Whyalla, SA: suburb profile

The population of Whyalla SA is 3,609 according to the 2021 Census. The median personal income in Whyalla is $815 per week ($42,380 per year). Median rent in Whyalla is $200 per week ($867 per month). Whyalla has a median age of 46 years, older than the national median of 38. Whyalla has a population density of 852 people per km².

The most common overseas birthplace in Whyalla is England. The most common religion is No religion (48.6% of residents). After English, the most spoken language is Afrikaans. The median monthly mortgage repayment in Whyalla is $1,300.

There were 133 recorded offences in Whyalla in 2025-26, a rate of 37 offences per 1,000 people. The most common offence category was theft (41 offences).

Population
3,609
Census 2021
Median income
$815/wk
Personal, Census 2021
Median rent
$200/wk
Weekly, Census 2021
Median age
46years
Census 2021

Valid: Census 2021 · Source: ABS Census of Population and Housing 2021; offences from SA Government Open Data (data.sa.gov.au), 2025-26.

Whyalla vs the typical SA suburb

The median personal income in Whyalla is $815 a week, 7% above the typical SA suburb ($759). That ranks 252nd of 710 SA suburbs with 200 or more residents. Median rent is $200 a week, $100 less than the typical SA suburb. Rent takes 12.1% of the median household income here, against 19.5% in the typical SA suburb. The median resident is 46, 3 years older than in the typical SA suburb (43).

The typical suburb is the median across suburbs with 200 or more residents. ABS Census 2021, calculated by GDP.com.au.
MeasureWhyallaTypical SADifferenceTypical Australia
Personal income$815/wk$759/wk +7%$766/wk
Household income$1,658/wk$1,494/wk +11%$1,637/wk
Rent$200/wk$300/wk −33%$330/wk
Mortgage repayment$1,300/mo$1,534/mo −15%$1,733/mo
Median age4643 +3 yrs42
Rent share of household income12.1%19.5% −7.4 pts20.3%
Income, rent and mortgage against the typical suburb Valid: Census 2021 · Source: ABS, calculated by GDP.com.au
Bar chart of median income, rent and mortgage repayment in Whyalla, the typical SA suburb and the typical Australian suburb.

Whyalla Population

3,609 residents at the 2021 Census.

Whyalla Median Income & Rent

Median Income
$815/wk
$42,380 per year
Ranked 3,337 of 14,663
Median Rent
$200/wk
$867 per month
Ranked 7,374 of 14,663
Median Age
46years
8 years older than the national median
Mortgage
$1,300/mo
Avg household size: 2.2 · 0.8 per bedroom

Valid: Census 2021 · Source: ABS Census of Population and Housing.

Whyalla Rent Prices & Affordability

12% of median household income goes on median rent

Marks at 25% and 35%. Band: affordable.

Household income $1,658/wk
Median rent $200/wk
Rent to income 12.1%

Rent is under 25% of household income, generally considered affordable.

Median rent in Whyalla against your income

About $7,185 a month
Median rent $200/wk
Left after rent $1,458/wk
Rent share 12.1%

Whyalla Schools

6
schools nearby
4
government
932
avg ICSEA score
1,729
total students
Whyalla Town Primary School Government
Primary · R-6 · 318 students
989
ICSEA
Samaritan College Catholic
Combined · R-12 · 881 students
979
ICSEA
Memorial Oval Primary School Government
Primary · R-6 · 206 students
919
ICSEA
Whyalla Special Education Centre Government
Combined · U · 63 students
890
ICSEA
Nicolson Avenue Primary School Government
Primary · U, R-6 · 261 students
885
ICSEA
Samaritan College - St Teresa's Campus Catholic
Combined

Source: Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority (ACARA), 2025. ICSEA is the Index of Community Socio-Educational Advantage (national average 1000).

All schools near Whyalla, with a map

Whyalla Map

Whyalla, South Australia Map data: OpenStreetMap
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People in Whyalla

Demographics

Gender Split

Male 51.3% (1,855) Female 48.7% (1,760)

Population Density

852
people per km²
3,609 people · 4.2 km²

Households

2.2
Avg household size
0.8
Persons per bedroom
$2,307
Family income/wk

Age Distribution

0-4
5-9
10-14
15-19
20-24
25-29
30-34
35-39
40-44
45-49
50-54
55-59
60-64
65-69
70-74
75-79
80-84
85+
Male Female

Source: ABS Census 2021, Suburb and Locality (SAL)

Most common overseas birthplaces

England
6.5%
Scotland
2.3%
South Africa
1.6%
India
1.4%
New Zealand
0.8%
Germany
0.6%
Netherlands
0.6%

Shares are of all residents. Source: ABS Census 2021, G09 Country of Birth by SAL

Most common languages at home other than English

Afrikaans
0.8%
Italian
0.7%
Greek
0.4%
Bengali
0.4%
Spanish
0.4%
Hindi
0.4%
Punjabi
0.2%

Shares are of all residents. Source: ABS Census 2021, G13 Language Used at Home by SAL

Ancestry

English
41.3%
Australian
37.5%
Scottish
10.9%
Irish
9.6%
German
8.9%
Italian
3.0%
Dutch
2.7%
Australian Aboriginal
2.5%
Greek
2.1%
Indian
1.4%
Croatian
1.2%

Shares are of the suburb population. People can report up to two ancestries, so shares add to more than 100%. Source: ABS Census 2021, G08 Ancestry by SAL

Religion

No religion
48.6%
Catholic
18.0%
Not stated
8.3%
Anglican
7.0%
Uniting Church
4.4%
Christian (other)
2.7%
Eastern Orthodox
1.4%
Lutheran
1.4%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G14 Religion by SAL

Indigenous Population

2.4%
Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander

Source: ABS Census 2021, G07 Indigenous Status by SAL

Marital Status

Married
47.7% 1,450
Separated
3.3% 101
Divorced
9.2% 281
Widowed
6.1% 187
Never married
33.7% 1,024

Source: ABS Census 2021, G05 Marital Status by SAL

Family Structure

Couple: children under 15
38.5%
Couple: no children
34.6%
Couple: no children under 15
15.8%
One parent: children under 15
6.3%
One parent: no children under 15
4.9%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G29 Family Composition by SAL

Household Size

1 person
33.4%
2 persons
36.5%
3 persons
12.4%
4 persons
11.5%
5 persons
4.4%
6+ persons
1.8%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G35 Household Size by SAL

Homes in Whyalla

Housing Tenure

Of the 1,482 occupied private dwellings in Whyalla at the 2021 Census, 28.7% were rented, 33.1% owned outright and 36.0% owned with a mortgage.

Other tenure type
1.5% 22 dwellings
Owned outright
33.1% 491 dwellings
Owned with mortgage
36.0% 534 dwellings
Rented
28.7% 425 dwellings
Tenure type not stated
1.5% 22 dwellings

Source: ABS Census 2021, Suburb and Locality (SAL)

Dwelling Types

Separate house
81.3%
Semi-detached (1 storey)
18.5%
Semi-detached (2+ storey)
0.2%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G36 Dwelling Structure by SAL

Number of Bedrooms

1 bedroom
3.0%
2 bedrooms
29.0%
3 bedrooms
42.0%
4 bedrooms
22.5%
5 bedrooms
3.3%
6+ bedrooms
0.2%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G41 Number of Bedrooms by SAL

Monthly Mortgage Repayments

$0-$299/mo
3.9%
$300-$449/mo
4.5%
$450-$599/mo
3.7%
$600-$799/mo
9.3%
$800-$999/mo
10.3%
$1,000-$1,399/mo
25.0%
$1,400-$1,799/mo
20.0%
$1,800-$2,399/mo
15.3%
$2,400-$2,999/mo
5.2%
$3,000-$3,999/mo
2.7%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G38 Mortgage Repayment by SAL

Car Ownership

0 vehicles
7.0%
1 vehicle
35.4%
2 vehicles
35.7%
3 vehicles
13.9%
4+ vehicles
8.0%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G34 Motor Vehicles per Dwelling by SAL

Work, income and education in Whyalla

Employment

Employed full-time
40.4% 1,137 people
Employed part-time
18.5% 519 people
Unemployed
3.4% 96 people
Not in labour force
37.7% 1,060 people

Source: ABS Census 2021, G46 Labour Force Status by SAL

Occupation

Professionals
29.1%
Technicians & Trade Workers
19.8%
Managers
13.1%
Community & Personal Service
12.2%
Machinery Operators & Drivers
9.8%
Clerical & Administrative
8.8%
Sales Workers
4.5%
Labourers
2.6%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G51 Industry of Employment by Occupation

Weekly Household Income

Nil/Negative/wk
2.3%
$1-$149/wk
0.7%
$150-$299/wk
1.7%
$300-$399/wk
4.0%
$400-$499/wk
7.4%
$500-$649/wk
4.9%
$650-$799/wk
5.5%
$800-$999/wk
7.1%
$1,000-$1,249/wk
6.5%
$1,250-$1,499/wk
6.8%
$1,500-$1,749/wk
5.3%
$1,750-$1,999/wk
5.2%
$2,000-$2,499/wk
12.7%
$2,500-$2,999/wk
7.7%
$3,000-$3,499/wk
6.7%
$3,500-$3,999/wk
5.5%
$4,000+/wk
10.0%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G33 Household Income by SAL

Personal Weekly Income Distribution

$0 or less/wk
10.4%
$1-$149/wk
4.1%
$150-$299/wk
5.8%
$300-$399/wk
4.5%
$400-$499/wk
4.9%
$500-$649/wk
3.2%
$650-$799/wk
7.8%
$800-$999/wk
8.7%
$1,000-$1,249/wk
9.4%
$1,250-$1,499/wk
7.5%
$1,500-$1,749/wk
8.0%
$1,750-$1,999/wk
7.5%
$2,000-$2,999/wk
12.7%
$3,000-$3,499/wk
2.4%
$3,500+/wk
3.1%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G17 Personal Income by SAL

How People Get to Work

Car (driver)
71.4%
Did not go to work
13.8%
Walked only
4.8%
Car (passenger)
4.8%
Bus
1.7%
Bicycle
1.4%
Motorbike/Scooter
1.0%
Other
0.6%
Taxi/Rideshare
0.3%
Truck
0.2%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G62 Method of Travel to Work by SAL

Education Level

Year 12 or equivalent
50.7%
Year 11 or equivalent
27.0%
Year 10 or equivalent
18.1%
Year 9 or equivalent
4.2%

Shares are of people whose highest year of school is Year 9 to 12 only. Source: ABS Census 2021, G16 Highest Year of School by SAL

Qualifications

Certificate III/IV
49.9%
Bachelor Degree
23.8%
Advanced Diploma/Diploma
15.3%
Postgraduate Degree
5.5%
Graduate Diploma/Certificate
3.1%
Certificate I/II
2.5%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G49 Non-School Qualification by SAL

Field of Study

Engineering
29.7%
Health
17.7%
Management & Commerce
16.4%
Education
10.2%
Society & Culture
10.0%
Food, Hospitality & Personal Services
6.1%
Architecture & Building
4.2%
Natural & Physical Sciences
2.1%
Information Technology
1.5%
Creative Arts
1.2%
Agriculture & Environment
0.9%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G51 Field of Study by SAL

School & University Attendance

Primary: Government
28.4%
Secondary: Government
20.9%
Secondary: Catholic
16.1%
Vocational Education
11.2%
Primary: Catholic
9.5%
Pre-school
8.2%
Primary: Other Non-Govt
4.7%
Secondary: Other Non-Govt
1.1%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G15 Type of Educational Institution by SAL

More from the 2021 Census

Need for Assistance

Does not have need for assistance
87.9%
Has need for assistance
7.6%
Need for assistance not stated
4.6%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G18 Core Activity Need for Assistance by SAL

Long-term Health Conditions

Mental health
302
Arthritis
169
Asthma
166
Diabetes
140
Heart disease
106
Lung condition
92
Cancer
77
Kidney disease
53
Stroke
32
Dementia
24

Source: ABS Census 2021, G19 Long-term Health Conditions by SAL

Unpaid Carers

Provided unpaid assistance
14.9% 431
Did not provide
85.1% 2,454

Source: ABS Census 2021, G25 Unpaid Assistance by SAL

Volunteering

Volunteer
20.2% 585
Not a volunteer
79.8% 2,318

Source: ABS Census 2021, G23 Voluntary Work by SAL

Military Service

Previously served
2.0% 57
Never served
98.0% 2,779

Source: ABS Census 2021, G22 ADF Service by SAL

Children Ever Born

No children
28.9%
1 child
10.6%
2 children
34.4%
3 children
18.5%
4 children
5.2%
5+ children
2.5%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G28 Children Ever Born by SAL

When Migrants Arrived

Before 1951
8
1951: 1960
38
1961: 1970
246
1971: 1980
89
1981: 1990
33
1991: 2000
16
2001: 2010
92
2011: 2015
70
2016
15
2017
23
2018
10
2019
6
2020
6
2021
15

Source: ABS Census 2021, G10 Year of Arrival by SAL

Population Mobility

12.2%
moved in the last year
33.2%
moved in the last 5 years
5.2%
unemployment rate (Census)
60.9%
labour force participation

Source: ABS Census 2021, G43 Summary by SAL

Where Residents Moved From

Same address
2,942
Moved: same area (SA2)
253
Moved from SA
85
Moved from overseas
21
Moved from QLD
13
Moved from NSW
12
Moved from VIC
10
Moved from WA
3

Source: ABS Census 2021, G44 Address 1 Year Ago by SAL

Unpaid Domestic Work

Less than 5 hours
17.6%
5: 14 hours
30.5%
15: 29 hours
15.4%
30+ hours
9.9%
Did not do domestic work
26.7%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G24 Unpaid Domestic Work by SAL

Family Blending

Intact family: no other children
87.2%
Blended family: no other children
5.7%
Step family: no other children
5.4%
Intact family: other children present
0.8%
Other couple: children only
0.8%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G31 Family Blending by SAL

Whyalla Crime Statistics

133 reported offences in 2025-26, by category.

Theft
41
Property Damage
37
Assault
31
Break & Enter
19
Fraud
3
Other Against Person
2

Total offences by year

2021
2022
2023
2024
2025

Source: SA Government Open Data (data.sa.gov.au).

Cheaper alternatives with similar incomes

Suburbs near Whyalla

The closest suburb to Whyalla is Whyalla Playford, 1.7 km away.

Whyalla Playford
1.7 km away · income $771/wk · rent $200/wk
Whyalla Norrie
3.5 km away · income $596/wk · rent $180/wk
Whyalla Stuart
5.6 km away · income $502/wk · rent $160/wk
Whyalla Jenkins
6.3 km away · income $1,003/wk · rent $265/wk

Frequently Asked Questions About Whyalla

What is the population of Whyalla SA?

The population of Whyalla SA is 3,609 according to the ABS Census 2021. The suburb has a population density of 852 people per km². Whyalla is ranked #2,093 out of 14,663 suburbs by population.

What is the median income in Whyalla?

The median personal income in Whyalla SA is $815 per week, or $42,380 per year. The median household income is $1,658 per week. Family income is $2,307 per week. Whyalla is ranked #3,337 by income out of 14,663 Australian suburbs.

How much is rent in Whyalla?

Median rent in Whyalla SA is $200 per week ($867 per month). Rent represents 12.1% of household income, which is considered affordable. Whyalla ranks #7,374 out of 14,663 suburbs by rent.

What are mortgage repayments in Whyalla?

The median monthly mortgage repayment in Whyalla SA is $1,300. This data comes from the ABS Census 2021 and reflects mortgage repayments for owner-occupied dwellings.

What is the median age in Whyalla?

The median age in Whyalla SA is 46 years. This is older than the national median age of 38 years.

Is Whyalla a good suburb to live in?

Whyalla is a suburb in South Australia with a population of 3,609. The median income is $815/wk, which is above the typical SA suburb ($759/wk). Rent affordability is rated as affordable (12.1% of household income). See the full suburb profile above for detailed statistics.

Data: Australian Bureau of Statistics, Census of Population and Housing 2021. SA2 area: 41585. All dollar figures in AUD.