Alawa

Alawa is positioned among the lower quartile of areas assessed nationally for population growth based on AreaSearch's assessment of recent, and medium term trends

Alawa's population, as of February 2026, is approximately 2,208 people. This represents an increase of 130 individuals since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 2,078 people. The growth from June 2024 to February 2026, inferred from ABS data and address validation, results in a population density ratio of 1,780 persons per square kilometer, higher than the average across national locations assessed by AreaSearch. Alawa's 6.3% population growth since the census is within 1.1 percentage points of the SA3 area's growth rate of 7.4%. Overseas migration contributed approximately 77.6% of overall population gains during recent periods, driving primary growth in the area. AreaSearch adopts ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area, released in 2024 with a base year of 2022.

For areas not covered by this data and to estimate growth post-2032, AreaSearch applies growth rates by age cohort from the ABS's latest Greater Capital Region projections (released in 2023, based on 2022 data). Population projections indicate a growth of 213 persons to 2041, reflecting an increase of 9.6% over the 17-year period, which is just below the median growth rate for statistical areas across the nation.

The level of residential development activity in Alawa is very low in comparison to the average area assessed nationally by AreaSearch

Alawa has seen virtually no dwelling approvals in recent years. Between financial year 2021 (FY-21) and financial year 2025 (FY-25), only 4 homes were approved, with none so far in FY-26. Over the past five financial years, an average of 0.8 new residents per year per dwelling constructed was recorded.

This indicates that supply is meeting or surpassing demand, providing greater buyer choice and supporting potential for population growth above projections. The average construction cost value of new properties during this period was $305,000. In FY-26, there have been $118,000 in commercial approvals, indicating minimal commercial development activity. Compared to Greater Darwin, Alawa records markedly lower building activity, 80.0% below the regional average per person. This constrained new construction usually reinforces demand and pricing for existing dwellings. When compared nationally, Alawa's building activity reflects market maturity and points to possible development constraints. Recent development in Alawa has been entirely comprised of detached dwellings, maintaining the area's traditional suburban character with a focus on family homes appealing to those seeking space.

Alawa has limited levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the 0thth percentile nationally

Changes to local infrastructure significantly impact an area's performance. AreaSearch identified four projects likely affecting this region: Royal Darwin Hospital Mental Health Inpatient Unit and CSSD Upgrade, Casuarina Square Redevelopment, CDU - Centre for Better Health Futures, and Social Housing Accelerator Payment (SHAP) - Greater Darwin / Nightcliff. The following details those most relevant.

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Alawa shows employment indicators that trail behind approximately 70% of regions assessed across Australia

Alawa has an educated workforce with significant representation in essential services sectors. The unemployment rate was 4.7% as of September 2025. Employment grew by an estimated 1.1% over the past year.

There were 1,151 residents employed while the unemployment rate was 1.6% higher than Greater Darwin's rate of 3.1%. Workforce participation in Alawa was lower at 69.8%, compared to Greater Darwin's 76.0%. According to Census responses, only 4.6% of residents worked from home. Employment is concentrated in health care & social assistance, public administration & safety, and accommodation & food sectors.

Health care & social assistance has a notable concentration with employment levels at 1.2 times the regional average. Public administration & safety has limited presence with 14.6% employment compared to 19.5% regionally. The area appears to offer limited local employment opportunities based on Census data. Over the 12-month period ending in September 2025, employment increased by 1.1% while labour force grew by 1.7%, causing unemployment rate to rise by 0.6 percentage points. In Greater Darwin, employment grew by 1.9%, labour force expanded by 1.9%, and unemployment rose marginally during the same period. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May-25 suggest that national employment is projected to expand by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Alawa's employment mix indicates local employment should increase by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, assuming constant population projections for illustrative purposes only.

Income analysis reveals strong economic positioning, with the area outperforming 60% of locations assessed nationally by AreaSearch

According to AreaSearch's aggregation of latest postcode level ATO data released on 1st July 2023 for financial year 2023, Alawa SA2 had a median income among taxpayers of $55,769 and an average level of $65,564. This is just below the national average, which compares to levels of $66,956 and $77,199 across Greater Darwin respectively. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 8.44% since financial year 2023, current estimates would be approximately $60,476 (median) and $71,098 (average) as of September 2025. Census data reveals household, family and personal incomes in Alawa cluster around the 70th percentile nationally. The largest segment comprises 34.8% earning $1,500 - 2,999 weekly (768 residents), reflecting patterns seen in the region where 36.7% similarly occupy this range. Housing accounts for 13.8% of income while strong earnings rank residents within the 74th percentile for disposable income and the area's SEIFA income ranking places it in the 5th decile.

Alawa is characterized by a predominantly suburban housing profile, with above-average rates of outright home ownership

The dwelling structure in Alawa, as per the latest Census, consisted of 88.0% houses and 12.0% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings). This compares to Darwin metro's 63.5% houses and 36.5% other dwellings. Home ownership in Alawa stood at 23.8%, with mortgaged dwellings at 39.4% and rented ones at 36.8%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $1,777, below Darwin metro's average of $2,100. The median weekly rent in Alawa was $340, compared to Darwin metro's $385. Nationally, Alawa's mortgage repayments were lower than the Australian average of $1,863, and rents were less than the national figure of $375.

Alawa features high concentrations of group households, with a higher-than-average median household size

Family households constitute 76.0% of all households, including 33.6% couples with children, 26.2% couples without children, and 13.8% single parent families. Non-family households account for the remaining 24.0%, with lone person households at 17.4% and group households comprising 7.1%. The median household size is 2.8 people, larger than the Greater Darwin average of 2.6.

Educational attainment in Alawa aligns closely with national averages, showing typical qualification patterns and performance metrics

The area's educational profile is notable regionally with university qualification rates at 35.7% of residents aged 15+, surpassing the Northern Territory average of 27.3% and the Australian average of 30.4%. Bachelor degrees are most common at 20.5%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (11.5%) and graduate diplomas (3.7%). Vocational credentials are also prevalent with 30.5% of residents aged 15+ holding them, including advanced diplomas (10.3%) and certificates (20.2%).

Educational participation is high at 35.5%, with 12.1% in primary education, 8.2% in tertiary education, and 6.8% pursuing secondary education.

Transport servicing is high compared to other areas nationally based on assessment of service frequency, route connectivity and accessibility

Alawa has 14 active public transport stops, all of which are bus stops. These stops are served by 29 different routes that together facilitate 2,162 weekly passenger trips. The area's transport accessibility is rated as excellent, with residents typically living within 150 meters of the nearest stop. Most Alawa residents commute outward from this primarily residential area. Cars remain the dominant mode of transportation, used by 85% of residents, while cycling accounts for 4%. On average, there are 1.6 vehicles per dwelling in the area.

According to the 2021 Census, only 4.6% of Alawa residents work from home, which may reflect COVID-19 conditions. The service frequency across all routes averages 308 trips per day, equating to approximately 154 weekly trips per individual stop.

The level of general health in Alawa is notably higher than the national average with both young and old age cohorts seeing low prevalence of common health conditions

Alawa shows better-than-average health outcomes based on AreaSearch's assessment of mortality rates and chronic condition prevalence. Both young and old age groups have low prevalence of common health conditions.

Private health cover is slightly lower than the average SA2 area at approximately 52% (~1,145 people), compared to Greater Darwin's 57.8%. The most prevalent medical conditions are arthritis (5.7%) and asthma (5.6%). 76.5% of residents report no medical ailments, similar to Greater Darwin's 77.1%. Under-65 health outcomes are better than average. Alawa has 12.3% residents aged 65 and over (272 people), higher than Greater Darwin's 10.8%. Senior health outcomes are above average, in line with national rankings.

Alawa is among the most culturally diverse areas in the country based on AreaSearch assessment of a range of language and cultural background related metrics

Alawa's cultural diversity is notable, with 38.1% speaking a language other than English at home and 41.5% born overseas. Christianity is the predominant religion in Alawa, accounting for 38.2% of its population. Buddhism is overrepresented compared to Greater Darwin, comprising 5.3% versus 3.3%.

The top three ancestry groups are English (19.6%), Other (17.3%), and Australian (17.2%), which is lower than the regional average of 22.6%. Some ethnic groups show notable divergences: Filipino at 4.8% compared to 3.8%, Greek at 4.1% versus 2.3%, and New Zealand at 1.2% against 0.6%.

Alawa's population is younger than the national pattern

At 35 years, Alawa's median age is comparable to Greater Darwin's average of 34 and slightly lower than Australia's national average of 38. Relative to Greater Darwin, Alawa has a higher percentage of residents aged 5-14 (15.2%) but fewer residents aged 25-34 (14.7%). According to data from the 2021 Census, the age group of 35 to 44 years has increased from 15.5% to 17.2%, while the 5 to 14 cohort has risen from 13.8% to 15.2%. Conversely, the 25 to 34 cohort has decreased from 17.3% to 14.7%, and the 65 to 74 age group has fallen from 8.6% to 6.8%. By 2041, demographic modeling predicts significant changes in Alawa's age profile. The 45 to 54 cohort is projected to grow by 31%, adding 91 residents to reach a total of 383. Meanwhile, the number of residents aged 65 to 74 is expected to decrease by 17%.