Stuart Park
Statistical Area - sa2

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

Stuart Park's population was estimated at 4,424 as of August 2025. This reflects a growth of 323 people since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 4,101 people. The increase is inferred from ABS data showing an estimated resident population of 4,420 in June 2024 and four additional validated addresses since the Census date. This results in a population density ratio of 2,681 persons per square kilometer, placing Stuart Park in the upper quartile nationally according to AreaSearch assessments. The area's 7.9% growth rate since the census is within 0.7 percentage points of its SA3 area (8.6%), indicating strong growth fundamentals. Overseas migration contributed approximately 75.3% of overall population gains during recent periods in Stuart Park.

AreaSearch uses ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area, released in 2024 with a base year of 2022, and applies growth rates by age cohort to areas not covered by this data, as provided by the ABS in its latest Greater Capital Region projections (released in 2023, based on 2022 data). Based on projected demographic shifts, Stuart Park is expected to have above median population growth nationally, with an increase of 930 persons to 2041, representing a total increase of 20.9% over the seventeen years.

Residential development activity is lower than average in Stuart Park according to AreaSearch's national comparison of local real estate markets

Stuart Park has averaged approximately four new dwelling approvals annually. Development approval data is provided by the Australian Bureau of Statistics on a financial year basis, totalling 20 approvals over the past five financial years from FY-21 to FY-25, with none recorded so far in FY-26. On average, 4.4 people have moved to the area per dwelling built annually over these years. This substantial lag between supply and demand typically results in heightened buyer competition and pricing pressures.

New properties are constructed at an average expected cost of $743,000, indicating that developers target the premium market segment with higher-end properties. This financial year has seen $2.3 million in commercial development approvals recorded, suggesting the area's residential character. Compared to Greater Darwin, Stuart Park records slightly elevated construction activity, at 15.0% above the regional average per person over the five-year period from FY-21 to FY-25. This maintains good buyer choice and supports existing property values, although building activity has slowed in recent years.

This is also below the national average, reflecting the area's maturity and possible planning constraints. Recent development has consisted entirely of detached dwellings, sustaining Stuart Park's suburban identity with a concentration of family homes suited to buyers seeking space. Developers are constructing more detached housing than the existing pattern implies, at 25.0% higher than Census figures, indicating persistent strong demand for family homes. With around 1466 people per dwelling approval, Stuart Park reflects a highly mature market. Population forecasts indicate that Stuart Park will gain approximately 926 residents by 2041. If current construction levels persist, housing supply may lag population growth, likely intensifying buyer competition and underpinning price growth in the area.

Stuart Park has limited levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the 12thth percentile nationally

Changes to local infrastructure significantly impact an area's performance. AreaSearch has identified ten projects potentially influencing this region. Notable ones are Stuart Highway Road Safety Improvements - Stuart Park, Darwin Inner Suburbs Area Plan, Charles Darwin University City Campus, and Stuart Park Central. Below is a list detailing those likely to be most relevant.

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

AreaSearch analysis of employment trends sees Stuart Park performing better than 90% of local markets assessed across Australia

Stuart Park has a highly educated workforce with key services sectors well represented. Its unemployment rate is 1.6% and it experienced an estimated employment growth of 3.1% in the past year as of June 2025.

In this month, 3,163 residents are employed while the unemployment rate is 1.4% lower than Greater Darwin's rate of 3.0%. Workforce participation is high at 77.4%, compared to Greater Darwin's 69.7%. The dominant employment sectors among residents include public administration & safety, health care & social assistance, and accommodation & food. Notably, the latter sector has employment levels 1.5 times higher than the regional average.

However, education & training is under-represented with only 6.6% of Stuart Park's workforce compared to Greater Darwin's 8.7%. The area appears to have limited local employment opportunities as indicated by Census data on working population versus resident population. In the 12-month period ending June 2025, employment increased by 3.1% while labour force grew by 2.9%, leading to a fall in unemployment rate of 0.2 percentage points. By comparison, Greater Darwin recorded similar employment and labour force growth rates with marginal unemployment reduction. State-level data up to Sep-25 shows NT employment grew by 1.0% year-on-year, adding 1,710 jobs, with the state unemployment rate at 4.2%. This compares favourably to the national unemployment rate of 4.5%, with the state's employment growth outpacing the national average of 0.26%. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May 2025 suggest that national employment will expand by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, but growth rates vary significantly between industry sectors. Applying these projections to Stuart Park's employment mix suggests local growth of approximately 6.5% over five years and 13.4% over ten years.

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

Stuart Park has a median taxpayer income of $68,328 and an average income of $84,351 based on the latest postcode level ATO data aggregated by AreaSearch for financial year 2022. This is notably high compared to Greater Darwin's median income of $65,522 and average income of $75,260 in the same period. With a Wage Price Index growth of 10.44% since financial year 2022, estimated current incomes would be approximately $75,461 (median) and $93,157 (average) as of March 2025. According to the 2021 Census, Stuart Park's household, family, and personal incomes rank highly nationally, between the 82nd and 93rd percentiles. Income analysis shows that 41.3% of the community earns between $1,500 - 2,999 per week (1,827 individuals), which is consistent with broader regional trends at 36.7%. A substantial proportion, 32.9%, earns above $3,000 per week, indicating strong economic capacity in the suburb. High housing costs consume 15.7% of income, but strong earnings place disposable income at the 81st percentile nationally. The area's SEIFA income ranking places it in the 8th decile.

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

Stuart Park's housing structure, as per the latest Census, consisted of 24.9% houses and 75.2% other dwellings such as semi-detached homes, apartments, and 'other' dwellings. In comparison, Darwin metropolitan area had 23.6% houses and 76.4% other dwellings. Home ownership in Stuart Park stood at 14.4%, mirroring the Darwin metro level, with mortgaged properties at 27.2% and rented ones at 58.5%. The median monthly mortgage repayment in Stuart Park was $1,980, lower than Darwin's average of $2,000. Meanwhile, the median weekly rent in Stuart Park was recorded as $400, compared to Darwin metro's $420. Nationally, Stuart Park's mortgage repayments were higher at $1,980 than the Australian average of $1,863, while rents exceeded the national figure of $375 by $25.

Stuart Park features high concentrations of group households, with a fairly typical median household size

Family households constitute 61.7% of all households, including 23.5% couples with children, 29.6% couples without children, and 6.9% single parent families. Non-family households comprise the remaining 38.3%, with lone person households at 27.6% and group households making up 10.9%. The median household size is 2.3 people, which aligns with the Greater Darwin average.

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

Educational attainment in Stuart Park is notably higher than broader averages. 42.2% of residents aged 15 and above hold university qualifications, compared to 27.3% in the Northern Territory (NT) and 30.4% nationally. Bachelor degrees are most common at 25.2%, followed by postgraduate qualifications at 12.6% and graduate diplomas at 4.4%. Vocational credentials are also prevalent, with 32.1% of residents aged 15 and above holding them – advanced diplomas at 11.8% and certificates at 20.3%.

Educational participation is high, with 32.0% of residents currently enrolled in formal education. This includes 10.4% in tertiary education, 7.5% in primary education, and 6.5% pursuing secondary education. Stuart Park Primary School serves the local area, with an enrollment of 524 students as of a recent report. The school's Index of Community Socio-Educational Advantage (ICSEA) is 1053, indicating above-average socio-educational conditions. There is one primary school in Stuart Park, with secondary options available in nearby areas. School places per 100 residents stand at 11.8, below the regional average of 15.1, suggesting some students may attend schools outside the area.

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

Stuart Park has 12 operational public transport stops, serving a variety of bus routes. These stops are served by 30 different routes that facilitate 1,468 weekly passenger trips in total. The area's transport accessibility is rated highly, with residents generally located just 173 meters away from the nearest stop.

On average, there are 209 daily trips across all routes, which translates to about 122 weekly trips per individual stop.

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

Health outcomes data from Stuart Park shows very low prevalence of common health conditions across all age groups. The rate of private health cover is exceptionally high at approximately 62% of the total population (2,760 people), compared to the national average of 55.3%.

Mental health issues and asthma are the most common medical conditions in the area, affecting 5.9% and 5.7% of residents respectively. A total of 80.5% of residents declare themselves completely clear of medical ailments, which is higher than the 79.9% across Greater Darwin. Stuart Park has 9.3% of residents aged 65 and over (413 people), lower than the 11.0% in Greater Darwin. Health outcomes among seniors are particularly strong, broadly in line with the general population's health profile.

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

Stuart Park has a high level of cultural diversity, with 32.5% of its population speaking a language other than English at home and 40.8% born overseas. Christianity is the main religion in Stuart Park, comprising 37.2% of people. Hinduism is slightly overrepresented in Stuart Park compared to Greater Darwin, making up 7.6% of the population versus 7.4%.

The top three ancestry groups are English (22.1%), Australian (18.3%), and Other (15.2%). Notably, Filipino (4.6%) and Sri Lankan (1.3%) ethnicities are overrepresented in Stuart Park compared to regional averages of 2.9% and 0.7%, respectively. Greek ethnicity is also notably present at 2.7%.

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

Stuart Park's median age is 34 years, matching Greater Darwin's average but lower than Australia's median of 38. Compared to Greater Darwin, Stuart Park has a higher percentage of residents aged 25-34 (26.5%) but fewer aged 5-14 (7.8%). This 25-34 concentration is notably higher than the national average of 14.5%. Between 2021 and present, the 15 to 24 age group has increased from 11.8% to 12.9%, while the 5 to 14 cohort has decreased from 8.8% to 7.8%. By 2041, demographic projections suggest Stuart Park's age profile will significantly change. The 45 to 54 age group is projected to grow steadily, expanding by 217 people (41%) from 527 to 745. Meanwhile, the 5 to 14 cohort grows by a modest 3% (11 people).