Barkly

Barkly has shown very soft population growth performance across periods assessed by AreaSearch

According to investigations by AreaSearch, Barkly has a residency of roughly 2,596 in May 2026. This represents an addition of 393 individuals (17.8%) relative to the 2,203 citizens recorded in the 2021 Census. The updated total is calculated using the June 2025 ABS estimated resident population of 2,596 and 37 validated new addresses established post-Census. Consequently, the local density stands at 0.00 persons per square kilometer, indicating a highly spacious environment. The 17.8% population expansion since the 2021 census outstripped both state figures and the national benchmark (9.3%), positioning the area as a regional growth leader. Natural increase was the primary contributor, accounting for roughly 71.8% of the population growth in recent times.

Projections from ABS and Geoscience Australia, issued in 2024 with a 2022 baseline, are utilised for SA2 areas. For areas lacking this data, and for projections beyond 2032, growth rate assumptions by age cohort are taken from the latest ABS Greater Capital Region projections released in 2023 using 2022 numbers. Future population trends suggest growth will run just under the median rate for regional locations nationwide. The community is anticipated to grow by 257 citizens by 2041 based on the most recent annual ERP statistics, indicating a total increase of 9.9% over the 16 years.

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

Residential approvals in Barkly average roughly 7 per year, with 38 building permits issued over the preceding 5 financial years (FY-21 to FY-25) and 8 recorded during FY-26 to date. An average of 0.7 new residents per approved dwelling registered over the 5 financial years between FY-21 and FY-25 suggests that residential supply is meeting or exceeding local demand, ensuring buyers have many options and allowing for population growth beyond current projections. The average construction cost of these new homes stands at $649,000, which points to developer interest in upmarket, high-end housing. In addition, $627,000 in commercial approvals have been logged in the current financial year, demonstrating a low level of business development.

Barkly exhibits about three-quarters the level of new home approvals per capita compared to the Rest of NT, ranking in the 69th percentile of all assessed locations nationwide, despite a recent rise in building activity. This rate falls short of the national average, reflecting the established status of the area and possible planning restrictions. Detached houses comprise 86.0% of the new building volume, with attached residences making up 14.0%, keeping density low and catering to buyers seeking space. The area registers approximately 198 people per residential permit, which indicates a growing market.

Demographic projections indicate that Barkly will add 257 citizens by 2041, based on the latest quarterly calculations from AreaSearch. If current building rates persist, the supply of new housing should comfortably accommodate this demand, ensuring favorable conditions for home buyers and potentially helping the region exceed current population forecasts.

Barkly has limited levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the 9thth percentile nationally

Local performance is heavily shaped by updates to regional infrastructure, construction projects, and planning policies. AreaSearch has tracked 17 developments that are expected to influence the area. High-priority initiatives include the Barkly Regional Deal, Connection Between Eastern Gas Markets And Gas Suppliers, Urban Public Housing - Peko Road, and Venture Housing - Social and Affordable Homes, with key details provided on the most significant projects below.

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

Denotes AI-based impression for illustrative purposes only, not to be taken as definitive under any circumstances. Please follow links and conduct other investigations from the project's source for actual imagery. Developers and project owners wishing us to use original imagery please Contact Us and we will do so.

Employment conditions in Barkly face significant challenges, ranking among the bottom 10% of areas assessed nationally

The local workforce displays a balanced mix of professional and manual occupations across diverse industries, alongside an unemployment rate of 10.8% and annual job growth estimated at 2.3%. As of March 2026, employed residents total 1,093. The unemployment rate is 5.0% higher than the Regional NT level of 5.9%, signaling potential for improvement, while participation is notably lower at 63.3% versus 69.9% in Regional NT. Census data indicates that only 10.7% of workers operated from home, though this figure was likely influenced by pandemic restrictions.

Locals are primarily employed in agriculture, forestry & fishing, education & training, and public administration & safety. The area has a heavy concentration of jobs in agriculture, forestry & fishing, which is 9.6 times the regional average. Conversely, health care & social assistance accounts for only 2.5% of the local workforce, compared to 18.8% in Regional NT. A comparison between the resident workforce and the total local working population suggests a shortage of local jobs.

An analysis of SALM and ABS statistics by AreaSearch shows that during the 12 months ending March 2026, the number of employed persons grew by 2.3% and the labour force expanded by 2.8%, leading to a 0.4 percentage point rise in the unemployment rate. Over the same period, Regional NT experienced a 2.8% increase in employment, a 2.7% rise in the labour force, and a small decrease in unemployment. National employment forecasts released in May-25 by Jobs and Skills Australia provide further context for future job demand in Barkly. These five-year and ten-year projections have been applied to the local workforce structure to model potential growth. Nationwide employment is projected to grow by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, though rates vary by industry. Applying these national projections to the local employment mix suggests Barkly could see employment gains of 3.8% over five years and 9.3% over ten years, representing a basic weighted extrapolation that does not account for local population changes.

The area's income levels rank in the lower 15% nationally based on AreaSearch comparative data

Based on financial year 2023 ATO statistics compiled by AreaSearch, tax returns indicate that Barkly SA2 has income levels below the national average. The median income for local taxpayers is $48,323 and the average income is $55,331, compared to $53,572 and $63,776 respectively for Regional NT. Accounting for a 9.41% rise in the Wage Price Index since financial year 2023, estimated incomes as of March 2026 would be roughly $52,870 for the median and $60,538 for the average. Census data places household, family, and individual incomes in Barkly between the 1st and 11th percentiles nationally. The figures show 36.2% of the population (939 individuals) earn between $800 and $1,499, whereas the broader region has 33.6% of earners in the $1,500 to $2,999 bracket. Residents retain 94.7% of their income due to low housing costs, but total disposable income is positioned in the 22nd percentile nationally.

Barkly is characterized by a predominantly suburban housing profile, with a higher proportion of rental properties than the broader region

Dwelling options in Barkly at the time of the latest Census consisted of 94.8% standalone houses and 5.1% alternative dwellings like units and townhouses, compared to 75.6% houses and 24.5% other dwellings in Regional NT. The home ownership rate of 10.2% was lower than the regional average, with the remaining homes either mortgaged (1.3%) or rented (88.5%). The median monthly mortgage payment was $109, which is much lower than the Regional NT average of $1,733, and the median weekly rent was $70, compared to $150 in Regional NT. Nationally, Barkly's housing costs are well below the Australian averages of $1,863 for mortgages and $375 for rent.

Barkly features high concentrations of family households, with a higher-than-average median household size

Families make up 77.9% of all local households, consisting of couples with children (39.7%), couples without children (17.1%), and single parents (19.2%). The remaining 22.1% are non-family households, which include single-person households (19.8%) and group homes (1.7%). The median household size stands at 3.7 individuals, which is larger than the Regional NT average of 3.1.

Barkly faces educational challenges, with performance metrics placing it in the bottom quartile of areas assessed nationally

The region presents low levels of academic attainment, with the university qualification rate of 7.4% falling well short of the national level of 30.4%. This highlights a clear need and opportunity for focused educational programs. Bachelor degrees are held by 4.8% of residents, followed by postgraduate qualifications at 1.7% and graduate diplomas at 0.9%. Vocational and technical skills are common, with 32.8% of residents aged 15+ holding trade credentials, consisting of advanced diplomas (4.8%) and certificates (28.0%).

Enrolment in education is strong, with 30.1% of the population participating in formal study. This student cohort includes 18.1% in primary school, 6.2% in secondary school, and 1.8% enrolled in higher education.

No public transport data available for this catchment area.

Health performance in Barkly is lower than average with common health conditions somewhat prevalent across both younger and older age cohorts

According to AreaSearch's evaluation of mortality data and the prevalence of chronic illnesses, Barkly experiences major health challenges across all age groups, combined with a low private health insurance rate of roughly 47% of residents (~1,230 people). This rate is below the Regional NT level of 51.6% and the national average of 55.7%.

Diabetes and heart disease are the most prevalent diagnosed conditions, affecting 7.1% and 5.1% of the population respectively, though 81.7% of residents reported having no chronic medical conditions compared to 78.4% across Regional NT. Seniors aged 65 and older represent 5.8% of the community (151 people), which is lower than the Regional NT proportion of 8.5%. Health status indicators for these older residents are favorable, ranking higher nationally than the local population as a whole.

In terms of cultural diversity, Barkly records figures broadly comparable to the national average, as found in AreaSearch's assessment of a number of language and cultural background related metrics

The community shows high levels of cultural diversity, with 4.0% of residents born outside Australia and 57.9% using a non-English language at home. Christianity is the primary religion, followed by 65.8% of the population, compared to 54.1% in Regional NT.

Ancestry details show that the three primary groups are Australian Aboriginal, making up 66.8% of the population (substantially above the regional average of 43.6%), followed by Australian at 10.6% and English at 10.6%. Certain minor ethnic backgrounds show unique concentrations, with Russian ancestry representing 0.3% of the Barkly population compared to 0.1% across the wider region.

Barkly hosts a very young demographic, ranking in the bottom 10% of areas nationwide

The median age of 26 in Barkly is younger than the Regional NT average of 31 and well below the national median of 38. Young adults aged 15 to 24 are highly represented at 19.5%, while the 55 to 64 bracket is smaller at 7.1% compared to Regional NT. The proportion of 15 to 24 year-olds exceeds the national average of 12.7%. Since 2021, the 25 to 34 age bracket has risen from 18.8% to 19.6% of the population, while infants aged 0 to 4 have decreased from 8.4% to 7.5%. Demographic projections indicate the age profile will change by 2041, with the 25 to 34 cohort expected to grow by 128 people (25%) from 507 to 636, whereas the 35 to 44 and 5 to 14 age groups are expected to decline.