Port Pirie South is an industrial and port town in South Australia, in Port Pirie Council. It has an industrial and port economy. Notable landmarks include Risdon Park Uniting Church building only.
Everyday destinations are relatively walkable, well above typical levels for industrial and port towns. Park access is a relative strength. Rents are relatively affordable. Recorded road-crash rates are lower than in comparable places, with recorded road crashes 75% below the peer median. Trade-offs centre on lower socio-economic advantage and more mapped flood cover.
Overall, the suburb suits people prioritising walkability and lower rents over socio-economic advantage.
Generated from the official metrics on this page. It can omit nuance or contain errors — check the tables and source notes before relying on it.
Strengths and weaknesses
Industrial or port town · compared with industrial and port towns in South Australia (45)
Strengths
Everyday destinations are relatively walkable
Recorded road-crash rates are lower than in comparable places
Rents are relatively affordable
Park access is a relative strength
Weaknesses
Socio-economic advantage sits below the peer median
Mapped flood cover is a relative weakness
What stands out
Industrial and port economy
Risdon Park Uniting Church building only
Who it suits
Stars are audience-fit ratings derived from Suburb.Guide data, not demographic counts or user reviews.
Families★☆☆☆☆
Professionals★☆☆☆☆
Retirees★☆☆☆☆
Students★★☆☆☆
Budget buyers★★☆☆☆
Housing, growth and risk
How Port Pirie South compares
A quick read of housing, growth, livability, and risk
Median house price
—
No data available
Median rent
$340/wk
Houses $365 · Units $250
Population (ERP)
5,544
-0.2% annual growth
Dwelling vacancy
10.0%
Census unoccupied dwellings
Livability profile
Desirability pillars vs the peer median (50th percentile)
How it compares
Relative standing using percentiles, ranks, and national deciles
Desirability
#45
among Country & regional · Established
Crime rate
75th
percentile in state (higher = more crime)
Pop. growth
5th
percentile in SA
Rented dwellings
28%
2021 Census tenure
Advantage (IRSAD)
1/10
national SEIFA decile
School ICSEA
23rd
percentile among schools with ICSEA
Population growth
Recent ERP change over 1 and 5 years
Housing mix
Dwelling types from the 2021 Census
Risks & flags
Quick scan — open a section below for full context
Living here
Desirability
Ranks & confidence
Desirability score
27.8/100 — Below average
National rank
6608th in Australia
State rank
652nd in SA
Peer rank
#45 among Country & regional · Established suburbs
Cohort rank
#251 among Country & regional suburbs
Data confidence
90%
Data sources & freshness
Suburb Guide desirability index — Suburb Guide (derived) · current · Updated
Housing
Flats / units (01/01/26 to 31/03/26)
$250
Houses (01/01/26 to 31/03/26)
$365
All types (01/01/26 to 31/03/26)
$340
Rental bonds lodged (01/01/26 to 31/03/26)
20
Median weekly rent from SA Housing Authority rental bond data. Figures can be unreliable where few bonds were lodged in the quarter.
Median house sale prices cover metropolitan Adelaide and selected fringe councils (19 LGAs, including Adelaide Hills and Gawler), not all of regional South Australia.
Household crowding and healthy vacancy — not cheapness Modest price change as a healthy-growth band
Data sources & freshness
SA rent report & metro median house sales — Government of South Australia · 1 January - 31 March 2026 · Updated · Quarterly; metro-fringe sales only
Population
Estimated resident population
5,544(June 2025)
-0.2% annual · -0.6% over 5 years · 5th percentile in SA
Growth figures & methodology
Annual growth
-0.2%
5-year growth
-0.6%
Change in 1 year
-11
Change in 5 years
-33
Growth rank in SA
5th percentile
ABS Estimated Resident Population allocated to this suburb from SA2-level data. Not an official ABS suburb count.
Methodology
Figures are allocated from ABS Estimated Resident Population at Statistical Area Level 2 (SA2), using 2021 Census share within overlapping SA2 regions. Where Census data is unavailable, area overlap is used instead.
The dashed chart line is a simple growth-trend estimate to June 2030 (~5,550), extrapolated at -0.0% average annual growth since 2011. It is illustrative only — not an official ABS forecast.
2021 Census figures
2021 Census
Population
3,878
Median age
43
Median household income / week
$1,145
Dwelling vacancy
10%
Unoccupied private dwellings
184 of 1,837
Median monthly mortgage
$975
Median weekly rent (2021 Census)
$200
Tenure (owned / mortgaged / rented)
37.6% / 34% / 28.4%
Employment rate
51.7%
Travel to work (WFH / public transport / car)
2.3% / 0% / 80.8%
Walked or cycled to work
2.6%
Dwelling mix (houses / semi / flats)
1,459 / 181 / 0
Contributes to desirability score · Community (12%) · Accessibility (12%) · Future Growth (6%)
Employment, household income and owned-outright tenure (2021 Census) Work-from-home and public-transport commute shares (2021 Census) Five-year population change as a healthy-growth band, not a boom bonus
Data sources & freshness
2021 Census — General Community Profile (including method of travel to work and educational attainment) — Australian Bureau of Statistics · Updated
The 2026 Census was conducted in August 2026; suburb-level updates are expected from mid-2027.
9.9% of adults have a university degree, compared with 22.6% across South Australia. 21.9% have a trade or vocational qualification.
University qualified9.9% · 22.6% SA
Diploma qualified5.3% · 8.6% SA
Trade / vocational21.9% · 17.5% SA
Year 12 or below62.9% · 51.2% SA
Highest qualification field
Main field of the highest non-school qualification (2021 Census).
Engineering and related technologies24.8%
Society and culture15.7%
Management and commerce15%
Health13.8%
Education11.8%
Food, hospitality and personal services8.2%
How these groups are defined
Measure
Definition
University qualified
Bachelor degree or higher
Diploma qualified
Advanced Diploma / Diploma
Trade / vocational
Certificate III + IV
Year 12
Year 12 as highest attainment
Below Year 12
Year 11 / 10 / 9 or below
People aged 15 years and over, 2021 Census. University, diploma and trade shares match ABS highest educational attainment (HEAP). Year 12 and below Year 12 are combined in the chart because the General Community Profile reports school-only attainment as a residual.
Contributes to desirability score · Community (12%)
University qualifications from the 2021 Census
Data sources & freshness
2021 Census — General Community Profile (including method of travel to work and educational attainment) — Australian Bureau of Statistics · Updated
The 2026 Census was conducted in August 2026; suburb-level updates are expected from mid-2027.
Tax & income
Median taxable income (2023–24)
$52,875
43rd percentile in SA · -10% vs Australia
Median salary / wages (2023–24)
$57,817
52nd percentile in SA · -11% vs Australia
Residents with rental investments
10.0%
24th percentile in SA · -27% vs Australia
Median super balance (2023–24)
$67,854
36th percentile in SA · +7% vs Australia
Residents with business income
6.0%
4th percentile in SA · -42% vs Australia
Australian Taxation Office Taxation Statistics 2023–24, individuals Table 25. Figures describe taxpayers who live in postcode 5540 — not a suburb-level official statistic. Rental investment is the share of local taxpayers reporting rental income or loss, not the share of local properties owned by investors.
Counts, net rent & state comparison
Taxpayers in this postcode
7,817
Taxpayers reporting net rent
784
Median net rent
-$571
Taxpayers reporting business income
493
Taxable income vs state median
-3%
Salary / wages vs state median
+1%
Rental investment vs state median
-17%
Super vs state median
-13%
Business income vs state median
-45%
Percentiles rank this postcode among unique postcodes in SA, so suburbs that share a postcode are not counted twice. Dollar figures are compared with Australia-wide ATO medians from the same release. Median net rent is among taxpayers who reported the rent label and can be negative.
Data sources & freshness
Taxation Statistics 2023–24 — individuals by postcode (Table 25) — Australian Taxation Office · Updated · Annual release; taxpayer residential postcode, not suburb boundary
Community & culture
5.5% speak a language other than English at home; 8% born overseas
Language at home
3,500 English only · 202 other
Non-English at home
5.5%
Born overseas
296 (8%)
Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander
184 (4.7%)
Australian citizens
3,620
Languages spoken at home (other than English)
10
Top languages other than English
Share of residents who speak a language other than English at home (2021 Census).
Italian18 · 27.7%
Arabic10 · 15.4%
Urdu9 · 13.8%
Greek8 · 12.3%
Australian Indigenous languages4 · 6.2%
Tamil4 · 6.2%
Afrikaans3 · 4.6%
Korean3 · 4.6%
Religion
46%Most common religion · Christianity
Christianity is the most common response at 46%, while 45.3% reported no religion.
Measure
Suburb
State
No religion
45.3%
45.2%
Christianity
46%
40%
Other / not stated
8.7%
14.7%
Christian denominations
Denomination
Suburb
State
Catholic
24.1%
15.5%
Uniting Church
7.7%
4.8%
Anglican
5.7%
7.2%
2021 Census — languages spoken at home, birthplace, Indigenous status, and religious affiliation (usual residence). Religion is optional on the Census form.
Data sources & freshness
2021 Census — General Community Profile (including method of travel to work and educational attainment) — Australian Bureau of Statistics · Updated
The 2026 Census was conducted in August 2026; suburb-level updates are expected from mid-2027.
Crime & safety
Reported offences increased compared with the previous period.
Offence counts & rates
Total offences (2025–26)
374
Against the person
117
Against property
257
Rate per 1,000 residents
67.5
Person-crime prevalence
About 1 in 33 residents
State crime-rate percentile
74.6th (higher = more crime)
Family & domestic abuse offences
336
Increase (daily rate)
+16.9%
Recorded road crashes (in suburb)
50
Crash rate per 1,000 residents (state rank)
9.02
Most common offence types
Damage Or Destroy Property73
Motor Vehicle Theft And Related Offences26
Serious Assault80
Theft From A Person36
Theft From Retail Premises53
Contributes to desirability score · Safety (22%)
Crime rate, offences against the person, year-on-year trend and recorded road crash rates
Risdon Park Primary SchoolPrimary · Government · ICSEA 944 · 23th percentile · LBOTE 8% · 300 students · Top SEA quarter 8% · 2.0 km awayView on My School →
Contributes to desirability score · Education (14%)
Median school ICSEA first, then school and catchment counts
Well connected by public transport — 28 public transport stops
Walkability proxy
30/100
Cafés per 1,000 residents
0
Food & drink per 1,000 residents
0
Parks per 1,000 residents
1.03
Sport & outdoors(2)
Park
Sports field
Other(1)
Port Pirie Motocross CircuitTrack
Names and addresses from OpenStreetMap. Unnamed venues show as their type (e.g. Cafe). Transport stops are summarised by type rather than listed individually. Campgrounds, beaches, wineries and local trails are included when they sit inside the suburb boundary.
Contributes to desirability score · Lifestyle (12%)
Food, shopping, recreation and sport per 1,000 residents (OpenStreetMap)
Data sources & freshness
Local amenity insights — Suburb Guide (derived) · current · Updated
Named sporting clubs from OpenStreetMap and the SA Sports Vouchers venue list, assigned to this suburb's boundary. Sporting facilities such as ovals, courts and recreation centres are listed under Amenities.
Green cover is the share of this suburb's boundary overlapping OpenStreetMap parks, woodland and forest polygons — not a satellite tree-canopy product. Summer maximum is the WorldClim / Open-Meteo seasonal normal already collected for Weather.
Contributes to desirability score · Environment (12%)
Tree canopy first, then green-cover area and parks per 1,000
Data sources & freshness
OpenStreetMap green cover and tree canopy — OpenStreetMap contributors · current · Updated · Park/woodland polygons intersected with suburb boundaries
Health access
Nearest hospital
Port Pirie Regional Health Service (4.3 km)
Nearest hospital type
Public Hospital
Nearest hospital emergency
Emergency department
GP clinics in suburb
0
GP clinic counts from OpenStreetMap. Bulk-billing figures only include clinics tagged in OSM (sparse and unofficial — not a Medicare list).
Contributes to desirability score · Accessibility (12%)
Active NDIS participants allocated from NDIA Statistical Area Level 2 (SA2, ASGS 2016) counts to this suburb boundary. Not an official suburb-level NDIS figure · as at 31 March 2026.
For NDIS spend and service-demand exploration by SA2 or postcode, see the Care Sector Demand Map.
Typical conditions by season for suburbs in the same ~44 km climate area. Rainfall totals are summed from monthly WorldClim layers; rainy-day counts are approximate.
Summer (Dec–Feb)
Usual max / min
30° / 17°
Rainfall
69 mm · ~9 rainy days
Autumn (Mar–May)
Usual max / min
24° / 12°
Rainfall
89 mm · ~11 rainy days
Winter (Jun–Aug)
Usual max / min
16° / 7°
Rainfall
148 mm · ~18 rainy days
Spring (Sep–Nov)
Usual max / min
23° / 11°
Rainfall
136 mm · ~17 rainy days
Contributes to desirability score · Lifestyle (12%)
Development applications from PlanSA register and EPA licensed activities.
2026· 47 proposals
September 2026
Consruction of single story house with attached garage and detatched shed
143 THREE CHAIN RD PORT PIRIE SOUTH SA 5540Under Assessment
Verandah
27 AFTON ST PORT PIRIE SOUTH SA 5540Under Assessment
Dwelling, carport and decking
68 RAILWAY TCE PORT PIRIE SOUTH SA 5540Under Assessment
August 2026
single storey detached dwelling
17 OLIVER ST PORT PIRIE SOUTH SA 5540Under Assessment
2m colorbond front boundary fence with two gates
125 WANDEARAH RD PORT PIRIE SOUTH SA 5540Under Assessment
Construction of a verandah attached to the rear of existing dwelling
3 KNAPMAN ST PORT PIRIE SOUTH SA 5540Decision Made
Verandah
28 ELIZABETH ST PORT PIRIE SOUTH SA 5540Decision Made
Replacement of storm damaged carport and shed, same footprint
76 HARRIS RD PORT PIRIE SOUTH SA 5540Decision Made
July 2026
Inground Swimming pool & associated safety barrier
12 KNAPMAN ST PORT PIRIE SOUTH SA 5540Decision Made
2 Units at $405,000 each
54 WANDEARAH RD PORT PIRIE SOUTH SA 5540Decision Made
Single Storey Dwellings with garage shed
LOT 206 STEAMTRAIN RD PORT PIRIE SOUTH SA 5540Under Assessment
Verandah
104 AFFORD RD PORT PIRIE SOUTH SA 5540Under Assessment
GARAGE
2 BATTY ST PORT PIRIE SOUTH SA 5540Decision Made
Change of use of land from a cabinetmaking workshop to a motor vehicle sales facility (service trade premises), with associated building facade modifications, signage and parking.
4 -6 PARHAM ST PORT PIRIE SOUTH SA 5540Under Assessment
June 2026
Domestic outbuilding
56 AFFORD RD PORT PIRIE SOUTH SA 5540Decision Made
Detached dwelling (inclusive of decommissioning of existing dwelling to be used as an outbuilding)
LOT 1 RAILWAY TCE PORT PIRIE SOUTH SA 5540Decision Made
Freestanding Colorbond Gable Carport
7 KNAPMAN ST PORT PIRIE SOUTH SA 5540Decision Made
Carport
22 COTTELL ST PORT PIRIE SOUTH SA 5540Decision Made
IMPACT DAMAGED BUILDING REINSTATEMENT
7 OSBORNE ST PORT PIRIE SOUTH SA 5540Decision Made
May 2026
8 Units at $360,000 1 Unit at $405,000
54 WANDEARAH RD PORT PIRIE SOUTH SA 5540Decision Made
It is recommended that a certified roof access ladder and walkway system be installed, ensuring all points of entry and maintenance areas are safely accessible. The guard rail will be constructed to Australian Standards, and all access equipment will be regularly inspected and maintained. This will help mitigate the risks associated with working at heights and ensure ongoing safety for all personnel performing maintenance tasks. St Marks College has engaged RIS Safety for the full installation,
455 -461 THE TERRACE PORT PIRIE SOUTH SA 5540Decision Made
Single Storey Dwelling
17 OLIVER ST PORT PIRIE SOUTH SA 5540Decision Made
Swimming Pool & Safety Barrier
421 THE TERRACE PORT PIRIE SOUTH SA 5540Decision Made
Domestic outbuilding
5 FLETCHER CT PORT PIRIE SOUTH SA 5540Decision Made
Installation of four light poles over Port Oval (replacement lighting poles)
66 -68 ESMOND RD PORT PIRIE SOUTH SA 5540Decision Made
To extend existing shed by one bay to cover caravan
19 KINGSTON RD PORT PIRIE SOUTH SA 5540Decision Made
Repairs to existing building Work Bay Canopy. Replacement of roof purlins and roofing.
39 -43 WANDEARAH RD PORT PIRIE SOUTH SA 5540;47 WANDEARAH RD PORT PIRIE SOUTH SA 5540Decision Made
Replacement pool fence
12 O'LOUGHLIN AV PORT PIRIE SOUTH SA 5540Decision Made
Dwelling Alterations and Additions to Existing Single Storey Dwelling
34 AFTON ST PORT PIRIE SOUTH SA 5540Decision Made
April 2026
NO NEW DEVELOPMENT INSURANCE REPLACEMENT x1 VERANDAH "LIKE FOR LIKE" - NO NEW DEVELOPMENT Can council please clarify if planning fees are required as this is not a new development? Thankyou.
69 BATTY ST PORT PIRIE SOUTH SA 5540Decision Made
Domestic outbuilding
339 THREE CHAIN RD PORT PIRIE SOUTH SA 5540Decision Made
2x patios
2 JAMES ST PORT PIRIE SOUTH SA 5540Decision Made
Removal and reinstatement of the existing verandah sheeting to access the existing windows at high level. Asbestos Window Frame Removal. Work to be undertaken by a licenced contractor issued under the Work, Health and Safety Act 2012 (SA). Supply and installation of new Alspec McArthur 100mm powder coated frames, Viewmax sliding windows with fixes Lites as per shop drawings attached.
455 -461 THE TERRACE PORT PIRIE SOUTH SA 5540Decision Made
March 2026
Verandah
178 THREE CHAIN RD PORT PIRIE SOUTH SA 5540Decision Made
Outbuilding (Shed)
159 THREE CHAIN RD PORT PIRIE SOUTH SA 5540Decision Made
Outbuilding (Shed) & New Colorbond Verandah attached to shed
9 DOROTHY ST PORT PIRIE SOUTH SA 5540Decision Made
Carport Replacement
221 THREE CHAIN RD PORT PIRIE SOUTH SA 5540Decision Made
February 2026
Demolish and remove section of storage shed to make way for a boundary line/ fence line to be installed once sub division has been completed, we will shorten shed to ensure that it will end on existing posts and truss with minor repairs to take place with a new 90x90 post in centre rear wall 3 new steel purlins horizontally 70x35 and used corrugated iron to cladd the exterior
16 BALMORAL RD PORT PIRIE SOUTH SA 5540Decision Made
Alterations and additions to existing dwelling including rear verandah and partial demolition
39 BUTTERICK ST PORT PIRIE SOUTH SA 5540Under Assessment
Patio
62 -64 DOROTHY ST PORT PIRIE SOUTH SA 5540Decision Made
2025· 4 proposals
December 2025
Proposed cafe and restaurant at Shop 4A Prime West Shopping Centre including advertising
91 -95 GREY TCE PORT PIRIE SOUTH SA 5540Decision Made
Freestanding Carport – Flat Roof
4 -6 PARHAM ST PORT PIRIE SOUTH SA 5540Decision Made
VERANDAH
3 YATES ST PORT PIRIE SOUTH SA 5540Decision Made
Carport
92 HARRIS RD PORT PIRIE SOUTH SA 5540Decision Made
Bushfire overlay checked at suburb centroid against all current SA Planning risk layers (high, medium, general, urban interface, regional, outback). Flood cover is the share of the suburb boundary overlapping current SA Planning flood overlays (flooding and evidence required). Safer places from CFS designated locations.
Estimated from 8 nearby ordinary polling places (up to 25.6 km away).
Coalition 41.8%Labor 58.3%
12.9 percentage points more Labor-leaning than the electorate
Estimated swing since 2022: +8.1 pp toward Labor
Nearest polling places
SolomontownLabor 62.4% · Coalition 37.6% TPP (2025)2.3 km away
Risdon Park EastLabor 54.7% · Coalition 45.3% TPP (2025)2.5 km away
Risdon Park SouthLabor 55.3% · Coalition 44.7% TPP (2025)3.2 km away
Port PirieLabor 61.7% · Coalition 38.3% TPP (2025)3.5 km away
NapperbyLabor 48.0% · Coalition 52.0% TPP (2025)10.2 km away
Federal electorate from AEC federal division boundaries (2025 redistribution). Division-level results are official AEC figures from the latest general election, with by-election updates where applicable. The estimated suburb profile blends up to eight nearest ordinary polling booths in the same electorate using inverse-distance weighting from the suburb centroid — an approximation, not official AEC data. Nearest polling places are shown for reference.
ABS Socio-Economic Indexes for Areas (SEIFA), 2021 release — the latest available, derived from the 2021 Census. Deciles rank suburbs nationally from 1 (lowest) to 10 (highest).
What do IRSAD and IRSD measure?
IRSAD — Index of Relative Socio-economic Advantage and Disadvantage. Combines indicators of advantage (e.g. high income, skilled occupations) and disadvantage. Higher decile = more advantaged relative to other Australian areas.
IRSD — Index of Relative Socio-economic Disadvantage. Focuses on disadvantage only (e.g. low income, unemployment, limited education). Higher decile = less disadvantage nationally.
A new SEIFA edition typically follows each census; the ABS has not announced a release date beyond 2021.
Contributes to desirability score · Community (12%)