Alice Springs · Council (LGA)
How well-off the area is, how fast its population is growing, and the businesses and new homes here.
A population jump of 8.4% since 2021 marks a period of rapid expansion for Alice Springs. This growth happens alongside a strong overall advantage score of 1,004, which is higher than about 80% of similar areas. The town stands out for its highly skilled workforce despite facing some gaps in general access to resources.
All council (lga) areas, 2021. The marker is Alice Springs — higher than 71% of areas.
SEIFA indexes ranking relative advantage and disadvantage.
Education and job skills are a major strength here, scoring 9 out of 10, which is higher than about 90% of similar areas. However, general access to money and resources is lower, with a score of 3 that is smaller than about 70% of other areas.
8
Higher than 71% of council (lga) areas.
ABS Index of Relative Socio-economic Advantage and Disadvantage, 2021, as a national decile: 1 = among the 10% most disadvantaged areas in Australia, 10 = among the 10% most advantaged. IRSAD summarises both advantage and disadvantage, so a high score reflects relatively many high-income, well-educated households and few low-income, low-skill ones.
7
Higher than 64% of council (lga) areas.
ABS Index of Relative Socio-economic Disadvantage, 2021, as a national decile: 1 = among the 10% most disadvantaged areas in Australia, 10 = among the least disadvantaged. IRSD focuses on disadvantage alone (low income, low education, unemployment, unskilled occupations), so a higher decile means relatively less disadvantage.
3
Lower than 71% of council (lga) areas.
ABS Index of Economic Resources, 2021, as a national decile: 1 = among the 10% lowest areas for economic resources in Australia, 10 = among the highest. IER reflects the income, housing costs, dwelling size and assets of households, so a higher decile means relatively greater economic resources.
9
Higher than 86% of council (lga) areas.
ABS Index of Education and Occupation, 2021, as a national decile: 1 = among the 10% lowest areas for education and occupation in Australia, 10 = among the highest. IEO reflects residents' qualifications and the skill level of their jobs, so a higher decile means a more highly educated and skilled workforce.
1,004
Higher than 77% of council (lga) areas.
ABS Index of Relative Socio-economic Advantage and Disadvantage, 2021, as a raw index score (standardised so the Australian average is about 1000). Higher scores indicate relatively greater advantage; lower scores greater disadvantage.
Annual population estimates and change since the census.
The population has grown by 8.4% since 2021, a rate much higher than most areas. This increase is a little above the Northern Territory's 6.6% growth rate.
30,875
Higher than 64% of council (lga) areas.
Estimated resident population (ABS), 2025.
8.4%
Higher than 83% of council (lga) areas.
Population growth since the 2021 Census, from ABS annual estimates.
Operating businesses and dwellings approved.
Alice Springs has 2,146 businesses, which is more than about 60% of similar areas. In contrast, only 20 new dwellings were approved, a figure smaller than about 64% of other areas.
2,146
Higher than 59% of council (lga) areas.
Operating businesses (ABS Counts of Australian Businesses), June 2025.
20
Lower than 65% of council (lga) areas.
Dwelling units approved in 2024-25 (ABS Building Approvals).
Australian Bureau of Statistics. (2021). Economy & Advantage in Alice Springs [Census of Population and Housing]. CensusAtlas, used under CC BY 4.0. https://censusatlas.au/region/lga/LGA70200/alice-springs/topic/economy-advantage
