Council (LGA) · Area profile
Darwin
111 km²
High typical incomes and a strong job market define Darwin, a city where the typical household earns $2,188 a week. It is a young and mobile community, with a typical resident aged 35 and half of the population having moved here in the last five years. This diversity is reflected in its people, as over a third were born overseas. The city is highly walkable and serves as a major hub for professionals and public administration workers in the Northern Territory.
Darwin's schools draw a community as advantaged as its high household incomes suggest.
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The city is noticeably younger than the national average, with a typical age of 35. While the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander population is well above the Australian figure at 8.7%, it is far below the rest of the Territory.
Darwin is a global crossroads where 34.2% of people were born overseas, a figure that has risen by 7.5 points since 2011. The most common ancestries are English and Australian, followed by Irish, Scottish, and Chinese.
Language diversity is high, with 30.7% of people using a language other than English at home. This has increased significantly by 9.7 points since 2011, though those who speak little or no English remain at about 3.2%.
About 39.4% of residents have no religion, which is around the middle for its level. This represents a 14 point increase since 2011, while Christianity remains the most common affiliation at 37.7%.
The community is highly qualified, with 33.2% of adults holding a bachelor degree or higher, which is far above the Territory average. Year 12 completion has also risen by 13 points since 2011 to reach 63.9%.
Incomes are much higher than in most similar areas, with the typical personal weekly income reaching $1,111. This wealth is evident in the 28.6% of households earning $3,000 or more per week.
Residents are generally healthier than the national average, with long-term health conditions affecting only 19.9% of people. This is well below the Australian figure of 27.7%.
Defence Force veterans are well represented here, with 5.8% of people having served, which is well above the national rate. About 17.6% of residents also spend time volunteering.
First Nations people in Darwin have a typical personal income of $615, which is far above the Territory figure. Year 12 completion for this group is 37.7%, and 17.3% speak a First Nations language.
Families tend to be larger than in most areas, with 2.6 people per home. Most households consist of couples with children (57.4%) or couples without children (27.0%).
Rental demand is very high, with 49% of households renting, far above the national figure. Detached houses are less common than elsewhere, and typical weekly rents are $380.
Public transport is more accessible here than in most areas, with 96.7% of homes within a 10 minute walk of a stop. However, 65.4% of people still rely on driving a car to get to work.
The city is very transient, with 50.1% of people arriving within the last five years. Recent overseas arrivals make up 22.6% of the population, though this is down 6.7 points since 2011.
Job prospects are strong, with 70.1% of adults working or looking for work. The most common industries are public administration and safety, followed by health care and social assistance.
Darwin is a highly advantaged area, ranking in the top 10% for overall advantage. This is supported by an education and job skills score of 9 out of 10.
The climate is hot and humid, with an average maximum temperature of 33.3 degrees. Annual rainfall is far above the Territory average, totalling 1,584mm.
The city is very walkable, with 82.6% of homes within a 15-minute walk of essential amenities. This includes 98.2% of homes being within a 15-minute walk of a park.