Council (LGA) · Area profile
Alice Springs
328 km²
A youthful and diverse population defines Alice Springs, where the typical resident is just 34 years old. The community is a significant regional hub with over 25,000 people, marked by a strong presence of First Nations people and a growing number of overseas arrivals. This mix creates a unique social character, combining a high proportion of professional workers with a large number of young families. It is a place of contrast, where high typical incomes and education levels sit alongside significant gaps in First Nations outcomes.
Despite high local incomes, the area's schools serve a less advantaged intake.
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The area is much younger than the national average, with 20.8% of people under 15 and only 9.6% aged 65 or over. About 20.6% of the population is Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander, a figure that has risen since 2011.
People born overseas make up 26.2% of the community, which is well above the state figure. This diversity has increased since 2011, with English and Australian as the most common ancestries.
The use of languages other than English at home has risen to 24.4%, which is a little above the national figure. However, very few people—just 2.3%—speak little or no English.
A large proportion of the community reports no religion at 42.9%, a figure that has risen by 17 points since 2011. Christianity is also common, accounting for 41.0% of residents.
The area is well-qualified, with 27.2% of adults holding a bachelor degree or higher. Year 12 completion has also risen significantly to 55.5% since 2011.
Typical incomes are higher than the national figure, with a typical household earning $2,142 a week. The proportion of households earning $3,000 or more weekly has risen by 15 points since 2011.
Residents generally report fewer health issues than the national average, with only 22.0% having a long-term health condition and 6.0% reporting a mental health condition.
Volunteering is more common here than in the rest of the state at 17.4%, though this has fallen since 2011. Unpaid care for children is also higher than in most other areas.
The community has a large First Nations population, with 36.5% speaking a First Nations language. However, there are gaps in outcomes, with a Year 12 completion rate of 23.4%, which is far below the national figure.
Homes tend to be larger than usual, with 2.6 people per home. One-parent families are also much more common than in most areas at 17.5%.
Renting is far more common than the national average at 43.2%, while only 15.7% of homes are owned outright. Typical weekly rents are $375, which is a little above the state figure.
Most people rely on cars, but 8.7% of homes have no motor vehicle, which is a little above the national figure. Only 3.2% of people work from home, among the lowest rates for this level.
The population is very mobile, with 48.3% of people having moved in the last five years. Recent overseas arrivals are also much more common here than in most other areas.
Employment is strong, with 71.3% of people working full-time and an unemployment rate of 3.5%, which is lower than the national figure. Many residents work in health care, social assistance, or public administration.
The area is considered advantaged overall, with a high score for education and job skills. It is also growing quickly, with a population increase of 8.4% since 2021.
The climate is hot and dry, with an average maximum temperature of 30.9 degrees and annual rainfall of 276mm, which is well below the state average.
Many homes are within a short walk of parks (90.8%) and schools (76.7%). However, fewer people can walk to groceries or health services compared to the rest of the state.