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This analysis uses ABS Statistical Areas Level 2 (SA2) boundaries, which can materially differ from Suburbs and Localities (SAL) even when sharing similar names.
SA2 boundaries are defined by the Australian Bureau of Statistics and are designed to represent communities for statistical reporting (e.g., census and ERP).
Suburbs and Localities (SAL) represent commonly-used suburb/locality names (postal-style areas) and may use different geographic boundaries. For comprehensive analysis, consider reviewing both boundary types if available.
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ABS ERP | -- people | --
2021 Census | -- people
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Tanami has an estimated 3,399 residents, up from 2,839 at the 2021 Census — a change of 560 people, or 19.7%. Growth has averaged 1.1% a year over five years, faster than 90% of areas nationally. Natural increase accounts for 75.8% of that increase. Population is estimated from ABS Estimated Resident Population releases and GNAF address data, re-based from the 2021 Census and updated annually.
Detail
Tanami has an estimated community of approximately 3,399 people as of Aug 2026, according to analysis by AreaSearch. Compared to the 2021 Census tally of 2,839 people, this indicates an expansion of 560 people (19.7%). This calculation combines the ABS estimated resident population figure of 3,399 from June 2025 with 20 validated new addresses added post-Census. With a density ratio sitting at 0.00 persons per square kilometer, residents enjoy substantial physical space. Outperforming both the state and the 9.5% national benchmark, Tanami's 19.7% post-2021 census surge highlights its role as a regional leader in expansion.
Natural increase was the primary catalyst, delivering around 75.8% of these recent population increases. Projections from ABS/Geoscience Australia (issued in 2024 using 2022 as a base) have been utilized by AreaSearch across SA2 regions. In locations lacking direct coverage or for post-2032 modeling, age-cohort growth percentages derived from the 2023 ABS Greater Capital Region projections (utilizing 2022 benchmarks) were applied. Looking ahead, the region is slated to outpace median expansion rates typical of regional and remote territories, expanding by 501 persons through to 2041 according to recent annual ERP data, which equals an overall 14.7% rise across the 16 years.
Frequently Asked Questions - Population
27 new dwellings have been approved in Tanami over the past five years, an average of 5 a year. That is 1.6 approvals per 1,000 residents. Figures come from ABS building approvals aggregated to this SA2 boundary and are updated monthly as the ABS releases them.
Detail
Residential approvals in Tanami have averaged around 5 new homes yearly, totaling 27 homes across the past 5 financial years (between FY-22 and FY-26). Because approximately 6.5 new residents per year were added for each completed residence over the past 5 financial years (between FY-22 and FY-26), strong demand has outpaced supply, applying upward pressure on local pricing and creating tighter conditions for purchasers, while construction costs for new dwellings average $568,000. Additionally, the dominant residential character of the locality is underscored by $1.9 million in commercial permits logged during the current financial year.
Relative to Rest of NT, per-capita residential approvals in Tanami run at comparable levels, maintaining local market stability aligned with surrounding territories. This rate sits beneath the Australian benchmark, pointing to the established footprint of the area along with possible regulatory or geographic constraints. Construction activity has been divided between detached dwellings at 83.0% and townhouses or apartments at 17.0%, sustaining low-density living and appealing to buyers seeking roomier properties. The calculated ratio of 1058 people per residential approval highlights an understated, low-intensity building pipeline. Long-term forecasts anticipate Tanami gaining 501 residents by 2041, drawn from the most recent AreaSearch quarterly update. If construction continues at current paces, housing delivery could fall short of demographic growth, creating heightened competition among buyers and bolstering property valuations.
Frequently Asked Questions - Development
Development applications around Tanami
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| Lodged | Address | Description | Type | Distance | Status |
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SOURCE: Planning portals and council registers, compiled by AreaSearch. Distance & bearing measured from the suburb midpoint.
AreaSearch tracks one current infrastructure or development project inside Tanami, worth an estimated $1.19 billion. A further 62 sit in the immediately surrounding suburbs, taking the tracked pipeline within reach of the area to $42.3 billion. 18 are already under construction and 22 are due for completion within three years. The pipeline spans transport & logistics, energy and residential development. Records are compiled from Infrastructure Australia, state agencies, council planning portals and public announcements, reviewed and updated daily, then ranked by proximity, construction stage, completion horizon and project scale.
Detail
Regional development and economic performance are heavily shaped by planning frameworks, public investment, and major capital initiatives. AreaSearch has pinpointed 13 projects positioned to influence the district. Prominent initiatives encompass Better and Safer Future for Central Australia, Network Optimisation Program - Rail, Tanami Road Upgrade, and Coastal Hazards Adaptation Strategy, with detailed descriptions of relevant developments provided below.
Professional plan users can use the search below to filter and access additional projects.
INFRASTRUCTURE SEARCH
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Frequently Asked Questions - Infrastructure
Tanami Road Upgrade
The Tanami Road is a 1,035km link between Alice Springs (NT) and the Great Northern Highway near Halls Creek (WA), progressively being upgraded from unsealed to sealed dual-lane standard by the Australian, Northern Territory and Western Australian Governments under the Roads of Strategic Importance program. In WA, the first 40km south of Great Northern Highway has been sealed, and Stage 2 (32km south of Ruby Plains Homestead) is underway with completion expected by late 2026.In the NT, 150km has been sealed from Yuendumu to west of Chilla Well, with further packages underway including 21km of single-lane widening and a further 34km recently committed. The project improves flood resilience, freight productivity, and access for remote Aboriginal communities, tourism, pastoral and mining operators.
Better and Safer Future for Central Australia
A 250 million AUD Australian and NT Government plan (now 345.9 million AUD) to improve community safety and infrastructure. Key 2026 milestones include the opening of the Todd Street Health Hub in Alice Springs, the Mutitjulu health clinic, and modernised facilities in Santa Teresa. The program integrates 77 new dwellings, Remote Training Hubs, and On-Country learning initiatives. As of May 2026, multiple health and community infrastructure projects have transitioned from construction to operational status, while family safety and youth service expansions continue across the region.
Network Optimisation Program - Rail
National planning initiative to improve the capacity, reliability and productivity of Australia's urban and regional rail networks through network optimisation, digital signalling, timetable improvements, level crossing upgrades and other operational enhancements. The original Infrastructure Australia proposal is no longer an active Infrastructure Priority List project, with many objectives now being progressed through the National Rail Action Plan and related interoperability initiatives.
Hugh River Stock Route Road
Replace five gates with grids and reform the road for 2 way traffic. Project to benefit aboriginal communities, pastoralists, mining exploration, railway management, and expanding 4WD tourism.
Larapinta Stage 4 Residential Land Release
Larapinta Stage 4 is a completed residential land release on the western side of Alice Springs, delivered through an Indigenous Land Use Agreement between the Northern Territory Government and Lhere Artepe Aboriginal Corporation. The subdivision covers about 20 hectares in Larapinta Valley and created around 85 serviced residential allotments, including the Ridges Estate along Albrecht Drive with a mix of private, affordable and public housing sites. Headworks, roads and utilities were rolled out from 2004 and subdivision construction was reported as complete by around 2009, with the area now established as a fully built out suburban neighbourhood.
Regional Skate and Play Precinct
Regional community recreation precinct at Newland Park featuring a competition-standard skate park, BMX pump track, 3x3 basketball court, playground, dog park, bouldering wall, BBQ facilities, shaded open spaces and upgraded parking. Construction commenced in January 2025 and the precinct opened in December 2025, providing a major recreation hub for Alice Springs.
Jim McConville Oval Lighting Towers
Installation of four permanent sports lighting towers at Jim McConville Oval in Gillen, Alice Springs, delivered by the NT Government Department of Logistics and Infrastructure with the Alice Springs Town Council. The project has formally progressed through Development Consent Authority approval, with preliminary works increasing on site and construction estimated to be finalised by April 2026. The lighting will allow year-round evening use for sporting codes such as cricket and AFL, supporting extended training, competition, and improved safety for players and spectators.The oval remains open to the public throughout construction.
Gillen Oval Multi-Sport Precinct
Northern Territory Government project delivering a new multi-sport precinct at Gillen Oval with two irrigated multi-use playing fields, modern change rooms, toilets, canteen, shaded spectator areas, lighting, fencing, expanded parking, landscaping and improved pedestrian connections. A design and construct contract has been tendered, with the project progressing into delivery.
1,000 residents of Tanami are employed, from a labour force of 1,162. Unemployment sits at 13.9%, with participation at 44.7%. Weighted for its industry mix, the area's sectors are forecast to grow about 5.8% nationally over five years. That reflects industry composition only and makes no allowance for local population growth, so in an area growing as fast as this one it understates the likely rise in local jobs. The working-day population is estimated at 3,742, about 110% of the resident population, so the area draws in more workers than it sends out. Unemployment and labour force come from ABS Small Area Labour Markets, updated quarterly; the industry and occupation profile is from the 2021 Census.
Detail
A combination of blue-collar and white-collar roles characterizes Tanami's workforce, featuring solid coverage across foundational community services, an unemployment rate of 13.9%, and approximately 3.1% employment growth across the preceding twelve months. As of March 2026, employed locals number 1,000, while the local jobless rate exceeds Regional NT's 5.9% by 8.1%, leaving clear room for structural progress. Furthermore, local participation in the labour force stands at 44.7%, well behind Regional NT's 69.8%. Remote working was limited at the Census, with just 1.5% working from home, though historical Covid-19 restrictions provide relevant context.
Public administration & safety, health care & social assistance, alongside education & training represent the leading employment fields for residents. The district demonstrates noticeable concentration in public administration & safety, holding a workforce share 1.6 times that of the broader region. Conversely, accommodation & food constitutes only 1.2% of local jobs compared to 6.9% across the region. Although local employment is available, comparisons between the Census workplace count and resident numbers indicate substantial outward commuting for work. AreaSearch evaluation of ABS and SALM records indicates that over the 12 months to March 2026, jobs expanded by 3.1% alongside a 2.7% increase in the labour pool, reducing local unemployment by 0.3 percentage points. Across Regional NT over the same timeframe, jobs increased by 2.8%, the labour pool grew by 2.7%, and jobless rates edged down slightly. Prospective demand patterns can also be evaluated using Jobs and Skills Australia's Mar-26 national employment projections. Applying these five-year and ten-year nationwide sector projections to Tanami's existing workforce profile indicates potential local job increases of 5.8% over five years and 12.7% over ten years, compared to nationwide expectations of 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years (noting this relies on illustrative weighting rather than localized demographic modeling).
Frequently Asked Questions - Employment
Median household income in Tanami is $1,277 a week (about $66,000 a year), with median personal income at $269 a week. ATO records put median taxable income at $40,172 a year against an average of $49,476. Household income is from the 2021 Census; taxable income is from ATO Taxation Statistics for the latest financial year available, indexed forward using the ABS Wage Price Index.
Detail
Aggregated postcode records from the ATO for financial year 2023 compiled by AreaSearch indicate that the Tanami SA2 recorded a median taxpayer earnings figure of $40,172 and an average of $49,476. These figures fall below nationwide benchmarks and trail Regional NT, where the median reaches $53,572 and the average is $63,776. Adjusting for a 9.41% increase in the Wage Price Index since financial year 2023 suggests updated benchmarks around $43,952 (median) and $54,132 (average) as of March 2026. From the Census 2021 dataset, household earnings sat in the 18th percentile ($1,277 weekly), whereas individual earnings landed at the lowest possible percentile.
Approximately 33.0% of residents (1,121 individuals) earn in the $1,500 - 2,999 bracket, very similar to the regional proportion of 33.6%. Housing costs leave 100.0% of income retained, though overall disposable income remains subdued at the 37th percentile.
Frequently Asked Questions - Income
Tanami had 543 occupied dwellings at the 2021 Census, 93% detached houses and 1% apartments. 0% are owned with a mortgage, 99% rented and 2% owned outright. Dwelling stock, tenure and housing costs are 2021 Census measures — the only source that counts dwellings at this boundary size.
Detail
According to Census findings, standalone houses made up 92.7% of Tanami's housing stock, while townhouses, flats, and alternative formats represented 7.3%, differing from Regional NT's breakdown of 75.6% houses and 24.5% other dwellings. Outright property ownership in Tanami lagged the wider territory at 1.5%, with no properties held under a mortgage (no mortgaged properties were recorded) and 98.5% occupied by tenants. Typical monthly home loan repayments were negligible at no cost, and median weekly rental payments stood at no cost, compared with Regional NT figures of $1,733 and $150 respectively.
Compared to Australia-wide benchmarks, Tanami mortgage costs sit well below the $1,863 average, and local rent payments track substantially beneath the national standard of $375.
Frequently Asked Questions - Housing
Tanami counted 543 households at the 2021 Census, an estimated 650 today, averaging 4.2 people each. 39% are couples with children, more than in 76% of areas nationally, against 15% couples without children. 21% of households are people living alone, and families average 1.8 children. Household and family composition is measured only by the Census, so these are 2021 figures.
Detail
Families form the vast majority of local residences at 77.3%, consisting of couples with children at 38.7%, couples without children at 15.2%, and single parent households at 19.9%. Non-family living arrangements account for the remaining 22.7%, primarily single occupants at 20.8% and group houses at 1.3%. With a median household size of 4.2 people, homes are larger than the Regional NT benchmark of 3.1.
Frequently Asked Questions - Households
10.2% of adults in Tanami hold a university qualification, including 6.0% with a bachelor degree and 2.5% with postgraduate qualifications, lower than 97% of areas nationally. A further 16.6% hold a vocational qualification. 10 schools serve the area, with 432 enrolment places and an average ICSEA of 606 against a national benchmark of 1,000. Qualifications come from the 2021 Census; school enrolments, ICSEA and results come from ACARA's current release.
Detail
Tertiary attainment poses a notable challenge in the area, as university qualifications stand at 10.2%, substantially trailing the broader Australian average of 30.4%. This gap outlines clear scope for dedicated educational programs. Among higher degrees, bachelor degrees represent 6.0%, postgraduate credentials account for 2.5%, and graduate diplomas comprise 1.7%. Technical and vocational training encompasses 19.3% of qualifications held by individuals aged 15+, consisting of 2.7% in advanced diplomas and 16.6% in certificates. Classroom and institutional involvement remains strong, with 29.7% of the population participating in formal education. Primary school attendees comprise 17.2%, secondary students make up 7.5%, and 1.2% are enrolled in tertiary study.
Frequently Asked Questions - Education
Schools Detail
Frequently Asked Questions - Transport
Transport Stops Detail
79.9% of residents in Tanami report no long-term health condition. 3.5% need daily assistance with core activities, and 46.0% hold private health cover. The standardised death rate runs at 14.5 per 1,000 residents. Health conditions, assistance needs and insurance are 2021 Census measures; the death rate comes from current ABS releases.
Detail
General wellness indicators in Tanami reflect below-average health outcomes, according to AreaSearch evaluations of mortality and ongoing illness rates, with frequent health conditions appearing slightly more often across both older and younger residents. Furthermore, private health insurance coverage is notably restricted, encompassing approximately 46% of residents (~1,563 people). This trails Regional NT's 51.6% as well as the Australian level of 55.7%. Diabetes and heart disease represent the primary diagnosed chronic illnesses locally, affecting 10.7 and 3.8% of the community respectively. Meanwhile, 79.9% of residents stated they were free from major medical conditions, compared to 78.4% across Regional NT.
Seniors aged 65 and over constitute 6.2% of the population (211 people), beneath Regional NT's 8.5%. Health measures for older community members are notably resilient, outperforming the wider population against national metrics.
Frequently Asked Questions - Health
Tanami is largely Australian-born, at 96.6% of residents, with 88.7% speaking a language other than English at home. The largest reported ancestries are Australian Aboriginal (84.2%) and English (4.2%). 84.2% of residents identify as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander. Ancestry, language and country of birth are counted only by the Census, so these are 2021 figures.
Detail
Tanami demonstrates pronounced cultural diversity, where 3.4% of inhabitants were born abroad and 88.7% use a non-English language at home. Christianity stands as the primary religious affiliation, practiced by 82.7% of community members, noticeably higher than the 54.1% recorded for Regional NT. Looking at parent heritage, Australian Aboriginal represents the leading ancestral background in Tanami at 84.2%, substantially exceeding the regional level of 43.6%. English heritage accounts for 4.2% (below the regional 14.3%), and Australian ancestry stands at 3.8% (beneath the regional 14.9%). Other groups show unique representation patterns, including Sri Lankan background, which accounts for 0.4% locally compared with 0.1% regionally.
Frequently Asked Questions - Diversity
The median resident of Tanami is 29, younger than 98% of areas nationally. 33.6% of residents are aged 15 to 34. Age cohorts are not raw Census counts: the Census split is re-based to the latest ABS population estimates and state projections.
Detail
The demographic structure of Tanami leans noticeably youthful. As of August 2026 updates, children and young adults (0 - 24) represent 39.7% of the population compared to 35.2% in Regional NT, whereas retirees and seniors (65+) account for 6.2% against a regional share of 8.5%. AreaSearch records a median age of 29 as at August 2026, identical to the 2021 Census figure and 2 years younger than the Regional NT median of 31 from that Census (with the nationwide median sitting at 38 at the same Census). The share of children and young adults has softened from 42.1% at the Census to an estimated 39.7%.
By 2041, the largest numerical cohort increase is projected among middle aged and young retiree brackets (45 - 64), rising by 188 residents (27%) to 895, while the senior group is forecast to show the fastest proportional expansion, rising 66% to 351 residents.
Frequently Asked Questions - Age
Data & MethodBoundaries, Sources & Method for Tanami
9 of 14 data sections on this page were updated within the last 12 months — the newest current to Sep 2026.
Everything is aggregated to the SA2 boundary shown above, on a 2021 Census baseline. Only 3 sections — housing, households and cultural diversity — still wait on the 2026 Census.
The ledger — source, cycle and currency by section
| Section | Source & update cycle | Currency |
|---|---|---|
| Updated within the last 12 months 9 sections | ||
| Population | ABS, GNAF, Geoscience Australia Annual (ABS ERP) | Aug 2026 last month headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Re-based to the ABS Estimated Resident Population (June 2025 release) and updated with new dwellings from GNAF address data. Current to Aug 2026, with the 2021 Census supplying the small-area baseline. | ||
| Age profile | ABS, Geoscience Australia, State governments Annual | Aug 2026 last month headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Age cohorts are re-based to the latest ABS population estimates and state projections, current to Aug 2026. Each cohort is held as a Census baseline and a current estimate. | ||
| Development & approvals | ABS, GNAF Monthly (ABS approvals) | Aug 2026 last month headline measures · Jul 2026 baseline |
| Property sales & rents | Valuer General, Rental Board, ABS Weekly sales, quarterly rents | Sep 2026 this month all 21 measures |
| Sales from the state Valuer General register, refreshed weekly, and rents from quarterly rental bond lodgements. Both are read live each time this page loads, current to Sep 2026. | ||
| Infrastructure projects | Infrastructure Australia, State agencies, Local governments Daily | Jul 2026 2 months ago all 1 projects tracked here |
| Project pipeline maintained continuously from Infrastructure Australia, state agencies, local government and public announcements. Records are added and revised daily; this area was last updated Jul 2026. | ||
| Employment | ABS, DEWR, JSA Quarterly (ABS SALM) | Mar 2026 6 months ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Unemployment and labour force from ABS Small Area Labour Markets, current to Mar 2026. The growth outlook applies Department of Employment (now Jobs and Skills Australia) forecasts for all 19 industry divisions to the local industry mix, so it measures sector composition rather than local expansion and makes no allowance for population growth. Job demand comes from the same agency via its Internet Vacancy Index; industry and occupation structure from the 2021 Census. | ||
| Education | ABS, ACARA Annual (ACARA) | Aug 2026 last month headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Transport | ABS, State Transport Departments Each timetable release | Jul 2026 2 months ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Services & amenities | Provider directories, ACECQA Continuous | Jul 2026 2 months ago all 14 measures |
| Annual and financial-year sources 2 sections | ||
| Income | ABS, ATO Annual (ATO) | FY 2023 3 years ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| ATO taxable income statistics for FY 2023, indexed forward using the Wage Price Index. Census household income provides the distribution detail. | ||
| Health | ABS, ATO Annual | 2024 2 years ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Census-measured — next update: 2026 Census 3 sections No more current small-area source exists for these, so they are labelled as Census-measured rather than implied to be current. | ||
| Housing | ABS 5-yearly (Census) | 2021 Census next update 2026 all 30 measures |
| Households | ABS 5-yearly (Census) | 2021 Census next update 2026 all 18 measures |
| Cultural diversity | ABS, Geoscience Australia 5-yearly (Census) | 2021 Census next update 2026 all 44 measures |
"Currency" is the most recent release feeding that section. Where the Census supplies the structural baseline underneath a current headline figure, the row says so.
How the numbers are built
Population
The Census provides the small-area baseline, aggregated from mesh blocks to this boundary. It is then re-based to the ABS Estimated Resident Population (June 2025 release), and new dwellings built since Census night are counted from address data — 20 validated new addresses here. The headline figure is therefore a current estimate for Aug 2026, not a 2021 count (2,839 at the 2021 Census → 3,399 now). Annual growth rates are compound (CAGR), not simple averages.
Age profile
Cohort shares are not raw Census counts. Every cohort is held as a pair — the Census baseline and a current estimate — and the split is re-based using ERP and state population projections, current to Aug 2026. Median age is the Census median plus modelled change since. Charts that show both are labelled "2021 Census vs Current Estimate".
Property sales
Sourced from the state valuation authority's sales register — current, not Census, and refreshed weekly. Medians are calculated from settled transactions in the period shown; periods with very low transaction counts are flagged or suppressed, because a handful of sales can move a median substantially.
Rents
Derived from state rental bond lodgement data, by dwelling type and bedroom count. Bonds are lodged at the start of a new tenancy, so this reflects new lettings, not the whole rented stock.
Development & infrastructure
Building approvals come from current ABS releases; development applications are collected from council and state planning portals; the infrastructure pipeline is compiled from Infrastructure Australia and local government sources. Applications are matched to this boundary by address or coordinates, so very recent lodgements may not yet appear.
Employment & income
Industry and occupation structure comes from the Census, but the headline labour-market indicators do not. Unemployment and labour force are derived from ABS Small Area Labour Markets (quarterly). The employment outlook applies Department of Employment forecasts for all 19 industry divisions to this area's own industry mix (the agency is now Jobs and Skills Australia), as does the Internet Vacancy Index used for job demand. Because it is weighted on industry composition alone, that outlook carries no allowance for local population growth — in fast-growing areas the real rise in local jobs will typically be higher. Income combines Census household income with ATO taxable-income statistics for FY 2023, indexed forward using the Wage Price Index.
Education, transport & amenities
School enrolments, ICSEA and performance come from ACARA's current release, not the Census. Public transport stops and service frequency are derived from GTFS timetable feeds published by state transport departments. Services and amenities are proximity and count scores built from provider directories, refreshed on their own cycle. The Census contributes only the travel-to-work and qualification measures.
Rankings and benchmarks. Where we rank this area, the comparison set is every area of the same boundary type — suburbs against suburbs, SA2s against SA2s. Benchmarks compare this area against its greater capital city region and the national figure for the same measure and period.
Limits worth knowing. Small areas carry larger error margins, and the ABS introduces small random adjustments to Census counts to protect confidentiality — so totals may not sum exactly. Estimates re-based from regional data describe the area's expected trajectory, not a direct count of it. Figures are indicative for research and are not financial, planning or valuation advice.
Cross-check us. The Census baseline for this boundary is at ABS 2021 Census QuickStats (702011053). QuickStats reports 2021 only — the figures on this page are more current wherever the ledger shows a later date.