Tanami
Statistical Area - sa2

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

Tanami's population, as of August 2025, is approximately 3432. This figure represents a growth of 593 people since the 2021 Census, which recorded a population of 2839. The increase is inferred from ABS estimates; Tanami's resident population was 3382 as of June 2024, with an additional 18 validated new addresses post-Census. This results in a population density ratio of 0 persons per square kilometer. Tanami's growth rate of 20.9% since the 2021 Census exceeds both national (8.6%) and state averages, positioning it as a regional growth leader. Natural growth contributed approximately 80% of overall population gains in 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 estimations, growth rates by age cohort are applied based on ABS Greater Capital Region projections (released in 2023, using 2022 data). Future population trends project an above-median growth for Australian non-metropolitan areas; Tanami is expected to increase by 470 persons to 2041, marking a 12.2% total increase over the 17-year period.

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

Tanami has had minimal residential development activity with 2 dwelling approvals annually over the past five years (13 approvals total). These low development levels reflect its rural nature, where housing needs are typically specific to local requirements rather than broad market demand. Note that yearly growth figures and relativities can vary considerably due to such low approval numbers.

Tanami has substantially lower development levels compared to Rest of NT and nationally. New building activity consists of 75.0% standalone homes and 25.0% medium and high-density housing, with a focus on family homes suited for rural lifestyle seekers. This shift reflects reduced availability of development sites and changing lifestyle demands and affordability requirements from the current housing mix (93.0% houses). The estimated population per dwelling approval is 2526 people, indicating its quiet, low activity development environment. Future projections suggest Tanami will add 420 residents by 2041.

If current construction levels persist, housing supply may lag behind population growth, potentially intensifying buyer competition and supporting price growth.

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

Infrastructure changes significantly influence an area's performance. AreaSearch identified 12 projects likely impacting the area. Notable ones include Network Optimisation Program - Rail, Tanami Road Upgrade, Coastal Hazards Adaptation Strategy, and Telstra InfraCo Intercity Fibre Network. Below is a list of those most relevant.

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

Employment conditions in Tanami face significant challenges, ranking among the bottom 10% of areas assessed nationally

Tanami has a balanced workforce across white and blue collar jobs, with prominent essential services sectors. Its unemployment rate is 13.9%.

As of June 2025, there are 972 residents employed, while the unemployment rate stands at 8.0%, above the Rest of NT's rate of 5.9%. Workforce participation in Tanami is significantly lower at 31.9% compared to the Rest of NT's 50.7%. Key industries for employment among residents are public administration & safety, health care & social assistance, and education & training. Tanami has a particular specialization in public administration & safety, with an employment share 1.6 times the regional level.

Conversely, accommodation & food services have limited presence, at 1.2% compared to the regional average of 6.9%. Local employment opportunities exist, but many residents commute elsewhere for work based on Census working population data. Over the year to June 2025, labour force levels decreased by 1.8%, while employment declined by 1.3%, reducing the 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, but growth rates vary significantly between industry sectors. Applying these projections to Tanami's employment mix suggests local growth could be approximately 5.8%% over five years and 12.7% over ten years.

Income metrics place the area in the bottom 10% of locations nationally according to AreaSearch analysis

Tanami's median taxpayer income was $36,655 and average income was $46,783 in financial year 2022, according to AreaSearch's postcode level ATO data. This is lower than the national average, with Rest of NT having a median income of $51,655 and an average income of $61,577 in the same period. By March 2025, estimated incomes would be approximately $40,482 (median) and $51,667 (average), based on Wage Price Index growth of 10.44%. According to Census 2021 income data, household income ranks at the 19th percentile ($1,277 weekly) and personal income is at the 0th percentile. Income distribution shows that 33.0% of Tanami's population (1,132 individuals) fall within the $1,500 - 2,999 income range. Housing costs are fully retained, but disposable income is below average, ranked at the 37th percentile.

Tanami is characterized by a predominantly suburban housing profile, with a higher proportion of rental properties than the broader region

Tanami's dwelling structures, as per the latest Census, consisted of 92.7% houses and 7.3% other dwellings. This compares to Non-Metro NT's structure of 67.8% houses and 32.2% other dwellings. Home ownership in Tanami was at 1.5%, with mortgaged dwellings at 0.0% and rented ones at 98.5%. The median monthly mortgage repayment in the area was $0, below Non-Metro NT's average of $1,863. The median weekly rent figure was recorded as $0, compared to Non-Metro NT's $280 and Australia's national average of $375.

Tanami features high concentrations of family households, with a higher-than-average median household size

Family households comprise 77.3 percent of all households, including 38.7 percent couples with children, 15.2 percent couples without children, and 19.9 percent single parent families. Non-family households constitute the remaining 22.7 percent, with lone person households at 20.8 percent and group households comprising 1.3 percent of the total. The median household size is 4.2 people, larger than the Rest of NT average of 2.8.

Tanami faces educational challenges, with performance metrics placing it in the bottom quartile of areas assessed nationally

Tanami's educational challenges are evident with university qualification rates at 10.2%, significantly lower than Australia's average of 30.4%. Bachelor degrees are the most prevalent (6.0%), followed by postgraduate qualifications (2.5%) and graduate diplomas (1.7%). Vocational pathways account for 19.3% of qualifications among those aged 15+, with advanced diplomas at 2.7% and certificates at 16.6%. Educational participation is high, with 29.7% of residents currently enrolled in formal education: 17.2% in primary, 7.5% in secondary, and 1.2% in tertiary education.

Tanami operates a network of 10 schools educating approximately 432 students, including one secondary school and nine K-12 schools.

No public transport data available for this catchment area.

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

Health outcomes data shows excellent results across Tanami with very low prevalence of common health conditions across all age groups. The rate of private health cover is extremely low at approximately 46% of the total population (~1,578 people), compared to 53.7% across the Rest of NT and a national average of 55.3%. Diabetes and heart disease are the most common medical conditions in the area, affecting 10.7% and 3.8% of residents respectively.

A total of 79.9% of residents declare themselves completely clear of medical ailments, compared to 76.9% across the Rest of NT. The area has 5.4% of residents aged 65 and over (186 people), which is lower than the 9.3% in the Rest of NT. Health outcomes among seniors are particularly strong, requiring more attention than the broader population.

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

Tanami's population shows cultural diversity with 3.4% born overseas and 88.7% speaking a language other than English at home. Christianity is the predominant religion in Tanami, practiced by 82.7%, compared to 52.6% across Rest of NT. In terms of ancestry, Australian Aboriginal makes up 84.2% of Tanami's population, significantly higher than the regional average of 28.9%.

English ancestry comprises 4.2%, lower than the regional average of 17.4%. Australian ancestry stands at 3.8%, also lower than the regional average of 17.0%. Notably, Sri Lankan ethnicity is overrepresented in Tanami with 0.4% compared to the regional average of 0.2%.

Tanami hosts a very young demographic, ranking in the bottom 10% of areas nationwide

Tanami has a median age of 29, which is lower than the Rest of NT figure of 31 and significantly lower than Australia's 38 years. The age profile shows that those aged 15-24 are prominent at 16.6%, while the 65-74 group is smaller at 3.8% compared to the Rest of NT. Post-2021 Census data indicates that the 35 to 44 age group has grown from 14.1% to 15.5%. Conversely, the 5 to 14 cohort has declined from 16.8% to 15.6%. By 2041, Tanami is expected to see shifts in its age composition. The 45 to 54 age cohort is projected to grow by 108 people (26%) from 416 to 525. Meanwhile, the 5 to 14 cohort is projected to decline by 12 people.