Driver

Driver 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 Nov 2025 the estimated population of the suburb of Driver is around 2,894. This reflects an increase of 147 people since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 2,747. The change is inferred from the resident population estimated by AreaSearch following examination of the latest ERP data release by the ABS in June 2024 and address validation since the Census date. This level of population equates to a density ratio of 1,682 persons per square kilometer, above the average seen across national locations assessed by AreaSearch. Population growth was primarily driven by overseas migration, contributing approximately 55% 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 by this data and to estimate growth post-2032, 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. Future population trends project an above median growth for statistical areas analysed by AreaSearch, with the suburb of Driver expected to increase by 386 persons to reach a total of 3,280 by 2041, reflecting a gain of 13.3% over the 17 years.

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

AreaSearch analysis of ABS building approval numbers, allocated from statistical area data, indicates virtually no dwelling approvals in recent years. An estimated total of 4 homes have been approved over the past five financial years, ending on June 30th, 2021. As of April 2026 (FY-26), 0 approvals have been recorded. The area has experienced population decline, with housing supply remaining adequate relative to demand, creating a well-balanced market offering good buyer choice.

New dwellings are developed at an average expected construction cost value of $799,000, reflecting a developer focus on the premium segment with upmarket properties. This financial year, $30,000 in commercial approvals have been registered, demonstrating the area's residential nature. Compared to Greater Darwin, Driver shows substantially reduced construction, 93.0% below the regional average per person. This constrained new construction typically reinforces demand and pricing for existing dwellings, reflecting market maturity and possible development constraints. All new construction has consisted of standalone homes, sustaining the area's suburban identity with a concentration of family homes suited to buyers seeking space. Interestingly, developers are building more traditional houses than the current mix suggests (66.0% at Census), indicating continued strong demand for family homes despite density pressures. Driver shows a mature, established area, with approximately 5757 people per approval.

Driver has limited levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the 9thth percentile nationally

No changes can significantly affect a region's performance like modifications to its local infrastructure, major projects, and planning initiatives. AreaSearch has identified zero projects that are expected to impact this area. Notable projects include Darwin Light Rail Stage 1, Hudson Creek Power Station, Marine Industry Park, and Darwin Corporate Park, with the following list detailing those most likely to be relevant.

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Employment conditions in Driver remain below the national average according to AreaSearch analysis

Driver has a skilled workforce with essential services sectors well represented. The unemployment rate was 4.9% as of June 2025, with an estimated employment growth of 3.1% over the past year.

There are 1,625 residents in work while the unemployment rate is 1.8% higher than Greater Darwin's rate of 3.0%. Workforce participation is similar to Greater Darwin's at 69.7%. Employment among residents is concentrated in public administration & safety, health care & social assistance, and construction. The area specializes in construction with an employment share 1.3 times the regional level.

Public administration & safety has limited presence with 16.0% employment compared to 19.5% regionally. Employment opportunities locally appear limited as indicated by the count of Census working population vs resident population. Over the 12 months to June 2025, employment increased by 3.1% while labour force increased by 3.0%, causing the unemployment rate to fall by 0.1 percentage points. Greater Darwin recorded employment growth of 2.9%. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from Sep-22 suggest potential future demand within Driver. National employment is forecast to expand by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, with varying growth rates between industry sectors. Applying these projections to Driver's employment mix suggests local employment should increase by 6.2% over five years and 12.8% over ten years.

Income metrics indicate excellent economic conditions, with the area achieving higher performance than 75% of national locations assessed by AreaSearch

AreaSearch's latest postcode level ATO data for financial year 2022 indicates Driver's median income among taxpayers is $69,603, with an average of $76,917. Nationally, this is extremely high compared to Greater Darwin's median of $65,522 and average of $75,260. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 12.01% since financial year 2022, current estimates for Driver would be approximately $77,962 (median) and $86,155 (average) as of September 2025. Census 2021 income data shows household, family and personal incomes in Driver cluster around the 71st percentile nationally. Income brackets indicate that 37.3% of the community (1,079 individuals) fall within the $1,500 - $2,999 earnings band, reflecting regional patterns where similarly 36.7% occupy this range. High housing costs consume 17.4% of income, yet strong earnings place disposable income at the 62nd percentile.

Driver displays a diverse mix of dwelling types, with above-average rates of outright home ownership

Driver's dwelling structure, as per the latest Census, consisted of 66.1% houses and 33.8% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings). This compares to Darwin metro's 75.9% houses and 24.0% other dwellings. Home ownership in Driver stood at 12.7%, with mortgaged dwellings at 39.7% and rented ones at 47.6%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $1,950, below Darwin metro's average of $2,037. Median weekly rent in Driver was $350, compared to Darwin metro's $400. Nationally, Driver's mortgage repayments exceeded the Australian average of $1,863, while rents were lower than the national figure of $375.

Driver features high concentrations of group households, with a lower-than-average median household size

Family households account for 73.6% of all households, including 30.9% couples with children, 25.7% couples without children, and 16.2% single parent families. Non-family households constitute the remaining 26.4%, with lone person households at 21.0% and group households comprising 5.3%. The median household size is 2.7 people, which is smaller than the Greater Darwin average of 2.8.

Educational outcomes in Driver fall within the lower quartile nationally, indicating opportunities for improvement in qualification attainment

Educational qualifications in Driver show that 23.4% of residents aged 15+ have university degrees, compared to 31.3% in the SA4 region. This indicates a gap highlighting potential for educational development and skills enhancement. Bachelor degrees are most common at 15.4%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (4.8%) and graduate diplomas (3.2%). Trade and technical skills are prominent, with 42.1% of residents aged 15+ holding vocational credentials – advanced diplomas (9.4%) and certificates (32.7%).

Educational participation is high, with 35.8% of residents currently enrolled in formal education. This includes 13.2% in primary education, 8.2% in secondary education, and 5.6% pursuing tertiary education. Driver Primary School and Palmerston College collectively serve 1,641 students as of the latest data. The area's educational conditions are varied (ICSEA: 906). Educational provision follows conventional lines, with one primary and one secondary institution serving the area. As an education hub, it provides 56.7 school places per 100 residents, significantly above the regional average of 14.7, attracting students from surrounding communities.

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

Transport analysis shows nine active stops operating within Driver, offering a mix of bus services. These stops are served by 21 distinct routes, collectively facilitating 1,044 weekly passenger trips. Transport accessibility is rated good, with residents typically located 214 meters from the nearest stop.

Service frequency averages 149 trips per day across all routes, equating to approximately 116 weekly trips per individual stop.

Driver's residents are extremely healthy with younger cohorts in particular seeing very low prevalence of common health conditions

Analysis of health metrics shows strong performance throughout Driver with younger cohorts seeing particularly low prevalence of common health conditions.

Approximately 1,653 people, or about 57% of the total population, have private health cover. The most prevalent medical conditions in the area are mental health issues and asthma, affecting 7.7% and 7.3% of residents respectively. A total of 75.1% of residents declare themselves completely clear of medical ailments, compared to 76.6% across Greater Darwin. As of March 2022, 9.2% of residents are aged 65 and over (266 people), which is higher than the 7.5% in Greater Darwin. Despite this, health outcomes among seniors require more attention than those of the broader population.

Driver was found to be more culturally diverse than the vast majority of local markets in Australia, upon assessment of a range of language and cultural background related metrics

Driver's population was found to be more culturally diverse than most local markets, with 25.7% born overseas and 21.3% speaking a language other than English at home. Christianity was the main religion in Driver, making up 39.0%. The category 'Other' showed overrepresentation in Driver, comprising 1.8%, compared to 1.1% across Greater Darwin.

Regarding ancestry, Australian (25.2%), English (23.0%), and Other (10.8%) were the top three groups represented. Notably, Filipino (4.4% vs 4.8%), Australian Aboriginal (10.1% vs 9.1%), and Maori (0.9% vs 0.7%) showed higher representation in Driver compared to regional averages.

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

Driver's median age is 33 years, comparable to Greater Darwin's average of 34 and substantially under Australia's median of 38. Relative to Greater Darwin, Driver has a higher concentration of residents aged 5-14 at 16.2%, but fewer residents aged 15-24 at 10.2%. Post-2021 Census data shows the 75-84 age group grew from 1.3% to 2.6% of the population, while the 5-14 cohort increased from 15.1% to 16.2%, and the 15-24 cohort declined from 12.7% to 10.2%. Demographic modeling suggests Driver's age profile will evolve significantly by 2041, with the 65-74 age cohort projected to grow steadily, expanding by 80 people (45%) from 179 to 260. Notably, combined age groups of 65+ are expected to account for 52% of total population growth, reflecting the area's aging demographic profile. Meanwhile, the 0-4 cohort grows by a modest 5%, adding 10 people.