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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 Stuart has an estimated 6,606 residents, up from 6,476 at the 2021 Census — a change of 130 people, or 2.0%. That puts 956 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 AreaSearch evaluations combining post-Census validated address counts with ABS regional demographic updates, the suburb of Whyalla Stuart has an estimated population of approximately 6,606 as of Aug 2026. This marks a 2.0% rise of 130 people compared to the 6,476 residents recorded in the 2021 Census. The calculation stems from an estimated resident count of 6,600 established by AreaSearch using address validations alongside the ABS June 2025 ERP figures. Across the locality, population density sits at 956 persons per square kilometer, tracking closely with benchmark averages evaluated by AreaSearch.
In addition, the post-census growth rate of 2.0% in the suburb of Whyalla Stuart is within 2.2 percentage points of the broader SA4 region (4.2%), indicating solid expansion fundamentals. Net gains in the local headcount were predominantly propelled by overseas arrivals, accounting for roughly 91.0% of recent population additions. Population modelling by AreaSearch utilizes the ABS/Geoscience Australia projections published in 2024 (anchored to 2022). Where SA2 coverage is absent or timelines extend beyond 2032, figures incorporate the SA State Government's 2023 age-cohort LGA projections (calibrated on 2021 data) converted to SA2 boundaries via weighted population aggregation. Based on these demographic models, the suburb of Whyalla Stuart is tracking within the bottom quartile of national regional growth, projected to expand by 217 persons by 2041 across aggregated SA2 data, representing an overall rise of 3.2% across the 16 years.
Frequently Asked Questions - Population
Detail
Residential building approvals in the area remain subdued, recording 2 dwelling approvals per year, or 10 dwellings across the entire five-year span. Such constrained figures are characteristic of rural localities, where construction activity answers localized housing requirements rather than broad market demand. Given this modest volume of projects, individual developments can create substantial percentage swings in annual metrics and comparative trends. Residential building output in the area sits noticeably below the average for Rest of SA, while also trailing broader nationwide levels. Detached houses constitute the entirety of recent residential activity, matching regional lifestyle demands for residential space.
Homebuilders are delivering freestanding houses in higher proportions than indicated by the 36.0% Census baseline, demonstrating sustained appetite for family layouts. The ratio of 3313 people per dwelling approval highlights the subdued pace of local construction activity. According to the latest quarterly estimates from AreaSearch, local projections point to an addition of 211 residents by 2041. If building volume remains at its current modest level, new residential supply may fail to keep pace with population intake, potentially heightening competition among purchasers and sustaining upward pressure on construction values.
Frequently Asked Questions - Development
Development applications around Whyalla Stuart
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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 Stuart, 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 outcomes and regional performance are strongly shaped by major projects and civic planning. AreaSearch has pinpointed 4 key infrastructure initiatives relevant to the locality. Among the principal developments identified are the Sunrise Christian School Expansion, Whyalla Secondary College, George Ave, Whyalla Norrie, alongside the Reece Plumbing and Bathroom Supply Store Whyalla.
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.
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.
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.
2,254 residents of Whyalla Stuart are employed, from a labour force of 2,737. Unemployment sits at 17.6%, with participation at 49.6%. 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 5,474, about 83% 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
Workforce patterns in the area feature an even split between blue-collar and white-collar occupations, anchored by substantial industrial and manufacturing representation, while statistical area modeling by AreaSearch indicates an unemployment rate of 17.6%. Employed residents stood at 2,254 as of March 2026, alongside an unemployment rate that sits 12.2% higher than the 5.5% reported across Regional SA. Labor force participation is also notably subdued at 49.6%, trailing the Regional SA benchmark of 58.3%. In addition, Census records showed that only 1.5% of workers operated from home, though this figure was influenced by Covid-19 restrictions.
Primary industries employing local residents include manufacturing, retail trade, and health care & social assistance. Manufacturing represents a key area of local specialization, holding an employment concentration 1.7 times the broader regional benchmark. Conversely, agriculture, forestry & fishing accounts for only 0.2% of the local workforce, contrasting sharply with the 14.5% observed in Regional SA. A comparison of resident headcount against local Census employment tallies indicates that internal job opportunities within the neighborhood are relatively limited. Aggregated SALM and ABS statistics compiled by AreaSearch reveal that in the year to March 2026, the local labor pool contracted by 2.5% while employment dropped by 11.8%, driving an unemployment increase of 8.7 percentage points. By comparison, Regional SA recorded employment expansion of 1.2%, labor force growth of 2.6%, and an unemployment rise of 1.4 percentage points. Forward-looking occupational indicators from Jobs and Skills Australia as of Mar-26 provide additional context on potential workforce demand. When national forecasts—projecting overall employment growth of 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years—are weighted against the specific sectoral profile of the area, local employment is projected to expand by 5.3% over five years and 12.0% over ten years (representing a direct industry weighting model that excludes localized demographic projections).
Frequently Asked Questions - Employment
Median household income in Whyalla Stuart is $880 a week (about $46,000 a year), with median personal income at $502 a week. ATO records put median taxable income at $42,163 a year against an average of $51,065. 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 ATO postcode metrics compiled by AreaSearch for financial year 2023, the suburb of Whyalla Stuart recorded a median taxpayer earnings figure of $42,163 and an average of $51,065. These figures sit below nationwide benchmarks, trailing Regional SA where the median income is $48,920 and the average is $58,933. Factoring in Wage Price Index increases of 10.17% from financial year 2023 to March 2026 yields updated estimates of approximately $46,451 for median income and $56,258 on average. Nationwide Census comparisons place family, personal, and household earnings in the area between the 1st and 4th percentiles.
In terms of earnings brackets, 30.6% of residents (2,021 individuals) fall into the $400 - 799 weekly range, differing from the regional pattern where the $1,500 - 2,999 category is most common at 27.5%. With 46.4% of earners receiving under $800 weekly, local economic pressures remain pronounced, and housing costs leave households with only 84.3% of income remaining, placing the area at the 3rd percentile for affordability.
Frequently Asked Questions - Income
Whyalla Stuart had 2,826 occupied dwellings at the 2021 Census, 36% detached houses and 6% apartments. 26% are owned with a mortgage, 51% rented and 24% owned outright. At that Census the median rent was $160 a week and the median mortgage repayment $967 a month. Rent absorbs 18.2% of household income here and mortgage repayments 25.4%. Dwelling stock, tenure and housing costs are 2021 Census measures — the only source that counts dwellings at this boundary size.
Detail
According to the latest Census, the local housing stock consisted of 36.1% separate houses and 63.8% medium-to-high density formats (encompassing apartments, semi-detached dwellings, and other structures), contrasting with Regional SA where standalone houses account for 88.5% and alternative dwellings represent 11.5%. Outright home ownership stood at 23.9%, below the regional benchmark, while mortgaged properties accounted for 25.5% and rental accommodations comprised 50.7%. Median monthly mortgage costs sat at $967 and median weekly rent was $160, both well below the Regional SA figures of $1,153 and $220 respectively. On a national scale, local housing expenses remain comparatively low, falling well short of Australia-wide medians of $1,863 for monthly mortgages and $375 for weekly rents.
Frequently Asked Questions - Housing
Whyalla Stuart counted 2,826 households at the 2021 Census, averaging 2.1 people each. 17% are couples with children, fewer than in 93% of areas nationally, against 22% couples without children. 42% of households are people living alone, and families average 2.0 children. Household and family composition is measured only by the Census, so these are 2021 figures.
Detail
Families constitute the majority of living arrangements at 55.6%, broken down into couples without children (21.8%), couples with children (16.7%), and single parent arrangements (16.0%). Non-family setups make up the remaining 44.4%, comprising single-person households at 41.5% and group living situations at 2.8%. The average household accommodates 2.1 people, slightly lower than the Regional SA standard of 2.3.
Frequently Asked Questions - Households
7.2% of adults in Whyalla Stuart hold a university qualification, including 5.7% with a bachelor degree and 1.0% with postgraduate qualifications, lower than 96% of areas nationally. A further 33.0% hold a vocational qualification. 3 schools serve the area, with 85 enrolment places and an average ICSEA of 790 against a national benchmark of 1,000. Qualifications come from the 2021 Census; school enrolments, ICSEA and results come from ACARA's current release.
Detail
Attainment of higher education presents a notable development area locally, with university qualification levels standing at 7.2% against the broader Australian benchmark of 30.4%. Among tertiary credentials, bachelor degrees represent 5.7%, followed by master's/postgraduate qualifications at 1.0% and graduate diplomas at 0.5%. Meanwhile, vocational qualifications are widely held, with 38.7% of the population aged 15+ possessing technical certifications, consisting of certificates at 33.0% and advanced diplomas at 5.7%. A significant portion of the local community is engaged in study, with 27.8% of residents enrolled across educational institutions. Primary school students account for 12.5% of the population, secondary pupils represent 8.0%, and tertiary attendees comprise 2.0%.
Frequently Asked Questions - Education
Schools Detail
Public transport in Whyalla Stuart reaches 42 stops on 6 routes, timetabled for about 320 services a week. The typical home sits about 180 m from its nearest stop. Households keep an average of 1.0 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
The public transport network in the suburb of Whyalla Stuart comprises 42 active stops operating across 6 routes, generating 320 scheduled passenger services each week. Proximity to transit infrastructure is strong, with typical walking distances of 175 meters to the closest stop. Given the residential makeup of the area, daily travel is predominantly outward-focused, with private vehicles serving as the main commuting mode at 88%. Private vehicle ownership sits at an average of 1.0 per household, below regional figures, while a modest 1.5% of workers carried out their roles from home according to 2021 Census records during COVID-19.
Across the entire network, services operate at a frequency of 45 trips per day, which translates to roughly 7 weekly services per stop.
Frequently Asked Questions - Transport
Transport Stops Detail
55.9% of residents in Whyalla Stuart report no long-term health condition, a less healthy profile than 96% of areas nationally. 10.1% need daily assistance with core activities, and 47.2% hold private health cover. The standardised death rate runs at 8.0 per 1,000 residents. Health conditions, assistance needs and insurance are 2021 Census measures; the death rate comes from current ABS releases.
Detail
AreaSearch evaluations of chronic illnesses and mortality indicate notable health considerations within the community, with long-term conditions affecting both younger demographics and older cohorts. Private health insurance participation is particularly low, covering roughly 47% of the resident population (~3,120 people), trailing the Australian average of 55.7%. Arthritis and mental health conditions are the most prevalent reported ailments, diagnosed in 11.4% and 10.7% of the population respectively, while 55.9% of residents reported having no long-term medical conditions compared to 62.5% across Regional SA. Elevated rates of chronic illness are also observed among the working-age demographic.
Residents aged 65 and over make up 22.5% of the locality (1,486 people), which sits below the 27.1% proportion recorded in Regional SA, with senior health indicators generally tracking in line with broader population rankings.
Frequently Asked Questions - Health
Whyalla Stuart is largely Australian-born, at 80.7% of residents, with 5.5% speaking a language other than English at home. The largest reported ancestries are English (33.1%) and Australian (29.9%). 6.2% of residents identify as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander. Ancestry, language and country of birth are counted only by the Census, so these are 2021 figures.
Detail
Cultural diversity metrics across the area sit below national norms, with Australian citizens making up 85.4% of the population, Australian-born individuals representing 80.7%, and 94.5% of households speaking exclusively English. Christianity is the predominant religious affiliation, claimed by 37.8% of the community. In relative terms, Judaism shows a distinct overrepresentation at 0.1% locally, whereas no residents were recorded with this background across Regional SA. Regarding parental ancestry, the primary backgrounds reported are English (33.1%), Australian (29.9%), and Scottish (8.1%). Divergences from regional norms are also evident among other backgrounds, with Australian Aboriginal ancestry recorded at 6.2% (against 3.3% regionally), Welsh heritage at 0.9% (against 0.5%), and Spanish lineage at 0.6% (against 0.2%).
Frequently Asked Questions - Diversity
The median resident of Whyalla Stuart is 41. 25.4% 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
Age distributions across the suburb of Whyalla Stuart align closely with Regional SA benchmarks, with all broad age brackets remaining within 4.6 percentage points of the regional profile. The median age was an estimated 41 as at August 2026, matching the 2021 Census and sitting 6 years below the Regional SA median of 47 from that Census. Since then, the proportion of residents aged 65+ has increased from 20.2% to an estimated 22.5%. Looking ahead to 2041, seniors and retirees are anticipated to drive the largest demographic expansion, growing by 394 (26%) to reach 1,880 persons, whereas child, young adult, middle-aged, and early retiree demographics are projected to shrink.
Frequently Asked Questions - Age
Data & MethodBoundaries, Sources & Method for Whyalla Stuart
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. The headline figure is therefore a current estimate for Aug 2026, not a 2021 count (6,476 at the 2021 Census → 6,606 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 (SAL41590). QuickStats reports 2021 only — the figures on this page are more current wherever the ledger shows a later date.