Capital City · Area profile
Greater Darwin
3,168 km²
Daily life in Greater Darwin is shaped by a young, mobile population and a tropical climate. The typical resident is just 34, and the area has a much higher proportion of children and young adults than the national average. This youthful character is matched by a diverse community, with over a quarter of people born overseas. It is a high-earning hub where professional roles and government work drive the local economy.
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The population is noticeably younger than the Australian average, with 20.2% of residents being children under 15. De facto relationships are very common here, ranking among the highest for this type of partnership in similar areas.
Overseas birthplaces are common, with 27.8% of people born outside Australia. This diversity is reflected in the ancestry data, where Filipino heritage is the most prominent non-European group at 4.9%.
About 23.6% of people use a language other than English at home, which is a little above the national figure. While this reflects a diverse community, it is still well below the rate for the Northern Territory.
A large proportion of the community reported having no religion, at 42.1%. This figure has risen by 8.9 points since 2016 and is well above both the state and national figures.
The area is well-qualified, with 26.0% of adults holding a bachelor degree or higher. This is much higher than most similar areas and well above the Northern Territory average.
Incomes are high, with the typical family earning $2,485 a week, which is a little above the national figure. About 28.6% of households earn $3,000 or more weekly, ranking it among the highest in its class.
Residents report fewer long-term health conditions than the national average. For example, only 20.2% have a long-term health condition, which is well below the Australian figure of 27.7%.
The area has a very high number of Defence Force veterans, ranking among the highest of any similar area. Volunteering is also more common here than in the rest of the country.
First Nations residents in Greater Darwin have a typical personal income of $699, which is far above the state average. Unemployment among this group is 11.1%, which is well below the Northern Territory figure.
Families tend to be larger here, with 2.6 people per home. Couples with children make up the biggest group, accounting for 59.2% of all households.
Renting is very common, with 43.8% of households renting their home. This is far above the national average, and typical weekly rents are a little above the national figure at $385.
Most people rely on cars, with 67.8% driving to work. Working from home is very rare compared to the rest of Australia, at only 4.3%.
The population is highly transient; 47.5% of people moved house in the last five years. Recent overseas arrivals also make up a significant portion of the community at 19.8%.
The workforce is very active, with 69.7% of adults working or looking for work, the highest rate among similar areas. Public administration and safety is the largest employer, accounting for 18.7% of jobs.
The population has grown by 7.6% since 2021, a rate that is a little above the Northern Territory average.
The climate is hot and wet, with average annual rainfall of 1,652mm, which is far above the state average. It also records some of the highest minimum temperatures in the region.
The area is somewhat walkable, with 70.9% of homes within a 15-minute walk of a 'city' environment. Access to public transport is particularly strong, with 85.3% of homes within a 10-minute walk of a stop.