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

According to the analysis conducted by AreaSearch, the population of Alawa is estimated to be 2,267 as of May 2026. This represents a growth of 189 residents (9.1%) from the 2,078 individuals recorded in the 2021 Census. This population shift is calculated utilizing the June 2025 ABS estimated resident population of 2,267 and subsequent address validations. The current population translates to a density of 1,828 persons per square kilometer, which exceeds the typical density of other national areas analyzed. The 9.1% growth rate since the census is within 0.2 percentage points of the national benchmark of 9.3%, indicating solid growth dynamics. This growth was primarily fueled by overseas migration, which accounted for roughly 79.4% of the population increase during recent times.

Projections from the ABS and Geoscience Australia released in 2024, using 2022 as a starting point, are utilized for each SA2 region. For locations lacking this data and to estimate growth past 2032, growth rates by age group from the latest ABS Greater Capital Region projections (released in 2023, utilizing 2022 data) are applied. Based on these expected demographic transitions, the region is projected to experience population growth slightly below the median of national statistical units, expanding by 209 individuals by 2041 when measured against the latest annual ERP statistics, which is a total rise of 9.2% over the 16 years.

Residential development activity is lower than average in Alawa according to AreaSearch's national comparison of local real estate markets

Residential construction approvals in Alawa have been negligible lately, with only 4 homes approved over the last 5 financial years. Thus far in FY-26, 1 approvals have been registered. With an average of 20.2 new inhabitants per year for each completed home over the 5 financial years from FY-21 to FY-25, demand is outstripping supply. This imbalance typically exerts upward pressure on residential values and intensifies buyer competition, while new residences are built at an average cost of $305,000. Additionally, $118,000 in non-residential approvals were recorded this financial year, indicating a heavy emphasis on residential projects.

Building activity in Alawa is significantly lower than the wider Greater Darwin region, coming in at 80.0% below the regional per capita average. This constrained supply pipeline generally helps maintain demand and support values for existing housing stock. The level of activity is also below the national average, reflecting the established status of the suburb and potentially indicating planning limitations. Furthermore, recent construction consists solely of detached houses, maintaining the suburban profile of the area and appealing to purchasers looking for larger properties.

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

Local infrastructure projects, major works, and urban planning changes are key drivers of regional performance. AreaSearch has identified 4 developments likely to influence the local area. Key projects include the Royal Darwin Hospital Mental Health Inpatient Unit and CSSD Upgrade, the Casuarina Square Redevelopment, the CDU - Centre for Better Health Futures, and the Social Housing Accelerator Payment (SHAP) - Greater Darwin / Nightcliff, with detailed listings below outlining the most relevant initiatives.

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

The local workforce is highly educated and features a strong presence of essential service employees, an unemployment rate of 5.3%, and consistent employment levels over the prior year. In March 2026, 1,149 residents were employed. The unemployment rate sits 1.8% above the Greater Darwin average of 3.5%, while the participation rate is lower than average, at 68.3% compared to 72.7% in Greater Darwin. Census data indicates that only 4.6% of employed residents worked from home, although this figure may be influenced by pandemic-related restrictions.

The primary employment sectors for local residents are health care & social assistance, public administration & safety, and accommodation & food. There is a particularly strong concentration of workers in health care & social assistance, which is 1.2 times the regional average. In contrast, public administration & safety has a lower share at 14.6% compared to the regional average of 19.5%. Given the gap between the count of local jobs and the size of the resident workforce, the suburb itself appears to offer few local employment positions.

According to analysis of SALM and ABS statistics, the labour force grew by 0.7% in the year to March 2026, while total employment fell by 0.1%, leading to an increase in the unemployment rate of 0.8 percentage points. For the same period, Greater Darwin saw employment expand by 0.4% and the labour force grow by 0.8%, with its unemployment rate rising by 0.3 percentage points. Projections from Jobs and Skills Australia published in May-25 provide context on prospective employment demand. These five and ten-year forecasts have been aligned with the local employment structure to project trends. Nationally, employment is predicted to grow by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, though rates vary by sector. Applying these sectoral projections to the local workforce mix suggests employment for Alawa residents should rise by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, representing a simple weighted calculation that does not factor in local population changes.

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

According to postcode-level ATO data compiled by AreaSearch for the 2023 financial year, the median taxpayer income is $55,769 and the average is $65,564. This is slightly below the national average and compares to a median of $66,956 and average of $77,199 in Greater Darwin. Factoring in Wage Price Index growth of 9.41% since the 2023 financial year, current estimates stand at approximately $61,017 for the median and $71,734 for the average as of March 2026. The 2021 Census indicates that household, family, and individual incomes in the suburb are positioned near the 70th percentile nationally. Income distribution statistics show that 34.8% of the population (788 individuals) earn between $1,500 - 2,999, which aligns with the regional figure of 36.7% in this bracket. Housing costs consume 13.8% of income, while strong earning capacity places residents in the 74th percentile for disposable income, and the area is situated in the 5th decile of the SEIFA income index.

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

At the time of the latest Census, the housing stock consisted of 88.0% houses and 12.0% other dwelling types, such as townhouses and apartments, compared to the wider Darwin metro split of 63.5% houses and 36.5% other dwellings. Home ownership in the suburb was recorded at 23.8%, which is higher than the Darwin metro rate, with the remaining households either paying off a mortgage (39.4%) or renting (36.8%). The median monthly mortgage payment of $1,777 was lower than the Darwin metro average of $2,100. Similarly, the median weekly rent was $340, compared to the regional figure of $385. Nationally, local mortgage payments are below the Australian average of $1,863, and weekly rents are lower than the national average of $375.

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

Families make up 76.0% of all households, consisting of couples with children at 33.6%, couples without children at 26.2%, and single-parent households at 13.8%. The remaining 24.0% are non-family households, which are comprised of lone-person households at 17.4% and group households at 7.1%. The median household size is 2.8 persons, exceeding the Greater Darwin average of 2.6.

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

The suburb displays a distinctive educational profile, with university completion rates at 35.7% of residents aged 15+ compared to the NT average of 27.3% and the national average of 30.4%, pointing to a strong focus on tertiary education. Bachelor degrees are the most common qualification at 20.5%, followed by postgraduate degrees (11.5%) and graduate diplomas (3.7%). Vocational training is also prominent, with 30.5% of the population aged 15+ holding a vocational qualification, consisting of advanced diplomas (10.3%) and certificates (20.2%).

Enrolment in education is high, with 35.5% of the population currently studying. This group includes 12.1% attending primary school, 8.2% in tertiary institutions, and 6.8% in secondary school.

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

Public transit analysis indicates 14 active bus stops operate within the suburb. These stops connect to 29 different routes, offering a total of 2,162 passenger trips weekly. Transport access is rated as excellent, with typical resident dwellings located 150 meters from the nearest stop. The suburb is primarily residential, and most workers travel outside the area to work, with cars being the main transport mode at 85% and cycling accounting for 4%. Dwellings have an average of 1.6 vehicles. A low 4.6% of residents worked from home according to the 2021 Census, which may have been influenced by pandemic conditions.

Service frequency averages 308 trips per day across all routes, which translates to approximately 154 weekly trips at each transport 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

Health outcomes in the suburb are above average, based on an assessment of mortality rates and the prevalence of chronic illnesses, with low rates of common medical conditions recorded across both younger and older cohorts. Private health insurance coverage is slightly lower than the average SA2, with approximately 52% of residents (~1,176 people) holding cover, compared to 57.8% across Greater Darwin.

The most common medical diagnoses among residents were arthritis and asthma, affecting 5.7 and 5.6% of the population, respectively. Meanwhile, 76.5% of residents reported having no chronic medical conditions, compared to 77.1% in Greater Darwin. Residents under the age of 65 experience better than average health outcomes. The proportion of residents aged 65 and over is 12.8% (289 people), which is higher than the Greater Darwin average of 11.0%. Health outcomes for this older cohort are above average, with national rankings aligning closely with the broader population.

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

The suburb displays a high level of cultural diversity, with 38.1% of residents using a non-English language at home and 41.5% born outside Australia. Christianity is the most common religious affiliation, accounting for 38.2% of residents. Buddhism represents a notable concentration at 5.3% of the population, compared to 3.3% across Greater Darwin.

Regarding ancestry, the most common responses are English at 19.6%, Other at 17.3%, and Australian at 17.2%, which is lower than the regional average of 22.6%. There is also a higher representation of certain other groups compared to the region, including Filipino at 4.8% of the population (compared to 3.8% regionally), Greek at 4.1% (compared to 2.3%), and New Zealand ancestry at 1.2% (compared to 0.6%).

Alawa's population is younger than the national pattern

The median age of 35 years is similar to the Greater Darwin average of 34 and slightly below the national average of 38. Compared to the wider Greater Darwin area, the suburb has a larger share of residents aged 5 - 14 (15.7%) but a smaller share aged 25 - 34 (13.6%). Since the 2021 Census, the 35 to 44 age cohort has increased from 15.5% to 18.0% of the population, and the 5 to 14 cohort has risen from 13.8% to 15.7%. Conversely, the 25 to 34 cohort decreased from 17.3% to 13.6% and the 65 to 74 age group fell from 8.6% to 6.9%. Demographic models project significant shifts in the age structure by 2041, with the 45 to 54 cohort expected to grow by 31%, adding 90 residents to reach 381, while the 65 to 74 group is projected to decrease by 19.