Parap

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

Parap's population is approximately 2,998 as of November 2025. This figure represents an increase of 179 people, a 6.3% rise from the 2021 Census which reported a population of 2,819. The change was inferred from the estimated resident population of 2,969 in June 2024 and an additional 10 validated new addresses since the Census date. This results in a population density ratio of 2,725 persons per square kilometer, placing Parap in the upper quartile relative to national locations assessed by AreaSearch. Over the past decade, Parap has shown resilient growth patterns with a compound annual growth rate of 1.2%, outperforming the SA3 area. The primary driver for population growth was overseas migration, contributing approximately 80.8% of overall population gains in recent periods.

AreaSearch is adopting 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 to estimate growth post-2032, 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). Considering projected demographic shifts, a population increase just below the median of national statistical areas is expected. By 2041, Parap's population is projected to grow by 233 persons, reflecting an overall increase of 6.8% over the 17-year period, based on the latest annual ERP population numbers.

Residential dwelling approval activity has been practically non-existent in Parap

Parap has had minimal development activity over the past five years, with only one approval recorded during this period. This indicates a suburb that is largely fully developed, with limited opportunities for new construction. The scarcity of new supply typically supports demand for established properties and can contribute to price stability in the area.

Compared to Greater Darwin, Parap has significantly less development activity, being 91.0% below the regional average per person. This constrained level of new construction generally reinforces demand and pricing for existing dwellings within Parap. This limited development activity is also reflective of national trends, suggesting market maturity and possible development constraints in the suburb.

Parap has limited levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the 5thth percentile nationally

Changes to local infrastructure significantly impact an area's performance. Two projects are identified by AreaSearch as potentially influencing this region. Notable projects include Darwin Inner Suburbs Area Plan, Richardson Park Community Space, Elysium Green, and Darwin Mid Suburbs Area Plan. The following details the most relevant ones.

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

Denotes AI-based impression for illustrative purposes only, not to be taken as definitive under any circumstances. Please follow links and conduct other investigations from the project's source for actual imagery. Developers and project owners wishing us to use original imagery please Contact Us and we will do so.

AreaSearch analysis reveals Parap significantly outperforming the majority of regions assessed nationwide

Parap has a highly educated workforce with essential services sectors well represented. Its unemployment rate was 2.2% in the past year, with an estimated employment growth of 1.9%.

As of September 2025, 1,912 residents were employed, with an unemployment rate of 0.9% below Greater Darwin's rate of 3.1%. Workforce participation was at 74.2%, compared to Greater Darwin's 69.7%. Key industries of employment among Parap residents are public administration & safety, health care & social assistance, and education & training. The area shows strong specialization in professional & technical services, with an employment share 1.6 times the regional level.

However, construction has limited presence, with 6.7% employment compared to 9.2% regionally. Over the 12 months to September 2025, employment increased by 1.9%, while labour force increased by 1.9%, leaving unemployment broadly flat. In Greater Darwin, employment grew by 1.9%, labour force expanded by 1.9%, and unemployment rose marginally. State-level data from 25-Nov shows NT employment contracted by 1.13% (losing 4,100 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 Parap's employment should increase by 6.5% over five years and 13.4% over ten years, based on industry-specific projections applied to its current employment mix.

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

According to AreaSearch's aggregation of ATO data released on June 30, 2022, Parap SA2 had a median income among taxpayers of $70,759 and an average income of $87,352. These figures are among the highest in Australia compared to Greater Darwin's median income of $65,522 and average income of $75,260. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 12.01% since June 2022, estimated median and average incomes as of September 2025 would be approximately $79,257 and $97,843 respectively. Census data indicates that household, family, and personal incomes in Parap rank highly nationally, between the 79th and 94th percentiles. Income distribution shows that 37.0% of locals (1,109 people) earn between $1,500 and $2,999 per week, similar to metropolitan regions where 36.7% fall within this range. The area exhibits considerable affluence with 33.6% earning over $3,000 per week, supporting premium retail and service offerings. High housing costs consume 17.2% of income, but strong earnings place disposable income at the 77th percentile nationally. Parap's SEIFA income ranking places it in the 8th decile.

Parap features a more urban dwelling mix with significant apartment living, with ownership patterns similar to the broader region

The latest Census evaluation showed that 30.6% of dwellings in Parap were houses, with the remaining 69.4% being semi-detached, apartments, or other types. In comparison, Darwin metro had 23.6% houses and 76.4% other dwellings. Home ownership in Parap stood at 13.2%, with mortgaged dwellings at 23.7% and rented ones at 63.1%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $2,232, higher than Darwin metro's average of $2,000. The median weekly rent in Parap was $415, slightly above Darwin metro's figure of $420. Nationally, Parap's mortgage repayments were significantly higher than the Australian average of $1,863, and rents were substantially above the national figure of $375.

Parap features high concentrations of group households and lone person households, with a fairly typical median household size

Family households constitute 60.3% of all households, including 26.2% couples with children, 22.8% couples without children, and 9.9% single parent families. Non-family households account for the remaining 39.7%, with lone person households at 31.2% and group households comprising 8.5%. The median household size is 2.3 people, which aligns with the Greater Darwin average.

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

Parap's educational attainment is notably higher than broader benchmarks. Among residents aged 15+, 43.8% have university qualifications, compared to 27.3% in the Northern Territory (NT) and 30.4% nationally. University graduates make up 27.9%, postgraduate qualifications are held by 11.6%, and graduate diplomas by 4.3%. Vocational credentials are prominent, with 31.5% of residents aged 15+ holding them.

Advanced diplomas account for 11.2% and certificates for 20.3%. Educational participation is high, with 31.1% currently enrolled in formal education. This includes 9.5% in primary education, 7.2% in secondary education, and 7.1% pursuing tertiary education.

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

The public transport analysis indicates that there are twelve active transport stops currently operating within Parap. These stops offer a variety of bus services, with twenty-nine individual routes collectively facilitating 1,915 weekly passenger trips. The accessibility of these transport services is rated as excellent, with residents typically located 185 meters from the nearest stop.

On average, service frequency across all routes amounts to 273 trips per day, equating to approximately 159 weekly trips per individual stop.

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

Parap shows excellent health outcomes across all age groups, with a very low prevalence of common health conditions. Private health cover rate is exceptionally high at approximately 64% of the total population (1,912 people), compared to Greater Darwin's 61.3%. Nationally, this figure stands at 55.3%.

The most prevalent medical conditions are mental health issues and asthma, affecting 6.5% and 5.6% of residents respectively. 76.9% of residents declare themselves completely clear of medical ailments, compared to Greater Darwin's 79.9%. Parap has 12.0% of residents aged 65 and over (361 people), higher than Greater Darwin's 11.0%. Health outcomes among seniors are particularly strong, broadly in line with the general population's health profile.

Parap 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

Parap was found to have a higher cultural diversity than most local markets, with 25.7% of its population speaking a language other than English at home and 34.2% born overseas. Christianity is the predominant religion in Parap, making up 38.9% of people there. However, the category 'Other' shows notable overrepresentation, comprising 2.0% of Parap's population compared to 1.4% across Greater Darwin.

In terms of ancestry (country of birth of parents), the top three groups in Parap are English at 23.3%, Australian at 19.0%, and Other at 13.3%. Some ethnic groups show notable differences: Filipino is overrepresented at 2.7% compared to 2.9% regionally, Sri Lankan at 0.6% versus 0.7%, and German at 4.6% compared to 3.3%.

Parap's population is slightly younger than the national pattern

Parap's median age is 36, slightly older than Greater Darwin's 34 but lower than Australia's 38 years. Compared to Greater Darwin, Parap has a higher proportion of residents aged 25-34 (20.7%) but fewer aged 5-14 (10.2%). This 25-34 concentration is significantly higher than the national average of 14.5%. Between the 2021 Census and present, the 15 to 24 age group has increased from 9.3% to 10.9%, while the 75 to 84 cohort has grown from 2.2% to 3.6%. Conversely, the 5 to 14 cohort has decreased from 11.9% to 10.2%, and the 45 to 54 group has dropped from 12.7% to 11.1%. Population forecasts for Parap in 2041 indicate substantial demographic changes, with the 45 to 54 cohort projected to grow by 25%, adding 82 residents to reach a total of 415. Meanwhile, both the 25 to 34 and 5 to 14 age groups are expected to decrease in number.