Port Hedland vs South Hedland

In both, most households rent, most homes are detached houses, and about half of households are couple families. Houses cost more in Port Hedland: a median of $890,000, against $525,000 in South Hedland, though rent is higher in South Hedland. On these figures, South Hedland tends to suit buyers on a tighter budget.

Which one suits you?

There is no overall winner — the suburb that suits a family with school-age kids is routinely the wrong one for someone commuting into the city. So each of these answers its own question, against a checklist you can see, using the same figures in the tables below.

Families with school-age kids

They split

one each way, out of the 6 things we measure here

  • Port Hedland carries lower crime risk (57/100 vs 92/100)
  • South Hedland has more schools inside the suburb (5 vs 3)

Weighs schools, house stock, crime, parks, childcare, and who already lives there.

First-home buyers

South Hedland

ahead on 3 of the 4 things we measure here

  • has cheaper land ($122,000 vs $928,750)
  • has cheaper units ($325,000 vs $720,000)
  • has cheaper houses ($525,000 vs $890,000)

Weighs house prices, unit prices, land prices, and mortgage stress.

Renters

Port Hedland

ahead on the one thing that separates them

  • has cheaper rent ($210/wk vs $240/wk)

Weighs rent, rental stress, and how much is for rent.

Commuting to the city

South Hedland

ahead on 3 of the 3 things we measure here

  • is more walkable (77/100 vs 0/100)
  • has a shorter drive in (1077 min vs 1084 min)
  • sits closer to the CBD (1619.8 km vs 1627.2 km)

Weighs distance, drive time, and walkability.

Downsizers and retirees

South Hedland

ahead on 2 of the 5 things we measure here

  • is more walkable (77/100 vs 0/100)
  • has more GPs (4 vs 1)
  • But Port Hedland carries lower crime risk (57/100 vs 92/100)

Weighs smaller dwellings, who already lives there, GPs, walkability, and crime.

Investors

South Hedland

ahead on 2 of the 3 things we measure here

  • is growing faster (16.6% vs -2.4%)
  • returns a higher gross yield on units (11.7% vs 4.1%)
  • But Port Hedland returns a higher gross yield on houses (11.1% vs 9.9%)

Weighs house yield, unit yield, and population growth.

Where they sit

Port Hedland and South Hedland drawn to the same scale. Both outlines are shown together, so the map answers whether they share a border and how their areas compare.

Port Hedland South Hedland
Hides rows where both suburbs match

Bars start at zero. Scores, risks and rankings are drawn against their full 0–100 range; other rows are drawn in proportion to the larger of the two.

Side by side, out of 100

Risks are inverted — shown as safety and low exposure — so a longer bar always means better.

Port Hedland South Hedland
Walkability 0 / 77
Port Hedland — Walkability: 0/100 South Hedland — Walkability: 77/100
Safety 43 / 8
Port Hedland — Safety: 43/100 South Hedland — Safety: 8/100
Low fire risk 100 / 100
Port Hedland — Low fire risk: 100/100 South Hedland — Low fire risk: 100/100
Low flood risk 100 / 100
Port Hedland — Low flood risk: 100/100 South Hedland — Low flood risk: 100/100

Demographics

South Hedland has more residents (11,046 vs 4,081); Port Hedland has higher household incomes ($178,568 vs $134,472).

Port Hedland South Hedland
Population 4,081 11,046
+171% vs other
Population trend (2016 → 2021) -2.4% +16.6%
Median age 34 32
Median household income $178,568/yr
+25% vs other
 $134,472/yr
Median weekly rent $210/wk $240/wk
+14% vs other

Age profile

Share of residents in each band, 2021 Census.

Port Hedland South Hedland
0-4 9.3% / 9.1%
Port Hedland — 0-4: 9.3% South Hedland — 0-4: 9.1%
5-14 14.8% / 16.0%
Port Hedland — 5-14: 14.8% South Hedland — 5-14: 16.0%
15-19 3.7% / 5.7%
Port Hedland — 15-19: 3.7% South Hedland — 15-19: 5.7%
20-24 4.4% / 5.8%
Port Hedland — 20-24: 4.4% South Hedland — 20-24: 5.8%
25-34 19.6% / 19.9%
Port Hedland — 25-34: 19.6% South Hedland — 25-34: 19.9%
35-44 21.6% / 17.0%
Port Hedland — 35-44: 21.6% South Hedland — 35-44: 17.0%
45-54 13.2% / 12.5%
Port Hedland — 45-54: 13.2% South Hedland — 45-54: 12.5%
55-64 9.6% / 10.2%
Port Hedland — 55-64: 9.6% South Hedland — 55-64: 10.2%
65-74 2.9% / 2.9%
Port Hedland — 65-74: 2.9% South Hedland — 65-74: 2.9%
75-84 0.7% / 0.6%
Port Hedland — 75-84: 0.7% South Hedland — 75-84: 0.6%
85+ 0.1% / 0.2%
Port Hedland — 85+: 0.1% South Hedland — 85+: 0.2%

Bars are drawn against the largest share shown (21.6%).

Who lives together

Household composition, 2021 Census.

Port Hedland 50.1% couple families
Port Hedland — Couple Families: 50.1% Port Hedland — Lone Person: 37.6% Port Hedland — One Parent Families: 6.8% Port Hedland — Group Household: 4.2% Port Hedland — Other Families: 1.3%
South Hedland 45.4% couple families
South Hedland — Couple Families: 45.4% South Hedland — Lone Person: 32.3% South Hedland — One Parent Families: 16.0% South Hedland — Group Household: 4.4% South Hedland — Other Families: 1.9%
Couple Families Lone Person One Parent Families Group Household Other Families

Who owns and who rents

Occupied private dwellings by tenure, 2021 Census.

Port Hedland 77.0% renting
Port Hedland — Owned Outright: 8.7% Port Hedland — Mortgage: 14.4% Port Hedland — Renting: 77.0%
South Hedland 72.3% renting
South Hedland — Owned Outright: 7.4% South Hedland — Mortgage: 20.3% South Hedland — Renting: 72.3%
Owned outright Mortgage Renting

Where residents were born

Largest overseas birthplaces, as a share of all residents, 2021 Census. A dash means that country is not among the suburb's own eight largest.

Port Hedland South Hedland
New Zealand 4.9% / 5.4%
Port Hedland — New Zealand: 4.9% South Hedland — New Zealand: 5.4%
Philippines 1.3% / 3.5%
Port Hedland — Philippines: 1.3% South Hedland — Philippines: 3.5%
England 2.6% / 1.8%
Port Hedland — England: 2.6% South Hedland — England: 1.8%
South Africa 1.7% / 1.2%
Port Hedland — South Africa: 1.7% South Hedland — South Africa: 1.2%
India 1.1% / 1.5%
Port Hedland — India: 1.1% South Hedland — India: 1.5%

Bars are drawn against the largest share shown (5.4%).

Qualifications

Highest non-school qualification, residents 15+, 2021 Census.

Port Hedland South Hedland
Certificate III & IV 19.7% / 17.7%
Port Hedland — Certificate III & IV: 19.7% South Hedland — Certificate III & IV: 17.7%
Bachelor Degree 10.9% / 5.8%
Port Hedland — Bachelor Degree: 10.9% South Hedland — Bachelor Degree: 5.8%
Advanced Diploma / Diploma 7.4% / 5.1%
Port Hedland — Advanced Diploma / Diploma: 7.4% South Hedland — Advanced Diploma / Diploma: 5.1%
Postgraduate Degree 2.8% / 1.0%
Port Hedland — Postgraduate Degree: 2.8% South Hedland — Postgraduate Degree: 1.0%
Graduate Diploma / Certificate 1.6% / 0.9%
Port Hedland — Graduate Diploma / Certificate: 1.6% South Hedland — Graduate Diploma / Certificate: 0.9%

Bars are drawn against the largest share shown (19.7%).

What people live in

Occupied private dwellings by structure, 2021 Census.

Port Hedland 67.7% houses
Port Hedland — Houses: 67.7% Port Hedland — Townhouses: 12.1% Port Hedland — Flats / Apartments: 20.2%
South Hedland 71.6% houses
South Hedland — Houses: 71.6% South Hedland — Townhouses: 21.3% South Hedland — Flats / Apartments: 7.1%
Houses Townhouses Flats / Apartments

Property market

Port Hedland South Hedland
Median house price $890,000 $525,000
Median unit price $720,000 $325,000
Median land price $928,750 $122,000
Typical days to sell (houses) 78 days
from 29 sales
 50 days
from 140 sales

House price by bedroom count

Only bed counts both suburbs published enough sales for. Sale counts are shown because the buckets differ in depth.

Port Hedland South Hedland
3 bed $792K / $479K
Port Hedland — 3 bed: $792K (30 sales) South Hedland — 3 bed: $479K (160 sales)

30 vs 160 sales

4 bed $925K / $642K
Port Hedland — 4 bed: $925K (31 sales) South Hedland — 4 bed: $642K (75 sales)

31 vs 75 sales

5 bed $915K / $660K
Port Hedland — 5 bed: $915K (5 sales) South Hedland — 5 bed: $660K (10 sales)

5 vs 10 sales

Development activity

Port Hedland South Hedland
New dwellings approved 49
across Port Hedland
same for both
Approvals change year on year +1500%
same for both

Gross rental yield

Gross — before strata, rates, management, insurance and vacancy. From median advertised rents and median asking prices over the last 6 months. How we calculate.

Port Hedland South Hedland
Houses 11.1%
$1,825/wk on $857K
 9.9%
$1,100/wk on $580K
Units 4.1%
$650/wk on $814K
 11.7%
$850/wk on $379K

Ranking within WA

Port Hedland South Hedland
House price —
same for both
Income Higher than 98% of WA Higher than 92% of WA
Schools Higher than 9% of WA Higher than 8% of WA
Walkability Higher than 13% of WA Higher than 93% of WA
Affordability —
same for both
EV adoption Higher than 10% of WA Higher than 3% of WA
NBN connectivity Higher than 67% of WA Higher than 72% of WA
Rental yield (houses) Higher than 99% of WA
same for both
Rental yield (units) Higher than 9% of WA Higher than 98% of WA

Liveability

South Hedland is more walkable (77 vs 0); Port Hedland scores higher overall (50 vs 43).

Port Hedland South Hedland
Grade B C
Score 50/100 43/100
Socio-economic band very advantaged area
decile 10/10
 mid-range socio-economic
decile 5/10

Risk profile

South Hedland carries more crime risk (92 vs 57).

Port Hedland South Hedland
Bushfire None
0/100
same for both
Crime Moderate
57/100
 High
92/100
Flood None
0/100
same for both
Coastal erosion High
96/100
 None
0/100
Aircraft noise None
0/100
same for both
Industrial facilities nearby 4
within 5 km
 6
within 5 km

Schools

Port Hedland South Hedland
Inside the suburb 3 5
Rated above peers 0
same for both
Rated at peers 1 2
Rated below peers 1 2

Schools in Port Hedland

  • Port Hedland Primary School Government · Primary at peers
  • St Cecilia's Catholic Primary School Catholic · Primary below peers
  • Port Hedland School Of The Air Government · Primary

Schools in South Hedland

  • Cassia Primary School Government · Primary at peers
  • Hedland Senior High School Government · Secondary at peers
  • Baler Primary School Government · Primary below peers
  • South Hedland Primary School Government · Primary below peers
  • Cassia Education Support Centre Government · Primary · Special school

Amenities in the suburb

Port Hedland South Hedland
Supermarkets 1
same for both
Cafes & restaurants 3 1
Parks & reserves 13 15
Childcare 4 3
GPs 1 4
Pharmacies 1 2
Police stations 1
same for both
Banks & Bank@Post 3
same for both
Fuel stations 2
same for both
EV chargers 2 0
Beaches 1 0
Waterways 3 0

Mobility

Port Hedland sits further from the CBD (1627.2 km vs 1619.8 km).

Port Hedland South Hedland
Walkability score 0/100 77/100
Distance to Perth 1627.2 km 1619.8 km
Drive time (normal traffic) 1084 min 1077 min
Public transport score 64/100
Bus
 72/100
Bus
Peak arrivals per hour 23.0
7-9am + 5-7pm
 30.8
7-9am + 5-7pm
Median peak wait 1 min
scheduled, not actual
same for both
Electric vehicle share 0.1%
postcode 6721
 0.1%
postcode 6722
Rooftop solar per 100 dwellings 13
postcode 6721
 10
postcode 6722

How people get to work

Method of travel on census day 2021 — which fell during COVID restrictions, so working from home is inflated and every travel mode understated.

Port Hedland South Hedland
Car (driver) 86.0% / 85.2%
Port Hedland — Car (driver): 86.0% South Hedland — Car (driver): 85.2%
Car (passenger) 4.7% / 8.0%
Port Hedland — Car (passenger): 4.7% South Hedland — Car (passenger): 8.0%
Walked Only 4.7% / 2.4%
Port Hedland — Walked Only: 4.7% South Hedland — Walked Only: 2.4%
Worked from Home 2.8% / 2.6%
Port Hedland — Worked from Home: 2.8% South Hedland — Worked from Home: 2.6%
Bus 1.0% / 1.4%
Port Hedland — Bus: 1.0% South Hedland — Bus: 1.4%

Bars are drawn against the largest share shown (86.0%).

Setting

Port Hedland South Hedland
Elevation 11 m
above sea level, at the suburb centre
 15 m
above sea level, at the suburb centre
Distance to the ocean 2.9 km 7.5 km

NBN connectivity

Port Hedland South Hedland
Connectivity score 45/100 55/100
Most common technology Fibre to the node
same for both
Full-fibre (FTTP) share 0%
2,440 premises
 17%
5,625 premises

Climate

Port Hedland South Hedland
Annual rainfall 329 mm
same for both
Summer max (Jan) 36.8°C
same for both
Winter min (Jul) 13.9°C
same for both

Federal electorate

Port Hedland South Hedland
Division Durack
same for both
Member Melissa Price
same for both
Party Liberal
same for both

First Home Owner Grant

Port Hedland South Hedland
Grant amount $10,000
same for both
Property price cap $800,000
same for both
Eligibility New
same for both

Tags

Port Hedland

Coastal Family Young Families

South Hedland

Affordable Family Parks Regional Centre Townhouses Young Families

More comparisons

Other comparisons with Port Hedland

Port Hedland vs Boodarie Port Hedland vs Wedgefield

Other comparisons with South Hedland

South Hedland vs Boodarie South Hedland vs Wedgefield
Full data on Port Hedland Full data on South Hedland
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Information shown is provided as-is from Australian government and commercial data sources.
Always verify with the relevant authority before making property decisions.
See Data Sources and How We Calculate for details.

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