Port Pirie South
An older, detached-house suburb with a surprisingly high 10.0% vacancy rate, Port Pirie South has 3,878 residents across 15.46 square kilometres. The median age is 43, 3 years above the national figure, while 89.0% of dwellings are separate houses. Household income sits at the 21.5th percentile, below the national midpoint, and both IRSAD and IRSD are in decile 1. Compared with nearby Port Pirie, the suburb is best understood as a conventional residential setting shaped by affordability, ageing households and car dependence rather than rapid population growth.
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
65
Port Pirie South suits buyers prioritising a conventional house over apartment stock: 89.0% of dwellings are separate houses, 11.0% are semi-detached, and 60.1% have 3 bedrooms. A typical mortgage commitment is listed at $975 per month, while weekly rent is $200, so ownership costs need to be tested against deposit size, rates and maintenance rather than rent alone. Mortgage stress is not flagged, with repayments at 19.7% of household income, below the 30% stress benchmark. Compared with nearby Port Pirie, buyers should check the exact street for property condition, services and resale depth.
For Buyers
Port Pirie South suits buyers prioritising a conventional house over apartment stock: 89.0% of dwellings are separate houses, 11.0% are semi-detached, and 60.1% have 3 bedrooms. A typical mortgage commitment is listed at $975 per month, while weekly rent is $200, so ownership costs need to be tested against deposit size, rates and maintenance rather than rent alone. Mortgage stress is not flagged, with repayments at 19.7% of household income, below the 30% stress benchmark. Compared with nearby Port Pirie, buyers should check the exact street for property condition, services and resale depth.
For Investors
Investor appeal centres on rental-cost signals, but vacancy risk matters. Weekly rent is $200 and 27.7% of households rent, while vacancy is 10.0%, high enough to require conservative leasing assumptions and a cash buffer. Development activity reached 67 applications in 12 months, with recent examples including verandah, patio and storm-damaged carport works. The forecast points to -0.06% annual growth, with overseas migration the primary driver, so rental demand may be steadier than capital growth. Compared with higher-growth suburbs, Port Pirie South fits a yield-and-maintenance strategy better than a rapid appreciation thesis.
Development Activity
Total DAs
295
Last 12 Months
65
YoY ChangeiYear-over-year change in DA lodgements
+6.6%
Avg DA CostiAverage estimated cost per DA in the past year
N/A
Monthly DA Lodgements
DA Categories
Demographics
Port Pirie South has an older, locally rooted profile: median age is 43, 3 years above the national figure, and 82.9% of residents stayed at the same address over the reference period. University attainment is 17.5%, 12.6 percentage points below the national level, while overseas-born residents account for 8.0%, 13.6 points below nationally. English ancestry leads at 1,625 people, followed by Scottish at 316, Irish at 315, German at 298 and Italian at 258. Christianity totals 1,785 people versus 1,755 reporting no religion. The 2.2-person average household is 0.3 below the national figure, consistent with smaller and older households.
Age Distribution
Bedrooms
Dwelling Structure
89.0%
Houses
11.0%
Townhouse
0.0%
Apartment
Tenure
Housing is overwhelmingly detached and family-sized: 89.0% of dwellings are separate houses, 11.0% are semi-detached, and 60.1% contain 3 bedrooms. Four-bedroom homes account for 21.1%, while 2-bedroom dwellings are 15.9%. Tenure is split between 36.7% owned outright, 33.1% mortgaged and 27.7% rented, giving the suburb a substantial renter segment alongside long-term owners. Housing costs look moderate relative to local incomes, with rent at 17.5% and mortgage payments at 19.7% of household income, both below the 30% stress threshold. The household income percentile is 21.5, below the national midpoint, so affordability should be compared with earnings as well as advertised prices.
Mortgage / mo
$975
Rent / wkiABS Census 2021 median across all dwelling types. Current market rents are typically higher.
$200
Census 2021
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
33.5%
Couples with children
43.5%
Couples, no children
21.3%
Single parent
1,073
Total families
Economy & Employment
Healthcare is the largest industry at 24.3% with 222 workers, followed by manufacturing and education at 15.2% each and 139 workers apiece. Construction contributes 7.7% and public administration 7.3%, while occupations are led by community and personal services at 279, professionals at 256 and trades at 242. Labour-force participation is 55.3%, unemployment is 6.4% and full-time employment is 58.3%, indicating a smaller and less full-time labour pool than many metropolitan areas. The low-income profile is reinforced by IEO decile 1 and IER decile 1, while IRSD and IRSAD also sit in decile 1. Those four lowest deciles are below the midpoint of the national decile scale and align with household income at the 21.5th percentile, although healthcare, education and public administration provide service-based employment anchors.
Unemployment
6.4%
Labour Force
1,785
Unemployed
114
Source: ABS Census 2021
Socio-Economic Indexes (SEIFA)iABS index ranking suburbs from 1 (most disadvantaged) to 10 (most advantaged)
Full-time
58.3%
Part-time
35.9%
Participation
55.3%
Employed
1,671
Full-time and part-time are shares of the employed. Source: ABS Census 2021
Occupations
Top Industries
University
17.5%
Postgraduate
2.3%
Born Overseas
8.0%
Dwellings
1,640
Transport to Work
Daily life is car-oriented: 87.7% drive to work, compared with 3.1% who walk or cycle and 2.7% who work from home. That pattern matters across 15.46 square kilometres at 250.9 people per square kilometre, because errands and services are less likely to be reached on foot. Reported crime is 320 incidents, or 82.5 per 1,000 residents, so safety should be checked street by street and against the latest local trend rather than assumed from suburb averages. IRSAD and IRSD are both decile 1, below the national midpoint, reflecting socioeconomic constraints. Families should verify school zones, transport routes and daily services for the exact address, especially when comparing Port Pirie South with nearby Port Pirie.
Drive
87.7%
Public Transport
N/A
Walk / Cycle
3.1%
Work from Home
2.7%
Population Forecast
-0.06%/yr
(-9 people/yr)
EstablishedPort Pirie South is on a slow-growth, ageing path. Annual growth is forecast at -0.06%, and population change across the wider area is -1.0% over 10 years, both below a positive-growth trajectory. Overseas migration is the primary driver, but the shift label is Aging, with the senior share up 3.9 percentage points and the young share down 3.0 points. Affordability improved from 38.0% in 2011 to 32.5% in 2021, while rents rose 23.3%. Gentrification is labelled Not gentrifying with score 0, while the shift assessment records Early signs at score 28. This points to gradual renewal rather than rapid expansion.
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?
It can suit households seeking detached housing, lower weekly rent and a quieter established setting. About 89.0% of dwellings are separate houses, the median age is 43, and 87.7% commute by car. The trade-off is a 10.0% vacancy rate, socioeconomic indexes in decile 1 and reported crime of 82.5 incidents per 1,000 residents, so inspect the exact street before deciding.
What is the median house price in Port Pirie South?
A current median house price should be confirmed from recent comparable sales because values can vary materially by street and dwelling condition. Port Pirie South has 89.0% separate houses and 60.1% three-bedroom homes, so compare like-for-like properties rather than mixing houses, semi-detached homes and renovations.
What schools are in Port Pirie South?
School choices and enrolment zones should be checked for the exact address, as practical access can differ across Port Pirie. The suburb covers 15.46 square kilometres and has 3,878 residents, while 2.7% work from home and 87.7% drive, making route planning important for families. Confirm sector, year levels, transport and out-of-area policies before signing a lease or contract.
Is Port Pirie South safe?
Safety is something to assess at street level rather than assume from a suburb label. Port Pirie South recorded 320 incidents, equal to 82.5 per 1,000 residents, so compare the latest trend and local conditions before moving. Check lighting, parking, walking routes and nearby activity at different times, particularly because 87.7% of commuters drive and only 3.1% walk or cycle.
Is Port Pirie South good for property investment?
It may suit a conservative rental strategy, but vacancy needs attention. Weekly rent is $200, 27.7% of households rent and vacancy is 10.0%, while the growth outlook is -0.06% annually. Overseas migration is the primary driver and 67 development applications were recorded over 12 months, so assess tenant demand, maintenance and insurance rather than relying on fast capital growth.
How is Port Pirie South's population changing?
Population change is broadly flat to slightly negative. The wider area's 10-year change is -1.0% and annual growth is forecast at -0.06%, while the trajectory is labelled Aging. The senior share rose 3.9 percentage points and the young share fell 3.0 points, so demand is likely to favour established services and adaptable homes more than rapid new-household formation.
What development is happening in Port Pirie South?
There were 67 development applications in the past 12 months. Recent examples include a verandah, a patio entertainment area and replacement of a storm-damaged carport and shed. The pattern points to ongoing home improvement and maintenance, so buyers should check renovation quality, drainage, storm exposure and approval details before purchasing.
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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