Howard Springs

Howard Springs has seen population growth performance typically on par with national averages when looking at short and medium term trends

Howard Springs' population was approximately 5,940 as of November 2025. This figure represents a growth of 840 people (16.5%) since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 5,100. The increase is inferred from ABS's estimated resident population of 5,929 in June 2024 and three additional validated addresses post-Census. This results in a population density ratio of 50 persons per square kilometer. Howard Springs' growth rate exceeded the national average (8.9%) and its SA4 region, indicating it as a growth leader. Overseas migration contributed approximately 59.2% to recent population gains.

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 and post-2032 growth estimation, AreaSearch applies age cohort-based growth rates from the latest Greater Capital Region projections (released in 2023, based on 2022 data). Based on projected demographic shifts, Howard Springs is expected to record an above median population growth. By 2041, its population is projected to increase by 1,298 persons, reflecting a total gain of 21.7% over the 17 years.

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

Howard Springs has seen approximately 10 new homes approved annually over the past five financial years, totalling 53 homes. As of FY26, 7 approvals have been recorded. Despite population decline during this period, development activity has been adequate relative to population change, benefiting buyers with an average dwelling construction cost value of $319,000. This year, $84.9 million in commercial approvals have been registered, indicating strong commercial development momentum.

Compared to Greater Darwin, Howard Springs records roughly half the building activity per person and ranks among the 31st percentile nationally for housing choices, suggesting more limited options for buyers and supporting demand for existing properties. Recent development has consisted entirely of detached houses, preserving the area's low density nature and attracting space-seeking buyers, with an estimated 569 people per dwelling approval. Population forecasts indicate Howard Springs will gain 1,287 residents by 2041. If current development rates continue, housing supply may not keep pace with population growth, potentially increasing competition among buyers and supporting stronger price growth.

Population forecasts indicate Howard Springs will gain 1,287 residents through to 2041 (from the latest AreaSearch quarterly estimate). If current development rates continue, housing supply may not keep pace with population growth, potentially increasing competition among buyers and supporting stronger price growth.

Howard Springs has limited levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the 3rdth percentile nationally

Changes to local infrastructure significantly influence an area's performance. AreaSearch has identified four projects likely to impact the area. Key projects are Darwin Light Rail Stage 1, Hudson Creek Power Station, Darwin Corporate Park, and Marine Industry Park. The following details those most relevant:.

Professional plan users can use the search below to filter and access additional projects.

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The labour market in Howard Springs shows considerable strength compared to most other Australian regions

Howard Springs has a balanced workforce with both white and blue collar jobs, with essential services sectors well represented. Its unemployment rate is 2.0%, lower than the national average of 5.1%.

In the past year, employment grew by an estimated 2.0%. As of September 2025, 2,843 residents are employed, with an unemployment rate of 1.1% below Greater Darwin's rate of 3.1%. Workforce participation in Howard Springs is lower at 53.4%, compared to Greater Darwin's 69.7%. The dominant employment sectors among residents include public administration & safety, construction, and education & training.

Public administration & safety has notable concentration, with employment levels at 1.9 times the regional average. However, health care & social assistance is under-represented, with only 6.1% of Howard Springs's workforce compared to 14.2% in Greater Darwin. The ratio of 1.0 workers for each resident indicates substantial local employment opportunities. Between September 2024 and September 2025, employment increased by 2.0%, while labour force increased by 2.3%, causing the unemployment rate to rise by 0.3 percentage points. In contrast, Greater Darwin recorded employment growth of 1.9%. State-level data from November 25 shows NT employment contracted by 1.13% (losing 4,100 jobs), with the state unemployment rate at 4.4%, closely matching the national rate of 4.3%. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May-25 project a 6.6% increase over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Howard Springs's employment mix suggests local employment should increase by 5.5% over five years and 11.5% over ten years, though this is a simplified extrapolation for illustrative purposes.

The economic profile demonstrates exceptional strength, placing the area among the top 10% nationally based on comprehensive AreaSearch income analysis

Howard Springs SA2 had a median taxpayer income of $68,995 and an average income of $75,554 in financial year 2022, according to postcode level ATO data aggregated by AreaSearch. This is notably higher than Greater Darwin's median income of $65,522 and average income of $75,260. By September 2025, estimates suggest the median income would be approximately $77,281 and the average income around $84,628, based on a 12.01% growth in wages since financial year 2022. Income data from the 2021 Census places Howard Springs between the 89th and 90th percentiles nationally for household, family, and personal incomes. In this suburb, 30.5% of individuals (1,811 people) fall into the $1,500 - $2,999 weekly earnings band, which is consistent with broader trends across regional levels showing 36.7% in the same category. A substantial proportion of residents (39.8%) earn above $3,000 per week, indicating strong economic capacity throughout Howard Springs. After housing costs, residents retain 87.0% of their income, reflecting robust purchasing power. The area's SEIFA income ranking places it in the 4th decile.

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

Howard Springs' dwelling structure, as per the latest Census, consisted of 89.9% houses and 10.1% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings), compared to Darwin metro's 92.6% houses and 7.4% other dwellings. Home ownership in Howard Springs stood at 35.3%, with mortgaged dwellings at 45.9% and rented ones at 18.8%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $2,383, higher than Darwin metro's average of $2,250. The median weekly rent in Howard Springs was $350, lower than the national average of $375 but higher than Darwin metro's $380. Nationally, Howard Springs' mortgage repayments were significantly higher than the Australian average of $1,863.

Howard Springs features high concentrations of family households, with a fairly typical median household size

Family households constitute 79.3% of all households, including 37.3% couples with children, 33.1% couples without children, and 8.5% single parent families. Non-family households comprise the remaining 20.7%, with lone person households at 17.5% and group households making up 2.7%. The median household size is 2.8 people, aligning with the Greater Darwin average.

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

The area's university qualification rate is 13.6%, significantly lower than the SA4 region average of 31.3%. Bachelor degrees are most common at 9.7%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (2.2%) and graduate diplomas (1.7%). Vocational credentials are prevalent, with 35.3% of residents aged 15+ holding them, including advanced diplomas (7.9%) and certificates (27.4%). Educational participation is high at 42.2%, with 14.5% in secondary education, 13.0% in primary education, and 6.2% pursuing tertiary education.

Educational participation is notably high, with 42.2% of residents currently enrolled in formal education. This includes 14.5% in secondary education, 13.0% in primary education, and 6.2% pursuing tertiary education.

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

The analysis of public transportation in Howard Springs shows that there are currently 21 operational transport stops. These stops offer a variety of bus services, with a total of 50 different routes operating weekly. The combined passenger trips across these routes amount to 3,028 each week.

The accessibility of transport in the area is considered limited, with residents generally residing approximately 1725 meters away from their nearest transport stop. On average, there are 432 trips per day across all routes, which equates to around 144 weekly trips for each individual stop.

Howard Springs's residents are extremely healthy with younger cohorts in particular seeing very low prevalence of common health conditions

Analysis of health metrics shows strong performance throughout Howard Springs.

Younger cohorts in particular have a very low prevalence of common health conditions. The rate of private health cover is very high at approximately 57% of the total population (~3,391 people). The most common medical conditions are arthritis and asthma, impacting 7.1 and 6.4% of residents respectively. A total of 75.5% of residents declare themselves completely clear of medical ailments, compared to 74.8% across Greater Darwin. Howard Springs has 11.9% of residents aged 65 and over (705 people), which is lower than the 13.9% in Greater Darwin. Health outcomes among seniors are above average but require more attention than the broader population.

Howard Springs ranks below the Australian average when compared to other local markets across a number of language and cultural background related metrics

Howard Springs had a cultural diversity below average, with 69.4% citizens, 87.7% born in Australia, and 92.0% speaking English only at home. Christianity was the main religion, comprising 41.4%. Judaism, at 0.1%, was overrepresented compared to Greater Darwin's 0.0%.

Top ancestry groups were Australian (31.8%), English (28.8%), and Irish (7.5%). Notably, Australian Aboriginal (6.4%) and Welsh (0.6%) were overrepresented, while German (3.5%) was slightly underrepresented compared to regional figures.

Howard Springs's population is slightly younger than the national pattern

Howard Springs has a median age of 36, which is slightly higher than Greater Darwin's figure of 34 but lower than Australia's median age of 38. Compared to Greater Darwin, Howard Springs has a higher proportion of residents aged 15-24 at 16.5%, but fewer residents aged 5-14 at 9.2%. Between the 2021 Census and the present day, the percentage of residents aged 5-14 has increased from 7.9% to 9.2%. Conversely, the proportion of residents aged 25-34 has decreased from 18.6% to 15.9%, and the proportion of residents aged 15-24 has dropped from 17.5% to 16.5%. Population forecasts for Howard Springs in 2041 indicate significant demographic changes, with the strongest projected growth in the 55-64 age group at 33%, adding 238 residents to reach a total of 961. Meanwhile, the 25-34 age cohort is expected to grow by a modest 5% (an increase of 47 people).