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 was 2,078 people as of the 2021 Census. By November 2025, it had increased to around 2,208, reflecting a growth of 130 people (6.3%) since the census. This increase is inferred from the estimated resident population of 2,206 reported by the ABS as of June 2024 and address validation since the Census date. The population density ratio was 1,780 persons per square kilometer, above the average seen across national locations assessed by AreaSearch. Alawa's growth rate of 6.3% since the census is within 1.3 percentage points of the SA3 area (7.6%), indicating competitive growth fundamentals. Overseas migration contributed approximately 77.6% of overall population gains during recent periods.

AreaSearch uses 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 post-2032 estimations, AreaSearch applies growth rates by age cohort provided by the ABS in its latest Greater Capital Region projections (released in 2023, based on 2022 data). Based on projected demographic shifts, Alawa is expected to grow by just below the median of national statistical areas. By 2041, the area's population is projected to increase by 213 persons, reflecting a total increase of 9.6% over the 17 years.

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

Alawa has seen minimal dwelling approvals in recent years, totaling 4 homes over the past five financial years. As of FY26, 0 approvals have been recorded. The average number of new residents per year per dwelling constructed between FY21 and FY25 was 0.8, indicating that new supply has kept pace with or exceeded demand, offering ample buyer choice and creating capacity for population growth beyond current forecasts. The average expected construction cost value of new dwellings is $305,000.

In FY26, there have been $118,000 in commercial approvals, suggesting a predominantly residential focus compared to Greater Darwin. Alawa records significantly lower building activity than the regional average per person (80.0% below). This limited new supply generally supports stronger demand and values for established dwellings, reflecting the area's maturity and possible planning constraints. Recent building activity consists entirely of detached dwellings, preserving Alawa's suburban nature with an emphasis on detached housing attracting space-seeking buyers.

Alawa has limited levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the 1stth percentile nationally

Changes to local infrastructure significantly impact an area's performance. AreaSearch has identified four projects likely affecting the region: Social Housing Accelerator Payment (SHAP) in Greater Darwin/Nightcliff, Casuarina Square Redevelopment, CDU - Centre for Better Health Futures, and Casuarina Aquatic and Leisure Centre. The following details those most relevant.

Professional plan users can use the search below to filter and access additional projects.

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Employment performance in Alawa has been below expectations when compared to most other areas nationally

Alawa has an educated workforce with significant representation in essential services sectors. Its unemployment rate is 4.7%, with an estimated employment growth of 1.1% over the past year.

As of September 2025, 1,151 residents are employed while the unemployment rate stands at 1.6% above Greater Darwin's rate of 3.1%. Workforce participation is lower at 65.3%, compared to Greater Darwin's 69.7%. The dominant employment sectors among residents include health care & social assistance, public administration & safety, and accommodation & food. Health care & social assistance shows notable concentration with employment levels at 1.2 times the regional average.

Conversely, public administration & safety has lower representation at 14.6% versus the regional average of 19.5%. The area offers limited local employment opportunities as indicated by Census data. Between September 2024 and September 2025, employment levels increased by 1.1%, labour force grew by 1.7%, leading to an unemployment rate rise of 0.6 percentage points. In contrast, Greater Darwin experienced employment growth of 1.9% and marginal unemployment increase. State-level data as of 25-Nov-25 shows NT employment contracted by 1.13%, with a state unemployment rate of 4.4%, closely aligned with the national rate of 4.3%. National employment forecasts from May-25 project growth of 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Alawa's employment mix suggests local employment should increase by similar rates over these periods, assuming no significant changes in population projections.

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

The Alawa SA2 had a median taxpayer income of $54,865 and an average income of $63,896 in financial year 2022, according to postcode level ATO data aggregated by AreaSearch. This is slightly below the national average, contrasting with Greater Darwin's median income of $65,522 and average income of $75,260 during the same period. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 12.01% since financial year 2022, estimated incomes for September 2025 would be approximately $61,454 (median) and $71,570 (average). Census 2021 income data shows Alawa's household, family, and personal incomes cluster around the 70th percentile nationally. Income distribution indicates 34.8% of the population (768 individuals) fall within the $1,500 - 2,999 income range, similar to regional trends showing 36.7% in the same category. Housing expenses account for 13.8% of income, while strong earnings place residents within the 74th percentile for disposable income. 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 latest Census evaluation found that Alawa's dwelling structure comprised 88.0% houses and 12.0% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings). In comparison, Darwin metro had 68.4% houses and 31.6% 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, lower than the Darwin metro average of $2,028. The median weekly rent figure in Alawa was $340, compared to Darwin metro's $350. Nationally, Alawa's mortgage repayments were below 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 comprise 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 2.7 persons.

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 prevalent at 20.5%, followed by postgraduate qualifications at 11.5% and graduate diplomas at 3.7%. Vocational credentials are also prominent, with 30.5% of residents aged 15+ holding such qualifications - advanced diplomas at 10.3% and certificates at 20.2%.

Educational participation is high, with 35.5% of residents currently enrolled in formal education, including 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

The transport analysis shows that there are currently 14 active transport stops operating within Alawa. These stops serve a mix of bus routes, totaling 29 individual routes. Together, these routes facilitate 2,162 weekly passenger trips.

The accessibility of public transport is rated as excellent, with residents typically located just 150 meters from the nearest transport stop. On average, service frequency across all routes amounts to 308 trips per day, which equates to approximately 154 weekly trips per individual stop.

Alawa's residents are extremely healthy with both young and old age cohorts seeing low prevalence of common health conditions

Analysis of health metrics indicates strong performance throughout Alawa. Both young and old age cohorts exhibit low prevalence of common health conditions.

The rate of private health cover is approximately 51% of the total population (~1,130 people), slightly lagging behind the average SA2 area at 56.7%. This compares to 56.7% across Greater Darwin. The most prevalent medical conditions are arthritis and asthma, affecting 5.7 and 5.6% of residents respectively. A total of 76.5% of residents declare themselves completely clear of medical ailments, compared to 77.0% across Greater Darwin. As of 28 June 20XX, the area has 12.8% of residents aged 65 and over (281 people). Health outcomes among seniors are above average, broadly in line with the general population's health profile.

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 has a high level of cultural diversity, with 38.1% of its population speaking a language other than English at home and 41.5% born overseas. Christianity is the main religion in Alawa, making up 38.2% of people there, compared to 41.5% born overseas. Buddhism is overrepresented in Alawa, comprising 5.3% of the population, compared to 4.1% across Greater Darwin.

The top three represented ancestry groups in Alawa are English at 19.6%, Other at 17.3%, and Australian at 17.2%. Notably, Filipino is overrepresented at 4.8%, Greek at 4.1%, and New Zealand at 1.2% compared to regional percentages of 4.7%, 3.7%, and 0.5% respectively.

Alawa's population is younger than the national pattern

Alawa's median age is 35 years, comparable to Greater Darwin's average of 34 years and marginally lower than Australia's national average of 38 years. Relative to Greater Darwin, Alawa has a higher concentration of residents aged 5-14 (15.1%) but fewer residents aged 25-34 (15.0%). Post-2021 Census data shows the age group of 5 to 14 grew from 13.8% to 15.1%, while the age group of 15 to 24 increased from 11.1% to 12.3%. Conversely, the age group of 25 to 34 decreased from 17.3% to 15.0%, and the age group of 65 to 74 dropped from 8.6% to 7.5%. Demographic modeling suggests Alawa's age profile will evolve significantly by 2041, with the strongest projected growth in the age cohort of 45 to 54 (32%), adding 92 residents to reach a total of 383. Population declines are projected for the age cohorts of 0 to 4 and 65 to 74 years.