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This analysis uses ABS Statistical Areas Level 2 (SA2) boundaries, which can materially differ from Suburbs and Localities (SAL) even when sharing similar names.
SA2 boundaries are defined by the Australian Bureau of Statistics and are designed to represent communities for statistical reporting (e.g., census and ERP).
Suburbs and Localities (SAL) represent commonly-used suburb/locality names (postal-style areas) and may use different geographic boundaries. For comprehensive analysis, consider reviewing both boundary types if available.
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ABS ERP | -- people | --
2021 Census | -- people
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Katherine has an estimated 11,269 residents, up from 9,658 at the 2021 Census — a change of 1,611 people, or 16.7%. Growth has averaged 1.0% a year over five years, faster than 87% of areas nationally. Natural increase accounts for 54.6% of that increase. Fewer than ten people live on each square kilometre, across a boundary that takes in surrounding rural land. Population is estimated from ABS Estimated Resident Population releases and GNAF address data, re-based from the 2021 Census and updated annually.
Detail
Demographic assessments by AreaSearch indicate that the population of Katherine stands at approximately 11,269 as of Aug 2026. This represents an addition of 1,611 people (16.7%) compared to the 9,658 people recorded during the 2021 Census. Such growth has been calculated by combining the ABS estimated resident population of 11,269 recorded as of June 2025 with 87 validated new addresses registered following the Census date. With a density of 1.5 persons per square kilometer, the locality affords residents considerable space. The community outpaced both the territory and the national average (9.5%) with its 16.7% expansion rate since the 2021 census, establishing itself as a standout regional growth center.
Natural increase served as the principal driver of this expansion, accounting for around 54.6% of recent net gains. Projections developed by the ABS and Geoscience Australia, published in 2024 using 2022 as their baseline, underpin AreaSearch's modeling for each SA2. For areas lacking this coverage or extending beyond 2032, cohort-based growth rates sourced from the 2023 ABS Greater Capital Region projections (utilising 2022 data) are incorporated. Looking at expected demographic trajectories, expansion is anticipated to track marginally below the national regional median, with Katherine projected to gain 1,233 persons by 2041 according to recent annual ERP data, amounting to overall growth of 10.9% across the 16 years.
Frequently Asked Questions - Population
141 new dwellings have been approved in Katherine over the past five years, an average of 28 a year. That places the area in the 55th percentile for residential development activity nationally, about 2 approvals per 1,000 residents a year. Of the 28 dwellings approved in the latest reporting year, 86% were detached houses and the rest townhouses or apartments. Figures come from ABS building approvals aggregated to this SA2 boundary and are updated monthly as the ABS releases them.
Detail
Residential building approvals in Katherine have averaged roughly 28 dwellings per year, culminating in 141 homes across the past 5 financial years. Between FY-22 and FY-26 over the past 5 financial years, roughly 3.8 people arrived annually for every new home constructed, generating demand that substantially exceeds supply and typically drives up property prices and buyer competition. Furthermore, new dwellings show an average construction value of $418,000, sitting below regional benchmarks to provide purchasers with relatively accessible price points. Commercial development has also been substantial, with $488.8 million in non-residential approvals logged in the current financial year pointing to strong local business investment.
Per capita residential construction in Katherine over the 5 year period sits 21.0% above the regional average compared with Rest of NT, offering adequate options for buyers whilst safeguarding established real estate values. Nevertheless, activity remains below national rates, indicating a mature market and potential development limitations. Detached houses account for 86.0% of recent construction while 14.0% consists of townhouses or apartments, preserving the low-density landscape and catering to buyers seeking spacious living. A metric of 352 people per approved dwelling highlights the quiet, subdued pace of local building activity. According to the latest quarterly projections from AreaSearch, Katherine is anticipated to add 1,233 residents by 2041. Although residential construction currently keeps pace with these demographic forecasts, incoming buyers could encounter increased competition as the local community continues to expand.
Frequently Asked Questions - Development
Development applications around Katherine
Loading development applications…
| Lodged | Address | Description | Type | Distance | Status |
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SOURCE: Planning portals and council registers, compiled by AreaSearch. Distance & bearing measured from the suburb midpoint.
AreaSearch tracks 7 current infrastructure and development projects inside Katherine, worth an estimated $1.77 billion. A further 13 sit in the immediately surrounding suburbs, taking the tracked pipeline within reach of the area to $7.08 billion. 8 are already under construction and 8 are due for completion within three years. The pipeline spans energy, environmental & disaster management and transport & logistics. Records are compiled from Infrastructure Australia, state agencies, council planning portals and public announcements, reviewed and updated daily, then ranked by proximity, construction stage, completion horizon and project scale.
Detail
Capital investments, town planning initiatives, and infrastructure upgrades play a critical role in shaping local development. AreaSearch has identified a total of 7 key projects expected to influence Katherine. Prominent among these developments are the Katherine Logistics and Agribusiness Hub, the Katherine Aquatic Centre Upgrade, Tindal Village, and Supporting Growth in Katherine East (Katherine East Residential Estate).
Professional plan users can use the search below to filter and access additional projects.
INFRASTRUCTURE SEARCH
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.
Frequently Asked Questions - Infrastructure
Katherine Aquatic Centre Upgrade
Major redevelopment of the Katherine Aquatic Centre including refurbishment of the existing 50 m pool, construction of a new heated 25 m six-lane program pool, splash zone, upgraded plant and filtration systems, accessibility improvements including an assisted change facility, new amenities and associated landscaping. Construction remains substantially complete with final works and commissioning following approved contract variations.
Katherine Logistics and Agribusiness Hub
A large-scale intermodal logistics and agribusiness hub adjacent to the Darwin-Tarcoola rail corridor and Stuart Highway in Katherine East. The hub is designed to service the storage, processing and freight needs of agriculture, horticulture, resources and defence industries across the Big Rivers region and northern Australia. The NT Government and Australian Government have committed $63.2 million combined, with the 2024 NT Budget allocating a further $30 million for continuing headworks and subdivision works. Critical water supply infrastructure is under construction through a joint NT Connections package with the National Water Grid Authority, with completion expected mid-2026.Full hub construction is targeted for completion Q4 2026.
Supporting Growth in Katherine East (Katherine East Residential Estate)
NT Government and Australian Government enabling infrastructure project delivering serviced flood-free land in Katherine East. Stage 1 works including Corymbia Drive, earthworks, roads, stormwater, sewer and electrical infrastructure have been completed. Budget 2024 provided a further AUD16 million for a sewer pump station, sewer network and additional subdivision works to support the future release of more than 350 residential lots together with neighbourhood retail, commercial and community uses.
Tindal Village
A workstay village with 200 en-suited rooms and amenities, located near Tindal RAAF Base to accommodate workforces for various projects in the area.
Katherine Solar Farm (ENI)
34MW solar farm with 6MW battery energy storage system, currently the largest photovoltaic plant in Northern Territory. Features innovative cloud coverage prediction technology and avoids 63,000 tonnes of CO2 emissions annually. Contributes significantly to NT's 50% renewable energy target by 2030.
RAAF Base Tindal Redevelopment
Major upgrade program at RAAF Base Tindal near Katherine, NT, to enhance airbase capacity and resilience. Scope includes runway and taxiway upgrades, new air movements terminal and parking apron, expanded fuel storage, facilities for the new Triton remotely piloted drone fleet, power, water, and sewer upgrades, and 108 new live-in units for personnel. Works are being delivered under Stage 6 Redevelopment and the US Force Posture Initiatives, managed by Lendlease with packages led by contractors including BMD.
50 New Houses at RAAF Base Tindal
Design and construction of 50 four-bedroom, two-bathroom houses for Defence Housing Australia (DHA) at RAAF Base Tindal.
Desert Springs Octopus Renewable Energy Program
Desert Springs Octopus is a majority Indigenous-owned company pursuing a $1 billion near-term pipeline of grid-connected solar and battery projects (100-150MW solar/30-50MWh storage near Darwin, 60-80MW solar/5-10MWh storage for mining, 10-15MW solar/2-3MWh storage for Defence) along the Darwin-Katherine Electricity System. The partnership includes Octopus Australia with Larrakia Nation and Jawoyn Association to deliver utility-scale renewable energy and community benefit sharing.
7,902 residents of Katherine are employed, from a labour force of 8,097. Unemployment sits at 2.4%, with participation at 90.9%. Weighted for its industry mix, the area's sectors are forecast to grow about 6.4% nationally over five years. That reflects industry composition only and makes no allowance for local population growth, so in an area growing as fast as this one it understates the likely rise in local jobs. The working-day population is estimated at 9,998, about 89% of the resident population, so more people leave the area for work than travel in. Unemployment and labour force come from ABS Small Area Labour Markets, updated quarterly; the industry and occupation profile is from the 2021 Census.
Detail
The local labour market in Katherine is characterized by skilled workers and strong representation in key service industries, supported by a jobless rate of merely 2.4% alongside an estimated 2.8% employment increase over the preceding year. There were 7,902 residents employed as of March 2026. The local unemployment level is 3.5% below Regional NT's rate of 5.9%, while the labor force participation rate stands at an extraordinary 90.9% compared to Regional NT's 69.8%. Only 4.4% of working residents indicated working from home in Census returns, though this was recorded during periods influenced by Covid-19 pandemic restrictions.
Public administration & safety, health care & social assistance, and education & training represent the primary industries of employment for local residents. Katherine exhibits a distinct specialization in public administration & safety, where the concentration of workers is 1.3 times the regional average. Conversely, education & training accounts for only 10.1% of the local workforce, trailing the 12.4% observed across Regional NT. Although jobs are available locally, comparisons between the working population from the Census and the resident base suggest significant commuting to outside areas. AreaSearch's evaluation of ABS and SALM figures shows that local employment rose by 2.8% and the workforce expanded by 2.7% over the 12-month period, keeping overall unemployment stable. In Regional NT, employment expanded by 2.8% and the labour supply grew by 2.7%, which resulted in a slight reduction in joblessness. Broader employment expectations from Jobs and Skills Australia as of Mar-26 provide context for Katherine's long-term employment trajectory over five and ten-year horizons. Nationally, employment is anticipated to grow by 6.6% across five years and 13.7% over ten years, though rates vary across different sectors. Applying these industry growth rates to Katherine's specific workforce composition implies potential local job increases of 6.4% over five years and 13.4% over ten years (note that this is a simple weighted projection for illustration and excludes localized population dynamics).
Frequently Asked Questions - Employment
Median household income in Katherine is $2,111 a week (about $110,000 a year), with median personal income at $1,069 a week. ATO records put median taxable income at $63,205 a year against an average of $69,841. Household income is from the 2021 Census; taxable income is from ATO Taxation Statistics for the latest financial year available, indexed forward using the ABS Wage Price Index.
Detail
Analysis of ATO postcode data compiled by AreaSearch for financial year 2023 shows Katherine SA2 recording a median taxpayer income of $63,205 and a mean of $69,841, positioning the area slightly above nationwide benchmarks and surpassing Regional NT ($53,572 median and $63,776 average). Adjusting for a Wage Price Index increase of 9.41% since financial year 2023 yields updated estimates of roughly $69,153 (median) and $76,413 (average) as of March 2026. Figures from the 2021 Census place local household, family, and individual incomes between the 73rd and 84th percentiles nationally. Income distribution shows 35.9% of residents (4,045 individuals) earning in the $1,500 - 2,999 bracket, aligning closely with the 33.6% recorded across the broader region.
Residents keep 87.3% of their earnings after meeting housing payments, underscoring solid discretionary capacity, while SEIFA socioeconomic indices place Katherine in the 5th decile.
Frequently Asked Questions - Income
Katherine had 2,862 occupied dwellings at the 2021 Census, 80% detached houses and 2% apartments. 26% are owned with a mortgage, 57% rented and 17% owned outright. At that Census the median rent was $295 a week and the median mortgage repayment $1,625 a month. Rent absorbs 14.0% of household income here and mortgage repayments 17.8%. Dwelling stock, tenure and housing costs are 2021 Census measures — the only source that counts dwellings at this boundary size.
Detail
At the time of the latest Census, Katherine's housing stock was distributed between 79.9% separate houses and 20.1% alternative dwellings such as apartments and townhouses, whereas Regional NT recorded 75.6% houses and 24.5% other dwellings. Outright property ownership in Katherine stood at 16.5%, considerably higher than regional norms, with 26.2% of homes carrying a mortgage and 57.3% occupied by tenants. Monthly mortgage payments averaged a median of $1,625, sitting below the Regional NT benchmark of $1,733, while weekly median rent was $295 compared to Regional NT's $150. Across Australia, Katherine maintains advantageous housing affordability, with mortgage costs below the national median of $1,863 and rental costs significantly lower than the nationwide figure of $375.
Frequently Asked Questions - Housing
Katherine counted 2,862 households at the 2021 Census, an estimated 3,339 today, averaging 2.7 people each. 31% are couples with children, against 27% couples without children. 24% of households are people living alone, and families average 1.7 children. Household and family composition is measured only by the Census, so these are 2021 figures.
Detail
Families comprise 70.8% of all households in Katherine, with couples raising children representing 30.7%, couples without offspring making up 27.0%, and single parent arrangements accounting for 11.7%. Non-family households represent the remaining 29.2%, consisting of single-person living arrangements at 23.6% and shared group households at 5.5%. The typical household contains 2.7 people, which is lower than the Regional NT average of 3.1.
Frequently Asked Questions - Households
24.1% of adults in Katherine hold a university qualification, including 16.2% with a bachelor degree and 5.4% with postgraduate qualifications. A further 31.0% hold a vocational qualification. 8 schools serve the area, with 1,826 enrolment places and an average ICSEA of 854 against a national benchmark of 1,000. Qualifications come from the 2021 Census; school enrolments, ICSEA and results come from ACARA's current release.
Detail
Educational attainment in the district is comparatively strong, as 24.1% of residents aged 15+ hold a tertiary degree, outperforming the SA3 benchmark of 17.4%. Bachelor degrees are held by 16.2% of adults, postgraduate degrees by 5.4%, and graduate diplomas by 2.5%. Non-university technical and vocational qualifications are also widely held, with 42.5% of residents aged 15+ possessing vocational credentials, including 31.0% with certificates and 11.5% with advanced diplomas. A significant 36.6% of Katherine's population participates in formal schooling or study. Within this enrolled cohort, primary school students make up 16.3% of the community, secondary students account for 8.7%, and tertiary scholars represent 4.6%.
Frequently Asked Questions - Education
Schools Detail
Getting around Katherine means driving: households keep an average of 1.5 vehicles, and no scheduled public transport appears in the current timetable feeds. Service data is built from operators' published GTFS timetables; vehicle ownership is from the 2021 Census.
Frequently Asked Questions - Transport
Transport Stops Detail
77.1% of residents in Katherine report no long-term health condition. 3.3% need daily assistance with core activities, and 53.9% hold private health cover. The standardised death rate runs at 8.5 per 1,000 residents. Health conditions, assistance needs and insurance are 2021 Census measures; the death rate comes from current ABS releases.
Detail
Local health assessments from AreaSearch highlight notable public health challenges, reflected in mortality metrics and the widespread incidence of chronic illnesses across multiple age demographics. Private health insurance coverage is held by approximately 54% of the population (~6,073 people), slightly above the typical SA2 average and higher than the 51.6% observed across Regional NT. Asthma and mental health disorders rank as the most prevalent health conditions locally, diagnosed in 6.1 and 5.2% of residents respectively, whereas 77.1% of the community reported no long-term medical conditions compared to 78.4% in Regional NT.
Health metrics among residents under 65 years of age are better than typical averages. Furthermore, seniors aged 65 and over make up 9.6% of residents (1,087 people), exceeding the 8.5% share in Regional NT, with older residents registering particularly positive health profiles compared to national standards.
Frequently Asked Questions - Health
Katherine is largely Australian-born, at 82.3% of residents, with 22.1% speaking a language other than English at home. The largest reported ancestries are Australian (25.2%) and English (20.5%). 19.5% of residents identify as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander. Ancestry, language and country of birth are counted only by the Census, so these are 2021 figures.
Detail
Cultural diversity in Katherine is above regional benchmarks, with 17.7% of residents born outside Australia and 22.1% communicating in a language other than English in their homes. Christianity is the primary religion, followed by 43.0% of the local population. Notably, Judaism represents 0.2% of residents, demonstrating higher relative representation than the 0.1% recorded across Regional NT. Regarding parental ancestry, the three most common backgrounds among residents are Australian at 25.2% (substantially higher than the 14.9% regional rate), English at 20.5% (above the 14.3% regional benchmark), and Australian Aboriginal at 19.5% (considerably below the 43.6% observed across the region).
Other demographic variations include residents of German background at 3.6% (vs 2.5% regionally), Filipino at 2.7% (vs 1.4%), and Maori at 0.5% (vs 0.7%).
Frequently Asked Questions - Diversity
The median resident of Katherine is 33, younger than 88% of areas nationally. 32.4% of residents are aged 15 to 34. Age cohorts are not raw Census counts: the Census split is re-based to the latest ABS population estimates and state projections.
Detail
Age distributions in Katherine align closely with Regional NT across all major life stages, with differences not exceeding 1.2 percentage points in any cohort. The median age is estimated at 33, matching the 2021 Census figure and sitting 2 years higher than the 31 recorded for Regional NT at that time, while remaining below Australia's Census median of 38. Since the Census, the most significant shift occurred in the 45 - 64 age group, which decreased from 22.9% to an estimated 20.9%. Looking toward 2041, this middle-aged and mature demographic is projected to see the largest absolute gain, expanding by 515 (22%) to 2,868, while the retiree demographic (65+) is anticipated to experience the fastest rate of growth, rising 32% to 1,434.
Frequently Asked Questions - Age
Data & MethodBoundaries, Sources & Method for Katherine
9 of 14 data sections on this page were updated within the last 12 months — the newest current to Oct 2026.
Everything is aggregated to the SA2 boundary shown above, on a 2021 Census baseline. Only 3 sections — housing, households and cultural diversity — still wait on the 2026 Census.
The ledger — source, cycle and currency by section
| Section | Source & update cycle | Currency |
|---|---|---|
| Updated within the last 12 months 9 sections | ||
| Population | ABS, GNAF, Geoscience Australia Annual (ABS ERP) | Aug 2026 2 months ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Re-based to the ABS Estimated Resident Population (June 2025 release) and updated with new dwellings from GNAF address data. Current to Aug 2026, with the 2021 Census supplying the small-area baseline. | ||
| Age profile | ABS, Geoscience Australia, State governments Annual | Aug 2026 2 months ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Age cohorts are re-based to the latest ABS population estimates and state projections, current to Aug 2026. Each cohort is held as a Census baseline and a current estimate. | ||
| Development & approvals | ABS, GNAF Monthly (ABS approvals) | Aug 2026 2 months ago headline measures · Jul 2026 baseline |
| Property sales & rents | Valuer General, Rental Board, ABS Weekly sales, quarterly rents | Oct 2026 this month headline measures · Sep 2026 baseline |
| Sales from the state Valuer General register, refreshed weekly, and rents from quarterly rental bond lodgements. Both are read live each time this page loads, current to Oct 2026. | ||
| Infrastructure projects | Infrastructure Australia, State agencies, Local governments Daily | Jul 2026 3 months ago all 7 projects tracked here |
| Project pipeline maintained continuously from Infrastructure Australia, state agencies, local government and public announcements. Records are added and revised daily; this area was last updated Jul 2026. | ||
| Employment | ABS, DEWR, JSA Quarterly (ABS SALM) | Mar 2026 7 months ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Unemployment and labour force from ABS Small Area Labour Markets, current to Mar 2026. The growth outlook applies Department of Employment (now Jobs and Skills Australia) forecasts for all 19 industry divisions to the local industry mix, so it measures sector composition rather than local expansion and makes no allowance for population growth. Job demand comes from the same agency via its Internet Vacancy Index; industry and occupation structure from the 2021 Census. | ||
| Education | ABS, ACARA Annual (ACARA) | Sep 2026 last month headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Transport | ABS, State Transport Departments Each timetable release | Jul 2026 3 months ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Services & amenities | Provider directories, ACECQA Continuous | Sep 2026 last month all 14 measures |
| Annual and financial-year sources 2 sections | ||
| Income | ABS, ATO Annual (ATO) | FY 2023 3 years ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| ATO taxable income statistics for FY 2023, indexed forward using the Wage Price Index. Census household income provides the distribution detail. | ||
| Health | ABS, ATO Annual | 2024 2 years ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Census-measured — next update: 2026 Census 3 sections No more current small-area source exists for these, so they are labelled as Census-measured rather than implied to be current. | ||
| Housing | ABS 5-yearly (Census) | 2021 Census next update 2026 all 30 measures |
| Households | ABS 5-yearly (Census) | 2021 Census next update 2026 all 18 measures |
| Cultural diversity | ABS, Geoscience Australia 5-yearly (Census) | 2021 Census next update 2026 all 44 measures |
"Currency" is the most recent release feeding that section. Where the Census supplies the structural baseline underneath a current headline figure, the row says so.
How the numbers are built
Population
The Census provides the small-area baseline, aggregated from mesh blocks to this boundary. It is then re-based to the ABS Estimated Resident Population (June 2025 release), and new dwellings built since Census night are counted from address data — 87 validated new addresses here. The headline figure is therefore a current estimate for Aug 2026, not a 2021 count (9,658 at the 2021 Census → 11,269 now). Annual growth rates are compound (CAGR), not simple averages.
Age profile
Cohort shares are not raw Census counts. Every cohort is held as a pair — the Census baseline and a current estimate — and the split is re-based using ERP and state population projections, current to Aug 2026. Median age is the Census median plus modelled change since. Charts that show both are labelled "2021 Census vs Current Estimate".
Property sales
Sourced from the state valuation authority's sales register — current, not Census, and refreshed weekly. Medians are calculated from settled transactions in the period shown; periods with very low transaction counts are flagged or suppressed, because a handful of sales can move a median substantially.
Rents
Derived from state rental bond lodgement data, by dwelling type and bedroom count. Bonds are lodged at the start of a new tenancy, so this reflects new lettings, not the whole rented stock.
Development & infrastructure
Building approvals come from current ABS releases; development applications are collected from council and state planning portals; the infrastructure pipeline is compiled from Infrastructure Australia and local government sources. Applications are matched to this boundary by address or coordinates, so very recent lodgements may not yet appear.
Employment & income
Industry and occupation structure comes from the Census, but the headline labour-market indicators do not. Unemployment and labour force are derived from ABS Small Area Labour Markets (quarterly). The employment outlook applies Department of Employment forecasts for all 19 industry divisions to this area's own industry mix (the agency is now Jobs and Skills Australia), as does the Internet Vacancy Index used for job demand. Because it is weighted on industry composition alone, that outlook carries no allowance for local population growth — in fast-growing areas the real rise in local jobs will typically be higher. Income combines Census household income with ATO taxable-income statistics for FY 2023, indexed forward using the Wage Price Index.
Education, transport & amenities
School enrolments, ICSEA and performance come from ACARA's current release, not the Census. Public transport stops and service frequency are derived from GTFS timetable feeds published by state transport departments. Services and amenities are proximity and count scores built from provider directories, refreshed on their own cycle. The Census contributes only the travel-to-work and qualification measures.
Rankings and benchmarks. Where we rank this area, the comparison set is every area of the same boundary type — suburbs against suburbs, SA2s against SA2s. Benchmarks compare this area against its greater capital city region and the national figure for the same measure and period.
Limits worth knowing. Small areas carry larger error margins, and the ABS introduces small random adjustments to Census counts to protect confidentiality — so totals may not sum exactly. Estimates re-based from regional data describe the area's expected trajectory, not a direct count of it. Figures are indicative for research and are not financial, planning or valuation advice.
Cross-check us. The Census baseline for this boundary is at ABS 2021 Census QuickStats (702051067). QuickStats reports 2021 only — the figures on this page are more current wherever the ledger shows a later date.