Chart Color Schemes
This analysis uses Suburbs and Localities (SAL) boundaries, which can materially differ from Statistical Areas (SA2) even when sharing the same name.
SAL boundaries are defined by Australia Post and the Australian Bureau of Statistics to represent commonly-known suburb names used in postal addresses.
Statistical Areas (SA2) are designed for census data collection and may combine multiple suburbs or use different geographic boundaries. For comprehensive analysis, consider reviewing both boundary types if available.
est. as @ -- *
2021 Census | -- people
Curious about local property values? Filter the chart to assess the volume and appreciation (including resales) trends and regional comparisons, or scroll to the map below view this information at an individual property level.
Find a Recent Sale
Sales Detail
Whyalla Jenkins has an estimated 2,018 residents, up from 1,961 at the 2021 Census — a change of 57 people, or 2.9%. That puts 657 residents on each square kilometre. Population is estimated from ABS Estimated Resident Population releases and GNAF address data, re-based from the 2021 Census and updated annually.
Detail
As of Aug 2026, the suburb of Whyalla Jenkins has an estimated resident count of roughly 2,018, according to AreaSearch evaluations of broader ABS demographic releases alongside post-Census address validations. This represents an addition of 57 people (2.9%) compared to the 1,961 people documented in the 2021 Census. Such growth is deduced from an estimated local headcount of 2,015 following the ABS ERP update in June 2025, combined with 11 validated new addresses recognized post-Census. With a density of 657 persons per square kilometer, the locality offers ample space per resident and room for future expansion.
The suburb of Whyalla Jenkins has maintained steady demographic performance across the preceding decade, achieving a 0.5% compound annual growth rate that exceeded the SA3 region. Net gains were overwhelmingly underpinned by overseas arrivals, accounting for roughly 91.0% of recent population additions. Projections for the suburb of Whyalla Jenkins utilize ABS/Geoscience Australia models published in 2024 (taking 2022 as baseline) for individual SA2 units. Where coverage is absent or extends beyond 2032, population modeling incorporates the 2023 SA State Government Regional/LGA age-cohort forecasts based on 2021 numbers, adjusted via weighted LGA-to-SA2 aggregations. Given these broader demographic trajectories, the suburb of Whyalla Jenkins is slated to track within the lower quartile of non-metropolitan Australian regions, expanding by 40 persons to 2041 under aggregated SA2 calculations—equating to an overall 1.8% rise across the 16 years.
Frequently Asked Questions - Population
Detail
Residential building approvals in Whyalla Jenkins remain exceptionally subdued, averaging under 1 new dwellings annually (totaling 3 approvals over five years). Modest development paces of this scale are typical for regional localities where dwelling requirements are low and expansion is naturally constrained by localized demand and existing service capacity. Because of this limited volume, standalone construction initiatives can heavily skew annual statistics and relative comparisons. Construction levels across Whyalla Jenkins are considerably lower than benchmarks across Rest of SA, while also trailing nationwide building rates. Recent residential planning has consisted exclusively of detached dwellings, catering to the space and privacy desired in regional settings.
The ratio of 1010 people per dwelling approval further highlights the area's tranquil, subdued building sector.
Frequently Asked Questions - Development
Development applications around Whyalla Jenkins
Loading development applications…
| Lodged | Address | Description | Type | Distance | Status |
|---|
SOURCE: Planning portals and council registers, compiled by AreaSearch. Distance & bearing measured from the suburb midpoint.
AreaSearch tracks 38 current infrastructure and development projects close to Whyalla Jenkins, worth an estimated $322 million. 15 are already under construction and 12 are due for completion within three years. The pipeline spans residential development, ports, marinas, fisheries & aquaculture and education & training. Records are compiled from Infrastructure Australia, state agencies, council planning portals and public announcements, reviewed and updated daily, then ranked by proximity, construction stage, completion horizon and project scale.
Detail
Community economic outcomes and regional growth are fundamentally shaped by capital works and strategic planning. Across Whyalla Jenkins, AreaSearch has identified no major projects likely to exert a direct local impact. Important regional works include the Whyalla Airport Upgrade, the Hydrogen Jobs Plan - Worker Accommodation Strategy, the Whyalla Hydrogen Jobs Plan (Hydrogen Power Plant and Electrolyser Facility), and the Whyalla Steelworks Industrial Transformation, with significant initiatives outlined below.
Professional plan users can use the search below to filter and access additional projects.
INFRASTRUCTURE SEARCH
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.
Frequently Asked Questions - Infrastructure
Whyalla Beach Splash & Play Plaza
Destination splash and play plaza on the Whyalla foreshore featuring obstacle play with water, nature play and inclusive accessibility elements, plus new shelter and seating. The project forms a key component of the staged Whyalla Foreshore redevelopment. The Australian Government committed $3.14m in funding, matched by Whyalla City Council, bringing the total budget to $6.3m. The project's final construction designs are preparing for tender in September.
Sunrise Christian School Whyalla Expansion
Expansion of Sunrise Christian School Whyalla comprising a new office/administration building, additional classrooms, and new middle school facilities. The project follows an earlier 2022 extension that added an administration building and four classrooms with Australian Government support. The latest facilities officially opened in early May 2026, attended by school and community representatives including Senator Karen Grogan and Deputy Mayor Tamy Pond.
George Ave, Whyalla Norrie
Proposed residential development with 83 dwellings.
Westland Shopping Centre
Eyre Peninsula's largest shopping centre featuring Coles, Woolworths, food court, fashion retailers, and specialty stores. Provides essential retail services to Whyalla region with free parking including undercover options. Central to Whyalla Norrie commercial district.
Whyalla Secondary College
State-of-the-art $100+ million secondary college accommodating 1500 students in years 7-12. Features contemporary STEM-focused learning spaces, multi-level outdoor learning areas, double court gymnasium, performing arts theatre, and expansive sporting fields. Combines three existing government high schools and includes 48 inclusive places for students with disability.
Reece Plumbing and Bathroom Supply Store Whyalla
New Reece plumbing and bathroom supply store on Norrie Avenue, providing retail services for plumbing, bathroom, and construction supplies in Whyalla Norrie.
Whyalla Foreshore Redevelopment
A staged family-friendly redevelopment centered on the Splash and Play Plaza. Key features include a cuttlefish-themed splash park with water curtains and sprays, an adventure play space inspired by the Whyalla Steelworks heritage, a scooter track, and a wave lawn. Later stages involve a new Foreshore Centre building housing a cafe and Surf Life Saving facilities.
Cuttlefish Cove Experience Project
The Cuttlefish Cove Experience Project is a South Australian Government and Whyalla City Council initiative to investigate tourism infrastructure and visitor experiences around the Giant Australian Cuttlefish breeding aggregation at Point Lowly. The project commenced with a government-funded feasibility study examining improved visitor facilities, dive access, boat experiences and interpretation. As of mid-2026, no construction has commenced and the project remains in the planning phase while tourism activity has been affected by unusually low cuttlefish numbers and temporary environmental protection measures.
1,052 residents of Whyalla Jenkins are employed, from a labour force of 1,157. Unemployment sits at 9.1%, with participation at 73.1%. Weighted for its industry mix, the area's sectors are forecast to grow about 5.3% nationally over five years. That reflects industry composition only and makes no allowance for local population growth. The working-day population is estimated at 1,450, about 72% of the resident population, so more people leave the area for work than travel in. Unemployment and labour force come from ABS Small Area Labour Markets, updated quarterly; the industry and occupation profile is from the 2021 Census.
Detail
The local labour market in Whyalla Jenkins features a capable workforce with strong representation across essential services, alongside an unemployment rate of 9.1% according to aggregated statistical data from AreaSearch. As of March 2026, 1,052 residents are employed, yet unemployment stands 3.6% above the 5.5% recorded across Regional SA, indicating potential for labor absorption. Furthermore, labor force participation is notably elevated at 73.1% versus 58.3% regionally. Census records show that only 3.0% of workers operated from home, though pandemic lockdowns may have influenced this outcome. Major employment sectors for local residents comprise manufacturing, health care & social assistance, as well as education & training.
Local concentration is especially pronounced in education & training, which captures an employment proportion 1.7 times that of the wider region. In contrast, agriculture, forestry & fishing accounts for only 0.4% locally compared to 14.5% across the region. As a primarily residential community, local job openings remain comparatively restricted when comparing resident workers against Census-recorded local positions. According to AreaSearch evaluations of ABS and SALM metrics over a 12-month period, the local labor pool contracted by 1.0% and total jobs fell by 6.1%, driving an increase in the unemployment rate of 4.9 percentage points. Conversely, Regional SA experienced a 1.2% rise in employment, a 2.6% expansion in the labour force, and a 1.4 percentage points increase in unemployment. Future requirements can be gauged using Jobs and Skills Australia national forecasts from Mar-26 mapped onto local industry distributions. Nationwide forecasts anticipate employment expansions of 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, though trajectories differ across industries. Applying these sector-specific rates to Whyalla Jenkins suggests local job numbers could rise by 5.3% over five years and 12.1% over ten years (representing an illustrative weighting calculation that excludes localized demographic projections).
Frequently Asked Questions - Employment
Median household income in Whyalla Jenkins is $1,970 a week (about $102,000 a year), with median personal income at $1,003 a week. ATO records put median taxable income at $84,242 a year against an average of $102,029. Household income is from the 2021 Census; taxable income is from ATO Taxation Statistics for the latest financial year available, indexed forward using the ABS Wage Price Index.
Detail
Based on financial year 2023 ATO figures compiled by AreaSearch, median taxable earnings in the suburb of Whyalla Jenkins reach $84,242, with an average figure of $102,029. These statistics rank within the highest national percentiles and substantially exceed the Regional SA median of $48,920 and average of $58,933. Accounting for a 10.17% increase in the Wage Price Index since financial year 2023, updated estimates as of March 2026 sit near $92,809 (median) and $112,405 (average). Census assessments position family, personal, and household earnings around the 70th national percentile. The primary income bracket is $1,500 - 2,999, which encompasses 35.5% of residents (716 people), aligning closely with the metropolitan proportion of 27.5%.
After meeting accommodation expenses, households preserve 87.3% of their earnings, demonstrating strong spending capacity and aligning with a 5th decile SEIFA income placement.
Frequently Asked Questions - Income
Whyalla Jenkins had 748 occupied dwellings at the 2021 Census, 92% detached houses and 5% apartments. 39% are owned with a mortgage, 41% rented and 20% owned outright. At that Census the median rent was $265 a week and the median mortgage repayment $1,580 a month. Rent absorbs 13.5% of household income here and mortgage repayments 18.5%. Dwelling stock, tenure and housing costs are 2021 Census measures — the only source that counts dwellings at this boundary size.
Detail
Census records indicate that the housing stock in Whyalla Jenkins is dominated by separate houses at 91.9%, with other dwellings (including semi-detached units, apartments, and alternative structures) accounting for 8.1%, compared against 88.5% houses and 11.5% other dwellings in Regional SA. Outright home ownership stands at 20.0%, trailing regional averages, while mortgaged properties make up 38.7% and rented properties account for 41.3%. Monthly mortgage costs average $1,580 at the median, exceeding the regional figure of $1,153, whereas median weekly rent sits at $265, compared to $220 in Regional SA. Relative to national figures, local mortgage payments sit substantially below the Australian median of $1,863, and weekly rents are markedly lower than the national median of $375.
Frequently Asked Questions - Housing
Whyalla Jenkins counted 748 households at the 2021 Census, averaging 2.5 people each. 36% are couples with children, against 28% couples without children. 24% of households are people living alone, and families average 1.6 children. Household and family composition is measured only by the Census, so these are 2021 figures.
Detail
Families constitute the vast majority of local households at 75.4%, broken down into couples with children (35.6%), couples without children (28.3%), and single parent families (10.5%). Non-family living arrangements account for the remaining 24.6%, consisting of lone person households at 23.7% and group households at 1.5%. Typical household occupancy stands at 2.5 people at the median, surpassing the Regional SA figure of 2.3.
Frequently Asked Questions - Households
19.2% of adults in Whyalla Jenkins hold a university qualification, including 14.4% with a bachelor degree and 3.2% with postgraduate qualifications, higher than 77% of areas nationally. A further 33.2% hold a vocational qualification. Qualifications come from the 2021 Census.
Detail
Attainment of higher education credentials in the locality presents an area for growth, with 19.2% of residents holding university qualifications compared to the national benchmark of 30.4%. Among tertiary degree holders, Bachelor degrees comprise 14.4%, followed by postgraduate qualifications at 3.2% and graduate diplomas at 1.6%. Technical and vocational training is widely held, as 41.4% of residents aged 15+ hold vocational qualifications, divided between advanced diplomas (8.2%) and certificates (33.2%). Current participation in schooling and academic programs is substantial, with 28.8% of the local population engaged in education. Broken down by level, 11.8% attend primary school, 7.9% are enrolled in secondary education, and 2.6% are engaged in tertiary studies.
Frequently Asked Questions - Education
Schools Detail
Public transport in Whyalla Jenkins reaches 5 stops on 2 routes, timetabled for about 120 services a week. The typical home sits about 310 m from its nearest stop. Households keep an average of 1.6 vehicles. Stop and service counts are built from operators' published GTFS timetables and refresh with each timetable release; vehicle ownership is from the 2021 Census.
Detail
Local public transit infrastructure in Whyalla Jenkins comprises 5 active transport stops connected via 2 individual routes, which collectively deliver 123 weekly passenger trips. Public transport access is convenient, with residents residing an average distance of 308 meters from the nearest stop. Given the community's outward commuting patterns, private motor vehicles serve as the main travel method at 91%, alongside 6% utilizing buses. Household motor vehicle ownership averages 1.6 per dwelling. Meanwhile, 3.0% of local workers reported working from home during the 2021 Census, which may have been shaped by pandemic conditions.
Transit service frequency across the network averages 17 trips per day, providing roughly 24 weekly trips per individual stop.
Frequently Asked Questions - Transport
Transport Stops Detail
69.9% of residents in Whyalla Jenkins report no long-term health condition. 4.5% need daily assistance with core activities, and 67.2% hold private health cover. The standardised death rate runs at 5.3 per 1,000 residents. Health conditions, assistance needs and insurance are 2021 Census measures; the death rate comes from current ABS releases.
Detail
General health metrics for Whyalla Jenkins indicate some below-average outcomes across chronic illness prevalence and mortality, though typical condition rates among the wider population remain standard, rising above national levels primarily among older residents. Private health insurance participation is remarkably robust, encompassing roughly 67% of the community (1,356 people), outpacing both Regional SA at 48.9% and the national rate of 55.7%. Asthma and mental health conditions are the most prevalent reported ailments, affecting 9.5 and 7.5% of residents respectively, whereas 69.9% of the population reported no chronic health issues compared to 62.5% across Regional SA.
Working-age cohorts maintain strong health profiles with minimal chronic disease. Residents aged 65 and over make up 13.5% of the population (272 people), which is lower than the 27.1% seen throughout Regional SA, and while older residents experience distinct health challenges, their rates remain below broader national indicators.
Frequently Asked Questions - Health
Whyalla Jenkins is largely Australian-born, at 78.3% of residents, with 9.8% speaking a language other than English at home. The largest reported ancestries are English (30.4%) and Australian (30.3%). Ancestry, language and country of birth are counted only by the Census, so these are 2021 figures.
Detail
Cultural and demographic background in Whyalla Jenkins generally mirrors the wider regional profile, with Australian-born residents making up 78.3%, citizens accounting for 88.0%, and individuals speaking only English at home comprising 90.2%. Christianity constitutes the primary religious affiliation, encompassing 38.3% of the community. The most distinct variance appears in the Other category, which represents 1.0% locally against 0.8% across Regional SA. Regarding reported parental heritage, the leading ancestries across Whyalla Jenkins are English at 30.4%, Australian at 30.3%, and Scottish at 9.6%. Distinct local concentrations are also evident among other backgrounds: Welsh ancestry represents 1.0% locally (versus 0.5% across the region), Maori ancestry accounts for 0.9% (versus 0.2%), and Croatian ancestry comprises 0.7% (versus 0.3%).
Frequently Asked Questions - Diversity
The median resident of Whyalla Jenkins is 33, younger than 86% of areas nationally. 29.9% of residents are aged 15 to 34. Age cohorts are not raw Census counts: the Census split is re-based to the latest ABS population estimates and state projections.
Detail
Young and growing families form the core demographic of the suburb of Whyalla Jenkins. Estimates as of August 2026 place 31.8% of the population in the 25 - 44 age cohort, compared to 21.4% across Regional SA, while retirees and seniors aged 65+ make up 13.5% versus 27.1% regionally. Consequently, the local median age is estimated at 33, remaining identical to the 2021 Census result, while sitting 14 years younger than the Regional SA median of 47 and lower than the Australian median of 38 recorded at that time. Since the Census, the most notable shift occurred in the 45 - 64 age band, declining from 22.3% to an estimated 20.2%.
Looking ahead to 2041, the largest demographic expansion is expected among seniors and retirees, rising by 79 residents (29%) to 351, whereas younger adults, children, and middle-aged cohorts are projected to contract.
Frequently Asked Questions - Age
Data & MethodBoundaries, Sources & Method for Whyalla Jenkins
9 of 14 data sections on this page were updated within the last 12 months — the newest current to Oct 2026.
Everything is aggregated to the Suburb (SAL) boundary shown above, on a 2021 Census baseline. Only 3 sections — housing, households and cultural diversity — still wait on the 2026 Census.
The ledger — source, cycle and currency by section
| Section | Source & update cycle | Currency |
|---|---|---|
| Updated within the last 12 months 9 sections | ||
| Population | ABS, GNAF, Geoscience Australia Annual (ABS ERP) | Aug 2026 2 months ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Re-based to the ABS Estimated Resident Population (June 2025 release) and updated with new dwellings from GNAF address data. Current to Aug 2026, with the 2021 Census supplying the small-area baseline. | ||
| Age profile | ABS, Geoscience Australia, State governments Annual | Aug 2026 2 months ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Age cohorts are re-based to the latest ABS population estimates and state projections, current to Aug 2026. Each cohort is held as a Census baseline and a current estimate. | ||
| Development & approvals | ABS, GNAF Monthly (ABS approvals) | Aug 2026 2 months ago headline measures · Jul 2026 baseline |
| Property sales & rents | Valuer General, Rental Board, ABS Weekly sales, quarterly rents | Oct 2026 this month headline measures · Sep 2026 baseline |
| Sales from the state Valuer General register, refreshed weekly, and rents from quarterly rental bond lodgements. Both are read live each time this page loads, current to Oct 2026. | ||
| Infrastructure projects | Infrastructure Australia, Local governments Daily | May 2026 5 months ago all 2 projects tracked here |
| Project pipeline maintained continuously from Infrastructure Australia, state agencies, local government and public announcements. Records are added and revised daily; this area was last updated May 2026. | ||
| Employment | ABS, DEWR, JSA Quarterly (ABS SALM) | Mar 2026 7 months ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Unemployment and labour force from ABS Small Area Labour Markets, current to Mar 2026. The growth outlook applies Department of Employment (now Jobs and Skills Australia) forecasts for all 19 industry divisions to the local industry mix, so it measures sector composition rather than local expansion and makes no allowance for population growth. Job demand comes from the same agency via its Internet Vacancy Index; industry and occupation structure from the 2021 Census. | ||
| Education | ABS, ACARA Annual (ACARA) | Sep 2026 last month headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Transport | ABS, State Transport Departments Each timetable release | Jul 2026 3 months ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Services & amenities | Provider directories, ACECQA Continuous | Sep 2026 last month all 14 measures |
| Annual and financial-year sources 2 sections | ||
| Income | ABS, ATO Annual (ATO) | FY 2023 3 years ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| ATO taxable income statistics for FY 2023, indexed forward using the Wage Price Index. Census household income provides the distribution detail. | ||
| Health | ABS, ATO Annual | 2024 2 years ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Census-measured — next update: 2026 Census 3 sections No more current small-area source exists for these, so they are labelled as Census-measured rather than implied to be current. | ||
| Housing | ABS 5-yearly (Census) | 2021 Census next update 2026 all 30 measures |
| Households | ABS 5-yearly (Census) | 2021 Census next update 2026 all 18 measures |
| Cultural diversity | ABS, Geoscience Australia 5-yearly (Census) | 2021 Census next update 2026 all 44 measures |
"Currency" is the most recent release feeding that section. Where the Census supplies the structural baseline underneath a current headline figure, the row says so.
How the numbers are built
Population
The Census provides the small-area baseline, aggregated from mesh blocks to this boundary. It is then re-based to the ABS Estimated Resident Population (June 2025 release), and new dwellings built since Census night are counted from address data — 11 validated new addresses here. The headline figure is therefore a current estimate for Aug 2026, not a 2021 count (1,961 at the 2021 Census → 2,018 now). Annual growth rates are compound (CAGR), not simple averages.
Age profile
Cohort shares are not raw Census counts. Every cohort is held as a pair — the Census baseline and a current estimate — and the split is re-based using ERP and state population projections, current to Aug 2026. Median age is the Census median plus modelled change since. Charts that show both are labelled "2021 Census vs Current Estimate".
Property sales
Sourced from the state valuation authority's sales register — current, not Census, and refreshed weekly. Medians are calculated from settled transactions in the period shown; periods with very low transaction counts are flagged or suppressed, because a handful of sales can move a median substantially.
Rents
Derived from state rental bond lodgement data, by dwelling type and bedroom count. Bonds are lodged at the start of a new tenancy, so this reflects new lettings, not the whole rented stock.
Development & infrastructure
Building approvals come from current ABS releases; development applications are collected from council and state planning portals; the infrastructure pipeline is compiled from Infrastructure Australia and local government sources. Applications are matched to this boundary by address or coordinates, so very recent lodgements may not yet appear.
Employment & income
Industry and occupation structure comes from the Census, but the headline labour-market indicators do not. Unemployment and labour force are derived from ABS Small Area Labour Markets (quarterly). The employment outlook applies Department of Employment forecasts for all 19 industry divisions to this area's own industry mix (the agency is now Jobs and Skills Australia), as does the Internet Vacancy Index used for job demand. Because it is weighted on industry composition alone, that outlook carries no allowance for local population growth — in fast-growing areas the real rise in local jobs will typically be higher. Income combines Census household income with ATO taxable-income statistics for FY 2023, indexed forward using the Wage Price Index.
Education, transport & amenities
School enrolments, ICSEA and performance come from ACARA's current release, not the Census. Public transport stops and service frequency are derived from GTFS timetable feeds published by state transport departments. Services and amenities are proximity and count scores built from provider directories, refreshed on their own cycle. The Census contributes only the travel-to-work and qualification measures.
Rankings and benchmarks. Where we rank this area, the comparison set is every area of the same boundary type — suburbs against suburbs, SA2s against SA2s. Benchmarks compare this area against its greater capital city region and the national figure for the same measure and period.
Limits worth knowing. Small areas carry larger error margins, and the ABS introduces small random adjustments to Census counts to protect confidentiality — so totals may not sum exactly. Estimates re-based from regional data describe the area's expected trajectory, not a direct count of it. Figures are indicative for research and are not financial, planning or valuation advice.
Cross-check us. The Census baseline for this boundary is at ABS 2021 Census QuickStats (SAL41587). QuickStats reports 2021 only — the figures on this page are more current wherever the ledger shows a later date.