Palmerston - North
Statistical Area - sa2

Palmerston - North has seen population growth performance typically on par with national averages when looking at short and medium term trends

Palmerston - North's population is approximately 4,770 as of November 2025. This figure represents an increase of 314 people, a 7.0% rise from the 2021 Census count of 4,456 inhabitants. The change is inferred from ABS estimates: 4,747 in June 2024 and an additional 10 validated new addresses since the Census date. This population results in a density ratio of 1,000 persons per square kilometer, similar to averages across locations assessed by AreaSearch. Over the past decade, Palmerston - North's growth rate has been resilient at 0.6% compound annual growth, surpassing state averages. Natural growth contributed approximately 58.3% of overall population gains during recent periods.

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 estimates, AreaSearch applies growth rates by age cohort, as provided by the ABS in its latest Greater Capital Region projections (released in 2023, based on 2022 data). Future demographic trends suggest a population increase just below the median of statistical areas analysed by AreaSearch. By 2041, Palmerston - North is expected to expand by 583 persons, with an overall increase of 11.7% over the 17-year period.

AreaSearch assessment of residential development drivers sees a low level of activity in Palmerston - North, placing the area among the bottom 25% of areas assessed nationally

Palmerston - North has recorded approximately two residential properties granted approval each year over the past five financial years, totalling 13 homes. In the current financial year FY-26, four approvals have been recorded. On average, 3.4 new residents per year have been associated with every home built between FY-21 and FY-25, indicating significant demand exceeding supply, which typically drives price growth and increased buyer competition. The average construction cost of new homes in the area is $246,000, below regional levels, suggesting more affordable housing options for buyers.

This financial year has seen $49.0 million in commercial approvals, reflecting strong local business investment. Compared to Greater Darwin, Palmerston - North shows substantially reduced construction activity, with 87.0% fewer approvals per person, which can reinforce demand and pricing for existing homes. This is also lower than national averages, possibly due to market maturity or development constraints. All new constructions in the area have been detached dwellings, maintaining its traditional suburban character focused on family homes. As of now, there are approximately 3168 people per dwelling approval, indicating an established market.

Future projections suggest Palmerston - North will add 560 residents by 2041. At current development rates, housing supply may struggle to keep pace with population growth, potentially intensifying buyer competition and supporting price increases.

Palmerston - North has limited levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the 2ndth percentile nationally

No changes can significantly affect a region's performance like alterations to local infrastructure, major projects, or planning initiatives. AreaSearch has identified zero projects that could potentially impact this area. Notable projects include Darwin Light Rail Stage 1, Hudson Creek Power Station, Marine Industry Park, and Darwin Corporate Park, with the following list highlighting those most likely to be relevant.

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Employment conditions in Palmerston - North demonstrate exceptional strength compared to most Australian markets

Palmerston - North has a skilled workforce with prominent representation in essential services sectors. Its unemployment rate was 2.3% as of June 2025, which is lower than Greater Darwin's rate of 3.0%.

The area experienced an estimated employment growth of 3.5% over the past year. As of June 2025, 2,846 residents were in work, with a workforce participation rate of 75.2%, higher than Greater Darwin's 69.7%. Employment is concentrated in public administration & safety, health care & social assistance, and construction. The area has a strong specialization in mining, with an employment share 1.9 times the regional level.

However, professional & technical services have lower representation at 4.0% compared to the regional average of 5.8%. The worker-to-resident ratio is 1.0, indicating substantial local employment opportunities. Over the year to June 2025, employment increased by 3.5%, while labour force grew by 2.9%, leading to a decrease in unemployment rate by 0.6 percentage points. In contrast, Greater Darwin experienced employment growth of 2.9% and marginal changes in its unemployment rate. National employment forecasts from Jobs and Skills Australia, issued in May 2025, project national employment growth of 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Palmerston - North's employment mix suggests local growth of approximately 6.1% over five years and 12.7% over ten years.

The economic profile demonstrates exceptional strength, placing the area among the top 10% nationally based on comprehensive AreaSearch income analysis

AreaSearch's data for financial year 2022 shows median income in Palmerston - North is $68,102 and average income is $74,098. These figures are higher than Greater Darwin's median of $65,522 and average of $75,260. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 12.01% since financial year 2022, estimated incomes as of September 2025 would be approximately $76,281 (median) and $82,997 (average). Census 2021 data ranks Palmerston - North's household, family, and personal incomes between the 89th and 90th percentiles nationally. Income distribution shows 40.4% of locals earn between $1,500 and $2,999 annually. Economic strength is evident with 35.6% of households earning over $3,000 weekly. High housing costs consume 16.6% of income but strong earnings place disposable income at the 88th percentile nationally. The area's SEIFA income ranking places it in the 6th decile.

Palmerston - North is characterized by a predominantly suburban housing profile, with above-average rates of outright home ownership

Palmerston - North's dwelling structure, as per the latest Census, consisted of 86.3% houses and 13.7% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings). In comparison, Darwin metro had 75.9% houses and 24.0% other dwellings. Home ownership in Palmerston - North was at 11.7%, with the rest either mortgaged (43.7%) or rented (44.6%). The median monthly mortgage repayment was $2,000, below Darwin metro's average of $2,037. Median weekly rent was $460, compared to Darwin metro's $400. Nationally, Palmerston - North's mortgage repayments were higher than the Australian average of $1,863, and rents were substantially above the national figure of $375.

Palmerston - North features high concentrations of family households and group households, with a higher-than-average median household size

Family households account for 79.5% of all households, including 40.6% couples with children, 24.5% couples without children, and 13.3% single parent families. Non-family households constitute the remaining 20.5%, with lone person households at 16.5% and group households comprising 3.9%. The median household size is 2.9 people, which is larger than the Greater Darwin average of 2.8.

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

The area's university qualification rate is 20.3%, significantly lower than the SA4 region average of 31.3%. Bachelor degrees are most common at 13.7%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (4.1%) and graduate diplomas (2.5%). Vocational credentials are held by 44.2% of residents aged 15+, with advanced diplomas at 12.3% and certificates at 31.9%. Educational participation is high, with 34.9% of residents currently enrolled in formal education: primary (12.3%), secondary (9.2%), and tertiary (5.7%).

Schools are located outside the immediate catchment boundaries, requiring families to access them in neighboring areas.

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

Palmerston - North has 11 active public transport stops operating within its boundaries. These stops serve a mix of bus routes, totalling 26 individual routes. Collectively, these routes facilitate 1,749 weekly passenger trips.

The accessibility of transport in the area is rated as good, with residents typically residing 284 meters from their nearest transport stop. On average, service frequency across all routes amounts to 249 trips per day, equating to approximately 159 weekly trips per individual stop.

Palmerston - North's residents boast exceedingly positive health performance metrics with younger cohorts in particular seeing very low prevalence of common health conditions

Palmerston - North's health outcomes data shows notable results, with younger cohorts having a low prevalence of common health conditions.

Approximately 56% (~2,695 people) of the total population has private health cover. The most prevalent medical conditions are asthma and mental health issues, affecting 7.8 and 6.7% of residents respectively. Conversely, 75.4% of residents report being completely free from medical ailments compared to 76.6% across Greater Darwin. The area has 6.9% (327 people) of residents aged 65 and over, with health outcomes among seniors requiring more attention than the broader population.

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

Palmerston-North, according to the 2016 Census, had a cultural diversity index of 22.6%, with 15.8% speaking languages other than English at home. Christianity was the predominant religion, comprising 41.6%. Judaism, however, showed overrepresentation at 0.2%, compared to Greater Darwin's 0.1%.

Ancestry-wise, Australians topped at 27.0%, followed by English at 23.7% and Other at 10.8%. Notables included Filipino (3.4% vs regional 4.8%), Australian Aboriginal (7.4% vs 9.1%) and Samoan (0.3% vs 0.2%).

Palmerston - North hosts a very young demographic, ranking in the bottom 10% of areas nationwide

Palmerston - North has a median age of 32, which is slightly younger than Greater Darwin's figure of 34 and substantially under the Australian median of 38. Compared to Greater Darwin, Palmerston - North has a higher concentration of 5-14 year-olds at 16.1%, but fewer 65-74 year-olds at 4.1%. Between 2021 and present, the 35-44 age group has grown from 16.5% to 18.1% of the population, while the 5-14 cohort increased from 15.1% to 16.1%. Conversely, the 0-4 cohort has declined from 9.0% to 8.1%. Looking ahead to 2041, demographic projections reveal significant shifts in Palmerston - North's age structure. The 45-54 age cohort is projected to increase solidly by 170 people (28%), from 597 to 768. The 0-4 group displays more modest growth at 1%, adding only 5 residents.