Stuart Park

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

According to research conducted by AreaSearch, the population of Stuart Park is estimated to be 4,674 in May 2026. This represents a gain of 573 residents (14.0%) from the 2021 Census, when the cohort was 4,101 people. The expansion is calculated using the June 2025 ABS estimated resident population of 4,674 combined with 4 validated new addresses identified since the Census. This population level yields a density of 2,832 persons per square kilometer, placing the suburb in the top quartile of Australian locations analyzed by AreaSearch. The 14.0% expansion rate recorded in Stuart Park since the 2021 Census outpaced the national rate of 9.3% as well as state benchmarks, positioning it as a local growth leader. Overseas migration was the primary driver of this demographic growth, accounting for roughly 78.3% of the total population increase in recent times.

AreaSearch incorporates projections from the ABS and Geoscience Australia published in 2024, utilizing 2022 as the base year. For regions missing this data, and to project trends beyond 2032, AreaSearch applies age cohort growth rates from the latest ABS Greater Capital Region projections released in 2023, based on 2022 data. Based on these expected demographic transformations, the area is projected to experience population expansion above the national median, with the total population forecast to rise by 856 individuals by 2041 relative to the latest annual ERP, equating to an 18.3% growth rate over the 16 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 seen approximately 4 residential building permits granted per year, totaling 20 residential approvals over the last 5 financial years (from FY-21 to FY-25) and 0 in FY-26 to date. An average of 16.9 new residents per year registered for each home built over the 5 financial years between FY-21 and FY-25 suggests that supply is trailing demand, a situation that typically intensifies competition among buyers and drives up prices, with new dwellings showing an average construction value of $302,000. In addition, commercial approvals valued at $2.3 million have been recorded in the current financial year, demonstrating a low level of commercial development.

Relative to Greater Darwin, Stuart Park displays a moderately higher rate of property development, tracking 16.0% above the regional per capita average over the 5 year timeframe, offering options to buyers while helping maintain existing property values, although building activity has cooled off lately. This volume of building is below the national average, reflecting the established nature of the suburb and potential planning regulations. Furthermore, new building activity has consisted entirely of detached houses, preserving the traditional low-density suburban feel and emphasizing family residences geared toward occupants desiring space. This preference for detached homes in recent approvals is higher than historical patterns would suggest, where detached homes made up 25.0% of dwellings at the Census, indicating a strong appetite for family homes despite density trends. There are approximately 1516 people for every dwelling approved, pointing to a mature residential market.

Looking forward, demographic estimates suggest Stuart Park will add 856 residents by 2041, using the most recent AreaSearch quarterly figures as a baseline. If current development velocities persist, the volume of new housing may not keep pace with population expansion, which could increase competition among buyers and support upward pressure on property values.

Stuart Park has limited levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the 1stth percentile nationally

Changes to local infrastructure, major developments, and urban planning policies are key drivers of local performance. AreaSearch has identified 10 projects that are expected to influence the local area. Principal projects include the Stuart Highway Road Safety Improvements - Stuart Park, the Darwin Inner Suburbs Area Plan, the Charles Darwin University City Campus, and the Darwin City Stadium, with details of the most relevant projects provided below.

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

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

The workforce in Stuart Park is highly qualified, with strong representation in critical services, an unemployment rate of only 1.5%, and an estimated 1.0% increase in local jobs over the past year. In March 2026, there were 3,198 employed residents, and the unemployment rate sat 1.9% below the Greater Darwin level of 3.5%, while workforce participation was exceptionally high at 79.1% compared to 72.7% across Greater Darwin. Census data indicates that a modest 4.4% of the working population worked from home, though this figure was likely influenced by Covid-19 restrictions.

The major employment industries for local residents are public administration & safety, health care & social assistance, and accommodation & food. Accommodation & food is particularly concentrated, with employment levels reaching 1.5 times the regional average. Conversely, education & training is under-represented, employing 6.6% of the local workforce compared to 8.7% across Greater Darwin. Comparison of the Census working population against the resident population suggests that this predominantly residential suburb offers a limited number of local jobs.

An analysis of SALM and ABS figures by AreaSearch reveals that over the 12-month period, the number of employed residents rose by 1.0% and the labor force grew by 0.8%, resulting in a 0.3 percentage point drop in the unemployment rate. Over the same timeframe, Greater Darwin saw employment grow by 0.4% and the labor force expand by 0.8%, while its unemployment rate rose by 0.3 percentage points. Employment projections published by Jobs and Skills Australia in May-25 provide a guide to potential future labor demand in Stuart Park. These five and ten-year forecasts have been applied to the local industry mix to model growth trajectories. While national employment is projected to rise by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, growth rates vary widely by industry. Applying these sectoral projections to the employment profile of Stuart Park indicates a local employment expansion of 6.5% over five years and 13.4% over ten years, noting this is a weighted extrapolation for illustration and does not account for local population changes.

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

According to postcode-level ATO data compiled by AreaSearch for financial year 2023, Stuart Park SA2 has a median taxpayer income of $69,649 and an average taxpayer income of $84,739. These figures are very high on a national scale and exceed Greater Darwin's median of $66,956 and average of $77,199. Factoring in Wage Price Index growth of 9.41% since financial year 2023, current estimates for March 2026 would be roughly $76,203 for the median and $92,713 for the average. The 2021 Census shows that household, family, and individual incomes in Stuart Park are positioned highly, placing between the 82nd and 92nd percentiles nationally. Income distribution data shows that the weekly income bracket of $1,500 - 2,999 accounts for 41.3% of the population (1,930 people), which aligns with the regional average of 36.7% in this bracket. The high proportion of top earners, with 32.9% earning more than $3,000 per week, highlights the solid economic resources of the suburb. Rent and mortgage payments absorb 15.7% of income, yet strong wages keep disposable income in the 81st percentile, and the area ranks in the 8th decile of the SEIFA index of economic resources.

Stuart Park features a more urban dwelling mix with significant apartment living, with a higher proportion of rental properties than the broader region

According to the latest Census, the housing stock in Stuart Park was comprised of 24.9% houses and 75.2% alternative dwellings such as semi-detached homes, apartments, and other types, whereas the Darwin metropolitan area recorded 63.5% houses and 36.5% alternative dwellings. The home ownership rate in Stuart Park was lower than the metropolitan Darwin benchmark, standing at 14.4%, with the remaining properties occupied by residents with a mortgage (27.2%) or renting (58.5%). Median mortgage payments of $1,980 per month were lower than the Darwin metro average of $2,100, while median weekly rent was $400, compared to $385 in metropolitan Darwin. On a national level, Stuart Park's mortgage payments exceed the Australian average of $1,863, and rents are higher than the national median of $375.

Stuart Park features high concentrations of group households, with a lower-than-average median household size

Family households represent 61.7% of all households, which includes 23.5% couples with children, 29.6% couples without children, and 6.9% single parent families. Non-family households account for the remaining 38.3% of the total, with lone person households comprising 27.6% and group households making up 10.9%. The median household size is 2.3 people, which is smaller than the Greater Darwin average of 2.6.

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 high compared to state and national statistics, with 42.2% of residents aged 15+ holding a university degree, compared to 27.3% in NT and 30.4% across Australia. This educational profile positions the suburb well for professional opportunities. Bachelor degrees are the most common qualification at 25.2%, followed by postgraduate degrees at 12.6% and graduate diplomas at 4.4%. Technical qualifications are also common, with 32.1% of residents aged 15 and over holding vocational qualifications, including advanced diplomas (11.8%) and certificates (20.3%).

Enrolment in education is strong, with 32.0% of the population currently engaged in study. This includes 10.4% attending tertiary institutions, 7.5% enrolled in primary schools, and 6.5% studying at the secondary school level.

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

Analysis of public transport options shows 12 active transit stops in Stuart Park, consisting of bus services. These stops are served by 32 separate routes, providing a total of 1,472 passenger trips per week. Transport access is rated as high, with residents living an average of 173 meters from the nearest stop. As the suburb is mainly residential, most workers commute to other areas, with private vehicles remaining the primary mode of travel at 84%, while 3% of residents cycle to work. Vehicle ownership averages 1.3 cars per household, which is lower than the regional average. A relatively low 4.4% of residents worked from home, according to the 2021 Census, which may reflect pandemic-related conditions.

Service frequency averages 210 trips per day across all routes, which corresponds to approximately 122 weekly trips per transport stop.

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

Health indicators show favorable outcomes in Stuart Park, based on AreaSearch's evaluation of mortality statistics and the prevalence of chronic illnesses, which reveals low rates of common health conditions across all age cohorts. Additionally, the rate of private health insurance is high, with approximately 62% of the population (2,879 people) covered, compared to 57.8% in Greater Darwin and a national average of 55.7%.

The most prevalent medical conditions reported in the suburb were mental health conditions and asthma, affecting 5.9% and 5.7% of residents, respectively, while 80.5% of the population reported no chronic health issues, compared to 77.1% in Greater Darwin. Residents aged 65 and over make up 9.6% of the population (447 people), which is lower than the Greater Darwin average of 11.0%. Health outcomes for older residents are strong, ranking higher nationally than the general local population.

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 displays high cultural diversity, with 32.5% of the population speaking a language other than English at home and 40.8% born outside Australia. Christianity is the most common religious affiliation, representing 37.2% of residents. However, the most distinct religious concentration is Hinduism, which is practiced by 7.6% of the population, compared to 4.2% in Greater Darwin.

Regarding ancestry based on the birthplace of parents, the three largest groups in Stuart Park are English at 22.1%, Australian at 18.3%, and Other at 15.2%. In terms of specific ethnic backgrounds, Filipino residents make up 4.6% of the population compared to 3.8% across the region, Sri Lankan residents represent 1.3% compared to 0.3% regionally, and Greek residents account for 2.7% compared to 2.3% regionally.

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

The median age in Stuart Park is 34 years, matching the Greater Darwin average of 34 but tracking below the national median of 38. Compared to the wider Greater Darwin region, Stuart Park has a higher proportion of residents aged 25 - 34 (26.6%) but fewer children aged 5 - 14 (7.3%). The proportion of 25 - 34 year-olds is higher than the national average of 14.6%. Since 2021, the 15 to 24 age bracket has risen from 11.8% to 13.0% of the population, while the 5 to 14 cohort has decreased from 8.8% to 7.3%. Demographic projections indicate that Stuart Park's age structure will change by 2041, with the 45 to 54 cohort expected to grow by 214 people (39%) from 547 to 762, while the 5 to 14 cohort is projected to rise by 3% (10 people).