East Arnhem
Statistical Area - sa2

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

East Arnhem's population was approximately 8,005 as of November 2025, according to AreaSearch's analysis. This figure represents a rise of 1,022 individuals (14.6%) since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 6,983 people. The increase is inferred from ABS estimates: an estimated resident population of 8,010 in June 2024 and an additional 31 validated new addresses since the Census date. This results in a population density ratio of 0.30 persons per square kilometer. East Arnhem's growth rate exceeded both national (8.9%) and state averages between 2021 and 2025, driven primarily by natural growth contributing approximately 90% to overall gains. AreaSearch uses ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area, released in 2024 with a base year of 2022.

For areas not covered, post-2032 growth rates are applied by age cohort, based on ABS Greater Capital Region projections from 2023 using 2022 data. Future trends suggest a population increase just below the median for non-metropolitan areas nationally, with an expected rise of 920 persons to 2041, representing an overall increase of 11.6% over the 17-year period.

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

East Arnhem has received approximately 25 dwelling approvals annually over the past five financial years, totalling 125 homes. No approvals have been recorded so far in FY-26. The population decline during this period suggests that development activity has been adequate relative to population change, which is positive for buyers. New dwellings are developed at an average cost of $137,000, below regional levels, indicating more affordable housing options for buyers.

This financial year has seen $1.2 million in commercial development approvals, suggesting minimal commercial development activity. Compared to the Rest of NT, East Arnhem records 52.0% more building activity per person, providing ample choice for buyers despite a recent slowdown in activity. However, this activity remains below the national average, indicating an established area with potential planning limitations. New developments consist of 80.0% detached houses and 20.0% townhouses or apartments, preserving the area's low-density nature while catering to space-seeking buyers. This marks a significant shift from existing housing patterns, which are currently 96.0% houses, suggesting diminishing developable land availability and evolving lifestyle preferences and affordability needs.

Future projections indicate East Arnhem adding 925 residents by 2041. With current construction levels, housing supply should meet demand adequately, creating favourable conditions for buyers while potentially enabling growth that exceeds current forecasts.

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

Changes to local infrastructure significantly influence an area's performance. AreaSearch has identified three projects that are likely to impact the area. Key projects include Gunyangara (Gove Port) Tourism Precinct, Bunggulwuy Close Housing Development, Nhulunbuy Master Plan, and Australia-Asia PowerLink. The following list details those 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.

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

East Arnhem has a diverse workforce with both white and blue collar jobs, with essential services well represented. As of June 2025, the unemployment rate is 20.1%.

This is 14.2% higher than the Rest of NT's rate of 5.9%, indicating room for improvement. Workforce participation in East Arnhem lags significantly at 30.1%, compared to the Rest of NT's 50.7%. Leading employment industries among residents include education & training, health care & social assistance, and retail trade. Notably, education & training has employment levels at 2.2 times the regional average.

However, public administration & safety is under-represented, with only 12.9% of East Arnhem's workforce compared to 17.9% in the Rest of NT. The area appears to offer limited local employment opportunities, as shown by the count of Census working population versus resident population. Between June 2024 and June 2025, the labour force decreased by 1.8%, while employment declined by 1.6%. This resulted in a fall in unemployment rate by 0.2 percentage points. In contrast, the Rest of NT saw employment contract by 1.7% and the labour force fall by 1.8%, with marginal changes in unemployment. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May 2025 project national employment growth of 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to East Arnhem's employment mix suggests local growth of approximately 6.2%% over five years and 13.2% over ten years, based on a simple weighting extrapolation for illustrative purposes.

Income figures position the area below 75% of locations analysed nationally by AreaSearch

East Arnhem's median income among taxpayers was $45,477 in financial year 2022, with an average income of $59,151. This is below the national averages for Rest of NT, which were $51,655 and $61,577 respectively. Based on a Wage Price Index growth of 12.01% since financial year 2022, current estimates suggest median income would be approximately $50,939 and average income $66,255 as of September 2025. Census data indicates individual incomes at the 1st percentile were $298 weekly, while household incomes performed better at the 38th percentile. Income analysis reveals that the largest segment comprises 38.8% earning between $1,500 and $2,999 weekly, with 3,105 residents falling into this category. This aligns with regional trends where this cohort also represents 33.6%. After housing costs, residents retain 94.4% of their income, indicating strong purchasing power.

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

In East Arnhem, as recorded in the latest Census, 96.2% of dwellings were houses with 3.8% being other types such as semi-detached homes, apartments, and 'other' dwellings. This compares to Non-Metro NT's 89.4% houses and 10.5% other dwellings. Home ownership in East Arnhem stood at 5.2%, with mortgaged dwellings at 0.8% and rented ones at 94.0%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $997, lower than Non-Metro NT's average of $1,664. The median weekly rent in East Arnhem was $90, compared to Non-Metro NT's $80. Nationally, East Arnhem's mortgage repayments were significantly lower at $997 compared to Australia's average of $1,863, and rents were substantially below the national figure of $375.

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

Family households account for 88.2% of all households, including 42.2% couples with children, 12.6% couples without children, and 27.7% single parent families. Non-family households constitute the remaining 11.8%, with lone person households at 11.4% and group households comprising 1.0%. The median household size is 5.1 people, which is larger than the Rest of NT average of 4.0.

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

The area's university qualification rate is 8.2%, significantly lower than Australia's average of 30.4%. This presents both challenges and opportunities for targeted educational initiatives. Bachelor degrees are the most common at 5.1%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (2.0%) and graduate diplomas (1.1%). Vocational pathways account for 17.4% of qualifications among those aged 15+, with advanced diplomas at 2.9% and certificates at 14.5%.

Educational participation is high, with 29.0% of residents currently enrolled in formal education. This includes 14.6% in primary education, 9.0% in secondary education, and 1.0% pursuing tertiary education. A network of 10 schools operates within East Arnhem, educating approximately 1,570 students. The area has varied educational conditions, with a mix of 1 primary school and 9 K-12 schools.

No public transport data available for this catchment area.

East Arnhem's residents boast exceedingly positive health performance metrics with very low prevalence of common health conditions across all age groups

East Arnhem has excellent health outcomes, with very low prevalence of common health conditions across all age groups. Private health cover is relatively low at approximately 49% of the total population (~3,930 people), compared to 51.5% across the rest of NT and a national average of 55.3%. Heart disease (6.1%) and diabetes (4.1%) are the most common medical conditions in the area.

A significant majority, 82.3%, report being completely clear of medical ailments, similar to the 82.9% across the rest of NT. The area has a senior population of 5.4% (~431 people), with health outcomes among seniors broadly in line with the general population's health profile.

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

East Arnhem's cultural diversity was above average with 1.9% of its population born overseas and 94.1% speaking a language other than English at home. Christianity was the main religion, comprising 59.9%. The category 'Other' made up 24.1%, higher than the Rest of NT average of 15.8%.

Ancestry wise, Australian Aboriginal was highest at 89.1% (regional avg: 60.9%), English was lowest at 3.0% (regional avg: 10.3%), and Australian was also lower at 2.5% (regional avg: 11.5%). Samoan ethnicity was notably overrepresented at 0.1%.

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

East Arnhem's median age is 28 years, which is marginally below the Rest of NT average of 31 years and substantially under Australia's median age of 38 years. Relative to the Rest of NT, East Arnhem has a higher concentration of residents aged 15-24 at 18.1%, but fewer residents aged 55-64 at 8.3%. This concentration of 15-24 year-olds is well above the national average of 12.5%. Between the 2021 Census and the present, the population aged 35 to 44 has grown from 14.7% to 16.4%, while the 25 to 34 cohort increased from 17.4% to 18.4%. Conversely, the 15 to 24 cohort has declined from 20.4% to 18.1%, and the 5 to 14 group dropped from 16.8% to 15.7%. Looking ahead to 2041, demographic projections reveal significant shifts in East Arnhem's age structure. Notably, the 45 to 54 group is projected to grow by 37%, reaching 1,153 people from 842. Conversely, population declines are projected for the 5 to 14 and 15 to 24 cohorts.