Malak - Marrara

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

Malak - Marrara's population was around 4,654 as of November 2025, according to AreaSearch's analysis. This figure represents an increase of 313 people since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 4,341. The change is inferred from ABS's estimated resident population of 4,656 in June 2024 and one validated new address since the Census date. This results in a density ratio of 963 persons per square kilometer, comparable to averages seen across locations assessed by AreaSearch. Malak - Marrara's growth rate of 7.2% since the census is within 0.4 percentage points of the SA3 area's growth (7.6%), indicating competitive growth fundamentals. Overseas migration contributed approximately 55.7% of overall population gains during recent periods, driving primary growth in the area.

AreaSearch adopts 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 to estimate post-2032 growth, 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). Based on demographic trends and the latest annual ERP population numbers, above median population growth is projected for Malak - Marrara. The area is expected to grow by 837 persons to 2041, reflecting an overall increase of 18.0% over the 17-year period.

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

Malak-Marrara has recorded approximately one residential property approval each year. The area's population decline indicates that new supply likely meets demand, providing buyers with good choice.

This financial year, $11.0 million in commercial approvals have been registered, indicating moderate commercial development levels. Compared to Greater Darwin, Malak-Marrara exhibits significantly reduced construction activity, which typically reinforces demand and pricing for existing homes. Nationally, this level is lower, suggesting market maturity and possible development constraints.

Malak - Marrara has limited levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the 0thth percentile nationally

Five major projects have been identified by AreaSearch as potentially impacting the area's performance. These key projects are: Berrimah North Area Plan, Ludmilla Wastewater Treatment Plant Upgrade, Northern Suburbs Youth Hub, and Leanyer Primary School. The following list details those likely to be 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.

The labour market performance in Malak - Marrara lags significantly behind most other regions nationally

Malak - Marrara has a skilled workforce with well-represented essential services sectors. The unemployment rate was 8.5% in September 2024, showing an estimated employment growth of 2.0% over the past year.

As of September 2025, 2,341 residents are employed while the unemployment rate is 5.4%, which is above Greater Darwin's rate of 3.1%. Workforce participation in Malak - Marrara lags at 62.1% compared to Greater Darwin's 69.7%. Leading employment industries among residents include public administration & safety, health care & social assistance, and education & training. The area has a particular specialization in education & training with an employment share of 1.2 times the regional level.

Conversely, public administration & safety shows lower representation at 16.9% versus the regional average of 19.5%. Employment opportunities locally appear limited as indicated by the count of Census working population vs resident population. During the year to September 2025, employment levels increased by 2.0% and labour force increased by 1.7%, causing the unemployment rate to fall by 0.2 percentage points. In comparison, Greater Darwin saw employment grow by 1.9% and labour force expand by 1.9%, with a marginal rise in unemployment. State-level data to 25-Nov-25 shows 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 suggest an expansion of 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Malak - Marrara's employment mix suggests local employment should increase by 6.3% over five years and 13.1% over ten years, though this is a simple weighting extrapolation for illustrative purposes and does not account for localized population projections.

The area exhibits notably strong income performance, ranking higher than 70% of areas assessed nationally through AreaSearch analysis

AreaSearch aggregated latest postcode level ATO data released for financial year ended June 2022. Malak - Marrara SA2 had median taxpayer income of $59,769 and average income of $66,631. These figures were slightly above national averages of $58,455 and $75,532 respectively. By September 2025, estimated median and average incomes would be approximately $66,947 and $74,633 based on Wage Price Index growth of 12.01%. Census 2021 income data ranked personal income at the 72nd percentile ($938 weekly) and household income at the 51st percentile. Income distribution showed 30.4% (1,414 individuals) within $1,500 - $2,999 range, consistent with broader area trends of 36.7%. High housing costs consumed 16.9% of income, but strong earnings placed disposable income at the 51st percentile. Area's SEIFA income ranking was in the 4th decile.

Malak - Marrara displays a diverse mix of dwelling types, with above-average rates of outright home ownership

Malak-Marrara's dwelling structure, as per the latest Census, comprised 63.6% houses and 36.4% other dwellings. In comparison, Darwin metro had 68.4% houses and 31.6% other dwellings. Home ownership in Malak-Marrara was 25.6%, with mortgaged dwellings at 34.8% and rented ones at 39.7%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $2,000, lower than Darwin metro's $2,028. Median weekly rent in Malak-Marrara was $350, equal to Darwin metro's figure but lower than the national average of $375. Nationally, Malak-Marrara's mortgage repayments were higher at $1,863.

Malak - Marrara features high concentrations of group households, with a lower-than-average median household size

Family households constitute 68.9% of all households, consisting of 27.3% couples with children, 24.6% couples without children, and 15.0% single parent families. Non-family households account for the remaining 31.1%, with lone person households at 26.0% and group households comprising 5.2%. The median household size is 2.6 people, which is smaller than the Greater Darwin average of 2.7 people.

Educational outcomes in Malak - Marrara fall within the lower quartile nationally, indicating opportunities for improvement in qualification attainment

The area's university qualification rate is 24.2%, significantly lower than the SA3 area average of 36.1%. Bachelor degrees are most common at 15.1%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (5.7%) and graduate diplomas (3.4%). Vocational credentials are held by 36.8% of residents aged 15 and above, with advanced diplomas at 10.7% and certificates at 26.1%. Educational participation is high, with 33.5% of residents currently enrolled in formal education, including 12.5% in primary, 9.0% in secondary, and 4.9% in tertiary education.

Educational participation is notably high, with 33.5% of residents currently enrolled in formal education. This includes 12.5% in primary education, 9.0% in secondary education, and 4.9% pursuing tertiary education.

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

Transport analysis indicates 31 active public transit stops within Malak - Marrara area. These are served by a mix of bus routes totaling 54 individual services. Together, these routes facilitate 2,901 weekly passenger trips.

The transport accessibility is rated as good, with residents on average situated 201 meters from their nearest stop. Service frequency averages 414 trips per day across all routes, translating to approximately 93 weekly trips per stop.

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

Malak - Marrara shows above-average health outcomes with both young and elderly residents experiencing low prevalence of common health conditions. The area has a private health cover rate of approximately 52%, which is higher than the average SA2 area's rate.

This compares to Greater Darwin's rate of 56.7%. The most prevalent medical conditions are asthma and arthritis, affecting 6.4% and 6.3% of residents respectively. 72.6% of residents report being completely free of medical ailments, compared to 77.0% across Greater Darwin. The area has a higher proportion of seniors, with 15.9% of residents aged 65 and over (739 people), compared to Greater Darwin's 12.3%. Health outcomes among seniors in Malak - Marrara are particularly strong, outperforming the general population in health metrics.

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

Malak-Marrara was found to be more culturally diverse than most local markets, with 28.3% of its population born overseas and 25.6% speaking a language other than English at home. Christianity is the dominant religion in Malak-Marrara, comprising 51.2% of people. However, Buddhism is overrepresented compared to Greater Darwin, making up 3.2% versus 4.1%.

The top three ancestry groups are Australian (21.2%), English (18.4%), and Other (14.7%). Notably, Filipino, Australian Aboriginal, and Maori populations are higher in Malak-Marrara than regionally: Filipino at 4.5% vs 4.7%, Australian Aboriginal at 12.3% vs 7.4%, and Maori at 0.8% vs 0.5%.

Malak - Marrara's population is slightly younger than the national pattern

Malak - Marrara's median age of 38 years is notably older than Greater Darwin's 34 years but aligns with the national average of 38 years. The age group of 65-74 years has strong representation at 9.9%, compared to Greater Darwin, while the 25-34 cohort is less prevalent at 12.6%. Between 2021 and present, the 75-84 age group has grown from 3.5% to 4.9% of the population, and the 35-44 cohort increased from 14.0% to 15.2%. Conversely, the 5-14 age group has declined from 14.3% to 12.0%. By 2041, significant demographic changes are projected for Malak - Marrara. The 45-54 age cohort is expected to increase substantially by 176 people (28%), rising from 622 to 799. Meanwhile, the 0-4 age cohort is projected to grow modestly by 4% (12 people).