Whyalla
Statistical Area - sa2

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

As of November 2025, Whyalla's population is approximately 21,869. This figure represents a growth of 715 people since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 21,154. The increase was inferred from an estimated resident population of 21,764 in June 2024 and 73 validated new addresses since the Census date. This results in a density ratio of 535 persons per square kilometer. Whyalla's growth rate of 3.4% since the census is within 1.9 percentage points of the SA4 region's growth rate of 5.3%. Population growth was primarily driven by overseas migration, contributing approximately 90.8% of overall population gains during recent periods.

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, the SA State Government's Regional/LGA projections by age category are adopted, based on 2021 data and adjusted using a method of weighted aggregation of population growth from LGA to SA2 levels. According to these projections, Whyalla is expected to increase by 764 persons to 2041, reflecting an overall increase of approximately 3.0% over the 17-year period.

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 per year over the past five financial years, totalling around 120 homes. As of FY-26, four approvals have been recorded. This new supply appears to keep pace with demand, offering good choice for buyers, with new properties constructed at an average cost of $296,000. In this financial year, $126.2 million in commercial approvals have been registered, indicating high levels of local commercial activity.

Compared to the Rest of SA, Whyalla records significantly lower building activity, 66.0% below the regional average per person. This constrained new construction typically reinforces demand and pricing for existing dwellings, although development activity has increased recently. The area's development activity is also below the national average, suggesting its established nature and potential planning limitations. New development consists of 90.0% standalone homes and 10.0% townhouses or apartments, preserving Whyalla's low density nature with a focus on detached housing attracting space-seeking buyers. Interestingly, developers are building more traditional houses than the current mix suggests, indicating continued strong demand for family homes despite density pressures.

The estimated population per dwelling approval is 715 people, reflecting its quiet, low activity development environment. Population forecasts indicate Whyalla will gain approximately 659 residents by 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

Changes in local infrastructure significantly impact an area's performance. AreaSearch has identified 21 projects likely to affect the area. Notable ones are Sunrise Christian School Expansion, Whyalla Beach Splash & Play Plaza, Whyalla Steelworks Green Steel Transformation, and SA Housing Trust Whyalla Housing Project - 46 New Homes. The following list details those most relevant.

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

Denotes AI-based impression for illustrative purposes only, not to be taken as definitive under any circumstances. Please follow links and conduct other investigations from the project's source for actual imagery. Developers and project owners wishing us to use original imagery please Contact Us and we will do so.

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, prominent manufacturing and industrial sectors, an unemployment rate of 9.0% as of June 2025, and estimated employment growth of 3.2% over the past year. In June 2025, 9,835 residents were employed, with an unemployment rate of 4.4%, slightly higher than Rest of SA's rate of 4.6%.

Workforce participation in Whyalla is similar to Rest of SA at 54.1%. Manufacturing, health care & social assistance, and retail trade are the dominant employment sectors in Whyalla, particularly manufacturing which is at 1.8 times the regional average. Conversely, agriculture, forestry & fishing shows lower representation at 0.4% compared to the regional average of 14.5%. Over the 12 months 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.

In contrast, Rest of SA saw employment contract by 1.2% and unemployment rise 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. Applying these projections to Whyalla's employment mix suggests local growth of approximately 5.4% over five years and 12.3% over ten years, though this is a simple extrapolation for illustrative purposes only.

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, with an average of $65,205. This is approximately average nationally, compared to Rest of SA's median of $46,889 and average of $56,582. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 12.83% since financial year 2022, current estimates would be approximately $60,745 (median) and $73,571 (average) as of September 2025. Census data reveals household, family and personal incomes in Whyalla all fall between the 12th and 18th percentiles nationally. The earnings profile shows the $1,500 - 2,999 bracket dominates with 26.7% of residents (5,839 people), aligning with the region where this cohort likewise represents 27.5%. While housing costs are modest with 87.1% of income retained, 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

Dwelling structure in Whyalla, as per the latest Census, comprised 56.0% houses and 44.1% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings). Non-Metro SA had 75.9% houses and 24.1% other dwellings. Home ownership in Whyalla was 27.3%, with dwellings 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 and the national average of $1,863. The median weekly rent figure was $180, compared to Non-Metro SA's $195 and the national figure of $375.

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

Family households constitute 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 comprise the remaining 38.7%, with lone person households at 36.4% and group households at 2.4%. 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's university qualification rate is 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%). Vocational credentials are prevalent, with 40.3% of residents aged 15+ holding such qualifications, including advanced diplomas (7.0%) and certificates (33.3%).

Educational participation is high at 27.0%, comprising primary education (11.6%), secondary education (7.7%), and tertiary education (2.2%). Sixteen schools serve 3,513 students in the area, with varied educational conditions across Whyalla. 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 challenges in Whyalla, with high prevalence of common conditions across both younger and older age groups. The area has approximately 52% private health cover, slightly higher than the average SA2 area (50.1%).

The most prevalent medical conditions are arthritis (10.3%) and asthma (9.5%), while 61.2% report no medical ailments, compared to 65.6% in Rest of SA. Around 19.8% of residents are aged 65 and over (4,336 people), lower than the 22.1% in Rest of SA. Health outcomes among seniors generally align with the overall population's health profile.

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 found to be below average, with 87.2% of its population being Australian citizens and 80.8% born in Australia. English is the language spoken at home by 93.1% of Whyalla residents. Christianity is the predominant religion in Whyalla, comprising 39.1% of the population.

Judaism, however, is overrepresented in Whyalla compared to the rest of South Australia, with 0.1% of its population identifying as Jewish. The top three ancestry groups based on parents' country of birth are English (32.1%), Australian (30.0%), and Scottish (8.3%). Notably, Welsh people make up 0.8% of Whyalla's population compared to the regional average of 0.5%, Germans comprise 5.4% versus a regional figure of 6.6%, and Croatians are equally represented at 0.7%.

Whyalla's median age exceeds the national pattern

Whyalla's median age is 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, while the 65-74 age group is under-represented at 10.3%. From 2021 to present, the 35-44 age group has increased from 11.1% to 11.7% of Whyalla's population, while the 45-54 cohort has decreased from 13.9% to 12.2%. By 2041, demographic modeling suggests significant changes in Whyalla's age profile. The 75-84 age cohort is projected to expand by 656 people (43%), from 1,526 to 2,183. Notably, the combined 65+ age groups are expected to account for 80% of total population growth, reflecting Whyalla's aging demographic profile. Conversely, population declines are projected for the 15-24 and 5-14 cohorts.