Karama

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

Karama's population was 4,803 as of Nov 2021. By Nov 2025, it is around 5,040, an increase of 237 people (4.9%). This growth reflects the estimated resident population from June 2024 and address validation since the Census date in Nov 2021. Karama's population density as of Nov 2025 is 2,434 persons per square kilometer, placing it in the upper quartile relative to national locations assessed by AreaSearch. The area's 4.9% growth since the census positions it within 2.7 percentage points of the SA3 area (7.6%), indicating competitive growth fundamentals. Overseas migration contributed approximately 61.7% of overall population gains during recent periods.

AreaSearch is adopting ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area, released in Nov 2024 with a base year of 2022. For areas not covered by this data and post-2032 growth estimation, AreaSearch applies growth rates by age cohort to each area, as provided by the ABS in its latest Greater Capital Region projections (released in Nov 2023, based on 2022 data). Considering projected demographic shifts, Karama is expected to grow by just below the median of national areas. By 2041, the population is projected to increase by 638 persons, reflecting a total increase of 12.7% over the 17 years.

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

Karama has not received any residential development approvals in 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, Karama shows significantly reduced construction activity. This limited new supply generally supports stronger demand and values for established homes. Nationally, the area's expected dwelling values are below average, suggesting its established nature and potential planning limitations.

Karama has limited levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the 1stth percentile nationally

AreaSearch has identified two projects that may impact the area due to changes in local infrastructure. Key projects include Ludmilla Wastewater Treatment Plant Upgrade, Berrimah North Area Plan, Darwin Corporate Park, Royal Darwin Hospital Mental Health Inpatient Unit and CSSD Upgrade. 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 drivers in Karama are experiencing difficulties, placing it among the bottom 20% of areas assessed across Australia

Karama has a skilled workforce with essential services sectors well represented. The unemployment rate was 6.9% in September 2025, with an estimated employment growth of 1.8% over the past year.

As of this date, 2,478 residents were employed while the unemployment rate was 3.8% higher than Greater Darwin's rate of 3.1%. Workforce participation lagged significantly at 63.5%, compared to Greater Darwin's 69.7%. Key industries of employment among residents were public administration & safety, health care & social assistance, and education & training. Retail trade showed strong specialization with an employment share of 1.3 times the regional level, while public administration & safety had limited presence at 14.5% compared to the regional 19.5%.

The predominantly residential area appeared to offer limited local employment opportunities, as indicated by the count of Census working population vs resident population. During the year to September 2025, employment levels increased by 1.8% and labour force increased by 1.3%, causing the unemployment rate to fall by 0.4 percentage points. In contrast, Greater Darwin saw employment rise by 1.9%, with a marginal increase in unemployment. State-level data to 25-Nov showed NT employment contracted by 1.13% (losing 4,100 jobs), with the state unemployment rate at 4.4%, broadly in line with the national rate of 4.3%. National employment forecasts from May-25 projected a 6.6% expansion over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Karama's employment mix suggested local employment should increase by 6.2% over five years and 12.9% over ten years, though this was a simple weighting extrapolation for illustrative purposes and did not account for localized population projections.

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

AreaSearch's latest postcode level ATO data for financial year 2022 shows Karama SA2 had a median income among taxpayers of $53,397 and an average of $59,528. This was below the national average. Greater Darwin, meanwhile, had a median income of $65,522 and an average of $75,260. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 12.01% since financial year 2022, estimated incomes for September 2025 would be approximately $59,810 (median) and $66,677 (average). Census 2021 income data places household, family, and personal incomes in Karama at the 54th percentile nationally. Income analysis reveals that the largest segment comprises 34.6% of residents earning $1,500 - 2,999 weekly, mirroring the broader area where 36.7% occupy this bracket. High housing costs consume 17.0% of income, but strong earnings still place disposable income at the 51st percentile.

Karama is characterized by a predominantly suburban housing profile, with ownership patterns similar to the broader region

Karama's dwelling structures, as per the latest Census, consisted of 77.2% houses and 22.8% other dwellings such as semi-detached homes, apartments, and others. This compares to Darwin metro's structure of 68.4% houses and 31.6% other dwellings. Home ownership in Karama was at 19.1%, with the rest being mortgaged (41.8%) or rented (39.0%). The median monthly mortgage repayment in Karama was $1,950, below Darwin metro's average of $2,028. The median weekly rent figure for Karama stood at $293, lower than Darwin metro's $350 and the national average of $375. Nationally, Karama's mortgage repayments were higher than the Australian average of $1,863.

Karama has a typical household mix, with a higher-than-average median household size

Family households comprise 73.9% of all households, including 35.0% couples with children, 19.0% couples without children, and 18.3% single parent families. Non-family households account for the remaining 26.1%, with lone person households at 22.3% and group households comprising 3.7%. The median household size is 2.9 people, which is larger than the Greater Darwin average of 2.7.

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

The area's university qualification rate is 21.9%, significantly lower than the SA3 area average of 36.1%. Bachelor degrees are most common at 14.9%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (4.4%) and graduate diplomas (2.6%). Vocational credentials are prevalent, with 35.3% of residents aged 15+ holding them, including advanced diplomas (8.8%) and certificates (26.5%). Educational participation is high, with 34.5% currently enrolled in formal education.

This includes primary education (12.8%), secondary education (10.5%), and tertiary education (4.7%).

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

Transport analysis shows 27 active stops operating in Karama, with a mix of bus services. These stops are served by 45 individual routes, offering a total of 2,400 weekly passenger trips. Transport accessibility is rated excellent, with residents located an average of 140 meters from the nearest stop.

Service frequency averages 342 trips per day across all routes, equating to approximately 88 weekly trips per stop.

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

Karama demonstrates above-average health outcomes for both young and old age cohorts, with low prevalence of common health conditions. Approximately 50% of Karama's total population (~2,494 people) has private health cover, compared to Greater Darwin's 56.7%, which is close to the national average of 55.3%. The most prevalent medical conditions are asthma (7.0%) and arthritis (5.8%), with 74.7% of residents reporting no medical ailments.

This compares to 77.0% in Greater Darwin. As of 2016, 12.0% of Karama's residents are aged 65 and over (603 people). Health outcomes among seniors align with the general population's health profile, indicating above-average health outcomes overall.

Karama was found to be more culturally diverse than the vast majority of local markets in Australia, upon assessment of a range of language and cultural background related metrics

Karama has a high level of cultural diversity, with 33.4% of its population born overseas and 36.6% speaking a language other than English at home. Christianity is the predominant religion in Karama, making up 53.2% of people. However, Buddhism is overrepresented compared to Greater Darwin, comprising 4.7% versus 4.1%.

The top three ancestry groups are Australian (18.6%), Other (17.8%), and English (16.0%). Notably, Filipino (6.7%) and Australian Aboriginal (13.7%) populations are overrepresented compared to regional averages of 4.7% and 7.4%, respectively. Additionally, the Greek population is slightly higher at 4.0%.

Karama's population is younger than the national pattern

Karama's median age is 35 years, comparable to Greater Darwin's average of 34 years, but marginally lower than Australia's national average of 38 years. Compared to Greater Darwin, Karama has a higher percentage of residents aged 5-14 (15.0%) but fewer residents aged 25-34 (12.8%). According to post-2021 Census data, the 65-74 age group has increased from 7.3% to 8.3%, while the 55-64 cohort has declined from 12.5% to 11.8%. By 2041, demographic modeling suggests Karama's age profile will significantly change. The 55-64 cohort is projected to grow by 22%, adding 127 residents to reach a total of 722. Conversely, population declines are projected for the 25-34 and 5-14 cohorts.