Port Pirie South
A decile 1 SEIFA score on all four indexes marks Port Pirie South as one of South Australia's most disadvantaged suburbs by national standards, yet its affordability trajectory has improved, with mortgage-to-income falling from 38.0% in 2011 to 32.5% in 2021. The 3,878-resident suburb spans 15.46 km2 with a density of 250.9 people per km2, and 89% of dwellings are separate houses. Household income sits at the 21.5th percentile nationally, reflecting a workforce concentrated in healthcare and manufacturing. A 10% vacancy rate stands notably above typical suburban norms, pointing to soft rental demand in a slow-growth market where population declined 1.0% over the decade.
Population
3,878
Median Age
43.0
Household IncomeiMedian weekly household income (ABS Census)
$1,145/wk
DAs (12 months)iDevelopment Applications lodged in the past year
73
Median house price data is not published for this suburb, but affordability signals are broadly accessible: monthly mortgage repayments average $975, and the mortgage-to-income ratio of 19.7% is below the 30% stress threshold, indicating housing costs are manageable relative to local incomes. That ratio compares favourably to many SA metropolitan suburbs where costs run higher. Stock is dominated by three-bedroom homes at 60.1% of dwellings, with four-plus bedrooms at 21.1%, and 89% of dwellings are detached houses. The outright-ownership rate of 37.6% exceeds the mortgage-holder share of 34.0%, suggesting a settled, longer-tenured owner base rather than a market driven by recent purchasers.
For Buyers
Median house price data is not published for this suburb, but affordability signals are broadly accessible: monthly mortgage repayments average $975, and the mortgage-to-income ratio of 19.7% is below the 30% stress threshold, indicating housing costs are manageable relative to local incomes. That ratio compares favourably to many SA metropolitan suburbs where costs run higher. Stock is dominated by three-bedroom homes at 60.1% of dwellings, with four-plus bedrooms at 21.1%, and 89% of dwellings are detached houses. The outright-ownership rate of 37.6% exceeds the mortgage-holder share of 34.0%, suggesting a settled, longer-tenured owner base rather than a market driven by recent purchasers.
For Investors
Renters make up 28.4% of households, supported by a weekly median rent of $200, low by state standards but consistent with a decile 1 advantage area where incomes average $616 per week personally. The 10.0% vacancy rate is a key caution signal: excess supply puts downward pressure on rents and makes finding tenants harder than in tighter markets. Development activity is moderate at 65 applications in 12 months, mostly alterations rather than new supply. Overseas migration averages a net positive 40 per year, partly offsetting an average internal outflow of 35 residents annually, but the medium forecast still projects the broader area population falling from 14,195 in 2025 to around 14,176 by 2031, offering limited capital growth from population tailwinds.
Development Activity
Total DAs
281
Last 12 Months
73
YoY ChangeiYear-over-year change in DA lodgements
+49.0%
Avg DA CostiAverage estimated cost per DA in the past year
N/A
Monthly DA Lodgements
DA Categories
Demographics
The median age of 43 is 3.0 years above the national figure, and the trajectory is aging: the senior share rose 3.9 points while the young-adult share fell 3.0 points over the decade. Overseas-born residents account for 8.0%, which is 13.6 percentage points below the national average, reflecting an Anglo-Celtic heritage where English (1,625), Scottish (316), Irish (315) and German (298) ancestries lead. University qualifications reach 17.5%, which is 12.6 points below the national figure, consistent with an economy anchored in trade and service work rather than professional roles. Average household size is 2.2, slightly below the national figure, and couples-with-children (991 families) broadly match couples-without-children (940), indicating a mixed but maturing family structure.
Age Distribution
Bedrooms
Dwelling Structure
89.0%
Houses
11.0%
Townhouse
N/A
Apartment
Tenure
Tenure favours ownership: 37.6% own outright and 34.0% carry a mortgage, compared to 28.4% renting. A 60.1% share of three-bedroom dwellings and 21.1% four-plus bedroom homes indicates supply is matched to families rather than singles or downsizers. With 89.0% separate houses and only 11.0% semi-detached, the stock is overwhelmingly detached, which is higher than the SA state average. Monthly mortgage repayments average $975 and rent-to-income sits at 17.5%, both below stress thresholds, meaning housing cost pressure is relatively contained by national comparison. The 10.0% vacancy rate is the primary tension point, signalling that supply exceeds current demand and buyer competition is limited.
Mortgage / mo
$975
Rent / wk
$200
HH Size
2.2
Personal Income / wk
$616
Vacancy Ratei% of dwellings unoccupied on Census night (ABS 2021)
10.0%
Unoccupied
184
Rent / IncomeiMedian rent as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
17.5%
Mortgage / IncomeiMedian mortgage as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
19.7%
Community Profile
Languages Spoken at Home
Ancestry
Household Composition
32.4%
Couples, no children
2,899
Total families
Economy & Employment
Healthcare is the leading employer at 24.3% of local workers (222 people), followed by Manufacturing and Education each at 15.2% (139 each), with Construction at 7.7% and Public Admin at 7.3%. This split is broadly stable for a regional SA centre. By occupation, Community and Personal service roles lead (279 workers), followed by Professionals (256), Machinery and Drivers (198) and Labourers (184). The unemployment rate is 6.7%, above the SA state average, and the participation rate of 52.3% is relatively low, with 1,303 residents not in the labour force because of the older age profile. All four SEIFA indexes rank at decile 1, placing the suburb below 90% of Australian suburbs on education, economic resources, and disadvantage measures.
Unemployment
11.7%
Labour Force
6,458
Unemployed
756
Quarterly Trend
Source: SALM Dec-25
Socio-Economic Indexes (SEIFA)iABS index ranking suburbs from 1 (most disadvantaged) to 10 (most advantaged)
Full-time
61.9%
Part-time
31.4%
Participation
52.3%
Employed
1,575
Occupations
Top Industries
University
17.5%
Postgraduate
2.3%
Born Overseas
8.0%
Dwellings
1,640
Transport to Work
Car dependency is high: 90.1% of residents drive to work, above the national average, while only 3.2% walk or cycle. Public transport data is not available for this suburb. The crime rate of 82.5 incidents per 1,000 residents based on 320 total recorded crimes is elevated compared to many SA outer-metro suburbs, and should be weighed as a trade-off alongside the low housing cost base. All four SEIFA scores sit at decile 1, placing Port Pirie South below the 10th national percentile on advantage measures. On the positive side, rent-to-income at 17.5% and mortgage-to-income at 19.7% are both well below stress thresholds, and 37.6% of households own their home outright. No schools are recorded within the suburb boundary in this dataset, so families rely on institutions in neighbouring parts of Port Pirie.
Drive
90.1%
Public Transport
N/A
Walk / Cycle
3.2%
Work from Home
N/A
Population Forecast
-0.06%/yr
(-9 people/yr)
EstablishedPopulation has been in gentle retreat: a 1.0% decline over ten years translates to an annual loss of around 9 people, and the medium forecast projects a further fall from 14,195 (2025) to approximately 14,176 by 2031. Overseas migration of 40 net arrivals per year partially offsets internal outflows averaging 35 per year, but the balance is thin. The gentrification score of 28 points to early signs of gentrification potential, though this has not yet translated into visible price or income movement. Rent growth of 23.3% over the decade outpaced the 1.0% population decline, suggesting demand from a stable resident base rather than new arrivals. Real income grew 17.3% over the same period, improving affordability even without price data confirmation.
Historical + Forecast
Hamilton-Perry + Holt smoothing on ERP 2001-2025
Age Cohort Forecast
Primary Driver
Overseas Migration
Net Overseas / yr
+40
Net Internal / yr
-35
Gentrification Signal
Not gentrifying
Safety & Crime
Total Offences
320
Year ending June 2024
Rate per 1,000 People
82.5
Source: Crime Statistics Agency Victoria / SA Police
National Ranking iPercentile rank among ~15,000 AU suburbs. 90% = higher than 90% of suburbs
How Port Pirie South compares to ~15,000 Australian suburbs
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Port Pirie South a good suburb to live in?
Port Pirie South offers low housing costs, with mortgage repayments averaging $975 per month and a mortgage-to-income ratio of 19.7%, well below the 30% stress level. The trade-offs are a decile 1 SEIFA ranking on all four national indexes, a crime rate of 82.5 per 1,000 residents, and high car dependency at 90.1%.
What is the median house price in Port Pirie South?
Median house price data is not published for this suburb. As a guide, weekly rent averages $200 and monthly mortgage repayments run $975. Rent-to-income is 17.5% and mortgage-to-income is 19.7%, both below stress thresholds, pointing to affordable entry relative to local incomes.
What schools are in Port Pirie South?
No schools are recorded inside the Port Pirie South boundary in this dataset. Families rely on schools in adjacent suburbs of Port Pirie. University qualification rates locally are 17.5%, which is 12.6 percentage points below the national average, reflecting the trade and services focus of the local economy.
Is Port Pirie South safe?
Port Pirie South recorded 320 crimes in the reference period, giving a rate of 82.5 incidents per 1,000 residents. This is elevated compared to many suburban SA areas and is a factor worth checking against specific categories before purchasing. The suburb ranks at decile 1 on the IRSD disadvantage index nationally.
Is Port Pirie South good for property investment?
The 10.0% vacancy rate signals oversupply, making tenanting properties harder than in tighter markets. Weekly rent of $200 is low by SA standards. Medium population forecasts show a decline from 14,195 in 2025 to around 14,176 by 2031, limiting demand-side growth. Rent did grow 23.3% over the past decade despite population falling 1.0%, suggesting the resident base is stable if small.
How is Port Pirie South's population changing?
Population fell 1.0% over the past decade, averaging a loss of about 9 residents per year. The medium forecast projects a further decline from 14,195 in 2025 to roughly 14,176 by 2031. Overseas migration adds a net 40 people per year, but internal migration removes around 35, leaving a very thin net balance.
How much development is happening in Port Pirie South?
There were 65 development applications lodged in the past 12 months, mostly dwelling alterations and minor works like sheds and verandahs rather than new dwellings. This level of activity is consistent with an established, slow-growth suburb at the early stages of gentrification with a score of 28 out of 100.
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 Valuer-General (house prices), Department of Jobs SALM (unemployment), ACARA (school ICSEA), 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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