Ludmilla - The Narrows

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

Ludmilla - The Narrows' population is around 2,705 as of November 2025. This reflects a rise from 2,563 people recorded in the 2021 Census, an increase of 142 people (5.5%). This change is inferred from ABS's estimated resident population of 2,695 in June 2024 and additional 29 validated new addresses since the Census date. The population density stands at 505 persons per square kilometer. Overseas migration contributed approximately 59.2% of overall population gains recently.

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 provided by the ABS in its latest Greater Capital Region projections (released in 2023, based on 2022 data). Nationally, statistical areas are projected to have above median population growth. By 2041, Ludmilla - The Narrows is expected to expand by 472 persons, reflecting a total increase of 17.1% over the 17 years based on latest annual ERP population numbers.

Residential development activity is lower than average in Ludmilla - The Narrows according to AreaSearch's national comparison of local real estate markets

Ludmilla-The Narrows has had only one residential development approval in the past five years. Despite its established status, there has been virtually no new residential development in the area during this period. This limited supply of new housing typically supports values for existing properties.

Factors such as planning constraints or limited market activity may contribute to this trend. Compared to Greater Darwin, Ludmilla-The Narrows records significantly lower building activity, 91.0% below the regional average per person. This constrained new construction usually reinforces demand and pricing for existing properties in the area. Nationally, building activity is also lower, reflecting market maturity and possible development constraints.

Ludmilla - The Narrows has limited levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the 1stth percentile nationally

The performance of an area can significantly be influenced by changes in local infrastructure, major projects, and planning initiatives. Six projects have been identified by AreaSearch as potentially impacting this area. Notable projects include Darwin Desalination Plant, Darwin Mid Suburbs Area Plan, Intersection Upgrade - Dick Ward Drive and Fitzer Drive, Richardson Park Community Space. The following list details those likely to be most relevant.

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

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Employment performance in Ludmilla - The Narrows has been below expectations when compared to most other areas nationally

The Narrows has an educated workforce with significant representation in essential services sectors. The unemployment rate was 5.7% as of September 2025, with an estimated employment growth of 0.6% over the past year.

In this period, 1,457 residents were employed while the unemployment rate was 2.5% higher than Greater Darwin's rate of 3.1%. Workforce participation was lower at 67.0%, compared to Greater Darwin's 69.7%. Employment is concentrated in public administration & safety, health care & social assistance, and accommodation & food sectors.

However, health care & social assistance has a limited presence with 11.5% employment compared to the regional average of 14.2%. Many residents commute elsewhere for work, as indicated by the count of Census working population against local population. Over the past year, employment increased by 0.6%, while labour force grew by 1.4%, causing the unemployment rate to rise by 0.7 percentage points. In contrast, Greater Darwin experienced employment growth of 1.9% and labour force growth of 1.9%. State-level data from November 25 shows NT employment contracted by 1.13%, with a state unemployment rate of 4.4%, closely aligned with the national rate of 4.3%. National employment forecasts project a 6.6% increase over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to The Narrows' employment mix suggests local employment should grow by 6.3% over five years and 13.0% over ten years, based on simple weighting extrapolation for illustrative purposes.

Income analysis reveals strong economic positioning, with the area outperforming 60% of locations assessed nationally by AreaSearch

The median taxpayer income in Ludmilla - The Narrows SA2 was $53,359 and the average was $65,872 according to postcode level ATO data aggregated by AreaSearch for financial year 2022. This is slightly above the national average. In comparison, Greater Darwin had a median income of $65,522 and an average income of $75,260 in the same period. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 12.01% since financial year 2022, estimated incomes for September 2025 would be approximately $59,767 (median) and $73,783 (average). Census 2021 income data shows that in Ludmilla - The Narrows, incomes cluster around the 69th percentile nationally. Income distribution indicates that 32.7% of individuals earn between $1,500 and $2,999, mirroring the broader area where 36.7% fall into this bracket. After housing costs, 85.8% of income remains for other expenses. The SEIFA income ranking places Ludmilla - The Narrows in the 6th decile.

Ludmilla - The Narrows is characterized by a predominantly suburban housing profile, with above-average rates of outright home ownership

As of the latest Census, dwelling structures in Ludmilla - The Narrows consisted of 70.7% houses and 29.3% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings), compared to Darwin metro's 23.6% houses and 76.4% other dwellings. Home ownership in Ludmilla - The Narrows stood at 18.2%, with mortgaged dwellings at 28.9% and rented ones at 52.9%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $2,167, higher than Darwin metro's average of $2,000. The median weekly rent in the area was $260, lower than Darwin metro's figure of $420. Nationally, Ludmilla - The Narrows' mortgage repayments were significantly higher than the Australian average of $1,863, while rents were substantially below the national figure of $375.

Ludmilla - The Narrows features high concentrations of group households, with a higher-than-average median household size

Family households constitute 70.7% of all households, including 29.6% couples with children, 25.7% couples without children, and 14.1% single parent families. Non-family households comprise the remaining 29.3%, with lone person households at 21.9% and group households making up 6.9%. The median household size is 2.6 people, larger than the Greater Darwin average of 2.3.

Educational outcomes in Ludmilla - The Narrows fall within the lower quartile nationally, indicating opportunities for improvement in qualification attainment

The area's university qualification rate is 30.8%, significantly lower than the SA3 average of 45.3%. Bachelor degrees are most common at 21.1%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (6.4%) and graduate diplomas (3.3%). Vocational credentials are held by 32.8% of residents aged 15+, with advanced diplomas at 8.9% and certificates at 23.9%. Educational participation is high, with 32.1% currently enrolled in formal education.

This includes 10.9% in primary, 7.8% in secondary, and 6.9% in tertiary education.

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

Public transport analysis indicates 16 active transport stops operating within Ludmilla - The Narrows. These are served by a mix of buses along 39 individual routes, collectively offering 2057 weekly passenger trips. Transport accessibility is rated good, with residents typically located 268 meters from the nearest stop.

Service frequency averages 293 trips per day across all routes, equating to approximately 128 weekly trips per stop.

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

Health outcomes data shows outstanding results across Ludmilla - The Narrows, with very low prevalence of common health conditions across all age groups. Private health cover rate is approximately 52% of the total population (~1,417 people), leading that of the average SA2 area but lower than Greater Darwin's 61.3%.

Mental health issues and asthma are the most common medical conditions in the area, impacting 6.6 and 5.0% of residents respectively. 75.9% of residents declare themselves completely clear of medical ailments, compared to 79.9% across Greater Darwin. The area has 11.5% of residents aged 65 and over (309 people). Health outcomes among seniors are particularly strong, broadly in line with the general population's health profile.

The level of cultural diversity witnessed in Ludmilla - The Narrows was found to be above average when compared nationally for a number of language and cultural background related metrics

Ludmilla-The Narrows, surveyed in 2016, had a population with 24.1% born overseas and 24.6% speaking languages other than English at home. Christianity was the predominant religion, comprising 37.2%. Buddhism, at 2.7%, was higher than Greater Darwin's 4.1%.

Ancestry-wise, Australians made up 22.0%, English 21.4%, and Australian Aboriginal 13.2% (higher than the regional average of 3.9%). Filipino representation was notably higher at 3.7% compared to the region's 2.9%. Sri Lankan and Welsh groups were also slightly overrepresented, at 0.5% each versus 0.7% and 0.5% respectively in the broader area.

Ludmilla - The Narrows hosts a young demographic, positioning it in the bottom quartile nationwide

Ludmilla-The Narrows has a median age of 34 years, matching Greater Darwin's average but lower than Australia's median of 38. Compared to Greater Darwin, Ludmilla-The Narrows has a higher proportion of residents aged 75-84 (4.8%) and fewer residents aged 25-34 (16.9%). Between 2021 and the present, the 5-14 age group grew from 12.7% to 13.9%, while the 75-84 cohort increased from 3.6% to 4.8%. Conversely, the 25-34 cohort declined from 19.3% to 16.9%. By 2041, demographic modeling suggests significant changes in Ludmilla-The Narrows' age profile. The 45-54 age group is projected to grow by 154 people (41%), from 376 to 531. Conversely, the 5-14 cohort is projected to decline by 2 people.