baɪ ðɪ ˈɜːli tˈuː θˈaʊzənd z, wˈɪtfɚd hæd dɪvˈɛləpt ˌɪntʊ ɐ sˈɜːvɪs sˈɛntɚ fɚðə sɚɹˈaʊndɪŋ ɹˈʊɹɹəl ˈɛɹiə, ænd æz ɐ kəmjˈuːɾɚ sˈʌbɜːb fɔːɹ sˈɪɾi wˈɜːkɚz.
By the early 2000s, Whitford had developed into a service centre for the surrounding rural area, and as a commuter suburb for city workers.