Driver

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

Driver's population was around 2,894 as of Nov 2025. This reflected an increase of 147 people since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 2,747 people. The change was inferred from the estimated resident population of 2,894 from the ABS as of June 2024 and address validation since the Census date. This level of population equated to a density ratio of 1,682 persons per square kilometer, which was above the average seen across national locations assessed by AreaSearch. Population growth for the area was primarily driven by overseas migration that contributed approximately 55.1% of overall population gains during recent periods.

AreaSearch adopted ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area, as released in 2024 with a base year of 2022. For areas not covered by this data and to estimate growth post-2032, AreaSearch applied growth rates by age cohort to each area, as provided by the ABS in its latest Greater Capital Region projections (released in 2023, based on 2022 data). Future population dynamics projected an above median growth for statistical areas analysed by AreaSearch. The area was expected to expand by 386 persons to 2041, reflecting a total increase of 13.3% over the 17 years.

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

Driver has seen minimal dwelling approvals in recent years. Between FY-21 and FY-25, only 4 homes were approved, with none yet approved in FY-26. The population decline during this period suggests that new supply is likely meeting demand, providing good options for buyers.

The average construction cost value of new homes is $690,000, indicating a focus on the premium segment with upmarket properties. This year has seen $1.2 million in commercial approvals, suggesting a predominantly residential focus. Compared to Greater Darwin, Driver shows significantly reduced construction activity (93.0% below regional average per person), which typically reinforces demand and pricing for existing dwellings. This level is also lower than the national average, implying the area's established nature and potential planning limitations. All new construction so far has been detached houses, maintaining Driver's suburban identity with a concentration of family homes suited to buyers seeking space. Notably, developers are constructing more detached housing than the existing pattern implies (66.0% at Census), reflecting persistent strong demand for family homes despite densification trends.

Driver has limited levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the 2ndth percentile nationally

Changes to local infrastructure significantly influence an area's performance. As identified by AreaSearch, no projects are currently known to impact this area. Key projects include Darwin Light Rail Stage 1, Hudson Creek Power Station, Marine Industry Park, and Darwin Corporate Park, with the following list highlighting those likely to be most relevant.

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.

Driver has seen below average employment performance when compared to national benchmarks

Driver's workforce comprises skilled individuals with notable representation from essential services sectors. The unemployment rate stands at 5.2%, with an estimated employment growth of 1.6% over the past year.

As of September 2025, 1,600 residents are employed while the unemployment rate is 2.0% higher than Greater Darwin's rate of 3.1%. Workforce participation is similar to Greater Darwin's 69.7%. Key industries include public administration & safety, health care & social assistance, and construction. Construction employment levels are particularly high at 1.3 times the regional average.

Public administration & safety has limited presence with 16.0% employment compared to 19.5% regionally. The area offers limited local employment opportunities, as indicated by Census data on working population versus resident population. Between September 2024 and September 2025, employment increased by 1.6%, labour force grew by 1.6%, with unemployment remaining stable. In comparison, Greater Darwin saw employment grow by 1.9% and labour force expand by 1.9%, while unemployment rose marginally. State-level data as of 25-Nov-25 shows NT employment contracted by 1.13% (losing 4,100 jobs), with the state unemployment rate at 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 Driver's employment mix suggests local employment should increase by 6.2% over five years and 12.8% over ten years, based on simple weighting extrapolation for illustrative purposes only.

Income metrics indicate excellent economic conditions, with the area achieving higher performance than 75% of national locations assessed by AreaSearch

The Driver SA2's median income among taxpayers was $69,603 in financial year 2022. The average income stood at $76,917 during the same period. This compares to figures for Greater Darwin of $65,522 and $75,260 respectively. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 12.01% since financial year 2022, current estimates would be approximately $77,962 (median) and $86,155 (average) as of September 2025. Census data reveals that household, family and personal incomes in Driver cluster around the 71st percentile nationally. Income analysis shows that the $1,500 - 2,999 bracket dominates with 37.3% of residents (1,079 people). High housing costs consume 17.4% of income, placing disposable income at the 62nd percentile.

Driver displays a diverse mix of dwelling types, with above-average rates of outright home ownership

Driver's dwelling structure, as per the latest Census, consisted of 66.1% houses and 33.8% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings). This compares to Darwin metro's 75.9% houses and 24.0% other dwellings. Home ownership in Driver stood at 12.7%, with the rest either mortgaged (39.7%) or rented (47.6%). The median monthly mortgage repayment was $1,950, below Darwin metro's average of $2,037. Median weekly rent was recorded at $350, compared to Darwin metro's $400. Nationally, Driver's mortgage repayments were higher than the Australian average of $1,863, while rents were lower than the national figure of $375.

Driver features high concentrations of group households, with a lower-than-average median household size

Family households constitute 73.6% of all households, including 30.9% composed of couples with children, 25.7% consisting of couples without children, and 16.2% single-parent families. Non-family households account for the remaining 26.4%, with lone person households at 21.0% and group households comprising 5.3%. The median household size is 2.7 people, which is smaller than the Greater Darwin average of 2.8.

Educational outcomes in Driver fall within the lower quartile nationally, indicating opportunities for improvement in qualification attainment

Educational qualifications in Driver trail regional benchmarks show that 23.4% of residents aged 15+ hold university degrees, compared to 31.3% in SA4 region. This gap suggests potential for educational development and skills enhancement. Bachelor degrees are the most common at 15.4%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (4.8%) and graduate diplomas (3.2%). Trade and technical skills are prominent, with 42.1% of residents aged 15+ holding vocational credentials – advanced diplomas (9.4%) and certificates (32.7%).

Educational participation is notably high, with 35.8% of residents currently enrolled in formal education. This includes 13.2% in primary education, 8.2% in secondary education, and 5.6% pursuing tertiary education.

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

Public transport analysis reveals nine active transport stops operating within Driver. These stops service a mix of buses along twenty-one individual routes, collectively providing one thousand forty-four weekly passenger trips. Transport accessibility is rated as good, with residents typically located two hundred fourteen meters from the nearest transport stop.

Service frequency averages one hundred forty-nine trips per day across all routes, equating to approximately one hundred sixteen weekly trips per individual stop.

Driver's residents boast exceedingly positive health performance metrics with younger cohorts in particular seeing very low prevalence of common health conditions

Health outcomes data shows excellent results for Driver's younger cohorts, with very low prevalence of common health conditions.

Approximately 58% (~1,672 people) of the total population have private health cover. The most prevalent medical conditions in the area are mental health issues and asthma, affecting 7.7 and 7.3% of residents respectively. 75.1% of residents report having no medical ailments, compared to 76.6% across Greater Darwin. As of 2021, 9.3% (269 people) of Driver's population are aged 65 and over, higher than the 7.5% in Greater Darwin. While health outcomes among seniors are above average, they require more attention than the broader population.

The level of cultural diversity witnessed in Driver was found to be above average when compared nationally for a number of language and cultural background related metrics

Driver's population was found to be more culturally diverse than most local markets, with 25.7% born overseas and 21.3% speaking a language other than English at home. Christianity was the dominant religion in Driver, comprising 39.0%. However, the category 'Other' was overrepresented at 1.8%, compared to 1.1% across Greater Darwin.

In terms of ancestry, Australian was the top group at 25.2%, followed by English at 23.0% and Other at 10.8%. Notably, Filipino were overrepresented at 4.4% in Driver (vs 4.8% regionally), Australian Aboriginal at 10.1% (vs 9.1%), and Maori at 0.9% (vs 0.7%).

Driver's young demographic places it in the bottom 15% of areas nationwide

Driver's median age at 33 years is comparable to Greater Darwin's average of 34 and is substantially lower than Australia's median of 38. Relative to Greater Darwin, Driver has a higher concentration of residents aged 5-14 (16.2%) but fewer residents aged 15-24 (10.2%). Post-2021 Census data shows the 75 to 84 age group grew from 1.3% to 2.6%, while the 5 to 14 cohort increased from 15.1% to 16.2%. Conversely, the 15 to 24 cohort declined from 12.7% to 10.2%. Demographic modeling suggests Driver's age profile will evolve significantly by 2041. The 65 to 74 age cohort is projected to grow steadily, expanding by 78 people (44%) from 181 to 260. Notably, the combined 65+ age groups are projected to account for 52% of total population growth, reflecting the area's aging demographic profile. Meanwhile, the 0 to 4 cohort is projected to grow by a modest 5% (11 people).