2-bedroom homes at 18.8%. Mortgage repayments of $1,210 monthly represent 26.0% of household income, and rent of $280 weekly represents 26.1%, with neither stress measure flagged. Compared with mortgaged tenure, outright ownership is higher, but the 38.4% vacancy rate means buyers should test seasonal demand and property condition carefully.
Mortgage / mo
$1,210
Rent / wkiABS Census 2021 median across all dwelling types. Current market rents are typically higher.
$280
Census 2021
HH Size
2.1
Personal Income / wk
$592
Vacancy Ratei% of dwellings unoccupied on Census night (ABS 2021)
38.4%
Unoccupied
596
Rent / IncomeiMedian rent as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
26.1%
Mortgage / IncomeiMedian mortgage as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
26.0%
Community Profile
Ancestry
Household Composition
24.4%
Couples with children
63.6%
Couples, no children
11.7%
Single parent
668
Total families
Economy & Employment
Port Elliot's economy is led by healthcare, which accounts for 26.1% of industry employment, followed by construction at 11.8%, education at 11.5%, retail at 8.8% and public administration at 6.9%. The occupation mix includes 149 professionals, 124 trades workers, 124 community and personal service workers, 102 managers and 92 labourers. Unemployment is 4.4% among a labour force of 797, but participation is only 40.3% and 1,124 people are outside the labour force, consistent with a median age 21 years above the national comparison. Household income sits at the 16.4th percentile, below the midpoint, so local spending power is lower than average even where employment is steady.
Unemployment
4.4%
Labour Force
797
Unemployed
35
Source: ABS Census 2021
Socio-Economic Indexes (SEIFA)iABS index ranking suburbs from 1 (most disadvantaged) to 10 (most advantaged)
Full-time
43.4%
Part-time
48.3%
Participation
40.3%
Employed
762
Full-time and part-time are shares of the employed. Source: ABS Census 2021
Occupations
Top Industries
University
30.1%
Postgraduate
6.7%
Born Overseas
20.8%
Dwellings
952
Transport to Work
Port Elliot suits residents who value a low-density coastal setting and can rely on a car. Public transport is used by only 0.5% of residents, compared with 74.1% who drive, while 7.1% walk or cycle and 14.5% work from home. One local school is present: Port Elliot Primary School, a government primary campus. Families should check enrolment zones and secondary options beyond the suburb. Crime is recorded at 31.1 incidents per 1,000 residents, and IRSAD sits in decile 3, below the national midpoint, so household resources and access may be uneven. Compared with a denser urban suburb, the 21.27 sq km area and 105.8 density favour space but make daily errands more car dependent.
Drive
74.1%
Public Transport
0.5%
Walk / Cycle
7.1%
Work from Home
14.5%
Growth Outlook
Port Elliot's forward trend is 1.66% a year, with internal migration the primary driver, while population change across the wider area is 19.9% over 10 years. The trajectory is Aging: the senior share rose 10.6 percentage points, the working share fell 6.2 points and the young share fell 3.4 points. Gentrification is rated Active with a score of 50, signalling meaningful change alongside the established resident base. Real income growth is 12.8% and rent growth is 33.3%, so demand is moving even as affordability shifted from 52.9% in 2011 to 50.8% in 2021. Compared with a younger growth corridor, future demand is more likely to be led by older movers, lifestyle buyers and upgrades to existing homes.
Population trend: Alexandrina council area
Port Elliot sits in the Alexandrina council area. These are the council area's residents, not Port Elliot's.
Residents 2025
31,427
Growth, 5 yr average
+2.0%/yr
2020 to 2025
Growth, last year
+1.6%
2024 to 2025
ABS Estimated Resident Population by LGA, 30 June each year; council area, not this suburb
Safety & Crime
Total Offences
70
Year ending June 2024
Rate per 1,000 People
31.1
Source: Crime Statistics Agency Victoria / SA Police
National Ranking iPercentile rank among ~15,000 AU suburbs. 90% = higher than 90% of suburbs
How Port Elliot compares to ~15,000 Australian suburbs
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Port Elliot a good suburb to live in?
Port Elliot can suit buyers seeking a quieter coastal setting, detached housing and a mature community. The median age is 61, 92.3% of dwellings are separate houses, and 74.1% of commuters drive, so it is more suited to car-oriented living than transit dependence. A crime rate of 31.1 per 1,000 and IRSAD decile 3 are useful checks alongside the exact address.
What is the median house price in Port Elliot?
A reliable suburb-wide median house price is not available to quote, so buyers should use recent comparable sales rather than infer value from the $1,210 monthly mortgage figure. Port Elliot's stock is 92.3% separate houses, with 56.1% in the 3-bedroom category, and the 38.4% vacancy rate can affect suburb-wide price signals.
What schools are in Port Elliot?
Port Elliot Primary School provides one government primary option in the suburb. Families should check the exact enrolment zone, year-level availability and secondary-school options because one local primary campus does not cover every schooling stage. The suburb's median age is 61 and average household size is 2.1, so family demand can vary by pocket.
Is Port Elliot safe?
Port Elliot records 70 incidents, equivalent to 31.1 incidents per 1,000 residents. That figure should be considered alongside the local population of 2,251 and the exact street context, because conditions can vary across a small community. IRSAD is in decile 3, below the national midpoint, which points to socioeconomic pressures that are separate from crime alone.
Is Port Elliot good for property investment?
Investment suitability is mixed rather than straightforward. Weekly rent is $280, the renter share is 21.8%, and vacancy is 38.4%, so occupancy assumptions deserve close testing. Detached houses make up 92.3% of dwellings, while 69 development applications were recorded over 12 months. Internal migration and a 1.66% annual growth trend are supportive, but vacancy remains a material risk.
How is Port Elliot's population changing?
Port Elliot's population is 2,251 today, and the wider area's 10-year population change is 19.9%. The annual growth trend is 1.66%, driven primarily by internal migration. Change is also aging-led: the senior share has increased 10.6 percentage points, while the young share has fallen 3.4 points and the working share 6.2 points. Gentrification is rated Active at 50.
What development is occurring in Port Elliot?
Recent development activity includes 69 applications over 12 months, with examples involving dwelling alterations, a second-floor verandah and a garage. That pattern points more to incremental upgrades than a confirmed subdivision or new-housing program. Check planning approvals, site constraints and completion status before treating applications as future supply, particularly with vacancy at 38.4%.
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).
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