Whyalla Jenkins
What stands out first about Whyalla Jenkins is the mismatch between its SEIFA decile 1 ranking on all four indexes and a household income sitting at the 74.1st percentile nationally. With a median age of 33, this suburb skews 7 years younger than the national figure, and 91.9% of its 1,961 residents live in separate houses, with 47% of those having four or more bedrooms. Manufacturing, healthcare and education each absorb roughly 15-17% of the local workforce, a spread that reflects Whyalla's industrial base. Population has edged down 3.8% over the decade, following the broader Whyalla region's slow contraction.
Population
1,961
Median Age
33.0
Household IncomeiMedian weekly household income (ABS Census)
$1,970/wk
DAs (12 months)iDevelopment Applications lodged in the past year
16
No median house price data is recorded for Whyalla Jenkins, which points to thin transaction volumes in this small suburb of 1,961 people. What the data does show is a monthly mortgage repayment of $1,580, lower than most SA metro markets, and a mortgage-to-income ratio of 18.5%, well below the 30% stress threshold. The stock is overwhelmingly detached houses at 91.9%, compared to the state average where apartments play a larger role in affordable markets. Bedrooms run large: 47% of dwellings have four or more bedrooms and 48.1% have three, meaning buyers get space. With 38.7% of households carrying a mortgage and only 19.6% owning outright, the suburb has a younger buyer base than established suburban markets.
For Buyers
No median house price data is recorded for Whyalla Jenkins, which points to thin transaction volumes in this small suburb of 1,961 people. What the data does show is a monthly mortgage repayment of $1,580, lower than most SA metro markets, and a mortgage-to-income ratio of 18.5%, well below the 30% stress threshold. The stock is overwhelmingly detached houses at 91.9%, compared to the state average where apartments play a larger role in affordable markets. Bedrooms run large: 47% of dwellings have four or more bedrooms and 48.1% have three, meaning buyers get space. With 38.7% of households carrying a mortgage and only 19.6% owning outright, the suburb has a younger buyer base than established suburban markets.
For Investors
A vacancy rate of 8.9% is the primary caution signal for investors, sitting above the typical 3% equilibrium that supports rent stability. Weekly rent of $265 reflects the affordability profile of a decile 1 SEIFA suburb, lower than SA state medians. The renter share of 41.7% is relatively high, meaning tenant demand exists, but the high vacancy suggests supply is outpacing it. Development activity was light at 15 applications in the past 12 months, mostly sheds and pools rather than new dwellings. Net internal migration runs at minus 152 people per year for the broader Whyalla area, and overseas migration of 78 per year partially offsets that. The gentrification score of 0 puts it firmly outside any uplift trajectory compared to rising urban fringe markets.
Development Activity
Total DAs
105
Last 12 Months
16
YoY ChangeiYear-over-year change in DA lodgements
+77.8%
Avg DA CostiAverage estimated cost per DA in the past year
N/A
Monthly DA Lodgements
DA Categories
Demographics
The median age of 33 is 7 years below the national figure, making this one of the younger demographics in regional SA. Despite that youth skew, the suburb's trajectory is aging: the senior share rose 4 points over the decade while the young-adult share fell 2.2 points. Overseas-born residents stand at 21.7%, which is broadly in line with the national average. Ancestry is strongly Anglo-Celtic, led by English (815 residents), Scottish (258) and Irish (150), with German (105) also present. University qualifications reach 26.7%, which is 3.4 points below the national figure, consistent with a workforce concentrated in healthcare, education and manufacturing rather than professional services. Average household size of 2.5 matches the national average exactly.
Age Distribution
Bedrooms
Dwelling Structure
91.9%
Houses
3.6%
Townhouse
4.5%
Apartment
Tenure
The housing stock leans heavily toward detached houses, at 91.9% compared to smaller shares seen in more urban SA markets. Apartments account for just 4.5% and semi-detached 3.6%. The bedroom profile is notably large: 47% of dwellings have four or more bedrooms and 48.1% have three, together covering 95% of stock. Tenure splits across 38.7% with a mortgage, 41.7% renting and 19.6% owning outright, a pattern suggesting a younger, cost-sensitive population rather than the outright-owner-heavy profile of established markets. Monthly mortgage repayments average $1,580 and rent averages $265 per week, both well below SA metro benchmarks. The vacancy rate of 8.9% is elevated, indicating some excess supply in the rental market relative to current demand.
Mortgage / mo
$1,580
Rent / wk
$265
HH Size
2.5
Personal Income / wk
$1,003
Vacancy Ratei% of dwellings unoccupied on Census night (ABS 2021)
8.9%
Unoccupied
73
Rent / IncomeiMedian rent as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
13.5%
Mortgage / IncomeiMedian mortgage as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
18.5%
Community Profile
Languages Spoken at Home
Ancestry
Household Composition
25.7%
Couples, no children
1,624
Total families
Economy & Employment
Healthcare (17.1%, 121 workers), Education (16.5%, 117) and Manufacturing (15.8%, 112) are the three largest employing industries, together accounting for nearly half the local workforce. This tri-sector spread reflects Whyalla's role as a regional service hub, with manufacturing tied to the city's steel industry legacy. The top occupation is Professionals at 223 workers, followed by Community and Personal Services (150) and Machinery and Drivers (130). Unemployment sits at 3.7%, below the national headline, and the full-time employment rate reaches 72%. All four SEIFA indexes score decile 1, the bottom nationally, yet household income lands at the 74.1st percentile, likely because the industrial wage base in healthcare and manufacturing is stable even within a low-advantage area by education and occupation measures.
Unemployment
13.7%
Labour Force
10,646
Unemployed
1,460
Quarterly Trend
Source: SALM Dec-25
Socio-Economic Indexes (SEIFA)iABS index ranking suburbs from 1 (most disadvantaged) to 10 (most advantaged)
Full-time
72.0%
Part-time
24.3%
Participation
66.7%
Employed
974
Occupations
Top Industries
University
26.7%
Postgraduate
4.9%
Born Overseas
21.7%
Dwellings
749
Transport to Work
Car dependence is extreme: 90.3% of residents drive to work, compared to national averages where other modes take a larger share, and only 3.8% use public transport. Walking and cycling together cover just 0.5%, reflecting the suburban layout and distances typical of regional SA. The crime rate of 36.7 incidents per 1,000 residents is a measurable figure for context, though no breakdown by category is available. All four SEIFA indexes rank at decile 1, the bottom nationally, indicating this community faces meaningful socioeconomic disadvantage by structural measures. On the other hand, housing stress is low: rent-to-income sits at 13.5% and mortgage-to-income at 18.5%, both comfortably below stress thresholds. No schools are recorded within the suburb boundary, so families rely on schools elsewhere in the Whyalla area.
Drive
90.3%
Public Transport
3.8%
Walk / Cycle
0.5%
Work from Home
N/A
Population Forecast
-0.18%/yr
(-39 people/yr)
EstablishedWhyalla Jenkins has declined 3.8% in population over the past decade, averaging a loss of 39 residents per year, or minus 0.18% annually. The broader Whyalla SA2 recorded populations of 21,851 in 2023 and 21,641 in 2025, and medium forecasts project continued slow decline to around 21,536 by 2031. Net internal migration runs at minus 152 per year while overseas migration adds 78, leaving a net annual loss. The gentrification score is 0, classified as not gentrifying, in contrast to inner-city suburbs showing displacement signals. Rent grew 20% and real incomes 10.2% over the period, meaning affordability actually improved from 31.7% in 2011 to 28.1% in 2021, a better ratio than many growing markets despite the population headwind.
Historical + Forecast
Hamilton-Perry + Holt smoothing on ERP 2001-2025
Age Cohort Forecast
Primary Driver
Overseas Migration
Net Overseas / yr
+78
Net Internal / yr
-152
Gentrification Signal
Not gentrifying
Net internal outflow -152/yr
Safety & Crime
Total Offences
72
Year ending June 2024
Rate per 1,000 People
36.7
Source: Crime Statistics Agency Victoria / SA Police
National Ranking iPercentile rank among ~15,000 AU suburbs. 90% = higher than 90% of suburbs
How Whyalla Jenkins compares to ~15,000 Australian suburbs
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Whyalla Jenkins a good suburb to live in?
Whyalla Jenkins suits buyers who prioritise space and affordability. Monthly mortgage repayments average $1,580 and mortgage-to-income sits at 18.5%, well below the 30% stress threshold. The suburb scores decile 1 on all four SEIFA indexes, the lowest nationally, meaning the area faces structural disadvantage. Car dependence is high at 90.3%, so a vehicle is essential.
What is the median house price in Whyalla Jenkins?
No median house price is recorded for Whyalla Jenkins due to low transaction volumes in this small suburb of 1,961 residents. Weekly rent averages $265 and monthly mortgage repayments average $1,580, both well below SA metro benchmarks, giving a mortgage-to-income ratio of 18.5%.
What schools are in Whyalla Jenkins?
No schools are recorded within the Whyalla Jenkins suburb boundary in this dataset. Families rely on schools in the broader Whyalla area. About 26.7% of residents hold university qualifications, which is 3.4 points below the national figure, consistent with the suburb's trades and services workforce mix.
Is Whyalla Jenkins safe?
The recorded crime rate is 36.7 incidents per 1,000 residents, based on 72 total incidents. No breakdown by crime category is available. The suburb scores decile 1 on the IRSD index of relative disadvantage, the lowest tier nationally, which correlates with higher crime risk compared to higher-decile areas.
Is Whyalla Jenkins good for property investment?
The investment case is cautious. The vacancy rate of 8.9% is well above the 3% equilibrium, indicating excess rental supply. Weekly rent of $265 is low. Population has fallen 3.8% over the decade with net internal outflow of 152 per year for the broader area. The gentrification score is 0, offering no near-term uplift signal compared to urban fringe markets.
How is Whyalla Jenkins's population changing?
Population is declining at roughly 0.18% per year, averaging minus 39 residents annually. Over the past decade the suburb fell 3.8%. The broader Whyalla area dropped from 21,851 in 2023 to 21,641 in 2025, and medium forecasts project further decline to around 21,536 by 2031. Net internal migration runs at minus 152 per year, partially offset by overseas arrivals of 78.
What industries employ people in Whyalla Jenkins?
The top 3 industries are Healthcare (17.1%, 121 workers), Education (16.5%, 117 workers) and Manufacturing (15.8%, 112 workers), together covering nearly half the local workforce. Public Administration (8.5%) and Construction (8.3%) follow. The manufacturing share reflects Whyalla's steel industry history. The unemployment rate is 3.7%, below the national headline.
How to read these comparisons
Phrases like "above the national average" reference the unweighted median across Australian suburbs with more than 1,000 residents, not population-weighted national figures. Suburb-level medians are more useful for ranking suburbs against each other; ABS census headlines are population-weighted (so dominated by Sydney and Melbourne) and can read very differently.
Current baseline (refreshed 2026-05-10): median age 40, university-educated 30.1%, born overseas 21.6%, average household size 2.5 people.
Data sources: ABS 2021 Census (demographics, income, tenure), state Valuer-General (house prices), Department of Jobs SALM (unemployment), ACARA (school ICSEA), state Crime Statistics agencies (offences), council DA portals (development applications). Population forecasts use a Hamilton-Perry cohort model calibrated to ABS ERP.
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