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 is approximately 4,157 as of November 2025. This figure represents an increase of 273 people, a 7.0% rise since the 2021 Census which reported a population of 3,884. The change is inferred from the estimated resident population of 4,121 in June 2024 and an additional 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 relative to national locations assessed by AreaSearch. Nightcliff's growth rate of 7.0% since the census is within 0.6 percentage points of the SA3 area (7.6%), indicating competitive growth fundamentals. Overseas migration contributed approximately 59.3% of overall population gains during recent periods, driving primary population growth in the area.

AreaSearch adopts ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area as released in 2024 with a base year of 2022. For areas not covered by this data and to estimate post-2032 growth, AreaSearch applies growth rates by age cohort to each area, based on the latest Greater Capital Region projections from the ABS (released in 2023, using 2022 data). Future population dynamics anticipate an above median growth for national areas. By 2041, Nightcliff is projected to increase by 630 persons, reflecting a total increase of 14.3% over the 17-year period based on the latest population numbers.

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

Nightcliff averaged approximately two new dwelling approvals annually between FY21-FY25, with 14 homes approved during this period. In FY26, one home has been approved so far. The population decline in recent years has seen development activity remain adequate relative to the decreasing population, 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. This financial year, $11.2 million in commercial approvals have been registered, suggesting balanced commercial development activity compared to Greater Darwin. Nightcliff has significantly less development activity than the regional average per person (64.0% below). This scarcity of new dwellings typically strengthens demand and prices for existing properties. Compared nationally, Nightcliff's development activity is also lower, reflecting market maturity and possible development constraints.

New building activity shows 67.0% detached houses and 33.0% attached dwellings, with an increasing blend of attached housing types offering choices across price ranges. Interestingly, developers are building more traditional houses than the current mix suggests (36.0% at Census), indicating continued strong demand for family homes despite density pressures. The location has approximately 2572 people per dwelling approval, demonstrating an established market. Population forecasts indicate Nightcliff will gain 594 residents by 2041. Should current construction levels persist, housing supply could lag population growth, likely 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. Two projects identified by AreaSearch are expected to affect this region: John Stokes Square Redevelopment, Social Housing Accelerator Payment (SHAP) - Greater Darwin / Nightcliff, Royal Darwin Hospital Mental Health Inpatient Unit and CSSD Upgrade, and Darwin Mid Suburbs Area Plan. The following details the most relevant projects.

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

Nightcliff has a highly educated workforce with significant representation in essential services sectors. The unemployment rate as of June 2025 was 2.1%.

Employment growth over the past year was estimated at 3.4%. In comparison to Greater Darwin's unemployment rate of 3.0%, Nightcliff's is 0.9% lower, with workforce participation at 74.1% compared to Greater Darwin's 69.7%. Leading employment industries among residents include health care & social assistance, public administration & safety, and education & training. Notably, health care & social assistance has an employment level of 1.6 times the regional average.

Conversely, construction has a limited presence with 6.7% employment compared to the regional average of 9.2%. Over the 12 months to June 2025, employment increased by 3.4%, labour force increased by 2.9%, leading to a fall in unemployment rate by 0.4 percentage points. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May 2025 project national employment growth of 6.6% 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 this is a simple weighting extrapolation 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's median income among taxpayers was $72,135 in financial year 2022. The average income stood at $84,008 during the same period. This compares to figures for Greater Darwin of $65,522 and $75,260 respectively. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 12.01% since financial year 2022, current estimates would be approximately $80,798 (median) and $94,097 (average) as of September 2025. From the 2021 Census, individual earnings stood out at the 91st percentile nationally ($1,203 weekly). Income analysis revealed that 36.4% of Nightcliff's population (1,513 individuals) fell within the $1,500 - $2,999 income range. This was consistent with broader trends across the region showing 36.7% in the same category. A significant 30.2% earned above $3,000 weekly. Housing accounted for 14.9% of income while strong earnings ranked residents within the 71st percentile for disposable income. The area's SEIFA income ranking placed 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, as per the latest Census, consisted of 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 stood at 19.9%, with mortgaged dwellings at 25.0% and rented dwellings at 55.1%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $1,972, below the Darwin metro average of $2,028. Median weekly rent in Nightcliff was $350, matching Darwin metro's figure but lower than the national average of $375. Nationally, Nightcliff's mortgage repayments were higher than the Australian 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 comprise the remaining 39.1%, with lone person households at 30.8% and group households making up 7.9%. The median household size is 2.4 people, 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. 51.1% of residents aged 15 years and above hold university qualifications, compared to 27.3% in the Northern Territory and 30.4% in Australia. This educational advantage is reflected in the types of qualifications held: Bachelor degrees lead 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 making up 8.7% and certificates accounting for 16.1%.

Educational participation is high in Nightcliff, 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. Nightcliff Primary School serves the local educational needs within Nightcliff, with an enrollment of 505 students as of a recent report. The school focuses exclusively on primary education, with an Index of Community Socio-Educational Advantage (ICSEA) score of 1070, indicating above-average socio-educational conditions. Secondary educational options are available in surrounding areas. As of the latest data, there is one school place per 100 residents in Nightcliff, compared to the regional average of 16.9 places per 100 residents, suggesting some students may attend schools in adjacent areas.

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 operating within its boundaries. These stops are served by a mix of bus routes totaling 38 individual services. Together, these routes facilitate 2,004 weekly passenger trips in the area.

The accessibility of transport is rated as good, with residents typically residing 211 meters from their nearest transport stop. On average, service frequency across all routes amounts to 286 trips per day, equating to approximately 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 exceptional results in Nightcliff, with very low prevalence of common health conditions across all age groups. The rate of private health cover is 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.

A total of 78.3% of residents declare themselves completely clear of medical ailments, compared to 77.0% across Greater Darwin. Nightcliff has 13.0% of residents aged 65 and over (540 people). Health outcomes among seniors are particularly strong, broadly in line 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's population shows high cultural diversity, with 37.2% born overseas and 32.7% speaking a language other than English at home. Christianity is the predominant religion in Nightcliff, accounting for 35.9%. Hinduism is notably higher compared to Greater Darwin, making up 9.5% of Nightcliff's population versus 5.1%.

The top three ancestry groups are English (21.7%), Australian (18.8%), and Other (16.5%). Some ethnic groups have notable differences in representation: Filipino is overrepresented at 3.1%, Greek is almost equally represented at 3.6% compared to the regional figure of 3.7%, and Indian is slightly higher than the regional average at 4%.

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 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 significantly higher than the national average of 14.5%. Between 2021 and the present, the age group of 35 to 44 has increased from 16.8% to 17.9% of Nightcliff's population. Conversely, the age group of 45 to 54 has decreased from 11.9% to 10.5%. By 2041, demographic projections suggest significant changes in Nightcliff's age profile. The 45-54 age cohort is projected to grow steadily, increasing by 185 people (42%) from 437 to 623. Conversely, the 0-4 age cohort is projected to decline by 9 people.