Tennant Creek

Tennant Creek is positioned among the lower quartile of areas assessed nationally for population growth based on AreaSearch's assessment of recent, and medium term trends

Tennant Creek's population was approximately 3,525 as of November 2025. This figure represents an increase of 445 people since the 2021 Census, which recorded a population of 3,080. The growth is inferred from the estimated resident population of 3,520 in June 2024 and two validated new addresses after the Census date. This results in a population density of 83 persons per square kilometer. Tennant Creek's 14.4% growth since the 2021 census exceeded both national (8.9%) and state averages, positioning it as a regional growth leader. Natural growth contributed approximately 57.5% of overall population gains during 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 estimates, AreaSearch applies growth rates by age cohort from the ABS's Greater Capital Region projections (released in 2023 based on 2022 data). Future population trends suggest an increase just below Australia's regional median, with Tennant Creek expected to expand by 392 persons to 2041, reflecting a total increase of 11.0% over the 17-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 annually over the past five financial years, totalling 75 homes. As of FY26, there have been 3 recorded approvals. Over these five years, an average of 2 people moved to the area per dwelling built, suggesting balanced supply and demand conditions. However, this has decreased to 0.4 people per dwelling over the past two financial years. Development projects averaged $361,000 in construction value during this period.

In FY26, commercial development approvals totalled $23.7 million, indicating balanced commercial activity compared to regional averages. Tennant Creek's construction levels were 15.0% above the NT average per person over these five years, offering buyer choice while supporting property values. Recent developments comprised 58.0% standalone homes and 42.0% medium to high-density housing, marking a shift from the current 81.0% houses pattern due to land availability and evolving lifestyle preferences. The area has approximately 175 people per dwelling approval, indicating an expanding market.

Population forecasts estimate Tennant Creek will gain 387 residents by 2041. At current development rates, new housing supply should meet demand comfortably, benefiting buyers and potentially supporting population growth beyond projections.

Tennant Creek has emerging levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the 22ndth percentile nationally

Changes to local infrastructure significantly influence an area's performance. AreaSearch has identified four projects that could impact this region. Key projects are 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 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 well-represented essential services sectors and an unemployment rate of 5.3% as of September 2025. There are 1,827 residents employed, with the unemployment rate being 0.5% lower than the Rest of NT's rate of 5.9%.

The workforce participation is similar to the Rest of NT's 50.7%. Dominant employment sectors include health care & social assistance, public administration & safety, and education & training. Notably, health care & social assistance has a concentration 1.4 times the regional average, while agriculture, forestry & fishing is under-represented at 0.8% compared to Rest of NT's 5.0%. Many residents commute elsewhere for work based on Census data comparisons.

Between September 2024 and September 2025, Tennant Creek's labour force decreased by 1.4% and employment declined by 1.0%, leading to a 0.4 percentage point fall in unemployment rate. In contrast, Rest of NT saw an employment decline of 1.3% and a labour force decline of 1.2%, with a marginal rise in unemployment. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May-25 project overall growth of 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Tennant Creek's employment mix suggests local employment should increase by 7.2% over five years and 14.9% over ten years, though these are simple extrapolations for illustrative purposes only and do not account for localised population projections.

Income analysis reveals strong economic positioning, with the area outperforming 60% of locations assessed nationally by AreaSearch

The median taxpayer income in Tennant Creek SA2 was $62,548 and the average was $66,374 according to postcode level ATO data aggregated by AreaSearch for financial year 2022. This is higher than Rest of NT's median income of $51,655 and average income of $61,577. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 12.01% since financial year 2022, estimated incomes as of September 2025 would be approximately $70,060 (median) and $74,346 (average). Census data shows household income ranks at the 46th percentile ($1,677 weekly), with personal income at the 22nd percentile. The largest income segment comprises 36.6% earning $1,500 - 2,999 weekly, mirroring the surrounding region's 33.6%. After housing costs, residents retain 90.1% of their income.

Tennant Creek is characterized by a predominantly suburban housing profile, with above-average rates of outright home ownership

The dwelling structure in Tennant Creek, as per the latest Census evaluation, consisted of 80.6% houses and 19.3% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings). This contrasts with Non-Metro NT's composition of 85.0% houses and 15.0% other dwellings. In terms of home ownership in Tennant Creek, it was aligned with that of Non-Metro NT at 13.6%, with the remaining dwellings either mortgaged (14.3%) or rented (72.1%). The median monthly mortgage repayment in the area stood at $1,114, surpassing the Non-Metro NT average of $1,087. Meanwhile, the median weekly rent figure was recorded as $180, compared to Non-Metro NT's $135. Nationally, Tennant Creek's mortgage repayments were significantly lower than the Australian average of $1,863, while rents were substantially below the national figure of $375.

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

Family households account for 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 constitute the remaining 39.4%, with lone person households at 35.1% and group households making up 4.7%. The median household size is 2.7 people, smaller than the Rest of NT average of 3.0.

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

Tennant Creek's educational qualifications trail regional benchmarks, with 20.7% of residents aged 15+ holding university degrees compared to Australia's 30.4%. This gap suggests potential for educational development and skills enhancement. Bachelor degrees are the most common at 12.7%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (5.3%) and graduate diplomas (2.7%). Trade and technical skills are prominent, with 29.8% of residents aged 15+ holding vocational credentials – advanced diplomas (9.4%) and certificates (20.4%).

Educational participation is notably high, with 32.0% of residents currently enrolled in formal education, including 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.

The level of general health in Tennant Creek is notably higher than the national average with prevalence of common health conditions quite low across both younger and older age cohorts

Tennant Creek shows superior health outcomes with low prevalence of common conditions across all age groups. Private health cover stands at approximately 52% (1,847 people), slightly higher than the average SA2 area and Rest of NT's 50.1%.

Diabetes and asthma are the most prevalent medical conditions, affecting 8.0 and 5.1% respectively. Around 74.4% of residents report no medical ailments, compared to 77.5% in Rest of NT. Tennant Creek has a higher proportion of seniors (10.2%, or 360 people) than Rest of NT's 8.3%. Senior health outcomes align with the general population's profile.

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, accounting for 49.9%. The 'Other' religious category comprised 1.9%, slightly higher than the Rest of NT's 1.4%.

In terms of ancestry, Australian Aboriginal was the largest group at 45.9%, lower than the regional average of 54.3%. Australian and English groups followed at 13.4% and 13.0% respectively. Notably, Filipino (2.5%) and Maori (0.6%) were overrepresented compared to regional averages of 1.6% and 0.4% respectively, while Indian was also higher at 1.8%.

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 national average of 38 years. Compared to the Rest of NT, Tennant Creek had a larger proportion of residents aged 55-64 (12.5%) but fewer residents aged 15-24 (11.2%). According to the 2021 Census, the population aged 65-74 increased from 6.6% to 7.4%, while the 45-54 age group decreased from 13.5% to 12.2% and the 25-34 age group fell from 18.5% to 17.3%. Population forecasts for Tennant Creek in 2041 indicate significant demographic changes, with the 45-54 age group projected to grow by 27 people, reaching 546 from 430. Conversely, the 35-44 age group is expected to decline by 15 people.