The new median price is $192,500.

The city was among some of the highest-performing country centres in South Australia, beating Mount Gambier, Port Augusta, Murray Bridge and the Barossa Valley.

Real Estate Institute of South Australia president Michael Brock said the results were promising for the regional areas of the State.

“This is a promising result ... as it demonstrates it is on the way to recovery following the effects of the global financial crisis,” he said.

“The number of transactions was also up significantly in country areas, showing people must have confidence in their communities and the employment to continue to invest in property there.”

In 2000 the median property price in the Port Pirie Regional Council was $60,000. By last year it was $175,000.

In the fourth quarter of last year, 74 properties were sold in Port Pirie.

Mayor Brenton Vanstone said developers were confident that the city could feel the effects of a mining boom in about two years. “Port Pirie has a lot to offer,” he said. “We are the five-minute city. We do not want lots of external investors. We want more mums, dads and families.”