Whyalla Playford, SA: suburb profile

The population of Whyalla Playford SA is 2,540 according to the 2021 Census. The median personal income in Whyalla Playford is $771 per week ($40,092 per year). Median rent in Whyalla Playford is $200 per week ($867 per month). Whyalla Playford has a median age of 44 years, older than the national median of 38. Whyalla Playford has a population density of 782 people per km².

The most common overseas birthplace in Whyalla Playford is England. The most common religion is No religion (49.5% of residents). After English, the most spoken language is Afrikaans. The median monthly mortgage repayment in Whyalla Playford is $1,280.

There were 79 recorded offences in Whyalla Playford in 2025-26, a rate of 31 offences per 1,000 people. The most common offence category was assault (25 offences).

Population
2,540
Census 2021
Median income
$771/wk
Personal, Census 2021
Median rent
$200/wk
Weekly, Census 2021
Median age
44years
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 Playford vs the typical SA suburb

The median personal income in Whyalla Playford is $771 a week, 2% above the typical SA suburb ($759). That ranks 331st of 710 SA suburbs with 200 or more residents. Median rent is $200 a week, $100 less than the typical SA suburb. Rent takes 14.0% of the median household income here, against 19.5% in the typical SA suburb. The median resident is 44, 1 year 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.
MeasureWhyalla PlayfordTypical SADifferenceTypical Australia
Personal income$771/wk$759/wk +2%$766/wk
Household income$1,429/wk$1,494/wk −4%$1,637/wk
Rent$200/wk$300/wk −33%$330/wk
Mortgage repayment$1,280/mo$1,534/mo −17%$1,733/mo
Median age4443 +1 yrs42
Rent share of household income14.0%19.5% −5.5 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 Playford, the typical SA suburb and the typical Australian suburb.

Whyalla Playford Population

2,540 residents at the 2021 Census.

Whyalla Playford Median Income & Rent

Median Income
$771/wk
$40,092 per year
Ranked 4,115 of 14,663
Median Rent
$200/wk
$867 per month
Ranked 7,374 of 14,663
Median Age
44years
6 years older than the national median
Mortgage
$1,280/mo
Avg household size: 2.2 · 0.7 per bedroom

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

Whyalla Playford Rent Prices & Affordability

14% of median household income goes on median rent

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

Household income $1,429/wk
Median rent $200/wk
Rent to income 14.0%

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

Median rent in Whyalla Playford against your income

About $6,192 a month
Median rent $200/wk
Left after rent $1,229/wk
Rent share 14.0%

Whyalla Playford Schools

11
schools nearby
8
government
915
avg ICSEA score
3,363
total students
Sunrise Christian School Whyalla Independent
Combined · R-10 · 257 students
1006
ICSEA
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 Secondary College Government
Secondary · U, 7-12 · 1,004 students
900
ICSEA
Long Street Primary School Government
Primary · R-6 · 140 students
895
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
Fisk Street Primary School Government
Primary · R-6 · 63 students
857
ICSEA
Hincks Avenue Primary School Government
Primary · R-6 · 170 students
833
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 Playford, with a map

Whyalla Playford Map

Whyalla Playford, South Australia Map data: OpenStreetMap
Loading map…

Whyalla Playford, South Australia: 33.0290°S, 137.5617°E

Whyalla Playford Circle size: offences per 1,000 residents Schools (11)

People in Whyalla Playford

Demographics

Gender Split

Male 51.1% (1,297) Female 48.9% (1,240)

Population Density

782
people per km²
2,540 people · 3.2 km²

Households

2.2
Avg household size
0.7
Persons per bedroom
$1,961
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
5.8%
Scotland
1.7%
India
0.9%
Philippines
0.8%
Germany
0.7%
New Zealand
0.6%
South Africa
0.5%

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

Most common languages at home other than English

Afrikaans
0.6%
Tagalog
0.6%
Greek
0.5%
Punjabi
0.5%
Croatian
0.4%
Arabic
0.3%
Italian
0.3%

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

Ancestry

English
43.3%
Australian
42.3%
Scottish
12.6%
Irish
8.4%
German
8.1%
Australian Aboriginal
2.4%
Italian
1.9%
Greek
1.8%
Dutch
1.7%
Croatian
1.5%
Welsh
1.3%

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
49.5%
Catholic
17.0%
Anglican
7.1%
Not stated
5.8%
Uniting Church
5.8%
Christian (other)
2.9%
Lutheran
1.9%
Pentecostal
1.8%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G14 Religion by SAL

Indigenous Population

2.6%
Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander

Source: ABS Census 2021, G07 Indigenous Status by SAL

Marital Status

Married
48.2% 1,017
Separated
3.4% 72
Divorced
7.5% 159
Widowed
5.5% 116
Never married
35.4% 746

Source: ABS Census 2021, G05 Marital Status by SAL

Family Structure

Couple: children under 15
37.7%
Couple: no children
36.5%
Couple: no children under 15
13.5%
One parent: children under 15
7.3%
One parent: no children under 15
4.9%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G29 Family Composition by SAL

Household Size

1 person
31.9%
2 persons
37.8%
3 persons
12.9%
4 persons
12.1%
5 persons
4.1%
6+ persons
1.2%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G35 Household Size by SAL

Homes in Whyalla Playford

Housing Tenure

Of the 1,070 occupied private dwellings in Whyalla Playford at the 2021 Census, 22.6% were rented, 38.6% owned outright and 36.3% owned with a mortgage.

Other tenure type
1.8% 19 dwellings
Owned outright
38.6% 413 dwellings
Owned with mortgage
36.3% 388 dwellings
Rented
22.6% 242 dwellings
Tenure type not stated
1.7% 18 dwellings

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

Dwelling Types

Separate house
90.2%
Semi-detached (1 storey)
9.4%
Semi-detached (2+ storey)
0.4%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G36 Dwelling Structure by SAL

Number of Bedrooms

1 bedroom
2.9%
2 bedrooms
16.5%
3 bedrooms
58.5%
4 bedrooms
19.1%
5 bedrooms
2.5%
6+ bedrooms
0.4%

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

Monthly Mortgage Repayments

$0-$299/mo
2.7%
$300-$449/mo
1.9%
$450-$599/mo
3.8%
$600-$799/mo
8.2%
$800-$999/mo
12.6%
$1,000-$1,399/mo
28.7%
$1,400-$1,799/mo
22.7%
$1,800-$2,399/mo
11.2%
$2,400-$2,999/mo
4.6%
$3,000-$3,999/mo
3.6%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G38 Mortgage Repayment by SAL

Car Ownership

0 vehicles
5.5%
1 vehicle
35.5%
2 vehicles
35.2%
3 vehicles
14.3%
4+ vehicles
9.6%

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

Work, income and education in Whyalla Playford

Employment

Employed full-time
40.0% 785 people
Employed part-time
19.5% 382 people
Unemployed
3.2% 62 people
Not in labour force
37.4% 734 people

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

Occupation

Technicians & Trade Workers
26.6%
Professionals
23.5%
Community & Personal Service
15.4%
Managers
10.3%
Machinery Operators & Drivers
9.6%
Clerical & Administrative
8.3%
Sales Workers
3.1%
Labourers
3.1%

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

Weekly Household Income

Nil/Negative/wk
1.6%
$150-$299/wk
2.1%
$300-$399/wk
2.8%
$400-$499/wk
7.5%
$500-$649/wk
4.5%
$650-$799/wk
9.2%
$800-$999/wk
7.3%
$1,000-$1,249/wk
9.5%
$1,250-$1,499/wk
8.3%
$1,500-$1,749/wk
5.6%
$1,750-$1,999/wk
5.3%
$2,000-$2,499/wk
11.2%
$2,500-$2,999/wk
7.4%
$3,000-$3,499/wk
6.5%
$3,500-$3,999/wk
4.8%
$4,000+/wk
6.5%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G33 Household Income by SAL

Personal Weekly Income Distribution

$0 or less/wk
10.0%
$1-$149/wk
3.0%
$150-$299/wk
5.7%
$300-$399/wk
6.2%
$400-$499/wk
4.6%
$500-$649/wk
4.1%
$650-$799/wk
9.5%
$800-$999/wk
9.8%
$1,000-$1,249/wk
10.5%
$1,250-$1,499/wk
8.4%
$1,500-$1,749/wk
7.2%
$1,750-$1,999/wk
7.3%
$2,000-$2,999/wk
10.9%
$3,000-$3,499/wk
1.6%
$3,500+/wk
1.2%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G17 Personal Income by SAL

How People Get to Work

Car (driver)
73.1%
Did not go to work
12.8%
Car (passenger)
5.3%
Walked only
2.8%
Bus
2.0%
Bicycle
1.4%
Motorbike/Scooter
0.8%
Other
0.8%
Truck
0.6%
Taxi/Rideshare
0.5%

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

Education Level

Year 12 or equivalent
49.7%
Year 11 or equivalent
26.3%
Year 10 or equivalent
18.7%
Year 9 or equivalent
5.3%

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
56.5%
Bachelor Degree
18.8%
Advanced Diploma/Diploma
12.9%
Postgraduate Degree
4.6%
Graduate Diploma/Certificate
3.8%
Certificate I/II
3.5%

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

Field of Study

Engineering
32.2%
Management & Commerce
15.4%
Health
14.2%
Society & Culture
12.2%
Education
10.8%
Food, Hospitality & Personal Services
5.8%
Architecture & Building
4.1%
Information Technology
1.5%
Natural & Physical Sciences
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
32.3%
Secondary: Government
20.7%
Vocational Education
13.8%
Primary: Catholic
12.2%
Pre-school
8.5%
Secondary: Catholic
8.1%
Primary: Other Non-Govt
4.4%

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
89.0%
Has need for assistance
6.0%
Need for assistance not stated
5.0%

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

Long-term Health Conditions

Mental health
213
Arthritis
126
Asthma
107
Diabetes
106
Heart disease
81
Lung condition
70
Cancer
46
Kidney disease
31
Stroke
29
Dementia
10

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

Unpaid Carers

Provided unpaid assistance
14.8% 298
Did not provide
85.2% 1,716

Source: ABS Census 2021, G25 Unpaid Assistance by SAL

Volunteering

Volunteer
21.3% 428
Not a volunteer
78.7% 1,586

Source: ABS Census 2021, G23 Voluntary Work by SAL

Military Service

Previously served
2.1% 42
Never served
97.9% 1,987

Source: ABS Census 2021, G22 ADF Service by SAL

Children Ever Born

No children
26.0%
1 child
11.2%
2 children
36.5%
3 children
18.6%
4 children
7.1%
5+ children
0.6%

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

When Migrants Arrived

Before 1951
8
1951: 1960
34
1961: 1970
172
1971: 1980
59
1981: 1990
20
1991: 2000
22
2001: 2010
34
2011: 2015
26
2016
8
2017
12
2018
15
2019
3
2020
4
2021
5

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

Population Mobility

13.5%
moved in the last year
31.6%
moved in the last 5 years
4.7%
unemployment rate (Census)
61.0%
labour force participation

Source: ABS Census 2021, G43 Summary by SAL

Where Residents Moved From

Same address
2,071
Moved: same area (SA2)
190
Moved from SA
88
Moved from VIC
19
Moved from overseas
9
Moved from NSW
7
Moved from NT
5
Moved from QLD
4

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

Unpaid Domestic Work

Less than 5 hours
19.0%
5: 14 hours
31.9%
15: 29 hours
14.1%
30+ hours
10.6%
Did not do domestic work
24.3%

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

Family Blending

Intact family: no other children
85.2%
Step family: no other children
8.0%
Blended family: no other children
4.9%
Other couple: children only
1.9%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G31 Family Blending by SAL

Whyalla Playford Crime Statistics

79 reported offences in 2025-26, by category.

Assault
25
Theft
23
Property Damage
18
Break & Enter
9
Fraud
3
Other Against Person
1

Total offences by year

2021
2022
2023
2024
2025

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

Cheaper alternatives with similar incomes

Novar Gardens
Income: $630/wk Rent: $165/wk $35/wk less rent
Keith
Income: $746/wk Rent: $180/wk $20/wk less rent
Risdon Park South
Income: $713/wk Rent: $185/wk $15/wk less rent
Penola
Income: $804/wk Rent: $198/wk $2/wk less rent
Port Augusta
Income: $635/wk Rent: $194/wk $6/wk less rent

Suburbs near Whyalla Playford

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

Whyalla
1.7 km away · income $815/wk · rent $200/wk
Whyalla Norrie
1.9 km away · income $596/wk · rent $180/wk
Whyalla Stuart
4.2 km away · income $502/wk · rent $160/wk
Whyalla Jenkins
4.8 km away · income $1,003/wk · rent $265/wk

Compare Whyalla Playford

Frequently Asked Questions About Whyalla Playford

What is the population of Whyalla Playford SA?

The population of Whyalla Playford SA is 2,540 according to the ABS Census 2021. The suburb has a population density of 782 people per km². Whyalla Playford is ranked #2,697 out of 14,663 suburbs by population.

What is the median income in Whyalla Playford?

The median personal income in Whyalla Playford SA is $771 per week, or $40,092 per year. The median household income is $1,429 per week. Family income is $1,961 per week. Whyalla Playford is ranked #4,115 by income out of 14,663 Australian suburbs.

How much is rent in Whyalla Playford?

Median rent in Whyalla Playford SA is $200 per week ($867 per month). Rent represents 14.0% of household income, which is considered affordable. Whyalla Playford ranks #7,374 out of 14,663 suburbs by rent.

What are mortgage repayments in Whyalla Playford?

The median monthly mortgage repayment in Whyalla Playford SA is $1,280. This data comes from the ABS Census 2021 and reflects mortgage repayments for owner-occupied dwellings.

What is the median age in Whyalla Playford?

The median age in Whyalla Playford SA is 44 years. This is older than the national median age of 38 years.

Is Whyalla Playford a good suburb to live in?

Whyalla Playford is a suburb in South Australia with a population of 2,540. The median income is $771/wk, which is above the typical SA suburb ($759/wk). Rent affordability is rated as affordable (14.0% of household income). See the full suburb profile above for detailed statistics.

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Australian Average Salary Australian House Prices Adelaide Cost of Living

Data: Australian Bureau of Statistics, Census of Population and Housing 2021. SA2 area: 41589. All dollar figures in AUD.