Council (LGA) · Area profile
Palmerston
53 km²
Daily life in Palmerston revolves around young families and a fast-growing population, with a typical resident aged just 31. The area has expanded quickly, adding over 9,500 people since 2011 to become a hub of young adults and children. This growth is reflected in the high proportion of large family homes and a workforce that is more likely to be employed full-time than in most other areas. It is a well-off community where typical incomes sit comfortably above the national figure.
Household incomes here are high, yet Palmerston's schools draw a notably less advantaged community.
Palmerston has many young families but fewer schools per child than most areas.
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This is a very young community where over a quarter of residents are children under 15. While the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander population is much higher than the national average at 13%, it is far below the Northern Territory figure.
Overseas born residents make up 22.2% of the population, a figure that rose 7.0 points since 2011. While Australian and English are the most common ancestries, there is a notable Filipino presence at 6.3%.
About 17.9% of people use a language other than English at home, which is a significant increase since 2011. However, this is still far below the Northern Territory average of 32.4%.
A large proportion of the community reports no religion at 44.9%, which is well above the national figure. This trend has grown steadily, rising 16 points since 2011.
More than half of residents have completed Year 12, a result that is well above the territory average. Those with a bachelor degree or higher make up 17.6%, which is higher than most similar areas.
Incomes are high here, with a typical family earning $2,453 a week, which is a little above the national figure. Typical personal weekly income of $1,133 is also much higher than most other areas.
The community is relatively healthy, with only 20.7% of people reporting a long-term health condition, which is well below the national average of 27.7%.
Unpaid childcare is very common, with 32.4% of people caring for children, among the highest for this level. There is also a strong presence of Defence Force veterans at 7.8%.
First Nations residents in Palmerston have a much higher typical household income of $1,901 compared to other areas. They are also more likely to have finished Year 12 than those in the wider territory.
Homes are generally large, with an average of 2.8 people per dwelling. Families with children are the norm, making up 61.8% of households.
Most people live in separate houses, and 80.1% of homes have three or more bedrooms. Renting is very common at 45.0%, which is far above the national average.
Most people rely on cars for work, but the area is well-served by public transport with 134 stops. Very few homes lack a motor vehicle, at just 4.5%.
The population is highly mobile, with 51.4% of residents moving in the last five years. This is far above the national figure of 40.7%.
Job prospects are strong, as 72.2% of adults are working or looking for work. Full-time employment is far above the national average at 70.1%, with many working in public administration and safety.
The area is considered advantaged, scoring 8 out of 10 for overall advantage. It is growing rapidly, with a 9.3% population increase since 2021.
The climate is hot and wet, with an average maximum temperature of 34.1°C and annual rainfall of 1,705mm, which is far above the territory average.
The area is very walkable, with 97.5% of homes within a 10-minute walk of public transport and a park. Most residents can reach groceries and health services on foot within 15 minutes.