Alawa

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

Based on analysis of ABS population updates for the broader area, as of November 2025, Alawa's estimated population is around 2,208. This reflects an increase of 130 people since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 2,078. The current resident population estimate of 2,206 by AreaSearch is inferred from ERP data release in June 2024 and address validation since the Census date. This results in a density ratio of 1,780 persons per square kilometer, above the average seen across national locations assessed by AreaSearch. Alawa's growth rate of 6.3% since census positions it within 1.1 percentage points of the SA3 area (7.4%). Population growth was primarily driven by overseas migration contributing approximately 78.0% of overall population gains during recent periods.

AreaSearch is adopting ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area, released in 2024 with a base year of 2022. For areas not covered, AreaSearch applies growth rates by age cohort to each area, as provided by the ABS in its latest Greater Capital Region projections (released in 2023, based on 2022 data). Moving forward, demographic trends suggest a population increase just below the median of national areas. By 2041, the Alawa SA2 is expected to expand by 213 persons, reflecting an overall increase of 9.6% over the 17 years.

The level of residential development activity in Alawa is very low in comparison to the average area assessed nationally by AreaSearch

Based on AreaSearch analysis of ABS building approval numbers, allocated from statistical area data, Alawa has seen virtually no dwelling approvals in recent years, totalling an estimated 4 homes over the past five financial years. So far in FY-26, 0 approvals have been recorded. Between FY-21 and FY-25, an average of only 0.8 people moved to the area for each dwelling built. New construction has matched or outpaced demand, offering buyers more options and enabling population growth that could exceed current expectations.

The average expected construction cost value of new properties is $172,000, below the regional average, suggesting more affordable housing options for buyers. In FY-26, there have been $24,000 in commercial approvals, indicating a predominantly residential focus. Compared to Greater Darwin, Alawa shows substantially reduced construction, 80.0% below the regional average per person. This scarcity of new homes typically strengthens demand and prices for existing properties. The area's established nature is evident, with around 4393 people per dwelling approval, reflecting a highly mature market. All new construction has been comprised of detached dwellings, sustaining Alawa's suburban identity with a concentration of family homes suited to buyers seeking space.

Alawa has emerging levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the 24thth percentile nationally

Changes to local infrastructure significantly impact an area's performance. AreaSearch has identified four projects likely to affect the region. Notable projects include the Royal Darwin Hospital Mental Health Inpatient Unit and CSSD Upgrade, Casuarina Square Redevelopment, CDU - Centre for Better Health Futures, and Social Housing Accelerator Payment (SHAP) - Greater Darwin / Nightcliff.

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The employment landscape in Alawa shows performance that lags behind national averages across key labour market indicators

Alawa has an educated workforce with significant representation in essential services sectors. Its unemployment rate is 4.7%, with estimated employment growth of 1.1% over the past year (AreaSearch data).

As of September 2025, Alawa's unemployment rate is 3.3% (1.6% above Greater Darwin's rate), and workforce participation is lower at 65.3%. Employment is concentrated in health care & social assistance, public administration & safety, and accommodation & food sectors. Health care & social assistance has a higher employment share compared to the regional level (120%). Public administration & safety has limited presence with 14.6% employment compared to the regional average of 19.5%.

The area appears to offer limited local employment opportunities based on Census data comparison. Over the past year, employment increased by 1.1%, while labour force grew by 1.7%, leading to a rise in unemployment rate by 0.6 percentage points (AreaSearch analysis). In contrast, Greater Darwin saw employment grow by 1.9% and unemployment rise marginally. State-level data from 25-Nov shows NT employment contracted by 1.13%, with an unemployment rate of 4.4%. National employment forecasts indicate growth of 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, but industry-specific projections vary significantly. Applying these projections to Alawa's employment mix suggests local employment should increase by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years.

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

The suburb of Alawa has a median taxpayer income of $54,865 and an average income of $63,896 according to the latest postcode level ATO data aggregated by AreaSearch for financial year 2023. This is lower than the national average, with Greater Darwin having a median income of $66,956 and an average income of $77,199. By September 2025, estimates suggest the median income will be approximately $59,496 and the average income will be around $69,289, based on Wage Price Index growth of 8.44% since financial year 2023. According to the 2021 Census, incomes in Alawa cluster around the 70th percentile nationally. Income brackets indicate that 34.8% of the population (768 individuals) fall within the $1,500 - $2,999 income range, similar to the surrounding region where 36.7% occupy this range. Housing accounts for 13.8% of income, and residents rank in the 74th percentile for disposable income. The area's SEIFA income ranking places it in the 5th decile.

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

The dwelling structure in Alawa, as per the latest Census, consists of 88.0% houses and 12.0% other dwellings. In comparison, Darwin metro has 68.4% houses and 31.6% other dwellings. Home ownership in Alawa stands at 23.8%, with mortgaged dwellings at 39.4% and rented ones at 36.8%. The median monthly mortgage repayment is $1,777, lower than Darwin metro's $2,028. The median weekly rent figure in Alawa is $340, compared to Darwin metro's $350. Nationally, Alawa's mortgage repayments are below the Australian average of $1,863, and rents are less than the national figure of $375.

Alawa features high concentrations of group households, with a higher-than-average median household size

Family households constitute 76.0% of all households, including 33.6% couples with children, 26.2% couples without children, and 13.8% single parent families. Non-family households comprise the remaining 24.0%, with lone person households at 17.4% and group households making up 7.1%. The median household size is 2.8 people, larger than the Greater Darwin average of 2.7.

Educational attainment in Alawa aligns closely with national averages, showing typical qualification patterns and performance metrics

The area's educational profile is notable regionally, with university qualification rates of 35.7% among residents aged 15+, surpassing both the Northern Territory average of 27.3% and Australia's national average of 30.4%. Bachelor degrees are most prevalent at 20.5%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (11.5%) and graduate diplomas (3.7%). Vocational credentials are also prominent, with 30.5% of residents aged 15+ holding such qualifications – advanced diplomas account for 10.3% while certificates make up 20.2%.

Educational participation is high, with 35.5% of residents currently enrolled in formal education, including 12.1% in primary education, 8.2% in tertiary education, and 6.8% pursuing secondary education.

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

Alawa has 14 operational public transport stops, all of which are bus services. These stops cater to 29 different routes that facilitate a total of 2,162 weekly passenger trips. Residents enjoy excellent transport accessibility, with an average distance of 150 meters to the nearest stop.

The service frequency averages 308 daily trips across all routes, translating to about 154 weekly trips per individual stop.

Alawa's residents are extremely healthy with both young and old age cohorts seeing low prevalence of common health conditions

Analysis of health metrics shows strong performance throughout Alawa. Both young and old age cohorts have a low prevalence of common health conditions.

The rate of private health cover is approximately 52% of the total population, which is around 1,149 people. This compares to 57.4% across Greater Darwin. The most common medical conditions in the area are arthritis and asthma, impacting 5.7% and 5.6% of residents respectively. 76.5% of residents declare themselves as completely clear of medical ailments, compared to 77.0% across Greater Darwin. As of 2016, 12.6% of residents are aged 65 and over, which is around 278 people. Health outcomes among seniors in Alawa are above average, broadly in line with the general population's health profile.

Alawa is among the most culturally diverse areas in the country based on AreaSearch assessment of a range of language and cultural background related metrics

Alawa has a high level of cultural diversity, with 38.1% of its population speaking a language other than English at home and 41.5% born overseas. The predominant religion in Alawa is Christianity, comprising 38.2% of the population. Buddhism is overrepresented in Alawa, making up 5.3% compared to 4.1% across Greater Darwin.

The top three ancestry groups are English at 19.6%, Other at 17.3%, and Australian at 17.2%. Notable differences exist in the representation of Filipino (4.8% vs regional 4.7%), New Zealand (1.2% vs 0.5%), and Greek (4.1% vs 3.7%) ethnic groups.

Alawa's population is younger than the national pattern

Alawa's median age is 35 years, comparable to Greater Darwin's average of 34 years and marginally lower than Australia's national average of 38 years. Relative to Greater Darwin, Alawa has a higher concentration of residents aged 5-14, at 15.1%, but fewer residents aged 25-34, at 14.9%. According to post-2021 Census data, the age group 5-14 grew from 13.8% to 15.1%, while the age group 15-24 increased from 11.1% to 12.3%. Conversely, the age group 25-34 declined from 17.3% to 14.9%, and the age group 65-74 dropped from 8.6% to 7.4%. By 2041, demographic modeling suggests Alawa's age profile will evolve significantly. The strongest projected growth is in the 45-54 cohort, with a 32% increase adding 93 residents to reach 383. Conversely, population declines are projected for the 0-4 and 65-74 cohorts.