Nightcliff

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 is 4,157 as of Nov 2025. This reflects a growth of 273 people since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 3,884. The increase is inferred from ABS data: Nightcliff had an estimated resident population of 4,121 in June 2024 and gained 59 validated new addresses since the Census date. This results in a population density ratio of 2,866 persons per square kilometer, placing Nightcliff in the upper quartile nationally. Since the Census, Nightcliff's growth rate is 7.0%, close to the SA3 area's 7.6%. 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 provided by the ABS in its latest Greater Capital Region projections (released in 2023, based on 2022 data). Future population dynamics anticipate an above median growth for Nightcliff, with a projected increase of 630 persons to 2041, reflecting a total increase of 14.3% 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. Over the past five financial years, from FY21 to FY25, 14 homes were approved, with one more approved so far in FY26. The population has been declining recently, yet development activity has been adequate relative to this decline, which is beneficial for buyers.

New properties are constructed at an average expected cost of $481,000, indicating a focus on the premium market with high-end developments. In FY26, commercial approvals totaling $11.2 million have been registered, 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. Nationally, Nightcliff's development activity is also lower, reflecting market maturity and possible development constraints.

New building activity comprises 67.0% detached houses and 33.0% attached dwellings, offering choices across price ranges from spacious family homes to more compact options. Notably, developers are building more traditional houses than the current mix suggests (36.0% at Census), indicating strong demand for family homes despite density pressures. The location has approximately 2572 people per dwelling approval, demonstrating an established market. According to AreaSearch's latest quarterly estimate, Nightcliff is forecasted to gain 594 residents by 2041. If current construction levels persist, housing supply may lag population growth, potentially intensifying buyer competition and underpinning price growth.

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 identified two projects that may affect this region: Social Housing Accelerator Payment (SHAP) in Greater Darwin/Nightcliff, John Stokes Square Redevelopment, Darwin Mid Suburbs Area Plan, and Royal Darwin Hospital Mental Health Inpatient Unit and CSSD Upgrade. The following list details those most relevant.

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

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Nightcliff ranks among the top 25% of areas assessed nationally for overall employment performance

Nightcliff has a highly educated workforce with essential services sectors well represented. The unemployment rate was 2.3% in the past year, with an estimated employment growth of 2.0%.

As of September 2025, 2629 residents were employed, and the unemployment rate was 0.8% lower than Greater Darwin's rate of 3.1%. Workforce participation was similar to Greater Darwin at 74.1%. The leading employment industries among residents are health care & social assistance, public administration & safety, and education & training. Health care & social assistance has a particularly notable concentration with employment levels at 1.6 times the regional average.

Construction has limited presence with 6.7% employment compared to 9.2% regionally. The area offers limited local employment opportunities as indicated by the count of Census working population vs resident population. Over the 12 months to September 2025, employment increased by 2.0%, while labour force increased by 1.7%, causing the unemployment rate to fall by 0.2 percentage points in Nightcliff. In Greater Darwin, employment grew by 1.9%, labour force expanded by 1.9%, and unemployment rose marginally. State-level data to 25-Nov shows NT employment contracted by 1.13% (losing 4100 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 Nightcliff's employment should increase by 7.2% over five years and 14.8% over ten years, based on industry-specific projections applied to Nightcliff's employment mix.

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

The Nightcliff SA2 has one of Australia's highest income levels according to AreaSearch's aggregation of latest ATO data for financial year 2022. Its median taxpayer income is $72,135 and average income stands at $84,008. These figures compare with Greater Darwin's median income of $65,522 and average income of $75,260. Based on a 12.01% increase in Wage Price Index since financial year 2022, estimated incomes for September 2025 would be approximately $80,798 (median) and $94,097 (average). From the 2021 Census, individual earnings rank at the 91st percentile nationally ($1,203 weekly). Income analysis shows that 36.4% of Nightcliff's population (1,513 individuals) fall within the $1,500 - $2,999 income range, consistent with broader regional trends showing 36.7% in the same category. Notably, 30.2% earn above $3,000 weekly. Housing accounts for 14.9% of income, and residents rank within the 70th percentile for disposable income. 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 structure in the latest Census showed 35.9% houses and 64.1% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings). This compares to Darwin metro's 68.4% houses and 31.6% other dwellings. Home ownership in Nightcliff was 19.9%, with mortgaged dwellings at 25.0% and rented at 55.1%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $1,972, below Darwin metro's average of $2,028. Median weekly rent was $350 in Nightcliff, matching Darwin metro's figure but lower than the national average of $375. Nationally, Nightcliff's mortgage repayments were higher at $1,972 compared to Australia's average of $1,863.

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

Family households constitute 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

Nightcliff residents aged 15+ have a higher university qualification rate of 51.1%, surpassing the Northern Territory's 27.3% and Australia's 30.4%. Bachelor degrees are most common at 28.7%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (17.5%) and graduate diplomas (4.9%). Vocational pathways account for 24.8%, with advanced diplomas at 8.7% and certificates at 16.1%. Educational participation is high, with 32.6% currently enrolled in formal education, including tertiary (10.4%), primary (8.6%), and secondary (6.4%).

Educational participation is notably high, with 32.6% of residents currently enrolled in formal education. This includes 10.4% in tertiary education, 8.6% in primary education, and 6.4% pursuing secondary education.

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

Nightcliff has ten active public transport stops, all providing bus services. These stops are served by thirty-eight different routes, offering a total of two thousand four weekly passenger trips. Transport accessibility is rated good, with residents located an average of 211 meters from the nearest stop.

Services run approximately 286 trips per day across all routes, equating to around 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 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 (2,593 people), compared to 56.7% across Greater Darwin and a 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.

Overall, 78.3% of residents report being completely clear of medical ailments, compared to 77.0% across Greater Darwin. The area has 13.0% of residents aged 65 and over (540 people), with health outcomes among seniors broadly in line with the general population's health profile.

Nightcliff 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

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

The top three ancestral groups are English (21.7%), Australian (18.8%), and Other (16.5%). Some ethnic groups show notable differences: Filipino at 3.1% in Nightcliff versus 4.7% regionally, Greek at 3.6% versus 3.7%, and Indian at 4.0% versus 3.2%.

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

Nightcliff's median age at 34 years matches Greater Darwin's average of 34, but it is lower than Australia's median of 38. Compared to Greater Darwin, Nightcliff has a higher proportion of residents aged 25-34 (23.4%) but fewer residents aged 15-24 (8.7%). This 25-34 concentration is notably higher than the national average of 14.5%. Between 2021 and present, the 35 to 44 age group has increased from 16.8% to 17.9% of Nightcliff's population. Conversely, the 45 to 54 cohort has decreased from 11.9% to 10.5%. By 2041, demographic projections suggest significant changes in Nightcliff's age profile. The 45 to 54 age group is projected to grow steadily, increasing by 185 people (42%) from 437 to 623. Conversely, the 0 to 4 cohort is projected to decline by 9 people.