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

As of November 2025, Malak - Marrara's population is approximately 4,656, a 7.3% increase since the 2021 Census which recorded 4,341 people. This growth is inferred from ABS data showing an estimated resident population of 4,656 in June 2024 and one validated new address since the Census date. The population density stands at 964 persons per square kilometer, comparable to averages observed across other areas assessed by AreaSearch. Malak - Marrara's growth rate of 7.3% is slightly lower than the SA3 area's 7.4%, indicating competitive growth fundamentals. Overseas migration contributed approximately 55.7% of overall population gains during recent periods. 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 post-2032 estimates, AreaSearch applies growth rates by age cohort provided by the ABS in its latest Greater Capital Region projections (released in 2023, based on 2022 data). Future demographic trends project above median population growth for national statistical areas. By 2041, Malak - Marrara is expected to grow by 837 persons, reflecting an overall increase of 18.0% over the 17-year period, based on the latest annual ERP population numbers.

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 two residential properties granted approval each year. The area has experienced population decline, suggesting that new supply has likely been keeping pace with demand, providing good choice for buyers.

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

Malak - Marrara has limited levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the 3rdth percentile nationally

Changes in local infrastructure significantly affect an area's performance. AreaSearch has identified five projects that could impact this region. Notable projects include the Berrimah North Area Plan, Ludmilla Wastewater Treatment Plant Upgrade, Northern Suburbs Youth Hub, and Leanyer Primary School. The following details those most relevant:.

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

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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. Its unemployment rate was 8.5% in September 2025, with an estimated employment growth of 2.0% over the past year. As of this date, 2,341 residents were employed while the unemployment rate stood at 5.4%, higher than Greater Darwin's 3.1%.

Workforce participation was lower at 67.8% compared to Greater Darwin's 76.0%. Only 4.2% of residents worked from home, potentially influenced by Covid-19 lockdowns. Major employment industries include public administration & safety, health care & social assistance, and education & training. Notably, education & training has a higher share at 1.2 times the regional level.

Conversely, public administration & safety shows lower representation at 16.9% compared to the regional average of 19.5%. Employment opportunities appear limited locally, as indicated by the ratio of Census working population to resident population. Between September 2024 and September 2025, employment levels increased by 2.0%, while labour force grew by 1.7%, leading to a slight fall in unemployment rate by 0.2 percentage points. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May-25 project overall employment growth 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, based on a simple weighting extrapolation for illustrative purposes.

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

AreaSearch's aggregation of ATO data for financial year 2023 shows Malak - Marrara SA2 had a median taxpayer income of $60,634 and an average income of $69,043. These figures are slightly above the national averages of $66,956 and $77,199 for Greater Darwin respectively. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 8.44% since financial year 2023, estimated median and average incomes as of September 2025 would be approximately $65,752 and $74,870 respectively. According to Census 2021 income data, personal income ranks at the 72nd percentile ($938 weekly), while household income is at the 51st percentile. Income distribution shows that 30.4% of the population (1,415 individuals) fall within the $1,500 - $2,999 range. This aligns with broader trends across the area, where 36.7% are in the same category. High housing costs consume 16.9% of income, but strong earnings place disposable income at the 51st percentile. The area's SEIFA income ranking places it in the 4th decile.

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

The dwelling structure in Malak - Marrara, as per the latest Census, consisted of 63.6% houses and 36.4% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings). This was similar to Darwin metro's composition of 63.5% houses and 36.5% other dwellings. Home ownership in Malak - Marrara stood at 25.6%, with the rest being mortgaged (34.8%) or rented (39.7%). The median monthly mortgage repayment was $2,000, lower than Darwin metro's average of $2,100. The median weekly rent in Malak - Marrara was $350, compared to Darwin metro's $385. Nationally, Malak - Marrara's mortgage repayments were higher than the Australian average of $1,863, while rents were lower than the national figure of $375.

Malak - Marrara features high concentrations of group households, with a fairly typical median household size

Family households comprise 68.9% of all households, including 27.3% couples with children, 24.6% couples without children, and 15.0% single parent families. Non-family households make up 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 matches the Greater Darwin average.

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%. This disparity presents both a challenge and an opportunity for targeted educational initiatives. Bachelor degrees are the most common at 15.1%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (5.7%) and graduate diplomas (3.4%). Vocational credentials are prominent, with 36.8% of residents aged 15+ holding them - advanced diplomas at 10.7% and certificates at 26.1%.

Educational participation is 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

Public transport analysis shows 31 active transport stops operating within Malak-Marrara area. These stops serve a mix of bus routes totaling 57 individual routes, collectively facilitating 2,918 weekly passenger trips. Transport accessibility is rated good with residents typically located 201 meters from the nearest stop. As primarily residential, most commute outward; car remains dominant at 91%. Vehicle ownership averages 1.4 per dwelling. Only 4.2% work from home (2021 Census).

Service frequency averages 416 trips daily across all routes, equating to approximately 94 weekly trips per stop.

Malak - Marrara's residents are relatively healthy in comparison to broader Australia with a fairly standard level of common health conditions seen across both young and old age cohorts

Malak's health metrics closely align with national benchmarks as assessed by AreaSearch using mortality rates and chronic condition prevalence. The area has a typical level of common health conditions across both young and old age cohorts.

Private health cover is held by approximately 53% of Malak's total population (~2,481 people), slightly higher than the average SA2 area but lower than Greater Darwin's 57.8%. Asthma and arthritis are the most prevalent medical conditions, affecting 6.4% and 6.3% of residents respectively. 72.6% of Malak residents report no medical ailments, compared to 77.1% across Greater Darwin. Health outcomes among working-age individuals are generally typical. The area has a higher proportion of seniors aged 65 and over at 15.9% (739 people), compared to Greater Darwin's 10.6%. Health outcomes among Malak's senior population rank nationally higher than the general population.

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. Buddhism, however, is slightly overrepresented at 3.2%, compared to 3.3% across Greater Darwin.

The top three ancestry groups are Australian (21.2%), English (18.4%), and Other (14.7%). Notably, Filipino (4.5%) and Australian Aboriginal (12.3%) populations are higher than regional averages of 3.8% and 7.0%, respectively. Maori population is also slightly higher at 0.8%.

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

Malak - Marrara's median age of 38 years is notably higher than Greater Darwin's 34, aligning with Australia's national average of 38 years. The 65-74 age group comprises 9.9%, significantly higher than Greater Darwin's representation. Conversely, the 25-34 cohort stands at 12.6%. Between 2021 and present, the 75 to 84 age group has grown from 3.5% to 4.9%, while the 35 to 44 cohort increased from 14.0% to 15.2%. Meanwhile, the 5 to 14 cohort declined from 14.3% to 12.0%. By 2041, population forecasts suggest substantial demographic shifts in Malak - Marrara. The 45 to 54 age group is projected to expand by 176 people (28%), rising from 622 to 799. Conversely, the 0 to 4 cohort grows modestly by 4%, adding 12 people.