Port Noarlunga South (SA)

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According to evaluations of ABS population updates for the wider region and new address verifications by Districts since the Census, the suburb of Port Noarlunga South has an estimated residency of roughly 3,118 as of May 2026. This represents an expansion of 60 individuals (2.0%) from the 2021 Census, which documented a population of 3,058 residents. This shift is derived from a resident headcount of 3,116 calculated by Districts using the ABS's June 2025 ERP release alongside 9 validated new addresses registered since the Census. Such a population size results in a density of 974 persons per square kilometer, matching typical averages across evaluated areas. Throughout the previous ten years, the suburb of Port Noarlunga South has shown steady development with a 1.1% compound annual growth rate, exceeding the SA3 region. This demographic expansion was primarily fueled by overseas arrivals, who accounted for approximately 41.0% of the total growth, though all contributors, including natural increases and interstate movement, registered positively.

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Port Noarlunga South features a skilled workforce with well-represented essential services sectors, an unemployment rate of 3.2%, and an estimated employment growth of 3.6% over the past year, according to Districts aggregation of statistical area data. As of March 2026, 1,710 residents are employed while the unemployment rate stands at 0.7% below Greater Adelaide's rate of 3.8%, and workforce participation remains broadly similar to Greater Adelaide's 66.6%. Census responses indicate that only 10.6% of residents worked from home, although the effects of Covid-19 lockdowns should be considered when interpreting this figure.

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Based on the latest ATO statistics compiled by Districts for financial year 2023, personal income levels in Port Noarlunga South sit below the national average. The median income for local taxpayers is $53,317 and the average income is $60,215, compared to Greater Adelaide's figures of $54,808 and $66,852. Factoring in a Wage Price Index rise of 10.17% since financial year 2023, these benchmarks are estimated at roughly $58,739 for median and $66,339 for average incomes as of March 2026. The 2021 Census indicates that household, family, and individual earnings in Port Noarlunga South are modest, placing between the 37th and 46th percentiles. Specifically, 34.9% of the local population (representing 1,088 residents) earn within the $1,500 - 2,999 bracket, which is consistent with the wider metropolitan rate of for the same cohort. Residents retain of their income for non-housing expenses, and the area's SEIFA index for income places it in the th decile.

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The mix of housing in Port Noarlunga South at the last Census consisted of 91.9% houses and 8.1% other options like townhouses, apartments, and alternative dwellings, compared to the Adelaide metropolitan breakdown of 75.2% houses and 24.9% other dwellings. Furthermore, home ownership in the locality stood higher than the Adelaide average at 34.3%, with the remaining properties occupied by people with mortgages (42.6%) or tenants (23.1%). The median monthly home loan repayment was below the Adelaide metropolitan level at $1,517, while the median weekly rent was $350, compared to regional averages of $1,562 and $320. Nationally, mortgage repayments in Port Noarlunga South are much lower than the Australian average of $1,863, and rent prices are lower than the national figure of $375.

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Families make up the majority of households at 73.9%, consisting of couples with children at 29.9%, couples without children at 29.5%, and single parent households at 12.7%. Non-family households account for the remaining 26.1%, with single-person households at 23.4% and group living situations representing 3.0% of the total. The median size of a household is 2.5 people, which matches the Greater Adelaide average.

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The locality shows lower rates of higher education, with 18.9% of residents holding a university qualification, which is below the national average of 30.4%. This highlights both a challenge and an opportunity for future educational programs. Among university graduates, bachelor degrees are the most common at 13.2%, followed by postgraduate degrees at 3.3% and graduate diplomas at 2.4%. Vocational and technical skills are highly prevalent, as 44.0% of residents aged 15 and over hold vocational qualifications, consisting of advanced diplomas at 10.5% and certificates at 33.5%.

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Public transport options in the suburb of Port Noarlunga South include 20 operational stops serving a variety of bus routes. These locations are connected to 14 distinct routes, facilitating a total of 627 passenger trips per week. Access to transit is highly rated, with residents living an average of 171 meters from their nearest stop. Because this is a residential community, most workers commute out of the area, with private cars remaining the primary choice at 90%, and trains used by 6%. Household vehicle ownership averages 1.6 cars per home, which is above the metropolitan standard. A lower proportion of residents, at 10.6%, work from home, based on 2021 Census data which may reflect pandemic-era conditions.

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Health outcomes for residents of Port Noarlunga South are generally positive, with Districts' evaluation of mortality data and health diagnoses showing results that align with national averages. Common medical issues show typical rates across both older and younger age groups, and private health insurance coverage is modest, held by approximately 51% of the population, which equals about 1,584 individuals.

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Port Noarlunga South is less culturally diverse than average, with 79.6% of its population born in Australia, 91.0% holding citizenship, and 95.1% speaking only English at home. Christianity is the primary religion, followed by 33.3% of the community. In terms of local overrepresentation, Judaism comprises none of the population, compared to 0.1% across Greater Adelaide.

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The median age in Port Noarlunga South is 39 years, matching the Greater Adelaide median of 39 and similar to the national average of 38. The 65 - 74 age group is overrepresented locally at 11.8% compared to the Greater Adelaide average, while the 25 - 34 bracket is underrepresented at 12.5%. Since the 2021 Census, the proportion of residents aged 15 to 24 grew from 10.2% to 11.7%. Meanwhile, the 5 to 14 age group shrank from 12.5% to 11.2% and the 25 to 34 age bracket declined from 13.7% to 12.5%. Future demographic projections suggest significant changes by with the to cohort expected to grow the most by , adding residents to reach while the to group is projected to grow by just , adding only residents.

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Port Noarlunga South currently has an estimated 183 children under 5 years old, comprising approximately 112 children aged 0-2 and 75 children aged 3-4. This cohort declined by an estimated 6% since the previous census. though population forecasts indicate future growth, with an anticipated increase of 8% by 2041 (to approximately 197 children). Meanwhile the 5-12 cohort currently amounts to 305. Birth rates in the area have averaged 10.9 per 1,000 residents over the latest two-year period, a moderate rate (within the middle tier nationally). This rate has slowed down slightly in recent years however.