Howard Springs

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

Based on AreaSearch's analysis, Howard Springs's population is around 5,940 as of Feb 2026. This reflects an increase of 840 people (16.5%) since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 5,100 people. The change is inferred from the estimated resident population of 5,929 from the ABS as of June 2024 and an additional 2 validated new addresses since the Census date. This population level equates to a density ratio of 50 persons per square kilometer, providing ample space per person. Howard Springs's 16.5% growth since the 2021 census exceeded the SA4 region (9.6%) and Greater Darwin, marking it as a growth leader in the region. Population growth for the area was primarily driven by overseas migration, which contributed approximately 59.2% of overall population gains during recent periods.

AreaSearch is adopting ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area, as released in 2024 with 2022 as the base year. For any SA2 areas not covered by this data, and to estimate growth across all areas in the years post-2032, AreaSearch is applying 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). Considering the projected demographic shifts, an above-median population growth of Australian statistical areas is projected, with the area expected to increase by 1,298 persons by 2041 based on the latest annual ERP population numbers, recording a gain of 21.7% in total 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 around 10 new homes approved each year, totalling 53 homes over the past 5 financial years. So far in FY-26, 12 approvals have been recorded. Given population has fallen over the past period, development activity has been adequate in relative terms, which is a positive for buyers, while new homes are being built at an average value of $319,000. Additionally, $84.9 million in commercial approvals have been registered this financial year, indicating strong commercial development momentum.

Relative to Greater Darwin, Howard Springs records roughly half the building activity per person and ranks in the 31st percentile of areas assessed nationally, meaning more limited choices for buyers and supporting demand for existing properties. This is below the national average, indicating the area's established nature and suggesting potential planning limitations. Meanwhile, recent development has been entirely comprised of detached houses, preserving the area's low density nature, with an emphasis on detached housing attracting space-seeking buyers. The estimated count of 569 people in the area per dwelling approval reflects its quiet, low activity development environment.

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 2ndth percentile nationally

Nothing can influence an area's performance as much as changes to local infrastructure, major projects and planning initiatives. In total 4 projects have been identified by AreaSearch that are likely to have an impact on the area. Key projects include Darwin Light Rail Stage 1, Hudson Creek Power Station, Darwin Corporate Park, and Marine Industry Park, with the list below detailing those likely to be of most relevance.

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.

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

Howard Springs has a balanced workforce spanning white and blue collar employment, with essential services sectors well represented, an unemployment rate of just 1.9%, and 1.5% in estimated employment growth over the past year. As of December 2025, 2,851 residents are in work while the unemployment rate is 1.2% below Greater Darwin's rate of 3.1%, and workforce participation lags significantly (56.9% compared to Greater Darwin's 76.1%). Based on Census responses, a low 5.5% of residents were found to work from home, though Covid-19 lockdown impacts should be considered.

The dominant employment sectors among residents include public administration & safety, construction, and education & training. The area demonstrates a particularly notable concentration in public administration & safety, with employment levels at 1.9 times the regional average. On the other hand, 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, as at the Census, indicates substantial local employment opportunities.

Based on AreaSearch analysis of SALM and ABS data, over the 12 months to December 2025, employment increased by 1.5% while the labour force increased by 1.5%, keeping the unemployment rate relatively stable. By comparison, Greater Darwin recorded employment growth of 1.3%, labour force growth of 1.2%, with unemployment falling marginally. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May-25 can offer further insight into potential future demand within Howard Springs. These projections, covering five and ten-year periods, have been mapped against the local employment profile to estimate growth patterns. While national employment is forecast to expand by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, growth rates differ significantly between industry sectors. Applying these industry-specific projections to Howard Springs's employment mix suggests local employment should increase by 5.5% over five years and 11.5% over ten years (please note this is a simple weighting extrapolation for illustrative purposes and does not take into account localised population projections).

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

The Howard Springs SA2 shows a median taxpayer income of $71,642 and an average of $78,378 according to the latest postcode level ATO data aggregated by AreaSearch for FY-23. This is very high nationally, contrasting with Greater Darwin's median income of $66,956 and average income of $77,199. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 8.44% since FY-23, current estimates would be approximately $77,689 (median) and $84,993 (average) as of September 2025. According to 2021 Census figures, household, family and personal incomes all rank highly in Howard Springs, between the 89th and 90th percentiles nationally. Income analysis reveals the $1,500 - 2,999 earnings band captures 30.5% of the community (1,811 individuals), consistent with broader trends across regional levels showing 36.7% in the same category. The substantial proportion of high earners (39.8% above $3,000/week) indicates strong economic capacity throughout this suburb. After housing costs, residents retain 87.0% of income, reflecting strong purchasing power, and the area's SEIFA income ranking places it in the 5th decile.

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

Dwelling structure within Howard Springs, as evaluated at the latest Census, comprised 89.9% houses and 10.1% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings), in comparison to Darwin metro's 63.5% houses and 36.5% other dwellings. Meanwhile, the level of home ownership within Howard Springs was well beyond that of Darwin metro, at 35.3%, with the remainder of dwellings either mortgaged (45.9%) or rented (18.8%). The median monthly mortgage repayment in the area was well above the Darwin metro average at $2,383, while the median weekly rent figure was recorded at $350, compared to Darwin metro's $2,100 and $385. Nationally, Howard Springs's mortgage repayments are significantly higher than the Australian average of $1,863, while rents are less than the national figure of $375.

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

Family households dominate at 79.3% of all households, comprising 37.3% couples with children, 33.1% couples without children, and 8.5% single parent families. Non-family households make up the remaining 20.7%, with lone person households at 17.5% and group households comprising 2.7% of the total. The median household size of 2.8 people is larger than the Greater Darwin average of 2.6.

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

The area faces educational challenges, with university qualification rates (13.6%) substantially below the SA4 region average of 31.3%. This represents both a challenge and an opportunity for targeted educational initiatives. Bachelor degrees lead at 9.7%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (2.2%) and graduate diplomas (1.7%). Trade and technical skills feature prominently, with 35.3% of residents aged 15+ holding vocational credentials, including advanced diplomas (7.9%) and certificates (27.4%).

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 moderate compared to other areas nationally based on assessment of service frequency, route connectivity and accessibility

Public transport analysis reveals 21 active transport stops operating within Howard Springs comprising a mix of buses. These stops are serviced by 50 individual routes, collectively providing 2,963 weekly passenger trips. Transport accessibility is rated as limited, with residents typically located 1725 meters from the nearest transport stop. As a primarily residential area, most residents commute outward - the car remains the dominant mode at 83%, with 8% walking and 3% cycling. Vehicle ownership averages 2.1 per dwelling, above the regional average. A relatively low 5.5% of residents work from home (2021 Census; may reflect COVID-19 conditions).

Service frequency averages 423 trips per day across all routes, equating to approximately 141 weekly trips per individual stop.

The level of general health in Howard Springs is notably higher than the national average with both young and old age cohorts seeing low prevalence of common health conditions

Howard Springs demonstrates above-average health outcomes, based on AreaSearch's assessment of mortality rates and chronic condition prevalence. Both young and old age cohorts show low prevalence of common health conditions, and the rate of private health cover is very high at approximately 58% of the total population (~3,445 people).

The most common medical conditions in the area are arthritis and asthma, impacting 7.1 and 6.4% of residents, respectively, while 75.5% declared themselves as completely clear of medical ailments compared to 77.1% across Greater Darwin. Working-age residents are notably healthy with low chronic condition prevalence. The area has 12.4% of residents aged 65 and over (738 people), which is higher than the 10.8% in Greater Darwin. Health outcomes among seniors are above average, with national rankings broadly in line with the general 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 was found to be below average in terms of cultural diversity, with 69.4% of its population being citizens, 87.7% born in Australia, and 92.0% speaking English only at home. The main religion in Howard Springs is Christianity, which makes up 41.4% of people. However, the most apparent overrepresentation was in Judaism, which comprises 0.1% of the population, compared to 0.1% across Greater Darwin.

In terms of ancestry (country of birth of parents), the top three represented groups in Howard Springs are Australian, comprising 31.8% of the population, which is substantially higher than the regional average of 22.6%, English, comprising 28.8% of the population, which is substantially higher than the regional average of 21.7%, and Irish, comprising 7.5% of the population. Additionally, there are notable divergences in the representation of certain other ethnic groups: Australian Aboriginal is notably overrepresented at 6.4% of Howard Springs (vs 7.0% regionally), Welsh at 0.6% (vs 0.4%) and German at 3.5% (vs 3.2%).

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

With a median age of 36, Howard Springs is slightly older than the Greater Darwin figure of 34 but modestly under Australia's 38 years. Relative to Greater Darwin, Howard Springs has a higher concentration of 15 - 24 residents (16.2%) but fewer 5 - 14 year-olds (9.6%). Since the 2021 Census, the 5 to 14 age group has grown from 7.9% to 9.6% of the population, while the 65 to 74 cohort increased from 7.2% to 8.2%. Conversely, the 25 to 34 cohort has declined from 18.6% to 15.5% and the 15 to 24 group dropped from 17.5% to 16.2%. Population forecasts for 2041 indicate substantial demographic changes for Howard Springs. The 55 to 64 cohort shows the strongest projected growth at 34%, adding 244 residents to reach 961.