Whyalla

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

As of Nov 2025, the estimated population for the Whyalla statistical area (Lv2) is around 3,707 people. This reflects an increase of 98 individuals since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 3,609 people. The change was inferred from AreaSearch's resident population estimate of 3,695 in Jun 2024, based on ERP data release by ABS, and additional validated new addresses since the Census date. This results in a density ratio of 876 persons per square kilometer, comparable to averages seen across locations assessed by AreaSearch. The Whyalla (SA2) experienced a 2.7% growth since census, positioning it within 2.6 percentage points of its SA4 region's growth rate of 5.3%. Overseas migration contributed approximately 91.0% of overall population gains in recent periods.

AreaSearch adopts ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area, released in 2024 with a base year of 2022. For areas not covered by this data and years post-2032, the SA State Government's Regional/LGA projections are adopted with adjustments made using weighted aggregation methods from LGA to SA2 levels. Considering projected demographic shifts, lower quartile growth is anticipated for regional areas nationally, with the area expected to increase by 153 persons to 2041 based on aggregated SA2-level projections, reflecting a total increase of 4.3% over the 17-year period.

The level of residential development activity in Whyalla is very low in comparison to the average area assessed nationally by AreaSearch

Whyalla has experienced limited development activity, averaging three approvals per year over five years (17 approvals). This is typical of rural areas with modest housing needs and limited construction activity due to local demand and infrastructure capacity. Note that the small sample size can significantly influence annual growth and relativity statistics.

Whyalla's development levels are substantially lower than those of the Rest of SA, and they fall below national patterns as well. All new constructions have been detached houses, aligning with rural living preferences for space and privacy. Interestingly, developers are building more traditional houses than the current mix suggests (76.0% at Census), indicating strong demand for family homes despite density pressures. The estimated population per dwelling approval is 495 people, reflecting Whyalla's quiet development environment.

Population forecasts indicate Whyalla will gain 160 residents by 2041. At current development rates, housing supply may struggle to match population growth, potentially increasing buyer competition and supporting price increases.

Whyalla has moderate levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the 40thth percentile nationally

Area infrastructure significantly impacts local performance. AreaSearch identified ten projects potentially influencing the area. Key projects include Whyalla Steelworks' Green Steel Transformation, Plant Zero.SA, Whyalla Foreshore Redevelopment, and Hotel Bayview - Liquor Legends. Below is a list detailing 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.

Employment drivers in Whyalla are experiencing difficulties, placing it among the bottom 20% of areas assessed across Australia

Whyalla has a skilled workforce with essential services sectors well represented. The unemployment rate was 9.3% as of September 2025.

Employment stability over the past year showed room for improvement, with an unemployment rate 4.0% above Rest of SA's rate of 5.3%. Workforce participation was high at 60.9%, compared to Rest of SA's 54.1%. Key employment sectors included health care & social assistance, manufacturing, and education & training. Manufacturing had notable concentration with levels at 1.8 times the regional average.

Agriculture, forestry & fishing employed just 0.3% of local workers, below Rest of SA's 14.5%. Labour force levels increased by 4.5% over the 12 months to September 2025, while employment declined by 0.4%, causing unemployment to rise by 4.4 percentage points. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May-25 suggest national employment expansion of 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Whyalla's employment mix, local employment should increase by 5.5% over five years and 12.6% over ten years.

The area exhibits notably strong income performance, ranking higher than 70% of areas assessed nationally through AreaSearch analysis

As per AreaSearch's latest postcode level ATO data released for financial year ended June 2023, the suburb of Whyalla's median income among taxpayers is $68,452. The average income in Whyalla is $82,904. Nationally, this is extremely high. In comparison, Rest of SA has a median income of $48,920 and an average income of $58,933. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 8.8% since financial year ended June 2023, current estimates for Whyalla would be approximately $74,476 (median) and $90,200 (average) as of September 2025. Census 2021 income data shows household incomes in Whyalla rank at the 48th percentile, family incomes at the 45th percentile, and personal incomes at the 52nd percentile. The earnings profile indicates that 30.9% of residents (1,145 people) fall into the $1,500 - 2,999 income bracket, reflecting regional patterns where 27.5% occupy this range. After housing costs, residents retain 89.8% of their income, indicating strong purchasing power. The area's SEIFA income ranking places it in the 4th decile.

Whyalla is characterized by a predominantly suburban housing profile, with ownership patterns similar to the broader region

Dwelling structure in Whyalla, as evaluated at the Census conducted in 2016, consisted of 75.7% houses and 24.3% other dwellings including semi-detached homes, apartments, and 'other' types of dwellings. This was comparable to Non-Metro SA's dwelling structure which was 75.9% houses and 24.1% other dwellings. Home ownership in Whyalla stood at 33.8%, with mortgaged dwellings at 36.9% and rented dwellings at 29.3%. The median monthly mortgage repayment in the area was $1,300, higher than Non-Metro SA's average of $1,170. The median weekly rent figure in Whyalla was recorded at $200, compared to Non-Metro SA's $195. Nationally, Whyalla's mortgage repayments were significantly lower than the Australian average of $1,863 as of 2016, 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 64.2% of all households, including 24.8% couples with children, 30.6% couples without children, and 8.1% single parent families. Non-family households constitute the remaining 35.8%, with lone person households at 33.5% and group households comprising 2.2%. The median household size is 2.2 people, which is smaller than the Rest of SA average of 2.3.

Educational outcomes in Whyalla fall within the lower quartile nationally, indicating opportunities for improvement in qualification attainment

The area's university qualification rate is 19.1%, significantly lower than Australia's average of 30.4%. Bachelor degrees are the most common at 13.9%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (3.3%) and graduate diplomas (1.9%). Vocational credentials are held by 41.7% of residents aged 15+, with advanced diplomas at 9.1% and certificates at 32.6%. Educational participation is high, with 25.4% currently enrolled in formal education.

This includes 9.4% in primary, 8.4% in secondary, and 2.3% in tertiary education.

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 among both younger and older age groups. Approximately 60% of Whyalla's total population (2,213 people) have private health cover, compared to 51.5% in the rest of South Australia.

The most prevalent medical conditions are arthritis and asthma, affecting 10.2% and 8.1% of residents respectively. 65.0% of Whyalla residents report no medical ailments, similar to the 65.6% across the rest of SA. As of 2021, 21.7% of Whyalla's population (804 people) are aged 65 and over. Health outcomes among seniors show challenges broadly in line with the general 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 79.3% of its population born in Australia, 88.7% being citizens, and 92.6% speaking English only at home. Christianity is the main religion in Whyalla, comprising 43.7% of people. Hinduism is overrepresented, making up 1.3% compared to 0.5% across Rest of SA.

The top three ancestry groups are English (31.1%), Australian (28.2%), and Scottish (8.2%). Notably, German (6.7%) and Dutch (2.0%) are overrepresented compared to regional averages of 6.6% and 1.2%, respectively, while Croatian is also slightly overrepresented at 0.9%.

Whyalla hosts an older demographic, ranking in the top quartile nationwide

Whyalla has a median age of 46, close to Rest of SA's figure of 47 and above the national average of 38. The 45-54 age group comprises 14.1%, higher than Rest of SA, while the 65-74 cohort is less prevalent at 11.0%. Post-2021 Census, the 25 to 34 age group grew from 10.4% to 11.1%, and the 45 to 54 cohort declined from 15.8% to 14.1%. By 2041, demographic modeling projects significant changes in Whyalla's age profile. The 75 to 84 age cohort is expected to grow by 115 people (45%), from 259 to 375. Notably, combined 65+ age groups will account for 81% of total population growth, reflecting the area's aging demographic trend. Conversely, declines are projected for the 15 to 24 and 5 to 14 cohorts.