West Plains is a suburb which lies within the Territorial Authority of Invercargill, one of 36 residential suburbs which form the wider region. West Plains is the 23rd largest suburb of Invercargill in terms of the total number of residential housing stock. West Plains provides a range of housing stock, with the earliest residential housing recorded in the area constructed between 1900 - 1909. The majority of the residential housing stock in the locality was constructed between 1970 - 1979. Residential housing stock in West Plains is made up of approximately 5% residential housing and 95% lifestyle properties.