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This analysis uses ABS Statistical Areas Level 2 (SA2) boundaries, which can materially differ from Suburbs and Localities (SAL) even when sharing similar names.
SA2 boundaries are defined by the Australian Bureau of Statistics and are designed to represent communities for statistical reporting (e.g., census and ERP).
Suburbs and Localities (SAL) represent commonly-used suburb/locality names (postal-style areas) and may use different geographic boundaries. For comprehensive analysis, consider reviewing both boundary types if available.
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ABS ERP | -- people | --
2021 Census | -- people
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Driver has an estimated 2,989 residents, up from 2,747 at the 2021 Census — a change of 242 people, or 8.8%. Growth has averaged 0.5% a year over five years. Overseas migration accounts for 56.8% of that increase. That puts 1,738 residents on each square kilometre. Population is estimated from ABS Estimated Resident Population releases and GNAF address data, re-based from the 2021 Census and updated annually.
Detail
According to AreaSearch, Driver has a population of approximately 2,989 as of May 2026. This represents an expansion of 242 individuals (8.8%) from the 2,747 inhabitants recorded in the 2021 Census. This population shift is calculated from the ABS estimated resident population of 2,989 in June 2025 alongside address verification processes carried out post-Census. With these numbers, the local population density stands at 1,737 persons per square kilometer, a level exceeding the average of all assessed Australian localities. The area's 8.8% growth rate since the census is within 0.5 percentage points of the national benchmark (9.3%), indicating solid growth dynamics.
This upward trend was chiefly propelled by overseas migration, which made up roughly 56.8% of the net population increase over recent times. Projections from the ABS and Geoscience Australia released in 2024 with a 2022 baseline are utilized by AreaSearch for SA2 regions. For localities lacking this specific dataset, and to project trends beyond 2032, growth rates matching age cohorts are applied based on the 2023 ABS Greater Capital Region projections using 2022 data. Future demographic modeling points to an above-median level of population growth compared to statistical areas nationwide. The local population is anticipated to rise by 393 individuals by 2041 when assessed against the latest annual ERP statistics, representing a total expansion of 13.2% over a 16-year timeframe.
Frequently Asked Questions - Population
Detail
Residential development in Driver has remained extremely quiet recently, with only 4 dwellings approved over the 5 financial years from FY-21 to FY-25, and 2 approvals registered during FY-26. Because an average of 18.5 people moved to the neighborhood for every new home built during the 5 financial years spanning FY-21 to FY-25, demand heavily outstrips new construction, a dynamic that commonly drives upward price movements and intensifies competition among buyers. The average value of these new constructions is $690,000, indicating that builders are targeting the higher-end market with premium housing options.
Furthermore, commercial approvals totaling $1.2 million were registered during the current financial year, highlighting that local development is overwhelmingly residential. In comparison to Greater Darwin, Driver exhibits highly subdued building activity, trailing the regional average per capita by 93.0%. This restricted flow of new stock typically reinforces demand and keeps values firm for existing properties. This rate is also below the national standard, reflecting the fully established status of the suburb and pointing to possible zoning restrictions. In addition, all recent construction projects have focused on standalone houses, which maintains the low-density suburban aesthetic and appeals to buyers seeking extra space. Notably, developers are producing a higher proportion of traditional houses than the established mix indicates (66.0% at the Census), demonstrating that family residences remain highly sought after despite density pressures.
Frequently Asked Questions - Development
Development applications around Driver
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| Lodged | Address | Description | Type | Distance | Status |
|---|
SOURCE: Planning portals and council registers, compiled by AreaSearch. Distance & bearing measured from the suburb midpoint.
AreaSearch tracks 6 current infrastructure and development projects close to Driver, worth an estimated $775 million. 2 are already under construction and 2 are due for completion within three years. The pipeline spans transport & logistics, national security and business parks & technology hubs. Records are compiled from Infrastructure Australia, state agencies, council planning portals and public announcements, reviewed and updated daily, then ranked by proximity, construction stage, completion horizon and project scale.
Detail
Local infrastructure projects, major planning decisions, and development schemes are key drivers of real estate performance. AreaSearch has identified 0 major projects that are anticipated to affect the local area. Selected projects of interest include the Darwin to Palmerston Mass Transit Corridor, Hudson Creek Power Station, Marine Industry Park, and Darwin Corporate Park, with details provided below on the most relevant schemes.
Professional plan users can use the search below to filter and access additional projects.
INFRASTRUCTURE SEARCH
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.
Frequently Asked Questions - Infrastructure
Berrimah Road Duplication - Stuart Highway to Tiger Brennan Drive
Planned duplication of Berrimah Road to a dual carriageway between Stuart Highway and Tiger Brennan Drive to improve freight efficiency, road safety and traffic capacity, supporting Darwin Port and future residential growth including Northcrest. The project remains in the Australian Government's funded road corridor program and is progressing through planning.
Northcrest
A 168-hectare master-planned community development delivering up to 2,000 housing lots. The precinct includes residential homes, parks, a government primary school, retirement living, and 56,000sqm of retail, dining, and commercial space.
Tiger Brennan Drive and Berrimah Road intersection overpass
Construction of a new overpass to improve road safety, reduce traffic delays, and increase freight connectivity. The new overpass carries Berrimah Road traffic over Tiger Brennan Drive. Final works include shared user paths, landscaping, and emergency services access.
Defence Establishment Berrimah Redevelopment
Base-wide redevelopment of Defence Establishment Berrimah (DEB), a tri-service Defence support hub located in Coonawarra, about 8km east of Darwin CBD. The project delivers upgraded in-ground services including power supply, water and fire water systems, sewerage and ICT infrastructure, along with security upgrades and construction of three deployable force precincts with hardstands, messing, ablutions and recreational areas. Internal road network improvements will be delivered if budget allows. Delivered under Defence's Estate Capital and Sustainment Works Program via a head contractor construct-only arrangement, with Jacobs engaged as Project Manager/Contract Administrator.
Darwin Corporate Park
Darwin Corporate Park is a premier business park for mixed use commercial office space located in Berrimah, recognised as the geographic centre of greater Darwin. The precinct currently comprises five premium three-level office buildings set on 25,800 square metres, holding a 5-star NABERS rating and campus-style landscaping with covered walkways. Stage 1 was completed in 2014 and is almost fully leased. Stage 2 delivered Building 7, a purpose-built 3,500 square metre call centre solely occupied by bet365 as its Australian headquarters.The masterplan envisions up to eight office buildings in total. The park was sold by Berrimah Holdings to a South Australian private equity group, Spencer Property Group, for approximately 78.5 million AUD in one of the largest commercial real estate transactions in Darwin's history.
Ludmilla Wastewater Treatment Plant Upgrade
Upgrade of the existing wastewater treatment plant and associated pumping stations and rising mains, aimed at increasing robustness, optimizing treatment, improving environmental outcomes, and catering for future population growth until 2030. It was the largest sewer project ever undertaken by NT Power and Water Corporation.
1,604 residents of Driver are employed, from a labour force of 1,695. Unemployment sits at 5.4%, with participation at 75.0%. Weighted for its industry mix, the area's sectors are forecast to grow about 6.2% nationally over five years. That reflects industry composition only and makes no allowance for local population growth. The working-day population is estimated at 2,298, about 77% of the resident population, so more people leave the area for work than travel in. Unemployment and labour force come from ABS Small Area Labour Markets, updated quarterly; the industry and occupation profile is from the 2021 Census.
Detail
Driver is characterized by a skilled resident workforce, particularly in essential services, with an unemployment rate of 5.4% and an estimated annual employment increase of 0.5%. In March 2026, employed residents numbered 1,604, representing an unemployment rate that sits 1.9 percentage points higher than the Greater Darwin average of 3.5%. Participation in the labor force is relatively typical, standing at 75.0% compared to 72.7% across the Greater Darwin region. Census statistics indicate that a minimal 2.9% of the workforce operated from home, though this figure was likely influenced by Covid-19 restrictions.
The primary employment sectors for local workers are public administration & safety, health care & social assistance, and construction. The suburb displays a strong employment specialization in construction, where its share is 1.3 times the regional rate. Conversely, public administration & safety is underrepresented, employing 16.0% of local workers compared to 19.5% across the region. As a highly residential suburb, local employment opportunities appear limited, which is highlighted by comparing the count of the Census working population against the resident population. AreaSearch evaluated SALM and ABS figures to determine that the period ending March 2026 saw employment grow by 0.5 percent while the labour force expanded by 0.8 percent, resulting in a 0.3 percentage point increase in unemployment. Greater Darwin experienced similar trends with employment rising by 0.4 percent, the labour force growing by 0.8 percent, and unemployment climbing by 0.3 percentage points. Insights from Jobs and Skills Australia's forecasts published in May-25 provide context for anticipated demand in the Driver region. These projections span both five and ten year horizons and have been aligned with local employment data to project future trends. National employment is expected to rise by 6.6 percent over five years and 13.7 percent over ten years, though sectoral growth varies considerably. When applied to Driver's current employment composition, these industry adjustments indicate a local employment increase of 6.2 percent over five years and 12.8 percent over ten years. This calculation relies on basic weighting extrapolation for illustrative purposes and excludes localized population projections.
Frequently Asked Questions - Employment
Median household income in Driver is $1,984 a week (about $103,000 a year), with median personal income at $1,011 a week. ATO records put median taxable income at $71,235 a year against an average of $78,989. Household income is from the 2021 Census; taxable income is from ATO Taxation Statistics for the latest financial year available, indexed forward using the ABS Wage Price Index.
Detail
According to the latest Australian Taxation Office data compiled by AreaSearch for financial year 2023, the Driver SA2 area enjoys an income level that exceeds the national average. The median income for taxpayers in this region is $71,235, while the mean income reaches $78,989. In comparison, Greater Darwin reports a median of $66,956 and an average of $77,199. Projected adjustments based on a Wage Price Index increase of 9.41% since financial year 2023 suggest that by March 2026, the median income will approximate $77,938 and the average will approach $86,422.
Census 2021 figures indicate that household, family, and individual incomes in the Driver area cluster near the 71st percentile on a national scale. The income distribution reveals that the $1,500 - 2,999 bracket is the most common, accounting for 37.3% of residents, which corresponds to 1,114 individuals. This concentration mirrors trends in the broader region, where 36.7% of the population falls within the same income range. Housing expenses absorb 17.4% of total income, yet remaining disposable income still ranks at the 62nd percentile nationally.
Frequently Asked Questions - Income
Driver had 940 occupied dwellings at the 2021 Census, 66% detached houses and 29% apartments. 40% are owned with a mortgage, 48% rented and 13% owned outright. At that Census the median rent was $350 a week and the median mortgage repayment $1,950 a month, a total housing cost higher than 80% of areas nationally. Rent absorbs 17.6% of household income here and mortgage repayments 22.7%. Dwelling stock, tenure and housing costs are 2021 Census measures — the only source that counts dwellings at this boundary size.
Detail
According to the latest Census, the housing stock in Driver consisted of 66.1% standalone houses and 33.8% other dwelling types like semi-detached homes and apartments, compared to 63.5% houses and 36.5% other dwellings in the Darwin metro area. The level of home ownership in Driver was lower than the metropolitan average at 12.7%, with the remaining properties being mortgaged (39.7%) or rented (47.6%). The median monthly mortgage repayment of $1,950 was below the Darwin metro median of $2,100, while the median weekly rent of $350 also tracked below the metropolitan average of $385.
In a national context, mortgage costs in Driver exceed the Australian average of $1,863, whereas rents sit below the countrywide median of $375.
Frequently Asked Questions - Housing
Driver counted 940 households at the 2021 Census, an estimated 1,023 today, averaging 2.7 people each. 31% are couples with children, against 26% couples without children. 21% of households are people living alone, and families average 1.6 children. Household and family composition is measured only by the Census, so these are 2021 figures.
Detail
Family units constitute the majority of households at 73.6%, which includes 30.9% couples with children, 25.7% couples without children, and 16.2% single-parent households. Non-family living arrangements account for the remaining 26.4%, with lone person households representing 21.0% and group households representing 5.3% of the total. The median household size stands at 2.7 people, which is slightly larger than the Greater Darwin average of 2.6.
Frequently Asked Questions - Households
23.4% of adults in Driver hold a university qualification, including 15.4% with a bachelor degree and 4.8% with postgraduate qualifications. A further 32.7% hold a vocational qualification. 2 schools serve the area, with 1,641 enrolment places and an average ICSEA of 906 against a national benchmark of 1,000. Qualifications come from the 2021 Census; school enrolments, ICSEA and results come from ACARA's current release.
Detail
Academic qualifications in Driver sit below regional averages, with 23.4% of residents aged 15 and over holding a university degree, compared to 31.3% in the wider SA4 region. This difference points to opportunities for educational growth and training programs. Bachelor degrees are the most common tertiary qualification at 15.4%, followed by postgraduate degrees (4.8%) and graduate diplomas (3.2%). Vocational and technical training is highly prevalent, with 42.1% of residents aged 15 and over holding qualifications in these fields, consisting of advanced diplomas (9.4%) and certificates (32.7%). Enrolment rates in education are high, with 35.8% of the population currently participating in formal study.
This cohort is made up of 13.2% in primary schools, 8.2% in high schools, and 5.6% enrolled in tertiary institutions.
Frequently Asked Questions - Education
Schools Detail
Public transport in Driver reaches 9 stops on 22 routes, timetabled for about 1,000 services a week. The typical home sits about 210 m from its nearest stop. Buses carry the largest share of public transport commuters. Households keep an average of 1.4 vehicles. Stop and service counts are built from operators' published GTFS timetables and refresh with each timetable release; vehicle ownership is from the 2021 Census.
Detail
Analysis of the local transit network shows 9 public transport stops located within Driver, operating bus services. These stops support 22 separate routes that deliver a total of 1,046 passenger journeys each week. Transit access is classified as good, with residents living an average of 214 meters from the nearest stop. Due to the suburban residential profile, most workers commute out of the area, with private cars remaining the primary transport mode at 88%. The average rate of vehicle ownership is 1.4 per household. A low 2.9% of workers worked from home, according to the 2021 Census, which may have been influenced by COVID-19 rules.
Across all transit routes, frequency averages 149 services per day, which translates to roughly 116 weekly services at each individual stop.
Frequently Asked Questions - Transport
Transport Stops Detail
75.1% of residents in Driver report no long-term health condition. 4.4% need daily assistance with core activities, and 58.4% hold private health cover. The standardised death rate runs at 6.4 per 1,000 residents. Health conditions, assistance needs and insurance are 2021 Census measures; the death rate comes from current ABS releases.
Detail
Based on AreaSearch's evaluation of mortality data and the occurrence of chronic illnesses, health statistics point to below-average outcomes in Driver, with common medical conditions being slightly more widespread than average across both young and old cohorts. Conversely, the rate of private health insurance is very high, covering approximately 58% of the population (~1,745 people). Mental health conditions and asthma are the most common medical diagnoses, affecting 7.7% and 7.3% of residents respectively, while 75.1% of the population reported no long-term medical conditions, compared to 77.1% across Greater Darwin. Residents under the age of 65 experience health outcomes that are better than average.
Individuals aged 65 and over make up 10.3% of the population (307 people). Senior residents enjoy above-average health outcomes, with national comparisons aligning closely with the broader community.
Frequently Asked Questions - Health
25.7% of Driver residents were born overseas and 21.3% speak a language other than English at home. The largest reported ancestries are Australian (25.2%) and English (23.0%). 10.1% of residents identify as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander. Ancestry, language and country of birth are counted only by the Census, so these are 2021 figures.
Detail
Driver exhibits a higher degree of cultural diversity than most property markets, with 25.7% of residents born outside Australia and 21.3% speaking a non-English language at home. Christianity is the primary religion, followed by 39.0% of the population. The most pronounced demographic variance is in the Other religious category, which accounts for 1.8% of local residents compared to 1.3% across Greater Darwin. Regarding parental country of birth, the main ancestries reported in Driver are Australian at 25.2%, English at 23.0%, and Other at 10.8%. There are also notable differences in the representation of other ethnic backgrounds, with Filipino heritage accounting for 4.4% of Driver (compared to 3.8% regionally), Australian Aboriginal heritage at 10.1% (compared to 7.0% regionally), and Maori heritage at 0.9% (compared to 0.6% regionally).
Frequently Asked Questions - Diversity
The median resident of Driver is 33, younger than 88% of areas nationally. 27.4% of residents are aged 15 to 34. Age cohorts are not raw Census counts: the Census split is re-based to the latest ABS population estimates and state projections.
Detail
The median age of 33 in Driver is close to the Greater Darwin average of 34 and considerably lower than the Australian median of 38. Compared to the wider Greater Darwin region, Driver has a higher proportion of children aged 5 to 14 (15.9%) but a lower share of young adults aged 15 to 24 (10.3%). Post-2021 Census statistics show the 75 to 84 age group increased from 1.3% to 3.1% of the population. In contrast, the 15 to 24 cohort dropped from 12.7% to 10.3%, and the 25 to 34 bracket fell from 18.4% to 17.1%.
Demographic projections indicate the local age profile will shift significantly by 2041. The 75 to 84 cohort is expected to grow substantially, rising by 74 people (80%) from 92 to 167. The combined cohorts aged 65 and over are projected to drive 53% of the total population growth, reflecting an aging local demographic. Meanwhile, the 0 to 4 age group is expected to increase by a modest 5% (11 people).
Frequently Asked Questions - Age
Data & MethodBoundaries, Sources & Method for Driver
9 of 14 data sections on this page were updated within the last 12 months — the newest current to Aug 2026.
Everything is aggregated to the SA2 boundary shown above, on a 2021 Census baseline. Only 3 sections — housing, households and cultural diversity — still wait on the 2026 Census.
The ledger — source, cycle and currency by section
| Section | Source & update cycle | Currency |
|---|---|---|
| Updated within the last 12 months 9 sections | ||
| Population | ABS, GNAF, Geoscience Australia Annual (ABS ERP) | May 2026 3 months ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Re-based to the ABS Estimated Resident Population (June 2025 release) and updated with new dwellings from GNAF address data. Current to May 2026, with the 2021 Census supplying the small-area baseline. | ||
| Age profile | ABS, Geoscience Australia, State governments Annual | May 2026 3 months ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Age cohorts are re-based to the latest ABS population estimates and state projections, current to May 2026. Each cohort is held as a Census baseline and a current estimate. | ||
| Development & approvals | ABS, GNAF Monthly (ABS approvals) | Jun 2026 2 months ago headline measures · May 2026 baseline |
| Property sales & rents | Valuer General, Rental Board, ABS Weekly sales, quarterly rents | Aug 2026 this month all 21 measures |
| Sales from the state Valuer General register, refreshed weekly, and rents from quarterly rental bond lodgements. Both are read live each time this page loads, current to Aug 2026. | ||
| Infrastructure projects | Infrastructure Australia, Local governments Daily | May 2026 3 months ago all 2 projects tracked here |
| Project pipeline maintained continuously from Infrastructure Australia, state agencies, local government and public announcements. Records are added and revised daily; this area was last updated May 2026. | ||
| Employment | ABS, DEWR, JSA Quarterly (ABS SALM) | Mar 2026 5 months ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Unemployment and labour force from ABS Small Area Labour Markets, current to Mar 2026. The growth outlook applies Department of Employment (now Jobs and Skills Australia) forecasts for all 19 industry divisions to the local industry mix, so it measures sector composition rather than local expansion and makes no allowance for population growth. Job demand comes from the same agency via its Internet Vacancy Index; industry and occupation structure from the 2021 Census. | ||
| Education | ABS, ACARA Annual (ACARA) | Aug 2026 this month headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Transport | ABS, State Transport Departments Each timetable release | Jul 2026 last month headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Services & amenities | Provider directories, ACECQA Continuous | Jul 2026 last month all 14 measures |
| Annual and financial-year sources 2 sections | ||
| Income | ABS, ATO Annual (ATO) | FY 2023 3 years ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| ATO taxable income statistics for FY 2023, indexed forward using the Wage Price Index. Census household income provides the distribution detail. | ||
| Health | ABS, ATO Annual | 2024 2 years ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Census-measured — next update: 2026 Census 3 sections No more current small-area source exists for these, so they are labelled as Census-measured rather than implied to be current. | ||
| Housing | ABS 5-yearly (Census) | 2021 Census next update 2026 all 30 measures |
| Households | ABS 5-yearly (Census) | 2021 Census next update 2026 all 18 measures |
| Cultural diversity | ABS, Geoscience Australia 5-yearly (Census) | 2021 Census next update 2026 all 44 measures |
"Currency" is the most recent release feeding that section. Where the Census supplies the structural baseline underneath a current headline figure, the row says so.
How the numbers are built
Population
The Census provides the small-area baseline, aggregated from mesh blocks to this boundary. It is then re-based to the ABS Estimated Resident Population (June 2025 release), and new dwellings built since Census night are counted from address data. The headline figure is therefore a current estimate for May 2026, not a 2021 count (2,747 at the 2021 Census → 2,989 now). Annual growth rates are compound (CAGR), not simple averages.
Age profile
Cohort shares are not raw Census counts. Every cohort is held as a pair — the Census baseline and a current estimate — and the split is re-based using ERP and state population projections, current to May 2026. Median age is the Census median plus modelled change since. Charts that show both are labelled "2021 Census vs Current Estimate".
Property sales
Sourced from the state valuation authority's sales register — current, not Census, and refreshed weekly. Medians are calculated from settled transactions in the period shown; periods with very low transaction counts are flagged or suppressed, because a handful of sales can move a median substantially.
Rents
Derived from state rental bond lodgement data, by dwelling type and bedroom count. Bonds are lodged at the start of a new tenancy, so this reflects new lettings, not the whole rented stock.
Development & infrastructure
Building approvals come from current ABS releases; development applications are collected from council and state planning portals; the infrastructure pipeline is compiled from Infrastructure Australia and local government sources. Applications are matched to this boundary by address or coordinates, so very recent lodgements may not yet appear.
Employment & income
Industry and occupation structure comes from the Census, but the headline labour-market indicators do not. Unemployment and labour force are derived from ABS Small Area Labour Markets (quarterly). The employment outlook applies Department of Employment forecasts for all 19 industry divisions to this area's own industry mix (the agency is now Jobs and Skills Australia), as does the Internet Vacancy Index used for job demand. Because it is weighted on industry composition alone, that outlook carries no allowance for local population growth — in fast-growing areas the real rise in local jobs will typically be higher. Income combines Census household income with ATO taxable-income statistics for FY 2023, indexed forward using the Wage Price Index.
Education, transport & amenities
School enrolments, ICSEA and performance come from ACARA's current release, not the Census. Public transport stops and service frequency are derived from GTFS timetable feeds published by state transport departments. Services and amenities are proximity and count scores built from provider directories, refreshed on their own cycle. The Census contributes only the travel-to-work and qualification measures.
Rankings and benchmarks. Where we rank this area, the comparison set is every area of the same boundary type — suburbs against suburbs, SA2s against SA2s. Benchmarks compare this area against its greater capital city region and the national figure for the same measure and period.
Limits worth knowing. Small areas carry larger error margins, and the ABS introduces small random adjustments to Census counts to protect confidentiality — so totals may not sum exactly. Estimates re-based from regional data describe the area's expected trajectory, not a direct count of it. Figures are indicative for research and are not financial, planning or valuation advice.
Cross-check us. The Census baseline for this boundary is at ABS 2021 Census QuickStats (701041037). QuickStats reports 2021 only — the figures on this page are more current wherever the ledger shows a later date.