Whyalla
Statistical Area - sa2

Whyalla has shown very soft population growth performance across periods assessed by AreaSearch

Whyalla's population was approximately 21,794 as of August 2025. This showed an increase of 640 people, a 3.0% rise from the 2021 Census figure of 21,154. The growth is inferred from ABS estimates: 21,764 in June 2024 and additional validated new addresses since the Census date. This results in a population density of 533 persons per square kilometer. Whyalla's 3.0% growth since census compares favorably to its SA4 region (4.8%), indicating strong growth fundamentals. Overseas migration contributed around 90.8% of overall population gains recently.

AreaSearch uses ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area, released in 2024 with a base year of 2022. For areas not covered and years post-2032, SA State Government's Regional/LGA projections by age category are adopted, adjusted using weighted aggregation from LGA to SA2 levels. Future population growth is expected to be lower quartile for Australian non-metropolitan areas. By 2041, the area's population is projected to increase by 764 persons, a total rise of 3.4% over 17 years based on current projections.

AreaSearch assessment of residential development drivers sees a low level of activity in Whyalla, placing the area among the bottom 25% of areas assessed nationally

Whyalla has received approximately 24 dwelling approvals annually. The Australian Bureau of Statistics provides development approval data on a financial year basis, totaling 120 approvals between the years ending June 2021 and June 2025, with no recorded approvals yet in the current financial year ending June 2026. Despite population decline in recent years, Whyalla's development activity has been relatively adequate for buyers, with new homes averaging an expected construction cost of $363,000. This financial year has seen $126.2 million in commercial approvals, indicating strong commercial development momentum.

Compared to the Rest of South Australia, Whyalla records significantly lower building activity, at 66.0% below the regional average per person. This typically reinforces demand and pricing for existing dwellings, although recent periods have seen an increase in development activity. This is also below the national average, suggesting the area's established nature and potential planning limitations. New developments consist of 90.0% standalone homes and 10.0% townhouses or apartments, preserving Whyalla's low-density character with a focus on detached housing attracting space-seeking buyers. Notably, developers are building more traditional houses than the current mix suggests (56.0% at Census), indicating continued strong demand for family homes.

The estimated population per dwelling approval is 715 people, reflecting its quiet, low-activity development environment. Population forecasts indicate Whyalla will gain 734 residents by the year 2041. Existing development levels appear aligned with future requirements, maintaining stable market conditions without significant price pressures.

Whyalla has emerging levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the 30thth percentile nationally

The local infrastructure's performance is significantly influenced by changes to it. AreaSearch has identified a total of 22 projects that are likely to impact the area. Notable projects include Sunrise Christian School Expansion, Whyalla Beach Splash & Play Plaza, SA Housing Trust Whyalla Housing Project - 46 New Homes, and Whyalla Secondary College. The following list details those projects most relevant.

Professional plan users can use the search below to filter and access additional projects.

The labour market performance in Whyalla lags significantly behind most other regions nationally

Whyalla has a diverse workforce with both white and blue collar jobs, dominated by manufacturing and industrial sectors. Its unemployment rate is 9.0%, with an estimated employment growth of 3.2% in the past year as of June 2025.

There are 9,835 employed residents, with an unemployment rate of 4.4%, slightly higher than Rest of SA's 4.6%. Employment is concentrated in manufacturing (1.8 times regional average), health care & social assistance, and retail trade. Agriculture, forestry & fishing shows lower representation at 0.4% compared to the regional average of 14.5%. The area may have limited local employment opportunities based on Census data analysis.

In the year to June 2025, employment increased by 3.2%, while labour force grew by 5.7%, leading to a rise in unemployment rate by 2.2 percentage points. This contrasts with Rest of SA where employment contracted by 1.2% and unemployment rose by 1.2 percentage points. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May 2025 project national employment growth of 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, but local growth may differ based on industry-specific projections.

Income levels sit below national averages according to AreaSearch assessment

AreaSearch's latest postcode level ATO data for financial year 2022 shows Whyalla's median income among taxpayers is $53,838. The average income in Whyalla for the same period is $65,205. These figures are approximately national averages. Rest of SA has a median income of $46,889 and an average of $56,582 during this time. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 10.83% since financial year 2022, current estimates for Whyalla would be approximately $59,669 (median) and $72,267 (average) as of March 2025. Census data indicates household, family, and personal incomes in Whyalla fall between the 12th and 18th percentiles nationally. The earnings profile shows that the majority of residents, 26.7% or 5,818 people, earn between $1,500 and $2,999 annually. This aligns with the regional trend where this income bracket also represents 27.5%. Housing costs in Whyalla are modest, with residents retaining 87.1% of their income after housing expenses. However, the total disposable income ranks at just the 17th percentile nationally.

Whyalla displays a diverse mix of dwelling types, with a higher proportion of rental properties than the broader region

The dwelling structure in Whyalla, as per the latest Census, consisted of 56.0% houses and 44.1% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings). In comparison, Non-Metro SA had 75.9% houses and 24.1% other dwellings. Home ownership in Whyalla was at 27.3%, with the rest either mortgaged (31.9%) or rented (40.8%). The median monthly mortgage repayment was $1,083, below Non-Metro SA's average of $1,170. The median weekly rent in Whyalla was $180, compared to Non-Metro SA's $195. Nationally, Whyalla's mortgage repayments were significantly lower than the Australian average of $1,863, while rents were substantially below the national figure of $375.

Whyalla features high concentrations of lone person households, with a lower-than-average median household size

Family households account for 61.3% of all households, including 21.6% couples with children, 25.4% couples without children, and 13.3% single parent families. Non-family households constitute the remaining 38.7%, with lone person households at 36.4% and group households making up 2.4% of the total. The median household size is 2.2 people, which is smaller than the Rest of SA average of 2.3.

Whyalla faces educational challenges, with performance metrics placing it in the bottom quartile of areas assessed nationally

The area has university qualification rates at 12.1%, significantly lower than the Australian average of 30.4%. This presents both a challenge and an opportunity for targeted educational initiatives. Bachelor degrees are most common at 9.0%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (1.9%) and graduate diplomas (1.2%). Trade and technical skills are prominent, with 40.3% of residents aged 15+ holding vocational credentials – advanced diplomas (7.0%) and certificates (33.3%).

Educational participation is high at 27.0%, including primary education (11.6%), secondary education (7.7%), and tertiary education (2.2%). Sixteen schools serve 3,513 students in Whyalla, with varied educational conditions across the area. The educational mix includes seven primary, four secondary, and five K-12 schools.

No public transport data available for this catchment area.

Health performance in Whyalla is well below average with prevalence of common health conditions notable across both younger and older age cohorts

Health data indicates significant health issues in Whyalla, affecting both younger and older age groups. The area has a private health cover rate of approximately 52%, slightly higher than the average South Australian Statistical Division (SA2) area's 50.1%.

Around 11,420 people reside in Whyalla. The most prevalent medical conditions are arthritis and asthma, affecting 10.3% and 9.5% of residents respectively. About 61.2% of residents report no medical ailments, compared to 65.6% across the rest of South Australia. Approximately 19.8% of Whyalla's population is aged 65 or over, with about 4,321 people falling into this category. This percentage is lower than the 22.1% seen in the rest of South Australia. Health outcomes among seniors in Whyalla generally align with those of the broader population.

Whyalla ranks below the Australian average when compared to other local markets across a number of language and cultural background related metrics

Whyalla's cultural diversity was below average with 87.2% citizens, 80.8% born in Australia, and 93.1% speaking English only at home. Christianity was the predominant religion, comprising 39.1%. Judaism, however, was overrepresented at 0.1%, compared to 0.0% regionally.

Ancestry-wise, the top three groups were English (32.1%), Australian (30.0%), and Scottish (8.3%). Notably, Welsh (0.8%) and German (5.4%) groups were overrepresented in Whyalla compared to regional averages of 0.5% and 6.6%, respectively.

Whyalla's median age exceeds the national pattern

Whyalla has a median age of 41 years, which is lower than Rest of SA's 47 but higher than Australia's national norm of 38. The 25-34 cohort is notably over-represented in Whyalla at 13.4%, compared to the Rest of SA average. Meanwhile, the 65-74 age group is under-represented at 10.3%. Between 2021 and present, the 35-44 age group has increased from 11.1% to 11.7%, while the 45-54 cohort has declined from 13.9% to 12.2%. By 2041, demographic modelling suggests significant changes in Whyalla's age profile. The 75-84 age group is projected to expand by 661 people (44%), growing from 1,521 to 2,183. Notably, the combined 65+ age groups are expected to account for 79% of total population growth, reflecting Whyalla's aging demographic profile. Conversely, population declines are projected for the 15-24 and 5-14 cohorts.