🔍

Whyalla Playford

SA 5600 • Rest of SA

2,540
Population (2021)
$40,092
Median Income
3.25 km²
Area
$200/wk
Median Rent
SuburbanIndustrialAffordableRegionalCommuter Belt

About Whyalla Playford

Whyalla Playford is a residential suburb of Whyalla in South Australia's Spencer Gulf region, situated approximately 2 kilometres west of the Whyalla city centre within the City of Whyalla local government area. With a population of 2,540 at the 2021 Census, the suburb covers 3.2 square kilometres of largely flat terrain at low elevation, bounded by the Lincoln Highway to the east and south. The suburb was gazetted in 1967 and reflects Whyalla's planned industrial-era expansion, with a median age of 44 and average household size of 2.2 indicating a slightly older, smaller household demographic.

Whyalla Playford's residents benefit from proximity to Whyalla's main shopping strips on Forsythe Street and the Whyalla Shopping City centre, as well as schools, the regional hospital, and local parks. The suburb is largely car-dependent, reflecting Whyalla's layout as a regional city built around the steel and iron ore industries. Median weekly rent of 00 makes Whyalla Playford one of the more affordable places to rent in South Australia, and the suburb attracts workers in the resources and manufacturing sectors as well as retirees and long-term residents seeking low-cost living in a regional setting.

Whyalla Playford falls under postcode 5600 and is governed by Whyalla Council (LGA). For state elections, residents vote in the Giles electorate.

📍 Location

State
South Australia
Postcode
5600
Urban Area
Whyalla
LGA / Council
Whyalla
Federal Electorate
Grey
State Electorate
Giles
Type
Urban
Timezone
Adelaide (UTC+9:30)
Coordinates
-33.03°, 137.56°
Statistical Area
Rest of SA
Area
3.25 km²
Elevation
25m

🚌 Transport & Commute

Bus Services

  • Whyalla Transit bus services — Whyalla City Centre 5-10 min

Commute to Whyalla CBD

Distance
2 km
By Train
No rail service
By Car (Peak)
5-10 min
By Car (Off-Peak)
5 min

🛣️ Car-dependent region; Adelaide is ~400 km away; Lincoln Highway connects to Port Augusta and south

Walkability Car-Dependent

Close to Whyalla's main retail precinct but the suburb itself requires a car for most errands

🛒 Supermarkets Nearby

No major supermarkets listed for this suburb.

🎓 Schools

🏠 Housing 2021 Census

Median Rent (weekly)
$200
Median Mortgage (monthly)
$1,280
Avg Household Size
2.2 people
Median Age
44 years
Social Housing (% of dwellings)
4.2%

45 state housing + 0 community housing dwellings (ABS 2021 Census)

🎓 Educational Institution Attending 2021 Census

School Sector Breakdown

👥 Demographics

Census 2016
2,561
Census 2021
2,540
▼ 0.8% decline

Population Growth

Gender Distribution (Census 2021)

Income 2016
$32,084
Income 2021
$40,092
▲ 25.0% increase

Income Comparison

📊 Population: ABS Census 2021
💰 Income: ABS Census 2021

🌍 Country of Birth 2021 Census

Born in Australia 2,028
Born Overseas 401

Top Countries of Birth (excl. Australia)

  • 1. England 148
  • 2. Scotland 42
  • 3. India 24
  • 4. Philippines 20
  • 5. Germany 17
  • 6. New Zealand 16
  • 7. South Africa 12
  • 8. Netherlands 10
  • 9. Croatia 9
  • 10. Poland 7

🧬 Ancestry 2021 Census

Top ancestries reported (people may report up to two)

English 1,099
Australian 1,075
Scottish 321
Irish 213
German 207
Australian Aboriginal 62
Italian 48
Greek 46
Dutch 42
Croatian 39

👨‍👩‍👧 Parents' Birthplace 2021 Census

1,485
Both parents born in Australia
600
Both parents born overseas
331
One parent AU, one overseas

🛐 Religion 2021 Census

No Religion
50.2%
Christianity
41.2%
Buddhism
0.9%
Islam
0.6%
Sikhism
0.4%
Hinduism
0.3%

📊 Age Distribution 2021 Census

0-4 years
126 (5.0%)
5-14 years
291 (11.5%)
15-19 years
123 (4.8%)
20-24 years
109 (4.3%)
25-34 years
340 (13.4%)
35-44 years
285 (11.2%)
45-54 years
349 (13.7%)
55-64 years
384 (15.1%)
65-74 years
286 (11.3%)
75-84 years
188 (7.4%)
85+ years
64 (2.5%)

Nearby Suburbs

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Whyalla Playford known for? +

Whyalla Playford is a residential suburb of Whyalla, a regional city historically built around steel manufacturing and iron ore processing on South Australia's Spencer Gulf. The suburb is part of Whyalla's planned post-war residential expansion and sits close to the city's main services and retail precinct.

How far is Whyalla Playford from Whyalla CBD? +

Whyalla Playford is approximately 2 kilometres west of Whyalla's city centre, a short 5–10 minute drive. Adelaide is about 400 kilometres to the south via the Lincoln Highway.

Does Whyalla Playford have public transport? +

Whyalla Playford is served by Whyalla Transit local bus services connecting to the city centre. There is no passenger rail service in Whyalla; a car is the primary means of travel, particularly for longer trips to Adelaide or Port Augusta.

What is the population of Whyalla Playford? +

According to the 2021 Census, Whyalla Playford has a population of 2,540 residents. The median age is 44 and average household size is 2.2, reflecting a mix of established families and older residents.

Is Whyalla Playford a good place to live? +

Whyalla Playford offers very affordable housing and rental prices by Australian standards, making it appealing to first-home buyers, workers in the resources sector, and those seeking low-cost regional living. Proximity to Whyalla's services and the Spencer Gulf coastline adds to its appeal, though amenities are limited compared to larger cities.

What is the postcode for Whyalla Playford? +

Whyalla Playford's postcode is 5600, shared with Whyalla and most of its surrounding suburbs.