Gray

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

Gray's population was approximately 3,387 as of November 2025. This figure represents an increase of 245 people since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 3,142 people. The growth is inferred from the estimated resident population of 3,387 in June 2024 and address validation since the Census date. This results in a density ratio of 2,258 persons per square kilometer, higher than the average across national locations assessed by AreaSearch. Gray's population growth rate of 7.8% since the census is within 1.1 percentage points of the national average of 8.9%, indicating competitive growth fundamentals. Overseas migration contributed approximately 50.4% of overall population gains during recent periods.

AreaSearch adopts ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area, released in 2024 with a base year of 2022. For areas not covered by this data and to estimate growth post-2032, AreaSearch applies 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). Looking ahead, above median population growth is projected for statistical areas across the nation. Gray's population is expected to expand by 687 persons to 2041, reflecting an increase of 20.3% over the 17-year period.

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

Gray recorded just 2 dwelling approvals over the past five years. This indicates a fully developed suburb with limited opportunities for new construction. The lack of new supply generally supports demand for established properties, potentially contributing to price stability.

Compared to Greater Darwin, Gray has significantly less development activity, reflecting market maturity and possible development constraints.

Gray has limited levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the 18thth percentile nationally

No changes can influence a region's performance more than modifications to local infrastructure, major projects, and planning initiatives. A total of zero projects have been identified by AreaSearch as likely to impact the area. Key projects include Darwin Light Rail Stage 1, Hudson Creek Power Station, Marine Industry Park, and Darwin Corporate Park, with the following list detailing those most relevant.

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

Gray's workforce comprises both white and blue-collar jobs, with prominent representation from essential services sectors. The unemployment rate in September 2025 was 12.7%.

Over the past year, employment grew by an estimated 1.8%. As of that date, 1,637 residents were employed while the unemployment rate stood at 9.6%, higher than Greater Darwin's rate of 3.1%. Workforce participation in Gray lagged behind Greater Darwin, at 60.1% compared to 69.7%. Key industries for employment among Gray's residents are public administration & safety, health care & social assistance, and retail trade.

Retail trade is particularly strong, with an employment share of 1.4 times the regional level. In contrast, public administration & safety employs only 15.7% of local workers, lower than Greater Darwin's 19.5%. Between September 2024 and September 2025, employment levels in Gray increased by 1.8%, while the labour force also grew by 1.8%. Unemployment remained largely unchanged during this period. In comparison, Greater Darwin saw employment rise by 1.9% and the labour force grow by 1.9%, with unemployment rising marginally. State-level data from 25-Nov shows that NT employment contracted by 1.13%, losing 4,100 jobs. The state's unemployment rate was 4.4%, closely aligned with the national rate of 4.3%. National employment growth lagged behind at 0.14%. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May-25 project a 6.6% increase over five years and a 13.7% rise over ten years. Applying these projections to Gray's employment mix suggests local employment should grow by 6.0% over five years and 12.6% over ten years, based on simple weighting extrapolation for illustrative purposes.

The economic profile demonstrates above-average performance, with income metrics exceeding national benchmarks based on AreaSearch comparative assessment

According to AreaSearch's aggregation of the latest postcode level ATO data released on June 30, 2022, the Gray SA2 had a median income among taxpayers of $60,378 with the average level standing at $66,723. This is just above the national average and compares to levels of $65,522 and $75,260 across Greater Darwin respectively. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 12.01% since financial year 2022, current estimates would be approximately $67,629 (median) and $74,736 (average) as of September 2025. From the 2021 Census, personal income ranks at the 63rd percentile ($877 weekly), while household income sits at the 34th percentile. Income brackets indicate the $1,500 - 2,999 bracket dominates with 33.8% of residents (1,144 people). Housing affordability pressures are severe, with only 79.9% of income remaining, ranking at the 29th percentile.

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

Gray's dwelling structures, as per the latest Census, consisted of 59.8% houses and 40.2% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings). This compares to Darwin metro's 75.9% houses and 24.0% other dwellings. Home ownership in Gray was at 12.4%, with the rest being mortgaged (35.6%) or rented (52.0%). The median monthly mortgage repayment was $1,725, below Darwin metro's average of $2,037. Median weekly rent in Gray was $300, compared to Darwin metro's $400. Nationally, Gray's mortgage repayments were lower than the Australian average of $1,863, and rents were substantially below the national figure of $375.

Gray features high concentrations of lone person households and group households, with a lower-than-average median household size

Family households account for 63.6% of all households, including 23.4% couples with children, 18.5% couples without children, and 19.9% single parent families. Non-family households make up the remaining 36.4%, with lone person households at 32.5% and group households comprising 4.3% of the total. The median household size is 2.4 people, which is smaller than the Greater Darwin average of 2.8.

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

The area has university qualification rates of 17.5%, significantly lower than the SA4 region average of 31.3%. This presents both a challenge and an opportunity for targeted educational initiatives. Bachelor degrees are most common at 11.4%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (3.5%) and graduate diplomas (2.6%). Trade and technical skills are prominent, with 44.4% of residents aged 15+ holding vocational credentials – advanced diplomas (11.4%) and certificates (33.0%).

Educational participation is high, with 38.1% of residents currently enrolled in formal education. This includes 14.8% in primary education, 10.2% in secondary education, and 4.8% pursuing tertiary education.

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

Transport analysis indicates 13 active stops operating within Gray, serving a mix of bus routes. These stops are covered by 23 individual routes, offering 1,422 weekly passenger trips in total. Transport accessibility is rated excellent, with residents typically located 163 meters from the nearest stop.

Service frequency averages 203 trips per day across all routes, equating to approximately 109 weekly trips per stop.

The level of general health in Gray is notably higher than the national average with prevalence of common health conditions low among the general population though higher than the nation's average across older, at risk cohorts

Gray demonstrates above-average health outcomes with prevalence of common health conditions low among its general population, although higher than the national average among older and at-risk cohorts. The rate of private health cover is approximately 52% of the total population (~1,774 people), slightly leading that of the average SA2 area but lower than Greater Darwin's 56.4%.

The most common medical conditions are asthma and arthritis, impacting 7.6 and 6.7% of residents respectively, while 72.5% declare themselves completely clear of medical ailments compared to 76.6% across Greater Darwin. The area has a higher proportion of seniors aged 65 and over at 10.6%, with 357 people falling into this category compared to Greater Darwin's 7.5%. Health outcomes among seniors present some challenges, requiring more attention than the broader population.

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

Gray's population was found to be more culturally diverse than most local markets, with 24.1% born overseas and 19.9% speaking a language other than English at home. Christianity was the predominant religion in Gray, making up 40.6% of its population. However, Buddhism stood out as being overrepresented, comprising 3.3% compared to the regional average of 2.3%.

In terms of ancestry, the top three groups were Australian (22.9%), English (22.0%), and Australian Aboriginal (14.9%), which was significantly higher than the regional average of 9.1%. Notably, Filipino (4.4%) and Vietnamese (1.0%) groups were overrepresented in Gray compared to regional averages of 4.8% and 0.7%, respectively. Maori representation was also notable at 0.6%, slightly lower than the regional average of 0.7%.

Gray hosts a young demographic, positioning it in the bottom quartile nationwide

Gray's median age is 34 years, matching Greater Darwin's average of 34 but lower than Australia's median of 38. Compared to Greater Darwin, Gray has a higher proportion of residents aged 55-64 (12.3%) and fewer residents aged 25-34 (14.2%). Between 2021 and the present, the 55-64 age group increased from 11.5% to 12.3%, while the 5-14 cohort decreased from 15.7% to 14.4%. By 2041, demographic modeling projects significant changes in Gray's age profile, with the 45-54 age group expected to grow by 134 people (27%), reaching 631 from its current 496.