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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
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Whyalla Jenkins has an estimated 2,017 residents, up from 1,961 at the 2021 Census — a change of 56 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
According to ABS demographic updates for the surrounding region combined with new address validations performed by AreaSearch after the Census, the suburb of Whyalla Jenkins has an estimated population of 2,017 as of May 2026. This represents a growth of 56 people (2.9%) relative to the 2021 Census, when the population stood at 1,961 people. This shift is calculated from a resident population baseline of 2,014 estimated by AreaSearch using the June 2025 ABS ERP data release, supplemented by 11 validated new addresses registered since the Census. Such a population size results in a density of 657 persons per square kilometer, indicating low density living conditions and scope for future expansion.
Over the last ten years, the suburb of Whyalla Jenkins has shown stable development trends with a 0.5% compound annual growth rate, exceeding that of the SA3 area. The population expansion was driven predominantly by overseas arrivals, who accounted for approximately 91.0% of the total demographic gains during the recent timeframe. Projections from the ABS and Geoscience Australia for individual SA2 sectors are utilized, based on 2024 releases using 2022 as the starting year. For SA2 zones missing this data, or for periods after 2032, regional and LGA projections by age bracket published by the SA State Government in 2023 (utilizing 2021 records) are integrated by applying a weighted aggregation technique from LGA to SA2 divisions. Looking ahead at future trends, growth is projected to track in the lowest national regional quartile, with the suburb of Whyalla Jenkins expected to add 33 persons by 2041 based on collective SA2-level forecasts, representing a cumulative increase of 1.5% over the 16 years.
Frequently Asked Questions - Population
Detail
Real estate development in Whyalla Jenkins is highly restricted, with an average rate of less than one permit granted annually, totaling 3 approvals over five years. This minimal level of building is typical of regional locations where residential demand remains quiet and building projects are naturally constrained by local market requirements and available infrastructure. Given the low volume of permits, individual housing starts can heavily influence annual trend statistics and relative comparisons. Building activity in Whyalla Jenkins is substantially lower than in the Rest of SA. This level of construction is also well below the national average.
Recent additions to the housing stock have consisted entirely of detached houses, focusing on standalone homes suitable for residents looking for a regional lifestyle with plenty of space. The ratio of 1347 people for every building approval highlights the quiet and low-key nature of the local building sector.
Frequently Asked Questions - Development
Development applications around Whyalla Jenkins
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| 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
Changes in local infrastructure, major construction developments, and regional planning policies are critical drivers of local performance. In total, no projects have been identified by AreaSearch as having a likely impact on the area. The main developments of interest 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 the most relevant ones detailed in the list 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.
1,056 residents of Whyalla Jenkins are employed, from a labour force of 1,162. Unemployment sits at 9.1%, with participation at 73.8%. 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 1,447, 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 workforce is characterized by solid skill levels and strong representation in essential services, alongside an unemployment rate of 9.1% based on AreaSearch statistical compilations. As of March 2026, 1,056 residents are employed, which places the local unemployment rate 3.7% higher than the Regional SA average of 5.5%, indicating potential for labor market improvements. Workforce participation is exceptionally high, standing at 73.8% compared to Regional SA's 58.4%. According to Census responses, only 3.0% of the local workforce performed their jobs from home, though this figure may have been affected by Covid-19 health restrictions.
The primary sectors employing local residents are manufacturing, health care & social assistance, and education & training. The community exhibits a strong concentration in education & training, which employs a share of the workforce 1.7 times higher than the regional benchmark. Conversely, the agriculture, forestry & fishing sector has minimal representation at 0.4% compared to the regional benchmark of 14.5%. This mostly residential community seems to offer limited local employment, as shown by the imbalance between the Census working population and resident population. Based on AreaSearch assessments of SALM and ABS statistics aggregated from regional data, the local labor force contracted by 0.9% in the year leading up to March 2026, alongside a 6.0% decrease in total employment, which led to a rise in the unemployment rate of 4.9 percentage points. In contrast, Regional SA experienced a 1.2% rise in employment and a 2.6% expansion of the labor force, with its unemployment rate increasing by 1.4 percentage points. National employment projections released in May-25 by Jobs and Skills Australia provide further context regarding future demand trends in Whyalla Jenkins. These forecasts, spanning five and ten-year intervals, have been compared to the local workforce structure to model future employment paths. Locally, while national job growth is projected to rise by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, the rates of change vary widely across different fields. Aligning these sector-specific forecasts with the local job mix indicates that employment among residents should grow by 5.3% over five years and 12.1% over ten years, noting that this is a simple weighted projection for illustration and does not incorporate localized population forecasts.
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
The latest postcode-level ATO statistics compiled by AreaSearch for the financial year 2023 show that taxpayer earnings in the suburb of Whyalla Jenkins place it in the highest national brackets, with a median recorded income of $84,242 and an average of $102,029. This is significantly higher than Regional SA, which recorded a median of $48,920 and an average of $58,933. Adjusted for a Wage Price Index increase of 10.17% since the financial year 2023, current earnings are estimated to be approximately $92,809 for the median and $112,405 for the average as of March 2026.
The 2021 Census reveals that household, family, and individual incomes in the area cluster around the 70th percentile nationally. The most common bracket is the $1,500 - 2,999 range, which accounts for 35.5% of the population (716 people), comparable to the broader metropolitan region where 27.5% fall into this bracket. Once housing expenses are paid, residents retain 87.3% of their earnings, indicating strong disposable income, and the SEIFA index ranks the local area in the 5th decile.
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
Residential structures in Whyalla Jenkins at the time of the latest Census consisted of 91.9% houses and 8.1% alternative dwellings such as semi-detached homes, units, or other housing formats, compared to Regional SA where houses made up 88.5% and alternative dwellings comprised 11.5%. Home ownership in Whyalla Jenkins was lower than the regional rate, standing at 20.0%, with the remaining properties being held under a mortgage (38.7%) or occupied by tenants (41.3%). The median monthly mortgage payment in the area was significantly higher than the Regional SA average at $1,580, while the median weekly rent was recorded at $265, compared to Regional SA figures of $1,153 and $220.
By national standards, monthly mortgage outlays in Whyalla Jenkins are much lower than the Australian median of $1,863, and rents are also well below 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 represent the vast majority of households at 75.4%, which includes 35.6% couples with children, 28.3% couples without children, and 10.5% single parents. Non-family households account for the remaining 24.6% of the local area, consisting of single-person households at 23.7% and group housing arrangements at 1.5%. The median size of local households is 2.5 people, which is larger than the Regional SA average 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
Local education trends show lower levels of tertiary attainment, with university graduation rates at 19.2%, which is considerably below the national rate of 30.4%. This highlights a clear opportunity for targeted educational support. Among those with university qualifications, Bachelor degrees are the most common at 14.4%, followed by postgraduate degrees at 3.2% and graduate diplomas at 1.6%. Vocational and practical skills are highly represented, with 41.4% of residents aged 15+ holding trade qualifications, consisting of advanced diplomas at 8.2% and certificates at 33.2%. Enrollment rates in educational programs are particularly high, with 28.8% of the local population actively participating in study.
This group is composed of 11.8% in primary schooling, 7.9% in high school programs, and 2.6% enrolled in tertiary institutions.
Frequently Asked Questions - Education
Schools Detail
Getting around Whyalla Jenkins means driving: households keep an average of 1.6 vehicles, and no scheduled public transport appears in the current timetable feeds. Service data is built from operators' published GTFS timetables; vehicle ownership is from the 2021 Census.
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 point to below-average health profiles in Whyalla Jenkins, based on AreaSearch assessments of mortality levels and the occurrence of long-term medical conditions. The frequency of typical health conditions across the community is generally standard, though it runs higher than the national baseline among older age brackets. The rate of private health insurance coverage is exceptionally high, with approximately 67% of the population (1,355 people) having cover, compared to 48.9% in Regional SA and a national average of 55.7%. Asthma and mental health conditions are the most prevalent health issues in the area, affecting 9.5 and 7.5% of the community respectively.
Meanwhile, 69.9% of residents reported having no chronic medical conditions, compared to 62.5% across Regional SA. The working-age cohort shows strong health indicators with a low incidence of chronic illnesses. Residents aged 65 and over make up 13.1% of the population (264 people), which is lower than the Regional SA average of 27.1%. Senior health outcomes present some challenges, though they rank lower nationally than the rest of the local cohort.
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 diversity in Whyalla Jenkins closely matches regional averages, with 78.3% of the population born in Australia, 88.0% holding citizenship, and 90.2% using only English at home. Christianity is the dominant religion, practiced by 38.3% of the community. The most notable divergence from regional averages is in the Other religious category, which represents 1.0% of the population compared to 0.8% across Regional SA. Regarding parent birthplaces, the most common ancestries in Whyalla Jenkins are English at 30.4%, Australian at 30.3%, and Scottish at 9.6%. There are also distinct concentrations of other heritages: Welsh heritage is notably higher at 1.0% of the population (compared to 0.5% regionally), Maori is represented at 0.9% (compared to 0.2% regionally), and Croatian stands at 0.7% (compared to 0.3% regionally).
Frequently Asked Questions - Diversity
The median resident of Whyalla Jenkins is 33, younger than 86% of areas nationally. 29.8% 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
The median age of 33 years in Whyalla Jenkins is much younger than the Regional SA average of 47 and also sits below the national median of 38. The age distribution reveals a high concentration of individuals aged 25 to 34 (16.9%), while the 65 to 74 cohort is relatively small (6.7%) compared to Regional SA. Since 2021, the 35 to 44 age cohort has expanded from 14.2% to 15.1% of the population, whereas the 45 to 54 cohort has shrunk from 13.6% to 11.4%. Demographic forecasts for 2041 point to significant changes in the age profile of Whyalla Jenkins.
The 75 to 84 bracket is expected to grow steadily, increasing by 43 people (43%) from 100 to 144. Crucially, residents aged 65 and over will make up 72% of the total population growth, showing a clear aging trend. Conversely, the number of residents in the 0 to 4 and 15 to 24 age brackets is projected to decline.
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 Aug 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) | May 2026 3 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 May 2026, with the 2021 Census supplying the small-area baseline. | ||
| Age profile | ABS, Geoscience Australia, State governments Annual | May 2026 3 months ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Age cohorts are re-based to the latest ABS population estimates and state projections, current to May 2026. Each cohort is held as a Census baseline and a current estimate. | ||
| Development & approvals | ABS, GNAF Monthly (ABS approvals) | Jun 2026 2 months ago headline measures · May 2026 baseline |
| Property sales & rents | Valuer General, Rental Board, ABS Weekly sales, quarterly rents | Aug 2026 this month all 21 measures |
| 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 Aug 2026. | ||
| Infrastructure projects | Infrastructure Australia, Local governments Daily | May 2026 3 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 5 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) | Aug 2026 this month headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Transport | ABS, State Transport Departments Each timetable release | Jul 2026 last month headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Services & amenities | Provider directories, ACECQA Continuous | Jul 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 May 2026, not a 2021 count (1,961 at the 2021 Census → 2,017 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 May 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.