Nightcliff
Statistical Area - sa2

An assessment of population growth drivers in Nightcliff reveals an overall ranking slightly below national averages considering recent, and medium term trends

Nightcliff's population was approximately 4,152 as of Aug 2025. This figure indicates a growth of 268 people since the 2021 Census, which recorded a population of 3,884. The increase is inferred from ABS data: an estimated resident population of 4,121 in June 2024 and 57 validated new addresses post-Census. This results in a density ratio of 2,863 persons per square kilometer, placing Nightcliff in the upper quartile nationally according to AreaSearch's assessments. The area's growth rate of 6.9% since census is close to its SA3 area's rate of 7.6%, suggesting competitive growth fundamentals. Overseas migration contributed approximately 59.3% 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 from the ABS's latest Greater Capital Region projections (released in 2023, based on 2022 data). Future population dynamics anticipate above median growth, with Nightcliff projected to increase by 630 persons to 2041, reflecting a total rise of 14.4% over the 17 years.

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

Nightcliff has averaged approximately two new dwelling approvals per year. Development approval data is produced by the Australian Bureau of Statistics on a financial year basis, with 14 dwellings approved over the past five financial years, from FY2020-21 to FY2025-26. No dwelling approvals have been recorded so far in FY2026-27. The population has declined recently, making current development activity adequate relative to population changes, which could benefit buyers.

New properties are constructed at an average expected construction cost value of $100,000, below regional levels, indicating more affordable housing options for buyers. Commercial approvals totalling $11.2 million have been registered in the current financial year, suggesting balanced commercial development activity. Compared to Greater Darwin, Nightcliff has significantly less development activity, 64.0% below the regional average per person. This scarcity of new dwellings typically strengthens demand and prices for existing properties. The location has approximately 2572 people per dwelling approval, demonstrating an established market.

Population forecasts indicate Nightcliff will gain 599 residents by 2041. Should current construction levels persist, housing supply could lag population growth, potentially intensifying buyer competition and underpinning price growth in the future. New building activity shows 67.0% detached houses and 33.0% attached dwellings, featuring an increasing blend of attached housing types offering choices across various price ranges, from spacious family homes to more affordable compact options. Interestingly, developers are building more traditional houses than the current mix suggests at Census, indicating continued strong demand for family homes.

Nightcliff has limited levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the 0thth percentile nationally

Changes to local infrastructure significantly impact an area's performance. AreaSearch has identified three projects that may affect this region: John Stokes Square Redevelopment, Social Housing Accelerator Payment (SHAP) for Greater Darwin/Nightcliff, Nightcliff Police Station upgrade, and Royal Darwin Hospital Mental Health Inpatient Unit and CSSD upgrades.

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

AreaSearch analysis of employment trends sees Nightcliff performing better than 85% of local markets assessed across Australia

Nightcliff has an educated workforce with significant representation in essential services sectors. Its unemployment rate was 2.1% as of June 2025, lower than Greater Darwin's 3.0%.

Employment growth over the past year was estimated at 3.4%. As of June 2025, 2645 residents were employed with a workforce participation rate of 74.1%, similar to Greater Darwin's 69.7%. Leading industries include health care & social assistance, public administration & safety, and education & training. Health care & social assistance has particularly high employment levels at 1.6 times the regional average.

Construction, however, has limited presence with 6.7% employment compared to the regional average of 9.2%. Over the year to June 2025, employment increased by 3.4%, labour force grew by 2.9%, and unemployment decreased by 0.4 percentage points. In comparison, Greater Darwin saw employment growth of 2.9% with a marginal decrease in unemployment. As of Sep-25, NT state-level data shows employment growth was 1.0% year-on-year, with an unemployment rate of 4.2%, outperforming the national average of 4.5%. National employment forecasts from May 2025 project a 6.6% increase over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Nightcliff's employment mix suggests local growth of approximately 7.2% over five years and 14.8% over ten years, though these are simple extrapolations for illustrative purposes only.

Income metrics indicate excellent economic conditions, with the area achieving higher performance than 75% of national locations assessed by AreaSearch

Nightcliff has one of Australia's highest incomes based on latest ATO data aggregated by AreaSearch for financial year 2022. Its median income is $72,135 and average income stands at $84,008. These compare to Greater Darwin's figures of $65,522 and $75,260 respectively. By March 2025, estimates based on Wage Price Index growth of 10.44% are approximately $79,666 (median) and $92,778 (average). According to the 2021 Census, individual earnings rank at the 91st percentile nationally ($1,203 weekly). Income analysis shows that 36.4% of Nightcliff's population falls within the $1,500 - 2,999 income range, consistent with broader trends across the region showing 36.7%. Notably, 30.2% earn above $3,000 weekly. Housing accounts for 14.9% of income. Strong earnings rank residents within the 71st percentile for disposable income, and the area's SEIFA income ranking places it in the 8th decile.

Nightcliff features a more urban dwelling mix with significant apartment living, with a higher proportion of rental properties than the broader region

Nightcliff's dwelling structures, as per the latest Census, consisted of 35.9% houses and 64.1% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings), compared to Darwin metro's 68.4% houses and 31.6% other dwellings. Home ownership in Nightcliff stood at 19.9%, with mortgaged properties at 25.0% and rented ones at 55.1%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $1,972, lower than Darwin metro's average of $2,028. Median weekly rent in Nightcliff was $350, matching the Darwin metro figure. Nationally, Nightcliff's mortgage repayments were higher at $1,972 compared to Australia's average of $1,863, while rents were lower at $350 against the national figure of $375.

Nightcliff features high concentrations of group households and lone person households, with a lower-than-average median household size

Family households comprise 60.9% of all households, including 26.1% couples with children, 25.3% couples without children, and 8.1% single parent families. Non-family households account for the remaining 39.1%, with lone person households at 30.8% and group households comprising 7.9%. The median household size is 2.4 people, which is smaller than the Greater Darwin average of 2.7.

Nightcliff shows strong educational performance, ranking in the upper quartile nationally when assessed across multiple qualification and achievement indicators

Educational attainment in Nightcliff is notably higher than broader benchmarks. As of 2021 data, 51.1% of residents aged 15 years and above hold university qualifications, compared to 27.3% in the Northern Territory and 30.4% nationally. This significant educational advantage positions Nightcliff favourably for knowledge-based opportunities. Bachelor degrees are the most common at 28.7%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (17.5%) and graduate diplomas (4.9%).

Vocational pathways account for 24.8% of qualifications among those aged 15 years and above, with advanced diplomas at 8.7% and certificates at 16.1%. Educational participation is high in Nightcliff, with 32.6% of residents currently enrolled in formal education as of the latest data. This includes 10.4% in tertiary education, 8.6% in primary education, and 6.4% pursuing secondary education. Nightcliff Primary School serves local educational needs within Nightcliff, with an enrollment of 505 students as of 2021. The school focuses exclusively on primary education, with secondary options available in nearby areas. As of the latest data, there are 12.2 school places per 100 residents in Nightcliff, which is below the regional average of 16.9. Some students may attend schools in adjacent areas due to this difference.

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

Nightcliff has ten operational public transport stops, all serving buses. These stops are covered by thirty-eight different routes, offering a total of two thousand four weekly passenger trips. The accessibility to these services is rated as good, with residents on average located 211 meters from the nearest stop.

On average, there are 286 trips per day across all routes, which translates to roughly 200 weekly trips per individual stop.

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

Health outcomes data shows excellent results in Nightcliff, with a very low prevalence of common health conditions across all age groups. The rate of private health cover is notably high at approximately 62% of the total population (2,590 people), compared to 56.7% across Greater Darwin and the national average of 55.3%. Mental health issues and asthma are the most common medical conditions in the area, affecting 6.1% and 6.0% of residents respectively.

A significant majority, 78.3%, declared themselves completely clear of medical ailments, compared to 77.0% across Greater Darwin. As of 2021, 13.0% of Nightcliff's residents are aged 65 and over (539 people). Health outcomes among seniors align broadly with the general population's health profile.

Nightcliff is among the most culturally diverse areas in the country based on AreaSearch assessment of a range of language and cultural background related metrics

Nightcliff has a high level of cultural diversity, with 37.2% of its population born overseas and 32.7% speaking a language other than English at home. The predominant religion in Nightcliff is Christianity, accounting for 35.9% of the population. Hinduism is notably overrepresented compared to Greater Darwin, comprising 9.5% of Nightcliff's population versus 5.1%.

Regarding ancestry, the top three groups are English (21.7%), Australian (18.8%), and Other (16.5%). There are notable differences in the representation of certain ethnic groups: Filipino is overrepresented at 3.1%, Greek at 3.6% (similar to regional levels), and Indian at 4.0%.

Nightcliff hosts a young demographic, positioning it in the bottom quartile nationwide

Nightcliff's median age is 34 years, equal to Greater Darwin's average but lower than Australia's median of 38. Compared to Greater Darwin, Nightcliff has a higher percentage of residents aged 25-34 (23.4%) but fewer residents aged 15-24 (8.7%). This 25-34 concentration is significantly higher than the national average of 14.5%. Between 2021 and present, Nightcliff's population has seen an increase in the 35 to 44 age group from 16.8% to 17.9%, while the 45 to 54 cohort has decreased from 11.9% to 10.5%. By 2041, demographic modeling projects significant changes in Nightcliff's age profile. The 45 to 54 age group is expected to grow steadily, increasing by 186 people (43%) from 436 to 623. Conversely, the 0 to 4 cohort is projected to decline by 9 people.