Overall score
Goolwa
39.7/100
Port Elliot
30.6/100
Goolwa for families and investment; Port Elliot for beach lifestyle.
See which suburb leads on livability, safety, schools, and lifestyle.
Head to head
Overall score
Goolwa
39.7/100
Port Elliot
30.6/100
Crime rate
Goolwa
26.7 / 1k
Port Elliot
28.4 / 1k
Nearby amenities
Goolwa
25
Port Elliot
6
Population
Goolwa
2,558
Port Elliot
2,251
Desirability pillars scored 0–100 vs comparable suburbs
Clearer edge on lifestyle fit (score gap ≥ 3)
Who each suburb suits — composite scores out of 100
Side-by-side scores for every compared metric.
Exact figures for every metric — winner highlighted in bold.
| Category | Goolwa | Port Elliot |
|---|---|---|
| Overall score | 39.7/100 | 30.6/100 |
| Housing (desirability) | 29.1/100 | 10.6/100 |
| Crime rate | 26.7 / 1k | 28.4 / 1k |
| Schools & preschools | 3 | 2 |
| Public transport stops | 5 | 2 |
| Walkability | 7.5/100 | 3.0/100 |
| Nearby amenities | 25 | 6 |
| Planning activity | 105 | 55 |
| Population | 2,558 | 2,251 |
| SEIFA (IRSAD decile) | 1/10 | 3/10 |
Goolwa is a hillside mid-sized suburb with greener streets and a quieter pace, while Port Elliot is a coastal smaller community shaped by beach life and outdoor living. Port Elliot leans into coastal living, while Goolwa feels more inland and suburban in character.
On the data, Goolwa is stronger for housing affordability and a quieter safety profile; Port Elliot answers with a calmer planning outlook and stronger socioeconomic advantage.
Choose Goolwa if you are weighing families and investors; lean toward Port Elliot for people chasing a beach lifestyle.