The County of York is one of South Australia’s 49 cadastral counties, proclaimed in 1895 by acting Governor Samuel Way and named after King George V, who held the title Duke of York at the time. The county covers 3,419 square kilometres on the Eyre Peninsula’s east coast near Whyalla.
Key Facts
| Label | Value |
|---|---|
| State | South Australia |
| Region | Eyre Peninsula |
| Proclaimed | 1895 |
| Named after | King George V, Duke of York at the time |
| Area | 3,419 km² |
| Principal town | Whyalla |
| Local government area today | City of Whyalla |
Hundreds in York County
The county is divided into 7 hundreds.
- Hundred of Ash
- Hundred of Batchelor
- Hundred of Cultana
- Hundred of Moonabie
- Hundred of Nilginee
- Hundred of Poynton
- Hundred of Randell
Towns and Localities Today
Whyalla, South Australia’s largest regional city, is the county’s only substantial town and gives its name to the local government area covering the county. The rest of the county is sparsely settled grazing and industrial land around the city’s northern and eastern edges.
Geography
The county sits on the Eyre Peninsula’s east coast at Whyalla’s latitude, reaching west to the eastern boundary of Lake Gilles Conservation Park.
History
Acting Governor Way proclaimed the county in 1895, one of the later South Australian counties to be gazetted, as the Eyre Peninsula’s east coast was surveyed for pastoral and later industrial development. Its name honours the future King George V, who was Duke of York when the county was proclaimed.
FAQ
Where is York County?
It lies on the Eyre Peninsula’s east coast, centred on Whyalla.
What towns are in York County?
Whyalla is the county’s only substantial town.
Is York County still used?
Cadastral counties like York remain in land titles and property descriptions but have no government function today.