Urban Area · Area profile
Port Pirie
75 km²
An older and more affordable community than most similar areas, Port Pirie is a regional centre with a population of 13,896. It is marked by a high number of seniors and a workforce with few university degrees, which helps explain the lower typical incomes. While the area faces challenges with health and unemployment, it remains a place of detached family homes and a strong sense of stability, with very few people moving in or out recently.
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The community is noticeably older than the national average, with the typical resident aged 43 and seniors making up 22.9% of the population. This trend is growing, as the number of people aged 65 and over rose 4.0 percentage points since 2011.
People born overseas make up only 7.8% of the population, a figure far below the national average of 27.7%. Most residents claim Australian or English ancestry.
English is the dominant language, with only 4.7% of people using another tongue at home, which is much lower than most other areas.
The area has a very high proportion of people with no religion at 48.8%, a figure that rose 20 percentage points since 2011.
Educational qualifications are among the lowest at this level, with only 8.1% of adults holding a bachelor degree or higher, far below the national figure of 26.3%.
Typical weekly household income is $1,044, which is far below the national figure of $1,746. Only 9.3% of households earn $3,000 or more per week, much lower than most other areas.
Health challenges are more common here than in most areas, with 37.7% of people living with a long-term health condition and 13.2% reporting a mental health condition.
While 13.4% of residents provide unpaid care, which is a little above the national figure, the proportion of people caring for children unpaid is much lower than most areas.
Living arrangements are quite distinct, with 36.3% of people living alone and 21.7% of families being one-parent households, both of which are among the highest rates for similar areas.
Detached houses are very common, and rents are among the lowest in the country at a typical $185 per week. Most homes are large, with 79.5% having three or more bedrooms.
Car use is essential, as only 0.3% of people commute by public transport and 72.6% drive to work. However, 11.2% of homes have no motor vehicle, which is well above the national figure.
The population is very stable, with only 31.2% of people moving in the last five years, well below the national figure of 40.7%.
The local job market struggles more than most, with an unemployment rate of 7.7% and only 51.6% of adults working or looking for work, well below the national average.
The area is somewhat walkable, with many homes near parks and schools, though it falls far below the state average for access to groceries and health services within a 15-minute walk.