Whyalla Playford
At 2,540 residents, Whyalla Playford combines an established age profile with unusually high rental availability. The median age is 44, which is 4 years above the national median, while the 13.0% vacancy rate is a major feature for both owners and tenants. Detached homes account for 86.2% of dwellings, and university attainment is 19.7%, or 10.4 percentage points below the national comparison. Household income sits at the 42.3rd percentile, helping explain value-sensitive demand. Compared with nearby Whyalla Norrie, the suburb has a similarly practical housing setting, but buyers should assess individual streets, property condition and access carefully.
Local council: Whyalla
Population
2,540
Median Age
44.0
Household IncomeiMedian weekly household income (ABS Census)
$1,429/wk
DAs (12 months)iDevelopment Applications lodged in the past year
30
Whyalla Playford suits buyers seeking established detached housing rather than apartment-led stock. Separate houses account for 86.2% of dwellings, with 58.5% containing 3 bedrooms and 22.0% containing 4 or more, so the housing mix supports conventional households. A monthly mortgage figure of $1,280 and mortgage costs equal to 20.7% of household income are below the pressure seen in many higher-cost markets. Weekly rent of $200 also provides a lower-cost reference point, although a reliable current median house price is not available. Outright ownership at 38.9% is higher than mortgage ownership at 36.5%, reflecting a settled, older base. Compare streets with Whyalla Norrie because age, upkeep and access can vary across the local area.
For Buyers
Whyalla Playford suits buyers seeking established detached housing rather than apartment-led stock. Separate houses account for 86.2% of dwellings, with 58.5% containing 3 bedrooms and 22.0% containing 4 or more, so the housing mix supports conventional households. A monthly mortgage figure of $1,280 and mortgage costs equal to 20.7% of household income are below the pressure seen in many higher-cost markets. Weekly rent of $200 also provides a lower-cost reference point, although a reliable current median house price is not available. Outright ownership at 38.9% is higher than mortgage ownership at 36.5%, reflecting a settled, older base. Compare streets with Whyalla Norrie because age, upkeep and access can vary across the local area.
For Investors
The investment case is shaped by low rents, high vacancy and modest population momentum. Median rent is $200 per week, while 22.8% of households rent, lower than the 38.9% who own outright. Vacancy is 13.0%, so landlords should allow for longer reletting periods and avoid assuming that every property will attract immediate demand. Thirty development applications were recorded over 12 months, indicating ongoing alterations and small-scale building activity, although this does not automatically mean substantial new dwelling supply. The annual growth trend is -0.18%, and overseas migration is the primary migration driver. Compared with a faster-growing market, investors need conservative vacancy, maintenance and resale assumptions because a suburb with slow growth can deliver weaker capital appreciation.
Development Activity
Total DAs
153
Last 12 Months
30
YoY ChangeiYear-over-year change in DA lodgements
+20.0%
Avg DA CostiAverage estimated cost per DA in the past year
N/A
Monthly DA Lodgements
DA Categories
Demographics
Whyalla Playford has an older and smaller-household pattern than Australia overall. The median age is 44, or 4 years above the national figure, while average household size is 2.2 people, 0.3 below the national comparison. University attainment is 19.7%, 10.4 percentage points below national, and 16.5% of residents were born overseas, 5.1 points below national. English ancestry is reported by 1,099 residents, followed by Scottish at 321, Irish at 213 and German at 207. No religion is the largest reported affiliation at 1,257 people, ahead of Christianity at 1,046. With 82.7% staying at the same address and turnover of 17.3%, the suburb is more settled than a highly mobile growth area. Compared with Whyalla Stuart, household composition and street-level age can still differ.
Age Distribution
Bedrooms
Dwelling Structure
86.2%
Houses
9.4%
Townhouse
4.4%
Apartment
Tenure
Housing is predominantly detached and oriented toward established households. Separate houses make up 86.2% of dwellings, compared with 4.4% apartments and 9.4% semi-detached homes. Three-bedroom properties account for 58.5%, while 22.0% have 4 or more bedrooms and 16.5% have 2 bedrooms. Outright ownership at 38.9% is higher than mortgage ownership at 36.5%, while renting accounts for 22.8%. Reported rent-to-income pressure is 14.0% and mortgage-to-income pressure is 20.7%, both consistent with relatively manageable housing costs, although the 13.0% vacancy rate points to softer rental demand. A suburb-level median house price is not available, so compare individual sales, repairs and land characteristics with nearby Whyalla Norrie rather than relying on a single price assumption.
Mortgage / mo
$1,280
Rent / wkiABS Census 2021 median across all dwelling types. Current market rents are typically higher.
$200
Census 2021
HH Size
2.2
Personal Income / wk
$771
Vacancy Ratei% of dwellings unoccupied on Census night (ABS 2021)
13.0%
Unoccupied
160
Rent / IncomeiMedian rent as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
14.0%
Mortgage / IncomeiMedian mortgage as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
20.7%
Community Profile
Languages Spoken at Home
Ancestry
Household Composition
36.7%
Couples with children
49.0%
Couples, no children
12.4%
Single parent
724
Total families
Economy & Employment
Healthcare is the largest industry at 20.4%, or 155 workers, above manufacturing at 16.6% and 126 workers. Education accounts for 14.0% and 106 workers, followed by mining at 9.6% and 73, and construction at 8.2% and 62. The main occupations are trades at 263, professionals at 200, machinery and drivers at 160, community and personal services at 157, and clerical and administration at 127. Unemployment is 4.6%, participation is 61.0% and the full-time rate is 63.4%, while 738 people are outside the labour force. Household income is $1,429 weekly at the 42.3rd percentile. All four SEIFA measures sit in decile 1: IEO, IER, IRSD and IRSAD. That lower socioeconomic position can coexist with low housing costs because incomes and educational attainment are also lower than national benchmarks.
Unemployment
4.6%
Labour Force
1,291
Unemployed
60
Source: ABS Census 2021
Socio-Economic Indexes (SEIFA)iABS index ranking suburbs from 1 (most disadvantaged) to 10 (most advantaged)
Full-time
63.4%
Part-time
30.6%
Participation
61.0%
Employed
1,231
Full-time and part-time are shares of the employed. Source: ABS Census 2021
Occupations
Top Industries
University
19.7%
Postgraduate
3.8%
Born Overseas
16.5%
Dwellings
1,066
Transport to Work
Daily life is strongly car-dependent: 84.3% of residents travel as car drivers, much higher than the 2.2% using public transport. Walking or cycling accounts for 4.8% and working from home for 2.5%, so access to shops, services and employment should be assessed by car travel time. Crime is recorded at 165 incidents, or 65.0 per 1,000 residents, making street-level checks of lighting, parking and surrounding activity worthwhile rather than relying on a simple suburb-wide label. Families should confirm nearby primary and secondary school options, sector mix, transport and enrolment zones against the exact address because boundaries can cross suburb lines. IRSAD is in decile 1, lower than higher-decile areas, which may reflect constrained resources even where housing costs are comparatively low.
Drive
84.3%
Public Transport
2.2%
Walk / Cycle
4.8%
Work from Home
2.5%
Growth Outlook
Whyalla Playford is following an aging, slow-growth path rather than an expansion-led cycle. The annual trend is -0.18%, while population change across the wider area is -3.8% over 10 years. The shift trajectory is labelled Aging, supported by a senior-share increase of 4.0 percentage points and a young-share decline of 2.2 points. Overseas migration is the primary migration driver, which may add some demographic renewal without reversing the broader pattern. Gentrification is scored at 0 and classified as Not gentrifying, while the wider shift measure also records a gentrification score of 12 with the same stage. Compared with active growth corridors, demand is likely to be steadier and more replacement-driven because the established population is aging and the annual trend remains below zero.
Population trend: Whyalla council area
Whyalla Playford sits in the Whyalla council area. These are the council area's residents, not Whyalla Playford's.
Residents 2025
21,720
Growth, 5 yr average
-0.3%/yr
2020 to 2025
Growth, last year
-0.7%
2024 to 2025
ABS Estimated Resident Population by LGA, 30 June each year; council area, not this suburb
Safety & Crime
Total Offences
165
Year ending June 2024
Rate per 1,000 People
65.0
Source: Crime Statistics Agency Victoria / SA Police
National Ranking iPercentile rank among ~15,000 AU suburbs. 90% = higher than 90% of suburbs
How Whyalla Playford compares to ~15,000 Australian suburbs
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Whyalla Playford a good suburb to live in?
It can suit residents seeking established detached housing, lower weekly rent and a quieter setting. The median age is 44, vacancy is 13.0% and car use is 84.3%, so it is better matched to people comfortable with an older, vehicle-oriented suburb than to those seeking dense urban amenities.
What is the median house price in Whyalla Playford?
A reliable current median house price is not available for Whyalla Playford. Buyers can use the $200 weekly median rent, 86.2% detached-house share and $1,280 monthly mortgage figure as affordability references, then compare recent sales for the exact street and dwelling condition.
What schools are in Whyalla Playford?
School choices should be confirmed using the exact property address because enrolment zones can cross suburb boundaries. Check nearby primary and secondary options, sector, transport and starting-year requirements before buying; the average household size is 2.2 people and local school suitability depends on the individual catchment.
Is Whyalla Playford safe?
Safety should be assessed at street level rather than answered with a simple yes or no. The recorded rate is 65.0 incidents per 1,000 residents, with 165 total incidents in the period measured. Inspect lighting, parking, nearby activity and evening conditions before choosing a property.
Is Whyalla Playford good for property investment?
It may suit a carefully priced, income-focused strategy, but vacancy risk is significant. Median rent is $200 per week, vacancy is 13.0%, renting is 22.8% and the annual growth trend is -0.18%. Investors should stress-test reletting time, maintenance and resale demand rather than assume strong capital growth.
How is Whyalla Playford's population changing?
The direction is slow and aging rather than strongly expanding. The annual trend is -0.18%, population change across the wider area is -3.8% over 10 years, the senior share has increased by 4.0 percentage points and the young share has fallen by 2.2 points.
What development is happening in Whyalla Playford?
Thirty development applications were recorded over 12 months, with examples including carports, internal alterations and a kitchen and lounge wall removal. This points to ongoing property improvement, but the available examples do not establish a large new-dwelling pipeline or a major change in neighbourhood scale.
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 education open registers (school locations), state Crime Statistics agencies (offences), council DA portals (development applications).
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