West Daly · Council (LGA)
How well-off the area is, how fast its population is growing, and the businesses and new homes here.
A score of 1 for overall advantage marks West Daly as one of the most disadvantaged areas in the country. With very low access to money and resources, it sits among the most struggling regions in the Northern Territory.
All council (lga) areas, 2021. The marker is West Daly — lower than 99% of areas.
SEIFA indexes ranking relative advantage and disadvantage.
Residents face significant hardship, with a typical advantage score of 677, which is among the smallest at this level compared to the national average. This is reflected in very low scores for education, job skills, and general access to resources.
1
Lower than 99% 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.
1
Lower than 99% 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.
1
Lower than 99% 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.
2
Lower 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.
677
Lower than 99% 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 grew by 2.1% since 2021, a rate that is well below the Northern Territory's 6.6% increase. This growth is lower than most other similar areas.
3,495
Lower than 74% of council (lga) areas.
Estimated resident population (ABS), 2025.
2.1%
Lower than 66% of council (lga) areas.
Population growth since the 2021 Census, from ABS annual estimates.
Operating businesses and dwellings approved.
Economic activity is very limited here, with only 7 businesses operating in the area. Similarly, just 3 new dwellings were approved, which is smaller than about 81% of similar areas.
7
Lower than 99% of council (lga) areas.
Operating businesses (ABS Counts of Australian Businesses), June 2025.
3
Lower than 84% of council (lga) areas.
Dwelling units approved in 2024-25 (ABS Building Approvals).
Australian Bureau of Statistics. (2021). Economy & Advantage in West Daly [Census of Population and Housing]. CensusAtlas, used under CC BY 4.0. https://censusatlas.au/region/lga/LGA74680/west-daly/topic/economy-advantage
