Whyalla
A 13.3% vacancy rate combined with a decile 1 SEIFA score on all four indexes tells the structural story of Whyalla's central suburb: a working-class industrial town facing population headwinds. The suburb holds 3,609 residents across 4.23 km2, with a median age of 46, which is 6 years above the national figure. Household income sits at the 57.4th percentile nationally despite the low SEIFA scores, because Healthcare (21.4%), Manufacturing (16.4%) and Mining (10.8%) dominate the local economy and pay above-average wages. Population has fallen 3.8% over the decade, with the trend continuing at roughly 39 fewer residents per year.
Population
3,609
Median Age
46.0
Household IncomeiMedian weekly household income (ABS Census)
$1,658/wk
DAs (12 months)iDevelopment Applications lodged in the past year
54
Median house price data is not available for this suburb in the current dataset. What is clear from the brief is that housing remains highly affordable relative to income: the mortgage-to-income ratio sits at 18.1%, well below the 30% stress threshold, and rent-to-income is just 12.1%. Weekly rent of $200 is low compared to state averages, making entry costs accessible. Separate houses dominate at 75.7% of dwellings and three-bedroom homes are the most common at 41.8%, followed by four-plus bedrooms at 25.9%. Outright ownership at 33.9% reflects the older, settled resident base, while 36.8% still carry mortgages. The stock profile suits buyers seeking a freestanding family home at lower price points than metro SA.
For Buyers
Median house price data is not available for this suburb in the current dataset. What is clear from the brief is that housing remains highly affordable relative to income: the mortgage-to-income ratio sits at 18.1%, well below the 30% stress threshold, and rent-to-income is just 12.1%. Weekly rent of $200 is low compared to state averages, making entry costs accessible. Separate houses dominate at 75.7% of dwellings and three-bedroom homes are the most common at 41.8%, followed by four-plus bedrooms at 25.9%. Outright ownership at 33.9% reflects the older, settled resident base, while 36.8% still carry mortgages. The stock profile suits buyers seeking a freestanding family home at lower price points than metro SA.
For Investors
The 13.3% vacancy rate is the critical figure for any investment assessment, running significantly higher than healthy market benchmarks and signalling weak rental demand. Weekly rent of $200 is very low compared to the state median, constraining yield even at modest purchase prices. Net internal migration runs at negative 152 people per year, meaning the local population actively leaves for other Australian destinations, while overseas migration adds just 78 a year. Development activity at 49 applications over 12 months includes mostly outbuildings and change-of-use works rather than new residential construction. With population declining at 0.18% annually and no gentrification signals, investors face structural vacancy risk rather than upside from demand growth.
Development Activity
Total DAs
257
Last 12 Months
54
YoY ChangeiYear-over-year change in DA lodgements
+17.4%
Avg DA CostiAverage estimated cost per DA in the past year
N/A
Monthly DA Lodgements
DA Categories
Schools in Whyalla iICSEA: school advantage index. 1000 = national avg, higher = more advantaged
Whyalla Town Primary School
R-6 · 318 students
Samaritan College
R-12 · 881 students
Memorial Oval Primary School
R-6 · 206 students
Demographics
The median age of 46 is 6 years above the national figure, reflecting an aging trajectory where the senior share rose 4 points and the young adult share fell 2.2 points over the decade. Overseas-born residents account for 20.7%, which is 0.9 points below the national average. Ancestry is predominantly Anglo-Celtic, led by English (1,491), Scottish (394) and Irish (345), with German (322) also prominent. University qualifications reach 24.4%, which is 5.7 points below the national average, consistent with a workforce oriented toward trades and industrial occupations. Average household size is 2.2, slightly below the national norm, and 34.4% of families are couples without children, reflecting the older demographic profile.
Age Distribution
Bedrooms
Dwelling Structure
75.7%
Houses
17.5%
Townhouse
6.2%
Apartment
Tenure
Tenure splits across three groups: 33.9% own outright, 36.8% hold a mortgage and 29.3% rent. The 75.7% separate house rate is high, with semi-detached at 17.5% and apartments at just 6.2%, giving Whyalla a predominantly detached housing character compared to metro Adelaide suburbs. Three-bedroom dwellings lead at 41.8%, followed by four-plus bedrooms at 25.9% and two-bedroom at 28.8%. Monthly mortgage repayments average $1,300, among the lowest in SA, and the mortgage-to-income ratio of 18.1% is comfortably below the 30% stress line. The 13.3% vacancy rate is the standout housing market indicator, pointing to oversupply relative to current population and demand levels.
Mortgage / mo
$1,300
Rent / wk
$200
HH Size
2.2
Personal Income / wk
$815
Vacancy Ratei% of dwellings unoccupied on Census night (ABS 2021)
13.3%
Unoccupied
228
Rent / IncomeiMedian rent as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
12.1%
Mortgage / IncomeiMedian mortgage as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
18.1%
Community Profile
Languages Spoken at Home
Ancestry
Household Composition
34.4%
Couples, no children
2,635
Total families
Economy & Employment
Healthcare leads all industries at 21.4% of employed residents (254 workers), followed by Manufacturing at 16.4% (194) and Education at 13.6% (161). Mining employs 10.8% (128 workers), a significant share that reflects Whyalla's history as a steel and industrial centre. By occupation, Professionals lead at 365 workers, followed by Machinery and Drivers at 224, reflecting the dual white-collar service and blue-collar industrial character. The unemployment rate is 5.5%, above typical metro levels, with a participation rate of 57.3%. All four SEIFA indexes score at decile 1, the lowest advantage tier nationally, despite household income sitting at the 57.4th percentile, because the index also weighs access to services, education levels and occupational mix.
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
68.7%
Part-time
25.8%
Participation
57.3%
Employed
1,651
Occupations
Top Industries
University
24.4%
Postgraduate
4.7%
Born Overseas
20.7%
Dwellings
1,483
Transport to Work
Car reliance is very high at 84.9% of commuters, above most comparable regional SA towns, with only 2.0% using public transport and 7.4% walking or cycling. No schools are recorded inside this suburb boundary in the dataset. The crime rate of 69.8 incidents per 1,000 residents is elevated compared to low-crime metro suburbs, a factor prospective residents should weigh. All four SEIFA deciles score 1, the lowest national tier, indicating concentrated disadvantage across education, occupation, income and access measures. On the positive side, volunteering reaches 20.2% of residents and rent-to-income at 12.1% means renters face very little housing stress, even at lower income levels.
Drive
84.9%
Public Transport
2.0%
Walk / Cycle
7.4%
Work from Home
N/A
Population Forecast
-0.18%/yr
(-39 people/yr)
EstablishedPopulation in the Whyalla urban area peaked above 21,851 in 2023 and has since declined to 21,641 by 2025, a fall of 210 over two years. The medium forecast projects continued decline through 2031, reaching approximately 21,536. The annual loss rate is 0.18% or roughly 39 people per year. The primary driver of population loss is net internal outflow of 152 people annually, only partially offset by overseas migration of 78 per year. The gentrification score is 0 and the suburb is classified as not gentrifying, consistent with the signals of net outflow and a workforce shift toward fewer working-age residents. Affordability improved from 31.7% in 2011 to 28.1% in 2021, but has not arrested the population trend.
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
252
Year ending June 2024
Rate per 1,000 People
69.8
Source: Crime Statistics Agency Victoria / SA Police
National Ranking iPercentile rank among ~15,000 AU suburbs. 90% = higher than 90% of suburbs
How Whyalla compares to ~15,000 Australian suburbs
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Whyalla a good suburb to live in?
Whyalla offers highly affordable housing, with a mortgage-to-income ratio of 18.1% and rent-to-income of just 12.1%, well below stress thresholds. However, all four SEIFA indexes score at decile 1, the lowest national tier, and the crime rate is 69.8 per 1,000 residents. The median age of 46 reflects an older, stable community rather than a fast-growing one.
What is the median house price in Whyalla?
Median house price data is not available in the current dataset for this suburb. What is known is that weekly rent averages $200 and monthly mortgage repayments average $1,300, making Whyalla one of the more affordable housing markets in SA. The mortgage-to-income ratio of 18.1% is comfortably below the 30% stress benchmark.
What schools are in Whyalla?
No schools are recorded inside this suburb's boundary in the dataset. Whyalla as a broader city has a range of public and Catholic schools. Locally, 24.4% of residents hold university qualifications, which is 5.7 points below the national average, consistent with a workforce oriented toward trades and industrial employment rather than professional services.
Is Whyalla safe?
The recorded crime rate for Whyalla is 69.8 incidents per 1,000 residents, based on 252 recorded offences across the suburb's 3,609 population. This is above what you would find in low-crime metropolitan suburbs, and prospective residents should factor it into their decision. All four SEIFA scores sit at decile 1, indicating concentrated disadvantage that can correlate with higher crime rates.
Is Whyalla good for property investment?
The 13.3% vacancy rate is a significant red flag for investors, well above the 3% benchmark for a balanced rental market. Weekly rent of $200 is low compared to state averages, limiting gross yields. Net internal migration runs at negative 152 people per year, reducing long-term demand. The case for investment depends on price level; without current median data, yield calculations are difficult to confirm.
How is Whyalla's population changing?
The Whyalla urban area population fell from 21,851 in 2023 to 21,641 in 2025, a decline of 210 people. The medium forecast continues this trend to approximately 21,536 by 2031. Net internal outflow averages 152 people per year, partially offset by overseas migration of 78 per year. The 10-year population change is negative 3.8%.
How much development is happening in Whyalla?
There were 49 development applications lodged in the past 12 months, covering outbuildings, change-of-use conversions and domestic sheds. This level of activity reflects a maintenance-oriented market rather than new residential supply growth, consistent with population declining at 0.18% annually and a 13.3% vacancy rate indicating no shortage of existing housing stock.
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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