Gulf

An assessment of population growth drivers in Gulf reveals an overall ranking slightly below national averages considering recent, and medium term trends

Gulf's population, as of November 2025, is approximately 4,862. This figure represents a growth of 673 people since the 2021 Census, which recorded a population of 4,189. The increase is inferred from the estimated resident population of 4,862 as of June 2024 and address validation since the Census date. Gulf's population density is 0.10 persons per square kilometer. Between 2021 and 2025, Gulf's population grew by 16.1%, surpassing both national (8.9%) and state averages. Natural growth contributed approximately 47.6% of the overall population increase during this period.

AreaSearch uses ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area, released in 2024 with a base year of 2022. For areas not covered by this data, AreaSearch applies age cohort growth rates provided by the ABS in its latest Greater Capital Region projections (released in 2023, based on 2022 data). By 2041, Gulf's population is projected to increase by 661 persons, reflecting a total increase of 13.6% over the 17-year period.

AreaSearch assessment of residential development drivers sees a low level of activity in Gulf, placing the area among the bottom 25% of areas assessed nationally

Gulf has experienced approximately seven dwelling approvals per year. Over the past five financial years, from FY21 to FY25, 38 homes were approved. No dwellings have been approved in FY26 as of yet.

On average, each home built between FY21 and FY25 has resulted in 3.3 new residents per year, indicating significant demand exceeding supply. New homes are constructed at an average cost of $450,000, which is moderately above regional levels, suggesting a focus on quality construction. This financial year, $14.6 million in commercial approvals have been registered, demonstrating moderate levels of commercial development. Compared to the Rest of NT, Gulf has around three-quarters the rate of new dwelling approvals per person and ranks among the 10th percentile nationally, leading to relatively constrained buyer choice and interest in existing properties.

This level is below average nationally, reflecting the area's maturity and possible planning constraints. New development consists of 80% detached dwellings and 20% townhouses or apartments, maintaining the area's traditional low density character with a focus on family homes. The estimated population per dwelling approval is 1821 people, indicating a quiet, low activity development environment. According to AreaSearch's latest quarterly estimate, Gulf is projected to grow by 661 residents through to 2041. Development is keeping pace with projected growth, though buyers may face increasing competition as the population expands.

Gulf has limited levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the 11thth percentile nationally

The performance of a region is significantly influenced by changes in local infrastructure, major projects, and planning initiatives. AreaSearch has identified three projects that are expected to impact this area. Notable projects include Enabling Infrastructure For Developing The Beetaloo Sub-Basin, Australia-Asia PowerLink, Northern Territory Freight Rail And Logistics Capacity Improvements, and Territory Energy Link. The following details those projects considered 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 Gulf face significant challenges, ranking among the bottom 10% of areas assessed nationally

Gulf's workforce is balanced across white and blue collar jobs with a notable presence in essential services sectors. The unemployment rate was 16.9% as of September 2025.

This rate is 11.0% higher than the Rest of NT's rate of 5.9%. Workforce participation in Gulf lags significantly at 27.8%, compared to Rest of NT's 50.7%. Key industries of employment among residents are education & training, public administration & safety, and health care & social assistance. Gulf has a particular specialization in education & training, with an employment share 2.0 times the regional level.

However, health care & social assistance is under-represented, with only 10.6% of Gulf's workforce compared to 18.8% in Rest of NT. Over the 12 months to September 2025, labour force levels decreased by 1.2%, and employment decreased by 0.2%, causing unemployment to fall by 0.8 percentage points. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May-25 suggest that national employment is expected to expand by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Gulf's employment mix, local employment is estimated to increase by 5.4% over five years and 11.9% over ten years.

Income metrics place the area in the bottom 10% of locations nationally according to AreaSearch analysis

AreaSearch's latest postcode level ATO data for financial year 2022 shows that income in Gulf SA2 is lower than average nationally. The median income is $38,405 and the average income is $49,143. This contrasts with Rest of NT's figures where the median income is $51,655 and the average income is $61,577. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 12.01% since financial year 2022, current estimates for Gulf SA2 would be approximately $43,017 (median) and $55,045 (average) as of September 2025. Census 2021 income data indicates that household income ranks at the 19th percentile ($1,281 weekly), while personal income sits at the 0th percentile. The largest segment comprises 32.3% earning $1,500 - 2,999 weekly (1,570 residents). Housing costs are manageable with 94.8% retained, but disposable income is below average at the 32nd percentile.

Gulf displays a diverse mix of dwelling types, with a higher proportion of rental properties than the broader region

As of the latest Census, Gulf's dwelling structure consisted of 69.7% houses and 30.3% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings), compared to Non-Metro NT's 77.7% houses and 22.3% other dwellings. Home ownership in Gulf was at 12.9%, with mortgaged dwellings at 0.5% and rented ones at 86.6%. The median monthly mortgage repayment in Gulf was $1,117, below Non-Metro NT's average of $1,615, while the median weekly rent figure was $75 compared to Non-Metro NT's $178. Nationally, Gulf's mortgage repayments were significantly lower than the Australian average of $1,863, and rents were substantially below the national figure of $375.

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

Family households account for 82.2% of all households, including 37.4% couples with children, 19.6% couples without children, and 21.0% single parent families. Non-family households constitute the remaining 17.8%, with lone person households at 15.7% and group households comprising 1.8%. The median household size is 4.3 people, which is larger than the Rest of NT average of 3.2.

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

The area's university qualification rate is 9.3%, significantly lower than the Australian average of 30.4%. This presents both a challenge and an opportunity for targeted educational initiatives. Bachelor degrees are the most common at 6.6%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (1.5%) and graduate diplomas (1.2%). Trade and technical skills are prominent, with 30.9% of residents aged 15+ holding vocational credentials - advanced diplomas (3.5%) and certificates (27.4%).

Educational participation is high, with 34.8% of residents currently enrolled in formal education. This includes 18.0% in primary education, 10.5% in secondary education, and 1.4% pursuing tertiary education.

No public transport data available for this catchment area.

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

Health outcomes data shows excellent results across Gulf regions, with very low prevalence of common health conditions across all age groups. The rate of private health cover is extremely low at approximately 46% of the total population (around 2,231 people), compared to 49.8% in the rest of Northern Territory and a national average of 55.3%. Diabetes and heart disease are the most common medical conditions in the area, affecting 5.9% and 5.9% of residents respectively.

Around 80.6% of residents declare themselves completely clear of medical ailments, compared to 78.3% in the rest of Northern Territory. The area has 7.9% of residents aged 65 and over (around 381 people). Health outcomes among seniors are particularly strong, broadly aligning with the general population's health profile.

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

Gulf's cultural diversity is above average with 3.2% overseas-born population and 71.3% speaking a language other than English at home. Christianity is the main religion, comprising 54.7%. The 'Other' category is overrepresented at 9.5%, significantly higher than the Rest of NT's average of 3.6%.

For ancestry, Australian Aboriginal is highest at 80.6% (compared to regional average of 43.9%), followed by Australian at 5.6% (notably lower than regional average of 17.5%) and English at 4.4% (also notably lower). Maori ethnicity is overrepresented in Gulf, with 0.4% compared to the regional average of 0.4%.

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

Gulf's median age is 28 years, which is slightly below the Rest of Northern Territory average of 31 years and significantly lower than Australia's median age of 38 years. Compared to the Rest of NT, Gulf has a higher proportion of residents aged 15-24 (17.9%) but fewer residents aged 55-64 (8.3%). This concentration of 15-24 year-olds is notably higher than the national average of 12.5%. Between the 2021 Census and the present, the proportion of Gulf's population aged 25 to 34 has increased from 17.0% to 19.7%, while the proportion of those aged 65 to 74 has risen from 4.6% to 6.0%. Conversely, the proportion of residents aged 15 to 24 has decreased from 20.8% to 17.9%, and the proportion of those aged 5 to 14 has dropped from 16.2% to 14.3%. Looking ahead to 2041, demographic projections indicate significant shifts in Gulf's age structure. Notably, the population aged 45-54 is expected to grow by 33%, reaching 753 people from a current total of 567. However, declines are projected for both the 5 to 14 and 15 to 24 age groups.