Tennant Creek

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

Tennant Creek's population is approximately 3,536 as of February 2026. Since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 3,080 people, there has been an increase of 456 people (14.8%). This growth is inferred from the estimated resident population of 3,520 in June 2024 and five additional validated new addresses since the Census date. The population density is around 84 persons per square kilometer. Tennant Creek's growth rate exceeded both the national average (9.9%) and the state average during this period. Natural growth contributed approximately 57.5% of overall population gains recently.

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 estimates, AreaSearch applies growth rates by age cohort from the ABS's latest Greater Capital Region projections (released in 2023, based on 2022 data). Future population trends suggest a median increase for regional Australia, with Tennant Creek expected to expand by 392 persons to reach approximately 4,018 by 2041, reflecting a total increase of 10.6% over the seventeen-year period.

AreaSearch analysis of residential development drivers sees Tennant Creek recording a relatively average level of approval activity when compared to local markets analysed countrywide

Tennant Creek has received approximately 15 dwelling approvals per year over the past five financial years, totalling 75 homes. As of FY26, there have been 3 approvals recorded. On average, 2 people moved to the area annually for each dwelling built between FY21 and FY25. However, this figure has decreased to 0.4 people per dwelling over the past two financial years. Development projects averaged $361,000 in construction value.

This year, $23.7 million in commercial development approvals have been recorded. Compared to the rest of the NT, Tennant Creek's construction activity is somewhat elevated at 15.0% above the regional average per person over the past five years. Recent construction comprises 58.0% standalone homes and 42.0% medium and high-density housing, marking a shift from the current pattern of 81.0% houses. The location has approximately 175 people per dwelling approval, indicating an expanding market.

Population forecasts suggest Tennant Creek will gain 376 residents by 2041. At current development rates, new housing supply should meet demand comfortably, providing good conditions for buyers and potentially supporting growth beyond current population projections.

Tennant Creek has limited levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the 16thth percentile nationally

Changes to local infrastructure significantly affect an area's performance. AreaSearch identified four projects potentially impacting this region: Venture Housing - Social and Affordable Homes, Tennant Creek Aviation and Accommodation Hub, Territory Energy Link, and Urban Public Housing - Peko Road. The following details those likely most relevant.

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 assessment indicates Tennant Creek faces employment challenges relative to the majority of Australian markets

Tennant Creek has a skilled workforce with essential services sectors well represented. The unemployment rate was 5.3% as of September 2025. At this time, 1,827 residents were employed while the unemployment rate was 0.5% lower than the Rest of NT's rate of 5.9%.

Workforce participation was similar to the Rest of NT's 70.4%. According to Census responses, only 3.0% of residents worked from home. The dominant employment sectors among residents include health care & social assistance, public administration & safety, and education & training. Health care & social assistance is particularly notable with employment levels at 1.4 times the regional average.

However, agriculture, forestry & fishing is under-represented, with only 0.8% of Tennant Creek's workforce compared to 5.0% in Rest of NT. Many residents commute elsewhere for work based on Census data. Between September 2024 and September 2025, the labour force decreased by 1.4% while employment declined by 1.0%, resulting in a fall in unemployment rate by 0.4 percentage points. In comparison, Rest of NT had an employment decline of 1.3% and a labour force decline of 1.2%, with unemployment rising marginally. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May-25 suggest that national employment is expected to expand by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Tennant Creek's employment mix indicates local employment should increase by 7.2% over five years and 14.9% over ten years, assuming no changes in population projections.

The economic profile demonstrates above-average performance, with income metrics exceeding national benchmarks based on AreaSearch comparative assessment

The Tennant Creek SA2 had a median taxpayer income of $61,962 and an average of $67,598 in the latest postcode level ATO data aggregated by AreaSearch for the financial year 2023. This is roughly average nationally, differing from Rest of NT's median income of $53,572 and average income of $63,776. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 8.44% since financial year 2023, estimates for September 2025 would be approximately $67,192 (median) and $73,303 (average). Census data indicates household income ranks at the 46th percentile ($1,677 weekly), with personal income at the 22nd percentile. The largest income segment consists of 36.6% earning $1,500 - 2,999 weekly (1,294 residents), similar to the surrounding region where 33.6% fall into this bracket. After housing costs, residents retain 90.1% of their income, reflecting strong purchasing power.

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

In Tennant Creek, as per the latest Census, 80.6% of dwellings were houses, with the remaining 19.3% being semi-detached, apartments, or other types. This compares to Non-Metro NT's figures of 75.6% houses and 24.5% other dwellings. Home ownership in Tennant Creek stood at 13.6%, with mortgaged dwellings at 14.3% and rented ones at 72.1%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $1,114, lower than Non-Metro NT's average of $1,733. The median weekly rent in Tennant Creek was $180, compared to Non-Metro NT's $150 and the national average of $375. Nationally, Tennant Creek's mortgage repayments were significantly lower at $1,114 versus Australia's average of $1,863.

Tennant Creek features high concentrations of lone person households and group households, with a lower-than-average median household size

Family households constitute 60.6% of all households, including 23.8% couples with children, 19.6% couples without children, and 14.2% single parent families. Non-family households account for the remaining 39.4%, with lone person households at 35.1% and group households comprising 4.7%. The median household size is 2.7 people, smaller than the Rest of NT average of 3.1.

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

Tennant Creek's residents aged 15+ have a university degree attainment rate of 20.7%, compared to Australia's 30.4%. Bachelor degrees are the most common (12.7%), followed by postgraduate qualifications (5.3%) and graduate diplomas (2.7%). Vocational credentials are held by 29.8% of residents, including advanced diplomas (9.4%) and certificates (20.4%). Educational participation is high, with 32.0% currently enrolled in formal education: primary (14.5%), secondary (7.6%), and tertiary (3.7%).

Educational participation is notably high, with 32.0% of residents currently enrolled in formal education. This includes 14.5% in primary education, 7.6% in secondary education, and 3.7% pursuing tertiary education.

No public transport data available for this catchment area.

Health performance in Tennant Creek is well below average with prevalence of common health conditions notable across both younger and older age cohorts

Tennant Creek faces significant health challenges, as indicated by AreaSearch's assessment.

Mortality rates and chronic condition prevalence are high across both younger and older age groups. The area has a private health cover rate of approximately 53%, which is higher than the average SA2 area. Diabetes and asthma are the most common medical conditions, affecting 8.0% and 5.1% of residents respectively. Only 74.4% of residents report being completely free from medical ailments, compared to 78.4% in the Rest of NT. Health outcomes among working-age individuals are typical. The area has a higher proportion of seniors aged 65 and over at 10.4%, compared to 8.3% in the Rest of NT. Health outcomes among seniors are above average, with national rankings even higher than those of the general population.

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

Tennant Creek's population showed higher cultural diversity than most local areas, with 16.5% born overseas and 39.8% speaking a language other than English at home. Christianity was the predominant religion in Tennant Creek, comprising 49.9% of its population. The category 'Other' was overrepresented compared to the rest of Northern Territory, making up 1.9% versus 5.2%.

In terms of ancestry, Australian Aboriginal was the largest group, at 45.9%, followed by Australian (13.4%) and English (13.0%). Some ethnic groups showed notable differences: Filipino were more prevalent in Tennant Creek at 2.5% compared to 1.4% regionally, Maori at 0.6% versus 0.7%, and Indian at 1.8% versus 1.2%.

Tennant Creek's young demographic places it in the bottom 15% of areas nationwide

Tennant Creek's median age in 2021 was 33 years, slightly higher than the Rest of NT average of 31 but lower than Australia's average of 38. Compared to the Rest of NT, Tennant Creek had a higher proportion of residents aged 0-4 (9.4%) and fewer residents aged 15-24 (11.5%). Post-2021 Census, the 65-74 age group increased from 6.6% to 7.7%. Meanwhile, the 25-34 cohort decreased from 18.5% to 16.9%, and the 45-54 group dropped from 13.5% to 12.4%. By 2041, population forecasts indicate significant demographic shifts in Tennant Creek. Notably, the 45-54 age group is expected to grow by 25%, reaching 546 people from 438. Conversely, the 35-44 cohort is projected to decline by 15 people.