Ludmilla - The Narrows
Statistical Area - sa2

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 was 2,563 as of August 2021. By August 2025, it increased to around 2,705, a rise of 142 people (5.5%). This growth is inferred from ABS data showing an estimated resident population of 2,695 in June 2024 and 29 new addresses validated since the Census date. The population density as of August 2025 is 505 persons per square kilometer. Overseas migration contributed approximately 59.2% to recent population gains.

AreaSearch uses ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for SA2 areas, released in June 2024 with a base year of 2022. For areas not covered by this data, AreaSearch applies growth rates by age cohort from the ABS' Greater Capital Region projections (released in June 2023, based on 2022 data) to estimate post-2032 growth. Projected demographic trends indicate above median population growth nationally. By 2041, Ludmilla - The Narrows is expected to expand by 472 persons, an increase of 17.1% over the 17-year period.

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

The Narrows in Ludmilla has seen approximately seven residential properties approved annually. Since FY20-FY25, 37 approvals were recorded total across five financial years, with none yet in FY26. Each year, an average of 26 new residents per dwelling was observed between FY20 and FY25, indicating demand outstripping supply, which often drives up prices and intensifies competition among buyers. In FY26, $705,000 in commercial development approvals were recorded, suggesting a primary focus on residential development.

Compared to Greater Darwin, The Narrows shows significantly reduced construction activity, with 91% below the regional average per capita. This constrained new construction typically bolsters demand and pricing for existing homes. Nationally, this rate is also lower, reflecting market maturity and potential development constraints.

By 2041, projections estimate an addition of 462 residents in The Narrows. At current development rates, housing supply may struggle to keep pace with population growth, potentially escalating buyer competition and supporting price increases.

Ludmilla - The Narrows has limited levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the 3rdth percentile nationally

Infrastructure changes significantly influence an area's performance. Six projects identified by AreaSearch are expected to impact this region. Notable projects include Darwin Desalination Plant, Darwin Mid Suburbs Area Plan, Intersection Upgrade - Dick Ward Drive and Fitzer Drive, Richardson Park Community Space.

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

AreaSearch analysis reveals Ludmilla - The Narrows recording weaker employment conditions than most comparable areas nationwide

Ludmilla - The Narrows has an educated workforce with notable representation in essential services sectors. Its unemployment rate was 5.3% as of June 2025, with an estimated employment growth of 2.5% over the past year.

As of that date, 1,504 residents were employed while the unemployment rate was 2.3% higher than Greater Darwin's rate of 3.0%. Workforce participation in Ludmilla - The Narrows was somewhat below standard at 67.0%, compared to Greater Darwin's 69.7%. Employment among residents is concentrated in public administration & safety, health care & social assistance, and accommodation & food.

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 based on Census data. Over the past 12 months, ending in June 2025, employment increased by 2.5%, labour force increased by 2.9%, leading to an unemployment rate rise of 0.4 percentage points. In comparison, Greater Darwin recorded employment growth of 2.9% and a slight decrease in unemployment. State-level data from Sep-25 shows NT employment grew by 1.0% year-on-year with a state unemployment rate at 4.2%, outperforming the national average of 4.5%. Jobs and Skills Australia forecasts national employment to expand by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, but growth rates vary significantly between industry sectors. Applying these projections to Ludmilla - The Narrows's employment mix suggests local growth of approximately 6.3% over five years and 13.0% over ten years.

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

AreaSearch's latest postcode level ATO data for financial year 2022 indicates that income in Ludmilla - The Narrows is slightly above average nationally. The median income was $53,359 and the average income stood at $65,872. This contrasts with Greater Darwin's figures of a median income of $65,522 and an average income of $75,260. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 10.44% since financial year 2022, current estimates would be approximately $58,930 (median) and $72,749 (average) as of March 2025. Census 2021 income data shows household, family and personal incomes in Ludmilla - The Narrows cluster around the 70th percentile nationally. Income brackets indicate that 32.7% of the population, which totals 884 individuals, fall within the $1,500 - 2,999 income range, mirroring regional levels where 36.7% occupy this bracket. After housing costs, 85.8% of income remains for other expenses and the area's SEIFA income ranking places it in the 6th decile.

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

In Ludmilla - The Narrows, as per the latest Census evaluation, 70.7% of dwellings were houses while 29.3% comprised semi-detached units, apartments, and other types. This contrasts with Darwin's metropolitan area where only 23.6% were houses, and 76.4% were other dwellings. Home ownership in Ludmilla - The Narrows stood at 18.2%, with mortgaged properties at 28.9% and rented ones at 52.9%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $2,167, exceeding Darwin's average of $2,000. Median weekly rent in the area was $260, lower than Darwin's metro figure of $420. Nationally, Ludmilla - The Narrows' mortgage repayments were significantly higher at $2,167 compared to Australia's average of $1,863, while rents were substantially lower at $260 against 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 percent of all households, including 29.6 percent couples with children, 25.7 percent couples without children, and 14.1 percent single parent families. Non-family households account for the remaining 29.3 percent, with lone person households at 21.9 percent and group households comprising 6.9 percent of the total. The median household size is 2.6 people, which is 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 faces educational challenges, with university qualification rates at 30.8%, substantially below the SA3 area average of 45.3%. This represents both a challenge and an opportunity for targeted educational initiatives. Bachelor degrees lead at 21.1%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (6.4%) and graduate diplomas (3.3%). Trade and technical skills feature prominently, with 32.8% of residents aged 15+ holding vocational credentials – advanced diplomas (8.9%) and certificates (23.9%).

Educational participation is notably high, with 32.1% of residents currently enrolled in formal education. This includes 10.9% in primary education, 7.8% in secondary education, and 6.9% pursuing tertiary education. Ludmilla Primary School provides local educational services within Ludmilla - The Narrows, with an enrollment of 133 students as of the latest data point. Ludmilla - The Narrows demonstrates varied educational conditions across its area. The one school focuses exclusively on primary education, with secondary options available in surrounding areas from 2015 onwards. Limited local school capacity (4.9 places per 100 residents vs 15.1 regionally) means many families travel to nearby areas for schooling since the implementation of this policy.

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

The analysis shows 16 active public transport stops operating in the area of Ludmilla - The Narrows. These stops serve a mix of bus routes, with a total of 39 individual routes providing weekly passenger trips amounting to 2,057. Residents have good access to these services, with an average distance of 268 meters to the nearest stop.

On average, there are 293 trips per day across all routes, equating to approximately 128 weekly trips per individual 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 exceptional results in Ludmilla - The Narrows, with very low prevalence of common health conditions across all age groups. The rate of private health cover 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, affecting 6.6 and 5.0% of residents respectively. A total of 75.9% of residents declare themselves completely clear of medical ailments compared to Greater Darwin's 79.9%. The area has 11.5% of residents aged 65 and over (309 people), with health outcomes among seniors broadly in line with the general population's health profile.

Ludmilla - The Narrows 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

Ludmilla-The Narrows has a higher cultural diversity than most local markets, with 24.1% of its population born overseas and 24.6% speaking languages other than English at home. Christianity is the predominant religion in Ludmilla-The Narrows, comprising 37.2% of the population. Buddhism, however, is more prevalent in Ludmilla-The Narrows compared to Greater Darwin, making up 2.7% versus 4.1%.

The top three ancestral groups based on parents' country of birth are Australian (22.0%), English (21.4%), and Australian Aboriginal (13.2%), which is significantly higher than the regional average of 3.9%. Notably, Filipino ethnicity is overrepresented at 3.7% compared to the regional average of 2.9%, Welsh at 0.7% versus 0.5%, and Sri Lankan at 0.5% versus 0.7%.

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

Ludmilla - The Narrows's median age is 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 population aged 5-14 grew from 12.7% to 13.9%, while those aged 75-84 increased from 3.6% to 4.8%. Conversely, the proportion of residents aged 25-34 decreased from 19.3% to 16.9%. By 2041, demographic projections suggest significant changes in Ludmilla - The Narrows's age profile. The 45-54 cohort is expected to grow by 154 people (41%), reaching 531 from the current 376. Conversely, the 5-14 cohort is projected to decline by 2 people.