Port Augusta · Council (LGA)
How well-off the area is, how fast its population is growing, and the businesses and new homes here.
Stagnant growth defines the recent economic landscape of Port Augusta, where population increase has been nearly flat at 0.1% since 2021. This lack of movement comes alongside significant challenges in wealth and education, with the area ranking among the most disadvantaged across the country.
All council (lga) areas, 2021. The marker is Port Augusta — lower than 99% of areas.
SEIFA indexes ranking relative advantage and disadvantage.
The area faces severe disadvantage, scoring just 1 out of 10 for overall advantage and education and job skills. This is much lower than about 90% of other areas, with an overall advantage score of 877, which is well below the national average.
1
Lower than 99% of council (lga) areas.
ABS Index of Relative Socio-economic Advantage and Disadvantage, 2021, as a national decile: 1 = among the 10% most disadvantaged areas in Australia, 10 = among the 10% most advantaged. IRSAD summarises both advantage and disadvantage, so a high score reflects relatively many high-income, well-educated households and few low-income, low-skill ones.
2
Lower than 86% of council (lga) areas.
ABS Index of Relative Socio-economic Disadvantage, 2021, as a national decile: 1 = among the 10% most disadvantaged areas in Australia, 10 = among the least disadvantaged. IRSD focuses on disadvantage alone (low income, low education, unemployment, unskilled occupations), so a higher decile means relatively less disadvantage.
2
Lower than 86% of council (lga) areas.
ABS Index of Economic Resources, 2021, as a national decile: 1 = among the 10% lowest areas for economic resources in Australia, 10 = among the highest. IER reflects the income, housing costs, dwelling size and assets of households, so a higher decile means relatively greater economic resources.
1
Lower than 99% of council (lga) areas.
ABS Index of Education and Occupation, 2021, as a national decile: 1 = among the 10% lowest areas for education and occupation in Australia, 10 = among the highest. IEO reflects residents' qualifications and the skill level of their jobs, so a higher decile means a more highly educated and skilled workforce.
877
Lower than 87% of council (lga) areas.
ABS Index of Relative Socio-economic Advantage and Disadvantage, 2021, as a raw index score (standardised so the Australian average is about 1000). Higher scores indicate relatively greater advantage; lower scores greater disadvantage.
Annual population estimates and change since the census.
Growth has almost stopped in Port Augusta, with a 0.1% increase in population since 2021. This is much lower than most areas and sits well below the South Australian figure of 5.6%.
14,469
Higher than 50% of council (lga) areas.
Estimated resident population (ABS), 2025.
0.1%
Lower than 86% of council (lga) areas.
Population growth since the 2021 Census, from ABS annual estimates.
Operating businesses and dwellings approved.
Local business activity is relatively low, with 661 businesses operating in the area. Similarly, only 12 new dwellings were approved, which is smaller than about 70% of similar areas.
661
Lower than 65% of council (lga) areas.
Operating businesses (ABS Counts of Australian Businesses), June 2025.
12
Lower than 70% of council (lga) areas.
Dwelling units approved in 2024-25 (ABS Building Approvals).
Australian Bureau of Statistics. (2021). Economy & Advantage in Port Augusta [Census of Population and Housing]. CensusAtlas, used under CC BY 4.0. https://censusatlas.au/region/lga/LGA46090/port-augusta/topic/economy-advantage
